In a dark office the two Commanders of NERV were playing a slow game of chess, while at the same time holding an equally slow conversation. A white knight captured a black pawn. “So what do the Committee think about these latest events?”
Three minutes later, a black rook crushed a white bishop. “They are…displeased. There was talk of having the Third Child terminated, and it was with no small effort that I was able to dissuade them.”
A white pawn shuffled forward. “If you were any other man I might have suspected fatherly affection to be a factor, but I know you too well. It wouldn’t do to have such an important pawn leave the game this early.”
A black bishop struck down the insolent white pawn. “The Third Child is no longer a pawn; he has progressed far without my knowledge and become a knight. Able to maneuver more readily across the board, he could potentially avoid or strike down most ‘pieces’ I could move to intercept him.”
Fuyutsuki blinked, but took the opportunity to capture the black queen with a knight. “A well-played knight can be an infuriating opponent. How do you intend to reign him in?”
A black rook slid across the board and captured the knight. “Goad him into going where I want him to go, then pin him in place with an appropriate threat. The Third Child may have changed, but he will not move in a way that places a ‘piece’ important to him in jeopardy.”
“Indeed.” Several moves passed before Fuyutsuki spoke again. “What about the ‘Prime Cannon’? Were the SSDF able to track the aircraft that transported it?”
“No, and there have been no leads so far, but I have arranged for the budget for research and development of new weapons to be cut to a quarter of its original size.”
The ex-Professor frowned. “Are you sure that was wise?”
“The weapons we have now are sufficient, and this may push the Third Child’s new friends to show us what else they have come up with.”
“Perhaps.” Fuyutsuki sighed as he examined the board. ‘I’ll lose in five moves.’ “Is there anything else I should know about?”
Gendo smirked as he adjusted his glasses.
“WHAAAT!?”
Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki winced at the scream before repeating himself. “In order to facilitate a more expedient retrieval of the pilots during an attack, the First and Second Children will be moving in with the Third Child and Captain Katsuragi. Doctor Akagi will be joining them in order to assess the physical and mental health of the Children on a day-to-day basis.” Asuka, Shinji, Misato, and Ritsuko all stared at him with varying expressions of anger, shock, skepticism and resignation. Rei was just staring at him. “Are there any questions?” Shinji raised his hand. “Yes?”
“In other words, you want us all in one place so that when an Angel attacks Misato or Section 2 can just stuff us all in a car and drives us here in one go, correct?”
“Correct.”
Shinji frowned. “But there is still a matter of security. With five of the most vital NERV personnel in one apartment, it would be a relatively simple matter to kill us all with a single bomb or missile.” Misato nodded in agreement.
Fuyutsuki had pointed that out to the older Ikari, not that it had made a difference. “Be that as it may, those are Commander’s orders and I expect you to obey them.”
Misato asked the next question. “My apartment is nowhere big enough for five people, so I assume arrangements for another residence have been made?”
The old man picked up a folder and handed it to the Captain. “A large four bedroom apartment has been prepared on the top floor of your current apartment block. Furnishings have been provided, so all you have to do is take your belongings up a few floors and pick a bedroom. The First and Second Children’s possession have already been delivered, and a moving crew will only need Doctor Akagi’s supervision before they start packing and moving her belongings.”
A fuming Asuka shoved her hand into the air. “Are you trying to tell us that we have to share an apartment with this jerk?”
Shinji rolled his eyes. “Come on, Misato’s not that bad.”
The beer-pickled bombshell frowned. “Hey!”
The Sub-Commander shook his head. “Captain Katsuragi, Asuka, Shinji, you’re dismissed. Doctor Akagi, Rei, could you stay behind for a moment?” Once the arguing trio had left the Sub-Commander turned to the two short haired women. “I trust you’ve already guessed the true purpose for this arrangement?”
Ritsuko snorted. “Of course. Honestly, ‘assessing the physical and mental well being of the Pilots’? I’m not that kind of Doctor and both you and Ikari know it. No, the Commander wants us to spy on the Third Child.”
Kouzou nodded. “And it’s a safe bet both Shinji and Misato know it too, so I wouldn’t try too hard if I were you; you’ll only aggravate them.” He turned to the quiet bluehead. “Rei, is there anything you’d like to ask?”
“…no sir.”
“Very well. The two of you will report to me after the sync tests every Saturday, understood?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Yes Sir.”
Several hours later the new flat mates were gathered in the apartment trying to work out who goes where. Ritsuko, dressed in her cut-off jeans and shirt combo, scribbled on a notebook. “Now, Misato gets her own room because no one else is interested in getting a tetanus shot.” The blonde smirked at her friends grumbling. “Asuka gets her own room because, to be completely honest, no one else could fit in there once she gets all of her crap unpacked.”
“It’s not crap!”
The Doctor smiled and waved sarcastically. “Of course it isn’t!” Turning back to the page, she continued. “That leaves two rooms and three people.”
Shinji looked up from where he was poking around in some boxes. “I don’t think I should share a room with Rei; she doesn’t exactly have a firm grasp of feminine modesty.”
Asuka glared and Misato grinned lecherously, but they both asked the same question. “And how would you know!?”
Shinji waved them off dismissively. “That’s between me and Rei.”
Ritsuko tore out the pages of the notepad she’s been writing on, scrunched them up, then threw them into an empty box nearby. “It’s settled then; Misato, Asuka, and Rei get their own room, while Shinji and I share the largest room.”
Misato frowned. “Hey, you chew me out for offering to share an apartment with Shinji, but then you go ahead and offer to share a bedroom with him!”
Her old friend shrugged. “Well they’re two different situations, aren’t they? Shinji can’t share a room with Rei, and I’d rather share the ensuite with one person than the main bathroom with two other people.” ‘And I’d rather burn my fucking eyes out with a lit cigarette than sleep in the same room as Gendo’s doll.’ She turned to the only male in the apartment. “You don’t mind if I smoke, do you?”
Shinji smirked. “No, but if you snore I’m throwing you out the window.” Ritsuko chuckled and turned her attention back to the writing pad. “Now then, lets sort out the chores…”
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(Posted Thu, 21 Apr 2005 14:04)
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