Source: Page 71 of White Noise Keywords: "Hitler," "murmured," "warily"

From: "Daniel Gibson" Subject: [Ranma/NGE/HPL/AMG/Fusion] Sic Semper Morituri__Chapter 2 Date: 12 Oct 2002 Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime.creative

Sic Semper Morituri: Chapter 2: Nabiki Arrives Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Ranma 1/2, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ah MY Goddess, or the Lovecraft Cycle involved in these stories. And I'll put them back when I've finished with them. C&C , MSTs are welcome E-mail: dan_s.comme...@worldnet.att.net "Better a friend on paths unknown, than be alone in Hell." The Wolf Pack: Strange Blood by Leslie Fish Chapter 2: Nabiki Arrives Nabiki found herself in a train station. For an instant, she thought she was in a museum. "This place is ancient!" she commented. "The year is 1947," a slightly different Belldandy told her. Nabiki noticed the changes in their heights and their clothing. Belldandy nodded, "You are now 14-years-old, and dressed appropriately for this time and place. You have retained your knowledge of the future, and its wonders, it is the only advantage you have, except." Belldandy touched Nabiki's forehead. Nabiki's mind was instantly awhirl. Thoughts, ideas, concepts flooded her mind, then settled down. It was not wholly unpleasant. "It was agreed, to give you absolute fluency in German, and English, they will be very necessary." "When can I see Ranma?" Nabiki asked. Air-raid sirens sounded all over the city. Nabiki tensed as the few people she could see, stopped whatever they were doing, and moved in various directions. "He will appear soon. But he is not your first priority. There are others who will require your help, perhaps as much or more than Ranma. You may discover, that you have to protect them from themselves, over any external enemy," Belldandy explained. Nabiki shook her head, "A bunch of crazies, like Kuno." "No, their fears are more justified." The goddess gestured to the two humanoid machines walking through the city, one purple, the other orange. "Giant robots!" Nabiki was confused, "I thought you said this was 1947, we couldn't build those things in our time!" "Correct. There are other technologies available," the goddess explained as the two machines jogged to the same position. Some black, tarry substance flowed over the purple one. The orange one pulled a knife that was normally proportionated to it, which made it huge, and slashed at the tar. The tar smothered the orange one as well. Nabiki looked at the goddess, "What's happening?" "Your friend is piloting the purple machine, the false god is trying to kill them, him and the other pilot." The goddess looked at her, "The other pilot, will be one who needs your help as well." Nabiki nodded, "Can't you do something?" "No." She shook her head, "I'm not permitted to use that level of power. The pilots must use their machines to destroy the false gods. We cannot intervene directly. Only humans can." "So I'm your agent here? Do I have to abide by any special rules?" "We would not have chosen you, unless we knew you would do the job." "Terrific." Nabiki turned back to the battle, the robots seemed to be losing. "Can't I do something? It's killing him, I can feel it!" "Yes," Belldandy admitted, "But they are not the ones who need you now." "I can't stand here and let him die!" Nabiki retorted angrily. A ball of white light exploded from the hand of the purple machine, the tar looked like a slow-motion splash, as the ball hit it. The orange one extended its hands, the tar began to pull in on itself, bits turned gray. The knives rose and fell. The machines stooped to continue the fight. Nabiki noticed the goddess turning away in horror. Nabiki was confused, she hadn't seen anything too terribly horrible. Maybe she was sensitive to the murder of anything. Belldandy composed herself, "Your first target is along this path, he will need saving, from himself, from the world. Good luck to you, Tendo Nabiki, and God Bless." The woman vanished. Nabiki looked at the cow path that led up into the hills, "No time like the past." She joked as she started climbing. ---------------------------------------- I lowered my head, released my grip on the controls. I'd never felt this tired, that I could remember. "Rei-san?" I asked, "Are you still alive?" "Hai, Ranma-san," came back, even less expressive than usual. I massaged my chest, it felt like somebody parked a truck there. I couldn't breathe properly, my heart was barely beating. I was sure I was dying, the `Angel` had been killing us somehow, in a way we couldn't counter. Compressing my 'AT shield' and releasing it inside the monster, had been a last second act of desperation. I'm not sure how I did it, I didn't want to die, not with so much riding on my success or failure. It felt like something I'd done before. I'm not even sure how to do it again. Right now I just want to sleep for a week. Even the rotten taste and smell of L.C.L. didn't rouse me as it had in the past. I reached up, running my hand across the smooth metal of the entry plug. I'd heard all the people worried about me taking this EVA out in combat. As far as I could tell, there hadn't been a problem. I somehow had the feeling, that the EVA had been helping me along the way. I couldn't describe it. It felt like it loved you. However stupid that sounded, I thought. "Hey, sleepyheads!" Misato's voice and image appeared in the entry plug. Another thing I wasn't sure of. "You aren't done 'til you bring them back in!" "Hai, Captain," Rei said. "Let me take a nap, I'll be in later." "Now!" Misato demanded. "I guess when you're that old, you get grouchy," I told Rei, ignoring Misato's outraged squawk. Rei started walking slowly back to the EVA bays. I fell in behind her. Each step was like walking with heavier and heavier lead weights on my feet. ---------------------------------------- Misato stared daggers at Ritsuko and Maya, who were laughing at her discomfort. "You're just not having any luck with younger men," Ritsuko teased, "Maybe I should take him home. Besides, he seems too tired to walk away." "Fine," Misato snapped back, Shinji's running away was a very sore spot right now. She suddenly remembered, "We were supposed to pick up Tendo Nabiki!" "She's probably at a shelter. We'll send Security out to find her," Ritsuko replied, "Any word about Shinji?" "None," Misato said glumly, "I suppose Security will have to drag him back here." "Let's just hope Rei doesn't run away too. We'll run out of replacements," Maya joked. "Sorry." The glares from the other two silenced her. ---------------------------------------- Nabiki saw the boy ahead, she considered how she was going to approach him. Usually, people came to her, but she could already sense how skittish he was. Hi I'm lost. Do you know the way to NERV? Did you see those monsters fighting it out? No scratch that one. Hi, I'm Nabiki Tendo. I'm the new pilot, can you point me in the direction of NERV Headquarters? No, leave NERV out of it, she thought. Her stomach rumbled, Hey, have you got anything to eat? Yeah, that will do. "Excuse me! Sir, excuse me!" she closed the distance at a jog. ---------------------------------------- Ranma crawled out of the entry plug, and onto the stretcher. He hated how feeble he felt. Rei had to be loaded from the chair to a stretcher, she couldn't move. Ranma's pride demanded, he at least prove his strength. The medics loaded the stretchers on wheeled gurneys, and left the EVA bay. For all her talk about being with us, Ranma thought, She doesn't waste any time seeing if we're all right. He heard the medics commenting on blood pressure, heart rate, none of it meant anything to him. He felt floaty, weak, temporary, as if a strong wind would blow him apart, at the same time, he felt twitches all over his body as if he couldn't sit still. It was a frightening feeling, nothing was acting like he expected it to. He watched the lights passing over him, heard the squeak of the wheels on his gurney and Rei's up ahead. He hated the taste of L.C.L. in his mouth. He hated the tests, which always followed a contact with the EVA. This time, he was too weary to care. He wasn't sure what he'd done, compressing his AT field to a point and releasing it within the monster. Absorbing it had also disturbed him terribly, the uncleanliness of the thoughts and reaction. He kept expecting his body to go liquid and flow away. He was glad he got Maya for his examination. Dr. Akagi might be a better doctor, but Maya was a lot more caring. He was tired of living here at the base, he wanted to get out, do something, anything. If you can even get off this table, he told himself. They picked him off the gurney and placed him on the examination table. Maya removed enough of his plugsuit to start her examination. That also bothered him, being half-naked with a pretty girl, who insisted on examining him all over. "Are you all right?" Maya entered. "Tastes bad." She gave him a cup of water to rinse his mouth out, held him up so he didn't choke on it. "That was, one of them?" "Yes, Ranma." "Is Ayanami okay?" "Let's concentrate on you for the moment," Maya urged, she couldn't conceal her concern. She applied the tests. "Any word on Shinji?" Ranma asked. "Let's make sure you're all right first. You had us worried during the fight." "I was kinda worried myself," Ranma joked. ---------------------------------------- "How is that possible?" Ikari asked Dr. Akagi and Captain Katsuragi. "We aren't exactly sure ourselves. From what we can determine, Saotome compressed his AT field to a mathematical point, then let it expand. We all saw the effect. Rei simply contained the creature in her field and crushed it." "Neither of those uses of an AT field, are supposed to be possible." "I have no explanation," Dr. Akagi admitted. "What _is_ Saotome?" Ikari demanded. "We are still investigating," Akagi told him. ---------------------------------------- Nabiki stared at the fire, enjoying the boiling cabbage smell. "I'm sorry it isn't more," the boy apologized. "It's more than I had," Nabiki thanked him, Does this kid have _any_ self-confidence? She wondered, I've seen whipped puppies with more spunk. "Do you have any idea where everybody left to?" Nabiki broached the subject carefully, "Some people were supposed to meet me, but the sirens went off, and everybody scattered." "You haven't heard about the Angels?" "I've heard about messengers from the Christians' God, but that isn't what you mean, is it? I've been traveling for a while. I've been out of touch." The boy stared at her, "I thought everybody knew." "Sorry." Nabiki shrugged, "What happened, if you don't mind talking about it?" "No." He hung his head. "The EVA was launched and it . . .. killed the monster, a giant worm. But a lot of people got hurt." "If the thing was as dangerous as the one those two took on, I should have expected a lot of hurt people. That . . . thing was an Angel?" "I guess so, it was different from the one I. . . ." "Than the one you fought?" Nabiki asked carefully. Is he going to bolt now? She wondered as she carefully moved some of the cabbage to her plate, picking at it. "Can you tell me about it? I'm the new pilot." Shinji looked at her, he didn't seem to think she was trying to trick him. "I'd rather not. You, change, somehow, I don't want to go back. I met one of the pilots, a girl, she was nice but strange. Another - " Nabiki noted the boy was shaking with fear, she had to think fast. The other pilot can only be Ranma, now I know what he's afraid of, she thought. "He changed, somehow." The boy nodded, clearly terrified by what he'd seen. "Okay," Nabiki relented, "Can you tell me what NERV is like?" "Yes, I can," Shinji agreed reluctantly. Nabiki listened for an hour, gently but relentlessly drawing the boy out, listening to the words and the tone he used. She could tell he wasn't frightened by the experience, not like his fear of the pilots, and what piloting did. Disgusted, concerned, many other things. He seemed eager to have someone actually listen to him, listen to what he had to say, what he thought was important to say. He's a lot like Ranma that way, trying to fit into an unfamiliar situation, she realized, Didn't they explain the curse to him, or does even Ranma know about the nature of the curse? Nabiki heard the approaching troops, before she could see them. She prepared to face the men. Shinji seemed worried that she dropped into a combat stance. "They're surrounding us!" she warned, now she could see he was concerned. They announced themselves as NERV Security, and had orders to return both of them to Headquarters. Nabiki demanded to see identification, the guards seemed amused, but provided it, before they took the pair to a car. Shinji brought their dinner with them, they ate it in the car. Nabiki wasn't about to be separated from the boy. She wasn't sure if she was protecting him, or if she was trying to keep company. Or maybe you just want to finish dinner, She frowned at that, if she was supposed to be on the side of the angels, the real ones, she was going to have to change her thinking. She hadn't realized how different this world was. Primitive, violent, more genteel and serious. She realized the terrain was familiar, but the buildings were completely different. ---------------------------------------- When she arrived at the base, two women greeted them. Pretty, early 30's, a bottle blonde and a tall plum-haired one. The second could have been Shampoo's mother, from her lush build and combative stance. They gave her a cursory greeting, and they interrogated the boy as another woman took her way, also pretty, mid-twenties and short hair. "I'm Ibuki Maya, and I work for Dr. Akagi." "Tendo Nabiki. I saw the fight this afternoon. Are the pilots all right?" "They're under observation. We don't expect any serious health problems." "You're not sure what happens in combat to the pilots?" Nabiki asked. "Well," Maya admitted, "We only have sent the EVAs into combat, twice." "So you aren't sure." Nabiki smiled, Maya nodded. "What will happen to Shinji-kun?" Maya raised her eyebrows at Nabiki's familiarity, "That doesn't concern you." That's what you think, Nabiki didn't say. Nabiki and Maya entered the med lab, she realized Dr. Tofu had a more technologically advanced examining room. ---------------------------------------- Misato watched the new pilot leave with Maya. She noted the concerned look back at Shinji. "Well you certainly forced us to waste a lot of effort on you." "Actually, just your effort," Ritsuko corrected, "Let's not make this bigger than it is." Misato glared at her friend. "I don't want to pilot again. You have pilots. You don't need me," Shinji told them. Misato stopped, and turned her glare at Shinji, "What do you mean? 'You have enough pilots'? What are we supposed to do if one of them gets hurt again?" "Why don't you just shoot him and drag him inside," Ritsuko told her, "Excuse us? Please don't leave." Shinji nodded and apologized. Misato let Ritsuko lead her away, "Frightening him further runs counter to our needs. He saw Ranma's transformation right after awakening from the battle, and feeling the death of another test subject. To continue threatening him won't get him to agree. We've nearly lost all our pilots in our few early clashes. We just got another, and our two foreign pilots won't be here soon enough if Ranma and Rei can't pilot. We need him for the moment. Put your feelings aside and act like an officer." "I can't just turn off my emotions, like you can." Ritsuko stepped forward, pushing Misato back a step, "My emotions aren't off, but I don't parade them for all to see. I suggest you might need to do that, on occasion." Misato glared at Ritsuko, trying to wear away at her implacable friend. "You're going to show me how to do it?" Misato asked. "Of course, I'm used to dealing with stubborn children. I had this college roommate once . . . " She walked back towards Shinji. Misato growled and chased after Ritsuko, Shinji hadn't moved an inch, not even set his bag down. ---------------------------------------- "Misato," Ritsuko prodded. "Shinji, we'll need to keep you overnight for observation." "Fine," Shinji said listlessly. "Misato," Ritsuko reminded her. Misato glared back, "Shinji-kun, Pilot Saotome, they said you saw his transformation." Shinji didn't react, Ritsuko found that curious, she nodded at Misato to continue. "He came to us like that." You make him sound like a damaged car, Ritsuko thought. "Well, I just thought you should know." Misato turned to Security, "Put him in with Pilot Saotome." She told Security. Ritsuko shook her head, Misato was holding a grudge again. This was going to take some undoing. Ritsuko felt a headache coming on, I'm a biophysicist and a mathematician. I'm supposed to know how things work, not how they think. She sighed and continued inside, there were readings she wanted to go over and a few things she needed to explain to the new pilot, Tendo Nabiki, before they lost her too. ---------------------------------------- The medical examination was more thorough than anything I'd ever experienced. 'We're done Tendo-san,' were some of the most welcome words I'd ever heard. Blood sample, hair sample, skin sample, marrow samples, complete physical, dental exam, gynecological\urological exam, as well as more x-rays than I'd ever had before. It was too late to send me anywhere else, so Maya sent me to the medical wing. The blue-haired, pale-skinned girl in the room's other bed was quiet, even when she was awake, which she wouldn't be very often that night. I barely learned the girl's name: Ayanami Rei. Well, Belldandy said she'd be a major cause of concern for the near future. I couldn't get anything from the girl from my small talk, she simply shut down, and stayed sound asleep, or apparently so. The medical bay looked like something out of a 1950's monster movie. A mix of primitive equipment with a smattering of equipment more advanced than I could recognize. They were an odd mix, again I wondered what kind of a world I had found myself in. ---------------------------------------- Ritsuko caught up with Maya, "Any trouble with our new pilot?" "She seems very worried about Ikari-san, sempai," Maya admitted nervously "She also had no luck striking up a conversation with Rei." "That's to be expected. Misato blew up at Shinji, something else I should have expected." "You can't do everything, sempai," Maya retorted. "I'm not, I just suspect that Pilot Saotome's transformation had a bad effect on Ikari's desire to pilot. I think we need to head that off in Pilot Tendo, as quickly as possible." They entered the medical wing. Except for her steady breathing, Rei might have been a statue, or a cadaver. The new girl was examining the equipment minutely. "Anything we can help you with?" Ritsuko asked, she noticed the girl hadn't actually touched any of the equipment, just looked at it. "Oh, sorry. I just figured if this was my room, I'd better take a look around," she replied. "We'll arrange better quarters soon for you," Maya told her, "This is Akagi Ritsuko-sensei." The girl bowed, "Then you'd know what happened to Shinji-kun, sensei." "He's not sure he wants to pilot again." "He is wise," Rei said from her bed. Both Maya and Ritsuko cringed at that. "The main reason he reacted so badly is that -" Ritsuko took a deep breath, they needed the confidence of the pilots, this was going to tax that considerably. "When pilot Saotome is exposed to cold water, he becomes a she, hot water reverses the process. This information is absolutely Top Secret. It isn't to be discussed with anyone. Do you understand?" The girl nodded. "Do you have any questions?" "How much do we get paid, and can I get an advance?" Maya and Ritsuko exchanged stunned looks, neither had expected that question after the bombshell they had dropped on the girl. "Ah. I know you get an allowance. Ah, we bank the rest of your salary until you turn 18." Ritsuko stammered, "Why did you want to know that?" The pilot extened her arms and turned around, "This is all I have." "You can send for the rest of your things," Maya suggested. "What's the address of wherever you sent that monster? I lost my luggage before the battle." "Oh," Maya realized. "I thought you might have some other questions," Ritsuko suggested. "You just said I couldn't talk about Ran - Pilot Saotome's condition." "I meant about Saotome, where did you hear his name was Ranma?" Dr. Akagi stared at the girl, who pointed at Maya. "'I've got to check on Ranma,' unless you have five pilots, Saotome could only be Ranma, right?" "I'm sorry. Things have been, tense, the last few days." "Do you mind if I talk to Shinji? Someone his own age might, be more effective than an authority figure. He seemed pretty scared of the whole process of piloting." "Yes, thank you, we haven't had much luck. Are you sure you're all right? With Pilot Saotome's transformation?" "I volunteered to pilot a giant robot to kill deadly pools of slime, why should I have a problem with a guy - how are you sure he's a guy?" "He's sure," Maya answered. "Anyway, why should I have a problem with someone who can switch genders in water?" "Smart aleck," Ritsuko said. "And what's the meaning of leaving me in a room with her?" Nabiki asked. Ritsuko and Maya tensed, problems with Rei might force them to release this pilot even before testing. "I haven't been able to get a word in edgewise. Talk, talk, talk. It hurts my ears." Maya burst out laughing. "Keep it up young lady, and you'll be rooming with Misato," Ritsuko threatened, "I roomed with her in college, that's an ordeal." "Bad temper, bad cook, all the boys want her?" Nabiki asked. Ritsuko nodded. "I know the type," Nabiki admitted, "She doesn't use a hammer does she?" "No." Ritsuko rubbed her cheek, she hadn't realized what a joker they had with this new pilot, and wondered how she'd fit in with the usually humorless NERV crew. Probably a breath of fresh air, she thought. "Okay, I can have Maya take you shopping tomorrow for some clothes, after you're measured for your plugsuit, and some more tests." "Plugsuit?" "Read your packet. You might want to buy a red nose and some floppy shoes to let everyone know what they're in for." Ritsuko turned to leave, Maya followed her out of the room. In the corridor, Maya was still chuckling, "I'm sorry, sempai, but you should have seen the expression on your face. 'How much d we get paid?'" "You looked nearly as surprised, I'm a little concerned that -" "He whats when what happens?!" Nabiki shouted from the door of the medical bay, she looked both ways then jogged up to them. "Did I hear you right, or am I dreaming all this?" she said in a demanding tone. They hustled her to Dr. Akagi's office, and explained it to her again. Nabiki calmly nodded at appropriate points. "Okay." Nabiki walked back to her room, shaking her head. "I think she's a bit overwhelmed," Maya told Ritsuko. Ritsuko silently agreed. ---------------------------------------- Nabiki looked at Rei, she now realized Ranma's transformation would be a deep, dark secret here, she'd nearly blown it by acting so nonchalant. She glanced at Rei, realizing she'd have to cover all her bases. "Why didn't you mention it, wait, don't tell me. I didn't ask, right?" "Correct," Rei told her. "Oh, this place is going to be lots of fun." "Incorrect. It will be lots of work, and fear." "Why do I get the idea you aren't as emotionless as you've got everybody convinced you are?" Rei said nothing. ---------------------------------------- Ranma woke and found he could barely move. The pain in his chest was gone, and he still felt a slight worry that he would liquefy or go to pieces any minute. Nobody had told him how Rei felt, even if she survived. He knew the two of them didn't get along, but he didn't want her hurt, especially as badly as he'd been hurt. Nobody deserved that. "I don't think I want to pilot again if it feels like this." He tried, and was barely able, to raise an arm. He let it drop with a thump, closed his eyes and waited. Typically, as soon as they thought he was awake, the tests would begin. Maybe he could get breakfast, and find out how Rei was, before they tossed him into the EVA again. He wondered if he really wanted to learn what Everett could teach him so badly he'd go through this again. He doubted it. The dreams had been the worst part. Strange things throwing screaming victims to him. The sickening crunch as he - he couldn't have bitten them, he didn't have any bones or teeth - but they crunched, torn to pieces by him. He'd enjoyed the, taste was the only word for it, of their terror. He remembered feeling grateful and as a reward . . . he hurled that thought away, even though they weren't human, what he remembered doing to those girls was obscene. He shook his head, and was immediately sure it would fall off if he did that again. Memories and dreams hurt worse than the injuries. He'd never do things like that, not ever, but he remembered them in perfect clarity. He was ashamed, and polluted, he'd never feel clean again, not ever. ---------------------------------------- Nabiki met Shinji at breakfast. Rei had declined to leave her hospital bed. Nabiki reported this to Dr. Akagi's other assistance, Lt. Nancy Thompson, an American Army nurse, who teased her that it wasn't her job to look after the pilots. Nabiki had retorted that somebody had to. "Hey, Shinji-kun." She sat down next to him. She thought he would say something, but when he didn't, she continued, "Did they tell you about Pilot Saotome's . . . condition." "I saw it." Shinji picked at his food, "I guess that's what happens to pilots. I saw how badly Ayanami-san was hurt." "She's okay. A little tired but okay," Nabiki told him, "Is she always that quiet?" Shinji shook his head, "I only saw her once. She didn't cry out when she was hurt. She got hurt worse when they pushed me to pilot it." "You feel guilty about that, and all the other damage?" Nabiki asked. Shinji nodded. "It's perfectly natural. But if you were fighting anything like the thing they fought yesterday, you're just lucky more people weren't hurt. You made a mistake. That's what beginners do." "I might have killed people," Shinji hissed back, "I know I did." "More than would have died without your actions?" Nabiki asked. Shinji stared at his breakfast. "This is a war, in battle there are casualties. The Americans incinerated entire Japanese cities, killed hundreds and thousands, and we were still planning to fight back. To meet their invasion on the beaches, armed with sharp sticks if that's all we had. Did you do your best, yes or no?" "Yes," Shinji admitted. "Could you do better with more training?" "Any training. This isn't natural to me." "I don't think most things come natural to people, flying, riding a bicycle, playing an instrument. Dealing with the bunch of weirdos we have to work with." "Piloting makes them that way," Shinji told her. "Then how do you explain her?" Nabiki pointed to Misato, who was marching in wearing shorts and a T-shirt that looked slept in. Shinji smiled at that. "Well, are you ready to get to work?" Misato stood, arms akimbo. "And who are you?" Nabiki asked, "The town crier?" "I'm your commanding officer, Pilot Tendo," Misato told her. "Excuse me, Officer is Your, your first name, or your family name?" Nabiki stood and saluted, tapped Shinji, "Stand up and salute Commanding Officer Your. Show a little respect." Shinji hid a smile, Nabiki had dealt with idiot martinets, a show of false courtesy was the best approach, for the likes Kuno, or Happosai. "My name is Misato Katsuragi," she told them. "I am your commanding officer." "Oh. Do we have to wear a uniform like that?" Nabiki asked, "It must get very drafty in the winter, sir." Nabiki kept her tone curious and respectful, and kept from laughing. Shinji was a little less successful, he had to cover his mouth to prevent his laughter from being heard. Misato's face went through a series of shades and contortions. "Come with me." She simply stormed off. Nabiki shrugged at Shinji, took his hand, and headed after her. They followed through a series of twists and turns, then Misato suddenly stopped. "Uh, there should be a door here." "We're lost?" Nabiki asked, "How can that be, you're our commanding officer." Nabiki walked over to one of the internal phones, she dialed the only number she knew. "Come on Rei, pick up the phone," she murmured. "Hai." "Rei-san, we're lost in section 47-3, level four." She turned to Misato, "We're going to the EVA bays, right?" "Yes." "Rei, we need the most direct route to the EVA bays." Nabiki quickly wrote down the concise directions the normally quiet girl gave her. "Thanks, Rei-san." Nabiki hung up the phone, "Okay, I know where we're going." They marched off, Nabiki in the lead. Misato occasionally disagreed with Rei's directions. Nabiki flatly told her that she was following the directions Rei gave her, and marched quickly out of sight of a fuming Misato. ---------------------------------------- "You're late," Ritsuko told them as they entered, "We'll have to postpone the measuring." "Officer Katsuragi led us to a dead end. I called Rei-san to get directions," Nabiki told her, "She said she'd been here a while. I figured she'd know her way around." "So, Shinji." Ritsuko tried to put on a pleasant face, "Would you be willing to try piloting again? Just tests, if another Angel shows up, we'll get Ranma and Rei to take it on." "Yeah, I guess," Shinji said. "Thank you." "Could you teach that to 'Commanding Officer'?" Nabiki asked Ritsuko. "Teach, yes, make her learn? That would require Divine Providence." "Send her to Rhode Island when she goes to pick up the American," Nabiki suggested. Seeing Dr. Akagi's expression she added, "Two foreign pilots, one German, one American, it's all over the base. And the packet says NERV Massachusetts is a personnel training base. Boston is close to Rhode Island, its capital is Providence." From her expression, Nabiki realized Dr. Akagi was going to keep a close eye on her. I'm going to have to quit making these goofs, Nabiki thought, They aren't used to people who actually think. ---------------------------------------- "How much longer?" the man looking over the scientist's shoulder asked. "General, we cannot go any faster. The armor takes time to anneal properly. Otherwise, the plates will develop voids and crystals. That will make weak points that will allow the enemy to penetrate and destroy the unit. The process will take two more days. Another day to install the plating. With the first pilots, you'll have the most powerful fighting force the world has ever known." "Yes, if Hitler had these, he would have marched from Calais to Vladivostok, nothing could have stopped them." "Have they penetrated the site?" the scientist asked. "A company of OT-34's stopped them this time. Brave men, more posthumous medals to grieving families." "There have been two incidents in Japan," the scientist commented, "Maybe they can spare an EVA or two." Both men chuckled. "Have you considered that our five pilots, soon six, and then seven in a few months, will give us the preponderance?" the scientist asked. "I have no such appetites. The greatest weapon ever created, all to be used to defend. An appropriate irony." ---------------------------------------- Nabiki climbed out of the plug of Unit 00, Unit 01 hadn't reacted to her at all. Unit 00 had little reaction to Shinji, so they switched and ran the tests. "How'd I do?" Nabiki asked, then noted Shinji throwing up in a bucket. That stuff isn't as bad as some of Akane's cooking, I guess I'm immune, she realized. "Thirty-five, not great, but not bad. It qualifies you as a pilot," Maya told her, setting down the bucket she'd been holding. "Sorry about the window." Nabiki looked up as the armored shutter retracted, she'd tripped while trying to make Unit 00 stand. She'd nearly put the EVA's fist into the middle of the control room. "I guess you'll take it out of my salary." "We're just glad your 'Oh no,' was clumsiness, and not a problem with the EVA. That's how Ayanami was hurt." Misato stormed in, "Why didn't you wait for me?" "Because after the tests and measurements, Maya and I are going shopping, I need some clothes." "Oh," Misato brightened, "I can help you pick out some good outfits." Nabiki pointedly looked over Misato's outfit, long shorts and a T-shirt, both scruffy. And took the barf bucket back from Maya, put her head in it, and then returned it, still empty. "Akagi-sensei," Nabiki shouted up to the shattered control room windows, "I'm ready for more tests if you are." She guessed Ritsuko was smirking at least as much as Maya was. "I'll just have to wear a spiffy uniform like she does." Nabiki wondered how far she could push this woman before she either got the hint, or exploded. From their expressions, none of the others had ever seen anyone verbally spar with Officer Katsuragi Misato, and they were enjoying the novel experience. Officer Katsuragi herself was having trouble dealing with someone who was opposing her wishes, but not directly confronting her, a passive-aggressive approach. Nabiki doubted she'd ever encountered someone who would adopt it as a defense. If I'm losing, I'll call the game off, Nabiki thought. "All right, I won't go, I've got paperwork to do anyway." "Well, I'm sorry you're busy. It would have been fun." Misato glared at the pleasantly smiling Nabiki before she stormed out. "Did I say something wrong?" Nabiki asked innocently. Maya guffawed, even Shinji smiled. "I'm sorry, I've had to deal with pushy people all my life. The simplest thing to do is use their own energy against them, like judo." "Are you a martial artist too?" Ritsuko's voice came over the loudspeakers. "Yeah, while my mom was still alive," Nabiki answered, she hoped the goddesses had produced a good cover identity, they'd given her no briefing papers, so she'd have to stay close to the truth. "Maybe you should meet with Ranma, give him someone else to practice with. You'd give poor Captain Everett a break." "HEY!" a man's voice protested. The others chuckled. Nabiki noticed the almost unfamiliarity with laughter. As if they had almost forgotten how, or feared punishment. She thought of Principal Kuno and the 'Fathers of the Anything Goes School' and their arbitrary and childish demands of those under their control, she wondered what kind of person was in charge of the place. ---------------------------------------- I follow Nabiki and Maya to the locker room. I pause and freeze. Nabiki looks inside, "I think we'll need a separate locker room, or a separator." She turns back to me, "Okay Shinji-kun, no peeking. I'll use the farther row, you use the closer. I'll take a quick shower. Then you, all right?" I nod, glad for all the decisions out of my hands and the privacy. "What about our clothes?" I ask. "I'm wearing my last set of clothes, I think Tendo-san is in the same situation." Analyst Ibuki shifts uncomfortably, "I think I can get some coveralls from Search and Rescue." "Go." Nabiki tells her. She waits until Maya is out of earshot. "They sent you into battle without any training?" She pauses, pats my shoulder, it's embarrassing, "Now I can believe it." She pauses again, "You said you saw Ranma - Pilot Saotome, and water?" I nod. "I wish we could talk about it." She falls silent, waiting for Maya. It seems strange, everyone else seems to want me to talk, this Nabiki Tendo seems to accept I don't want to speak, but she does. Although her questions are more probing than Katsuragi-san's. It's a strange combination. "So does everyone around here either talk incessantly, or not at all?" Nabiki smiles at me, letting me know I'm included in the joke, instead of the butt of it. I smile, "So, which are you?" She smiles back, "Neither. That's why I wanted to know." She sniffs, "Do we ready smell as bad as I think we do?" "Yes," I tell her, she nods. She leans close, "Don't tell anyone, but the L.C.L. isn't the worst tasting thing there is." "Impossible." "I'm not kidding. Akane was her name, if we dropped her food on the Angels," her voice turns menacing, "They'd die screaming." I laugh, the idea of anything worse than L.C.L. was hard to imagine. Anything more terrible than those things was almost impossible to imagine. "Tell me," Nabiki gets serious again, "Were you as scared as I am now? I mean, I put that thing's fist through the control room windows because I couldn't stand up." "I fell down a lot," I admit. "One time the worm ate me. I don't want to think about it." "Okay," she considers, "That's your only set of clothes, isn't it?" I nod. "You should come shopping for some clothes with us." She stands up straight, partially unbuttoning her L.C.L. sodden blouse, I get ready to run. "As your exhibitionist commanding officer, I demand it." She imitates Captain Katsuragi, badly. "I can't stand the smell anymore," Nabiki says, "I'm going to take a shower, if you're bringing me clean clothes, you can peek." She smiles, "If I can." I blush, she smiles and enters the locker room. A moment later I follow her, but stay in the first row. A few minutes later, Analyst Ibuki returns with some coveralls and work shirts. I slip a set next to Tendo-san's clothes and wait in the first row for her to finish her shower. ---------------------------------------- "I invited Shinji-san to come with us," I told Maya who was waiting when we left. "Both of us need clothes, shoes, et cetera." They were burning my last set of clothes as we spoke, I wished I could get the smell completely out of my hair. Or maybe I was just so used to smelling it, I smelled it everywhere. "He agreed?" Maya seemed a bit surprised. "I didn't exactly give him a choice. You'd think a high-tech - nology place like this would at least have robes we could wear when we get out of a shared shower, and special clothes for swimming in that gunk. The smell is never coming out of my clothes, and my shoes are ruined." "Well, you'll be issued special uniforms. They just aren't ready yet. And you did miss getting measured for your plugsuits." "Maya-san, don't take this wrong, but was anything ready before you started all of this? Untrained pilots, no uniforms, are all the floors installed?" "Well," Maya squirmed, "We were doing our best, and no, the Angels arrived before we were fully ready. We were expecting two foreign pilots, and two more EVAs before the battles got going. You were supposed to be our backups. Things just happened too fast. The critical systems are fully functional." "Well, it worries me. If things are important, you take _MORE_ care, not less. I don't mind sleeping in the medical wing, but what happens if there are casualties?" "You'll get quarters, that was only for one night. Ayanami-san has her own apartment." "Does anyone live with her?" "No. Of course not." They let a young kid like her live alone, unsupervised? That horrifies me more than the monsters I've heard about, I keep my expression neutral. Maybe I'll have to live alone, I wonder if Ranma would want a roommate? They wouldn't allow that, would they? I wondered. Shinji arrived from the locker room, he seemed worried about being with us. "Easy, Shinji-kun, we won't hurt you. We're just buying clothes." He nodded, apologized. "It's okay, I forgive you for being human," I told him, he seemed nonplused by this. What have I gotten myself into? I wondered. Maya seemed rational enough. We got a jeep from the motor pool. Out in the streets, I must admit, I've never seen so many Americans in uniform, all over the place. Maya misinterpreted my rubbernecking. "Tokyo is a big place isn't it." "I've been to Tokyo before. It's just so different than what I remember. All the uniforms too. I didn't see them when I was here last." "Yes," Maya admitted, "I prefer them to the Kempitai though. Women got the vote, got the right to drive. It's like waking up in a different world." "So how are the clothing stores?" I asked, "And how much money have you got?" "I've got a month's worth, of your, salaries. You both can spend all you want." I think I'm going to like it here. ---------------------------------------- Shinji and I each got a number of outfits, and several school uniforms. We never used up the entire amount Maya was holding for us. How much do we actually make? I wonder. The drive home was equally quiet, I've had little time to `work` on Shinji, and once Misato, gets her hands on him, she'll scare him off again. I'm beginning to realize that Belldandy and her counterpart, Belldandy, needed an arch-manipulator like me to keep this bunch running on an even keel. I should have asked for a lot more before they sent me, like a doctorate in Child and Abnormal Psychology, Psychiatry and a license to practice medicine. These people need keepers! I spotted a restaurant, ironically near where the Nekohanten would be in 'my' world. "Let's stop there, my treat." The things I do to save the world. "Well, Dr. Akagi - " "Telephone her, see if she can ditch Officer Motormouth and we can have a quiet dinner." Maya blushed. Another something to look into. "I couldn't do that." "Well, then - " "No!" Maya nearly drove off the road, "It's all right," she said. Shinji was wide awake now. Maya pulled in. Parking is easier now than in 'the future', a NERV ID lets you get away with a lot. The food was mediocre at best, probably why it was so long abandoned when Cologne and Shampoo bought it, but that wasn't the reason we're here. "So how many of those things are we going to have to fight?" I asked Maya. She shrugged, "The Commander might know. Or sempai." Sempai, I mentally made another note. Kuno wanted to be called sempai, upperclassman/social superior. I think with Maya, it's a lot more than an honorific. "What can you tell me about the other three pilots? Saotome and the two . . . " I was going to say gaijin, that strikes a little too close to burakumin. "Well, Asuka Soryu Langley," Maya butchered 'Langley', "Is from Germany, she's been training since before the end of the war. The Americans have two pilots training, we'll get the most capable. They had three but . . . " That got Shinji's attention, "What happened?" Maya looked around, trying to spot eavesdroppers. The reason I suggested this random stop was to spot them, as well as talk to Shinji. "Well," Maya stammered, "He died." "Like the girl that morning?" Shinji asked. "What girl?" I asked. "The day I, ran away. A girl died. You could hear it." He tapped his head, "Up here. Then I saw Pilot Saotome. . ." "It isn't like that," Maya whispered defensively, "You both survived initial contact, there's no more danger and no problems." I don't know how to tell her that was easily the worst thing she could have told us. I barely beat Shinji to the punch, "So we could have died?" I hissed. Maya looked around sheepishly, "You didn't." I extended my hand to Shinji, "Congratulations, they didn't kill us on their first try. How much is a train ticket back to where you're from? I've got some money left." I turned back to Maya, "Anything else you'd like to tell us? Our commanding officer is an alien robot, this is all a television program?" "What's television?" Maya asked. "A radio that sends moving pictures as well as sound. The Americans have them." I racked my brains, I think televison was invented before the war. "Look, we're both worried about piloting," I told her, thankfully Shinji nodded. "Just telling us to shoot first and ask questions later, well, it's gotten some people in trouble here and in Germany." Maya clearly didn't like the comparison. Good, a bit of outrage will loosen her tongue, I thought, I don't believe I could get her drunk. When were truth serums invented? Better question, why didn't I pay more attention in history class? "It isn't like that," Maya said again, trying to reassure us. "Shinji-kun, they weren't lying. If you hadn't agreed to pilot, the Americans would have bombed Tokyo into a radioactive crater to get the Angel. We didn't have any choice." "So you made sure I didn't either." He pointed out. Good, the kid's not a complete doormat. "I guess we still don't. We either pilot, or watch cities and people get carpet bombed." "Yeah," Shinji admitted, "I wouldn't want that on my conscience, and the people depending on me, you and Misato-san, and Akagi-sensei, and you Nabiki-san. Maybe even my father." He sighed. It wasn't much, but it was a start, I realized. "Two Units, six pilots, maybe you won't have to pilot all the time, they might rotate us around," I suggested. He brightened at that, then fell into despair again. I was beginning to wonder if Rei would be any easier to deal with. "What about Rei?" I asked, "Is she always that quiet? She acts like every word shortens her lifespan." "She's always been quiet. Except with the Commander," Maya admitted, "I can't figure that out. They . . . " She glanced at Shinji's expectant expression, and fell silent. They open up to each other, I completed the thought, That should make Shinji really happy. "What can you tell us about our Commanding Officer, the fashion model?" "Captain Katsuragi? She was a regular army officer, almost unheard of. Her tactical skills are amazing." Judged by whom? I wonder. Tests aren't the same as reality, and how far wrong can you go with 'March out and stab the thing!'? ---------------------------------------- Ranma was doing the katas slowly, he was clumsy and that made him angry. It was as if his arms had suddenly gotten heavier and longer, both. Everett wasn't watching this pitiful performance. Ranma could never have lived down his new teacher seeing him like this. Rei wandered in and began a series of exercises. She did each one mechanically, as if it was something to be checked off a list, then on to do the next. She didn't break a sweat. "You could do a lot more, build up your strength and endurance," he suggested. She looked at him as if he'd advised she jump off the building, then returned to her exercises. Finished them. "Do you want to spar?" He went through a few moves. "No." She left. He looked after her, wondered why she was so angry, and went back to his katas. Kept trying to get his muscles to do what they were supposed to. Later he decided to go see Dr. Akagi. ---------------------------------------- "They aren't doing what I'm telling them." He tried to explain to the scientist. "I tried doing my usual exercises, but it, didn't work." "How so? Is it reaction time or strength or balance?" He was totally flabbergasted, he hadn't expected anyone to understand, especially a scientist, or a girl. "My doctorate is in Biophysics, the study of how living systems work, like people and muscles." "Oh." He wasn't sure if he was embarrassed or pleased she understood, "All of them. I'm slower and my balance is off." "You suffered extreme exhaustion and some heart trauma during the fight. You need to relax, rest a few days. You can't expect to bounce back instantly." "But, Doc, I have to train," he explained. "So you'll turn purple and explode if you don't?" she asked, "Let me set up some equipment. I want to see that happen, and study it." "Doc, it's not like that," he considered, "I'm a marital artist, to be the best, I have to practice. If I can't, I'll fall behind." "Well, in my medical opinion, you're pushing too hard. You have injuries that need to heal. That's going to take time. As chief NERV medical officer, I'm ordering you to take the time." "You think I'm being stubborn," he said. "Pride makes a good servant, but a poor master. You're entitled to rest and heal. We've got spare pilots, no need to kill yourself to get ready to get back in the cockpit." She smiled, "Besides, the next Angel isn't due for a few days." "You know -" Then he realized she was joking. "Okay, Doc, I understand. By the way, you aren't going to stick me with Misato are you. She'd think it was cute to dump water on me and play dress up." "Well, that's good to know if we need to discipline you." Ranma blanched. "I take it you don't want to stay at the base. They have private rooms outside of the medical wing." "I'll think about it. When do I meet the others? I only saw Shinji once and I've never met the new, it's a girl right?" "Any problems with her being a girl?" she asked. He sensed the trap, "Not with Ayanami-san as a pilot." "Good. They went out to get some new clothes. We don't have plugsuits for them yet. You should get some new clothes as well, you'll need a uniform when you go to school." He wasn't going to wear one of the dopey uniforms, if someone had a problem with this, they could take it up with him. "Say, it's kind of late, do you want to get some dinner at the cafeteria." Ranma was always open to food, "Sure, who's paying?" "Since you don't have your I.D. card, I am, it's free for all employees. It's not very good, but if you can't get out. You won't starve." ---------------------------------------- The cafeteria was as I expected it, a few people scattered about, a mix of American and Japanese food. Cuisine is French and is supposed to indicate fine food, this isn't. "Akagi-sensei?" Ranma asked me, "Can I get two trays?" He holds up the one of the large metal, multi-compartment trays. "What happened to 'Doc'?" I asked. He seems embarrassed, "Well, we . . . " "Why not three trays." I carefully balanced a tray on his head. "Gee, thanks." He headed off, not spilling a drop despite passing the three from head to hand to hand, all at a speed I could barely catch. If this is at diminished speed and balance, I thought, I have to test his real limits. At the cashier I presented my card, the older woman stared and the three huge heaps of food. I caught a comment about growing kids as I passed. "I expect you to eat all you take, we're lucky to have that food." There are people starving in this very city, I didn't tell him, As well as all over Japan. He looked guiltily at the feast before him. "It's a cruel irony," I told him, "We use resources that could save people from disease and starvation, to keep others from dying at the hands of monsters." "So if I eat this, sleep in a warm bed, I kinda owe'em?" "You could look at it that way." He's not as dumb as he lets on, I realized. I glanced down, I had two dumplings and a small salad. Now I had one. Ranma shoveled food at a speed that would beat a steam shovel. The speed and precision were beyond human norms. Did one piloting experience do that? Or is it normal for him? I almost missed the swift move that stole my second dumpling. "Excuse me for a moment." I got up and returned with six more on a separate plate. Then while I ate my salad, I sat and watched him snatch the dumplings from the plate. I was relatively certain he wasn't remotely aware he was doing it, and it never disrupted his rhythm in eating off the other trays. I considered the speed and reflexes needed to accomplish this, and the tests I would have to perform. Another on the long list of things to check. Then Misato stormed in. "Have either of you seen Shinji? If he's run away again-!" "He, Nabiki-san and Maya are getting them some new clothes," I told her, calmly, "Have you forgotten they have to go to school tomorrow and only Rei and Ranma have plugsuits yet?" "Why didn't someone tell me?" The idea that a soft answer turns away wrath never met Misato with a full head of steam. "Probably couldn't find you," Ranma said between bites. I braced for the explosion. "Are you saying I'm not doing my job?" Ranma seemed mystified that she was angry, at least Rei's tactlessness is due to a compulsion to be factual. Ranma simply puts his foot in it. "Because if you are -!" "Do you want Shinji to hear you screaming again? You'd scare him off for sure." Misato merely glared at us and stamped off. I glanced down at what was left of my salad, it's gone, I mean the bowl is clean. What did he do? I wonder, Lick the bowl when I wasn't looking. Ranma had given the trays the same treatment, they're all down to bare metal. "Can I get seconds?" The question took me completely off stride, the kid just polished off a week's worth of food, and he's still hungry. "Didn't anyone ever feed you?" This time I just put my foot wrong. "I'm sorry, I keep forgetting you don't remember." "Sometimes, it's like I can reach out and touch who and what I was. But when I try, it's like grabbing smoke. Why can't I remember? Am I trying to forget?" "That may be possible. The mind takes steps to prevent its destruction. You also have instances of head injuries, it could be either, it could be both, it could be neither. Rei suggested you 'Dropped out of the sky.' It may be hard to accept, but you might think of yourself as reborn: there was no 'you' before that moment. Many people lost their entire family in the war. Some lost them afterward. If you think you're running away from something, that's probably it." He nodded. "Besides, as hard as you work, I can't imagine a farm between here and Sapporo tossing you out." Although they would have to monitor your food intake, she admitted. "Thanks. It's, it's been bothering me." "Ranma, even if we'd recruited you, your situation would be the same. You'd have left people behind. Shinji left his teacher, Nabiki left her family. You're new job here is important, you're protecting these people, even if you can't remember who they are." He nodded. I'm _not_ a psychologist and I'm hardly the one to explain to anyone about good parenting, I had to give away a cat I'd raised from a kitten when it wouldn't stay in the same room as me, and my 'mother', sometimes I wish I didn't know her. Maya, Shinji, and Nabiki's arrival banished these maudlin thoughts. Nabiki made a beeline to Ranma, who seemed suspicious about the sudden attention. She looked him over minutely. Ranma looked ready to bolt, Shinji stood watching carefully, a strange role reversal. "You don't look any different," she told him. I began to think tactlessness was the defining characteristic of all pilots. "Sorry, sempai, we stopped off for dinner," Maya told me. "You don't have to explain or apologize." As opposed to the bridge crew, who are too obsequious, how is this girl going to get anyone to notice her if she doesn't stand up for herself? "So where are we staying tonight?" Nabiki asked, "I don't look forward to another night in the med lab." "Sempai, they shouldn't be unsupervised," Maya said. "I hardly have the room." Oh, that wasn't a smart thing to say. "I can sleep on the floor." Ranma said, "I don't want to stay in the medical wing either." "Maya?" I implored. "My place is too tiny. You have those two huge bedrooms." "I don't mind doubling up, it's not like I haven't had to before." I have the perfect excuse, two actually, to get out of this. But security precludes one, and the other . . .. "I can't take care of two kids! I can't even take care of a cat!" "We aren't exactly high maintenance," Nabiki said irritably. "If they approve Misato, they can hardly refuse you," Shinji said. I think he's the only one in the room, besides me, who thought this was a bad idea, but if they stuck him with Misato .. . . "I can help you get them settled in," Maya volunteered. I don't want them! I wanted to shout, Why can't the Angels attack when it might be useful? I could say no, pull rank, protest my unfitness, my busy schedule, anything. And it will make me look petty, I told myself. "I'll need to get approval from Commander Ikari, I can't promise anything." "He won't object, if it's just tonight," Maya said, "Children should have someone to look after them." "So you have to look after Misato." Nabiki patted Shinji's shoulder, "A grave responsibility, watching over our commanding officer." I'm doomed, I might as well accept it. "All right, collect your things from the medical bay. Shinji-san, you'd better go to Misato's office, she was looking for you." Why did he look like I just sent him to his execution, and was resigned to it? Once the Children left, Maya leaned close, "You should have a family, sempai, someone to look after and look after you." I glared at her, she squeaked and retreated. Kamis help me, I've got two of them, and I thought Misato was insane to take Shinji, and I've got two of them. Next they'll be telling me to take Rei in. That I won't do, I know too well why she is where she is. ---------------------------------------- This is working out better than I hoped, I'm going to be staying with Dr. Akagi and Ranma. From her expression, I suspect she didn't want to go along with this. But a little phone call to Commander Ikari while I was collecting my stuff helped. Rei had been doing her usual cadaver impersonation, I'd asked her what she thought of the idea, she said having trusted people looking after us seemed a good idea. I think Gendo, I nearly called him Genma, was shocked when I mentioned that, as if no one ever consulted Rei. If what Maya said last night was true, Rei's been with Commander Ikari since the construction of the base started. Always go to the source. That started me thinking. "Rei-san. What do you think about piloting? Any advice for us novices?" "I can do it. If I die, I can be replaced." So that's what's bugging her. "Rei-san, we aren't here as your replacements. We're here as your partners. Sure you can do the job, but that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. We are here to help." Her eyes closed and she said nothing. I don't know if she fell asleep again or if she's just digesting what I'd said. She's been the only pilot, then suddenly there are three more, and two on the way. One, the Commander's own son. She's got to be feeling threatened, as if someone decided she wasn't good enough. And if she's close to the Commander, and assumes he made the decision and didn't tell her? I remember how insecure I was at that age, and she doesn't have oneechan to go running to. Or does she? "Besides, with four EVAs somebody else has to pilot them, it's not like there's a half dozen of you." She opens her eyes and stares at me. For a moment I'm uncertain, it's almost as bad as Soun's 'demon head' attack, but I still hold my ground until she turns away and closes her eyes. I didn't expect that. If she's uncertain of her position, it's no wonder she's hostile. I get my heart rate under control and collect my things. "Are you going to be all right, here all alone?" Trying to start building a bridge to the girl. "Hai." I consider arguing the point, but abandon the idea, she is going to be a tough one, besides, I think we're straining Dr. Akagi's disposition right now. Well at least I don't . . .., then I stop. Belldandy said, 'He will not be your only charge, there are others who will require your help, perhaps as much or more than Ranma.' She didn't mean the whole staff did she?! "Nabiki, when you blow a deal, you don't go halfway do you?" I whispered. Nabiki shivered slightly, missing Rei's intense stare as she left. ---------------------------------------- Doctor Akagi drove the jeep in a bemused silence, Maya seemed subdued, but amused. Ranma was silent, so was Shinji, Nabiki between them. "Here I am between two boys and they both stare at the city. Am I really that hideous? Oh, woe is me." That got a smile out of Ritsuko and a chuckle from Maya. Shinji and Ranma had matching bewildered looks. Shinji apologized, Ranma got more perplexed. "So, Ranma, have you ever been to Tokyo before?" "He's lost his memory," Dr. Akagi warned. She can hear over the wind and road noise? She's got good ears. "Sorry, I didn't know." "It's not anything," he said grimly and went back to staring at the streets going by. I recognized a little of it, I never realized how much of Tokyo was, will be?, rebuilt between the end of the war and the 'modern' era. We dropped Shinji off, Dr. Akagi spoke with Misato at length before Misato called to Shinji. If this was Nerima, I'd have said Misato and Ritsuko just had a fight, at least Misato was trying to be pleasant when Shinji arrived. The drive to Ritsuko's apartment was filled with some talk about Shinji cleaning up after Misato. "We were roommates in college," Ritsuko supplied, "A thoughtless slob." Both Ranma and I were shocked. "Frankly, I needed that. I was a little too neat and orderly. It was useful for school, but I had to learn about the unpredictability of real life." We arrived at Dr. Akagi's apartment, and carried what few possessions we had. I knew neither Ranma nor I ever had many things, but all he had now was the clothes on his back. All I had was a few items purchased today, three or four changes of clothes. I quit congratulating myself at my cleverness and realized I'd just thrust Ranma into the depths of Hell, when Dr. Akagi opened the door. I'd heard the cliches about the 'lonely cat lady', there was one on our block, but she was eighty and her husband had been dead 25 years. She had close to 15 cats in her house. There were towels with cats on them, three curio cabinets with various cat collectibles, even coffee cups with cats on them. I instantly expected Ranma to either bolt or drop into the Neko-ken. Either would disgrace him, and I doubted the goddesses would have removed his most powerful technique. He looked around nervously, he didn't seem to know why he was so nervous, but he was. "Ranma, Nabiki, aren't you coming in?" Ritsuko asked. Ranma shrugged and walked gingerly inside. He kept looking around as if he expected the walls to leap out and attack him. Maya and Ritsuko had the second bedroom door open. "Nabiki, I think this should be yours." There wasn't anything remotely catlike in there. "Ah, can Ranma sleep in there instead?" I asked, "I'd really prefer the couch." Maya and Ritsuko exchanged glances. "I guess so." Ritsuko looked at Ranma standing in the center of the room, looking around warily. "Ranma, this will be your room." "Ah, sure, thanks." Ranma trotted into the room. I saw him relax slightly, I didn't think either woman noticed. "I would have thought you'd want your privacy," Maya said quietly. "I do," I explained, "If he's in the room, I can hear the door open." Both women nodded. I was amazed at the size of the rooms. The two bedrooms were nearly as large as the living room of . . . no it isn't my home, the Tendo house. The rest of the apartment was built on the same scale, even to the ten foot ceilings. Maya hadn't been kidding about the size of this place. "It was for bachelor general officers," Ritsuko explained to cover her embarrassment. Considering the housing shortage in Tokyo, having an apartment that could comfortably house two entire families does look suspicious. "The bathroom is here." She opened the door. It was clearly two bathrooms originally, one for the master bedroom, the other opening into the hall for general use. Two sinks, two toilets, two showers and an enormous furo in the center. "There were two bathtubs and a wall, I had the wall removed and a proper furo installed." "Let's keep this a secret." I tap the furo, "Or Misato will insist on having her next `party` in here." The Captain's predilection for drunken gatherings was infamous. Ritsuko and Maya nodded. "We can have stalls put around the toilets, and curtains for the showers," Maya suggested. "That furo is big enough for two, four if they get really friendly." We, huh, I thought, recognizing a new co-plotter Maya and Ritsuko blushed at my suggestion, then chide me for such thoughts. The real game was to keep the doctor a little off balance. Frankly, I wasn't eager to have Ranma unsupervised, he was bad enough as a sixteen-year-old. The kitchen was large, a large western-style 'breakfast bar' faces it. All the furnishings are western style. "I do sometimes miss sitting on the floor with a kotatsu," Ritsuko said, "Everybodies' legs under the table, trying to stay warm." Maya didn't say anything, so I helped my shy and unwitting coconspirator, "You've got one, don't you Ibuki-san. You can bring it over some night." "It's only a little one, and it's so old," Maya said, she's shocked by my suggestion. I kept my smile to myself. If Maya doesn't get over her crush, she'll never get on with her life. And she seems to be the only other one who sees how lonely Ritsuko is. ---------------------------------------- We got the arrangements set up. Since Dr. Akagi and Maya were going to be talking, they let me stay in her bedroom. Considering the amount of cat stuff in here, I didn't have to worry about Ranma sneaking in here. Frankly, we hadn't heard a peep out of him since he went into his bedroom. That worried me a little, but I wasn't about to check on him and let them tease me about it. ---------------------------------------- "I can't take care of two kids, Maya," I admitted, quietly so not to wake either of them, "I never even had any brothers or sisters. I don't know what to do." "Mothering is instinctive," Maya told me. "You never met my mother did you," I accused. "Then why did you accept?" Maya asked, "You have many ways you could have refused." "You were right, they need someone to look after them, and before you say it, Ayanami Rei is a special case. I had to look out for myself, but growing up wasn't easy." "Nabiki-san was right, they aren't pets, and they aren't helpless, sempai," Maya soothed, an odd role-reversal for us, she's the expert here. I wondered how she had grown up, in a big family perhaps, I should have known that about my own assistant. "Maybe I should call my grandmother. She'd probably love looking out after two kids." "You're evading your responsibilities," Maya said gently, but firmly, "You didn't turn down our idea, why?" she asked, "Because you thought it was a good idea. Because you saw how Shinji reacted to being rejected by his father, and you didn't want to do that to these kids." Then she went back to the insecure Maya I'm used to, "Am I right?" "Right enough," I admitted. "If you need help or advising, I come from a big family, being an older sister means I had to be mother on occasion." "Thank you, I may take you up on that. So if you get a hysterical call at two in the morning, you know you volunteered." She's shocked, but nodded her agreement. "So what do I do first?" "Ranma's an attractive young man, Nabiki is a pretty girl, they'll be fighting alongside each other and they aren't directly related. What do you think you'll have to do?" If I felt afraid before, it's nothing compared with what I feel now. Even I noticed how Nabiki was looking at Ranma, and looking after him. She's already got a proprietary interest. "How quickly do you suppose I can get drunk?" "That may not be a good idea, sempai" Maya counseled. "It works for Misato," I retorted, "You're right, and I don't think trading Nabiki for Shinji will solve any problems. The first time Misato hits her, we'll have a knock-down drag-out fight on our hands." I remember the number of times Misato punched, slapped or kicked me and Kaji. "It would take Ranma _and_ Captain Walters to separate them." Maya nodded. ---------------------------------------- I was a bit alarmed that I wake first. Ranma up and practicing with his father at the break of dawn was a constant I attached to my life around Ranma. Ritsuko and Maya were asleep on the couch and the floor respectively. I didn't hear a peep from Ranma's room. I decided I had time to get some practice in before the day's activities started. I smirked at that, here I was practicing the Art, up before anyone else. I saw how the machines fought. What I'd learned would be extremely useful. If the monsters had to be fought hand-to-hand, I should keep the edge Cologne had carefully put on me, as sharp as possible. Ritsuko walked in, watched me a moment, "You really are another martial artist, aren't you? Maybe you and Ranma can get more practice." "You already suggested that," I remind her. "I need coffee and some clean clothes. When you finish, wake Maya, you two can fix breakfast." "Oh, she knows her way around your kitchen?" I asked innocently, smiling at my host. Ritsuko stared at me, "It's laid out like any other kitchen, you two can find what you need." She's obviously not been in too many kitchens, I thought as I continued, "Oh, you might want to block the door, so Ranma doesn't wander in." I heard the hasty shuffling and smiled, Yes, things were working out splendidly. Maya was as logy in the morning as I was, we managed to put together a breakfast without burning down the place, but just barely. I need to practice cooking, no oneechan or Cologne to do all the cooking. Ranma finally wanders out, looking like he usually does, _after_ Akane's given him a beating. "Maybe we can practice together?" I suggest, "My dad made me study martial arts." His face darkened, "I don't hit girls. You think you're better than me?" I didn't know what to say. "You can't embarrass me that way." He went back to his room. I was totally nonplused, he _never_ had acted like that, not to Akane, not Ryoga, no one. "What did I do?" I asked Maya and Ritsuko who seemed as surprised as I was. Ritsuko sighed, "He has some injuries from his last battle, and he hasn't recovered fully. It's probably bothering him." Probably, definitely, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start a fight on our first day together." "Don't worry, Tendo-san, he'll get over it. Take him some breakfast. I don't imagine he'd turn down food, even from his worst enemy," Ritsuko told me. "As long as it's remotely edible," I joke back. As I look around the apartment, at all the cat decorations, and wonder if that also has an effect. I knock at the door, "Ranma-san, I've got some breakfast for you." I'm getting tired of getting the silent treatment. "I'm coming in." He's staring out the window. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tease you." I kept my teeth from gnashing. I'm beginning to understand Akane's frustration, but he's 14, an amnesiac, in a war zone, so he's under much more stress. "Sorry about that," he said quietly. "I wasn't trying to challenge you. I just thought you'd like practicing with someone your own age." "I don't fight girls." "Good, I can hit you and you can't hit me back. Perfect." I set the food down and pat him on the shoulder, "Eat up, you'll need your strength to go to school today." I leave him with the food. ---------------------------------------- Captain Everett arrives to walk us to school. Ranma is sullen, while Everett and I talk about the arts he and I know. He is willing to teach me, as well as Ranma, as long as it doesn't interfere with teaching Ranma. I get the message that Everett wants to help Ranma first and foremost. I don't know if he's doing it because I'm a girl or if he thinks Ranma needs it worse than I do, which I have to admit is true. The path is clear, although Everett points out several alternative routes and recommends we change routes randomly to avoid any pursuit. I don't ask why he would suggest such a thing, Ranma doesn't ask either. What worries me is Ranma doesn't take to the fences, considering his usual insistence on it, I'm worried about him. I don't want to ask Capt. Everett now, because I don't want to embarrass Ranma in front of the man he obviously wants to impress. At least he found someone to act as a father substitute. And from what little I've seen and heard of Everett, he definitely 'traded up'. ---------------------------------------- We arrive at school, the students are milling around. The arrival of Misato and Shinji draws most of the attention from us. Although some of the students note the American officer arriving with two Japanese. I can almost smell the opportunities here. I know people, the pilots and the staff of NERV will be objects of interest, especially considering Misato's flamboyant arrival and sexy outfit. We head to the office to sign in. There are a few students there who eye us with calculation. The behavior isn't of an `alpha` checking out a new competitor, the people seem to be looking for alternatives. Yes, this has possibilities. One of the girls working for the office staff asks, "Coming in so late in the term is going to be hard, isn't it?" I smile and shake my head, "I already graduated High School back home." I mean how hard can it be? She's sent to take us to class, Everett will take care of the paperwork. Ranma's pretty out of it not to notice Capt. Everett's tension. I'll keep an eye on Ranma and Shinji, I may not be in Ranma's league, but I doubt any of these kids could challenge me. Our guide introduces herself, "Since, you're new here, I'm Ayami Hiroko. You probably need someone to show you around." My reply was interrupted by the toughs approaching. "Scram fleabite, we have business." Ayami paled, but bowed and retreated as the three toughs circled Ranma like a pack of sharks waiting for a chance to bite. They completely ignored me. I'll wait to teach them their error. "You look like you can fight," their leader says. Ranma nods. "Well, you can see us for a tryout. Bring her with you, she looks smart enough to take orders." They laugh as they walk off. I barely keep my temper under control. Unlike my sisters, I don't completely suppress or thoroughly express mine. Being ignored or belittled is a sure way to get me mad, "You want to beat those jerks up, I'll hold your book bag." "Naw, it might be interesting to hear what they say." I wonder if Ranma is waiting to find out what's what before he acts or whether his father's 'Women are worthless housewives' is cropping up. We get to class. Shinji's already picked a seat. Rei is sitting by the window, ignoring everything, as badly hurt as she is, I'm surprised they let her out of the infirmary. Is she that tough? Like Ranma? Or are they that callous? I don't think I want to know. I spot Ayami entering, she takes a seat and gestures to an empty seat next to her. Well, it's good to have at least one ally. "Watch out for those boys, and the rest of their group. They sort of run things around here." "They beat up whoever doesn't go along?" I ask, I've got a few answers to that. "No. Anyone who doesn't go along, suddenly your parents aren't working, not for NERV, or the U.S. Occupation. If you're lucky, they've got enough to leave Tokyo." Now that could be a problem, recruiting especially. I'm immune, but what about my agents. "So who's their boss?" Take him out and I can take the entire organization, it's what I did at Furinkan High. It should work here. "Nobody really knows." Well, I can tag along with Ranma, he's got an invitation, all I have to do is convince him to insist on seeing the top boss, that shouldn't be too difficult, except the way he's been moping. That's a side of Ranma I've never seen before. More things to look into. I'm definitely going to need some help. Classes are surprisingly hard, some things are easy, others are very tough. The class president, a girl, gave her 'Stand, bow, sit', like back 'home'. I thought they were being progressive, until I saw the girl's expression and heard the snickers of some of the boys. They gave her the job to humiliate her, they probably couldn't threaten her through her family. I'm _really_ starting to not like this place. With some luck I should be able to clean it up. Ranma continues to be a concern. ---------------------------------------- I barely hear the lessons, the teacher, my fellow students. Is this why Shinji ran away, the voices in his head, the memories of things he'd never done, of things he'd never do? I don't sit and ponder much, at least I don't think I do. That's the thing, I don't have many of my own memories and I have all these other memories of . . . terrible things. Things I haven't done, but I'm not sure. They don't 'feel' right, but my memories are so spotty and I can recall them in perfect detail. I'm sure it wasn't me doing these things, but how do I know? No wonder I have the shakes, it destroyed my concentration this morning, messed up even the easiest practices. Do I ask someone about this, or am I going crazy? Rei might know, but how do I get her to talk? Would Shinji know? This Nabiki girl, she's never piloted, what would she know to help? All she did was challenge me to a fight, I don't fight girls, maybe she knew how weak I was and that's why she wanted to fight. She's some macho chick who enjoys beating people up, I saw the look in her eye when those jerks wanted me to join their little group. I don't know, and it wouldn't matter. I have to find a solution. That much I'm sure of. Nobody's going to help me with this and I'm taking too much time worrying about it. When I should be doing something. Doing what? I can't ignore these images and I won't act on them. Concentrating elsewhere does no good, the lecture is boring, most of the people in class are worse. Rei and Shinji may as well be stone statues. Nabiki has found a friend and the two are talking as much as they can. I really don't care what their talking about. Suddenly there's a shout from the class. People are getting out of their seats and surrounding Shinji, well, I wonder what _he_ did? "Are you really a pilot?" "Did you fight both of the monsters?" I'll let him field the questions. I look at the people. A couple are frantically writing notes, one in athletic clothes is glaring at Shinji. Nabiki's new friend is staring silently at her. She points at me and Nabiki nods. She stares at me, Sheesh. Rei's been in this class how long? And they go crazy over Shinji. "You people are stupid," I tell them, "You've got four pilots here." Not smart, suddenly I'm surrounded too, by people asking questions demanding answers. The old fool at the front keeps droning on, Nabiki shot me a poisonous look as she was surrounded too. Strange thing, they don't close on Rei that way. Maybe she's already told them what she knows, or maybe she just doesn't talk. ---------------------------------------- The other pilots are surrounded, they stammer answers or brag about battles, or their prowess. I ignore them. None of their questions would help me, or them. Out there, that is what holds my interest. When again will I do what I must, when will the Commander need me, no, need us again? Of all of them, only Tendo asks questions back, I can hear her clearly. Perhaps she might answer some of my questions: Why are we here, why would I need them? She said they are not my replacements, then what are they? Where have I failed the Commander that he should need them? ---------------------------------------- At lunch, one of the boys calls Ikari to follow him. Hiroko tells Nabiki he is Toji Suzuhara. Tendo Nabiki and Saotome Ranma follow, out of curiosity, I follow them. "Okay punk! You should have been more careful!" He throws a punch at Shinji, who just stands there and takes the punch, falling from the blow. He seems confused, but accepting. The Commander needs these pilots, whatever my failure, I cannot make another by allowing this. "Ranma, you want to help," Tendo Nabiki asks him as I move up to intervene, as Shinji climbs to his feet. "Not my fight," Ranma replies, "They're evenly matched." Nabiki bares her teeth, like a snarl, "Fine." She marches over to Toji. ---------------------------------------- If Shinji was fighting back, I might agree with Ranma, but this is just a beating. I spin the boy around, "Want to fight someone who hits back?" He sneers at the threat, I drop him with one punch. "Try driving a car with no training, before you judge. Or would you prefer the city as a nuclear graveyard? If you don't think he did his best, then -" "It's all right," Shinji tells me, "I don't really care if he hits me." I'm surprised by that, as Shinji walks away. I leave the boy on the ground, he's shocked a _girl_ dropped him. I am more alarmed and angry that Ranma didn't jump into the fight, normally he'd be defending the weak, in this case Shinji. But he didn't, because the fight was fair, because neither were martial artists? That didn't used to matter. I notice Rei followed us up and leaves as soon as the situation is resolved. She didn't seem to be ready to intervene, but I don't know for certain. The psychology of these two might be interesting to study, and it would give me a better grasp of the problems I might have to expect. Toji returns to the classroom, eyes me worriedly. I smile at him. He just shakes his head. Hiroko leans over, "What did you do?" "Knocked him down. We pilots have to stick together." "That may not be the smartest thing. They don't like `uppity` girls. They'll put you in your place," she warns. I'm not worried. The level of martial arts in my old neighborhood is almost unmatched here. Ranma may have been the greatest fighter in his generation, but even Akane would mop the floor with these people, and thanks to Cologne and Shampoo, I'm a little better than she is. ---------------------------------------- The walk home is curious. Ranma keeps eyeing me suspiciously. Shinji seems vaguely afraid. Captain Everett keeps smirking, "Here I thought I would be protecting you from them, I guess I'll have to protect them from you." "Oh, will you!" I enthuse, "I'd be ever so grateful. Those icky blood stains just ruin my pretty, new clothes." Everett chuckles, no reaction from my fellow pilots. I'd give my eye teeth for one with a sense of humor. Rei peels off first. She just steps out and away, no salutation, no nothing. "Shouldn't we walk her home?" Shinji asks. "She'll be all right. Nobody lives in her building and people . . . don't bother her," Everett says. Something about those statements sits crosswise in my mind. I resolve to check out Rei's place at the earliest excuse. Ranma perks up a little at the offer to do some practice. Shinji heads off. "Why don't you two go to NERV, I'll give Shinji a close escort, then make my way back to the Doctor's place?" Everett reluctantly agrees. Ranma looks at me even _more_ suspiciously. I quietly wonder how I can possibly further screw up any chance of a relationship with Ranma. Maybe beat him unconscious with a cat, I think grimly. I catch up with Shinji, "Hey mister, you got anything to eat?" I call to him. He stops. "Sorry about intervening, if you really want to get pounded, go spar with Ranma, but I thought you didn't want to hurt that guy." "Maybe I deserved it. I hurt his sister, and I killed some people," he said, "Maybe I did want to get hit." "Believe me, no one is more aware that our actions have consequences than I am." Oh boy am I aware, I thought. "But you also have to think about consequences of non-action. Those would have been even worse." He nods, accepting my words. "Do you want to check out Ayanami-san's apartment?" I ask. "Captain Misato wants to talk to me right after school," he tells me, "She said it was important." "Will she mind you being a few minutes late?" "She might," her replies. And you don't want to get her mad, I add. With her temper that's probably more than a good idea, it's a survival technique. ---------------------------------------- We arrive at the Katsuragi residence, Misato isn't there. He has to be on time, I think to myself, then I get a real shock. Coming out of a refrigerator is a penguin, an honest-to-kamis penguin! I guess I was a little shocked. "That's just Pen Pen," Shinji tells me, hiding a smirk. After pandas, pigs, cats and ducks, I shouldn't be upset by a penguin. "And he lives in her refrigerator?!" I manage. "Yeah," Shinji tells me, "He won't fit in this one." I walk over to the other refrigerator. It was full of beer and open cans and a few other things. "You eat this - stuff?" I ask some of it looks like Akane's idea of `cooking`. "I try to do most of the cooking," he admits. "And eat as little of what she cooks as possible?" He nods. "Sounds like a girl I grew up with. We kept expecting her cooking to get up and walk away." "Misato's would still kill it," he replies, "You got your wish." I stifle a cringe, my current `wish` is turning out to be a _lot_ of work, and I haven't really started yet. He hands me a card. "Our new ID cards, I have to give one to each of the pilots." "I'll take Ranma's. Well, if you have orders to go to Ayanami's place, lets go." He nods, seems embarrassed by the whole thing. I'm curious why _he_ got the job. Misato could have given ours to Ritsuko, she could have driven to Ayanami's apartment. Is she trying to set Shinji up with Rei, or just embarrass him more? Or could she just not be troubled to deal with Rei? ----------------------------------------

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