A Nautilus Production

By Captain Nemo

Okay folks, time for another chapter. I wrote this one longer for you in an attempt to apologize for the lateness of the chapter. I am may have to go to monthly update, if I can manage that. I WILL get another chapter out before the new year, that I can promise you.

Anyway,

On with the story.

"Good Morning, my name is Mana Kirishima, and it's a pleasure to meet you"

And with that, the day got under way at school.

NERV

Gendo was in a room that very few people entered. A room set aside for the commander of NERV. The only other people who had been on there where repair men to change light bulbs, replace soap, and generally restock the commanders personal bathroom.

In his hands was something that he hadn't really help in years. He had told Yui that he would do this, and he finally got the needed items for this old tradition of man. Scissors in one hand, he slowly began to cut away the beard that he had grown over the years.

As he cut, he went over different scenarios in his head. Before they took on SEELE, NERV would have to improve it public image. Several ideas had come into his mind, like NERV sponsored plushies, or other merchandise, but where quickly crushed. He just didn't see the marketability of a giant stuffed unit 01.

With the beard trimmed down, Gendo reached for the shaving cream, putting some in his hands, he began to apply it to his face. One idea kept coming into his head, but there was no way that he could do that, was there?

Picking up the razor, Gendo began running the razor across his face. Yes, some of the parts of base where classified, but what if they let people see the Eva's up close. Take them down to Eva cages, maybe though the bridge. Along the way, tell people what they could about the Eva's. General information, like height, dimensions, some of the weapons, that sort of thing. Maybe have one of the pallet rifles on display. Hell have a demonstration by one of the pilots of their skill with an Eva.

With the remains of his beard gone. Gendo washed the remains of the lather off his face. Looking into the mirror, he could see that he looked much younger now. His mind made up. He decided to call a staff meeting to discuss these issues. He even had a date in mind.

School

The school day went as school days have gone many years. All students where glad that the day ended, and went their different ways, some in groups, some on their own. One student who stood out the most, watched as the rest of the student body leave. A noise caught her attention. A man drove by the school slowly, as per the speed limit, on a motorcycle.

Of course she had seen them before, but for some strange reason, she kept watching. She saw how the man had to balance, and when he turned down a street, she saw him lean into the turn. Curious, Rei Ayanami headed towards the NERV motor pool to find out more information on motorcycles.

Arael's Apartment.

Arael had gotten an apartment one level below Misato. Her apartment was decorated with furniture from all over the world. Some of the furniture looked positively ancient, while others where newer. Though some people would have gone into shock if they realized that they where sitting on a couch that was over 500 years old, or that the vase that held flowers was an original Ming dynasty vase. What really would have really shocked them was the small collection of Faberge eggs, hand made by the original artist. All in all, Arael's apartment was a very expensive, very well kept place.

The music at the moment differently did not fit. At the moment, she was sitting at her kitchen table grading papers. When she came upon a paper turned in by her new student, she felt something coming off the paper. It was something that she had not felt in a while, something for the lack of a better term, angelic.

'Hmm, could it be that they have decided to keep an eye on him as well?'

Ayanami's Apartment

Rei was doing something that she rarely did. She was looking up information online. She had first tried the MAGI, but found their lack of information on the subject to be disturbing. She was raised to believe that the MAGI had information on everything, but she had never really tested it. And now was the first that she had really tried. The Information on Motorcycles mainly consisted of how they worked, and what they did. Nothing more then that. She was going to have to some research on the matter.

NERV

Gendo once again paced the halls of NERV Central. No one else was in this part of the base, to tell the truth, nothing was really done here. Work had progressed out of this area, but like all government institutions, it remained largely unused once it's purpose had been fulfilled. He remembered the work that had been carried out in these halls. A lot of it dedicated to the eva's.

With no particular destination, Gendo kept wandering. Remembering breakthroughs that could change the face of humanity, but where kept secret because of a few old men who where afraid of death.

Little research was actually going on at the moment, as it was the weekend. People did need time off with families and loved ones, and they worked better when they where able to spend time with them. Work might not have been progressing as fast as it could because of it, but it was of a much higher quality. Needles to say, there where some times when people had to work overtime.

With a staff meeting scheduled in about half an hour, he started to head towards his office, after all, it isn't everyday that you plot to over though the most powerful men in the world.

NERV motor pool

Rei walked into the Motor pool. She had been down here before, but had never really seen what went into the care of a car. She wasn't down there for information on car care, she was down there for information on motorcycles. She walked over towards an area where a few where kept.

Mostly these bikes where used for motorcades and other official functions, and since there weren't all that many, they mainly sat unused. But they had to be maintained to NERV standards despite their lack of use. In order to maintain them, there had to people that knew about them.

It was these people that Rei wanted to meet.

NERV, Gendo's office.

Gendo Ikari walked into his office. His stroll around the base had helped him clear his head, and get a better grip on things. With the top level staff gathering in his office, he walked in and took his seat at his desk. Looking around at the small crowd gathered before him, he waited for the last person to arrive. Surprisingly it wasn't major Katsuragi. When Dr. Akagi walked in, he began the meeting.

"We are at a crossroads, one road leads to death, but so does the other. The question is whose death is it going to cause. If we choose the road less traveled, it will not be easy, but the rewards at the end will be worth our suffering. The other may look more inviting and easier, but will cause much more suffering and in the end.

"As such I have chosen the road less traveled. In order for us to reach the end of the road, we must all work together on this. Changes will have to be made to NERV, but on the outside we must look the same."

"Sir, I don't understand." Misato asked.

"It's very simple, Major. We are going to move against the committee."

"Move against the committee, are you crazy?" Misato asked. "Do you know the kind of power they have? What they can bring against us?"

"I am well aware of their recourses, that is why we will not more against them publicly. To do so would be suicide. That is why we are going to move against them in other ways. First thing that must be done is improve NERV's public image."

"Improve NERV's public image," Misato asked. "What good would that do?"

"I think it would get people to recognize the fact that we are doing a good thing, saving them. And if it ever came down to it, good public image might just save us in the end." Kaji answered

"Alright, how are we going to do this. Eva plushies, an anime, or perhaps a toy line?" Misato once again asked. "Some how I don't think any of those ideas are going to work."

"That is why I have come up with a way for us to garner more public support."

"Oh, and how are we going to do that?" Misato asked.

"Very easily." Gendo replied. "We are going to hold NERV's first open house."

Maine

"Are you sure about this, I mean this is a big deal, me leaving my shop and all." Chris told Tanaka and Pablo. "I mean I have put roots down here, I have my shop and everything."

"I know, Boss." Tanaka responded. "It's not easy getting up and leaving everything that you worked for behind. It was like that for all of us after second impact."

"I know what you mean Tanaka," Chris replied. "We all had a hard time after that. It's just that I was planning on retiring out here, maybe go fishing for a change of pace."

"Fishing?" Pablo asked. "You want to spend the rest of your days fishing? Come on Jefe, racing is in your blood, same as Tanaka and I. And we're not going to be racing, just helping out NERV with their garage."

"And Ami is going to be teaching the drivers," Tanaka replied. "besides, the job is easy, and it pays really well."

"Do I have to live in one of those small Japanese, one room apartments?" Chris asked.

"Well, as far as I know our current garage manager, Johan Schmidt, lives in a nice NERV appointed house. Full size one too." Tanaka responded. He had mentioned that Johan Schmidt was the garage manager for a reason. Johan was Chris arch-nemises. Chris had caught him several times doing things off the book, and Johan had tried to sabotage Chris's cars.

"They hired Schmidt as the garage manager?" Chris asked evenly. "What in the world possessed them to such a thing."

"I can't say that I know the reason why," Tanaka provided. "But I can tell you that there have been several major issues with the budget and parts."

"Why am I not surprised." Chris said with a laugh. "I'm surprised Ami hasn't shot him yet."

"I think she would have her daughter do that, she's the one with the gun." Tanaka told him.

"Little Misa is there?" Pablo asked. "You didn't tell me that. I heard about her in the news occasionally, but I didn't know that she worked for NERV."

"She NERV's tactical commander," Tanaka answered. "Along with something else that I can't tell you at the moment."

"I see." Chris said. "I guess that if that is all, I think I might accept, but under one condition."

"Oh, And what is that?" Pablo asked.

"Let's see if I can't still drink you both under the table."

NERV.

It had taken a few days to arrange, but she had eventually managed to talk Arael into coming down into NERV once again. It wasn't for lack of trying, but for lack of time. Arael was a teacher after all, and she was a scientist. Both jobs took up a large portion of both ladies time. But now they had it.

"Are you sure that you want to do that?" Arael asked Dr. Akagi.

"I've put this off long enough." Dr. Akagi responded. "I've got to do this. What kind of daughter would I be if I didn't try."

Both of them where standing in front of Unit 00. The soul Dr. Akagi resting within. So close, yet so far away. And now it was time to reunite mother and daughter for the first time in years.

Holding her hand, Arael waited for Dr. Akagi to take it. Watching the doctor take a deep breath to steady herself, she waited patiently for the hand. Once the two women where holding hands, she reached out and brushed her hand against the armor of unit 00.

Middle of nothing.

Empty blackness was all she had known for years. Of course other things had happened. Rei Ayamani had shown up several times. She couldn't say that she liked her; she hated her. And she was still alive after she had chocked her to death. Only to learn later that she was a clone. Of course this came after she had thrown herself off the command bridge.

She considered herself unlucky enough to have survived, only to be used in a contact experiment for unit 00. Needless to say, she was trapped here, and she didn't like it. But she let the pilot control the eva because there where angles to deal with.

It was into this emptiness that a young woman appeared. A young women who she knew very well. Her daughter.

"Hello mother." Ritsuko said. "I guess it's been awhile."

"Rits-chan, is that you?" Naoko asked. "But how?"

"I guess I should start explaining."

Misato's apartment.

"This is Ami, how can I help you?" Ami said into her phone.

"Heelllooo Captain Kaaaturaggi *hic* Thhis iss sergeant Hokari, and I calling to tell you, mission acomlii, complerr..done." Tanaka said into the phone, it was quite obvious that he was drunk. And that could only mean one of two things. Number one, he was with Pablo, and number two, he had tried to drink Chris under the table again.

"Sounds like it." Ami replied. "I'll see you back here day after tomorrow then."

"Yes, Ma'am." With that, the line went dead.

"Those two." Ami said to herself as she shock her head. "Who would have thought that those two would have ended up as friends." She was glad that they where connecting again after all these years. After all, it is kind of hard to hate the guy who asked you to be his best man at his wedding. Those two where always together, as good friends should be. They where each one of a kind.

And now the infamous pair of Tanaka and Pablo would be unleashed upon NERV. Not that they ever did anything wrong, it's just that the two like to experiment with different engine designs. And a few of them had been know to fail in rather big ways. Those two had been the secret weapons of Team Katsuragi. And when they got a hold of her husband a few times; well, lets just say that she never figured out how they managed to get an electric car to go that fast.

Laughing to herself, she made a note to open a tab under their names at the bar the NERV's garage department frequented. Anyway, it was time to head to the track to teach the kids how to drive again. She had to say that they where coming along well. Even Rei, who she had been worried about. But it seemed like Rei was determined to get her license, for what reason she didn't know. It was good to see the girl coming out of her shell.

Dr. Akagi's Apartment.

To say the day had been a day of learning would be an understatement. And judging from the amount of beer cans that lay around, getting drunk was part of understanding what had been learned this day. More truths where coming out about what happened during the early days of NERV, and some of the back room deals that had to be made.

In view of all of this, Ritsuko Akagi was gaining a better view of where she stood in all this. And to say that she was a pawn was a serious slight to her. In a chess game, she was not the queen, but more of a night, or rook.

After talking with her mother for what seemed like hours, she finally felt like she had found some peace in her life. And a renewed reason for living, after she extracted a little vengeance for her mother.

Look out.

For once it seemed like he had beaten her here, but that might have had something to do with her drivers training. Fyutski had taken her and was in the process of driving her home when she had asked if he could stop at the top for a few minutes.

Looking at the two, he saw that Rei was smiling more these days, and his sub-commander was standing a little straighter as well. Walking over to the pair, he over heard that they where talking.

"I'm not sure Rei, I'm sure that he has a reason for avoiding his son. It might be due to the fact that he hasn't been in his life for most of it, or maybe he is just afraid to confront him." Fyutski replied to a question that Gendo could not hear. But it did get him thinking. They where talking about the relationship, or lack there of, with his son.

Maybe he should take a step closer to getting to know his son. The question was how.

"Is it true that the commander was known for getting into fights in college?" Rei asked.

"I tell you my dear Rei, it is the gospel truth." the sub-commander answered with a small laugh. "About once or twice a week. He was a different man back then, still growing up, and full of life.

"He changed though, after the contact experiment. He became a different person all together."

"I see."

Gendo had stopped short of them and just watched, but apparently they where done, and where getting back into the car to head to wards Rei's apartment.

Looking out over the cliff, he saw the city that was his to control. It had been a long time since he had let go, not since Yui vanished before his eyes. Maybe now was a good time.

Gendo's Office, Morning.

Popping open the bottle of Bayer, Gendo put a few into his hand then popped them into his mouth, followed by water from a glass on his desk. Massaging his temples, he tried to will the head ache away but it seemed like it was here to stay.

Not only did he have a hangover like he hadn't had in years; he also had bruises all over his upper body like he hadn't had in years. Even through the head ache, he felt alive. Leaning back in his chair, he tried to get comfortable. The guy had a wicked right hook, and one hell of a left. But that is what made it good.

At first he thought that he had bit off more then he could chew. But the fight had proved to be better then thought. He would have to remember to get the guy of jail as a thank you.

Kicking his feet up on his desk, he grabbed one of the files out of the in box and started reading.

Tokyo 3 Junior High

*Mana Kirishima to room 206, Mana Kirishima to room 206* The intercom rang out in Mana's room. Mana got out of her seat after being excused by her teacher. Heading to the room that she had been summoned to, she had a slight feeling of dread. She hadn't done anything to draw attention to herself, and so far she had been making good grades. Maybe one the of the vice principles wanted to see how she was doing in her new school.

When she got to room 206, she knocked on the door. When she heard the person on the other side tell her to enter, she opened the door. Stepping inside, she saw the one person that she was not expecting to see.

"I can tell that you where not expecting me." Arael stated.

" I guess you can say that." Mana replied. "I do have to say that I was warned about you, that you would know that I was here."

"I'm surprised that they told you even that much." Arael said leaning back in her chair. "Well, you do have to give them some credit, they didn't send you in completely unprepared."

"I guess they told you what I am here for?" Mana asked.

"They didn't need too." Arael answered. "I knew it the instant I felt the paper you turned in. You need to be more careful about that by the way. He is growing and will soon be able to sense you like I did. And that might cause some trouble."

"I'll take that under advisement."

"Very well then. You may return to class."

NERV

Misato and Dr. Akago where busy to say the least. With the bomb shell that the commander had dropped on them, they where working overtime to try to figure what to do for NERV's open house. What they could show, what the could explain, and where they allowed people. The main concern was that there would be an angle attack at the that moment, and with all those people in the geofront, they would get in the way.

"We have to figure what to do with all those people incase of an attack." Misato said allowed. "That has to be one of our main concerns."

"We also have to figure out what we can let people see, remember?" Dr. Akagi shot back.

"What if we deployed an Eva inside the geofront, that way we don't have to let people in the cages." Maya popped up with. "I mean, because the cages would be considered classified."

"Another thing we can do is give out false maps," Hyuga replied.

"I like that idea." Misato replied. "Or we could figure out how to move people around with out them knowing where they are going."

"We have a rather large supply of multi passenger golf carts that we might be able to use." Maya once again chimed in. And so the meeting went on, idea's where brought up, considered, and most shot down in flames.

Tokyo-3 Inter-nation airport.

It had been a long flight to say the least. But they had arrived, 3 days late of course. Chris had wanted to see his go-cart team one last time, and pack a few things that where precious to him. NERV would move in and pack the rest. Transferring his shop over to a new manager was easy, but he was still sad to leave it. He might even come back in a few years.

After passing through customs and gathering their bags. The trio headed over to the pick up area was. Tanaka saw a sign with his name on it, and the rest followed him to the waiting car. After putting their bags in the trunk, they went on their way. Their first stop was the commanders office.

Walking into the commanders office. The three men saw that there was a meeting going on, and so they stopped near the door. Apparently the man who was in front of the commander was getting chewed out.

"I fail to see how that much of the budget could have been used in that way."

"Sir, I assure you, those where needed parts for the vehicles." The man replied.

"So, our entire fleet need to have their brakes replaced, along with break lines?" Gendo asked. "Also, I was told that our anti-theft devices our also being changed out. And that several vehicles have already been stolen."

"Sir, I can not explain the anti-theft devices, but the fleet was do for new breaks and break lines. As for the stolen vehicles, this is the first that I have heard of them. I just checked the garage this morning."

"If you had checked the garage this morning, you would have seen that 2 vehicles that where not checked out at the moment where missing. This includes one armored SUV, and one sedan."

"Sir, I don't know what to say. I checked the vehicle inventory this morning, and all where there. The information that you have must be wrong."

"That may be the case, this time." Gendo replied. "But past history of the garage has shown to be lacking. I am informing you that your services are no longer required at NERV as a replacement has arrived."

"WHAT, you're firing me?" The man responded.

"Correct. You will clear out immediately." Gendo ordered. "Section 2 is already at your place of residence, packing and removing all classified material. You are dismissed."

"May I ask who my replacement is?"

"You may, as he is right behind you." Gendo answered. "You are dismissed. Leave now, or I will have you removed."

Chris saw the man turn around. Seeing that it was Johan after all, he could tell it was him by his voice, he had a hard time suppressing a small chuckle. What he had heard just now really didn't surprise him in the least bit. Johan was known in the racing circuit as a man to not trust.

Johan walked past Chris, looked at him for a minute, and then hurried out the door, not wanting to be on the receiving end of an angry commander. He was already on enough trouble as it was. He could tell that it was time to cut his losses and leave.

"Mr. Swint, please step forward." Gendo ordered.

"Sir." Chris said as he stepped forward. "What can I do for you today?"

"I assume that you have already heard of the state of our transportation department?"

"That I have," was the reply. "And from what I have heard, is that it is in a pretty sad shape. Like an old house that has only been fixed up on the outside, put left to rot on the inside."

"A very good analogy of the situation. Do you believe that you can fix it?"

"That would depend on how much of a free hand I am given." Chris replied. "I am used to working on my own, being my own boss as it where."

"I will give you enough of a free hand to clean out the trash, and get the garage to where it should be. Do you accept?"

"Before I do that, I would like to review the contract, see the garage, talk to a few of the employees, and look things over. I have been screwed over before because I didn't look at the whole situation."

"That would be acceptable. I will have Sgt. Hokari show you around. The other man with you may go with you, and will be offered the same position as Sgt. Tanaka. As well as a clean record."

"Thank you, sir." Pablo responded.

"I will have the contract brought to you shortly. Dismissed."

Walking out of the office, the three men started talking.

"So that's the boss?" Pablo asked.

"Yeah, that's the commander. The guy can be ruthless at times, but that is to be expected with a place this size."

"I guess you can." Chris said almost to himself. His mind was going over plans and ideas of what was going to be done. First things first though, he had to look over the facilities and personnel that he was going to be in charge of. Over the years, he had learned that there was one way to tell the true state of a facility. Is they where just shiny on the outside and rotten on the outside. Or if the place was really a place that was kept up, and regular maintenance, as well as preventive maintenance was performed.

"Hey, Tanaka. Where is the restroom that you guys use?"

Tanaka and Pablo both smiled.

TBC.

AN. Okay folks another chapter out of the way. I am letting you know now, that the new chapters will move a little faster, as I have gotten bogged down, lost, recovered, had my computer crash, start working TWO jobs, and move to another city.

Though this does give you an actual chance to get a look at me. I am usually sitting in the Denny's across from a maroon and white university. Though the days that I am in there, I will not say. But I will say that I am in there VERY early in the morning. And I am not the only one with a laptop. And sometimes I am the IHOP.

Life for me is still going, and I do plan on finishing the story.

AN2. For those of you who are interested, a Chapter 20.5 is in the works, and will NOT be posted on the site. I really don't want to raise the rating of this story, not that would stop any of you. It will be posted on the normal site for that material.

Also, One more thing. I do take all reviews seriously, even flames. Just because I do not match up to your standards, does not mean that I am bad writer, I am writing this Out Of Character for a reason. If you saw the first chapter, you will notice that I took a character who was strong on the out side, but weak on the inside, and took a sledge hammer to her shell.

On of the hardest things to write is Fanfiction. Mainly because it is hit or miss on the characters. That is why a lot of people write OOC fan fiction. It is a simple fact. A good writer can make his characters believable, which is what I aim for.

This story is one of my imagination, true. But it involves characters created by someone else. I have taken liberties with these characters, as all those of us who write do, and but them in situations that is different, and seeing how they will react. That, in my mind, is the essence of fan fiction.

BTW, you can expect me to rework the first few chapters.

Until next time

Keep your stick on the ice.