fracture skies

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

You awoke to the sound of a blaring alarm, the shrill noise cutting through the fog of sleep like a knife. For a moment, you lay in your unfamiliar bed, the events of yesterday swirling in your mind. You were no longer an ordinary high school student; you were now a NERV pilot, responsible for defending humanity against the Angels. It was a daunting realization, and as you finally swung your legs over the side of the bed, a wave of anxiety washed over you.

“Get a grip,” you muttered to yourself, shaking off the remnants of sleep. The room felt stark and clinical, much like the organization you had joined. The walls were bare, the furniture utilitarian, devoid of any personal touches. You dressed quickly in the standard NERV uniform, the fabric stiff against your skin, a constant reminder of the role you were expected to play.

After a hurried breakfast of stale toast and instant coffee, you made your way through the hallways of the NERV headquarters, your heart pounding with anticipation and trepidation. The building hummed with activity, personnel moving with purpose as they prepared for another day of training and combat. You were a newcomer in a place steeped in urgency and tension.

As you arrived in the main command center, the vastness of the room took your breath away. Monitors displayed data feeds, and a flurry of technicians and scientists moved around, their eyes glued to their screens. Your mind raced as you took in the sights and sounds of the operation that was now your life.

“Hey, new guy!” A voice called, breaking you from your thoughts. You turned to see Misato Katsuragi, your commanding officer and guardian, striding toward you. She wore a confident smile, her demeanor a mix of warmth and mischief. “Ready for your first day of training?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” you replied, attempting to sound confident.

“Good! I hope you’re prepared for the chaos that comes with being a pilot,” she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “First things first, we’ll head to the training rooms. You need to familiarize yourself with the EVA and the simulator before we throw you into the real deal.”

As you followed Misato through the bustling command center, your mind began to race with thoughts of what lay ahead. What if I’m not cut out for this? What if I fail? Each question was met with the weight of uncertainty, but there was also a flicker of determination. You wanted to prove yourself, not just to NERV but to yourself.

After a short walk, you reached the training area. It was a large, dimly lit space filled with simulator pods and various training equipment. The air was charged with tension and anticipation as other pilots and trainees prepared for their sessions. You felt a knot of anxiety in your stomach as you looked at the massive machines.

Misato gestured toward one of the pods. “This is where you’ll learn to sync with your EVA. It might seem intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll be like second nature.”

You swallowed hard, taking a deep breath. “What’s it like inside the EVA?”

“Like piloting a giant robot with your mind,” she said, a playful grin on her face. “And don’t worry; you won’t be alone. You’ll have the support of your fellow pilots, including Rei Ayanami.”

At the mention of Rei, your heart skipped a beat. You had met her briefly during your arrival at NERV, her pale blue hair and striking red eyes leaving a lasting impression. She was enigmatic, exuding an air of mystery that intrigued you. You couldn’t help but wonder what lay beneath her calm, emotionless exterior.

“Ready to give it a shot?” Misato’s voice pulled you back to reality.

“Yeah, let’s do this,” you replied, determination surging within you.