Naruto: Aftershock
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Neon Genesis Evangelion
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
By popular demand; Angels, Angels everywhere! Here is chapter 4 of Naruto: Aftershock. Enjoy!
{ } Signifies a foreign language
[ ] Signifies hand signals/coded messages
Last Time:
Asuka nodded but then her grin faded and she asked, "Do you know why those men were after Mister Kaji? I'm afraid for him and he won't tell me anything…."
The blonde scratched his chin for a moment and replied, "I honestly don't know exactly why they were after him. The one I interrogated told me they were out to capture my cousin. Kaji may not know either. He's in a dangerous line of work you know." Then Naruto smiled just like Kaji and added, "Then again, Ryoji may not be telling us to keep us safe."
'He really does look just like Mister Kaji when he smiles.' thought the redhead. "Did Kaji tell you anything at all Naruto?"
Naruto shook his head. "Not a thing. I didn't ask and he didn't volunteer any information. If Kaji thought a pilot needed to know he would have told us already. I think it's probably all classified above our level."
Asuka leaned back a bit in thought and nodded. "That makes sense. It's not like Mister Kaji would keep secrets from us if we needed to know."
The ninja smiled again and thought, 'You have no idea how many secrets he has Asuka-san.' Then he said, "I'm sure Ryoji is just acting in our best interests."
The beautiful redheaded girl nodded and then grinned. "I guess you are right." She laughed. "I'm still really curious though."
"….And curiosity killed the cat." replied the blonde. "Once the Angels are all history we can ask him about it."
"Good idea!" exclaimed Asuka. "Once we get into the fray the Angels won't stand a chance!" Her blue eyes lit up a bit and she asked, "So what is Tokyo-3 like? I've seen pictures of the Geofront but I've never actually been there."
The blonde was glad for the change of subject. "I honestly haven't lived there very long myself. I can tell you it dwarfs NERV Germany though. You have to see it to believe it."
….The two teens talked well into the nighttime….
….
Chapter 4
Haruno Sakura's apartment, Tokyo-3, Japan
Seele's direct actions against Kaji were a real shock to Naruto and by extension Sakura. She read Naruto's report on the situation in Germany and discovered that the blonde ninja had come to the conclusion that Kaji needed their support given he was originally from Konoha. The kunoichi had mixed feelings at first but ultimately decided to support the blonde's decision since Kaji was technically the only close living relative Naruto had left….
Two weeks later; the pink haired kunoichi was going over the data she had compiled regarding the Evangelions. She and her partner Naruto had worked both together and separately to hack systems, steal data and collect information first hand on the EVA's. "What a mess." Sakura muttered as she went over her report. "It's a shame my friend Yamanaka Ino isn't on this mission. The fact that the EVA Units have souls of their own throws everything into chaos."
….
List of known Evangelion Units/Notes:
Unit 00 - (Prototype) Constructed in NERV Headquarters, Tokyo-3, Japan. Status: 100% Complete. Recently completed testing and is cleared for combat use. Primary pilot: Ayanami Rei. Current location: Tokyo-3
-Notes: The soul of EVA Unit 00 is temperamental and will not synch with pilot Ikari Shinji. Pilots Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto can synch with it as backup pilots with lower synchronization levels.
Unit 01 - (Test Type) Constructed in NERV Headquarters, Tokyo-3, Japan. Status: 100% Complete. Has seen combat and has destroyed two Angels. Primary pilot: Ikari Shinji. Current location: Tokyo-3
-Notes: The soul of EVA Unit 01 is cooperative and will synch with pilot Ikari. Pilots Rei Ayanami, Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto can synch with it as backup pilots. Has a large preference for pilot Ikari.
Unit 02 - (Production Type) Constructed in NERV Germany. Status: 100% Complete. Has been cleared for combat use. Primary pilot: Soryu Asuka Langley. Current location: En route to Tokyo-3 by sea
-Notes: The soul of EVA Unit 02 is cooperative and will synch with Pilot Soryu. Pilot Uzumaki Naruto can synch with it as a backup pilot but synchronization rate is low. Other Pilots unknown. Very protective of pilot Soryu.
Unit 03 - (Production Type) Constructed in NERV Branch Massachusetts, United States. Status: 100% Complete. Currently undergoing testing. Primary pilot: None assigned. Current location: United States
-Notes: Unit has never been activated. Scheduled to transfer to Toktyo-3 soon. Exact date of transfer unknown.
Unit 04 - (Production Type) Constructed in NERV Branch Nevada, United States. Status: 78% Complete. Currently under construction. Primary pilot: None assigned. Current location: United States
-Notes: None at this point.
Unit 05 - (Production Type) Constructed in NERV Germany. Status: 53% Complete. Currently under construction. Primary pilot: None assigned. Current location: Germany
-Notes: None at this point.
Unit 06 - (Production Type) Constructed in NERV Germany. Status: 28% Complete. Currently under construction. Primary pilot: None assigned. Current location: Germany
-Notes: None at this point.
….
Sakura nodded at the short but concise list. Then she rolled her eyes. 'According to Naruto Unit 02 doesn't like him because he's a boy and it thinks he's a pervert. It wants to protect pilot Soryu from him. What is it; Asuka's mother? I think Naruto got hit on the head too hard again….'
While the pink haired kunoichi was pondering the mysteries of the universe (like why Naruto couldn't stay out of trouble); the UN Pacific Fleet was carrying a precious cargo to new Yokosuka, Japan….
….
Pacific Ocean, UN aircraft carrier Over the Rainbow
Asuka Langley Soryu was looking out from the aircraft carrier's bridge at the large cargo ship carrying her precious EVA Unit 02. She was talking to Kaji….Or rather, complaining to the NERV Special Inspector. "I just don't get it Mister Kaji." said the beautiful redhead. "Naruto-kun is my backup and they sent him to the United States! What gives? We sail halfway around the world and then they come and snatch Naruto-kun from the carrier. What if we need him?"
Kaji smiled weakly as the teenage girl ranted and raved about the injustice of it all. 'At first she couldn't stand him and now it's Naruto-kun this and Naruto-kun that. A woman's heart is a complex thing.' "I'm sure that the high Command needed him for Unit 03's tests. Besides, the odds of us being attacked here are pretty slim. What could happen in the middle of the ocean after all?"
….He shouldn't have asked….
As if on cue; a nearby destroyer exploded after it was stuck by something massive. The entire Pacific Fleet unleashed hell upon the fast moving target to no effect. "We hit it dead on with four torpedoes and it just shrugged them off! What the hell is it?!" asked the Admiral in shock.
Kaji didn't really have to look as another ship was destroyed. He said to Asuka under his breath, "Get to your EVA." She nodded with fire in her eyes. Then Ryoji turned to the Admiral and said, "That is what we call an Angel, Admiral. I'm afraid that conventional firepower won't touch it."
Twenty minutes later three more ships were sunk and the Angel was completely unharmed. "Target is approaching the rear transport ship!" yelled a watchman.
Ryoji held his breath as the ship carrying the EVA exploded into flames. The Special Inspector was filled with dread until Unit 02 leapt out of the explosion and hop scotched from ship to ship until it landed on the Over the Rainbow.
"My flight deck!" screeched the Admiral as Asuka drew her progressive knife. The Angel quickly zeroed in on Unit 02 and Asuka countered by slicing the sea monster's belly open which exposed its core. Then two of the Pacific Fleet battleships fired point blank into the Angel and destroyed it.
Kaji looked at his stopwatch and clicked it. The battle between the EVA and the Angel lasted thirty six seconds and Unit 02 still had power in its internal batteries. "Perfect!" he whispered. "Well done Asuka." As the pandemonium settled down in the Pacific Fleet, Ryoji thought to himself, 'It's a shame you missed out on all the fun Naruto….'
….
NERV Branch Massachusetts, United States
The whisker faced ninja reported in to NERV's Branch Massachusetts in the United States in the meantime. He'd been halfway home to Japan with Asuka and Kaji when orders from the Seele Committee sent him to America to help out with EVA Unit 03. 'How did I get so lucky…?' he wondered. 'I'm supposed to be sneaking around in Japan; not out trotting the globe. Oh well….' Naruto understood English quite well but wasn't a fluent speaker. He could communicate but he had an accent. When the blonde reported in to NERV Germany he'd been able to blend in seamlessly but in the Massachusetts Branch the ninja stuck out like a sore thumb. 'I guess I'd better behave myself….' he contemplated glumly. '….At least until I'm fluent in English….' the blonde thought with a mental smirk.
The ninja was quickly shown into the Massachusetts Branch Commander's office and was greeted by Commander Murray who was a huge bear of a man of African American descent. Murray belied his appearance with a friendly attitude however. "Welcome to NERV's Massachusetts Branch Pilot Uzumaki. Also; congratulations on becoming a full Lieutenant." Then the Commander chuckled at Naruto's dumbfounded look. "I just got the orders this morning." said Murray. "Since you pilots are putting your asses on the line for the sake of humanity; the least they could do is give you a rank appropriate for a pilot and pay you for it." The big man handed Naruto his rank pins and a dark green NERV pilot jacket. "That's an official U.S. jacket. You can wear that proudly since you were promoted here."
Naruto smiled and said, "Thank you very much sir. I will wear it with honor." 'This guy is nothing like Commander Ikari….'
….
It wasn't long before Lieutenant Uzumaki was having lunch with the technical staff that was filling him in on the situation with Unit 03. The U.S. research scientist was a brunette woman named Marla Collette who was an M.I.T. graduate. 'She's rather cute.' thought Naruto as he admired her curves. Then he said in his accented English, "So in short; none of your people have been able to synchronize with Unit 03 enough to start it up for testing? That strikes me as a bit strange. Doesn't the U.S. have its own qualified pilots?"
Doctor Collette nodded and replied, "We do have our own pilot program but for some reason EVA 03 won't synch with any of the pilots. It's rather embarrassing to say the least. Since you have proven compatible with Units 00, 01 and 02 we feel there's a very good chance of you synchronizing with Unit 03. Even if the synch rate is low you should be able to activate the unit. Perhaps then we can see what is going on. My colleague Doctor Akagi Ritsuko recommended we test Unit 03 with you before we start tearing the unit down to look for technical issues that could delay it for months."
'So I have Ritsuko to blame for this little vacation.' thought Naruto dourly. He plastered on a fake smile and said, "I'll help any way that I can."
Marla smiled gratefully. "That's all we can ask Lieutenant Uzumaki."
….
The next morning Naruto was in his red and blue plugsuit looking at the charcoal gray behemoth that was Unit 03. It was outdoors for testing rather than in a cage that they normally used in Japan. Putting his hand on the near black armor; the ninja reached out with his sensory ninjutsu and found that the unit had an inactive chakra system. He raised an eyebrow in question and thought, 'Why would this EVA be suppressing its chakra flow? This is very strange. Maybe I'll get a better feel for it once I'm in the entry plug.'
A half an hour later Naruto was in the plug of Unit 03 and was tuning out the background noise as all of the technicians chattered the various initialization codes and confirmations in English. The plug was filled with LCL and Naruto focused on the being called EVA 03. 'Why won't you wake up?' he wondered. Then his eyes widened in shock. 'This unit has no soul! There is nothing here but a physical shell. No one could synchronize with this!' He was about to say something to Doctor Collette when he saw the entire bridge test crew looking at their screens in horror.
"EJECT THE PLUG!" commanded Doctor Collette. "Unit 03 is reading Pattern Orange! Unit 03 is an Angel!"
"There is no response! The plug is not ejecting!" exclaimed a technician.
A blonde technician looked on in terror. "Contamination of Unit 03 at 27%! Unit 03 is activating!"
"Abort!" yelled Marla. "Cut all external power now! If it gets loose…."
A green, fungus like substance started oozing from the EVA and infecting the platform around it. "Good god…." whispered one of the techs. "The pilot…."
Inside the plug Naruto felt the infection spreading rapidly into his body. He heard Doctor Collette and the bridge team outside as they tried to desperately counter the Angel's intrusion and get him out. Naruto made out the garbled words, "Contamination at 61%!" and let out an inhuman scream as he saw the fungus seep from his own pores. The blonde knew it would be over in minutes and cried out in an ancient tongue passed down through the Uzumaki clan. The words were so old that no one in Konoha knew their meaning anymore….But they were so powerful that meaning was not needed….
{"Inari hear my prayer; your humble servant begs a boon of you. Grant me the power to cleanse the world of this demon! By the command of all that is holy; evil spirit be gone! In the name of Kurama!"}
Naruto's eyes suddenly lit up with the power of the fox spirit that protected his clan for time immemorial. His chakra exploded from blue to red and nine ethereal tails of power shimmered into existence. Naruto said in a darkened voice {"Child of Adam; you will not violate this Lilim any longer! Assume your true form and face the power of the Kyubi!"} The whole base felt a shockwave as the fungus like Angel recoiled and shrunk back instinctively as the Nine tailed Fox's chakra purged the infection and burned the fungus in and around Unit 03 to a crisp and vaporized it. Unit 03's red fox shaped chakra shell blazed and its voice said {"I will entrust this power to you Uzumaki Naruto. Rid this world of evil! Show me the meaning of your Will of Fire!"}
Doctor Collette and the others were shocked speechless until one of them looked away from the nine tailed Unit 03 and said, "Contamination is zero! The Angel has separated from the EVA! Unit 03 is active! Pilot synchronization rate at 100%"
Another tech stared as a red, spherical core coalesced nearby and the Angel's body started to form around it. "Pattern Blue! It's the Angel! It's still alive!"
Marla said into the com link, "Can you hear me Naruto?! You must destroy the core! You're the only one that can stop that Angel from killing us all!"
There were several tense moments of silence as Unit 03 stood still seemingly staring at the form of the still forming Angel. Unlike previous Angels; this one took on a humanoid like form of pure light and sprouted six wings. If it was not planning to destroy them; the NERV personnel would have described it as beautiful. It hovered there in majestic silence and started towards the blazing form of Unit 03. Suddenly the near black EVA drew its progressive knife and started streaming wind chakra along it forming a colossal wind katana. The silence was broken when Naruto's voice boomed over the EVA's speaker, "I'm going to KILL that son-of-a-bitch!"
Marla Collette exclaimed, "He's alive!" and her crew cheered. Just then Unit 03 exploded into action and met the Angel head on….
Unit 03 punched the Angel in the face hard enough to stagger it and then followed up with its wind katana in an attempt to destroy the core. The Angel reacted by protecting its core with a wing which was cut off in an instant. Latching on to one of the remaining five wings with his free hand; Naruto brutally impaled the Angel through the shoulder and tore the wing off using the sword as leverage. Though the white being had no apparent face it was obvious that it was in great pain from the EVA's relentless onslaught. The Angel struggled but found it was still pinned with the sword stabbed through it.
The Angel lost another wing before it was able to throw Naruto off of it. With the sword no longer holding it up the white being fell to the earth given it only had three wings left to support it. As the Angel attempted to struggle up from its position on the ground; the dark gray EVA kneed the creature in the face causing it to tumbled end over end. The Angel was laying flat on its back when it tried to ward off the towering Unit 03 with its uninjured arm. The arm was cut off in an instant and a second later Naruto delivered the coup de grace by driving the katana through the Angel's core which caused it to stop moving forever….
….The Angel was dead….
Wild cheers broke out in the NERV Massachusetts branch. They were elated in spite of the massive damage done to the countryside. Doctor Collette was relieved beyond words and Commander Murray was thrilled to report that EVA Unit 03's maiden sortie was an outstanding success….
….
Naruto's Mindscape…..
Inside the plug Naruto was a bit shocked to find the Nine Tails Fox spirit was within the EVA and within himself. The blonde found himself in his mindscape face to face with the massive being known as Kurama. "It has been a long time since a Lilim called my name Uzumaki Naruto. I am Kurama no Kyubi; servant of Inari and protector of the Uzumaki Clan."
Naruto bowed. "I am honored to be in your presence Kurama-sama. I….I did not know what that ancient prayer even meant."
"Nor were you meant to Lilim." replied the ancient fox. "Only a select few are blessed by Inari to know the olden words. Even fewer have the wisdom of when to use them."
Naruto and Kurama spoke for some time about the state of the world since the Second Impact. "It seems that Seele want to do something more than just defeat the Angels Kurama-sama." explained Naruto. "The problem is we have yet to grasp what that something is."
Kurama gave a vulpine smile. "This situation is most interesting indeed. I believe I'll stick around and see how this pans out. I will act as the 'soul' of Unit 03 to help you out Naruto. For the time being you alone will be its pilot. I will judge if others are worthy of piloting it as well."
"Thank you Kurama-sama." said the blonde ninja. "I will do my best to unravel this mystery behind Seele as well as the Second Impact."
….
NERV Massachusetts, Infirmary
Naruto woke up and found himself in a hospital bed. A nurse was checking his vitals and she smiled at him. She asked, "How are you feeling Lieutenant Uzumaki? You saved us all. As far as NERV Massachusetts is concerned; you are a hero. I'll tell the Doctor you've awakened. There is a lot to talk about."
Soon the blonde was checked over and found to be in perfect physical health. Doctor Collette came in to see him shortly thereafter. "It was really terrifying to watch the monitors Naruto." said Marla. "The internal cameras in the plug cut out just after the contamination was detected. Can you tell me what exactly happened? We lost contact with you until you were synchronized at 100% and yelling about killing the S.O.B." She laughed. "….Not that I blame you. By the time the cameras were back online the battle was over and the Angel was dead. We've spent the last twenty four hours making sure you weren't contaminated in any way. As far as we can tell there are no problems and you simply passed out from exhaustion."
The blonde pondered for a moment and said, "I was in agony from the contamination and I prayed. I don't really remember what I prayed for but the next thing I knew it was the Angel was no longer in me or the EVA. It was in front of me and destroying it was really all that was on my mind."
"Can you tell me what you remember of the battle?" asked Marla.
The ninja described the battle very concisely before he described the aftermath. "After I was positive the Angel was dead and had zero energy readings I guess I passed out. The adrenaline rush was over and I was exhausted."
Doctor Collette nodded in approval. "It seems your memory of the battle is just about perfect. I'm glad. We're going to run some psyche tests on you before releasing you but they are just routine. I believe once you are out of the infirmary more than one person will want to buy you a beer hero."
….
NERV Headquarters, Tokyo-3, Japan
Captain Katsuragi Misato was looking over the battle reports and film of Unit 02's battle against the Angel they codenamed Gaghiel. With her were Doctor Akagi, Shinji, Rei and Sakura. As they watched the film Ritsuko said, "It's true Asuka had help from the UN Pacific Fleet but she defeated the Angel in thirty six seconds before the internal batteries ran out."
Misato said, "Hmmm….evasive maneuvers, decision making, piloting skills….whatever you look at she's perfect."
"It's hard to believe." replied Doctor Akagi. "The Second Child's abilities surpass even the rumors."
"But why was the Angel there to begin with?" asked Captain Katsuragi.
Ritsuko sipped her coffee and answered, "It could have been after Unit 02 since it was being transported."
"Where is Unit 02 now?" asked Misato.
"It's in EVA Cage number 5 -cold storage." answered the bleach blonde scientist. "….and Asuka's checked into a hotel."
The overhead speaker came on and Ibuki Maya said, "We finally received the footage from NERV Massachusetts Branch. Shall I send it down?"
Doctor Akagi asked, "Did you watch it Maya?"
"Negative." replied Ritsuko's protégé. "I don't have the clearance for it."
Misato raised an eyebrow and said, "Pipe it through Lieutenant Ibuki." 'Why wouldn't she have the clearance?' wondered the purple haired woman.
The question was quickly answered as the footage of Unit 03 battled the Angel they codenamed Bardiel played. "Nine….wings? Tails? What the hell?" said Captain Katsuragi. "What is Unit 03?"
Sakura watched with wide eyes and thought, 'The nine tailed fox spirit….Naruto is responsible for this, not Unit 03.'
"I can't wait to see the data printouts on this battle." said Ritsuko. 'This could be a real game changer. No doubt Commander Ikari will be interested as well.' "I wonder what Naruto's synch rates were at the time."
….
Commander Ikari Gendo's Office
Kaji Ryoji report in to see Command Ikari as well as Fuyutsuki. Ryoji explained as he laid a sealed case on Ikari's desk, "It was quite an eventful voyage. I never thought we'd run into an Angel on the way here. So was it because of this….?" He opened the case revealing something that looked like a human embryo and smiled. "It's quite an amazing little cargo. It's in suspended animation for now but it's definitely alive." Then Kaji's eyes narrowed. "This is it; isn't it? The key to the Instrumentality Project…?"
"That's right." answered Gendo with a smirk. "You're holding the first human….Adam."
Fuyutsuki said, "The Committee is less than thrilled with the way you procured it Special Inspector Kaji. We were expecting to receive it but….Suffice it to say the old men aren't happy about it."
The Special Inspector chuckled. "Yes, they voiced their displeasure to me back in Germany. If they planned to kill me they would have by now. Regardless I believe I'll be staying here in Tokyo-3 for a while."
"I suppose it would be best to keep you here for the time being…." stated Gendo.
….
Asuka's hotel room
Asuka was a bit bored. After all of the excitement of battling an Angel; Tokyo-3 seemed rather sedate. 'I sure wish Naruto-kun or Mister Kaji were here.' She thought back to Naruto telling her about the other pilots back in Germany….
Flashback….
"So what are the other pilots like Naruto-kun?" asked the beautiful redhead. She'd gotten closer to Naruto in the last week and considered him a friend now.
The blonde pondered for a moment and replied; "I guess I should start with the First Child Ayanami Rei-san. She comes across as really aloof but the truth is she just has a hard time expressing herself. I think she was raised to be an EVA pilot and doesn't seem to have any friends outside of her fellow pilots. It takes some time but Ayanami-san will grow on you." he said with a smile.
"And the Third Child?" asked Asuka.
"The Third Child is an old friend of mine from school. His name is Ikari Shinji." continued the ninja. "He's a nice guy but he's an introvert and people pick on him. Ikari is the Commander's son but they don't get along. I don't know what the story is there. He's a good pilot but doesn't enjoy it too much. If you give him a chance I think you'll like him."
The Second Child said, "Sounds like an odd crew. What about the Sixth Child?"
Naruto chuckled and described Sakura. "Haruno Sakura is the Sixth Child. She's Shinji's girlfriend and is really smart. I guess she's the most normal of the bunch. I got to know her a bit because she came in when I did so we trained together. Sakura-san is a backup pilot like I am. I think you will get along with her pretty well…."
Flashback end….
The redhead pondered to herself, 'I guess I'll meet them all tomorrow when I report in for duty at NERV Headquarters to Captain Katsuragi. I wonder what Naruto-kun is up to in the United States….'
….
NERV Headquarters
The alarm klaxons went off in the viewing room that jolted everyone out of their train of thought. "Now what?" grumbled Ritsuko.
"An unidentified flying object has been spotted off the Kii Peninsula." reported Lieutenant Ibuki Maya. "Sending data now."
"An enemy attack?!" asked Misato.
"Pattern blue! It's an Angel!" said Lieutenant Hyuga Makoto over the intercom.
Captain Katsuragi rushed to the Command Center and announced, "Level One Battle Stations! All EVA Pilots; prepare to sortie!"
Rei, Shinji and Sakura were in the cafeteria and immediately responded. Asuka heard the call and headed towards NERV Headquarters….
"The target is now above Lake Ashino." reported Lieutenant Shigeru Aoba. As the Angel became visible, the command crew gasped as they saw the titanic form of a crystalline octahedron floating eerily across the city. "What is it?" he asked in shock.
Maya said, "EVA Unit 01 will be ready for takeoff in 30 seconds! Unit 00 is 360 seconds behind it. Pilot Haruno Sakura is on standby."
"Can we use Unit 02?" asked Misato.
Ritsuko replied, "If we can find Asuka we can have Unit 02 out of cold storage and ready in fifteen minutes. We haven't tested it with Sakura so that's a no go."
"Get EVA Unit 02 ready to sortie and find Asuka." ordered Captain Katsuragi.
"Unit 01 is ready for takeoff!" announced Lieutenant Ibuki.
Misato commanded, "EVA Unit 01 -Launch!"
As the purple Unit 01 rocketed to the surface; Lieutenant Aoba exclaimed; "I'm getting a high energy reading within the target! The energy is accelerating on the target's periphery. It's starting to converge!"
"WHAT?!" asked Misato. "It can't be -A particle beam?!"
When EVA 01 reached the surface Katsuragi exclaimed, "No! Shinji, get out of the way!"
The particle beam fired and turned a building into molten slag before it plowed into Unit 01's chest plating. Shinji had no time to react and let out a horrific scream of agony that seemed to last eons to everyone in the Command Center.
Misato cried out, "Shinji!" before she ordered his recovery. "Get him back! Hurry!"
Shinji was still screaming when the Eva dropped back into the Earth and the beam finally ceased. The command crew stared in silence as the smoke and flames were displayed on the view screen. Shinji went silent as well.
"The target has gone inactive." reported Aoba.
"How is Shinji?!" asked Misato desperately .
Lieutenant Hyuga said, "His EEG is abnormal. Shinji's pulse is faint."
"Unit 01 is recovered in EVA Cage 7!" exclaimed Maya. "Unit 00 is ready for takeoff."
Captain Katsuragi ordered, "Abort the launch of Unit 00. Tell Rei to stand by. I'm going to Cage number 7." She turned to Doctor Akagi and said, "Ritsuko, get the medical team ready!" As Misato ran into the elevator she realized that Sakura was already there waiting for her. The purple haired woman looked into Sakura's tear filled eyes and simply nodded before the two of them took the elevator down to Cage number 7….Shinji was already on a stretcher being rushed to the Emergency Room when Sakura and Misato arrived….
While Shinji's life was on the line; the Angel silently lowered a massive drill into the ground. "What is the enemy doing?" asked Ritsuko in confusion.
Lieutenant Hyuga studied the monitor for a moment before he replied, "It's drilling into the Geofront towards NERV Headquarters….It's trying a direct attack against us…."
….
POSTSCRIPT:
Sorry folks! More or less an evil cliffhanger but there was no way to fit the second half of the battle with Operation Yashima into this chapter. I figure it will take up half the next chapter by itself. The first part of the battle was fairly close to the original but things will be a bit different than canon next chapter. I hope to have it out sometime next week as this weekend will be extremely busy. I hope everyone liked the inclusion of Kyubi in this chapter. I made him a little different from the original but I think the whole 'benevolent fox spirit' image will work here. See you next time. Blue out. 8/21/19