2022-07-25: Medal Slug

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  • Log: 2022-07-25 Medal Slug
  • Cast: Kaworu Nagisa, Yuka Ohta
  • Where: Tokyo-3, Geofront
  • OOC - IC Date: July 25, 0096 (2022)
  • Summary: Kaworu and Yuka talk about medals, science, kaiju, and friendship. Includes some NERV reports.

 Title: AAR: Vajra Assault near Orbital Ring
 Poster: Liam 7-020
 Date: Mon Jul 25

Liam posted a report about the Vajra attack at the Orbital Ring not long after it happened. Recent events have required him to update it, so he's posted it again. (OOCly, things have been busy, but this deserves a report. Here it is!)

Date: June 25, 96
Situation: Routine trip to 3G Orbital interrupted by ZAFT assault on Orbital Ring facilities. Proceeded to civilian shelter in accordance with shelter-in-place protocols; monitored radio activity with NERV escorts. Orbital sensor arrays detected multiple opening fold windows, consistent with recorded xenobiological phenomena. Concluded that allied forces required reinforcements in the face of a extraterrestrial threat relevant to NERV mission statement and interests.

Deployed in GAT-01D to assist Federation forces. ZAFT and ZAFT-aligned forces ceased fire on Federation-aligned forces, and vice-versa, for the duration of the skirmish. Extraterrestrial force sustained heavy casualties, and fold-jumped upon the appearance of unidentified entity ("The Cloud"). Federation, ZAFT, and aligned forces sustained casualties, including severe damage to Londo Bell light cruiser Ra Mari. Nergal flagship Nadesico remained largely undamaged, and provided medical, emergency repair, and recovery aid. Prompt intervention and ceasefire almost certainly prevented loss of civilian life and damage to Orbital Ring facilities.

Entities of Interest:

Vajra Drones: (OOC: The section leads with uploaded images of various Vajra drones, obtained from gun-camera footage. They are distinctly insectile, very colorful, and at least the size of the average VF at the smallest. Lots of them have organic energy cannons extending from their bodies. There are lots and lots of them in each shot.) As noted in prior report on Tsutsujidai concert (dated May 10, 96), Vajra drones are extraterrestrial organisms of unknown origin and extreme hostility. Individuals possess integral energy weaponry (utilizing same mechanisms for fold transit?) as well as mandibles, claws, and formidable strength. As a whole, Vajra utilize cooperative tactics and vastly superior numbers. Discussion with Nergal pilots revealed the hypotheses that the Vajra organism utilizes distributed consciousness, but further evidence pending.

Vajra "Capital Ship" ("Knight-Class"): (OOC: The section leads with a few uploaded images of an entity that looks more like a carrier of some sort than a living thing. In one picture it's firing a massive beam through a melee of Vajra and Mobile Suits at something offcamera. In another, part of its "hull" has been blown away, revealing organic tissue pockmarked with artery-like corridors.) Dubbed "Knight-Class" by Federation Intelligence. Deployed hundreds of Drone-class Vajra, and provided fire support with organic turrets and main anti-ship cannon. Destroyed by concentrated fire from the Nadesico's main gun. Demonstrated both radically divergent body plan and extreme resilience, but genetic evidence gathered by NERV personnel confirms it is also Vajra in origin.

Conclusions: Vajra present severe threat, particularly to small, isolated parties. Deployment of Knight-Class is unprecedented level of force, and exact circumstances behind the attack remain unknown. Never assume any Vajra is alone. No sure-fire countermeasures exist. Exercise extreme caution.

"The Cloud": (OOC: The section leads with a few shots of a diaphonous, cloud-like entity shot through with lightning. An uploaded map puts its point of origin somewhere near Junius 7. The final shot shows the same entity resting in an empty PLANT cone.) Unknown entity of uncertain origin. Approached the conflict from the rough angle of Junius 7 wreckage, and returned once the battle concluded. Performed no observable hostile action. Secondhand accounts from allied Newtypes indicate some degree of emotion and/or consciousness, but degree and nature of sapience uncertain. In the wake of Tsutsujidai emergence in physical space, "The Cloud" took up residence in the colony cone opposite the cone housing Tsutsujidai. Supplemental information on "Chaos Bringer" event to be compiled in separate incident report.

Conclusions: Complete cipher. Newtypes involved with contact appeared unsettled or overwhelmed. Report additional sightings, especially in/near ZAFT space. Entity may be linked to Tsutsujidai and Junius 7, or may be demonstrating opportunistic psychic behavior. Approach with caution. Be wary of cognitive contamination.

Actions Taken: Aided with retrieval and preservation of organic specimens. Specimens were sent to 3G, the Geofront, and STORAGE for further analysis. (OOC: If you're with NERV and study aliens, you could've gotten a sample of Vajra! If you want to study it, Grace is the one to talk to.)

 Title: AAR: "Chaos Bringer" Phenomenon in Tsutsujidai
 Poster: Liam 7-020
 Date: Mon Jul 25

Another report from Liam. Text with pictures.

Date: July 17, 96
Situation: Unexpectedly intercepted by Tsutsujidai dimensional transfer effect while en route to NISAR headquarters for analysis of UNK-XX Proto Helios. Upon emergence in Tsutsujidai, encountered other dimensionally-displaced individuals, as well as remote-controlled entities deployed by "Kaiju D". Remote entities initially attacked civilian housing and infrastructure, but changed color and behavior in response to unknown stimuli. Entities displayed instantaneous self-repair, as well as tether connections to "Kaiju D", which operated from high altitude.

Upon engaging "Kaiju D", Anti revealed himself as entity's creator, and stated his intent was to share "the truth of Tsutsujdiai". Anti assumed kaiju form (see updated notes on "Kaiju B" below) and engaged alongside "Kaiju D". Anti displayed moderately advanced DG cell infection, and avoided physical contact with allied machines. Further gain in altitude revealed anomalous and inexplicable changes in Tsutsujidai's environment--uncertain if revealed elements were always there, or appeared in response to Anti's activity. (Both? See "Chaos Bringer Event", below.)

Battle concluded with "Kaiju D" destroyed, Anti wounded but alive, and personnel stranded in ZAFT space near Junius 7. ZAFT-aligned contact facilitated swift withdrawal before enemy forces intervened.

Entities of Interest:

"Kaiju D": (OOC: The first few images depict large, vaguely Fin Funnel-shaped drones attacking a streetscape with EM weaponry and heat. In these shots, they are green. Several more shots show the drones attacking GaoFighGar, Eva-02, and the machine taking the picture; they're using different weapons, and are red. The next few shots depict Diriver, a large, humanoid kaiju with reptilian features. Its armor is black and silver, and it rests face-down in mid-air, thin tethers trailing from its hands and feet to the drones below. In at least one shot, a small figure stands on its shoulder.)

Created by Anti. Expresses his views of the nature of Tsutsujidai: puppets, a puppetmaster, and a hidden hand using both to lure out the enemy. Drones displayed unique behavior (also symbolic?), and regeneration seemed designed to encourage further investigation (additional symbolism? repeated appearances of "dead" kaiju?). "Kaiju D" itself displayed limited offensive capability: claws, talons, other blunt-force and shredding weaponry.

Conclusions: Novel, significant threat. Drones must be countered to prevent loss of life and infrastructure damage, but "Kaiju D" must also be destroyed. Drones possess high utility value; "Kaiju D" may be prime candidate for "fused kaiju" phenomenon despite relatively low threat on its own.

Anti ("Kaiju B"/EOI3): (OOC: The first two images are close-ups of Anti, wearing his usual flame-detailed suit, standing on Diriver's shoulder. The remainder are his kaiju form, in mid-flight: instead of legs, he has massive jets, reminiscent of the Zeong from the One Year War. His forearms are tinted bright silver with a growing DC Cell infection.)

Creator of "Kaiju D", and a kaiju in his own right. Able to shift between human-scale form and kaiju-scale form, and adapt said form to novel battlefield circumstances. Confirmed as likely nonhuman in origin. Also confirmed as a BioNet operative (almost certainly former, as of this report). Aware of the threat BioNet poses, and strongly implied "The Devil/EOI1" is aligned with them. Contracted DG Cell infection from contact with an unlobotomized Death Army unit, almost certainly obtained from BioNet. Claims he was created to destroy Gridman, and prioritized him over other targets.

Conclusion: Threat significantly reduced following subsequent action (Tsutsujidai DG Infection, 7-19-96). Supplemental information in progress.

Gridman: (OOC: A few images of both normal Gridman, fighting Diriver's drones at street level, and Sky Gridman, engaging Anti and Diriver in the clouds.) Ultraman-like entity who intervened to stop "Kaiju D" and Anti. Proficient in unarmed combat and use of Ultraman-style energy weaponry; can merge with support craft to change operational capabilities. Origin unknown. Relationships with EOI1 and EOI2 unknown. Relationship with Tsutsujidai phenomenon unknown.

Conclusions: Strong ally in kaiju engagements in Tsutsujidai, and possibly elsewhere. May be difficult to track down. Ultramen seem to appear when civilians are endangered, and disappear once the situation is resolved. Gridman seems to share this tendency. Establishing contact may aid in resolution of "Chaos Bringer" existential threat.

"The Cloud": (OOC: The only picture in this section is a shot of a diaphonous, cloud-like entity floating in an otherwise-empty PLANT cone.) Reappeared following the destruction of "Kaiju D" and the emergence of Tsutsujidai in physical space. Took up residence in the colony cone opposite the cone housing Tsutsujidai. Origins, intentions, and nature remain unknown.

Conclusions: Complete cipher. Newtypes involved with contact appeared unsettled or overwhelmed. Report additional sightings, especially in/near ZAFT space. Entity may be linked to Tsutsujidai and Junius 7, or may be demonstrating opportunistic psychic behavior. Approach with caution. Be wary of cognitive contamination.

Existential Threat: "Chaos Bringer" Phenomenon

Aerial pursuit of "Kaiju D" revealed (created?) structural elements previously unseen in greater Tsutsujidai complex:

- Presence of "inverted circuit skyline" above city.
- Presence of PLANT-style colony cone around city, including central mountain, central spine with support and transit elements, and sea surrounding Tsutsujidai floating panels.
- Overall "kaiju shape" of Tsutsujidai metropolitan area.
- Presence of second, empty colony cone as per PLANT layout, and "The Cloud"

Simultaneously, Tsutsujidai cylinder phased into physical space within the Junius cluster, adjacent to the remains of Junius 7. Trusted Tsutsujidai informant described this phenomenon as a "Chaos Bringer effect", an event caused by the merger of the "Cognitive Layer" of reality with the "Corporeal Layer", physical space as we understand it. If allowed to progress, this phenomenon will lead to other phenomena, including:

- Reality spontaneously reshaping in response to emotion.
- Spontaneous appearance of "Kaiju of the Heart".
- Destruction of all social and emotional bonds.
- Ultimate scenario: Each person isolated within "Personal Tsutsujidai".

Conclusions: Assess emotional status and intent of EOI2 (Akane Shinjo), relationship with EOI1 ("The Devil") and EOI3 (Anti). Transit to Tsutsujidai rendered risky by location within ZAFT space; deployment of mobile weapons within may be seen as threatening by ZAFT leadership. Recommend administration open negotiations with ZAFT leadership, as threat posed by Chaos Bringer phenomenon is existential. Gather and collate data on all appearances of EOI1 ("The Devil"), and kaiju.

Actions Taken: Returned to 3G Orbital, then Tokyo-3, and prepared to redeploy.

 Title: AAR: DG Cell Outbreak in Tsutsujidai
 Poster: Liam 7-020
 Date: Mon Jul 25

A report from Liam. Text with pictures.

Date: July 17, 96
Situation: Deployed in response to DG Cell activity in Nouvelle Tokyo. As anticipated, Anti was infectious vector; BioNet issued him an unlobotomized and infectious Death Army unit, which he intended to take to Tsutsujidai to confront EOI1 ("The Devil"). Prior contact with this machine led to initial infection, and cognitive and emotional development allowed it to progress to Stage 3.

Pursued Death Army unit through Nouvelle Tokyo rail station and into Tsutsujidai, where DG Cell infection spread and developed at unprecedented rate. Engaged and destroyed DG Cell-derived support units, provided fire support for pilots engaging Death Army machine. Emotional support and concentrated fire weakened infection to the point where Crest holder Chibodee Crockett could heal Anti successfully. Anti delivered to Crockett's custody for medical attention and further monitoring. As of last report, he is recovering from his ordeal.

Entities of Interest:

Anti ("Kaiju B"/EOI3): (OOC: The only picture here is a tired, beat-up, purified Anti resting in the palm of what is absolutely, definitely Eva-02.)

Sapient Tsutsujidai kaiju created to "destroy Gridman". Able to shift between human-scale form and kaiju-scale form, though deployment in Death Army machine strongly suggests limitations on this capability. Former BioNet operative, aware of danger BioNet poses. Expressed gratitude when healed. Presently in the care of Chibodee Crockett.

Conclusion: Threat to non-Gridman entities significantly reduced. Provide emotional support where possible and protection where necessary; EOI1 ("The Devil") is almost certainly associated with BioNet, with all the threat that presents. Has knowledge of creation of Tsutsujidai kaiju, and may have insight necessary to counter "Chaos Bringer" effect.

Devil Gundam Remnants: (OOC: The first shot is an image of Death Knight, a Death Army machine with a distinct silver-and-purple coloration. It's lunging at something offcamera with a buzzsaw knuckle. There are also a few shots of Devil Gundam Heads, enormous Gundam-style heads connected to the ground by long tendrils. They have teeth. Gundams should not have teeth.)

Active DG Cell infection consisting of unlobotomized Death Army unit and "Devil Gundam Head" support units created by spreading infection. Infection successfully contained and purged, but not without damage to city and infrastructure.

Organization of Interest:

BioNet: International (interplanetary?) crime syndicate with focus on illegal and immoral scientific activity. Responsible for multiple atrocities, including creation/deployment of kaiju against civilians, operation of forced human-enhancement programs, abduction and alteration of civilians for purposes of terrorism. Now known to possess DG Cell technology, and willingness to deploy it.

Conclusions: Continue to monitor and counter BioNet activity. Seek out and retrieve BioNet victims, providing aid, shelter, and protection.

Actions Taken: Returned to Tokyo-3 with assistance of Nadesico crew.

Liam submitted a supplemental report, flagged "urgent" and marked as Highly Classified. Only NERV's branch commanders (Misato Katsuragi, Guy Shishioh, Shota Hebikura, and Kaworu Nagisa) can access it.

Uncontained DG Cell Infection

Observed unit with G-Hound IFF (RGZ-95 ReZEL, pilot unknown) ramming Devil Gundam Heads, and developing infection from exposure. Attempts to warn pilot unsuccessful. Pilot fled engagement zone with active infection, and remains unaccounted-for. Motive uncertain. Actions self-destructive. Status unknown. 

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Liam has done a splendid job of posting thorough reports on several recent battles and aspects of them that are relevant to NERV's interests. One notable exception has been that battle against the Namegon that suddenly sprouted an Angel core--but there's still information about that that's unclear. Kaworu understands that Dr. Cektru and Dr. Ohta discovered something after the core lost its integrity and reduced to fluid that they've been studying since, and so he sets out to pay a visit to Dr. Ohta--both to say hello to the charming young kaiju enthusiast and to see if there's anything she's found out about it so far.
        
        As such, he makes his way over to her designated lab area. He's dressed in his administrator outfit--a simple black suit with a white dress shirt and a purple-and-green scarf-like tie--with his right arm secured in a sling and his left hand gripping a wooden walking cane with an ergonomic metal handle on top. Rei Ayanami has kindly been acting as his assistance ever since that battle, and she's been a great help to him in a lot of ways, but... this is something he'd rather handle personally.
        
        When he reaches the door, he taps on it with the cane's handle, then awaits a response. Yuka should hopefully be expecting him; he sent an email on ahead to her to let her know he'd be coming by. Whether she noticed it or not between then and now is another matter; she could well have been too absorbed in her work to notice, especially if there's something new and exciting for her to study. *Especially* if she'd been looking forward to studying an Angel core, only for it to literally come apart. ...But then, was it really a proper core...? Even Kaworu couldn't tell for certain.

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

As it happens, Yuka is expecting him. Not only had she seen his email, she'd even taken a break from research to prepare. Dr. Cektru had been kind enough to cover for her briefly, while she went to pick up something from home. A package she'd intended to get to Administrator Nagisa during his hospital stay. She whipped up a fresh batch of health drinks while she was gone as well, to pass out around the lab.

But now, she's back at her work area, writing down some notes from the 'Heavensent Namegon' in her current book. She stops mid-passage when Kaworu arrives, to meet him at the door. She's back in her work jumpsuit and glasses, with safety goggles over top those. And also a huge smile on her face. "Welcome to the STORAGE Research Lab!" She's SUCH a ray of sunshine, how does she hold all this cheer? "Please come in, and make yourself at home!"

There's something small inside one of her protected examination stations, but it's hard to really make out exactly what it is. It's small and almost flat. Like a coin? But why would a coin need the protections they reserve for kaiju fragments? The one next door is a bit more blatant. It holds an amount of... slime? Well, more specifically, remnants of the fluid that flooded the ship, in the aftermath of the Core imploding upon itself. The third one is much more normal. It's full of mucus scrapings. Pulled off the machines and Evas that fought the Namegon and made contact with its body.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        When Yuka opens up the door to greet him with a big smile, Kaworu responds in kind. "Thank you," he replies, walking inside with a 'tup-tup-tup' of his cane. He uses it well; you could barely tell he has a limp, and only if you looked closely. If Yuka offers him a health drink, he'll accept it, though that'll need to be a little later. Right now, he doesn't have a hand to spare to hold it.
        
        For now, Kaworu looks around in curiosity at the room, before his gaze falls upon a certain coin. His smile fades as his eyebrows furrow a hair or two. Still, he glances to one side at the container of core fluid next to it, and the container full of Namegon mucus next to that.
        
        He makes his way over to the three, taking a closer look with an expression now best described as impassive. Starting at the middle, he can get a good look at all three... but ultimately he turns to get a closer look at the strange little coin.
        
        "Where did this come from?" he wonders aloud without taking his eyes off of it.

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

He might have been talking to himself, but Yuka is happy to answer regardless. "We don't know. Jana... I mean, Doctor Cektru, told me she found it in the room where that Core blew up. So far we haven't got any solid information from it though. No effects when left alone. No measurable readings with the instruments we've tested yet." Yuka brings out a chair for him, one of the more comfortable of their chairs as it happens.

Only once he's seated and comfortable does she offer him a drink. "It's not quite perfect, but this mix is supposed to help with improving the body's natural recovery." It's also just a good, general purpose drink for a long workday. "For now, we're focusing on the properties of the two fluids, to see if there's any clues that might trigger a reaction."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        In the room where the core blew up... Kaworu nods slowly as he considers this and the rest of what Yuka tells him about it. "May I have a closer look?"
        
        The rolling of wheels prompts him to finally look around. He smiles when he sees the plush movable chair Yuka's brought out for him. With one last lingering look at the coin, he heads over and sits. The cane hooks conveniently on the arm rest, leaving him available to accept that drink.
        
        "Oh? I see..." He looks it over with curiosity, then takes a sip. For a moment, he considers its taste; then he takes another, longer drink. "Thank you," he adds when he's done. "I'm interested to see if it does work as desired."
        
        The two fluids, hm. He glances towards the containers, this time at the core fluid and the mucus. "There should be plenty of other core fluid samples to compare against, at least," he comments. After all, NERV has defeated several Angels so far, and so far they've all exploded into core fluid upon defeat. It's one thing they have plenty of samples on--and therefore it'll be easy to compare to their other samples and find it truly was a Core.
        
        But... the formation would be different from other samples NERV has gathered. The genetic make-up would be a little different--as if it were a copy, rather than the original. Given that this is a world in which cloning technology abounds, it wouldn't be hard to figure that out.
        
        As for the mucus, well, it's regular old Namegon mucus. There might be some contamination with Angelic genetic data, but it's not, itself, an Angel.
        
        "What have you and Dr. Cektru found so far, if anything?" Kaworu prompts. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

Yuka pulls her notebook off the desk, to flip over to the pages about the angel fluid. "Feel free. It's... honestly probably safe to touch, but if you'd rather use the safety grasper, you can use the joystick on the side of the containment unit. Otherwise, the latch mechanism is down on the left side."

Finding where she wrote those parts are easy enough. She filled about three pages with further theories and specifics about what she got from the NERV-owned samples of original Angel fluid, but the page before and after those are dedicated to this 'false core' and the differences between it and the previous known subjects. "I did in fact ask for a few samples to compare it to. And while my studies of those were supervised, I got a good amount of information. It... appears the Angel Factors had subtle alterations from the norm. That is, a difference in markers that corresponds to a product of cloning technology. The core appears to have been artificially made, and somehow inserted into a common, everyday Namegon. Which, as we can assume from its behavior, drove it to rampage until the core was shed from its body." 

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        It isn't difficult to open the latch and retrieve the medal. It's just a matter of settling his weight on his right leg, then tucking the medal into his pocket and shutting the containment unit again. As Yuka says, it seems like there's nothing dangerous on the coin's surface... though Kaworu isn't the one who'd have to worry about something like that, anyway.
        
        After that, he takes his seat and sips his health drink, focusing for the moment on Yuka as she takes out her notes and explains her findings so far. He frowns slightly at what she reports. Clone technology... Then that would explain...
        
        "In other words, this wasn't an accident. Someone made this happen," he replies. And if that's true... "Is it possible that we were drawn out on purpose? Or else..."
        
        He sets down his glass and rests a hand on his chin. The Namegon had appeared in northern Japan--not completely out of the way, but well away from Tokyo-3 proper. If whoever is behind this did this to lure NERV out, then surely they'd choose a kaiju closer to HQ. Was this simply the closest one they could find...? Could it have been a matter of testing how much an Angel could 'power up' even a weak monster?
        
        "Has anyone else been by to ask after your research so far?" he wonders. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

Yuka doesn't look any happier about the information than Kaworu, really. The expression on her face is... complicated. "No matter how interesting it may be that making copy angels is possible... That somebody DID, based on... an unknown angel... It's a dangerous unknown. All that said, I don't think this was meant to secure a kill, or to get us away from here. We've had no alerts about an infiltration or anything being missing, right? And... no, nobody from outside's come looking into our studies yet. So outside of STORAGE, you're the first to hear about this. If anyone does come by, I'll make sure you know about it."

There's a moment of Yuka falling silent and thinking. Before picking up the package she'd brought in earlier, to set in front of Kaworu. "Before we get too wrapped up in the implications, I made this for you. Some folktales, poems, and lullabies from home. I thought you might like something relaxing to focus on."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        An unknown Angel, she says. Well, it's certainly true that it's dangerous. Kaworu gives her a long, contemplative look before he retrieves the coin from his pocket. Holding it up to the light, it's easy to see a glowing silhouette on the face of it. It's a humanoid shape, with spikes around the head that might be hair, and an elegant point that might be a chin... Kaworu's eyelids dip to half-mast. "..."
        
        Yes... no wonder it felt familiar. This truly is a keenly dangerous artifact. But... so no one else has come by yet. Well, that's a good thing... It's impossible to tell who might have made this in the first place, but as long as they can keep it secure, it shouldn't be a problem again.
        
        "Thank you," he says, leaning forward to rest the medal on the table. "Also, I'd keep that coin locked away somewhere secure if I were you. If it wasn't there before the core degraded into liquid and was there after, then it's logical to assume it's related."
        
        For now, they'll simply have to see what comes of the research. Kaworu isn't really looking forward to it, but... he'll have certain reports of his own to make.
        
        Until then, Yuka has a package for him. He looks at it and then at her in curiosity, before his smile widens at her explanation. "For me? I truly appreciate it," he replies. "Summer vacation will open up my schedule a bit, and while I'm sure my superiors would like it if I'd fill it with more work, I'd rather engage in something more enriching for the soul. I'm sure this will be precisely that."
        
        He looks down at the package. "I am curious, though... Did you prepare this for me because of my injury? Or was that a coincidence?" After all, they'd been talking about her work and her hometown well before his attempted assassination happened.

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

Yuka's face takes on a slight red tint when asked about her gift. Embarrassment. "I'd made some calls and done the legwork to get started on it beforehand, but... After hearing about what happened, I put most everything else aside to finish up. To have it ready as soon as you were able to accept visitors. Then I got swamped with other work and preparing for our upcoming event day, and couldn't find a free period to bring it around to you." Event day? Was he already aware of that? ...Probably so. Considering Asuka is involved with it, she has to imagine SOMEBODY informed the Administrator before now.

He mentions how STORAGE should hold onto the medal, and keep it locked up securely, and while it might make studies all the harder, Yuka has to agree. Besides, most of the time they're not getting much out of it. "We'll make sure it's stored away as best we can. Between myself, Dr. Cektru, and Captain Hebikura, I'm sure we can come up with appropriate security measures." There's an important question left up in the air though. "Our next test is material analysis actually. Figuring out what it's even made of." How the genetic sequence and powers of a kaiju can even be compressed into that form is something she doesn't yet know to even question of course... She's never seen a Kaiju or Ultra medal before, after all. Unlike some people on her team.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        "I see... Thank you." Kaworu was smiling before, and he doesn't stop smiling, but his eyes crinkle a little higher as the lines of his eyebrows and forehead soften. "I'm flattered that I was such a priority for you. I hope that hasn't caused you any inconvenience." He laughs a little. "Though it's just as well that you couldn't drop it off in my office before. I'm glad we had a chance to talk face-to-face about it in instead." He reaches over and picks up the package to set it on his lap. "I'll be sure to read it all with care."
        
        He doesn't remark on the event day; he has indeed already been informed about it, albeit not through Asuka. He's had to sign off on some paperwork regarding it, though--though of course that was well over a month ago.
        
        "How is that coming along, by the way? Well, I hope?" he adds. "I'm looking forward to it, personally. Sevenger has a talent for easing the souls of the people, and NERV personnel have been under a lot of stress lately."
        
        Yuka meanwhile agrees about making sure to increase security for the coin. Kaworu's lips thin, but he nods, slow and eyes bright. A conversation with Captain Hebikura on the matter would likely be wise... He's probably also already noticed the true nature of this medal, and he might well have some insight into who might have made it. "Good. Please do let me know how it all turns out, Dr. Ohta."

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

The slight change to his face, and subsequent seeming apologetic makes Yuka reach out. To just set one arm across the shoulder of his less injured side and squeeze slightly. A friendly hug, hopefully he won't mind that. "We're friends. Friends are NEVER an inconvenience, they're priority one." Even before kaiju research? For Yuka that's saying a lot. Kaworu of all people can no doubt understand that though. The importance she's placing on the bond between friends.

"Incredibly well actually! We've had the design and production teams making... Well, it's a bit of a surprise, but we're banking on that power Sevenger has. It's going to be BIG." It's been so, so much work, and several of her ideas got shot down. That just made her keep refining them until she provided offerings everyone loved though. Shame they wouldn't accept some of the kaiju-themed stuff, but... Well, it IS kind of a hard sell, all told. Maybe she'll drop by Tsutsujidai again at some point soon, and give her friend there one of the concept kaiju plushies she made. She'll probably... need somebody to go with her though, based on those troubling reports she's been reading.

And of course, the conversation turns back to the medals in the end. "You'll be the first one to hear about it outside these walls." Of course, even if the Captain is aware of certain specifics... Would he tell her? Of course Yuka has no idea about the things he never tells his team, so will she notice, if he recognizes it but keeps the details to himself? ...Actually? She just might, come to think of it. It's all a question of how she tries to drag it out of him in that case. "You can just call me Yuka if you want. I told you, we're friends." 

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Kaworu certainly doesn't mind a friendly hug, no more than he minds Yuka's reassurances. His smile broadens into an open-mouthed one and squints his eyes shut, and he rests his good hand over hers for a moment. "You're exactly right. I feel the same way." Just Yuka... He opens his eyes to regard her with warmth. "Then you can just call me Kaworu, Yuka."
        
        It's a pleasant buzz of a feeling to be on the other side of that exchange. This time around has been deeply stressful, but it's also introduced him to some truly sublime experiences and people. Good things do come to those who wait, it seems. He chuckles--nearly giggles--to himself at the thought.
        
        "I'm glad to hear it. It sounds like it's going to be fun for everyone," he replies. "You'll announce the event once the day for it is set, yes? I want to make sure I have the chance to come by." He nods, too, when Yuka confirms she'll let him know about the medal. "Thank you."
        
        At least that's that for the medals for now; at this point, he needs to either wait, or talk to Hebikura directly. There is one other thing he wanted to ask her about, though: "Incidentally, I assume you read the recent reports about Anti and Tsutsujidai. I was wondering... What are your thoughts on him?"
        
        A kaiju that can take on human form? Someone as passionate about kaiju research as Yuka has to have a lot of thoughts about that, after all. And as pleased as Kaworu is to have her friendship--hearing those thoughts will be vitally important to him, personally. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

Admittedly, Kaworu would probably have no way of knowing this, but she already mostly thought of him as Kaworu. And has to make herself address him as anything else. So this is going to help significantly. That makes her smile intensify heavily. As that is SOMEHOW possible? "Of course. I think you'll love it."

It's almost as if he was reading her mind... Of course that's highly unlikely. "I'd... like to know more, actually. It seems like, whatever his purpose was supposed to be, he's been trying to be his own person. And a kaiju with the ability to take on human form... That confirms things to me. And reinforces the thought I offered you before, that there's no reason we can't all be united. Kaiju and humans. Seijin. We just have to talk. To understand each other." At least, everyone that's open to dialogue and cooperation.

"I'd love to talk to him directly. Anti. And pay another visit to Tsutsujidai. See the changes personally, so I could try to learn everything there is to." Yuka COULD ramble and trail on for hours about her thoughts on Anti and kaiju with human hearts. But she's trying to boil it down to the facts. "No matter what their origin is, the potential is still there. That's the most important lesson, I think. As long as there's an open heart somewhere, there's hope."


<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Kaworu listens closely to Yuka's response. At the end of it, he chuckles, bowing his head slightly as he shuts his eyes. "As long as there's an open heart somewhere, there's hope... Well said. I believe that, too." (Or at least, he wants to believe it.) "Anti will be an important step towards a better future. I pray that he'll be able to step forward into it with his head held high.
        
        "As for Tsutsujidai... it's grown a bit more dangerous now, but I support you in wanting to learn more about it. That will only serve that hope for the future."
        
        Not everyone will be open to dialogue and cooperation, but it lightens his own heart to know that there are some who are. That conviction shall surely be tested in the coming days, but Kaworu feels confident that Yuka will rise above.
        
        And then, one day...

 Title: AAR: Angelicized Namegon
 Poster: Kaworu Nagisa
 Date: Tue Jul 26

 On July 18, 0096, NERV and affiliated sub-group STORAGE received notice that a terrestrial kaiju, specifically a Namegon, had awakened in an area of northern Japan and become active. Its path would take it through a populated area, which it then attacked, so an aircraft with several pilots, most meant to be in reserve in case of any unexpected activity, was sent to handle the matter.
         
 Upon arrival of opposition, the Namegon abruptly sprouted an Angelic core and took on an Angel's basic abilities accordingly. All available pilots were deployed and, with the assistance of Ultraman Z, eventually defeated the Namegon with difficulty by removing its core. Once this occurred, the Namegon returned to its normal and fled. The core was boarded on the aircraft to be taken back to Tokyo-3 for inspection, but dissolved into core fluid on the way back.
         
 Dr. Cektru and Dr. Ohta have been studying samples taken of the Namegon and the core fluid. Apparently, the core fluid shows signs of having been replicated from an original. In other words, the core was deliberately created and then implanted into the Namegon by someone. It's unknown at present whom this might be.
         
 A coin-like object was found after the core's destabilization among the core fluid. It is speculated to be connected to this incident, but how is likewise unknown at present.

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