Several kilometers from Tokyo-3, a train was heading for the town. NERV employees, their families, support personnel and other civilians mainly used the train lines to get in and out of the fortress city. The maglev trains, conceived after Second Impact, were quick, cheap and secure. Cars were reserved for those who could afford them. Only a certain elite had access to planes and copters.
Today, this particular train had a very special passenger aboard. Mayumi Yamagishi, agent of SEELE, was riding on that train on a mission given by her superior. She had been ordered to secure a romantic relationship with Shinji Ikari, codename Third Child, one of NERV's EVA pilots. She had to ferret out all secrets she could from him and watch out for any signs of abnormal behaviour. His recent metamorphosis in a 'supposedly' freak accident worried her dark masters.
To be frank, she would rather lead a normal life than being a pawn in some deadly cloak-and-dagger game. Unfortunately, this was a luxury she couldn't afford. Mayumi had been orphaned very young in the chaos following Second impact. If SEELE 04 hadn't taken her under his wing, she probably would have died a long time ago.
While other children played games and went to school, Mayumi had received spy and assassin training. At the age girls began thinking about boys, she had already used her budding charms to seduce and kill a high-ranked official with a taste for pedophilia. Behind the appearance of a shy bookworm girl with glasses, Mayumi Yamagishi was a very dangerous girl. Normal wasn't a word that could describe her.
And a few weeks ago, there was the Experiment. This single event pushed her farther away from humanity.
For the moment, Mayumi was reading Shinji Ikari's file on her portable computer, familiarizing herself with her future target. Her cover was already in place. Her 'foster family' being SEELE sleeper agents in Tokyo-3. Tomorrow, class 2-A would have a new student, herself.
Shinji Ikari, age fourteen (turning fifteen in a month). Son of Gendo Ikari, supreme commander of NERV, and Yui Ikari, the woman who made the EVAs a reality in the first place. Designated pilot of EVA Unit 01, second best pilot according to the synch ratios, best pilot when judging from angel kills (assisted or not).
Sent to live with a hired teacher by his father after Yui Ikari's demise. Transferred under the legal guardianship of major Misato Katsuragi, NERV's head tactical officer, when he was called to Tokyo-3. Currently lives with her and Sohryu Asuka Langley, the Second Children.
School grades average to good before his recruitment by NERV. His grades have been significantly lowered since then, no doubt due to the pressure of his duties at NERV and lack of free time to study.
His only known hobby is Music. Shinji Ikari is a good cello player, according to his music teacher. He is an avid music listener, his eclectic tastes ranging from classical to New Age compositions.
His psychological profile is typical of abandoned children. Shinji Ikari is torn between hating his father and seeking his approval/love. The trauma of his mother's death and said abandonment have made him reluctant to form bonds with other people. From NERV reports, he is shy, prudish and tries to avoid attention and confrontations at all costs. He is also kind, naive and starved for any kind of affections, making him a prime target for subversion.
It is unknown what kind of repercussions his recent physical age-shifting will have on his psyche. He could either grow in self-confidence or fold under the weight of adult responsibilities. It is suspected that any person helping him through this transition will earn his gratitude and maybe even more.
Mayumi skimmed through the file, memorizing it before deleting it as a safety precaution. She saw that their personalities were eerily similar on several points, which could facilitate her mission.
She looked at Shinji's photograph (before his transformation so she had no idea of his current appearance). It would be the first time she would have to seduce a boy her age. She was moving into unknown territory this time as the espionage world normally didn't have to deal with teenagers. Give her a dirty old man and he would be wrapped around her little finger in no time. A boy her age? She would have to improvise.
While she was contemplating the challenge ahead, Mayumi suddenly doubled over in pain, clutching her chest as if she was having a heart attack. Her eyes strayed to the windows on the other side of the carriage. To her horror, she could see the hazy silhouette of the angel of illusion floating alongside the train.
Thankfully, the pain went away after a few seconds and the angel disappeared again.
"Excuse me, miss, are you all right?" asked a worried passenger who had seen her little fit.
Mayumi forced herself to smile at the middle-aged man talking to her "Yes, I'm fine now" She took pills from one of her pockets and swallowed them "I'm just a little weak of heart, that's all"
The man nodded, satisfied with her explanation, and returned to his seat. Mayumi sighed and returned to work, hoping no one has seen her 'companion'.
"Mommy! Mommy! I just saw a giant monster through the window!"
"Hush, dear. It's not nice to lie"
See other episodes by Jamil Nate
(Posted Wed, 31 Dec 2003 00:40)
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