029. [radio memory]
There was a sound of something massive, straining like muscles. A woman's voice spoke over it. "This is a piece of precision machinery, so handle it carefully." A metallic-plastic thud as it settled into place.
"This thing wasn't built for field operations. Will it really work?" The boy.
"There's no choice." The woman again. "This is a makeshift solution."
"So it'll be okay?" The boy.
"Theoretically, yes. However, we won't know if the cannon barrel and accelerator will hold until we try firing it. This is the first time it's been fired with such a high power output."
"Here are your individual duties for the operation," said a second woman. "Shinji."
"Yes ma'am." Inflection of awkwardness.
"Your Unit 01 will be the gunner."
"Yes ma'am." No inflection.
"***, you're in charge of defense with Unit 00."
"Yes ma'am." Her own voice.
The first woman spoke again. "This is because Shinji has a higher sync ratio with Unit 01, and this operation will require exceptional precision. Since the positron beam will be influenced by the Earth's gravity, magnetic fields and rotation, it will not fire in a straight line. You must remember to make adjustments for these deviations. You must penetrate the core precisely."
"But I've never practiced this!" said the boy.
"Don't worry," said the first woman. "Just do what the manual says. When the indicators converge in the center, pull the trigger. The computers will handle the rest. Also, once you fire it, it will take time before you can fire again for cooling, reloading, and replacement of the fuses."
"Then, if I miss and the enemy shoots back..."
"Don't think about unnecessary things right now. Just think about destroying it in one shot."
"I..." Her own voice again. It paused. Why? "I just need to defend Unit 01, correct?"
"That's right."
"Understood."
"It's time," said the second woman. "Both of you, get changed."
"Yes ma'am." Spoken in unison.
They walked--footsteps on metal, the sound of an escalator, doors opening and closing, the rustle of clothes as they were removed, then a rubber-like material. There was a click and a hiss of air a few feet away. Closer to her, the rustle of clothing continued. Then the boy spoke. "We might die doing this."
"Why do you say that?" she asked. Now there were the sounds of the rubbery material around her. She was putting on a garment. Click, hiss. "You won't die. Because I'll protect you."
[there is a long pause, and then 00's voice, very quiet.]
Shinji.
[ooc: First woman is Ritsuko Akagi, second woman is Misato Katsuragi. The boy is Shinji Ikari. Static is over "Rei.". Will edit with timestamp once I'm home!]