"This for That" and "What is What"

Meanwhile, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi is listening raptly as the Champions speak. It is most . . . enlightening about the nature of Neon Genesis Angels in general and the former Second Angel in particular.

It is not like she was eavesdropping. Not when they actually wave her over to participate, you know. Still, while the learned doctor had learned much about Angels of Lilith's former kind, but some of it was eye opening. Some of it was funny, in a macabre way. Some was just . . . saddening.

Most of it has already been revealed to the reader so won't be repeated again.

"I . . . see," Dr. Ritsuko Akagi says softly, at the end. She had known that there had been a chance that Instrumentality might not work, even after jumping through all the hoops and such so that the vague (SO vague) prophecies laid out in SEELE's Dead Sea Scrolls came out in an acceptable manner (i.e. the survival of the human race in some shape or form) still had odds against it (Ritsuko Akagi was too secular even NOW to subscribe to the religious overtones those ancient "precog" visions exuded). However, she hadn't even in her worst nightmares imagined that IF gotten to that point it had still been 50/50: either a fifty percent chance that the Chosen One of the "Prophecy" (aka Shinji Akari) would embrace Instrumentality or a fifty percent chance that he would reject it! Both outcomes were stomach turning in both their ways, but the first (as seen in the TV episode 26) was where humanity (through Shinji accepting Instrumentality) evolved into a higher group consciousness (a unified body). Not too appealing to those who actually LIKE their individuality (and HATED the thought of it being FORCED UPON THEM), that business. The other outcome where Shinji rejects Instrumentality . . . and things fall apart as people come back OUT of the dream state (or whatever) that Lilith had put them in DURING Third Impact, reform their bodies from the LCL sea (uh . . . look here for info on it, it's too freaking WEIRD to explain here: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki /Neon_ Genesis_ Evangelion _glossary #LCL) come back in dribs and drabs . . . to a barren, burnt out world, dieing soon enough (and overall the slow and painful end of humanity, period). The last part is more akin to what is seen in the movie The End of Evangelion, but without even the hopeful message. Like in the movie, Unit 01 and that Lance of Loginus go rocketing off into space, but instead of a shining memorial to last as long humanity survives . . . it's a grave marker.

. . .

In either case, Lilith pretty much dies and is born anew in yet another reality to play things out again and again (varying slightly from one quantum reality to the next).

Sometimes experiences would resurface, but only of limited worth and strength. For instance, when it happened to Lilith back when she was Yui Akari it only added to her slightly mystical sense of destiny (i.e. her saying things like "What ever is meant to happen will happen" and such). Now, the memories and such are much stronger but STILL (for the most part) are only a vague recollection , but bad enough anyway. People and places were remembered, events there for recall . . . but due to a survival feature all emotional attachments to said places and faces from prior existences are removed, only to flair again anew each time they meet again for "the first time".

. . .

Hey, don't look at me. This stuff is just a basic rundown of a rather long and arcane discussion.

Anyway, this is why Lilith actually does NOT have any lingering love for "her" Gendo Akari as a wife (let alone for that egomaniacal monster, the Angel called Adam, who dared come to think himself as God for goodness sake), being "reborn" as Rei made their relationship something . . . different. Only through some reason that Lilith couldn't explain did the meeting between "her" Shinji Akari produce a mother/son relationship. . . even IF she hadn't been too clear about what exactly the bond she had really WAS (she'd thought for a time she had a lover's bond with "her" Shinji Akari . . . . holy Oedipus Complex).

Anyway, that is why she's not an emotional wreck right now after all that had come back to her. But now in this new life and body she inhabited was enough. She felt and knew enough to where she's REALLY anti against Instrumentality and the whole Third Impact business, you might say!!

Dr. Akagi couldn't blame her. And that was the great and wonderful plan that the Commander Gendo Akari had whispered of and hinted at so many times in bed with Akagi. Frankly, if she'd known the whole truth of it (or the even MORE insane idea that Gendo had on hijacking Third Impact in order to twist it to his own ends to bring BACK his dead wife . . . she'd have probably put a BULLET into the bastard's head. Add to it what she'd found out about the scheme to kill her mother, once her usefulness was at an end to Gendo....

"And thank God it won't happen now," Lilith finished, the last more a prayer than anything. Strange that it is to some that she would still . . . believe in such matters and follow such dogma, she'd been brought UP that way so . . . it still stands. Ditto for her sisters as well as Tabris. As it stands, Akagi opts to not comment, not wishing to be an insensitive pr*ck over another's private beliefs.

Though she probably had to wonder if God had a decide odd sense of humor, being that despite having the experiences and memories of a young adult during her time as Yui Akari, she find herself reacting and acting more like a teenager than anything else. Granted, that time Aslan provided between the ticks of the clock to help her "sort out" things inside herself (like apparently what her new sisters had also done) had been a true Godsend, but still. A teenager?! Well, could be worse by far.

It had been nice of that the Great Lion had actually been polite to her in addition to everything else while giving her that "Iconian" map! (Author Note: Where do you think Really, she still recalled those stories she'd read her (then) son at bedtime. That other Lilith who'd been the ancestor of the White Queen . . .rather could have ruined things between her and Aslan.

As for Dr. Ritsuko Akagi right now, she's again taken aback what she'd learned. Oh, she is sure that SOMEWHERE in all the reams of data this had been mentioned, but . . .

"Good god," whispered Akagi, glancing over at Tabris when he plunks down something in front of her where she'd taken a seat.

"Looks like you could use at least one there before we get down to tonight's business," the silver haired young man says softly. "I . . . liberated it from the Operation Officer's private supply. What she doesn't know can't hurt her."

Giving a slight smile at the last Ritsuko believes that he is hinting that he didn't actually steal this bear (which I would not be too terribly surprised that Misato uses while on duty from time to time, regulations to the contrary). Left some form of payment but didn't bother to ASK ahead of time if it was available for resale, or whatever.

"As if it mattered any more what taking from her would do to our friendship," Ritsuko sighed, sipping the pilfered (or maybe not pilfered) beer. Right now, she could use one AND tonight her long friendship with Misato Katsuragi gasped it's last anyway.

She'll hold herself together well enough for this upcoming trip but she definitely wants to take that offered job Elrondir with the time off BEFOREHAND . . . to get her head together. There is a LOT of things to get straightened out in both her head . . . and her heart.

A

She loved that SOB named Gendo Akari and instead of returning her love she used her. Used Reika. Everyone around him in order to get back a wife . . . who now won't even look at him for what he'd done.

Dr. Ritsuko Akagi

Not exactly happily ever after for everyone over everything today, I think somewhat sadly as I sip the beer, wishing for something stronger.

Not saying that all of it was BAD. Not saying that all of it . . . was undeserved.

. . .

Just saying that it's been something of a MIXED bag today. Long list of events and things that I do not . . . feel like reiterating here and now. Let us just say that I was NOT expecting my mother who's own funeral I attended. . . .

I mean I am VERY happy to have her back but by god! But things like this just don't happen! Shouldn't happen.

But with these "Champions" running around, it happens. Strange things just happen around them. To them and . . . do strange things.

I mean how in the bloody hell did this Inquirer and The Doctor manage not only to breach the computer security around my Magi system, but somehow rope in those attacking outside Magi systems? Took them over and did everything short of raping SEELE, revealing all their dark secrets and . . .

How?

Sigh, Elrondir says that I'll get an "annex" course on "modern day" computer systems when I get to Terra Prime. I understand it'll take more than a simple explanation (being that I want the full details), but I . . . really want to know!

I suppose that's something. I always seemed to have to be ever taking some kind of online class or whatnot to keep on TOP of my field. Glad to know that I can do a bit of schoolwork to again be on top of things, but still...

I feel the loss, still. Oh, I hate "my" Gendo now with a passion!!

But . . . did I ever love the bastard? I mean now that I think of it while I thought I did usually there should be some kind of lingering traces, right? I mean love just doesn't instantly turn to hate, right? Even the girl here (Reika) has a hurt look from time to time when I believe she looks back, thinking.

Don't doubt it, that I hate Gendo for what he did to me and my mother, but I think I might have had a seriously screwed up case of lust rather than love for the man.

Oh god, I got to get some time here soon to sort myself out and get my head on straight, damnit! After this mess, anyway...

"My cat died today," the good doctor says softly before waving off statements of condolences (and one muttered statement of disgust of having forgotten about that having happened in the anime).

"It was her time," Ritsuko sighed, then smiled a small fond smile at how her grandmother had reacted (once Ritsuko and her mother had proven it) that her daughter was actually alive and well.

Last she'd seen of them her mother and grandmother had been talking away on the phone. Rather touching, really....

Soon enough, the briefing begins. Yes, basically the Quest demanded was that Tabris and Rei I (who's asleep in another room, all tuckered out from today's events at the moment) needed to be brought to the very heart of the Iconian gateway system: the world where the network was controlled.

"Demons of air and aether," muttered B'Elanna softly, remembering Captain Picard having said the same when he had encountered his reality's version of the one the Champions were going to be tackling.

It wasn't going to be a straight shot by any stretch of the imagination. Rather like trying to get from one side of town to another on a VERY complex/disorganized public transit system. It was a snarl right now and was going to remain so for quiet some time due to being plunked down into this new reality. Unless someone got and "reset" it, that is, you see. That someone was going to be the G-Man: the Champion's guide.

The party had to break up into two groups due to a critical hitch that had cropped up within the Iconian gateway system: groups with as many people traveling together would soon find themselves separated. Teleported to worlds and destinations not intended. Meaning if they all went together they'd soon find their numbers dwindling as party members got lost. This problem, according to the G-Man, probably could be corrected in the "reset" which he'd do once he arrived at their ultimate destination. However, to do THAT they needed to split the party into two groups.

The first group--the "trailblazers"--would be have the G-Man with them, of course. It would also be made up of Rei, her sisters, Tabris, and Dr. Ritsuko Akagi. Tabris was more than competent in a battle (Military training and all that junk) so would be able to more than pull his weight in a thrown down battle, even though Rei's group DID need to keep him safe. Tabris wasn't quiet the security burden as little Rei I, for obvious reasons.

Rei I is a four year old little girl for goodness sakes! She's not going to be of much use in a firefight, if something so horrible should befall them. Thus, the other group (which would be keeping in touch with the trailblazers through subspace radio) by needs needed to compensate for that by being larger (and more heavily armed!

The OTHER group who'd follow would "baby sit" Rei Iwhile being directed by the trailblazers, for the most part. The G-Man's part in this is already understood. However, as for Dr. Akagi's part, she was going along for the "public service" she had to do in order to avoid jail time. Her part was to represent her world's interest (and the Star Trekker's interest--even IF they'd only be informed after the fact--since this Earth WAS technically now part of the Federation . . . .or was going to be soon enough).

She was going to be taking technical readings and notes. Was going to make sure that humanity's interests weren't going to be cut off by the G- Man in case he decides not to play along.

Nobody really trusted the G-Man, alas. Had all to do with that aura of fear his body had been instilled with. However, he was the only one who had any real idea on how the Iconian technology (as well as this mysterious map) worked. Due to glimpses of future events the champions knew that he had to be the one to help them, whether or not they trusted him.

To keep him honest, though, it was decided to do an "exchange of services". While Star Fleet had been contacted (finally) and the Enterprise's situation had been reported, the brass wasn't too keen on some of the events which had gone down here. Mutterings of "clear breaches of the Prime Directive" had been heard even as this Earth and the world the Dawntreader haled from had their petitions for Federation membership accepted. It would take a while for it to go through council and vote before it was official, however.

AK-47's people didn't feel like bothering with "pipsqueeks" and did not ask to join the Federation, by the way. That kind of irked a few people.

But as for the G-Man, his kind petition (petition submitted through him) looks to be getting "stonewalled". Even IF it ever got to the floor for vote, it would be a LONG time. Too much time, the G-Man feared. He wanted the Star Trek tech NOW for the ever ongoing war with his race's enemies (the Combine amongst others).

And that is where the Champions came in.... For services rendered as guide they would put in a good word for the G-Man's race for membership with the Military star systems (and access to the weapons and tech market therin). Looked to be a better shot by far than the run around he'd been getting with those Star Trek pukes!

1. And to allay any residual fears on both sides of one side trying to screw the other over, both parties signed a very detailed contract . . . in their own blood. One does not break such contracts without serious (painful) consequences.

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