"Restrain me."
The medical personnel stared in shock at Rei's sudden words. "What?" one said after a moment. "We need to get you to the infirm-"
"Do it, then," Rei said, pain showing even in her flat voice. "But keep me restrained. I will explain to Commander Ikari after the battle."
"Just what are you doing, Wondergirl?!" Asuka "Get us somewhere where we can see the battle!"
Rei did not answer, and closed her eyes. Rei's pained exhaustion swept over Asuka, and though she struggled against it, she too slept.
Later...
Rei awoke in Nerv Headquarters's infirmary, rather than the larger above-ground hospital. As she had requested, she was restrained, and a quick test showed that the bonds were strong indeed. Her whole body ached, but not too badly, and Rei suspected she was under the influence of painkillers.
Asuka awoke as well and for several moments futilely tried to move her body before remembering her unusual situation. She let out a silent curse as reality sunk in. The curse seemed to attract Rei's attention, and Asuka somehow felt a probing thought in her "direction."
"So what the hell are you playing at, Wondergirl? Why did you do this?" As if frightened by Asuka's words, the probing thought vanished, and though Asuka tried, she could not get her host to respond to any further statements.
After some interminable time, the door to the infirmary opened, admitting the Commander, Vice Commander Fuyutsuki half a step behind him. Rei struggled against her bonds, sitting up in bed as far as they allowed. "Commander Ikari," she said quietly. Asuka retreated to the back of Rei's mind, daunted by the force of Ikari's presence even now.
"I was told you had an explanation for me," Gendo said.
Rei's eyes closed for a moment, then reopened. "I believe I may have been contaminated during the malfunction of Unit-00."
Fuyutsuki's eyes narrowed. "Were you not tested for neural contamination after the incident?"
"Yes," Rei said. "Dr. Akagi said that my readings were within normal range."
"Then what makes you suspect contamination?" Gendo asked.
"I have begun to hear... a voice." Rei paused a moment. "It claimed to be my conscience and asked to be taken where it could see the battle."
Even removed from it as she was, Asuka withered under the intensity of Gendo's stare. Rei seemed to show no reaction, mentally or physically. Both of them waited for the Commander's next words, but it was Fuyutsuki who spoke first.
"We might have to delay returning Rei to active duty and request the Second Child instead."
Gendo glanced at his subordinate. "Unit-02 isn't fully battle-ready yet. And Germany wouldn't release it, in any case."
Fuyutsuki frowned. "Because the old men are still hedging their bets." Asuka was stunned by the idea of a group of people that the Vice Commander would call the old men.
"Who is he talking about?" she asked Rei. The other girl did not respond.
A new thought occurred to Fuyutsuki. "Could they be responsible?"
"If Seele had that much control over the Angels, they'd have no need for us."
Asuka's non-existent eyes widened as one implication of Gendo's words occurred to her. "I am NOT an Angel!" she yelled mentally.
Rei winced, and spoke suddenly. "She claims to not be an Angel." Rei paused, as Asuka raged some more. "With great fervor."
Both men's attention returned to her. "She?" Fuyutsuki asked quietly, but continued without waiting for answer. "That might be the case. This doesn't match any of the descriptions of the Fourth Angel."
Gendo glanced back at Fuyutsuki. "Those sources also say we can't win. We're already counting on them being inaccurate."
"True." Fuyutsuki frowned.
Gendo's gaze returned to Rei. "Since it seems you can hear me, 'voice', let me speak to you directly. If you are not an Angel, what are you?"
"I'm human!" Asuka snarled, and Rei quietly echoed her words.
"A human could not possess Rei," Gendo said. "Since you seem to take offense to being called an Angel, let me remind you that unless you can give me an answer I can believe, I will be forced to assume the worst and retire Rei. If the Angels triumph for lack of her, it will be on your head."
Had Asuka a body, she would have paled, both from the idea and the implications of Gendo's choice of the word retire. After a moment, Rei spoke. "She says nothing."
Gendo turned to Fuyutsuki. "Tell Dr. Akagi to wipe Unit-00's systems and cancel all of Rei's security clearances."
Fuyutsuki nodded and turned to leave. "Wait!" Asuka said, and Rei again relayed her message.
Gendo's face remained impassive. "Well?"
"...I am the Second Child, Soryuu Asuka."
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See other episodes by Aaron Nowack
(Posted Sun, 20 Feb 2005 21:32)
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