PROLOGUE: GUNSLINGER BOY

NERV HQ, Tokyo-3, Japan

Looking out my office window I can see my kingdom, my domain. The Geofront, the massive underground cavern underneath Tokyo-3, home to NERV HQ, where I will ensure my plan's success…to be together soon with my wife Yui, we will be together soon love.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Commander Ikari," my secretary said, her voice coming from the intercom on my desk, and breaking me out of my thoughts. She was skilled at her work, always seemed to have a knack for breaking me out of my idle thoughts and getting my mind back on work.

"What is it?" I replied after turning back to my desk and away from the window.

"Vice-commander Fuyutsuki wishes to meet with you sir, he says it's a priority-1 report from intelligence."

"Send him in," I answered.

As the double doors unlocked with an audible click and swung open, I watched NERV's Vice-commander, my second, my old sensei and the closest thing I have to a friend walk into my office. Dressed in his black NERV uniform, grey hair tidily swept back, the click clack of his shoes echoing in the dark cavernous room. The design of my office was designed to intimidate any fool who walked into the office, the room was dark and far too large for its purpose, the light from the Geofront beaming through the window behind me and outlining my silhouette, an effective tactic that seemed to have earned myself a few unsavory nicknames among the staff.

Kozo Fuyutsuki though wasn't perturbed in the least, as he walked in. He came up and in front of my desk and put down a Manila paper envelope as he sat on one of the chairs in front of me.

Not bothering to look into its contents, lest they be unimportant, I wait for him to start.

"We found him Gendo," he said. His voice was stern, I guess this was important after all. He continued, "We found your son, the Third Child has been located."

That caused me to raise my brows and my eyes to widen, even with my well-practiced poker face that managed to catch me off guard. The Third Child had been missing for eleven years, almost right after I abandoned him to a relative in order to concentrate on reuniting with my Yui, he and his uncle were involved in an accident a month after I left him. While his uncle was indeed dead, and the child also confirmed dead on arrival, NERV could not track down the body. Suspicious and frustrating, NERV even in its infancy should be able to track down a dead child's body, and even if he was deceased it could still be used to clone a pilot for Unit-01.

"This is promising news Fuyutsuki, where did this information come from?" I asked.

Furrowing his brows he replied, "Actually intelligence decided to contact foreign governments for information on the boy, a desperate attempt I know but the European Union let us know that he currently lives within their borders…once the Marduk Institute informed them of his status as an Evangelion pilot and therefore crucial to the survival of humanity that is."

"The leak of his identity is an acceptable trade-off for his location, inform intelligence to make sure that the information doesn't spread, " I ordered and Fuyutsuki simply nods in acknowledgement. Why is he in Europe? I wonder. "Fuyutsuki, why is he in Europe? And why did this search take over a decade? The MAGIs in Germany should have access to EU files, he should have been found by now. If the European Union was unaware of his use as an Evangelion pilot then I can't think of why they would take him, unless the old men want to mess with my plans and decided to throw their influence around. "

"No, SEELE had no involvement from what we can tell, our plans are safe. That being said this is where it gets ugly," he explains, "Shinji was picked up by the European Human Welfare Agency."

I raise a brow, why would a European government agency take in a Japanese child?

Futsuki leaned forward and continued, "Gendo the EHWA is a front, and it doesn't exist, not really. To the public they're an EU government agency that takes in children with severe injuries that are too severe to treat via normal means and uses advanced and experimental treatments and procedures to treat them."

"They aren't doing any of that is what your saying? Still what use to them is that child?" I asked.

"No they do just that...well they do take in severely injured children. The treatment they receive is advanced. That said; remember the EHWA is a front. In reality, according to what Intelligence can find, they belong to The European Union Internal Security Agency. Specifically they belong to their Division 3, from what we can gather they specialize in using cyborgs for wet work."

"I assume these cyborgs are the children?"

"Yes," he replied and his face crinkles obviously disgusted at the thought. "According to Doctor Akagi any kind of cybernetic implants respond better to the still developing nervous systems of children."

"I understand. What has the EU said about handing over custody of the Third Child?"

"They said he will be made possible to transfer to our care as soon as we send someone to handle the transfer."

"Good, send word to Captain Katsuragi and tell her to prepare to leave via VTOL to-"

"London, UK is where he's stationed," Fuyutsuki interjects, possible remembering he forgot to mention where the child is located exactly.

"Yes have her ready to depart by 0900 tomorrow for London. Have her take someone under Dr. Akagi to make sure the modifications to the Third Child do not negatively affect his ability to pilot Unit-01."

With a nod Fuyutsuki left my office, leaving me again to my thoughts. Yes this is good, very good; with prior combat training and experience he will be a more effective tool and will hopefully limit damages to Unit-01 in the battles to come. Soon Yui, I will meet you again soon.

Smiling to myself as I turn to look back out the window, looks like my son will be a useful pawn afterall.

HHHHHHH

London, UK

Sitting in a small café and staring out the window and onto the rainy streets of London I can't help but remember the past or what little I can of mine, one of the more annoying side-effects of the conditioning we were given is memory loss so I'm at least fortunate to remember anything really, though sometimes I can't help but want to forget everything like the others.

Thinking back to that fateful rainy day more than a decade ago, walking with a drunk of an uncle down a street, it was pouring that day. We were walking home and as we turned a corner a car slammed into the both of us, pinning my abusive bastard of an uncle's corpse to the wall while I remember being sent flying several metres down the street and into a bus stop's shelter. I remember lying in a pool of my own warm blood, the feeling of broken ribs and four shattered limbs, and I remember being glad that I was at least out of the rain for some reason. I guess the old me was a bit of an optimist…or a lot of an optimist.

Farther back I remember being on…a train station? Yes, I was in a train standing close to the door, staring up at a man wearing orange tinted sunglasses, his hair and beard was scruffy and he was wearing a long brown coat. In my memories his mouth is moving but I can only remember a few words, "you have no purpose." His tone was cold as ice, was such a man really my father? What kind of person abandons their kin to a drunk? Knowing how all the others have equally…unsavory pasts, no person is selected by The Agency as a cyborg candidate without being on death's door after all, I think I would prefer not to remember anything like the others.

Then there is my oldest memory. Flashes of brown hair, piercing loving green eyes…and that smile, a smile that has nothing but happiness, caring and love…a pure smile with no hidden meaning behind it. Mother…yes my mother, what little I remember of her at least. My one good memory of my old self, the only reason I'm glad I still have these three old memories. Even if the other two are horrible at least one is good right?

"Hullo? Shiiin? Little Brother?" A voice snaps me out of my musings. Turning to the source of the voice I see her, Ferro Ackerman my half Italian half British handler. Her short brown hair, dark brown eyes and suit emanating a strong business woman persona, funny in that when out of work she's as informal as they come.

"Yes sister?" I respond in a flat tone.

"Stop, normal kids don't talk in that tone," she chastised me.

Taking a sip of my coffee, "I'm not normal, sister."

She lets out a small sigh and too takes a sip of her coffee, "true but I didn't raise you to be…like them outside of work."

She's right, while she has tried to limit the amount of conditioning I receive to the minimum The Agency would let her, she has tried to raise me like a civilian outside of our working lives. She would sometimes complain about how the drugs we get dull our emotions, I don't really see what the problem is though. I've heard some people find it hard to kill another person, if that's what normal people feel and think then I don't get her problem. If I can't kill someone then what use to her am I?

Besides the only real strong emotions I remember feeling is the ones from my memories and my love for my sister, what else do I need? Why would I want something that will get in the way of me being able to be useful to her?

"Sorry sis," I apologize to her with a small honest smile. I would never want to make her unhappy.

"It's ok, now why were you staring out the window? Oh! Did you see a pretty girl?! If you want I can track her down? Arrange a date maybe?" She asks, seemingly wanting to jump for joy at the thought of me being interested in another woman but herself. She's also apparently also missing the implications of using her position in a secret government agency to track down a civilian.

Looking back out the window I answer, "No sister, just remembering…well my memories." Finishing my coffee I add, "Of my old self."

"I see, " she says, I can't see her face but I know she's waiting for me to continue.

So I do, "sister? What was my old name?"

"Your real name is Shinji Ikari, although since you were born in Japan it would be Ikari Shinji since they put their surnames in front. Actually that's where I got your name from; I just shortened your first name."

"Why do you want me to only take the minimum amount of…medicine?" I ask, making sure to keep any mentions of what The Agency does to us covered up in case of any curious civilians.

"Because I don't agree with how the others are raised."

"To be more normal," I whisper.

"Exactly, I know…your memories aren't all roses and sunshine Shin. God only knows what happened, I saw what you were like when I picked you up but it's a part of you Shin. Like your real name, hell I wouldn't have changed it if I had my way," she whispers. She reaches out to hold one of my hands, bringing my attention to her. She looks me in the eyes and continues, "Shin you're a good kid, and remember you ARE my brother, blood ties BE-DAMNED."

I Look away from her to hide a light blush, am I happy? Yes my sister cares for me, I have someone who genuinely cares for me. I should be happy.

"…I see."

I can't help but think she's smiling right now.

HHHHHHH

European Human Welfare Agency- UK Branch Waiting Room

This sucks, I hate you Commander Ikari you know that? Seriously, calling me at 9pm and telling me to pack get ready to make a trip to London in 12 hours. Poor Maya, I ended up calling the poor girl at midnight and telling her to come with me, lucky for me she's a real trooper. Now here we are and half way across the globe to pick up the Commander's son, knowing the father I'm not going to like the kid.

I really hope that 'being a bastard' isn't a genetic trait.

Looking around the waiting room we're in it looks…normal. When we were getting briefed about what the EHWA's real purpose is I would think their office would look more…sci-fi? No kids with cameras and guns attached walking around, actually all I've seen look like normal office people. Only people not wearing a dress shirt and tie are Maya and I in our NERV uniforms, no civilians in the waiting room either just the receptionist who lead us hear.

Looking at Maya sitting beside me absorbed in a fashion magazine I can't help but smile, poor girl got dragged last minute and hear she is wide awake and looking professional. I guess working under Rits doing science stuff into the late hours made her a good choice. Hell I'm not afraid to admit I pulled myself together well enough. Black dress shirt and white tie? Check. Black skirt? Check. Styling red NERV officer's jacket and beret? Check and Check.

Looking back at Maya and her tan skirt, zipped up tan NERV jacket and beret I can't help wonder how her uniform is wrinkle free after falling asleep on the VTOL in that...interesting position strapped to her seat. I wonder if the techs with Project-E have some kind of special uniforms? Maybe something taken from EVA tech? I should ask Rits about that, a wrinkle free uniform would be great after a night of...relaxing with a bit and only a bit of alcohol.

"Captain Katsuragi?" The receptionist asks, getting Maya and I's attention.

"Yes?"

"Follow this gentleman here and he will take you to one of our consultation rooms," she says, gesturing at a man in a black suit standing behind her.

Getting up we both follow him through the office space of the EHWA. As we walk past I can't help but wonder, once again, how normal it all looks. Cubicles, office workers, water coolers.

"It's…so normal," Maya said to me as she slowly looked around the various rooms and hallways we walked were guided through.

Before I have a chance to say something the man stops at the end of a hallway in front of the door. On the door is a sign that I can't read, I knew I should have paid attention in English classes back in Germany.

As if to sense my ineptitude of the native tongue Maya speaks up, "consultation room number seven?" Turning to the man she asks, "is this where we are going to meet him?"

"Yes ma'am," he answers and opens the door. "One of our people will be with you shortly."

Walking into the room and taking a look around as the door closes behind us. It's a nice office, warm brown wood walls with an expensive looking desk with two chairs in front of it at the centre. A few books on childhood development line the shelves...actually more than a few. If it was something like expensive decor I might think someone was over compensating for something.

"Ma'am I don't think most places would have that many books on that topic," Maya says as she sits down and I follow suit soon after. "Regardless of the fact this place focuses on children."

"I agree, for the first time something in the place feels…off," I respond. Taking in more of the room I see on the desk is a name plate that reads 'Ferro Ackerman-Field Consultant,' and I assume that that's who owns this office and who will be meeting us shortly.

What really felt off though is the smell, its faint and I doubt Maya noticed but I can smell gun powder and lubricant. Well I was looking for signs of what this place is really used for and here it is. Using kids as assassins? Ugh, I hate being right sometimes.

Just as I finish that thought the door behind us opens and me and Maya both turn to face our host. In walks in a woman with an average build, same height as I am, and has short brown hair and dark brown eyes. Wearing a suit she seems like the 'pure business type'…great.

Behind her walks in a boy, around 13-15 years of age with brown hair and dark deep blue eyes. He's dressed with black jeans, black shoes, white dress shirt with a blood red tie and a black unzipped hoodie over it all. Walking in he quickly glances at Maya and I and then following the woman in. It was a glance that made my blood run cold and also have to suppress a shiver . Such a cold look from a young child, there was no innocence in his gaze, just a cold and calculating...aura for the lack of a better word. I'm guessing he's a cyborg, and I suppose he's checking how big a threat we might be…still that was a gaze more akin to that of a targeting camera and not human's. It didn't see us as people, just something to align up the cross hairs with and destroy. And I thought the Commander's gaze was scary. Looking at Maya I can see she was as scared of that look as I was, though she's quickly getting herself composed.

As the woman sits down and introduces herself in perfect Japanese as Agent Ferro Ackerman of the European Union Internal Security Agency's Division 3, I notice the boy stand slightly behind her and to her left; he's obviously her cyborg now since he's taken a position ready to guard her. Then it dawns on me, that's him, that kid is Shinji. I can see a bit of resemblance between him and the Commander, hell he even looks like the picture the MAGI put together using old photos and aging him up to 14 years old. Nothing like how I thought the cyborgs would look like, like everything else in this building he looks so normal, gaze of a targeting camera aside that is. No machine parts sticking out or glowing red eyes, technology sure has come a long way. Then again I shouldn't be surprised, the EVAs are damn impressive themselves.

Putting my musings aside I introduce myself, "It is good to meet you Agent Ackerman; I am Captain Misato Katsuragi the Operations Director at NERV headquarters." I hope I sounded calm and professional, the look that kid is giving us is still making me nervous even though hes eased up on us. Still, have to get this show on the road so I gesture to Maya to introduce herself as well.

"I am First Lieutenant Maya Ibuki from NERV research and development," Maya introduced herself with a little lie, Project E is top secret after all so introducing herself as part of R&D was a good choice. What really impressed me though was the small smile she gave at the boy, didn't seem to affect him but she did far better than me in showing calmness. I knew she was a good choice.

"Now Shin introduce yourself to the two beautiful women," said Agent Ackerman as she gave her partner a warm smile, which to my surprise caused him to ease up and seem like a normal-ish 14 year old kid. The gaze of a targeting computer mostly gone now and causing me to release a breath I didn't I held in. Turning back to us he gave a small bow and introduced himself.

"I am Unit-03 of The European Union Internal Security Agency Division 3's second generation cyborgs, I go by the alias Shin, it is a pleasure to meet you both," he introduces himself in a flat tone, also in perfect Japanese. Great he's more robotic than Rei, are all the EVA pilots so weird?

"Now now," Agent Ackermann says looking at her cyborg, "I told you that from now on you're going by your real name, Shinji Ikari, correct?"

"Yes sister," he flatly replies.

Shaking her head our host turns her attention back to Maya and I and gives us a small but honest smile. "I'm sorry he's a bit…shy around strangers," she explains. "Now I would prefer to show you proper English hospitality and get to know you both better before I hand my precious Shinji over to you, I am afraid that we must skip the pleasantries if what needs to be done will be completed at the day's end. I am aware NERV is on a short schedule correct?"

"That is correct Agent Ackerman," I reply. "Um out of curiosity why are you both able to speak Japanese? So well too, Shinji I understand but you as well Ms. Ackerman?"

"Please call me Ferro, and I picked up Japanese quickly once I decided to pick up Shinji here to make sure we didn't have any communication issues before he learned English. As it turns out the conditioning we give them instilled them the knowledge to read and write in English, I ended up having to reteach him Japanese myself. It's a part of his heritage, I even force him to speak only Japanese at home much to his chagrin," she explained. "Now, The Agency has already completed most of the paper work that is required for the transfer of Shinji to NERV. I have also already briefed him of the reason for the transfer and have prepared everything required for his move to Japan, including his luggage. All that needs to be done is for you and I to sign the agreement papers."

This is good; I know the Commander wants him back ASAP to get him synced up with Unit-01 since with Rei's injury when Unit-00 went berserk we are down all of our EVA pilots in Japan. But what was that about conditioning? Is that like Brainwashing? I can't think of another way you can just know a language like that…great now I really want to go home. Brain washed killer robot ninja kids are things I want to forget, preferably with alcohol.

"But," Ferro says holding her hand up before I can say anything, "I want you to do something for me before I trust my little Shin over to you two."

Oh no I hope she's not hoping for a NERV favor or something.

"NERV will try to accommodate you to the best of our abilities," I assure her. Let's hope she's reasonable.

"No you misunderstand me," she says shaking her head. "I want YOU two to do something for me. I just want you two to…understand what you're getting. Now Miss Ibuki and Miss Katsuragi you both seem like good people, people with a conscience, so I'm going to trust my ability to judge people and trust you two. But first you have to agree, understood?"

Maya and I both lean in. "Are you asking us to keep this off NERV's books Miss Ferro?" Maya asks, looking at me with a bit of concern. I for one share her sentiments, this can lead to something…ugly.

"Yes," Ferro replies giving a quick nod, "now what do you two say?"

"We understand," Maya and I reply, this was too important, NERV needs an operational EVA pilot if an Angel makes landfall. Still what did we get ourselves into?

"Good," says the good Agent with a satisfied smile on her face. Getting up she gestures for us to stand, "follow me ladies, this should only take a few hours."

HHHHHHH

Walking down a hallway at the European Human Welfare Agency building I can't help but notice the…feeling of this part of the building was different. It didn't resemble a normal office space anymore, no generic paintings and pictures decorate the stark white walls and the doors have turned from the warm wood doors like in Ferro's office to strong metal doors. This is the real face of the EHWA, the part that no civilians likely ever see, Misato-san and I are now in the halls of the European Union Internal Security Agency's Division 3.

A short 5 minute walk later and we arrive at 40m by 40m room with a projector hanging off the ceiling and aimed at the wall to the left. On the right wall is a table and 5 lockers with several boxes of ammunition on the floor under the table. The room was labeled 'Ready Room 107' and according to Ferro this was the designated briefing/debriefing and prep room for her and Shinji.

The projector turned on and Agent Ferro moved to stand in front of the wall to the left, pointer in hand.

"Shinji go get ready," she ordered. Shinji silently as ever walked over to the opposite side of the room as her as she called out to Misato-san and I to get our attention.

"Now ladies leave him be, you'll have plenty of time to get to know each other. For now he knows what he has to do, you two pay attention to me and I'll go over what we're going to do," she explained.

As she explained what her plan was I couldn't help but wonder, what the hell have you gotten yourself into Maya?!

Agent Ferro's plan was for Captain Katsuragi and I to act as a substitute handler for Shinji, a role she said we will take on for real when Shinji is transferred over to NERV. We are to go to a rundown apartment complex near the southern edge of London, once we arrive we are to head to the apartment 1602 which houses several separatist terrorists and pretend to be a pair of reporters. Once they open the door, whether to shoo us away or abduct us or kills us didn't matter as Shinji will use that opening to storm the apartment and…neutralize the targets. What was the point? To show us that we're receiving a killing machine and not a person? I already knew that when I was briefed back in Japan, and I confirmed it with my own eyes when my gaze met his. Sempai why did you let Misato take me? Give Hyuga away next time! He's gaga over Misato-san anyway. I can't help but sigh to myself.

Maya you lived a straight life. Went through school, never dated or drank all the way to graduation from university. You graduated with honours, a genius sempai recruits you for NERV to help protect humanity and even climbed the ladder to be Doctor Akagi's second. And now for some reason your about to given the leash to a murder machine…great.

"Alright that will be all, I need to ready a car so I need to go," Agent Ferro said as she finished her briefing. Turning to Shinji, "Shinji be a dear and lead them to the car pool ok?"

"Yes sister," he replied.

As I watch her walk out a tap on my shoulder from behind sends me jumping out of my seat. Turning around I see…Shinji. He was dressed the same as before except over his dress shirt and tie he had a light grey vest with pouches for magazines on them (and of course they were full) with his hoodie worn over it. In his hand was a…guitar case?

Oh crap I don't want to see that scary glare again. Breacing myself I look up from his vest to his face and I see…concern? It's so feint that I'm not sure if I'm seeing things. He's been like a robot all day.

"Um…Lieutenant Ibuki?" He asks looking up to meet my eyes. His eyes are so…blue and…look so human now.

"Y-yes Shinji?" I ask trying, and probably failing, to keep my fear of the boy hidden.

He reaches inside his hoodie and pools out...a pistol?! I hear Captain Katsuragi gasp behind me but can't look away from the boy, fear taking me. Is he going to shoot me?!

Just as I think that and before he could even point his pistol at me he removes the magazine and pulls the slide back and ejecting the chambered round before putting the stray round into the magazine and decocking the hammer. He then flips it in his hand so the grip is facing me and gestures it towards me. I also see he has a shoulder holster in his left hand.

"I have noticed that Captain Katsuragi is carrying a H&K USP in her shoulder holster. You seem to be lacking a firearm Lieutenant Ibuki and in the case that you would need to defend yourself you will be unable to do so, to be prepared for that possibility I would like to lend mine," he explains. He reaches out with his left hand with the shoulder holster and magazine. Was he worried for my safety?

Thanking him and putting on the holster first before taking the pistol and magazine and hold them gently with the magazine in my left and pistol in my right hand.

"Wow…that's a nice gun Shinji-kun. SIG-Sauer P226R, good taste." said Misato who has walked over and is now peeking over my shoulder. "Shinji-kun NERV standard issue side arms are Glock 17s so you'll need to give her a quick once over later in the car."

"Of course Captain Katsuragi," he replies.

Smiling at him she corrects him, "please just call me Misato."

She wasn't lying, it was an absolutely be beautiful hand gun, and I'm not that kind of girl whose into stuff like this. Giving it a good look over in my hands it had a flawless stainless steel finish and beautiful wooden grips. I can see he's taken good care of it, doesn't look like it's been used at all, although knowing what he does I'm sure its seen heavy use. For what I assume is a well used firearm it was immaculate. It looked like a custom order with almost no manufacturer's markings except what was engraved on the frame above the accessory rail which read "SIG-Sauer P226R Stainless Katana Custom .45 ACP"

What really caught my attention though was what was engraved on the slide. On the left side of the slide was a prayer in graceful cursive writing. On the opposite side was a message engraved in the same style as the prayer.

"In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, or let my enemies triumph over me- Psalm 25:2," I read out quietly before turning it over to the other side.

"My little one may your aim be true and may this let you protect what you hold dear," I also read out.

"It was a gift from my sister," Shinji explained. That surprised Misato and myself a little, he hasn't really started a conversation prior to handing me his pistol. He continued, "I received it as a gift on my 5th birthday, I was to start my training the day after. It's a custom piece; they don't even chamber the P226 in .45 ACP. Since us cyborgs can handle recoil better than humans it was judged a waste for us to use smaller caliber hand gun rounds."

"Couldn't she just have bought a model that was made in that caliber?" I ask, this could be a good opportunity to get to know him a bit. He doesn't seem to be as unsociable as I thought. Although I don't like how he seemed to separate himself from normal people.

"It was originally…my sister's," he explains and was that…a blush? If it was it was really light but he seemed to be a bit embarrassed since he turned away from us. A faint smile on his face as he continued, "It…was the first birthday I can remember due to memory loss so she wanted it to be special. It was originally her pistol when she served in Division 2. She…said it protected her so now it will protect me. She got it rechambered, engraved and had the grips replaced. It's the first ever present I know I've ever gotten…she has a matching one in 9mm." He smile grew ever so slightly when he mentioned that its his first ever gift and that Ferro has a matching pistol before quickly going back to his normal almost bored expression.

Wow. And he let me borrow it? Misato and I look at each other and I'm sure we came to the same conclusion, that he wasn't what we were expecting.

"Shinji thank you, I'll take good care of it," I thanked him, giving him a warm smile, "and please call me Maya"

Looking up at me his eyes seemed to widen a bit and a ghost of a smile formed on his lips.

"I'm counting on you Maya-san."

HHHHHHH

Southern Outskirts of London

Here we are, almost time to start work. Looking at Misato-san and Maya-san walking in front of me as we approach the targets' door I see that they're quietly going over their role in this mission, checking over myself I make sure that my hoodie is zipped up properly to hide my combat vest. It feels strange walking around without my SIG but Maya-san needs to be armed, just in case.

The job is simple, Misato-san and Maya-san who have changed into suits, will pretend to be a pair of reporters poking around for some random interest story. My orders are to treat them the same as Ferro-nee, listen to their orders and protect them with my life. Be their shield and sword. Once the door opens I'll move to storm and eliminate everyone in the apartment.

As we close in on the door, conveniently at the end of the hall, I stop three meters before the door and out of sight of the door's peep whole. While I am dressed as a civilian it would be strange for reporters to bring their little brother to a decrepit and mostly abandoned apartment building.

Maya-san seems to be a bit nervous, yes she did mention she was a scientist or some such and its easy to assume she has no real combat experience. Having her nervous may be dangerous.

"Maya-san," I softly call out, "I WILL protect you. Please relax."

Giving me a quick smile and a nod she quickly relaxes and moves up to knock on the door. As they talk to a voice on the other side of the door and feed him their made up story I tighten my grip on the guitar case slung over my shoulder and tense my leg and arm muscles. Bringing my breathing under control I ready myself. Like a viper coiling itself into an 'S' shape before striking I make my body like a spring, ready to strike like lightning at a moment's notice.

Then the door opens and a man slams the door closed before quickly grabbing Maya by the collar and attempts to push her into the wall. Adrenaline flows into my veins as I feel anger rise up in me, how dare he even try to hurt my handler. Like a viper going in for the bite I release the tension in my muscles and shoot forwards. I rush him and shrug the guitar case off my right shoulder and grab the handle with my right hand, covering the distance with no effort I swing the end of the guitar case and aim for the side of his head. To his credit he quickly turns his head toward me as his instincts kick in and lets go of Maya to grab the Tokarev stuffed in the back of his pants, too slow and too late.

CRUNCH! SPLAT! SNAP!

The tip of the hard guitar case slams into his face with far more force than somebody of my build should be able to generate. His face caves in slightly sending blood, bone and teeth flying as the force of the swing turns his head almost 360 degrees snapping his neck.

While his body is still air born I turn towards the door and with my left hand I unzip my sweater and giving me access to the magazines on my vest. My right hand presses the switch on the handle to open the guitar case, it opens and my left hand grabs the barrel of my weapon of choice. A black AS VAL suppressed assault rifle, other than a red dot sight clipped on the optics rail, there are no special custom features as my cyborg implants render a flashlight or laser or any kind of grips redundant. In a one smooth motion I unfold the stock and disengage the safety as I grip the weapon with both hands. Time to make myself useful.

I kick in the door just as the first man hits the hallway floor dead, in front of me is a small entry way leading to the living room and I see two men on a sofa against the far wall. I let out a 6 round burst at 900 rounds per minute into their heads, 3 rounds impacting each of their craniums. With them eliminated I rush in to the entry way and brace myself on the left wall.

The apartment has a simple lay out, the door and entry way lead straight to the living room and directly left of the entry way was a small hallway. On the end was the bedroom, on the left was the entrance to the kitchen and the door on the right was the washroom. Two sibling pairs, the term used by The Agency to refer to the two man team of cyborg and handler, had been watching them through the windows since the targets arrived at the complex and they reported that the targets made no moves to alter the apartment. It was a reasonable decision, that would attract attention, if only they knew they were being watched already. With only 6 reported hostiles the sweep should be quick.

The washroom seems to be in use, I can hear the shower so I put it low on my priority list. A man emerges from the bedroom wearing nothing but boxers, good that means I still have the element of surprise, unlucky for them that my gun of choice is suppressed. I let off a quick automatic burst into his chest and knocking him back into the bedroom with the tight grouping leaving one large bloody whole in his chest. Rushing down the hallway and I quickly turn left and the sight of the woman in the kitchen triggering my instincts and without needing to think I spray another automatic burst in her direction. As I see her fall down I notice the sound of heavy footsteps coming from the bedroom, turning to face the threat I see a thrown knife coming for me and I'm forced to drop my rifle as I dodge. The source of the knife, a large fully dressed man with a kevlar vest rushes me and I fall back to the living room.

He was the biggest person I've ever seen; he was well muscled and obviously aware of my presence. A smirk painted on his face, confident in the fact that a skinny looking 14 year old would stand no chance in hand-to-hand combat. He throws a punch and I catch it with my left hand, he was strong yes but the artificial muscles in my arm gave me the advantage. He throws another punch with his other hand and I catch it with my right as a flash of emotion paints his face. Was that panic? Horror? I know fear, it is an important part of a person's self-preservation instincts after all and the suicidal generation zero protoype cyborgs made it clear that it was an important thing to keep. But being afraid to the point of panicking? I don't understand it.

CRUNCH

Putting the thought aside I crush both his hands with an audible sound of breaking bones as he screams in pain and collapses to his knees. I quickly move in and place my right foot on his chest and pull with his arms, using his own body to push off with my leg.

POP!

His arms now dislocated at the shoulders he screams for his mother. I don't understand, what good was calling for one's parent do for him now? They are the only occupants in this entire building and the phone and internet lines have been disabled, I doubt his call for reinforcements will make it. Satisfied that his arms are neutralized I let them go and move my foot to his throat and push him down on his back with his neck under my boot, seeing no reason to waste ammunition I push down and twist my foot.

SNAP! CRACK! SQUISH

Natural bone and muscle give way to the force of artificial muscle and reinforced bone as my boot now rests almost on the floor with only the crushed remains of his neck under my boot. Quickly moving to retrieve my rifle in the hallway I kick in the washroom door.

"Hey!" Two voices crack out from the shower, one male and one female.

"Look I said one of you at a time right? Be patient." The female voice calls out.

I reply by emptying the rest of my magazine in one final automatic burst through the shower curtain. 9x39mm armor piercing rounds rip through the thin curtain and into the two on the other side, blood clearly painting the other side of the curtain but keeping me clean. As the rifle runs dry I quickly reload and poke my head out the washroom and look towards the entry way.

"Clear!" I call out smiling. The engagement was quick, from the moment I eliminated the first target to now was approximately 110 seconds. No friendly casualties, no friendly injuries and none of the targets had been able to reach for the numerous guns scattered around the apartment. Quick and clean, my brothers and sisters would be impressed.

I hope Misato-san and Maya-san are happy.

NEXT ON TOY SOLDIER-CHAPTER 1: ANGEL SLAYER! SACHIEL ATTACKS! (AN ENEMY IS AN ENEMY, IT WILL DIE)

Author's Poll: Would you prefer my Author's Notes before or after the chapter starts?

Author's Notes

Well here it is, my first ever fic, I hope you all enjoyed it to some extent. I haven't written any works of fiction since high school since all the papers I've written in my three years of university have been essays, research papers and the like. So this has been tough to write for me, and I want to improve so feel free to R&R.

Quick explanation terms I used that some may not know. "san" is usually a term of respect for one's elders, and "nee" comes from "neesan" which means older sister. If anyone is curious on what the guns Shinji uses look like then feel free to google them.

I do apologize if this chapter seemed a bit long, I blame it partly on my inexperience and that I wanted to get some sort of violence in this chapter to demonstrate how powerful Shinji and The Agency's cyborgs are. While obviously nothing compared to the EVAs they are no joke against other humans, they are ultimate anti-personnel weapons. The focus of combat will always be the Angels (I am REALLY excited to write the fight with Sachiel) but we will see a few more shows of lethality from Shinji against other humans. It would be a shame to do all this work in explaining his weapons and abilities and not use them no?

I got the idea after reading Broken Soldier by Shinobi no Ryu ( s/10575293/1/Broken-Soldier) and watching Gunslinger Girls. Shout out to Shinobi no Ryu for letting me use his work as a template for my own version of Shinji.

And if anyone was wondering yes Ferro is a reference to the side character from Gunslinger Girls, or her appearance is, she doesn't really interact with the cyborgs in the anime and she's also originally Italian. Expect a few more references to GG characters as I continue, although I may make up last names like I did for Ferro since all the cyborgs and some side characters aren't given last names.

I'll try to get chapter 1 done ASAP since I already know the gist of it but with me entering exam season I will be busy till around April. 20.

Till next time! Happy reading and writing everyone :D