This is the same fifth chapter, only in a different design. Please tell me in the comments which one you like the most. I'm saving it. I'll also try to apply the style you choose in the future.
----
Morning in Kyoto. 6:00 AM, I was woken up by a landline phone call. I had even forgotten I had one.
—Yes, who is it?
I asked in a sleepy and irritated voice, thinking what kind of idiot would call this early.
—Hello, Shinji. It's me, Hideaki. I won't be there today, the higher-ups called me on urgent business, I'm already on the way to Switzerland. A closed UN conference, so no details. I left your pass and the key to the office with security, anyway, manage somehow without me, I don't know how long it'll take.
Said a hurried voice I didn't immediately recognize. In the background, the sound of a train heading to the airport was audible.
—Ah... Hideaki, it's you. Alright, I'll figure it out. Have a good trip.
How the hell did he get my number.
I answered sleepily as well and collapsed back into sleep without waiting for a response. The dial tone came through the receiver.
"A conference, huh. That's probably going to take a while."
Lying in bed, I was thinking. These thoughts didn't let me fall back asleep, so I decided it was time to get up.
"People usually drink coffee in the morning, but in my case, it'll be tea. Why? Because tea is the gift of the gods, especially green tea."
After brewing tea, I decided to take another look at yesterday's data on the theory of the super solenoid. While reviewing them, I came across an unexpected surprise. A message came on the computer from my half-AI.
"Finally, I thought I'd never see it. Let's see what kind of compromising information this is."
Opening the video file and slowing the playback, I began to observe closely. At first there was nothing interesting, just regular office muscle memory, but then there was an interesting file. It made my brain start to melt.
"What the hell is this. I didn't think it'd be this complicated."
If we skip unnecessary details, let's start with the fact that on January 1st, 1997, Gehirn was founded and operates in the background. What this background mode means, we can only guess. Possibly it means they aren't hiring staff or their main project is temporarily frozen.
"The E Project or the concept of human enhancement."
Here, more detail: project participants and founders: Dr. Hideaki Katsuragi, Yui Ikari. There were other names, but these are the main ones.
"It's not exactly clear what the E Project specifically is. In different files, it has different purposes—or maybe phases, which is more likely. As far as I know, the initial E Project was a plan to resurrect Adam, but in the end, it became Evangelion."
Reading more documents of various nature, I learned other interesting information.
"Despite the fact that Yui Ikari hasn't yet graduated from Kyoto University, she's already working as a bioengineer in the Laboratory of Artificial Evolution in Hakone, Japan. Though remotely. Actually, that lab is none other than Gehirn."
Well, that confirms my memories.
She's also the daughter of one of the Seele members. But who exactly is unknown. Of all of them I only know Kiel Lorenz, and there are twelve of them in total, and it's presumed that in the future they manage other Nerv branches. They're also part of the UN.
"Generally, this is information that's already known, and I was hoping for scientific data—just bureaucracy."
Frustrated, sitting at the computer, I began to think: what if it was a trap, or bait from their side? They might very well know that I hacked her personal computer.
"Anyway, even if so, judging by their actions this is more bait than a trap—they want to tame me, not just catch me—or maybe I'm just paranoid."
Continuing to watch, my mood finally lifted. Because the important part of the video began—containing scientific data. I had already lost hope. The data concerned biology and genetic engineering, as well as cybernetics. Mainly, the topic of gene reconstruction was examined, DNA restructuring. Questions of cell regeneration, slowed aging, and immortality.
"Yeah, nothing major. Looks like I shouldn't hope for anything truly useful until the Second Impact."
Yes, the data were useful, but by my standards quite outdated. Of course, for 1997 this is legendary-level stuff. In my world, gene reconstruction was only reached in 2025, reviving dire wolves and so on. But for Evangelion it's like the 19th century. Looks like a technological leap will only happen after the Second Impact.
And as for the connection between human and machine, I won't even speak—until the SK. Magi System appears, Naoko Akagi, and the construction of Evangelion begins, it's all just speculation.
Finishing my heavy thoughts, I decided to head to the research institute. The clock read 11:00.
Arriving and taking the pass and keys from security, I went to my office on the fifth floor.
In terms of infrastructure, it wasn't anything special: boards, cabinets, a desk with a computer.
"Not bad."
Settling into the office, I decided to go to the library. I also need to finish my exoskeleton glove for the hand, but for that I'll need to pick up more knowledge. Hence, the library.
Walking into the library on the second floor and entering it, I noticed a few people. Focused on reading, they didn't care about me at all. I went to the registration desk. Behind the desk stood a middle-aged woman, the librarian, with a bob haircut and...
"Blue hair, what the hell."
—Hello, do you have books in the field of mechanics, robotics, electronics, and possibly biomechanics?
I asked in a detached tone.
The librarian, not looking up from her book, pointed at a row of bookshelves in the hall.
—Fifth row, A-1, by the first letter. Don't make noise, don't damage books. Fine: 5000 yen and a ban. Shinji Yuma.
—Got it, Rioko-san.
I said, reading her name on her badge and wandered toward the shelves.
"I also had a badge, by the way, only instead of a job title it said intern."
Reading dragged on until evening. Heading home, I began to think.
"At the moment, I can't get any super materials for my projects, I need to check out Kuroda's shop—he has a lot of junk. So I'll find something for the exoskeleton hand and for a liquid cooling system for the PC—it's overheating badly."
Further thoughts led me to consider the materials I'll use in the future. Among composites, the best option is a combination of carbon fiber and aramid fiber. And for metal, a titanium alloy like Ti-6Al-4V and a stainless steel 316L coating would be better. Also need polymers like Nitinol or PEEK.
"This will be insanely expensive. On the other hand, if I join Gehirn under the UN, which is actually under Seele, then in the future I can steal from Nerv." But those are thoughts for the future.
Coming home, I decided I would finish my EPNG as I decided to call it (Exoskeleton Glove of the New Generation). Yeah, the name's not great, but the abbreviation sounds okay. I'll finish it today with the materials I have.
An idea came to mind—if Tony Stark managed to stick a repulsor into his hand, why can't I stick a taser in mine. Yeah, it doesn't sound epic, but it is what it is.
I got to work. The main frame was made of steel and stainless steel—cheap and accessible—and the drive was pneumatic using brake fluid like in cars. It's cheaper than using gas cylinders and safer.
Finishing it wasn't a problem—it's not Marvel nanotech. Besides, I've been working on this for a long time, so mostly I just had to integrate the taser—not too powerful, but enough to knock someone out.
By nightfall, everything was ready. I went to sleep, exhausted.
The next day I headed to the used tech shop. What happened next was unexpected—but within the bounds of the unexpected I hadn't thought of.
Entering the shop, it was deathly quiet. That made me a bit wary.
—Hey Kuroda, you here?
I shouted into the silence. There was a rustling sound. From the back of the store, Kuroda emerged. He seemed pretty tense to me.
—So, what is it this time, kid?
He asked nervously. Something wasn't right, I thought. Not that him being nervous is unusual—I'm blackmailing him—but, how to say it, a gut feeling. He was standing about a meter from me.
At that moment, the bell rang, and someone entered. I had my back to them, so I didn't see—and didn't pay attention—just customers. But watching Kuroda's facial expression and body language, I noticed his pupils dilated, and he got twitchy. He knew who entered.
—Heh, so this is the kid you talked about, Kuroda.
Said a male voice behind me. Kuroda nodded slightly.
—Haha, he's just a kid, and you couldn't handle him? Gonna call in the Tiger Whiskers gang. When we get back, I'll tell the boss, haha.
Said a second male voice, with a smug tone.
"Tiger Whiskers gang? What kind of punks with a ridiculous name is this?"
I thought nervously, watching Kuroda's reactions and listening to what was going on behind me.
—Sorry, kid.
Said Kuroda, more confidently now, and right then someone behind moved toward me.
Reacting quickly, I turned over my right shoulder and dodged a punch to the head, while sticking out my left hand—the one with the glove. The punk, thug, or gang member—whatever—fell into convulsions from the electric shock.
—What the f...
He didn't finish, collapsing. I could feel Kuroda's eyes bulging out of his head.
—What the hell, kid?! Kuroda, grab him!
Said the other one, lunging at me. I was ready, but just then Kuroda twisted my right arm behind me.
What an idiot—not the right arm.
Grabbing my other arm and twisting it over my left shoulder, I zapped him in the stomach with Pikachu's kiss. He didn't expect that—instant breakdance—and let me go, curling up in a fetal position.
Right at that moment, as I was turning, I got stabbed in the left side, diametrically opposite the liver—seems like the spleen.
Pain shot through instantly. It started radiating into my left shoulder.
This idiot stared at me with wide eyes and pulled out the knife.
—Damn bastard, that hurts like hell.
I grabbed my side, looking at him. He was trembling and mumbling to himself—probably his first time.
Leaning slightly forward, I rushed at him and let him taste Nikola Tesla's power.
It cost me a lot of energy. I headed for the store exit, trying to conserve energy.
Luckily, the taser was enough to knock them out.
Exiting, I began staggering toward the alleyway exit—thankfully not far. My ears were ringing, vision blurring. Judging by the fact I was still alive—it wasn't the spleen—but I wouldn't last long.
My head spun. I looked down—blood was dark and flowing slowly.
When I had nearly reached the exit, I heard a woman scream. The sound was like I was underwater.
The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was someone calling an ambulance. Then—darkness.