Lithe, muscular in the manner of an acrobat as opposed to a body-builder, shaggy-haired, unkempt looking. Also managing to combine bishonen and dangerous in a way that did NOT look to be fourteen years old.
"Hmph, what's the big red thing in the chest - other than 'obvious target'?" asked Shinji.
Misato glanced at the boy again.
"You might want to keep your eyes on the road," pointed out Shinji.
"Eh?" asked Misato just before hitting a vegetable cart that had apparently been abandoned on the roadway.
Maya Ibuki put down the phone. "Misato Katsuragi has been delayed. When the emergency was sounded, people panicked and left things a mess topside. Apparently she has a zucchini stuffed in her air filter."
Ritsuko frowned. "At a time like this? What was she thinking? This isn't her wild college days."
"Uhm, no, sempai, I think she means it literally. Her car won't start." Maya really didn't want any further details.
"Oh," said Ritsuko after a moment and shuddering at memories she hadn't particularly wanted to revisit. "I suppose."
"The Third Child is with her, and has arranged transportation," said Maya, a little puzzled.
The vehicle stopped in front of them and then the doors clicked open, also on their own.
"Uhm," said Misato.
"The Griffon," said Shinji with a final click of his wristwatch as he walked to the driver's door.
"Uh, no. No. No, you're too young to drive," said Misato, speeding up to intercept Shinji.
"It's my car," pointed out Shinji reasonably.
"You're fourteen!" countered Misato. That SHE wanted to drive the cool long black "1950-ish luxury car" was entirely beside the point, right?
"In many parts of the world, that is considered adult enough for almost anything," counter-countered Shinji.
"Nah ah ah," chided Misato as she slid into the driver's seat. "I'm the responsible adult here. I'm driving."
[Unauthorized Driver Detected]
[Ejector Seat Activated]
POOM!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-"
Shinji sighed as the roof moved back into place and the seat fitted itself back onto the springs. "Most troublesome."
Maya put the phone back in the cradle.
"More delays?" asked Ritsuko.
"Apparently Misato is stuck on a flagpole," said Maya. "Shinji is attempting to get her down."
Ritsuko sighed and pulled up a chair. Looked like it would be awhile.
"They're using an N2 Mine on the Angel," reported Makoto.
"Well, that's going to be next to useless," said Ritsuko. "Might give us some time though."
"Not. A. Word." Misato was not happy at all.
"Didn't say a thing," said Shinji as he drove the Griffon in a calm but rapid manner.
Misato continued to frown, but wiggled into the seat a little further. Finally she felt the need to break the uncomfortable silence. "Smooth ride."
"Yes, I am rather happy with this car," said Shinji as he wove the car through the cluttered streets.
"How did you get it?" asked Misato, whose own Renault wasn't nearly so posh or heavily armored.
"Reward for a job well done," said Shinji. "You know the sort of story. Mad Scientist forced to build weapons for a Cambodian Warlord, you shut down the warlord, free his daughter, save hundreds of villagers from his tyranny. That kind of thing."
"I think Fuyutsuki did some of that, just after Second Impact," said Misato after a few more miles of road had passed under the Griffon's wheels.
"Ah, yes, I think I heard that," said Shinji, reaching for the Griffon's phone. "This the place?"
"Yeah, we'll get a rail carrier from here," said Misato. She eyed the driver's seat of this car briefly, privately vowing that SHE would get to drive the Cool Car. As soon as she figured out how to bypass the security system.
Misato was lost. Misato called Ritsuko. Ritsuko came down to fetch the lost Captain Katsuragi.
Ritsuko looked over the Commander's son and her first impression of seeing the boy in question was: "Are you sure you're only fourteen?"
"Yeah, I get that a lot," admitted Shinji.
"Well, anyway, Misato," said Ritsuko finally as she led them to an escalator. "We're out of time."
Hurrying to catch up, Misato grimaced. "It's on the move already?"
"Already heading into the city," said Ritsuko.
"Great," said Misato, not sounding very honest.
"By the way, what happened to your dress?" asked Ritsuko as the three of them went past a section of wall that seemed to have an Elder Sign graffiti'd into place on it.
"Uhm, that's kind of..." Misato's voice trailed off.
"She was stuck on a flagpole," provided Shinji. "Then the blast wave from the N2 Mine knocked her off."
"I see," said Ritsuko, glancing at the ripped and rumpled remains of Misato's uniform.
"It's been a bad day," explained Misato.
Ritsuko led them into a darkened room.
There was a moment of darkness before Ritsuko dramatically flipped the lights on.
Misato blinked a few times.
"Where'd Shinji go?" asked Ritsuko as she was sure he'd been here a moment ago.
Gendo watched the bank of video feeds displaying images from all over Tokyo-3. Except the one in one corner displaying a scene of Ritsuko and Misato looking all over the room they were in for his vanished son. Gendo sighed.
Next to him, Shinji sighed.
Gendo's eyes flicked to the side briefly, noting his son had apparently snuck past several layers of security. Must have learned a few things over the past few years after all.
"So," said Shinji. "Giant monster attacking Tokyo."
"Yes," agreed Gendo.
"You sent for me, having some no-doubt minor use for me somehow," added Shinji, sounding bored.
"Indeed," agreed Gendo.
"Giant robot with a truly awful color scheme," noted Shinji as he watched Misato and Ritsuko continue to look for him.
"True," agreed Gendo.
"So, I'm guessing," said Shinji, still sounding bored. "Fate of the human race depends on us fighting giant monsters with experimental technology while enduring massive amounts of pain and suffering. Military helpless. All on a budget that won't let me get a different paint job."
"Indeed," said Gendo with a slight nod.
Shinji smirked. "Bring it on."
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(Posted Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:38)
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