2022-08-13: The Train comes to NERV
- Cast: Alouette Kaas, Kaworu Nagisa, Rei Ayanami, Zan
- Where: Tokyo-3 Airport/Railway
- Date: U.C. 0096 08 13
- Summary: A new Super AI comes to NERV for assignment. Over the conversation it is realized that it is as much a child as the Evangelion pilots are, not to mention it may have it's goals in the right place.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
It was a bit rare for voluntary showing up, but this was a bit different. Super AIs were for some scary out there in the big wide world. Incidents like Sharon Apple were one of the major proofs of this happening.
It was mid-afternoon in Tokyo-3 and the airport and railway areas were buzzing with some activity. Mostly to get people out of the way if they did not have proper clearance to be around at the time when it came in. Scientists were setting up recording equipment as the arrival time approached. They were currently also discussing who or what the Super AI is in. Speculation is anything from some sort of crane to a car to a plane. There is a noticeable lack of military personnel, however, that is on foot.
Not to mention whoever was in charge of gathering information seems to have dropped the ball on this one. All they have is the designation of "Zan" and that it was supposedly used for construction.
In the distance, the sound of a train can be heard rumbling along the tracks as the arrival time approaches.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
It was just yesterday that Kaworu spoke with a Super A.I., though she didn't quite announce herself as such and he saw no reason to point it out either. Tokyo-3 in general has some rather major Super A.I.s about, though likewise that's not a widely-broadcast fact. NERV is a highly technological organization, though, so it only follows that this is where a new such entity would be assigned.
Information has been scant on this one, though. That's why Kaworu heads over to the station himself to oversee the arrival of this "Zan." With one arm still in a sling (though he may well soon receive clearance to remove it) and still needing to use a walking cane, he has an assistant or two to help him out today--though in a variety of ways, they've been assisting him for some time now.
For the time being, as the crowds bustle about, Kaworu stands near one of the railings, cane in hand, and waits and watches patiently as the train rolls in. He's wearing his administrator uniform today: black suit, white button-up shirt, purple scarf-tie with a green stripe, and a winged star insignia pin on his left breast with the name K. NAGISA written underneath--a mark common in STORAGE indicating that he's part of command.
Once the train is finally in, and its occupant rises: "Hey," he greets, quite casually despite his attire. "Welcome to NERV, Zan."
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
With Kaworu Nagisa is the First Child, Rei Ayanami.
Rei Ayanami is wearing a form-fitting suit of advanced synthetics with boning around the upper torso; predominately white, with black accents and a '00' over the heart/collarbone area. It is the Plug Suit; and it seems to be wearing a little hot in this weather. Only a little, though, which is impressive for a garment like this.
Rei shades her eyes to look up the tracks at the distant rumbling. "The yellow line," Rei says to Kaworu, likely unnecessarily, as a reminder.
Her hair is stirred and rustled in the passage of a train's arrival. She does not greet Zan aloud, although she turns her head; searching for a face perhaps, or a speaker.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Kaas has posed.
While she would have much preferred the fit and stying of her flightsuit uniform, the assignment given to Alouette Kaas required of her the regular duty uniform, and so attired was the Britannian Lt. Colonel. While filtered through NERV, the orders originated form elsewhere, by those still concerned for Kaworu, who had been giving Alouette additional duties to support the Adminitrator as he continues to recover.
It was true, NERV isn't naive to Super AI, or AI, or even Virtual Intelligence, VI. There was a delicate line walked with regard to rights and person hood, and NERV was the test bed for much of that. Indeed, there were many individuals within the organization whose personhood could fall into a grey area when scrutinized, but they aare given autonomy and agency regardless, up until something required restricting it.
Alouette stands a meter behind Kaworu and to one side of Ayanami in silence, as Rei announces the incoming transport before Alouette can see it in the distance. The force of it's arrival as the energy dissipates still pushes against her, and takes effort to stand against. ALouette watches her fellows for reactions, and then waits for their newest addition.
"Welcome to NERV, Zan."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Kaas has posed.
While she would have much preferred the fit and stying of her flightsuit uniform, the assignment given to Alouette Kaas required of her the regular duty uniform, and so attired was the Britannian Lt. Colonel. While filtered through NERV, the orders originated form elsewhere, by those still concerned for Kaworu, who had been giving Alouette additional duties to support the Adminitrator as he continues to recover.
It was true, NERV isn't naive to Super AI, or AI, or even Virtual Intelligence, VI. There was a delicate line walked with regard to rights and person hood, and NERV was the test bed for much of that. Indeed, there were many individuals within the organization whose personhood could fall into a grey area when scrutinized, but they aare given autonomy and agency regardless, up until something required restricting it.
Alouette stands a meter behind Kaworu and to one side of Ayanami in silence, as Rei announces the incoming transport before Alouette can see it in the distance. The force of it's arrival as the energy dissipates still pushes against her, and takes effort to stand against. ALouette watches her fellows for reactions, and then waits for their newest addition.
"Welcome to NERV, Zan." Kaworu breaks the silence.
Alouette looks to Rei to see if she has anything to say to the newcommer. For herself she bides her time for a proper moment or until she is needed. She puts on the best welcoming smile she can.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
The arriving train does look odd as it slows down. Whatever escort it had has noticeably left it to arrive. A few variable fighters that clear the area after delivery and escort it seems.
The engine itself has what looks like wings folded on the side, and the front is some sort of turbine mixed with a wedge on the front right under it. The next car has some sort of vehicle attached on top of it. The next four are larger with the doors obviously hinged to lower and open. And the two on the end even have additional wings folded up with thrusters near the base.
Seriously, the train's long, big, and it's obviously not a normal train at all.
Once it comes to a stop and at the greeting, the extra vehicle's thrusters start and the entire thing lifts up, revealing itself to be a modified ORCA craft painted in a dark blue. With arms under it and a construction tool gun attached to the undercarriage.
The nearby scientists are obviously recording all of this and making some notes, communicating with whoever was put in charge of this, and making sure no one tries to blow up things.
Once in the air the ORCA unfolds and flips backwards with the cockpit being in the torso area. The twin jets slide to the back and a head pops out that has an obvious face. The oversized manipulator arms turn into shoulder guards.
There is a small thunk sound as the robot finishes changing to a more humanoid form and lands. Then it kneels down to the three's level. It even rubs the back of it's head as it looks at them.
The optics seem to zoom in on each in the turn that they spoke before it finally says something. And the voice is at least somewhat mild in volume. "Hiya. BT-104 Zan, reportin' for inspection. Just call me Zan. What's your names? Are you three pilots or somethin'?"
The face at least looks pretty average. The optics are an orange color as they continue to study the three.
"Do the scientists need to check the rest of me out?" He actually makes a thumb motion at the train itself.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Kaworu smiles fondly at Rei when she reminds him of the yellow line. It is indeed unnecessary, but he appreciates her speaking up out of concern for him all the same. From there, his smile travels to Alouette a short distance away, still part of the group of Children waiting for Zan. Perhaps he meets the First and Fourth's eyes; perhaps not. After a moment, he looks back towards the transport either way.
The winds of the incoming train buffet against him; perhaps his cane keeps him stable, because he remains still in its wake, aside from his ruffled hair. He glances up in casual interest at the variable fighters as they peel away, then down at the long, long train as it rolls to a stop. Around them, scientists and other workers scurry about to make sure everything comes in smoothly; Kaworu simply continues to wait.
Soon enough, the ORCA lifts and changes into a more humanoid-looking robot, then kneels down to regard Kaworu, Rei, and Alouette. Kaworu's had a faint, crooked smile on this entire time, but it broadens into something friendlier as Zan speaks.
"We are," he confirms. "I'm Administrator Kaworu Nagisa, Fifth Child and reserve pilot for the Evangelion Series. Just Kaworu is fine." He nods to one side. "This is Rei Ayanami, the First Child and designated pilot of Evangelion Unit-00..." Then he nods to the other. "...and this is Alouette Kaas, the Fourth Child and designated pilot of Evangelion Unit-Sigma Null."
Introductions done, he looks back at Zan. "They undoubtedly will. It would be best if we moved out of their way." After all, Zan is probably a little in the way as is. Kaworu lifts his cane to indicate a certain direction, weight on his good leg, and perhaps leaning on Rei a little until he sets the walking stick back down. "There's a largely open trainyard that direction. Shall we move there until they're ready for you?"
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
The train is pleasant enough to look at, but the rest is a thing of minor wonder. While Rei is not a train fan, in the practical sense of the ancient and sacred hobby of the archipelago of Japan, she appreciates them; and perhaps she also appreciates who else may come.
Rei tilts her head back to look up at Zan. Her expression is difficult to read, perhaps especially for a Super-AI who rides the rails. "Yes," Rei confirms at Kaworu's introduction of herself, rather than say all of those words. She remains near Kaworu - one synthetic-wrapped arm is offered, with somewhat familiar ease, to Kaworu if and when he should need it.
Rei looks back towards the parts of the train that do not seem to be Zan. She says, hopefully audible given her tone of voice, "What do they do?"
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Kaas has posed.
Admittedly, Alouette had been expecting something in the form like that which Sharon Apple had used for mobility. What arrived instead was something more like a Blockbuster Hollywood production by Maikeru Bayu. Well known for over the top movies with lots of aircraft, machines, and explosions. Alouette should watch a movie some day.
Alouette places a hand on her cover, holding it down to prevent it from blowing off as Zan arrives, and transforms before them. It's a good thing the area had been cleared out, this would have certainly drawn a great deal of attention. There were two young men in the Eva children's class that would have certainly brought their imagaing equipment for a glimpse of this, Alouette notes.
Kaworu makes introductions, Rei affirms her identity, and Alouette salutes to do the same. the Administrator points out an area nearby area where they should reconvene. Alouette, steps forward and reaches out to support Kaworu, but stalls as he finds his own. She stays in her half step, to decide what to do next as Rei questions the purpose of the additional cars that accompanied Zan.
Alouette indulges her own curiousity and waits for the answer before deciding to remain there, in case Kaworu needs more support or something else was needed of her. She lingers behind Rei and Kaworu as things move towards the second staging area, for extra security and peace of mind that everything is finished up with the train station before it is released back to normal service.
Alouette leaves hurriedly to catch up to the group. Her mind is already adjusting her expectations based on what little she had alady seen. Where would Zan stay? Does he require an umbilical like the Evangelion Units? Did he achieve self actualization and gain personhood, or was he 'alive' from activation? So many questions... What will she learn, if anything. That face, seems so strange, yet so, plain. It stays in her mind. Would her Geass work on a Super A.I.?
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
A nod is given but Zan does not move to stand just yet. His optics look to focus on Kaworu and the way he is moving. And there seems to be some conflict on the face. "Evangelions? Child? The Child part is a curious title."
Rei's question has him looking at where she is. "They are a part of me." He seems to be considering Rei's question a bit more as he reaches up to scratch his chin. "We need ta move Kaworu to a place where he can sit, and I can explain about them. I know at least two are in need of maintenance."
The AI's head turns to look at Alouette before it looks to Kaworu and apparently reaches a conclusion.
"If you three wish, I can carry you there? It's not a problem, I assure you." The Super AI seems to have reached some sort of conclusion. And it even offers a hand to the trio. One that is probably just big enough to accommodate all three if they want to.
Meanwhile, the train starts to move by itself to the designated yard. Going slow and moving to the yard that was pointed out.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Alouette should watch a movie some day. Deculture...
"Evangelions are a type of mobile suit utilized by NERV to combat kaiju, particularly a type of kaiju known as the Angels. Their pilots must be born after a certain date--thus Children," Kaworu explains. "All three of us are physically fifteen or younger."
Rei offers an arm, while Alouette comes over to his side to see if she can offer her own assistance. Before he can make a choice, Zan offers a hand, both verbally and literally.
"Thank you. That would be a great help," Kaworu replies. He offers his cane to Alouette to carry, then lets Rei take his injured right arm and carefully, delicately make his way onto Zan's hand with her help. Once all three are on, he'll reach for the crook of Alouette's elbow to further stabilize himself.
It's a quick ride with longer legs. Even more so with the rest of Zan moving itself to the correct trainyard. NERV staff will no doubt monitor and inspect everything until they're ready for Zan himself; in the meantime, there's a little time to converse.
"I'm afraid not much information was sent ahead of you," Kaworu remarks once they're all settled in. He's perched on the edge of an unused train car, his good leg hooked underneath him as his injured leg dangles off, while he leans back on his good arm for support. "Is it all right if you tell us a bit about yourself, Zan?"
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Rei blinks several times when Zan professes ignorance of the Evangelions.
This is not a problem Rei has encountered in a long time; perhaps ever. She seems to be rather shocked by it, or so Kaworu might think if he were to look at her face right then. They are a part of him, though: That much makes sense. (Rei might have wondered in passing which parts of a train are 'the train itself' vs. 'a car on the train,' which may in time lead to advanced reasonings in semiotics.)
(Not today, though.)
Rei steps forwards, however, carefully 'boarding' the towering robot. She moves over to grasp firmly round Zan's thumb with one arm once Kaworu and Alouette are 'aboard.'
Seven-league strides. "The Evangelion fights the Angels," Rei finally explains, perhaps not wanting to leave Zan completely in the dark. Though from this angle, Rei is able to point towards where there is an enormous bare black spot on the side of a mountain; something that looks sort of out of place in the general landscape.
"That," Rei says: "an Angel did that."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Kaas has posed.
Alouette's eyes widen at the offer, though it seems Rei is as taken aback as she is. Kaworu hands his cane to her and climbs into the offered hand, where he further accepts her support when she and Rei are also aboard. There is a curious apprehension about this, Alouette wonders if the same would exist if it were the hand of an Evangelion.
Alouette follows with her eyes to where Rei points, the scarred earth from one of the battles with an Angel. It makes sense though, she realizes, that this Zan would be as ignorant of them as they were about him. Kaworu inquires, and Alouette wonders if they will be gifted with information about this sizable being.
Alouette only occassionally feels the vertigo and disorientation from riding in this non-gyroscoped vehicle space, the hand. Which is impressive to note, indicitive of the fine control Zan is exercising in his care of the three while moving to the meeting area.
Alouette looks to both Rei and Kaworu, waiting to catch their eyes, and offer them each an assuring smile. She has learned that this is effective for group morale in situations with many unknowns, and been experimenting when to employ it, and other similar non verbal communications. So Alouette's lip pulls up at the corners, gently, and she remains resolute as a support for Kaworu.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
Once the group is aboard, Zan moves carefully to stand and walk to the designated yard. It's a surprisingly smooth ride for the trio. Very little bounce to his steps. Each measured pretty well. If there was ever a doubt that Zan itself was alive, that might be one indication. Now ay in hell a human could achieve that smooth a ride from inside him.
A sigh is given as Zan looks back towards where the scientists are. "Filing errors, perhaps?"
Once he has them pretty much settled, the robot looks considerate. "I see. I was forced to reveal myself by a kaiju attack on the orbital ring's rail system."
His head turns to look at the train part of himself as it moves to a designated area. Then it stops.
"As far as myself, I..." That seems to make him freeze. As if wondering how to answer. "... am unsure how to answer."
Rei's putting to the blackened mountain has Zan looking that way. "I see."
The head turns back to the three. "A part of my... self? Is used to staying hidden."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
The half-melted mountainside is quite the testament to Angelic power. Ramiel truly was the Thunder of God. Kaworu doesn't look the way that Rei indicates, but the faint smile does fade momentarily from his lips, replaced by furrowed brows. By the time Zan delivers them to their destination and he settles into his perch, though, his crooked, easygoing smile has returned.
He shares that smile with Alouette, who while silent has been listening closely this entire time. "Is there anything you're curious about, Alouette?" he asks her.
...Which is well-meant, but Zan admits that part of him is used to staying hidden. Kaworu's expression shifts to sympathetic. "I see."
He does see. He knows that feeling very well.
"If you'd rather not share, that's all right. I'm sure we'll receive your basic data from your creators soon enough," he continues. "Is there anything you'd like to ask of any of us?" Rei's already helpfully supplied a bit more information about their particular units and the nature of the enemy they fight, but that's not all NERV is about. (This time.)
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Rei seems to handle any nauseua without visual reaction. Maybe she's just got a good inner ear. Some people are like that, and Rei has to win SOME of the health check dice rolls, doesn't she?
"Then your memory is incomplete?" Rei asks Zan, looking up at him. There is something resembling sympathy in her tone. She does not change her expression, but there is inflection there. She shifts herself round, looking at a particular space in the Tokyo-3 skyline that... doesn't really have much of anything; it isn't even much of a skyline, being nearer to the original Hakone towns. (There used to be some residential blocks there, but they were damaged.)
"Yes," Rei says. "There are others like you, with NERV."
Rei glances up towards Alouette. There aren't words here; a checking, perhaps. Confirming her situation.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Kaas has posed.
Alouette catches the looks from both of them. But the context changes between each.
With Kaworu he asks if there was anything she wanted to know. There were many, and this wasn't an honest prompting to ask anything and everything. This was a social minefield whose ettiquette Alouette had failed to navigate many times, to much awkwardness and embarassment. Search the list, apply the social filter and apply discretion, only question's that are suitable for the current group, clearance levels, and security. Select from remaining queries.
"I do, thank you Administrator. What do you consume Zan? All life consumes something for conversion to energy. The Eva Units use electricity via Umbilicals. Do you also require an Umbilical connection?"
Alouette had caught the looks from Rei. It wasn't a smile that she showed her, but something more natural, not calculated. Her mouth widened in a flat crease. Not a frown or a grimace, but something just this side of sad, with an upward curl at the edges. An admission, or affirmation maybe.
"Indeed, there are."
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
It's Rei that gets Zan's attention this time. "My memory is as complete as it can be. It is more how to answer as I am still..." He trails off for a minute before he tries a word it seems, "... growing? Developing?"
Looking to Alouette, Zan seems to consider before answering. "The train body mainly uses recycled raw materials or the turbine to power itself. Both it and myself have solar panels that also aide in power consumption. As far as fluids, we primarily drink water or oil."
His optics seem to zoom in, then out. "I see. The reason for the lack of information seems to be a corporation dispute between my two creating corporations."
A pause in his speech has him looking at the three again, refocusing it seems. "I was built by the Senpuuji Connection and Linear Train Industries for maintaining the railways of the orbital ring and sometimes those around the world."
A hand raises up to rub the back of his head, looking a bit awkward. "Uh... I guess as far as the whole consumption thing, I'm meant to last a long time on very little?"
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Rei and Alouette both ask their questions; this time, Kaworu leans back to listen and let them take the initiative. His smile is fond for both of them, even as he also listens to Zan's answers. Still growing... So from Zan's perspective, he was just recently 'born.'
And... a corporation dispute between Senpuuji Connection and Linear Train Industries, hmm... "That must be tough for you. It's hard enough to exist without one's 'parents' locked in disagreement," he says sympathetically.
There really are many like him in NERV.
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Alouette is well; she is not about to topple, nor is she overwhelmed.
"It's inefficient," Rei comments. "You might err, because you were not informed correctly."
It's a thoughtful statement, perhaps a statement of fact, though of course it might impunge on professional pride...
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Kaas has posed.
Alouette listens to Zan's reply to everyone's questions and comments. It's a mix of the expected and surprising. It was part of her queer speech and gaps in socialization that Alouette owes her perception and phrasing. She called the Eva Units living beings in kind with Zan, when asking how he "ate" and describing how the giant hybrids function in that way. No one seemed put off or corrected her in that, whether that is a passive agreement or another case of missed in translation. The latter common with the white haired pilot.
"Hard to exist without one's parents..."
Alouette repeats quietly only a part of what Kaworu had said. The abbreviated phrase changes the context completely. But it's what stands out to the long slender young woman. Parents. She had never thought about that word before. What are parents. Alouette searches her mind but can find no attachment of the word to any meaning, and the harder she tries, the more...
"I am very thirsty. I apologize, I just, suddenly feel very much in need of some water. I'll get some when we get there. I apologize for interrupting. Please, Zan, Rei, continue."
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
Zan looks at Kaworu with a little bit of a head tilt to one side. "I suppose I could consider them as such. I'm gathering the necessary data and forwarding it personally to this place."
At something else, Zan's head turns to look back the way they came. "Ah. The scientists just sent me a message saying they would come over here instead. I asked for a vehicle as well with liquid to rehydrate as well just in case."
He looks at the trio. "Thank you for greeting me. I hopefully will see you around. My only problem is confinement to the hanger areas it seems."
While he is talking, and since the scientists are coming this way the train cars begin to open side panels. Rei was curious what was in them earlier.
She certainly has an answer now. Construction vehicles of various sorts. One of them has a backhoe on treads, another has what might as well be a giant four pronged claw on it. Others look to have some sort of lasers on turrets. There's even one that looks to be belt fed large spikes.
Almost all of it moves to where it can be looked at, maintained, and examined.
Like literally just about anything he needs is right there for maintaining the railroad.