Chapter Text
Germany…
In the bright morning, where the early sunlight painted a delicate tapestry across the Bavarian landscape.
Asuka Langley Soryu, clad in a form-fitting training suit faced the challenge of the day – a relentless barrage of exercises.
90 degree push-ups, Ring Iron Cross, Human Flag, hanging leg raise, dragon fly's, and many more.
The rhythmic thud of her training shoes against the gym floor echoed the determination that radiated from her every movement.
Asuka's brow glistened with sweat as she executed a final flawless series of pull-ups, each repetition a testament to the unwavering discipline she had cultivated. The hum of the gym equipment served as a backdrop to the symphony of controlled breaths and the occasional grunt of exertion.
To her, this gruelling routine was more than physical conditioning; it was a ritual that anchored her to a sense of control amidst the chaos of their mission.
Just as beads of sweat gathered on her forehead, the gym's entrance swung open, revealing the figures of Ryoji Kaji and Kyoya Kenzaki.
The intrusion didn't falter Asuka's focus. As with one final, powerful pull-up, she descended to the ground, her eyes meeting Kaji's bemused gaze and Kyoya's raised eyebrow.
"You're gonna get yourself killed doing that type of stuff," Kaji remarked, a wry smile playing on his lips as he leaned went to grab his gloves.
Kyoya, ever the pragmatic one, chimed in, "I'm all for staying in shape, but aren't you pushing it a bit too hard, Asuka?"
Asuka, panting but defiant, shot them both a challenging glare. "This is nothing. If I can't handle a little workout, how am I supposed to handle whatever's out there?"
Her words resonated with a determination that hinted at the weight of her past battles.
"A little." He scoffs.
Kaji only exchanged a glance with Kyoya before shrugging. "Fair enough, but just remember, you're not invincible, Asuka."
"Says you." She scoffed back, getting herself ready to head out.
"Before you go, the president of the BND wants to see you; it's about a mission in Japan," Kyoya said.
"Is that why you two are here?" she asked.
"Yes and no. We haven't been told anything, but my guess is—"
"We'll know after you," Kaji interrupted, getting ready to lift his weights. "Maybe, we'll finally get to go home."
"Alright," Asuka said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I'll see you in the office."
With a nod, she left the gym, her mind already racing with possibilities about the mission that awaited her.
Upon reaching the president's office, she found herself standing before a stern-faced figure, the president of the BND. A folder, thick with classified documents, lay on the desk between them. The president gestured for her to take a seat.
"We've got a situation in Japan," the president began, the gravity of the words etched in their expression. "Unusual activities, and we believe your expertise could be pivotal in handling this."
"I'm just a tactical advisor, sir," Asuka said.
"The record shows you've also worked in the field, back in your CIA days," the director said.
"Yes, but that was some time ago," Asuka replied, her tone a subtle blend of confidence and reservation.
The director leaned forward, hands steepled on the desk. "We need someone with your unique skill set. This mission requires more than strategic insights. It demands hands-on experience, the kind you've proven to possess."
Asuka's gaze flickered towards the folder on the desk, her mind grappling with the memories of past missions.
"Look, Asuka." the director continued, "This is bigger than tactical advice. We need someone who can navigate the complexities of these anomalies."
Anomalies? Asuka wondered
"Someone who can adapt on the ground. The team respects you, and your leadership in the field could make a significant difference."
A moment of contemplative silence hung in the air. Asuka's eyes locked onto the classified documents, realizing that her role might transcend the confines of the advisory desk. The ghosts of her CIA days resurfaced, and with a measured breath, she nodded.
"Alright, I'll do it. But I'm not doing it for you or anyone else. I'm doing it for the mission," Asuka declared, a flicker of determination in her eyes. The director acknowledged her decision with a subtle nod, recognizing that Asuka Langley was not just a tactical advisor; she was a force to be reckoned with, both in strategy and on the front lines.
"You've got a lot of homework to do, colonel." The director said.
"Am I in the military now?" she asked.
"You might as well be." The director replied.
The flight to Japan, briefing…
"The mission brief is simple," Asuka began, her voice commanding the room. "A couple of weeks ago, radars picked up an explosion within a remote area in Japan. Initially, they thought it was a misfire due to a North Korean missile test - but that wasn't the case."
"Japanese are allied with America; North Korea would never hit anywhere near home base, even if it was a misfire." Kaji asserted.
Questions arose as Hawk, one of the Special Agents, sought clarification. "So where did the missile come from?"
"Here's the tricky part: Missile Warning Systems weren't tripped, the Japanese Minister of Defence can attest to that."
Speculation buzzed as Porter, another agent, suggested, "Explosion with no missile, a terror attack?"
"No, much worse." Asuka responded, laying the images on the table for all to see. Kyoya voiced the team's collective confusion, asking, "What the hell am I looking at?"
"An entity of Lovecraftian and biblical proportions. Now we don't know where they come from and what they want? But there may be one man who can tell us."
Images of a silver-haired male graced the table,
"Is that is real hair colour?" Kaji asked.
"Can't say for sure." Asuka's response was guarded. "But he is suspect. Intel says he may be running some kind of shadow organization, or a PMC of sorts. Japanese Public Security doesn't a know a thing about him, nobody does, who is he is or where he came from is an absolute mystery. But one things for certain, he was the first to show up after this creature attacked."
"So they think he planned this, some sort of new biological weapon?" Kaji asked, know full well he was vying of into conspiracy.
"It's our job to find out." Asuka simply replied.
"So, how do we get this bastard?" Kyoya asked, readying himself mentally.
"Public Safety tapped into network cell data and traffic." Asuka replied. "He's scheduled himself to meet with one Rei Ayanami in Tokyo, Chiyoda district. Nagatachō."
"When?" Porter asked.
"A couple of days from now." Asuka answered.
"Who is this Ayanami? A political figure?" Kyoya asked
"Don't know, like him she's a blank slate." Asuka replied, "We're dealing with a whole bunch of ghosts."
"Could be dangerous." Hawk said, "What's the plan on exfil?"
"Syringe." Asuka said, pulling out a weapon the size of telephone charger.
"Poison?" Kaji asked.
"Non-lethal, but it will take them out of commission." She replied. "Afterwards Kyoya you arrive in your vehicle and we get our target to a secure location."
"You think maybe this all for a meeting of representatives?"
"Maybe," Asuka replied, "But the truth is we'll find out when we capture our target."
"Well we've got wind of where he is, so let's move on it," Hawk said.
"Let's follow our mark, and find him." Asuka said, her resounding smile conveying a sense of determination that set the tone for the mission ahead.
Tokyo, Chiyoda district, Nagatachō
Asuka found herself perched at a small table in an open-air restaurant nestled in the heart of Tokyo's Chiyoda district. The morning sunlight bathed the streets in a warm glow, infusing the atmosphere with a subtle blend of tranquillity and urban vigour.
With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, she took in the captivating scene.
Her gaze, though seemingly casual, betrayed a purposeful intent. The rhythm of Nagatachō, with its eclectic charm and hidden narratives, set the stage for the clandestine dance about to unfold.
"This is Hawk, CCTV is online." Hawk said, through the intercom. Asuka picked him up on earpiece.
Kyoya: "Copy Hawk – Visual radio check?"
Kaji: "Check, Red Dragon in position."
Asuka: "Blue Dragon loud and clear."
Porter: "Affirm, eyes on the mark, blue dress."
He was directing their gaze towards Rei, who exuded timeless elegance in her outing dress, a delicate ensemble of soft lavender silk adorned with intricate floral embroidery. A wide-brimmed sunhat perched gracefully atop her onyx hair, casting a gentle shadow over her serene features.
Kyoya: "Good check, can't miss her dressed like that, let's go to work Hawk."
Hawk: "Roger, get ready to move Blue."
Asuka put her coffee down, and stood up, seamlessly blending into the Tokyo crowd, her eyes were sharp, fixated on Rei.
Kyoya: "Keep a low profile blue, we lose her, we lose Nagisa."
"Solid copy." Asuka replied.
With every step, Rei navigated the city with a poise that mirrored her elegant attire.
Hawk: "Blue, maintain a safe distance. Let's not tip our hand."
Asuka subtly adjusted her pace, ensuring they remained inconspicuous as they trailed Rei through the vibrant tapestry of Nagatachō. The morning sunlight played enchanting games with Rei's lavender dress, casting a soft glow around her like a fleeting halo.
Eventually she came to stand by a nearby vendor, her gaze lingering over the array of tempting food options. As the enticing aromas enveloped her, she reached into her bag, retrieving a sleek smartphone.
Hawk: "Press up against Porter, Blue."
Asuka subtly shifted her position, edging closer to Porter, who was intently observing a street performer. She pretended to ask him for directions, their proximity allowing for seamless coordination.
Kaji: "You lost, Blue?"
Asuka: "Just blending in, Red."
Kaji's skeptical chuckle resonated through the earpiece. "If you say so."
Rei, now with her food in hand, resumed her leisurely stroll through the enchanting streets of Nagatachō.
Hawk: "Target's moving, agents."
Kyoya: "If she takes a call or talks to anyone, we need to hear it, Blue."
Asuka: "Copy that. She talks, we'll listen."
Rei's phone buzzed, and she delicately answered the call, her voice a melodic cadence amid the ambient city sounds.
Hawk: "Blue, maintain the audio link. Let us know if there's anything significant."
Asuka concentrated, tuning in to the conversation as Rei spoke. The soft murmur of her voice painted an intriguing narrative, the words veiled in mystery.
Kyoya: "Blue, any hints on the nature of the call?"
Asuka strained to decipher the dialogue, her earpiece relaying every nuanced inflection of Rei's conversation.
Asuka: "It's vague, but she mentioned something about 'meeting at the usual place.'"
Kaji: "Sounds like we're getting closer."
Asuka: "Keeping eyes on target. She's heading towards the National Diet Building."
Porter: "Affirm, maintaining visual contact."
As the team orchestrated their covert surveillance, the rhythm of the city continued its dance around them. Rei's graceful figure, framed by the architectural majesty of Nagatachō, created an almost surreal juxtaposition of elegance and urban dynamism.
Kyoya: "Hawk, any anomalies on the CCTV?"
Hawk: "Positive, we have sights of silver heard male a few blocks down."
The revelation sent a ripple of anticipation through the team. The enigmatic silver-haired figure had emerged on the surveillance grid.
Kaji: "We're in business. Keep an eye on that silver-haired mystery man…Kaworu Nagisa is found"
Asuka: "B.D, maintaining visual on the mark."
The team adjusted their positions, maintaining a discreet distance as Rei, seemingly guided by an unseen force, continued her stroll through the labyrinthine streets.
Porter: "Ayanami and Nagisa are converging near the historic shrine."
Hawk: "Roger that. Blue, stay sharp."
Asuka's gaze intensified as Rei and Kaworu drew closer to each other.
Kyoya: "Hawk, any chatter on the wire? Anything from their interaction?"
Hawk: "Negative, they're silent. Looks like a meeting of conspirators."
Asuka: "No verbal exchange detected. Something's definitely brewing."
The tension mounted as the team observed the mysterious rendezvous.
Kaji: "R.D, keeping an eye on the surroundings. We don't want surprises."
Rei and Kaworu stood in silent communion, the world around them fading into the background. Asuka, ever vigilant, absorbed every detail, sensing that this encounter held the key to unravelling the enigma of the strange creatures.
Kyoya: "They're in a public space, extraction is impossible."
Asuka: "We'll just have to wait it out."
After about a 10 minutes, the two separated.
Kaworu, with a sense of purpose, ventured into a secluded direction, following a shortcut that led toward the imposing National Diet Building.
Rei, on the other hand, gracefully retreated into the bustling streets, the threads of her lavender dress trailing behind her.
Asuka: "Blue dragon, Kaworu Nagisa is headed towards the National Diet Building."
Kaji: "Red dragon, Ayanami Rei is on the move."
Kyoya: "Red tail Ayanami for exfil, Blue tail Nagisa."
Kaji: "Copy that, On her tail."
Asuka, ever the vigilant Blue Dragon, recalibrated her focus. Kaworu's solitary journey toward the political epicentre presented a unique opportunity for challenge.
Asuka: "Kyoya, I'm on Kaworu. Maintaining a safe distance."
Kyoya: "Copy that, Blue. Keep us posted."
With calculated precision, he disappeared into the labyrinthine paths leading to the National Diet Building.
Asuka gave slight chase, but couldn't find him amongst the corridors.
"Shit." She said, before barely noticing him again,
The city streets witnessed this subtle shift in the covert operation. Kaji, blending seamlessly with the crowd, shadowed Rei through the vibrant thoroughfares.
Asuka, hidden within the ebb and flow of Tokyo's rhythm, paced after Kaworu as he approached the threshold of political significance.
Porter: "Red Dragon, any signs of trouble?"
Kaji: "Negative. Rei's path is clear for now."
The team, now dispersed between the streets and the political enclave, continued their silent pursuit.
Kyoya: "Blue, keep an eye on Kaworu. We need to know what he's up to in there."
There was no response.
Kyoya: "Blue? blue dragon?"
Hawk: "Blue dragon is lost."
Porter: "Heading towards blue's last known location."
Asuka found herself caught in the unexpected clash with the enigmatic mask-wearing woman. The mysterious figure moved with a fluid grace, her every motion an intricate dance. The streets of Nagatachō became an impromptu arena, witnessing the clash of two skilled operatives.
Kyoya: "Blue, report in. What's happening?"
There was only the distant sounds of the skirmish, the rhythmic exchange of blows and the occasional shuffle of feet against the pavement. The mask-wearing woman, seemed to possess a skill set that matched Asuka's own.
Kaji: "What's going on Hawk?"
Hawk: "Red stay focused on Ayanami, Porter will get to Blue's location. We can't afford to lose her."
Porter: "On my way."
In the midst of strikes and parries, Asuka attempted to regain control of the situation.
Kyoya: "Blue, respond! What's going on?"
The sounds of the struggle intensified, the clash echoing through the narrow streets. Porter, determined to provide support, navigated the maze-like paths of Nagatachō as fast as he could
Hawk: "Porter, hurry up. We need to find out who this woman is and why she's targeting us."
Porter: "Almost there."
Porter reached Asuka just in time to witness the shocking scene. She was surprisingly on the losing end of the fight, struggling to regain her bearings.
The mask-haired woman, with an elusive grace, delivered a final blow that left Asuka half-dizzy.
"Shit, blue!" Porter caught her, and In a swift motion, the mysterious adversary disengaged and vanished into the bustling crowd.
Asuka, still recovering, steadied herself with Porter's support. The enigmatic woman had managed to slip away, leaving behind more questions than answers.
"Who was she? What did she want?" he asked.
"I don't know." Asuka replied, catching her breath. She could only shake her head. The encounter had been unexpected, and the mysterious assailant had proven to be a formidable adversary.
"We need to regroup with the others." He said grabbing his earpiece, "Kyoya's waiting for an update."
Asuka nodded, the determination in her eyes undiminished by the setback.
Asuka: "Hawk come in."
There was silence.
Asuka: "Hawk…Hawk!"
Hawk: "Coming in blue we have a situation."
Porter: "What is it?"
Hawk linked their radio's with a sigh. There was static and then.
Kaworu: "Hello, I noticed you've been following me?"
Asuka: "How did you get on these comms?"
Porter: "These belong to red."
Asuka: "Where is he?"
Kaworu: "Calm down he's fine….I hate violence, Ayanami took him out."
Porter: "What?"
Kaworu: "She's more capable than she looks."
Asuka: "What do you want?"
Kaworu: "I want to talk, no other eyes but us."
Hawk: "You're proposing an exchange?"
Kaworu: "no, this isn't some ransom, You'll get your red dragon, just meet me at the theatre, just you three, in about 3 hours or so."
Asuka: "And if we don't agree?"
Kaworu: "Well then, I guess we're all in trouble in the media than."
Asuka looked to Porter, she knew they had no choice.
Asuka: "Fine…but no funny business, you shoot we shoot."
Kaworu: "Agreed."
With that the call ended, Asuka looked to porter.
"Shit." She said,
"We underestimated them." He replied, "must've been ghost operatives."
At the theatre.
Asuka treaded cautiously through the unfamiliar halls, flanked by Porter and Hawk, their watchful eyes trailing her every move. The descent down the stairs revealed Kaworu, comfortably settled in one of the rows.
"Ah, yes," He acknowledged, rising to greet her. Despite the public setting and an ongoing rehearsal on stage, the atmosphere welcomed visitors, restricting Asuka from resorting to any aggressive actions.
"Asuka Langley Shikinami," he stated, offering a handshake. "Or is it Soryu nowadays?"
Ignoring the gesture, Asuka seated herself, noting two additional figures. The masked woman unmasked herself, revealing a half-Asian countenance with Eurocentric features reminiscent of Britain. Behind her stood Rei Ayanami, and not far away lay the unconscious form of Kaji.
"Dumbass." She said
"Heya, princess," the now unmasked woman greeted, her tone casual.
In response, Asuka shot her a disdainful stare, silently conveying her irritation.
"Ouch." Mari said, making a fake sad face.
"A pleasure to meet you." Rei also extended a greeting.
Asuka's mind echoed with a singular concern – her team had been compromised, a mole within their ranks. Kaworu, seemingly attuned to her thoughts, addressed the looming suspicion.
"Your team hasn't been compromised," He stated, his attention still on the unfolding rehearsal. "If that's what you were thinking...and if there was mole, it certainly wouldn't be in your team, maybe...the BND."
Wearied by the unfolding complexities, Asuka cut to the chase.
"What do you want?" she asked, her patience waning.
"Simple," Kaworu replied without missing a beat. "I want what you want, and what you want is intel, correct?"
Asuka eyed Kaworu with a mixture of skepticism and frustration. This intricate dance of espionage is the precise reason she left the field. She couldn't deny the allure of gathering intel, yet the circumstances and the players involved added layers of uncertainty.
"What kind of game are you playing?" Asuka said, her sharp gaze piercing through the enigmatic facade that Kaworu wore.
Kaworu, unfazed by her directness, leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on the unfolding performance. "No game... Asuka. Just a convergence of interests. Your objectives align with ours more than you may realize."
From a distance Porter and Hawk exchanged wary glances, both equally uneasy about the situation. but suddenly
"Cut the cryptic crap and tell us what you want," Porter interjected, voicing the collective impatience of the BND operatives.
Kaworu's voice cut through the tension in the room, addressing Agent Porter with a hint of amusement. "You might want to work on your technique; I could hear you from a mile away."
Hawk, positioned prominently with a concealed but ready firearm, chimed in,
"What about me?" he said, questioning Kaworu's restraint.
"You're not going to shoot me in a public space, are you?" Kaworu's response was met with an admission from Hawk. "I'm tempted."
"Feisty," Mari commented, observing the verbal sparring.
Asuka intervened, her authoritative tone cutting through the rising tension. "Stand down," she instructed both Hawk and Porter. "Just tell us what you know."
Kaworu, seemingly at ease, delved into an explanation. "The creature that attacked the village is entity dubbed the Codename ANGEL. I arrived on the scene first because, one, prior to the event I had been researching strange phenomena around the world, and two, I work for Japanese Public Safety."
"So they lied to us?" Porter realised, also beginning to suspect a mole.
"Or he could be lying." Hawk said, "Could've easily cleared his own file."
"No, that one is a mystery even to me," Kaworu admitted, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his usually composed demeanour.
Hawk, irritated by the enigmatic smile on Kaworu's face, pressed further. "You think this is funny?"
"No, it's just so intriguing," Kaworu responded, leaving an air of ambiguity lingering in the room.
"If you knew this whole time, why not contact us?" Asuka inquired, her voice edged with a mixture of frustration and suspicion.
"Because you seemed adamant on kidnapping me," Kaworu retorted. "You've already painted me as a target and were ready to ship me off to the next country to do whatever horrible things."
"You're exaggerating," Hawk interjected defensively.
"I'm not, or did she not tell you?" Kaworu redirected the agents' eyes to Asuka.
"It's confidential…" Asuka responded cautiously, eyeing Kaworu suspiciously. "How did you know?"
There was something about him that she couldn't put her finger on.
"The angels, where do they come from?" Hawk pressed on.
"I don't know," Kaworu replied.
"Don't know or won't tell us?"
Kaworu simply shrugged in response. "You can decide for yourself."
"You still haven't told us what you want?" Asuka said.
"Connect me to the BND." Kaworu requested, "With that I will assure that your mission was not a failure and they can put me in contact with higher powers."
"You played us." Hawk said, realising "Right from the beginning."
"No." He said, "I only used the chance opening you provided for me."
Asuka took a moment to seriously contemplate on the matter. "Fine, we'll call the director." she said. "just give us back Ryoji Kaji."
she wasn't worried about exposing names, this guy looks like he already knew everything.
"I thank you for your kindness." Kaworu said, "the world could use more of that."
it wasn't a kindness, it was a forced play, he simply had the better hand, or so he thought.
Germany...
"Kaworu Nagisa is a dangerous man, with insights well beyond human." The director said, "This is a four to five year mission, even longer if everything we suspect of him is true."
"So what, we help him build his PMC to fight of these angels, and then what? why not contact him directly?" Asuka asked.
"Because he doesn't want politics to be involved, he's trying to turn this into some humanitarian front, By working alongside him indirectly, we gain the advantage of observing his actions without revealing our full hand." the director said, "let him believe he's manipulating us, he needs to think he's one step ahead."
"And what is our hand in this exactly... What's our play?" Asuka inquired.
"The same thing it's always been," the director replied, a smile playing on his lips as he looked out the window.
"Same thing it's always been, huh?" Asuka pondered in a whisper.
On the balcony, Porter spoke to Asuka, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Fail the mission, get on his good side, become his friend, we destroy this from inside out, and take the spoils after."
Hawk, familiar with the covert strategies, commented, "CIA type shit."
"Welcome to my world," Asuka replied, acknowledging the intricacies of their clandestine endeavours.
Curious, Porter inquired, "Why aren't Kyoya and Kaji in this?"
"Because they're working for him," Asuka revealed. "And possibly a few other parties."
"Shit," Hawk muttered nonchalantly.
"That's just the game we play," Asuka responded, her tone reflecting the harsh realities of their mission. "They'll basically make sure we fail, they relay our info over to him."
"Once we get close," Hawk added.
"We win him over with reluctance and blackmail," Porter finished, outlining their dangerous game plan.
"You'll stick to the shadows after that. I'll come back home for a while, get myself ready for the Colonel position. Everything after is dark, forget who you are if you have too, the activation phrase is Zweiter Eindruck." Asuka declared. "I'll watch out for Mari Makinami, MI6 agents, and scientists."
"This one's gonna be a long one," Hawk acknowledged.
"Yeah, a long one," Asuka concurred, the weight of the mission settling in on her.
Antarctica...present time.
Fighter jets, and helicopters carved patterns in the crisp air as the Neo-NERV battle facility emerged from the icy cold landscape, a colossal structure camouflaged against the desolate white. The rhythmic thumping of helicopter blades heralded the descent of Asuka and Shinji, Who were awaited by Kaworu and Satsuki on the ground.
As the helicopter touched down,
"Welcome to Antarctica," Kaworu said, gesturing toward the icy expanse.
Taking in the grandeur of the surroundings, Shinji couldn't help but express his awe. "I gotta say, it's impressive," he admitted, approaching him along with Asuka.
Soldiers, clad in uniforms adorned with the symbols Nerv, moved with purpose through the sprawling compound. The clang of boots against metal echoed with determination, with the rush of adrenaline, the hum of machinery, and the palpable sense of camaraderie hanging in the air.
All the while other helicopters whirred with a rhythmic urgency, shuttling personnel to and fro.
The air buzzed with an electric energy as the facility throbbed with the relentless pulse of military life.
"Yes, yes," Satsuki remarked, "but you can practically see the angel now. Whatever you two have planned, you have a week to test it, and the mission to execute it."
Shinji assured her, "The children aren't far off. I can assure you they are ready."
Satsuki, probing for specifics, asked, "Even Mayumi?"
"Yes," Shinji replied, taking her inquiry to heart.
"We'll be ready," Asuka reassured. "But first, let's get somewhere warm."