Re-Recruitment: Pilot Replacement applications

Many believe the nuclear weapon, which detonated in England early after the second impact, was an act of terrorism. Unfortunately, this is not true. Even at that early stage in the post-impact world, there were those who knew of the coming creatures. Mankind's response, the bio-weapon, Evangelion, was created to provide a means of defense against the extra terrestrial invaders. But those first few attempts at control of the Evangelions were met with a great deal of resistance. Nuclear force was required.

Given the nature of the bomb, and the PR required to deflect investigation, London lost its place as the premier choice for the UN base of operations. However, throughout those years of rebuilding, the research taking place did not stop. Scientists from America, looking for a better place to apply their theories, found England waiting with open arms. And the sudden influx from many of the Scandinavian countries, due to the savage wars throughout Europe, brought many new people ready and willing to take any kind of job available. Including work as guinea pigs.

While the city of London proper was rebuilding, the nearby facilities filled with Gehirn scientists continued working on new versions of the Evangelions, trying to control the horrific rage contained within them. A number of side projects were also created to try solving the problem through other means.

One such project, started by a Norwegian scientist, attempted to modify human minds to closer mimic the rage of the EVAs. Called Neo-sapiens, these children were ran through numerous tests and experiments to reconfigure their mind, and in the words of Dr. Brekken, the lead researcher, "Achieve a being with the tenacity and mental fortitude of the Vikings of old."

Eventually, several branches of research in the now public, and newly named, NERV organization came together to produce two things: the beautiful and faintly alien, Evangelion Unit 07; and a boy named Entofor Lazar, the 24th subject in the New Human project.

He wasn't sure he liked the idea of having been grown in a tube. Granted anything alive essentially grows in a tube, just in an organic tube. Still, it was strange...

At least, that's what he heard people say. Usually, when they didn't think he could hear them. It colored his own opinion of his birth, despite not caring all that much. He tried to be helpful. Especially when in the medical ward. But he always seemed to get on people's nerves after awhile. It never failed, eventually he would end up by himself, trying to make out what others were saying without hearing their words. He pretended to talk with them. Making up his own side to conversations he would never hear.

And all the while, he could feel it calling him. "Seven" was the name he gave it, since he couldn't think of a word that described what he felt when around the creature. It was always there. The constant pressure following him as he went about his life within the research facility. He couldn't remember what had happened when they had made him pilot it. According to the people he asked, he had collapsed right in front of Unit 07 on the walkway. Then he had stood up, and walked into the entry plug as though nothing had happened. But that was all he knew, no one would ever tell him any more. And he had never been asked to pilot the Eva after the first time. Though he could still feel it calling him... And he wanted to answer.

"Neo-sapien two four, rise please," a man in a dark lab coat announced. His youthful features and charming demeanor a sharp contrast to the older, more serious collection of scientists around him.

"Please state your name," the man's Oxford accent ringing throughout the bare, metal room. Another's voice softly echoed into the space, as an even younger man stepped into view, "I am Neo-sapiens, designation two, four. Alias: Lazar."

"Good, good. Are your memories intact?" the young scientist taking notes.

"Yes, two days ago I was dissolved into LCL, while attempting to synchronize with the test unit. Before that, I had undergone extensive testing to increase synch ratios, and had spent a number of hours in psychological counseling to reduce schizophrenic symptoms. As designation 22, I received a number of skin grafts and cranial surgeries, due to an accidental explosion within the entry plug. Before that, I-"

"Yes, yes, N24. Very well, no need to continue blathering on. Are your motor skills functional? Are there any defects in your sensory recognition?" the young man still the only scientist to speak, or even move.

"I haven't found any noticeable problems with basic motor or sensory functions. Although..." the child's eyes dropping slightly towards the floor, as if unsure whether to proceed.

"What is it N24?" the scientist eagerly awaiting possible information of interest.

"I feel like there's something watching me... Like a great creature, just looking at me. I can feel the creature's eyes staring at me. I think, from over there," pointing to the far side of the barren room, in some unknown direction. At this, all the scientists begin quietly mumbling to each other, unsettled by the young boy's actions. The young man in the dark lab coat quickly restored order, however, "Gentlemen, gentlemen. Please, quiet down. Now tell me N24, will this interfere with your ability to reason or act on your orders? Is there anything you have found, which would interfere with your ability to act on your orders, once given?"

N24 muses for several seconds. His head tilted while thinking of all of the things he could remember seeing, feeling, and experiencing.

"No, I am ready to fulfill my duty."

The young scientist finishes writing on his clipboard before looking up at the child.

"Good. May the spirit of humanity, and the power of science help you destroy the enemies of mankind."

It was terrifying... Entofor had never seen it before, but he knew.

It watched him.

Through tons of rock, metal, and shielding, it watched him. Always, he could feel the creature weighing down on him. Like the gravity of a star, the power within the enormous armor crushed him. Called to him. Hungered for him.

Anyone he told denied the feeling, as if he was the only thing the creature wanted. The scientists told him the creature was fine, couldn't possibly do stuff like that, was hardly even alive without a pilot.

That is not dead which can eternal lie.

A strange feeling came over Entofor, when the scientists said it needed him. That he would have to get inside it... But he was created for that purpose, and that purpose would be fulfilled.

The first time Entofor saw the creature, he felt his heart stop. Not from the sight, but from the presence. Planetary, focused to a point. Just as the power of the universe is focused within an atom.

And with strange aeons, even death may die.

He woke up in a hospital bed. The white walls around him stood resolutely uninteresting. He had no injuries. No bruises or cuts, just the plain hospital gown. And when he tried to think about what happened, all that came to mind was a warm, comforting feeling. As though he was a child holding his mother.

He noticed, while walking through the hallways back to his room, most of the people seemed to step away from him as neared. He had no idea why until he reached the cage.

It didn't exist...

For twenty meters the wall of the underground passage fell straight into the Eva's cage. Walkway missing. Walls as if melted away. The observation center window gone, as was everything inside. The only thing present in the room was a thin red coloring along every surface.

Entofor never did see those scientists again...