We had been wandering around the base corridors for about ten minutes already. Misato, who had pulled a red leather jacket with some insignia in the form of triangular stripes on the sleeves, taken from a hanger behind the driver's seat, over her dress when getting out of the car, was mumbling something inaudibly, staring at the map. I didn't interfere with the process, following the girl with an indifferent look and waiting for her to notice that she was holding the map upside down. We were already on our fifth lap. I was starting to get bored. Angel should be coming soon, and we hadn't gotten any closer to Eva. I was already thinking about lagging behind and waiting by the elevator. Fortunately, there were twenty-seven security cameras since we entered the base, and they were supposed to come for us any minute now, but luckily for Misato, the elevator opened literally ten seconds after we passed through it.
- What have you forgotten here, huh? - a stern female voice was heard from behind us. Katsuragi jumped. - Captain Katsuragi, you're late!
- Uh-uh-uh... - the brunette turned slowly, with the face of a naughty schoolgirl. - Ritsuko...
- You were so late that I was sent to look for you! Remember, we don't have time for such nonsense! - turning around I saw a tall, green-eyed blonde with a mole under her left eye, dressed in a white, unbuttoned robe. Akagi Ritsuko herself. A very angry Akagi Ritsuko, she even folded her arms across her chest and you could see that her fingers were clenched very tensely. Under the robe you could see a uniform jacket with a zipper and a black skirt, and if Misato wore boots that vaguely resembled combat boots, then Ritsuko was wearing elegant black shoes.
- Well, I'm sorry! I got lost, I can't get used to this place... - Misato shamefully tried to hide behind my back. Oddly enough, this move was successful.
- So this is the Third Child? - the blonde, with a warm smile, raised the fist of her left hand to her face and began to examine me. This is how a necromancer smiles when looking at new, interesting and high-quality material for work. Mysteriously and anticipatingly. I know... A terrible woman...
- If you're talking about me, my name is Ikari Shinji and as far as I know, I'm the firstborn.
- Of course, of course, - Ritsuko smiled a little wider. - I am Akagi Ritsuko, head of the team of engineers responsible for the "E" project. Let's get acquainted. Now let's go, they are waiting for us, - and the woman turned to the elevator, pressing the call button. The doors opened. I calmly walked forward, Misato followed in single file, trying to keep me between herself and Ritsuko, I pretended not to notice, Akagi rolled her eyes, but said nothing.
The elevator doors closed and Katsuragi finally stopped grimacing, turning to the blonde:
- As far as I understand, N2 bombs are useless against the Angel?
- Practically, there is damage, but minor, it continues to advance, - Akagi took out a cigarette and clicked the lighter, taking a drag and releasing a cloud of smoke, she continued: - According to the analysis provided by MAGI, it has neither remote power nor control. The Angel is a giant life form that obeys a given program, but is also capable of independent thought.
- What about Eva-01?
– Class B equipment has been installed on it, and now all systems are being defrosted and tested.
"And will it work? I heard that nothing has worked so far," Misato said with barely noticeable skepticism in her voice.
- The probability of activation is zero point one billionth of a percent...
"So it won't work?" Misato frowned.
- No, come on. The probability is not zero, - Akagi reassured the captain, and I just sighed silently. Perhaps it was such a subtle scientific humor, but I was not drawn to smile, because, even if we accept as a fact that one out of a hundred billion people will definitely be able to pilot, there was nothing funny about it, because on Earth in this world there are currently less than one billion people. - But everything will depend on the pilot... - now I smiled to myself.
The elevator stopped, then there were corridors, another elevator, a long escalator staircase, more corridors. During this time, a female voice from the speakers, several times, transmitted the order to those responsible for the first line of defense to report to their posts. And finally, Akagi opened another door, behind which there was a dark room. We walked a few meters in a beam of light shining from the open door and the door, as expected, closed, plunging the room into darkness. That's when I could shout the banal: "Who turned off the light!?" or the more original: "Save me! Help! They're raping me! Old pedophiles!", but the first one gives off too much of the real Shinji, and the second is dangerous, I still have to live here... So I kept quiet, especially since in the darkness I could see well enough to start examining the huge head of the Eva. I began to feel it even at the moment when we left the first elevator. A very interesting creature, and most importantly, a soul, quite human, although already beginning to change. Ikari Yui, Shinji's mother. She's sleeping now, but she sees everything and has already noticed me. And recognized me. Now that's it, Eva-01 won't accept anyone but me. It's a pity I have so little spiritual energy and no sensitivity, I won't be able to talk, but I've already felt the main thing.
The light suddenly turned on, forcing me to involuntarily close my eyes. Blinking, I glanced sideways at Akagi, who pulled the light switch, and then turned my gaze back to Evangelion. Well, now, with the light on, I could sadly note that Eva had the same purple paint as in the anime, as well as a horn of unknown purpose in the middle of its forehead. Okay, paint, it's useless to apply camouflage to such a colossus anyway, but why does it need a horn? To butt? Very funny! Especially since it points vertically upwards, and is ugly thin. Antenna? Is it too weak to install it somewhere safer? Or is this a hint at Grendizer with his horns that shoot lightning with some pretentious name? By the way, this cartoon existed in this world and Shinji even watched it, if you believe the information from his brain's memory. Well, at least the armor seems to be okay, especially the chest cuirass, that's good.
"Shinji, before you is a universal anthropomorphic combat machine - Evangelion," Akagi began her inspired speech, apparently deciding that I was keeping silent because I was too impressed. "This is Unit-01, a biomechanoid constructed in an atmosphere of strict secrecy and the last hope of humanity...
- Yeah. A big, purple thing... - I muttered under my breath, trying to get some sort of reaction, Ritsuko stopped short. - And my father does this? - In order not to break character too much, I asked the expected question.
- Exactly, - a calm and authoritative voice came from the speakers. I looked up and saw a window right above Eva's head, behind which stood a man in a black and gold uniform, with glasses and a beard, his right hand in his trouser pocket. - Long time no see.
Yeah, he didn't even call me son, not to mention a name. Just: "long time no see." From the depths where the real Shinji sat, a wave of anger, resentment and hostility came. However, he was not alone, I myself, being a father, could not understand such an attitude towards my own child. You can be cold and strict, you can punish and keep at a distance, but you can't abandon and cross out of life, a child should always know that you love him and will rip anyone's throat for him, regardless of the price and losses. My children always knew this, although I myself did not like such conversations, but they knew, and therefore they themselves were ready to rip anyone's throat for me, be it a god or a demon, an angel or a person, there was no difference, just as they were ready, without hesitation, to give their lives for me. And although the difference between my family and people is very big, it does not change anything in this situation. So I can rightfully say that Ikari Sr. aroused my contempt and hostility.
Without waiting for any reaction from me, except for an indifferent and slightly expectant look, Gendo continued speaking:
- Shinji, - wow, he finally remembered, - listen to me carefully. You are here to pilot her. Your task is to fight the Angel, - I remained silent, but Katsuragi spoke up, for her, apparently, this really was news:
- What?!.. But wait, Commander! Even Rei needed seven months to synchronize with Eva! And he just arrived... It's impossible! - At least one sane person who really understands what one billionth of a percent is... But Akagi was disappointing, either she's really bad at arithmetic, or she's lying shamelessly.
- Let him just sit inside. That's all that's required of him for now.
- But!..
- Captain Katsuragi! - Doctor Akagi pulled the girl up. - Right now our main task is to repel the Angel's attack! And for that we need to put someone in Eva who has enough abilities for at least minimal synchronization with it! Or do you have any other suggestions? - Misato frowned and pressed her lips together, there were no suggestions. - Shinji-kun, here! - Ritsuko took me by the shoulder and pulled me toward Eva.
- Wait a second, - I shrugged and threw off Akagi's hand. - Correct me if I'm wrong, - all three of them looked at me, and I continued to speak in a calm, slightly cold voice: - You want me to get into this thing and kill this other thing that's wandering around the surface right now? Considering that I'm seeing this Evangelion of yours for the first time in my life? - Gendo answered me:
- Just do it. You're the best fit. No... You're the only one who's fit for this.
"Are you serious?" There was now obvious skepticism in my voice.
- If you don't do this, it's the end of humanity. The responsibility for the lives of all people now lies with you.
- First you do everything to make me hate you in particular and humanity in general, and then you invite me here and ask me to save it? - I clarify, putting my hands in my pockets and looking straight into Gendo's eyes. - Have you been to a psychiatrist lately? - My words plunged everyone present into a stupor, even Gendo's eyes, under his glasses, widened in amazement. What were you expecting, I wonder? Wasn't this scenario calculated? Abandoned children don't grow up to be altruists, in canon you were lucky, another year and Shinji would have most likely come up with something similar, and he himself could have contributed to the death of humanity, everything was heading that way.
- If you refuse, then go home, - Gendo froze. - There is no place for cowards on the battlefield. Especially when humanity is at stake in the battle - prepared cliches, do you really believe that this will get through to me? Especially after what I said?
- Well said, - I sighed. - Well then, I'm off, - and turning around, I walked towards the door. - By the way, as far as I understood, it's impossible to get out of here without a key card, so I won't even go "Home" from this room. What is this? Stupidity or incompetence? - I had already reached the folding doors and, without even trying to open them, leaned against the wall. - However, what am I surprised about? - I sighed, raising my eyes to the ceiling. - After all, we're talking about you.
- Shinji! How are you?!... - Katsuragi began, but I interrupted her.
- What's the matter, Misato-san? To you, he's the Commander, but to me, he's just a negligent father who cowardly ran away from responsibility when my mother died. A worthless weakling who betrayed both her and me.
- Shut up! - a muffled and hoarse hiss, from the balcony where Gendo stood. What got into him. So much rage and hatred in one single word. I barely held back a smile. Now I have to finish it.
- What, does the truth hurt your eyes? Or are you afraid of your authority in front of your subordinates? Well, don't worry, we'll all die soon and such trifles will no longer matter. Enjoy your last breaths. I wonder what it's like to realize that the work of your life, for which you betrayed your own family, will be destroyed precisely because of this betrayal? It must be very unpleasant, - a smile finally appeared on my face and I doubt that anyone could call it kind or warm.
"Shinji," Misato said, shock in her eyes, "are you really going to just doom everyone, all of humanity?"
- Why not? I have nothing to live for, Misato-san, and nothing to lose. There is not a single person in this world who is valuable to me and whom I would like to protect. But there are many who I sincerely wish to go to Hell, or Heaven, if such Angels live there. And my father is at the top of that list. Humanity has given me nothing to love it for and causes me nothing but contempt and dull hatred. So what is the point of me protecting it? - Now they were truly moved. After all, the most terrible enemy is the one who has nothing to lose. What will you do now, Gendo? We both know that Rei will not be able to pilot Unit-01, and even if she manages to synchronize, she has no chance of defeating the Angel. However, she will no longer be able to synchronize, Unit-01 will now accept only me, but you do not know that yet. So you can count on using the Spear of Longinus, but even so, it will put an end to your plans. So what will you do, Ikari Gendo?
- Captain Katsuragi, shoot him. "That's a stupid move".