Story: NGE Oversynch

 

Everything was proceeding according to the scenario. Would it be hard to believe that he stuck to that so vehemently? It was practically Gendo Ikari's catchphrase. Why phrase it like that, though? Well, the answer was simple: Sheer, bloody minded paranoia. It was rightful paranoia at that. He was planning to betray a bunch of paranoid old men. Stab them right in the back, and he knew full well that they were not the sort to take that sort of betrayal well.

They were ruthless. Cunning. Foolish, but cunning. He knew and understood what he was trying to oppose better than anyone else. He knew how desperate they were for their own sense of eternal power and immortality, the things they would give up, the things they would toss away. Things like love.

Which made what he was doing a truly cruel paradox. He'd tossed away his son until he needed the boy. Why did he do that? For his dear departed wife. So they could be reunited. All for that.  Such a simple thing, isn't it? Perhaps the oldest motivator for anyone, hero or villain. Gendo held no illusions. Though he was far from the most evil person involved he was not the hero of this story. The closest to that might well be his own son. Which was, in itself, a rather frustrating thought. The boy had talent where it counted, but his psychological issues were rather... unsuited for the task.

Or he was. Until this bizarre gestalt incident occurred. Now he seemed a bit more stable. A bit more... mentally present. According to the reports his capacity as a pilot had substantially improved, and so he was finding it difficult to complain.

"All according to the scenario..." he muttered to himself, though actually for the benefit of any bugs planted in his office. "Fuyutsuki. What do you make of these reports?"

"I think they're having sex," Fuyutsuki said, rather bluntly. "Extremely kinky, nasty sex right under everyone's nose." His number two stopped, uncomfortable with what he'd just declared. "Frankly, Commander. We should not be permitting them to do that. Especially in their current condition."

"You are concerned about psychological contamination that goes further beyond?" he asked.

"That," Fuyutsuki said. "There is also the issue of pregnancy to consider. Given they are apparently capable of body warping as well, if they produce new life in that state..."

Yes indeed, the side effects would be quite fascinating. And horrifying.

"Misato Katsuragi is quite capable," Gendo said. "As is Ryoji Kaji. Further steps taken to spy on them constantly would become too obvious and expensive to implement. In particular if their intelligence has been substantially boosted owing to their connection through the Second."

"Really now, Commander?" Fuyutsuki asked. "You're mindful of their psychological needs?"

"Having one pilot rebel is survivable," Gendo said. "We can find replacements easily. All three of them is courting disaster."

Rei, in particular, could be replaced. Both Asuka and his son at the same time...? That would be harder. "Especially when considering their new AT levels," Fuyutsuki said. "It would be tricky to justify replacing them, that is true. But nor can we let them disobey us without repercussion."

"Nor should we punish without evidence," Gendo said. "To do so sets bad precedent. It makes them less inclined to obey our instructions in the future. For now we must be diligent and trust that our security team and their guardian is capable of monitoring their behaviour."

"Yes, and those guardians paid a visit to the Geofront not too long ago," Fuyutsuki said. "Their security cards came up about an hour ago. According to security footage they visiting Doctor Akagi's laboratory, after which..." he shrugged. "They don't appear to have left, though Miss Ibuki did pay them a visit."

Was that so...? Gendo didn't know what to make of that. Unusual behaviour from them. A late night visit to the laboratory...? Had they perhaps made some sort of crucial breakthrough involving the pilots? No, he would have surely been informed of this development. 

"When is the next Angel due?" he asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Fuyutsuki said ."This is another reason why I am concerned, Commander. Will our Pilots be at their best if they've been forming a beast with three backs all night? They would not have the endurance, and a half awake soldier may as well be fully asleep. They'll make sloppy decisions in the moment, their reaction time -"

"I am aware of the effects of sleep deprivation," Gendo interrupted. Of course he was. He was a scientist long before he became a Commander. Furthermore, he'd felt such effects during the course of his life. "Very well then. Send someone to Doctor Akagi's laboratory and remind her of the importance of remaining alert. Ensure the message is phrased in a way that neither Katsuragi or Kaji would find suspicious - perhaps express concerns about fraternisation as well."

"Understood, Commander," Fuyutsuki said. "Perhaps I should see to it myself. Then they'd take the message seriously"

Indeed. Still, this entire Gestalt situation was most definitely not part of anyone's scenario that he was aware of. He could only hope that there were no further complications flying under the radar.

A mini-gestalt was bad enough as it was. It was a good thing there wasn't more than one of them, who knows how bad that could get!