Doctor Who: The Evangelion Error (Book Two)

E10 Part 4: Blumenkranz

Command Center

The command deck fell silent. Misato unbuckled her handgun and held it at her side.

"Are you aware of the consequences?" she asked.

"Yes." Rei lowered her eyes. "NERV General Order 7. Dereliction of duty in battle is punishable by immediate dishonorable discharge, confinement for up to two years, or death, as the officer on watch sees fit. I am prepared."

Well, great, Misato thought as she stared down at the pale girl. Now what do I do? Am I really going to follow through on this?

Well, shouldn't you? a part of her whispered. She's a security risk, isn't she?

That's not fair, Misato thought. She's just a kid.

No, she's a blob of alien flesh shaped like a kid, the voice countered. She could turn on us at any time, just like her Eva did. And what if this is the one chance we get? What if the sociopaths in charge screw up again and let this thing end what's left of the world? One bullet could save three billion lives, right here, right now.

Do it.

She slowly raised the gun.

"Captain!" Tama pointed. "Unit Zero -- it's leaving!"

Misato turned just in time to see Unit Zero pass through the exit it'd made in the cage wall. She swallowed. "Status of the test area?"

"Security reports it's still under containment. No sign of activity."

"All right." She reclipped the gun to her belt. "Let's get a team out there to help Asuka. And someone get in touch with Ritsuko. I want to know what the hell just happened here."

She gripped the edge of the command deck's railing. She tried not to pay attention to how hard her hands were shaking.

***

Inside the TARDIS. Later.

"Don't be an idiot!" Misato hissed through the cell phone.

"Don't start." The Doctor pulled on his coat. "You need my help. I'm heading down there and that's final."

"Okay, one, with the MAGI down, most of our transport to the surface isn't working. Two, unless you've suddenly become bulletproof in the past day or two, I don't see Security being any less of a problem for you."

"Well, you'll just have to think of something, then, won't you?" The Doctor strode through the console room.

"I'm... honored you have so much faith in my abilities," she growled in a tone that suggested the precise opposite.

"Well, you should be." The Doctor paused in front of the door to straighten his tie. "I don't let just anyone stand in between me and a --"

Something outside exploded. The door slammed inwards with such force it tossed the Doctor back like a ragdoll.

***

Condominium D16. 650 meters away from the TARDIS

Idiot! The soldier curses himself. Stupid rookie mistake! He should know better by now not to wait until the target's out in the open. ... Still, that shot should have worked. The blue box looks like it's made out of wood, for God's sake. He's seen these rounds go through concrete like it was nothing...

***

Inside the TARDIS

The Doctor lay flat on his back, the console room spinning around him. "... what?"