Chapter12


	-NEON GENESIS: EVANGELION- -SECOND REALITY- Episode 12: Angel Invasion/Ghost in the Machine. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (The scene opens in the cavernous space known as the command centre of NERV. It has been a week since the destruction of the Tenth Angel, Sahaquiel. Since then, the celebrations have died down, and things have seemingly returned to normal. Sitting atop the massive tower containing Magus Melchior, Maya Ibuki types at a console rapidly, the lines of data scrolling by rapidly. Not far, away, sitting at another terminal, Ritsuko observes her young protege’.) Ritsuko: You’re getting pretty fast at that, Maya. Maya: Of course. Did I have any choice with you as my boss? (Suddenly, Ritsuko stops her.) Ritsuko: Oh. I think A8 would be faster there. Here, let me. (Ritsuko starts to type on her keyboard with one hand a such a speed that it makes Maya sit back and watch in awe.) Maya: Whoa.....she is the master.... (As Ritsuko finishes typing and leans back, Misato steps off a one man elevator nearby, and approaches.) Misato: Hi-i! Ritsuko, how soon will you have the diagnostic program ready? Ritsuko: Didn’t I tell you I’d get it done? Misato: You’re something else, Ritsuko. Three impossible things to do this morning, and you still find time to get them all done. (As Misato speaks, she picks up a nearby cup of coffee, and drinks.) Ritsuko: That coffee’s cold... Misato: Gnnn!!! (Misato spits the coffee back into the mug, putting it down. Meanwhile, around the control centre, an announcement can be heard.) Announcer: All three Magi have entered self-diagnostic mode. Female Annoucer: All systems check out okay. Ritsuko: (over the intercom) Good job, everyone. Take a break while the cycle completes. (A short time later in the ladies bathroom, Ritsuko washes her face before regarding herself in the mirror.) Ritsuko: (thinking) Well, everything checked out okay.....as usual, Mother’s in good shape....but.....is it just me getting older? --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- --------- (Half an hour later, a heated conversation is taking place inside central dogma...) Asuka: What?!! You want me to take my clothes off again? Ritsuko: This next chamber is a clean-room environment. Simply changing you undergarments and taking a shower is not enough. Asuka: Why do I have to go through all this just for a dumb autopilot test?! Ritsuko: This test has to be made without your plug suits. Now get undressed. Shinji: Awww.... Asuka: Awww..... Rei: Yes Ma’am. (In the small control box known only as the Pribnow Box, Misato and Ritsuko watch as the indicators on a screen light up one by one, until finally, it beeps an affirmative, and the three EVA pilots step into a long hallway, separated from one another by small partitions.) Asuka: Allright, here I am, just the way you wanted. Buck naked, and run through the wash cycle seventeen times... Ritsuko: (over the comm) Good, and I want you to stay that way when you walk across the chamber to your entry plugs. Asuka: WHAT?!!!! Shinji: Huh?!!! Rei: .... Ritsuko: Don’t worry, the camera is turned off. We do respect your privacy. Asuka: (crossing her arms) Oh, yeah, and that’s not the point......this is a personal thing..... Ritsuko: This experiment is to allow the computers to make a sweep of your bodies so as to get a synch reading without the interference from your plug suits. Misato: Asuka, this is an order. Matt: I think I have a way to solve this. Shinji, turn around. Asuka, Rei, get going. Shinji can’t see you if his back is turned. Now get going. (Shinji turns around to face the wall, still shaking his head in disbelief.) Asuka: Allright, but I don’t want anyone peeking!! (With that, the camera’s indicator light dims, indicating that it has been switched off. A short time later, the three pilots sit in their entry-plugs, their interior monitors turned off.) Technitian 1: Pilots have entered the entry plugs. Technitian 2: Inserting the plugs into the simulation bodies. (Outside the viewport, the three entry plugs are inserted into simulatory EVA bodies. The huge bodies are suspended in the water outside by cables and restraints all over them...however, Matt is slightly surprised by the fact that none of the bodies have a head....) Matt: Odd way to make an auto-pilot test... (Ritsuko turns to Matt as the test continues behind them.) Ritsuko: Well, if your country would be nice enough to give us some of their technology, we wouldn’t have to resort to this kind of test, now would we? (Matt smiles, but it is not a humourous one.) Matt: Point taken. Misato: Wow, this is fast.....it’s hard to believe that the first test took a whole two weeks... Tech 2: Test duration will be three hours. ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- (Meanwhile, back in the control centre, away from the auto-pilot test...Aoba Shigeru points out a certain defect in the complex...) Aoba: These are the parts that were showing contamination. They only came in last week. Fujutsuki: Hmm....the eighteenth protein wall.... Aoba: There’s some sort of contamination present there, but I can’t identify it. Hyuga: (turning from his console nearby) It’s gotta be corrosion. This isn’t the first time we’ve had this problem. Aoba: (turning to look at Fujutsuki) Some air bubbles might have gotten trapped during the construction phase. B-Wings structure is very substandard. Fujutsuki: Well, this place was thrown up after the Angel’s attacked. Hyuga: It’s nobody’s fault. Everyone was just so exhausted back then. Fujutsuki: (standing) Well, just fix it by tommorow...or Ikari’ll chew our asses off. Aoba/Hyuga: Understood. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, in the area in question, the small amount of corosion can be seen as a purple smear on the wall....and although it looks harmless, things are about to take a turn for the worst. -------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- -------------------------- (Back in the Pribnow Box..) Ritsuko: What? Another leak? (Maya sits at her terminal, holding a phone in one hand. It seems they have just been alerted to the problem.) Maya: ...no...some kind of corrosion... Ritsuko: Terrific. Will it have any effect on the test? Maya: No, not at this stage. Ritsuko: (turning back to face the viewport) Well, we’ll continue then. I can’t just abandon complex experiments like this just because of some minor technical difficulty. Ikari would chew my ass off. Maya: (almost laughing) Understood. Matt: Heh. I guess he would. Tech 1: Beginning primary auto-pilot data recording. Tech 2: Connection to EVA Unit 00 confirmed. Beginning transmission. --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------ (In the EVA cages, Evangelion Unit 00 seems to shimmer slightly as it’s A.T. Field unfolds......however, far from the EVA, the corrosion suddenly seems to pulse with life, it’s small colours suddenly glowing with life....) ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- --------------------- (Back in the Pribnow Box, suddenly, alarms start blaring, making everyone jump.) Ritsuko: What’s happening?! Matt: What the hell?! Tech 2: Corrosion present in Sigma Unit. Maya: The corrosion is spreading!! It’s entering Sigma Unit!! Ritsuko: Shut off all pipes through the sixth flow system!!! Maya: Right! (Maya hits a switch....almost instantly, pipes feeding wawter into the chamber are pulled back and sealed off by massive hydraulic doors. All across Sigma Unit, doors and hatches slam shut, sealing them off.) Tech 1: Pipes 32 through 60 have been hermetically sealed. Tech 2: Corrosion is spreading through Sigma Unit! Ritsuko: Utilise the polysomes!!! (Outside the viewscreen, in the chamber, huge doors open to reveal large floating devices with camera-like lenses. The three units all turn to aim at a certain section of wall.) Ritsuko: Set laser power at maximum! Zap every invasive particle! Maya: The corrosion’s eroded through the barriers!! It’s here!! (Suddenly, all goes silent in the control box, as everyone works on sorting out the problem. Suddenly, a sound sends them into a frenzy.) Rei: (screaming) Ritsuko: Rei! Misato: Huh?! Matt: REI!! (Outside, the simulation body containing Rei’s suddenly moves, it’s right arm crashing into the wall, like it is in great pain. Suddenly, with a huge jolt, the arm reaches for the control box. As it is about to break the glass, Maya pulls on a lever, and the arm is blown off, the arm crashing against the reinforced glass.) Misato: How’s Rei? Maya: She’s okay! Ritsuko: Eject the entry plugs!! (With a blast, the three entry plugs are blasted into safety, sealed behind a hatch.) Maya: The corrosion is spreading to the EVA’s!! Ritsuko: Impossible!! Use the lasers!! (With a blast, the three units in the chamber open fire, firing needle-like lasers at the corrosion spreading on the wall. However, as they fire, they are suddenly deflected in all directions by an invisble energy field.) Misato: That’s an A.T. Field!!! Ritsuko: It can’t be!! (Outside, the first simulatory body suddenly seems to glow where it’s right arm used to be...and with a hum, it suddenly regenerates from nothing.) Misato: (looking on in horror) What the?! Matt: Oh jesus..... Ritsuko: Pattern is blue! ID confirmed!! An Angel!!! ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- (Back in central dogma..) Fujutsuki: (speaking into a phone to the Pribnow Box) WHAT?!! An Angel?!! You let an Angel get inside these facilities?!!!! Ritsuko: (over the phone) I’m sorry, sir! Fujutsuki: No time for apologies!! Right, seal off central dogma and isolate sigma unit from the rest of the facility!! Hyuga: Yes sir! (Back in the box, Misato overhears the announcement, and spins to face the others.) Misato: Abort the test!! Abandon the box!!! (Behind her, all of the technitians scramble to get out of the box...except for Ritsuko who can only stare in mute awe as the glass partition begins to crack. Matt grabs her as he runs past.) Matt: Ritsuko, snap out of it and COME ON!!!! (As Misato, Ritsuko and Matt leave the box, a huge door slams down just as the partition shatters, flooding the box. In the hallway beyond, Misato and Ritsuko charge down the hallwway, making their way to central dogma. Matt pulls up, and realises something.) Matt: Shit, the pilots!! Someone’s gonna have to get them out of the geo-front.... (With that, he turns on his heel, and charges towards the opening for the geo-front.) -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- (In central-dogma, all hell has broken loose as the technitians desperately try to isolate the Angel in Sigma Unit. High above them, Gendo sits, talking into a phone. A hologram hangs to his right, the words “AUDIO ONLY” highlighted on it.) Gendo: (into the phone) I know that. Take care of it. (With that, he hangs up the phone, and slides it away.) Gendo: Cancel the red alert. (Unbelieivng, the technitians rush to obey.) Aoba: ...cancelling the alert, sir. Gendo: Very good. Get in contact with the commitee. Inform them that there was an error in our judgement. What is the status of the Evangelions? Hyuga: They’re on standby. They can be launched as soon as the pilots are recovered. Gendo: There’s no need to wait for the pilots. Launch the EVA’s now, starting with Unit 01. If necessary, the other EVA’s are to be abandoned. (Hyuga and Aoba turn to stare at their superior officer.) Aoba: Unit 01 has priority? Gendo: If the EVA’s are taken over we’ll be finished. Get moving! Aoba/Hyuga: Yes sir! (In the EVA hangers, with an almighty blast, Unit 01 is lauched into Tokyo-3, unactivated and without a pilot.) Gendo: Where is the infection now? Hyuga: It’s spreading all over Sigma Unit from the Pribnow Box. (At this, Fujutsuki leans in over Gendo’s shoulder.) Fujutsuki: That’s too close.. Gendo: Yes. Too close to Adam. (to the techs) We must prevent this Angel from spreading further. If necessary, sacrifice the Geo-Front. (As the technitians go about carrying out Gendo’s commands, Fujutuski mutters to himself.) Fujutsuki: So, how do we defeat the Angels without the Evangelions? --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- (A while later, outside of NERV, in the geo-front, the three entry plugs of the EVA pilots float in the huge lake that dominates the centre of the geo-front. Inside them, the three pilots wait impatiently for someone to let them out.) Shinji: Rrr, what’s taking them so long? Rei: (asleep) Asuka: Oh, how am I gonna get out of here naked?! Somebody help me!!! (Suddenly, over their interior communicators, a familiar voice can be heard.) Matt: G’day, guys. Everythings gone to hell up there, looks like an Angel managed to penetrate the Geo-Front. Sorry if retreival took so long. Shinji: What are you gonna do? Asuka: You’re not getting me out of here naked in front of anyone! Matt: Relax. I’m in my Starfury, hovering over you at the moment. Give me a moment, and I’ll pick you up one at a time, drop you back into a safe area, and you can leave your plugs then. Okay? (There is a murmur of agreement from Asuka and Shinji.) Matt: Well, I can only carry one at a time, so who do I pick up first? (After a few seconds, Asuka yells.) Asuka: Matt, get me out of here!! Come on, at least pick me up first! (Sitting in the cockpit of the Starfury, Matt chuckles, considering.) Matt: Is that okay with everyone? (There is silence on the comm.) Matt: Right. Hold tight, Asuka, I’ll have you out of there in no time. (With that, Matt lowers the small winch underneath the Starfury, and watches as it’s self-securing mechanism latches securely around the entry-plug.) Matt: Okay, Asuka, I got you. Hold onto something, this could be a bumpy ride. Asuka: Have you ever done this before?! Matt: Of course. Standard Starfury training lesson 30. Cargo transport. Asuka: And how did you do?! (Matt is silent for a moment before suddenly, the entry plug shudders as it is lifted out of the water.) Matt: (humorously) I failed it three times before passing on a technicality. Here we go.... Asuka: What?! Matt, say you’re kiddng!! Matt? MATT?!!! (But Matt simply laughs as he carefully flies the Starfury acorss the water, heading for an entry-plug safe zone.) Matt: I’ll be back in ten minutes, okay guys? (Suddenly, the geo-front is filled with the sounds of red alert sirens.) Matt: What the hell? (into the comm) Misato, what’s going on up there?! Misato: (over the comm) Matt?! Where are you?! Matt: I’m in a Starfury carrying Asuka’s entry plug. No one else thought of it, so I figured I better get them. What’s going on up there?! Misato: Matt, the Angel is hacking into the MAGI!! We can’t stop it!! (Matt’s eyes go wide as he realises.) Matt: Dear god....the self destruct system... Misato: It’s already trying to activate it...oh my god it’s already taken over Melchior!! Matt, could the Black Templar get infected?!! Matt: (chuckling) I wasn’t dumb enough to allow the MAGI access to the ‘Templar, Misato. It’s completely isolated, and it should be fine. But just to be sure, I’m remotely shutting down it’s transmission ability. Misato: Okay....Matt, I have to go! (The line goes dead. Matt takes a deep breath as he finishes typing on his wrist unit. However, suddenly, the tiny LCD screen beeps a warning, making Matt widen his eyes in shock.) Matt: Oh my god.... Screen: ##ALERT## TRANSMISSION SHUT DOWN INCOMPLETE: CONTAMINATION PRESENT ##ALERT## Matt: JESUS CHRIST!!!!!! ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- (Meanwhile, back in central dogma.....everyone is in a state of panic as the Eleventh Angel, Iruel, hacks into the MAGI.) Misato: (sternly) Cut off the main cable. Hyuga: It’s not accepting the signal!! Misato: (sternly) Utilise the lasers. Maya: It’s generating an A.T. Field! No effect!! (Suddenly, the alarms stop blaring, and the huge screen indicating the status of the MAGI stops flashing, as the contamination seems to receed...) Aoba: What the hell?! It’s backing out of the MAGI! Hyuga: It’s changing it’s pattern again, scanning back through the main banks! Misato: What the hell is it trying to do?! (Suddenly, Maya turns in her seat, looking to Misato) Maya: Sir, Colonel Eklom’s calling us, he says it’s urgent! Misato: Put him through. (A small screen opens up, revealing Matt in the cockpit of his Starfury...although to call him calm would be a lie.) Matt: (obviously stressed) It’s too late!! I can’t secure it fast enough!! Misato: What are you talking about?! (Matt leans in on the camera, his face beaded with sweat.) Matt: THE ANGEL IS TAKING OVER THE TITAN MECH-WARRIOR!!!! Another three minutes, and the Angel will have complete control of it!! Misato: NO!! Gendo: Launch the Black Templar NOW. (But as they techs go to obey, Matt yells into the camera) Matt: NO!!! The Black Templar is a thousand times as destructive as an EVA, even when barehanded!! You launch it now, the Angel will have a weapon capable of destroying ALL of Tokyo-3 in a matter of minutes!!! (Everyone goes silent for a moment, as Ritsuko answers.) Ritsuko: Just what the hell are we supposed to do, then?! Matt: STOP THAT ANGEL BEFORE IT GET’S TO THE ‘TEMPLAR!! If it gets infected, nothing will be able to stop it!!! I’m already running an anti-intrusion net through the Black Templar’s systems, but I’m losing control faster than I can finish it!! What- NO!! Misato: What?! Matt: IT’S IN!!! ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- (In EVA Cage 04, the Black Templar’s eyes suddenly glow their ominous blood red, and the behemoth lifts it’s head to stare at the technitians standing on the platform overlooking it.) Tech: ...oh SHIT!! (The ‘Templar suddenly roars, a bestial hate filled sound, and with the sound of metal under stress, it begins to struggle against it’s moorings.) Tech: Everyone, out NOW!!!! (As the people scurry out of the room, the last thing anyone sees of the Titan is it’s left arm finally breaking free of it’s restraint.) ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------- (Back in the control centre, alarms are once again going off as a huge screen shows the Black Templar fighting it’s restraints.) Hyuga: The restraint’s can’t handle this: ten more seconds, and the ‘mech will be loose!! Gendo: Then we have no choice. Sound the evacuation alerts, and launch the Titan Mech-Warrior. (Everyone turns in disbelief to their superior officer.) Maya: Launch it?! Gendo: If it’s kept down here, it could destroy the other Evangelions!! Get moving!! (As the others go about launching the Black Templar, Matt can be heard over the comm.) Matt: (over the comm) God Dammit, Ikari!! You launch the ‘mech, and we’re all gonna die!!! Gendo: We don’t have any other options. Recover the EVA pilots, and prepare for launch!! Matt: I’ve already dropped Asuka, off, but someone else is gonna have to go after Rei and Shinji!! (At this, Misato looks up at Matt’s face.) Misato: Where are you going?!! (Matt’s face becomes more severe.) Matt: ....to sign our death warrants, Misato. ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- (In the cockpit of the Starfury, Matt opens a channel to a coded channel, secured beyond any normal means. Once it is open, he speaks.) Matt: Fei: This is Kael. Code is OMEGA prime. (Over the comm, a new voice, one distinctly American can be heard.) Comm: Say again, Kael, code OMEGA prime? Matt: Fei, this is no time to explain! This is an OMEGA level emergency! Comm: (after a moment of silence) Contingency plan is ready. Do we go ahead? Matt: Give me twenty minutes. If you receive no further communications from me, proceed. (The comm is silent again for a moment, until the answer comes through.) Comm: ....understood. Good luck, Colonel. Matt: Roger, Fei, and to you. Kael OUT. (With that, he cuts the transmission, and aims the Starfury skyward, heading towards the ceiling, and an open vent that he came through originally, jamming the throttle forwards.) Matt: (under his breath) C’mon, baby, don’t let me down now..... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------- (Back in the EVA hangers, the Black Templar is launched roaring into Tokyo-3 as the last of the people in the area it is launched into finally clear away. As it reaches the top, the Black Templar finally rips free of it’s restraints, and stands apart from the launch scaffold. Raising it’s head high, it roars again, the deafening cry echoing across the city. Finally, it lowers it’s head, and seeming to eye a building in the distance, it squares itself up.) (In the command centre) Aoba: The Black Templar’s shoulder pauldrons are opening....scans reveal- sir, we have a high energy reading coming from the ‘mech, it’s charging up some kind of weapons!! Misato: EVA status?! Maya: Asuka’s entry plug has been inserted- she’s ready for launch! Hyuga: Shinji and Rei’s entry plugs have been recovered: but it’ll be another ten minutes until they’re ready for launch. Misato: Launch Unit 02, and launch Units 00 and 01 as soon as they’re ready! Hyuga/Maya: Roger! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- --------------------------- (In the entry-plug of Unit 02, Asuka sits, elation pouring through her as the G-Forces hammer her into her seat.) Asuka: Let’s go Asuka! (Suddenly, a new voice permeates her entry-plug.) Matt: Asuka!! If you’re going up there, do NOTHING to damage the Black Templar! Asuka: WHAT?! Are you kidding? If I leave it, it’ll destroy everything! Matt: No it won’t!! All I need for you to do is distract it long enough for me to get onboard! (Asuka blinks once, trying to absorb what Matt has just said.) Asuka: You’re going to WHAT?! -------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ (With a shrieking CRUNCH, Unit 02 comes to a halt at the top of it’s launch scaffold. Taking the initiative, Asuka goes low, sneaking up on the ‘mech as she draws a Progressive Knife.) Asuka: See how you like this, schweinhund.... (As Unit 02 creeps up however, the ‘mech suddenly turns it’s red, hate filled glare onto Asuka...and for a moment, it seems almost to regard the blood-red Evangelion.....suddenly-) Black Templar: GRRRRRRROOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!! (Spinning to completely face Asuka, it’s two shoulder guards suddenly seem to split, opening up to reveal two huge missile racks, one in each shoulder..) Asuka: Ohhhh shit! Matt: Asuka, those are Vindicator Missiles!! Only one of them needs to hit you!! LOOK OUT!! Asuka: OH SHIT!! (Unit 02 dives to one side as two missiles in the Titan’s shoulders launch, the massive missiles missing the EVA’s head by inches. Instead, the salvo strikes home on a building, and instantly the building begins to collapse inwards on itself before exploding in an immense fireball.) (Back in the control centre...) Aoba: We detected a huge energy reading coming from the point of impact!! Extent of damage, unknown!! Hyuga: The sensors confirm it- those missiles are like some kind of massed photon weapons!! Ritsuko: Status of the Angel? Maya: The Angel has completely left the MAGI system, and is now totally in the Titan Mech-Warrior! Hyuga: The other Evangelions are ready for launch!! Misato: LAUNCH EVA’s!! (With a huge blast, Units 00 and 01 are propelled upwards into Tokyo-3, just as the Black Templar fires another pair of missiles, obliterating another two buildings.) Shinji: Asuka!! Look out!! Asuka: I’M DOING IT, OKAY?!!! (As Asuka leaps to one side again, the Black Templar fires two more missiles, one aimed for Asuka, the other for Shinji.) Misato: HEADS UP, SHINJI!!! Shinji: ARRGH!! (Throwing itself flat to the ground, the missiles thunder over Unit 01, smashing into Unit 01’s launch scaffold, obliterating it.) Shinji: Matt!! Whatever you’re going to do, DO IT NOW! -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------- (Thundering out of the Geo-Front, Matt’s Starfury screams at high speed towards the berzerk ‘mech. In the cockpit, Matt turns the guidance system over to fly the fighter, and starts unstrapping himself from the seat.) Matt: (into the comm) Give me ten seconds, I’ll be on the ‘mech. And watch out, the ‘Templar still had another two Martyr’s left!! (Finally shedding the last seat belt, Matt’s eyes close...and suddenly, with a whir and a series of metal clanks, his armour folds over his head and arms, finally locking into place and securing a black metal faceplate over his face. Standing in the seat, Matt toggles the canopy open...and as the glass accordions open and slides apart, he hangs onto the canopy bar, one foot in the cockpit, one foot on the side of the fighter.) (Back in the control centre.) Aoba: Colonel Eklom is almost out of the fighter! But he’s still flying towards it!! Contact in five seconds!! Misato: (to herself) What are you doing, Matt? (Back outside, as the Black Templar turns to face Unit 00, The Starfury finally reaches the ‘mech. In the cockpit of the fighter, Matt takes aim, and with a grunt, leaps free of the fighter, soaring through the air on a direct course for the ‘Templar...) Ritsuko: Oh my god, he is insane! Gendo: .... (Flipping in mid-air, he lands with a THUD on the back of the ‘mech, right beside the access hatch. Standing quickly, he reaches for the controls to the access hatch, punching in codes rapidly.) Ritsuko: How the hell is he managing to stand on that thing?! It’s moving too fast!! Maya: Sensors indicate his armour is magnetised...he’s locked onto it!! Misato: Status of the other EVA’s?! Hyuga: No damage incurred, although all three pilot’s life signs are skyrocketing! (Suddenly, on the back of the ‘mech, with a loud hiss, the access hatch slides open. Instantly, Matt is inside the hatch, scrambling down into the cockpit. Outside, the ‘mech fires it’s last two missiles, these ones thankfully streaking off towards the ocean....the ‘mech growls, and with a huge clank, it’s arms suddenly slide open to reveal it’s two huge cannons. Raising them like pistols, the ‘mech opens fire, strafing the area with deadly bolts of energy.) (In the entry-plug of Unit 01, Shinji keeps the EVA on the ground, avoiding the incoming fire.) Shinji: Matt!! For god sakes, stop it!! We can’t keep this up forever!! ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- (Inside the cockpit of the Black Tempar, Matt sits in the seat, unconnected to the ‘mech as he struggles to patch in manually. As he types in commands to the monitor, it suddenly responds.) Monitor: MANUAL OVERRIDE INOPERATIVE- SYDT4#$R%%$$^#&ERR%%#%$OR #$#$@ % (Matt pounds the monitor in frustration before finally looking out the viewport to see Unit 00 stepping behind a building....it is clear that in a few seconds, the ‘mech will be in position to fire.) Matt: Dammit...to hell with procedure, this has gone far enough!! (Reaching behind his pack, Matt pulls out a large, egg shaped device. Securing it to the monitor, Matt reaches up above himself, and yanks down hard on the two ejection handles.....) Matt: Sayonara sucker! (Back in the control centre, all seems lost..) Hyuga: The ‘mech is charging up!! Five seconds till it can fire on Unit 00!! Misato: Rei!! Get out of there!!! (On the screen, Unit 00 narrowly dodges a salvo from the ‘mech, and steps back from it. Suddenly, from the back of the ‘mech, a small blast can be seen, until suddenly, in a jet of steam, a masculine, armoured form is jettisoned from the cockpit.) Ritsuko: Matt?! (In mid air, Matt’s armour sprouts a parachute that forms into a small pair of wings, enough to slow his descent.) Matt: (over the comm) ALL UNITS GET CLEAR!! SHE’S GONNA BLOW!!! (As Matt sails down through the air currents, another burst of flame can be seen coming from the back of the ‘mech. However, this time, the ‘mech shudders violently, and reels backwards, screaming in pain. And with an almighty explosion from it’s cockpit, the ‘mech crashes to the ground, on it’s back, it’s arm cannons still open, it’s arms still held up in mid air..... .....all is silent in the control centre, in the entry plugs, and in the city....until suddenly, someone speaks....) Aoba: ....the ‘mech has gone completely silent.... (Suddenly another voice comes over the comm..) Matt: The situation is under control. The Angel has been defeated.... (Everyone, including Gendo widens their eyes in surprise...) Misato: ...Matt....how can you be sure? (Matt is silent for a while, until finally he answers.) Matt: (forced)...because I just gutted the cockpit and computer system of the Black Templar....it’s been effectively destroyed......and the Angel was still in the computer when it happened...so.... (As everyone realises what he means, a great sigh of relief can be heard from all....except Misato, who continues speaking into the comm...) Misato: Matt.....you sacrificed the Black Templar for us? Matt: ......yes...... Misato: ....but? (Matt’s answer is short, yet weak.... Matt: .....I don’t have the strength to laugh about that right now..... (Outside, the limp form of Matt’s armoured torso finally contacts the ground, landing with a CRUNCH on the concrete....with a whir, the parachute folds away, and he armour folds back from his face and arms. Matt’s bloody face can be seen for a moment, smiling at the wreckage of the Black Templar..) Matt: Got the ‘fucker... (..until finally, Matt shudders once and collapses in a heap.) ------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Shinji: So, how do you feel? Matt: Like I’ve been hit by a mack truck. Misato: You’re lucky you aren’t dead, you know. (The scene is a day later, in a hospital ward aboard the Righteous Endeavour. The room is otherwise empty, save for the wounded pilot lying in bed surrounded by his friends...) Amy: Well, due to extenuating circumstances, we can’t blame you for sacrificing the Black Templar’s mainframe....I’d have probably done the same if I was in your situation. You did good, Matt. Matt: Yeah, so I’ve been told....how bad was the damage? Misato: Well, the EVA’s came out of it with no damage whatsoever....but a few buildings got destroyed....it was good luck within bad luck that no one was hurt or killed. That area had been evacuated, so we were lucky... Amy: The Black Templar’s been badly damaged, but it’s salvagable. Connors is already installing the new computer system, and otherwise, it sustained no damage. You were lucky the cockpit was so well armoured, if the blast had managed to penetrate the ‘mech’s interior, it would have made the ‘mech unrecoverable. (Amy stands, straightening her uniform.) Amy: Well, I’m glad to see you’re okay. Well I better go out there and supervise the re-delivery of the Titan ‘Mech. Get some rest, Matt. You can go back to Tokyo-3 as soon as you can get up. Shinji, why don’t you come with me? I think these two have something to discuss. (As Shinji get up to leave, he smiles at Matt.) Shinji: Hope you feel better, Matt. Matt: Thanks, Shinji. See you tonight. (Soon afterwards, a whoosh indicates the door to the room closing, leaving Misato and Matt together.) Matt: Well, I guess you don’t have much to do at the moment. I bet Commander Ikari’s mad about the damage sustained. Misato: Mmm, not really. Your government was nice enough to pay for all the damage the ‘mech did, so he’s not too upset. Matt: Hmm.... (The room goes silent for a moment, until finally, Misato speaks.) Misato: Matt....what you did out there today was incredible....and it was also very brave..... Matt: It’s a part of my job. I only did my duty. Misato: But defending the Black Templar...wasn’t that your duty as well? Yet you sacrificed it all to save us..... Matt: (after a moment) I guess my concience just wouldn’t let me put my duty in front of my friends.... (The room goes silent again as Matt and Misato stare at one another....finally, Misato leans forwards, and plants her lips against his. After a moment she steps away, and smiles.) Misato: Thank you, Matt. (With that, she turns and leaves the room, the door wooshing shut behind her.... As Matt finally starts to get out of bed, he shakes his head, smiling.) Matt: (to himself) Boy, Jess...if things weren’t the way they are, you’d have killed me for that... (At this, Matt seems to wipe away a tear from his eye, before straightening up, and stretching his newly healed body.) Matt: But things are the way they are.....and you went home..... (He shrugs out of the gown, and walks to the cupboard, taking out his uniform.) Matt: I hope you’re okay, wherever you are..... (Finally, as he finishes dressing, he walks towards the door of the room. Looking back at the now-vacant bed, he smiles once, and turns to leave.) Matt: One day when all of this is over, I’m going to find you again, Jess....no matter what it takes. (And with that, the door wooshes shut behind Matt, leaving the room empty once more. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be continued.......