Chapter13


	Episode 13: Weaving a story/The Outcome justifies the Deed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Flashback, 2010 AD) (The scene opens up on a dusty salt flat, in the middle of a desert somewhere. Around the sandy wastes, the remains of dead trees and grasses can be seen, slowly being swallowed up by the ever-shifting sand and soil. On the side of a long, sun heated road, we can see an old sign, it’s image faded by the elements. Still, it’s writing can still be plainly read. Sign: Republic of Australia Defense Force Airbase 02: Sale. Please have your security passes ready for inspection on arrival. Trespassers will be dealt with under Section 359 of the Australian Defense Act. (As the camera pans, we see a dust cloud in the distance....and slowly, a roaring can be heard. Suddenly, we see an older model car (authors note: the car is in fact a Subaru Impreza WRX) racing along the asphalt road. On it’s blackened paint job, we can see a logo and writing.) Writing: R.A.D.F. (As the car races along, we are taken into it’s cabin, where three people, two men and one woman, sit in silence. However, it is clear by the body language of the driver that all is not well.) Woman: (looking out the window) It still saddens me every time I see all this... Driver: Yeah, yeah.... (The front passenger turns an surprised glare on the driver.) Passenger: Are you still pining for that chick of yours? You told her to go in the first place, I don’t know why you’re so concerned. Driver: Look, she might not mean much to you, Jimmai, but she means everything to me at the moment. I just want to make sure she got away okay. James: Matt, you realise that this little ‘field-trip’ is costing the both of us a well desereved bar-stop. Matt: (looking at James angrilly) How could I forget? You’ve only reminded me every five minutes since we left command. Look, I told you the sacrifice you’d have to make when I said I was going to go. You didn’t have to come. Woman: Hey, knock it off, you two. (James looks back out the window.) James: Yeah well shit happens, know that. But hey I couldn’t let you go and have all the fun on your own. Besides what have I got to do around... (He looks back, and remembers Kendal in the back seat.) James: (happily)....nevermind. (Matt smiles at James before looking back to the desert.) Matt: Thanks for coming anyway, James. And you too, Kendal. James: Yeah, yeah. Kendal: No problem, Matt. Hey, I hear you pulled a pretty big promotion the other day. Matt: Yeah. I won’t bore you with the details, but you’re now looking at Major Matthew Eklom. James: Ha. About time they promoted you. It’s only a matter of time before they promote me, what with my innate talents and all. Kendal: Oh, give it a rest! Matt, where did they send you? Matt: (looking out the front window, grinning) Special Ops. (Kendal stares open mouthed, whilst James raises his eyebrows for a second then remedies it before Matt can see his surprise.) James: YOU got sent into special ops? Next they’ll be sending the monkeys. Matt: Yeap. So I guess we’ll be seeing a bit more of one another, eh James? James: (looking back out his window) .....I guess.... (In the distance through the front window, we can finally see a hint of civilisation coming into view as a large town appears.) Matt: Well, thank christ, we’ve finally arrived. James: So, where are you gonna start looking? Matt: Well, first off I’m going to check the flight rosters. Hopefully, my request got approved. If it did, she’ll already be airborne. James: Well, we’ll find out soon enough. Hey, what section did she get into, anyway? Matt: Synaps Tech. Why? James: (looking back out the window) No reason. Just curious. You got your ID there? Matt: Yeah, she’s right. You? James: Yeah. Kendal? Kendal Yeah, I’ve got mine. (As they stop talking, the car pulls up to a large set of gates set into a tall cyclone fence. Two guards step out, as Matt rolls down his window.) Matt: Major Matt Eklom and Captains Kendal Scott and James May signing onto the base, lieutenant. Here is our approval. (As the guard goes over the accreditations, Matt swats absently at a fly.) Matt: Jeez, the flies are bad out this way. Guard: Yeah, they must have all come here when the ‘impact occured. Okay, Major, you’re all cleared. Welcome to Sale, sirs. Matt: Thank you, lieutenant. Which way to the tarmac from here? Guard: (pointing) Keep following this road down, and turn off at the third left. You’ll have to leave your car behind. Matt: Okay. Thanks, lieutenant. See ya. (With that, Matt stomps the accelarator, driving into the airbase. A short time later, we see the three individuals walking out along the tarmac in front of a squadron of lined-up fighters.) James: I tell you, these Avenger’s look like shit. Matt: I don’t mind ‘em, myself. Nice and evil looking if you ask me. Kendal: Hmm....hey, Matt! There she is! (Matt turns to look in the direction Kendal is pointing in, and sees a lone female figure standing on the tarmac by herself. Matt stops, and looks to his friends.) Matt: Would you excuse me while I say goodbye? (James is about to make a smart-ass comment when suddenly, Kendal whaps him around the side of the head with an open hand, making him grunt and shudder forwards before turning back with a look as if to say “What?! I didn’t say anything ....yet”.) Kendal: Not at all, Matt. Go for it. (Matt turns and starts walking towards the woman. As Kendal and James watch, when the woman notices him, she comes running towards, him, and they meet halfway hugging each other.) Kendal: You know, I’m sort of glad we decided to come out here with him. James: (curiously)...why? Kendal: Because I have a strong suspicion that he’s going to take her home himself. James: I didn’t think he could fly a fighter... Kendal: (looking at James surprised) Didn’t you hear about that? He took it up when he was in Nova Command. He’s apparently coming to be quite the fighter pilot... James: No, I didn’t hear about it. I’ve been to busy preparing this celebration for Phil’s promotion. Did you hear about that? Kendal: Promoted? James: You haven’t heard? Phil got commision of the Errant Shroud. Kendal: (amazed) He got a Landship?! James: (laughing) Yeah, scary to think of Phil sitting at the conn of one of the most powerful weapons in history, isn’t it? (Kendal joins James laughing as Matt rejoins them with an arm around the woman who was up till now alone.) Matt: What are you guy’s laughing at? Kendal: Ah, nothing. Hey, Jess. James: (nodding) Jess. (Jess shakes James’ hand and hugs Kendal briefly.) Jess: Nice to see you two. I didn’t think you’d come. James: Yeah, but I bet you didn’t think Matt’d get here either, did ya? (Jess shakes her head, as Matt goes on.) Matt: If you two want, you can head for the barracks. I’m just going to run it through with ops and then I’ll take Jess home myself. Jess: Matt, I’m telling you, I can take care of myself now. Matt: I know you can. But this’ll be the last time we see each other for a long time. I want to get you home safe and sound. (Jess hugs Matt again, smiling.) James: Yeah, thats it so she’s safe and sound, and so that you can- (Kendal stops him in mid sentence with another swift swipe to the head) Matt: (grinning at Kendal and James) Thank you, Kendal. Well, I’ll just get suited up, Jess, and then we can hit the skies. Are you ready to go? Jess: Yeah, I’ve been ready for a while. Just waiting for a Starfury with a spare seat. Matt: Watch how quickly I can secure one for us. See you two later. Kendal: See you later, Matt. I hope you find your family, Jess. Good luck. James: Yeah, good luck, Jess. Catch you on the flip side, Matt. (Jess hugs each of them once before she and Matt walk towards the operations terminal. As they leave, Kendal and James turn to head back to the car.) Kendal: You know, we do still have a week of free time together.... (James hugs Kendal, kissing her lightly on the right cheek.) James: I thought you’d never ask. ------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- (Present Day: 2015 AD.) Matt: .... (The scene is in Matt’s loungeroom in Tokyo-3. No one else is home, as Shinji and Asuka are at school, and Misato is a work. Matt is home, recovering from the injuries he sustained during a recent Angel encounter. He stands out on the balconey, the wind hammering his body as he stands with arms crossed and eyes observing everything. Suddenly, with a chime, his doorbell announces a visitor. Matt allows it to ring twice before answering it, striding to the intercom.) Matt: Yes? (On the small screen, an attractive man stands, looking slightly younger than Matt, yet just as experienced.) Matt: I have walked, I have swam, I’ve hitched-hiked and I’ve run. Do you know what I mean? (Outside, the man looks directly into the camera and answers in a clearly american accent.) Man: I have sat with my beer in the EH drive-in. Do you know what I’ve seen? (With that, Matt opens the door, allowing the man inside before closing it again.) Matt: You’re early, Chris. (The man looks at Matt, annoyed.) Chris: No real names, stupid, this room could be bugged. (Matt laughs, loooking his comrade up and down.) Matt: Do you honestly think I would have a meeting this important in a room that could possibly be bugged? I anti-bugged the entire flat, you’re secure as long as you’re in here. (At this, the man relaxes, taking off his long black great coat to reveal a pair of black jeans, a white shirt, and blundstones. Hanging the coat on the hanger, he shakes Matt’s hand.) Chris: It’s been a long time, Matt. Matt: It certainly has, Chris. When was the last time do you think? Chris: (thinking) Oh, I don’t know...five years, maybe. So, how’s James? Matt: (showing his friend into his lounge) As flat out as a lizard drinking at the moment, if you must know. We can expect him later this afternoon, I’ve asked for him to come by too. Chris: Ahh, good. It’s been some time since I saw Jimmai. (As Chris sits down, Matt walks over to his small bar.) Matt: Did you want anything, Chris? Chris: Just ice water for me, thanks. (Matt chuckles, walking into the kitchen.) Matt: You never did drink much, did you? Chris: Not when I can help it. (Matt walks back into the room carrying the two glasses, and hands the glass of ice water to Chris, who accepts it. Matt sits back down again, and the two relax for a moment before finally, Matt speaks.) Matt: By the way, I wanted to thank you for the speed you got the countermeasure ready. Chris: Forget it. I’m just glad we didn’t have to use it. Matt: DITTO. (The two start talking about old times, before finally, after an hour, the doorbell rings again. Matt walks out to get it, and a short time later, is followed in by another man, wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt.) Matt: Well, I know you two know one another. So, Jimmai, you want something to drink? James: Do you really have to ask? (As Matt fixes the drinks, James sits down in the lounge as Chris greets him.) Chris: Long time no see, you old bastard. James: Yeah, good to see you too, you yank. (The two men laugh at the familiar old terms leaning forwards to shake hands as Matt re-enters with the drinks.) Matt: Glad to see you two still get along. James: Yeah, that we do. Hey, we expecting anyone else today? Matt: Today? No, no one in paticular. Just my next-door neighbour and her flatmate, and my flatmate. (James leans towards Matt, taking the proffered drink with a frown.) James: They of course, know nothing of our mission. Matt: (sitting down) Of course not. James: (drinking) Shmic. (However, unbeknownst to either other man, Matt sighs before drinking.) Chris: So, James. I heard about your mission with Matt. Good job. Matt: (grinning at James) A very professional job. Couldn’t have done better myself. James: (grinning to himself, and bowing slightly) Thank you, thank you, yes, I know, I am great. Matt: (laughing) Nice to see your ego hasn’t dropped in content either.. James: Heh heh heh. Chris: (holding his glass up) I propose a toast, gentlemen. (As the others lift their glasses, Chris makes his toast.) Chris: The Outcome justifies the Deed. All: The Outcome justifies the Deed. (The three men toss their drinks, and settle back to talk together as old friends again...) ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- (Meanwhile, far from the eyes and ears of most men, a meeting of the utmost importance is being held. In a huge chamber, Gendo Ikari converses with the members of SEELE. They have just finished watching a small presentation of the recent Angel attacks, as they happened.) Keel: Hmm...this isn’t good. SEELE green: It’s happening too soon. SEELE yellow: Yes. The Eleventh Angel invaded NERV sooner than our scenario depicted. SEELE red: And to make matters worse, you allowed it to invade into Central Dogma. SEELE yellow: It was fortunate that the Australian unit provided such an...adequete distraction for the Angel. SEELE blue: If contact had occured, our entire project could have ended up in disaster. Gendo: The report to the committee was in error. No such incident occured. SEELE green: Ikari, do you mean to tell us that this incident..never occured? Gendo: ...Yes. SEELE yellow: Watch your words carefully, Ikari. Lying to this committee is punishable by death. Gendo: Examine the MAGI’s data banks. No such incident was ever recorded. SEELE blue: This is absurd! We all know of your skill in altering the truth! Gendo: All the events are transcribing as predicted in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Keel: Allright. We won’t discuss any further punishment at this time. But let me remind you that you won’t alter OUR scenario. Gendo: I understand. Everthing is going according to SEELE’s plan. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- (Meanwhile, back in Matt’s flat, the three men are still merrily re-living old times, laughing and carrying on. Suddenly, Matt’s wrist unit beeps loudly, making him look at it.) Matt: (standing) Well, gentlemen, it’s been fun so far. But for me, duty calls. Please, stay here as long as you like. Help yourselves to the bar. James: (standing) I’d like to, Matt, but duty calls for me, also. Well I better make a move. Thanks for the drink. Matt: My pleasure. Chris, you staying back? Chris: Err....no, I think I should probably head off myself now. Thanks for the drinks, Matt. Matt: Thanks for dropping by. We must do this again sometime. (As the three men get to the door, they put on their coats. Strangely enough, all three coats look identical. James leaves first, followed by Chris, and finally by Matt who locks the door behind himself. Downstairs in the parking lot, James gets into his jet-black Dodge Viper, and gunning the motor, lights up the tires, burning off into the afternoon. Chris straddles a midnight-blue Honda Fireblade, and dropping the stands, roars off. Taking note of his friends departure, Matt gets into his black Jaguar SV-90, and gunning the engine, flicks down his sunglasses, puts on the stereo, and tears off towards the setting sun.) ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ (It is late afternoon, and once again, Shinji and his friends are walking out of school. Shortly behind them, Asuka and Hikari walk, Asuka’s voice reaching them as always. Just as they get out of school, they see Matt’s Jaguar sitting on the side of the road, Matt standing just outside it, smiling at them all.) Matt: Well, G’day all. Hope you all had a pleasent day then. Asuka: Ha! Easy for you to say, getting to stay at home all day! Shinji: Yeah, it was okay. Touji: That teacher’s getting a bit senile... Kenske: A bit? He’s off the chart! Hikari: Hey you guys! Cut that out! Matt: Okay, anyone here want a lift back home? (Everyone begins to say yes....until they realise how many of them there are.... Asuka: Well, Shinji and I have to go home with Matt, so there’s two seats. (She looks at the two other boys, and scowls.) Asuka: There’s no reason for the other two stooges to come along with us! (Matt puts himself between the two, and grins.) Matt: Hold on, hold on. I think I have a way to settle all of this. If you’re all willing to go through with it, that is.... (As everyone looks at Matt questioningly, he begins to explain. Five minutes later, Matt’s Black Jaguar can be seen prowling along the streets again, however this time it has a lot more passengers. In the front seat, Matt and Asuka sit, and in the back, Shinji, Kenske and Touji sit. Touji, however, has a rather reddish tinge to his face, as does Hikari, as her seat is precariously atop his lap. In the front seat, Matt looks back and smiles apologetically.) Matt: Are you two sure you don’t mind doing this? Touji/Hikari: Uh, no I don’t mind! (Matt smiles, looking back out the window again.) Matt: I think I’d better put on some tunes.... (Tapping a few buttons on the stereo, it suddenly booms out the song “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones.) (As the bass drum kicks in, everyone but Shinji, who has heard this song before, jumps slightly.) Matt: No one minds, I hope? (Everyone shakes their heads.) Touji: If Hikari wasn’t sitting on me, I’d be hanging my head out the window again, Matt! Matt: (laughing) Heh, probably a good thing you don’t. (The trip continues onwards, the group happily listening to the son,g until finally, Matt pulls the car up.) Matt: (leaning back to look at Hikari) Well, Miss Horaki. I think this is your stop. (Hikari looks out the window, and sees that it is indeed her home outside.) Hikari: Err...thanks Mr Eklom.. Matt: Who? (Hikari smiles as Asuka gets out of her seat, folding it forwards for Hikari to get out.) Hikari: Sorry. Thanks Matt. Matt: No worries. See you later! All: Bye/Seeya! (As Asuka gets back in, Matt stomps the gas again, and the car roars off into the distance.) ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- (Flashback, 2010 A.D.) (The scene opens up on a small house in the middle of a desert.....all seems quiet. Suddenly, in the distance, we can hear a low roaring that is steadilly getting closer with each passing second. Suddenly, bursting through the low cloud cover, a small, streamlined fighter screams in low over the landscape, slowing up as it comes in to land. As it reaches the ground, huge clouds of dust are thrown up into the air, until finally, with a metallic THUD, the fighter kisses dirt, lowering slightly on it’s small landing struts as they take it’s full weight. As the fighter’s two huge engines power down, we can see it’s canopy lifting up slightly before sliding back, revealing two individuals in the cockpit. The pilot, obviously male, gets out first, vaulting over the edge of the fighter, then reaching up for the co-pilot, who is obviously female. After helping her out of the fighter, both take off their helmets before looking again at one another. In the bright sunlight, the two embrace, looking at the small house.) Pilot: Well, Jess. Welcome back home again.... Jess: (looking around) It seems so...unfamiliar after living in oz...Matt, are you sure command won’t mind? Matt: (smiling at the woman in his arms) Command has bigger fish to fry. They won’t mind if you go home to your parents, provided you don’t say anything about what you saw back in Australia. Jess: (looking back at Matt) And if I do? (At this, Matt goes silent, holding the woman tight.) Matt: I think we both know the answer to that. (Matt breaks the embrace long enough to reach into the fighter, and pull out a bag. Placing it on the ground beside them, he holds her in his arms again.) Matt: I prayed this moment would never come. Jess: As did I....Matt, I can’t just leave you like this- Matt: Jess, you knew as well as I did that one day we were going to have to say goodbye. That one day you’d go back to your folks. My only regret is that we may never- (At this, she puts her hand to his cheek, smiling.) Jess: Don’t say it......you know it isn’t true. (Matt takes the hand she holds to his face, and kisses it once.) Matt: Of course. You’re right. (They kiss, their embrace growing tight as the desert wind kicks up the dust around them. Finally, they break, still holding one another.) Jess: How long can you stay for? Matt: Well....I do have another week of leave left...Command didn’t say anything about having to take that leave back home..... (She smiles, turning him to walk towards the house.) Jess: I’m glad you said that.....I don’t want to say goodbye just yet. (He kisses her again.) Matt: Neither did I. (With this, he picks up the bag on the ground, and the two walk towards the house, still arm in arm.) ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- (Present Day, 2015 A.D.) Matt: .... Misato: .... Ritsuko: .... (The three of them stand in a small observation box looking over the immense form of Evangelion Unit 01. It seems to be a standard sych-ratio test, however, there is one difference. This time, in the entry-plug of Unit 01, Rei Ayanami sits, waiting patiently as the test is continued around her. She sits at rest, her eyes closed...soon, she drifts off into sleep....and slowly, her mind slips into dreams.... Rei: (Thinking) Mountains.... Heavy are the mountains... But that changes.... With the passage of time... Sky....blue sky.... Water.... It is agreeable. Commander Ikari.... Flowers....so many alike... So many without purpose... Sky...sky of red... The colour I hate... The entry plug....the Throne of the Soul... City...a human creation.... EVA...a human creation as well. What are humans? Humans...that which is created by man.... What is man? Are we creations of god? What is this? What am I? What am I? What am I? What am I? I am I....that which is me, yet this is not the self which I understand.... Strange feeling....my body feels as though it is melting..... I can no longer feel my form, my shape floats into oblivion.... Shinji.... This person I know, Major Katsuragi.... Doctor Akagi.... Pilot Eklom.... The pilot of Unit Two.... People.....my classmates.... Commander Ikari? Who are you? Who are you? Who are you? (Suddenly, with a jolt, Rei wakes again as Ritsuko’s voice comes across her comm.) Ritsuko: So, Rei? How does it feel piloting Unit 01 for the first time? Rei: (hesitantly)....it smells like Ikari....... (Back in the control booth, Maya and Ritsuko look over the results of the test.) Maya: Synch ratios are almost identical.... Ritsuko: These are excellent readings. (into the comm) Rei? We’re finished. You can come back now. (In the entry-plug, Rei looks as emotionless as ever.) Rei: ....Yes. (With that, the entry-plug around her returns to normal, it’s 3D view dissapearing as she disengages herself from Unit 01.) (Meanwhile, in EVA hanger 3, Asuka sits in her entry-plug impatiently, waiting for her test to end.) Tech 1: Unit 02 sych tests show ratio to be normal. Tech 2: Pilot status is normal. Asuka: (to herself) ‘course I’m normal.... (Later on, in EVA hanger 2....another cross-test is being conducted.....only this time, Shinji sits in the entry-plug of Evangelion Unit 00.) Maya: Data recording is proceeding nicely. Ritsuko: How’s the pilot? Hyuga: A little jittery, but otherwise okay. (A small monitor nearby shows the interior of the entry-plug, with Shinji sitting calmly in his seat, head down.) Ritsuko: Well, this is his first time in Unit 00. Maya: Starting the first connection. Ritsuko: Well, Shinji? How does it feel? Shinji: It feels kind of wierd... Maya: Like incompatibility? Shinji: Not like that...it’s strange...this thing smells like Rei... Asuka: It smells like what?! Perverse mench... Maya: Proceeding with the second stage connection. (Meanwhile, in the entry-plug, a vision of Asuka appears in the air beside Shinji.) Asuka: Is Shinji missing momma’s breast? Is it like being in her womb or what? Ritsuko: Stop that, Asuka. You’re being obnoxious. Asuka: Yeah, yeah. (Back in Unit 02’s entry plug.) Asuka: I don’t get it. What difference does it make what EVA he pilots? (Misato’s face appears beside Asuka in the plug.) Misato: It makes a difference to Shinji. That’s how he is. Asuka: I know that...he’s such a dork. (Misato laughs as Asuka continues.) Asuka: So why aren’t you running these experiments on me? Is there something wrong with me? Misato: (nervously) Err...we didn’t think you’d want to pilot any EVA except yours. (Asuka looks away from the screen, smiling.) Asuka: Yeah...that is true, isn’t it? (Misato’s image fades out. In the control booth, she is left thinking to herself.) Misato: (thinking) I don’t even know if Unit 02 would be compatible.... Maya: Synch data between Rei and Shinji is only .2 percent different... Ritsuko: Hmm...it’s lower than normal...but these are still good readings. It means we can continue our work with the contingency system. (At this, Maya leans back, staring at her mentor.) Maya: You mean the dummy-plug system? Ma’am, I’m not so sure about that..... Matt: (to himself) Dummy-Plug system? Maya: You know I’ve always respected you, ma’am. I’ve always believed in our work, and I still think we’re doing the right thing. But I’m still not convinced that- Ritsuko: People who develop too many scruples can sometimes have a hard time adjusting to change. You’ll understand once you get your hands dirty. You’ll see. (But all Maya can do is look away, a look of annoyance on her face.) Tech: Proceeding with the final nerve connections. Ritsuko: Data collection is at 100 percent. (Suddenly, in the entry plug, Shinji throws a hand to his forehead, grimacing in pain.) Shinji: What the hell?!! Someones...trying to get into my brain!!! Uhh!! (Suddenly, a dozen images assault his mind....images of Rei...of her slapping him after he badmouthed his father...after falling upon her in her room...seeing her lying on the hospital bed in the EVA hanger....seeing someone like her standing alone in the middle of the street....) Shinji: Wha.....Rei...Rei Ayanami? This feeling....impression...Rei......IT’S HERS!! (Suddenly, outside, with a roar, the huge Evangelion shudders to life, struggling against it’s restraints.) Misato: What’s happening?! Maya: The nerve pulses are flowing backwards!! Mental Contamination starting!! Ristuko: Impossible! This sort of thing can’t happen at this plug depth! Maya: The contamination’s not from the plug...the contamination is coming from the EVA!!!! (Outside, the EVA tears free of it’s bonds, still trying to roar, holding it’s head like in great pain.) Maya: Unit 00 is out of control!! Ritsuko: Abort the test! Cut the power! (Outside, with a blast, the power cord mounted in the EVA’s back jettison’s free, landing a short distance away. The EVA shudders to a halt for a moment...until suddenly, it comes to life again.) Maya: The EVA has switched to it’s auxiliary battery! Hyuga: Thirty seconds of power left! (Outside, the EVA slowly stomps towards the control room, as the technitians hurriedly attempt to stop it.) Misato: Eject the pilot! Ritsuko: Is the EVA trying to reject Shinji? Maya: Negetive!! The auto-ejection system! It doesn’t work! Ritsuko: The same one! The same error all over again!! Matt: SHINJI!! (Finally, the EVA manages to make it to the booth window, slamming it’s fists into the window again and again and again....everyone gets back, excpet for Rei, who mysteriously stands there, watching the EVA go berzerk outside....with a crash, the protective glass separating the hanger from the booth shatters.) Misato: Rei, get back here! REI!!! Matt: REI! (Rushing forwards, Matt hooks the girl up as he runs by, diving back to safety as the EVA steps away from the glass, instead now headbutting a nearby wall again and again af again...) Maya: EVA activation time remaing: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.... (Outside, with a shudder, the EVA slumps in mid strike, it’s body suddenly going limp.) Maya: EVA Unit 00 activation sequence...terminated. (As everyone picks themselves up off the ground, Misato shakes the glass from her jacket and looks up.) Misato: Hurry up and get the pilot out of there! (thinking) God, did Unit 00 just try to kill Rei? -------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- (A short time later, Misato and Ritsuko stand in a room, alone, discussing the day’s events.) Misato: So, do you have any idea what caused the accident? Ritsuko: Right now, all we can do is speculate. However, we must reconfigure Unit 00’s personal data and attempt reactivation with Rei as soon as possible, before there are any other problems. Misato: As the director of operations, I request it be done as soon as possible. Ritsuko: Of course. (Misato walks out of the room, mumbling to herself, leaving Ritsuko to stand on her own.) Ritsuko: (thinking) Unit 00 was trying to attack me....that’s got to be the reason...... ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ (Meanwhile, in the hospital at NERV, Shinji awakes with a start. As he looks around, he realises he is not alone.) Matt: How are you feeling, Shinji? Shinji: (relaxing back in the bed) uhh....what happened? Matt: Don’t worry about that now, Shinji. Get some rest. I’m glad to see you’ve come through okay. How do you feel otherwise? (But Shinji does not answer hm directly.....rather, he seems to address the ceiling.) Shinji: ....again....I hate this ceiling. Matt: .... ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- (Meanwhile, at Misato’s apartment....Asuka lays sprawled across her bed, thinking.) Asuka: (thinking) Misato and Kagi won’t tell me anything about her....even Shinji doesn’t know... Asuka: Just what is the First Child? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------- (Back at NERV, in the commander’s immense office....Commander Ikari and Commander Fujutsuki sit at the table, playing a game of Mah-jong.) Fujutsuki: The committee have found out about the Unit 00 incident, and are applying pressure. They’re buzzing around our heads like a swarm of hornets, looking for things to complain about. Gendo: We hold all the tiles. All the wins and dragons. No problems exist. Fujutsuki: That doesn’t mean we should keep tipping our hand....how did the reactiviation test go? Gendo: Unit 00 reactivated with Rei without any problems. Fujutsuki: (thinking) You’re too concerned about protecting Rei, Ikari.....(saying) Fujutsuki: Err...how is the ADAM project coming along? Gendo: It’s proceeding two percent behind schedule. Fujutsuki: Then the Lance of Longinus- Gendo: Is going as planned. Rei is handling the operation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------------------ (Meanwhile, well below the two men, deep within the depths of NERV, in a secluded chamber, the immense form of Evangelion Unit 00 walks slowly and steadily....in it’s left arm, it carries an immense red lance. In the entry-plug, Rei moves the EVA forwards one step at a time, a stern expression on her face as the EVA continues down the immense passageway........ ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ To be continued........