RETURNING FROM THE DARKNESS

Misato walked the long corridors that made up the Magi's four massive server rooms which were so tall that they loomed over her head with neon greens and blues as the huge device that ran along the floor shifted huge sections as well as moving and replacing sections its job was to repair any damage and it was AI learning program which had been running for five years solid.

She stepped over the huge cables that lined the outside floor, inside the four massive Magi it was cable clear but outside it was a fucking mess and the work of replacing power had to be done by people, normally it was a job of lower end staff who were working their way up the ladder and normally you only did it for six months before you shifted up the rank.

Almost every employee had done it at one time or another with the acceptation of the intelligence ranked employees because they were just too important and needed to be always working. Even she had though it was years ago and she been very young and fresh out of her second job two years after university after getting Pen Pen.

Unfortunately it was a maze down here and also quite dark. She eased up her torch catching sight of young man working to fix a power cable. "Hey do you know where I can find Sumire?"

The young man looked up he was in the official cream Nerv uniform but his uniform had reflective sections to make it glow because the light was so limited down here and the shoulders were grey to show low rank. "Yeah turn left down that path right and then left again Corporal." He paused. "Word of warning she doesn't like high level staff because one put her down here and she's been stuck down here for two years, so don't expect a very warm welcome."

He breathed in deeply. "In fact everyone down here stays away from her because she's got a really nasty temper." Misato breathed in deeply. "Thank you."

She carried walking catching sight of the tall woman who was of Mexican descent who had striking dark green eyes as well as long black hair which was tailed back she was in her thirties and very slender in build and she was wearing a striking gold necklace despite that wearing these things weren't Nerv dress code. She lowered her torch looking at the woman who was busy fixing a huge piece of cable "Sumire Nagara I presume?"

The woman looked up slightly her dark green eyes glinting in the darkness as she carried on working. "I'm busy, fuck off." Misato blinked they weren't kidding when they said she didn't like top brass, clearly she had nothing but seething hated for them because she was stuck doing this senseless and boring job for what she probably felt would be the remainder of her career. "You know I am a Corporal."

Sumire carried on working. "I don't care one of you assholes put me down here to rot." She threw her spanner aside violently holding back none of her anger. "I had a promising career I was working towards being one of the bridge lieutenants but instead I got shoved down here and that slimy bastard Makoto got to gloat and to top it off that bitch Ritsuko stopped my transfer to China last year. So now I'm stuck in this Nerv hell till I retire which won't be for another thirty years.”

Misato breathed in deeply it was strange normally she would expect people to behave in her presence but this woman was just hurting and lashing out and she could understand why. She wouldn't want to spend two years down here this was not a job you forced people to do long term who didn’t like it because it clearly led to serious mental issues as it was a fourteen hour day everyday with very few breaks.

She breathed in deeply and she had the look of someone who was borderline depressed she knew the look well she'd seen it in Shinji and Rei eyes and recently in Asuka and Mari's and like all of them she was lashing out due to pure misery.

Sumire looked up slightly. "So whatever Ritsuko sent you to say go ahead, it's not like you can do any more damage that hasn't already been done!" Misato eased up her tablet. "You didn't hear the news then?" Sumire eyed her for a long moment she was confused somehow she was hoping that her temper would get her fired because that was the only means of escape she could see to leaving Nerv hence why she'd gone out of her way recently to piss of any higher level people coming down here because then it would be a release from this boring grinding torture. "I don't hear anything down here we don't really get long lunch breaks."

Misato looked at her sadly. "Makoto has been dubbed a traitor." Sumire felt a cold smile form. "I told people years ago that he was off but it fell on deaf ears well at least I can smile about that if nothing else." Misato shook her head. "His leaving has caused a shift around in the command structure."

Sumire looked up suddenly feeling really confused. "Why are you telling me this? I am sure you have plenty of Ritsuko's ass kissing candidates lined up." Misato looked up seeing that she really hadn't caught on. "I spoke today to Kohji Takao, your former manager he is now a Evangelion specialist and works with the specialist team who repair and refit the Evangelion's armour he works alongside Hayden Ironton's vast bay crew, he highly recommended you he even stated that he missed your company as you he barely sees you now."

Sumire looked up. "Are you trying to give me a promotion of some kind?"

Misato looked down thank the gods she had finally caught on. "Yes effective as of immediately, better pay and you get to spend time in the Delphi gardens, use the gym and shops in the Arcade and see the pilots from time to time and have hours where you get to see daylight."

Sumire narrowed her gaze now she just suspicious no one did things like this, this had to be bullshit or a joke maybe she should just play along for the hell of it she spoke not caring that her voice was thick with dark sarcasm. "So I'm guessing I'll be pouring your coffee then or filing your cabinets I'm sure good assistants are so hard to find."

Misato blinked in surprise seriously why was this woman not getting this? She looked down she already knew the answer she was depressed she wanted to see the worst in everything and everyone she breathed in kneeling down so she was her level and no longer standing over her, if there one thing she'd learnt recently it was that depressed people who had built up thick walls to protect themselves tended to really hate being talked down to it made them even less trusting as they felt even more threatened.

She slowly passed the tablet over speaking calmly. "No it's for a job as bridge Lieutenant you'll be taking Kaji's former position as he now has Makoto's desk and Maya's been shifted up to Major science Rank but we need that extra hand badly because she, Kaji and Shigeru are struggling up there and Maya is feeling it the most as she has Ritsuko's former position on top of what she's already doing and its hard for her sometimes."

She watched as she flipped through the position contract. "Between us and only between us I'm not Ritsuko's biggest fan ether, hence why I picked you over her candidates and they tell me that with every spear hour you've had off this job you've been desperately trying to keep your skills sharp even though it’s affecting your health."

She looked around her. "I need eyes and ears I can trust up there, I need people like you more than ever, there is a massive war brewing our rival Ouroboros has created an angel creation with a joint piloting system and we know there's more than one and we also have Cerberus who want to destroy the Evangelion's and Ankh are desperate to build their own Evangelions because they want to use them to cause terror the events of Australia some time ago were the tip of the iceberg."

She looked up slowly seeing that the woman now knew she was now serious and that this was not a joke. "I don't want Ritsuko's mouth pieces I want men and women who will help me fight this battle and who I can depend on that's why I came all the way down here to promote you."

She looked at the other woman who was suddenly crying maybe because it was strain of finally being free of this pit which to her must feel like a tomb. "All the other candidates I looked at were good but your marks were exceptional and that why I want you and not the others, so are you interested?"

Sumire wiped her tears away sharply she did finally recompose herself it was the relief of finally being free of this bleak black shit hole she'd been stuck in for two years. "Yes, I want out of here, I can't stand it anymore."

Misato stood up watching as she did the same, she would need to have Maya transfer her to the medical staff as she probably needed counselling and maybe some anti-depressants, just until she got herself back together. "You get your things from your locker and I'll personally escort you up the first lieutenants break and wreck room, I have told Kaji, Maya and Shigeru they will be waiting for you there."

She paused as the other woman wiped away the last of her tears. "Also you will get very good health care and I would like it if you can go for a check-up in the medical wing as soon as possible. Because being down here might have really impacted your health and made you ill and they can give you some drugs to help you and they have doctors who are very good at dealing with stress." She looked up hoping she would read between the lines.

Sumire looked up she knew what the Coronal was talking about and though she didn't really like the idea personally but she'd do anything right now if it meant sitting at a desk and doing a real job again. "I'll do that Coronal."

8

Rei looked up from her seat at the very wide oval table where she had been seated opposite Misato who was dressed in her black military over the knee dress with its dark crimson red collar and double buttoned front as well as red folded sleeves on it were all her shoulder insignia including rank of Coronal.

While she had her black high heels on the seat opposite, was empty as it was Kaji who was set to arrive along with Asuka while Ritsuko was seated dead centre in her typical well pressed back suit, shoes and trousers.

Shinji and Kaworu were opposite her while Toji had been seated with Sakura who was in a very pretty red dress with her long dark hair tied back the thirteen young girl was full of smiles as she clearly liked these kinds of formal lunches.

Her brother was in a white shirt and dark trousers wearing a black and white patterned tie while Kaworu was in a white shirt and grey trousers with a simple grey tie. Toji though had gone all out with a full black suit in including the jacket and black tie and shoes he'd even put in little gold cufflinks.

She turned looking at Mari who had gone for white short sleeved shirt only and knee high skirt along with leggings and flat shoes her hair was in its normal style she just hadn't bothered with the white interface clips on the black headband and black tails she watched as she took in a deep breath pushing up her red glasses she spoke in a whisper. "Where's Asuka?"

Mari eased up her hands. "I heard she's coming down in Kaji's car." She looked seeing that the prime Minster his family and delegates was now arriving along with the Nerv translator who was an older man in the official cream uniform with his orange shoulder straps with a band off gold which meant he was from the official class as this section from Nerv dealt exclusively with people from all over the world and most were fluent in more than three languages.

This man who was called Satoru was a twenty five year company veteran and he could speak, Japanese, two forms of Mandarin, German and English. He was there because sometimes Mari and Toji and Sakura tended to slip into their own languages and he was there to tell the delegates what they were saying Kaworu although he was from the Ukraine didn't have this issue as much as he tended to always speak Japanese maybe because he'd been here so long while Toji and Mari where much newer to the program.

Asuka though despite being here so long had never stopped swearing in German though the rest was all Japanese but since coming back in from the core she was swearing less.

Ritsuko put a hand through her long blonde hair her dark eyes narrowing as she eyed Misato. "Kaji better show up." Misato eyed her as she spoke coldly. "He will be here, he gave me a message he's coming up in his car with Asuka they both had to pick up formal dress wear from the Arcade." Ritsuko breathed in deeply watching as Satoru led the delegates over towards them. "Yeah well I'll be interested to see what those scruff bags turn up in."

Misato eyed her in disgust realizing that she couldn't throw a comment back as Fumio who was middle aged man was walking towards the table with his wife Sakae and there youngest son Ryo and daughter Miki and there shared personal assistant Akane along with four other guests.

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Ritsuko stood up watching as the others did the same. "Welcome Fumio, it's so great to see you and your lovely wife and children again." Fumio smiled as he seated himself watching as the others did the same. "It is most wonderful to get your invite again I do so look forward to our yearly meetings." Misato breathed in deeply great three hours of this kiss ass shit. Fumio pointed to the two empty chairs. "It would appear that you have two missing guests."

Ryo's head shot up as he turned to his father. "Yes where is Langley? I want her you said you'd get her for me." Rei rolled her eyes watching as Mari just shook her head. Fumio raised his hand. "Be patient son." He turned. "She is coming?" He put his hands together. "It would break his little heart if she's not here." Mari looked up as she spoke in English knowing full well Ryo couldn't understand her. "Don't you need to have a heart before you can break one?"

Ryo turned eyeing the Nerv translator. "What did the British pilot just say?" Satoru breathed in deeply it was going to be a very long night, he could feel it already. "She says that her younger step sister will be coming soon." He watched as Mari winked at him which was her way of thanking him, yes a very long night.

He looked up catching sight of Kaji who was appeared wearing a very well pressed black trousers and light blue long sleeved suit and a red and black tie and black jacket and black shoes. "Ah Kaji is here." Misato looked up oh thank the gods she watched as he sat opposite her he had tied his long hair back with black tie to match the suit she spoke in a whisper. "I'm so glad you're here." Kaji gave her a smile. "Well I said I'd come."

Misato leaned over. "Where's Asuka?" Kaji pointed. "She's here just give her a second she just getting herself psyched up, she's really nervous and she did nothing but read this miniature booklet on how to fine dine on the way up here, because she couldn't remember how to do it as she's not been up here in three years." Misato looked at Rei. "I can send in Rei to get her." Kaji shook his head. "Trust me don't steal this moment from her."

Misato looked at him for a long moment. "What is she wearing?" Kaji put his hands together seeing Asuka appear. "You're about see." Rei looked up suddenly catching sight of Asuka who came into view walking slowly towards the table in a beautifully pressed black pair a trousers and black belt along with flat black shoes she had a long white sleeved shirt but the collar had this really delicate red edging as did the shirts folded edges.

She had a simple red tie and a black jacket which was slung over her shoulder, her hair was also tied up in a light red ribbons one on either side and her patch was in place as she calmly made her way over to her chair putting her jacket over it speaking incredibly politely as she looked at everyone. "I'm sorry I'm late may I be seated?"

Rei heard the sudden clatter as Ritsuko dropped something oh pay back was so damn sweet she could see everyone staring but who could blame them she looked amazing in a suit and she had never been seen her in one before. She looked up. "Can she take her seat?"

Ritsuko voice finally came as she spoke coldly. "Yes please be seated." Asuka slowly seated herself opposite Rei catching sight of the beautiful white knee length long dress she was wearing which had see-through shoulders and sleeves and a really beautifully decorative collar as well as lovely white shoes, she leaned over speaking in a very low whisper as everyone started to talk again. "You look stunningly beautiful tonight."

Rei looked up. "So do you, that suit look's amazing on you." Mari turned leaned over. "See myself and Shinji said it wouldn't be a bad idea and it makes you look good princess." Asuka raised her hand. "Okay no need to gloat four eyes."

She turned eyeing the restaurant which had these new marble carvings of Evangelion's in kneeling positions at each corner off the room along with the units second name banners. She only had to look right through the glass and you could see the Nerv's training field which was really close and lit up with strobe lights. She looked up as one of the Chiefs appeared which meant it was time for drinks she paused as the waiter opposite put a huge fruit carving in the centre of the table as the chief spoke the joy in her voice. "Welcome to the Alimentum."

She pointed her pen at the highly decorated fruit carving. "As you can see for your entertainment tonight we have unit 02 eating Bardiel, because even Evangelion's have to eat." Asuka eyed the carving why was she now just wishing that she'd just torn that bastard apart and not eaten him.

Because she just couldn't escape from images of it, it was everywhere she turned it was even getting parodied on the World Wide Web and on television. Rei turned eyeing the carving. "It's nice…" The head chief moved forward eyeing Asuka who was just staring at it. "Does it capture the moment?" Asuka looked up forcing a smile. "Perfectly."

The woman smiled. "I'm so glad you like it my staff spent all morning on it." Asuka eyed the red guts in her unit's mouth. "It's shows." The woman turned clicking a button which caused a hologram screen to shoot up at every seat. "Please order your drinks and first course and we'll bring them out to you." She paused. "As Nerv has said that money is no object so order whatever you like."

Asuka eased up her finger flicking through the menu as she ordered frankly she hated expensive restaurant food it was finger food. She breathed in deeply tapping in her first course along with her drink it also never filled her up but she was here for Rei's company not the food.

Ryo leaned forward. "So you're German right?" Asuka looked up speaking calmly. "Your powers of perception are incredible." Mari and Shinji had both mentioned that Ryo and his sister Miki and their assistant Akane were assholes and that Ryo had tried to chat up every single one of them at some point and was just a massive sexually charged sleaze bag. While Miki was incredibly arrogant and rude and Akane worshipped the ground they both walked on.

Ryo looked at her, he couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic because her face was unreadable he let his eyes wander up and down her body she was very attractive that was sure. "So what's under the patch?" Asuka looked up. "Not to be rude but it's none of your business."

Rei breathed in deeply great he'd started already he just couldn't let the grass grow. Mari shifted her gaze to Ritsuko she swore she had placed them all down here on purpose she hated this separating the gender role crap with guys at one end of the table and women at the other.

At all other functions they went to this never happened they were always mixed but here she couldn't even talk to Toji or Sakura because they were just too far away and the delegates made up half of the table and they stuck down here with the assholes.

Granted Shinji, Toji and Kaworu had the parents and other suck up guests but it was better than this and she knew Ryo he had clearly wanted to be positioned down here because of Asuka. "What's under her patch is for friends and close family only."

Ryo smirked seeing that his sister was ignoring him and was more focused on Toji at the end of the table. "Oh I see, well I'll just ask my father you see all I have to do is ask and I get." Rei looked up. "So does that mean you're dependent on your father then to fulfil you're every wish because you can't fulfil it or accomplish it on your own?"

Ryo eyed her that was a first she normally didn't say anything she just sat quietly and said very little and her tone wasn't like what he was used to hearing as she normally spoke very softly this was really sassy and quite dry sounding.

He ignored her as he turned to Asuka feeling that he shouldn't waste any more time. "So you're bisexual." Asuka looked up sharply great she knew just where this was going granted this was more a of rare thing now in sociality but it still happened to her now and again and it was always from men and women who made the assumption that, that meant she was sexually available despite being in a relationship because of her sexuality. "Yes I am."

Ryo's smile widened. "So how's about you and Rei join me after lunch, we can have some fun together?" He felt a sly smile form. "I mean once upon a time you liked riding Shinji's dick so I'm sure you'll love mine."

He put his hands together. "Your step sister could even join us too since you're not genetically related." Mari felt a sneer of disgust form, this guy in the past had tried to chat up her, Rei, Shinji and Kaworu and now he was trying to pull this shit on Asuka did he think she was dumb or something that she'd go for this crap?

She eyed Satoru who looked disgusted but wasn't saying anything as he couldn't as he was very much between and rock and a hard place and he clearly wasn't happy about the seating arrangements as he couldn't hear Toji or Sakura very well from here.

Asuka looked up as she spoke coldly. "You seem like the type of person who has a really high level of delusional fantasy." She watched as there drinks and starters were placed down before she carried on speaking. "The issue with that is the people you sleep with you very much view as objects and things which you neither love nor care about because it's about your own self pleasure and not theirs and that must make you such a pathetic lover and I don't waste my time on people like you."

She eased up a cooked half shelled king prawn looking at it. "You don't know how to give love and you don't know how to please others." She bit the prawns head off making sure to crunch the shell just make a point. "Plus only Rei can handle me in bed you couldn't, I'd eat you alive."

She eased out her tongue licking one of her canine teeth. "Maybe they haven't told you but I can get my teeth to go really razor sharp personally I've never used them on people but you'd be an acceptation to the rule." She watched as his face suddenly turned to discomfort as he shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. "Yeah I thought not, after all I'm so far out of league you'd drown."

Akane turned sharply eyeing Asuka. "How dare you, you should respect him, he is a great man." Rei turned not missing a beat as she spoke not caring that her voice was laced with dry sarcasm. "Why are you defending him Akane, are you riding his bologna pony?"

She watched as Mari started laughing she turned realizing that Misato and Kaji had both heard that and were just staring at her in utter shock as were a few other people at the table.

Even her brother was looking at her in shock which had now drawn Ritsuko's attention and she was staring daggers at Asuka, because she clearly thought she had something to do with this which it didn't.

She breathed in keeping her eyes fixed on Akane. "So are you Akane?" Akane smashed her fist down hard. "I'm his assistant!" Rei carried on talking as if she hadn't spoken. "You should get a better job then, I mean I bet he makes you clean up all his mess."

Ryo eyed Miki who gave him a cold smile she was clearly enjoying how this was turning out and she wasn't going to defend him he knew that already as they didn't get on at all. "I am not sleeping with my assistant!"

Rei looked up putting her spoon in her finished potato and coconut soup. "Of course you aren't since you would just prefer to harass myself and Asuka for a threesome, it's extremely rude not to mention you've done this before to my brother and Kaworu and now Mari."

Mari stuck one of her bacon and cheese pinwheels in her mouth this was the best thing ever, who knew Rei could be so fucking feisty and Ryo now looked very nervous because his father's face had suddenly turned to anger and he knew why asking her and Asuka was one thing but harassing Gendo's children was quite another and clearly Ryo's parents were so unaware of how he behaved. Fumio eyed his son. "You asked Gendo's daughter and son for a threesome?!"

Satoru looked up seeing his moment to drive the nail in he was so sick of having to watch Ryo try his luck with every damn pilot every single time they had these lunches and it sickened him so much. "Well in this case he asked for Asuka and Rei to sleep with him and said Mari could join in since she's Asuka's step sister."

He looked up enjoying the shock on the prime ministers face and his wife's. "And last time we were here he tried the same thing with Shinji and Kaworu." Fumio turned eyeing Shinji. "Is that true?" Shinji eyed Ryo he had no love for him he was predatory letch who saw people as objects he took a slow sip of Sake before speaking. "Yes that is true."

Fumio turned he knew full well that Gendo did not like or tolerate people messing with his children and he had heard enough stories about people who had tried to, to know that the outcome was always very bad and the whole recent thing with his rivals Shigeo and Kin both having accidents and dying had made him extremely nervous.

Because he and the rest of the cabinet knew perfectly well that Shigeo had been pushing his luck with Rei by giving her constant phone calls and sending her gifts and he had literally shot out a wide screen TV with his hand gun when the news had broken that her and Asuka had become a couple.

The crazy bastard had totally lost his mind after that and done nothing but rant that Asuka should die, he had told him to let it go but he just wouldn't the rumour was that Gendo had some extremely powerful friends who dished out punishments on his enemies and these people were untouchable and that they could make you disappear.

Even the former prime minister who was a real iron fisted woman had told him on his very first day not to piss of Gendo and then she'd dropped a six inch thick document on his desk about how Nerv worked and what the protocols were and told him to have fun reading it.

He had told his son not to chat up either of Gendo's children under any circumstances and not to try and date them, the other pilot’s fine but only on outside formal dates with no funny business. He looked up at Ritsuko "I had no idea this was going on, had I but known I would have stopped it."

Miki breathed in the smell of her white grape wine looking up as she spoke darkly. "Perhaps it would be prudent to move my younger brother in between yours and mothers guests." She looked at Toji. "You could maybe move Toji and his sister down here next to me so the translator can tell us what they are saying as he can't hear them from up here."

Fumio turned pointing as his son. "Move it now you and Akane."

He watched as Ryo stood up along with the other woman. "We will be talking about this after lunch mark my words." He eyed the waiter. "Please move my sons food and drink and our assistant's down and bring Toji and Sakura up here putting them in their place."

Miki smiled as the plates were moved around as the big strapping man called Toji seated himself opposite her along with Sakura who took Akane's spot, finally she could get a better look at this strapping beef cake as every time they had these meals he was always out of her site and she couldn't talk to him granted she had no intention of playing her brothers dumb game she'd play by her father's rules and give him a card after the dinner was over to see if he'd go on a formal date.

Mari watched as Toji sat down with Sakura. "So nice to see you up here, I was getting bored." Toji breathed in as the hologram board came up again as the names were switched by the staff and his drink was placed opposite. "Nice to be here trust me it was getting boring down there."

Fumio looked at Ritsuko. "I apologise that will never ever happen again I hope that we can talk this over after dinner and come to an arrangement where Gendo need not know about this." Ritsuko breathed in deeply she hated Rei and Shinji but sadly in this case she could see where they were coming from and Asuka throughout this had remained really quite and just put a hand on Rei's. "Yes I'm sure we can work something out."

End of part 5

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