Chapter14


	-NEON GENESIS: EVANGELION- -SECOND REALITY- Ed’s Note: This episode, as you will plainly see, has almost nothing to do with the actual episode in the original series. This is because I decided the episode in question had no real bearing on this spin-off, so I decided to create an entirely new one. Enjoy! Episode Fourteen: The watcher in the dark/Who watches the watchers? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (The scene opens up...it is a beautiful day on the ocean off the coast of southern Japan, with a bright sun sun shining down through a cloudless sky. Seagulls swoop along the ocean surface, occasionally grabbing the odd fish that swims too close to the surface. A gentle sea breeze blows, rippling the otherwise calm sea. On it’s own from the rest of the flock, a lone seagull spots a fish swimming near the surface. Just as it moves to swoop, however, there is a huge roaring sound, and as the seagull screeches in annoyance, a smallish fighter screams past the enraged seagull, it’s fuselage barely clearing the ocean’s surface, and creating a great wave behind it as it’s exhaust thrusts the fighter forwards. We follow the path of this fighter, finally able to make out it’s features; a long, yet purposely built body with two delta wings swept back from the middle of the aircraft, a single tail fin on the back, and a one seat cockpit located near the front of the aircraft. As it banks to the right, it lifts it’s altitude slightly, and the waves behind it lessen. Finally, as we follow it’s path around, we see that the fighter is not the only man-made object here...for as the fighter dissapears from the screen, we see the almighty mass of the Republic Landship Righteous Endeavour hove into view, hovering twenty meters over the waves on an invisible repulsor field. A powerful, soothing hum can be heard coming from within it, along with the sound of jet turbines as the thirty fighters assigned to guard duty patrol it’s immediate area. Finally, we can hear a radio call, coming through loud and clear.) Voice: (Male, obviously a pilot) Flight Control, this is Zulu Alpha Niner, requesting a fly-by. Voice: (Female, obviously flight controller) Negetive on that, Zulu Alpha Niner, request denied. Follow your designated flight path. Pilot: Roger, control. Resuming course. (As the fighter in question slows down before speeding into the cavernous left-hand hanger, it glides underneath a catwalk suspended over the top of the hanger. On the catwalk, a figure leans on the rail, following the path of the fighter as it comes to a floating halt before settling down on it’s undercarriage on it’s designated platform. Flight crew wait for the pilot’s okay before they move in, securing the aircraft to the deck and taking it through it’s post-flight checklist. The person sighs, shifting slightly to stand up straight. Now, as she stands partially in the light, we can see that it is in fact General Amy Patterson watching the display below. She wears her uniform, which consists of a pair of black pants with a green strip down the side, a black shirt, and a black jacket with green trimmings, a rank badge and several other embellishments that show she has has earned her current rank through more then pen pushing. This is all topped off by a pair of black leather boots, and her hair done up in a ponytail down her back. As she watches the fighter crew’s progress, a small device at her belt begins chirping insistently. She reaches down to unhook it, and brings it to her face.) Amy: Yes? Communicator: General, this is Kane at the conn. Colonel Eklom has just made contact with us, he says he will arrive shortly. (Amy pauses for a moment before answering, her face slightly troubled.) Amy: Very well. Grant him flight clearance, and tell him to meet me in my quaters ASAP. Kane: Aye aye, sir. (Amy replaces the comm at her belt, before turning to look back down the hanger, towards the entrace side. As she watches, a Starfury Starfighter comes roaring in, landing snugly on it’s undercarriage with a clank of metal-against-metal. Amy smiles to herself before turning to walk briskly off the catwalk.) ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -- ------------------------------- ----------------------- (A few minutes later, Matt walks out of the elevator on the thirtieth floor, still clad in his pilot armour. As he reaches a certain door marked “C.O.’s QUATERS”, a pulse-rifle wielding guard standing in front of the door eyes him.) Matt: Colonel Matthew James Eklom here to see the General, seargent. I believe I am expected. Guard: One moment, sir. (The guard presses a button set flush with the wall beside the door, and awaits a reply. Shortly afterwards, Amy’s voice drifts out of an invisible speaker.) Amy: Yes? Guard: Colonel Eklom here to see you, sir. Amy: Send him in. (The door opens as the guard steps aside to allow him through. As the door seals behind him, Amy enters from a room near the left side of the quaters.) Amy: You’re late. Matt: I hit some turbulence on my way in, sir. Amy: Matt, for god’s sake drop the rank, will you? Matt: Sorry, Amy....I didn’t intend to be late. Amy: Well, it’s okay. Come on, Pierce’d be getting impatient. (Matt leaves the helmet on a seat in the lounge as he follows her into the next room. The room in which they enter is dark, save for the open door which closes behind them.) Amy: This is General Patterson. Mode S.M.F, clearance Whiskey Bravo Delta. Matt: This is Colonel Eklom. Mode S.M.F, clearance Mike Sierra Foxtrot. (For a moment, there is silence. Suddenly, the far wall glows, finally flickering for a moment to reveal an elderly white haired man in Republic uniform sitting at a desk. As his image clears, Amy and Matt salute crisply, a guesture he imitates. Along the bottom of the image, a footer can be seen.) Footer: General Thomas Pierce, Commander, Republic Intelligence, Windsor, N.S.W. Pierce: At ease. You two are a little late. Amy: We apologise, sir. Unforseable circumstances slowed Colonel Eklom’s arrival. Matt: The error was mine, sir. Pierce: Oh knock it off. You’re only out by thirty seconds. Just make it faster next time. Amy/Matt: Yes sir. Pierce: Now, both of you, take a seat. We have much to discuss. And drop that rank, you know who I am. (As Amy and Matt sit in the lounge chairs facing the image, they each place their index fingers in a reader built onto the side of each chair. Instantly, their ID is confirmed as the sensor beeps a confirmatory tone.) Tom: Now, Colonel, what have you to report? This dummy-plug system NERV is designing sounds ominous. (Matt clears his throat before answering.) Matt: For the moment, I can’t tell you much more than what I’ve sent you in the data transcripts. It seems that Commander Ikari wants this kept between himself and the good Doctor Akagi for the time being. I haven’t been able to find any other information about the subject other than what I’ve sent you. However, I have been able to find out about the other two Evangelions nearing construction in the U.S. Tom: (raising an eyebrow) Indeed? What of them? Matt: It seems they are both nearing completion, and they are being developed at NERV’s second branch in Nevada. At the moment, I have not heard any information regarding new pilots, but I’m keeping an eye out just in case. Tom: That is not necessary. We have already discovered the identity of the Fourth Child. Due to the nature of your mission, it is imperative that you protect this individual until NERV picks him or her out. Matt: That’s going to be a little hard, considering that I don’t know who it is yet....do we have any idea who it might be? Tom: That was the part that startled us. It seems that all of your foster child’s classmates are Fourth Level candidates, save Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu. Matt: (a little cold) All of them? How is that possible? Tom: It seems they were all put into the same class by NERV itself, not the Marduk Institute as we were led to believe. This is yet another ploy by Commander Ikari to put in place his own schedule instead of SEELE’s. Matt: (troubled) I see....do we have any idea which of them is the one? Tom: Not as yet, but we are certain that the individual in question is male. For the moment, he should be secure. However, as soon as NERV has found him, you are to take steps to ensure he does not come to harm. Matt: Understood. But one thing, sir? Tom: ? Matt: What of....the Fifth Child? (Tom is silent for a moment before answering.) Tom: The Fifth Child has been located....but it is not a matter for discussion. Matt: Sir? Tom: Just know that the Fifth Child situation is being taken care of. Matt: Understood. Amy: Yes sir. Tom: Also, you should know that EVA Unit 03 will be arriving sooner than later. We are ensuring this now. Matt: I see. Amy: (nodding). Tom: Now, what of the Black Templar? Matt: No problems, sir. I ran a diagnostic on it this morning. The ‘Templar checked out fine. No virus, no threat of contamination, and no internal tampering. The Anti-Intrusion system is keeping NERV away from it’s internal circutry. Tom: Any danger of the system collapsing? Matt: I think Amy can answer that better than I, as she oversaw the final installation of the ‘mech’s systems before it was handed over to NERV’s technitians. (Tom’s gaze turns to Amy, who looks back and speaks with satisfaction.) Amy: There is little to no chance that the A.I. system will fail. It was installed according to specifications, and has the same operational capabilities as the A.I. system aboard the Endeavour. However, in the case of system failure, the unit does have a backup system that will automatically engage should the primary system shut down for any reason. There is no reason for concern. Tom: Very well. Now, General Patterson. What is the status of the Righteous Endeavour? Amy: (again speaking with satisfaction) We are currently sitting 100 miles off the southern coast of Japan, outside of normal shipping lanes. According to Sciences and Tactical readings, we remain undetected for the time being. No other country knows where we are, and NERV is under the impression that we have returned to Australia. We have a constant patrol of thirty Avenger Interceptors in the air at all times, and the remainder of our aircraft and crew remain on a ready status. We can launch all fighters within a time frame of about ten minutes, and if need be, haul ass and reach Tokyo-3 in less than an hour, and home within three days. Only if need be, of course. About the only problem we’ve had is with the rear A.M. Cannon integrity field. (At this, both Tom and Matt look at her with concern.) Tom: (leaning forwards) What kind of problems, General? (Amy speaks, but she has less confidance in her voice now.) Amy: Well...a few days ago, the integrity field on the stern A.M. Cannon was fluctuating in an alarming way. The fluctuations ceased after an hour, and we haven’t had them since. Matt: Any chance of Anti-Matter leakage? We all know what could happen if that stuff got out of it’s containment fields. Amy: None so far. But we’re keeping our eyes on it. It might have just been a freak occurance, but we’re not taking any chances. We’ve already taken the cannon offline, and technitians are working around the clock to find out the cause and how to stop it from happening again. If something like that were to happen during a combat situation, we’d have no chance. Tom: Do you need any assistance? Extra Anti-Matter experts or something? Amy: It would be a help to have more hands available. My crew’s been a little strung out lately. Tom: They’re on their way. Anything else you need? Amy: No sir, just the A.M. experts would be enough. Otherwise, we’re sitting pretty out here. Tom: Excellent. That’s good to hear, General. The last thing we need right now is to lose a Landship. I don’t have to tell you two just how much our resources are being stretched at the moment. (Everyone murmurs their agreement.) Tom: I can have the Daedallus there in about a week if need be, and if the situation gets exceptionally desperate, I can have the Errant Shroud there in shortly more than a week’s time. The Daedallus is currently sitting on the east coast of the U.S, and the Argent Shroud is sitting in Sydney Harbour. Amy: Well, for the moment we’re fine. Japan doesn’t have anything that can harm the Righteous Endeavour, short of an N2 mine. And even they aren’t stupid enough to use one of those. Tom: (sitting back) Very good. Now, to a more pressing item of buisness. Colonel, the next Angel is due to arrive in a few days time. Matt, I want you to keep an eye on the status of the Black Templar, and make sure you are there to render as much assistance as is required. Matt: Of course. Tom: Amy, ensure that if need be, there is a squadron of Venom Starbomber’s standing by if need be. If the EVA’s and Matt here can’t take care of the Angel, you know what to do. Amy: Yes sir. They’ll be ready. Tom: Excellent. Well, those are the only things I had to go through. What about you two? (Amy and Matt exchange glances for a moment before looking back at the General and shaking their heads.) Tom: Oh yes...one more important thing....I forgot to mention, Matt. We recently received a message from America for you. (Matt freezes, looking at Tom, his eyes wide.) Matt: (slowly) ....and? (Tom laughs before looking back at Matt seriously.) Tom: She’s fine, Matt. And she still loves you. Anyway, Good Luck to both of you, and the all the best to you both. Amy: Take care, sir. Matt: (nodding) All the best. Tom: Truth. Honour. Liberty. Amy/Matt: Truth. Honour. Liberty. (With this final motto, the general’s image fades. The door to the room opens, and Amy and Matt step back out into her quaters. As the door to the message chamber closes, Matt promptly sinks into a chair, one hand over his face, partially laughing.) Matt: (more to himself) She’s alright...she’s alright! (Amy grins at her friend’s happiness.) Amy: Well, I’m happy for you, Matt. Looks like you were worried all this time for nothing. Matt: (looking up at Amy) Thank god...I was always hoping she’d be okay...but now that I know....god, you don’t know how much of a relief this is for me! (Amy looks at the chrono built into the wall above the door (which reads 10:45 AM).) Amy: So, how long can you stay for? (Matt stands, stretching.) Matt: Why? You feel like reliving some of our academy pub-crawl days? (Amy laughs, a guesture that Matt imitates.) Amy: I’m still on duty, so no heavy-duty drinking for me. And you’ve got to fly home. Matt: I know, I know. Well, I can hang around for a few hours I guess. I’m not needed back at NERV, and Shinji and Asuka don’t get out of school for a few hours yet. Amy: Ahh yeah, how are they doing? (Amy guestures to a pair of seats looking out the huge window set across the far wall. They both take a seat, prepared to reminise about old times once again.) ------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------- (Meanwhile, in another part of the world, far from the public eye, the immense form of Evangelion Unit 04 stands, almost complete. It’s body is restrained by the cage walls, and it’s features are still unarmoured. Along a catwalk that stretches in front of it’s chest, two individuals walk. Both wear the uniforms of NERV technitians, however one walks with a more confidant stride than the other. As we close in on the two, we can hear their conversation.) Tech 1: Well, this is the thing everyone’s been telling you about. Tech 2: (astonished) Wow....It’s incredible....I mean, I’d heard about it, but I never thought I’d actually get to see one like this! Tech: Heh, well, consider yourself enlightened. Most new recruits don’t get to see the EVA on their first day. Be proud. You’re helping to save humanity. (As the tech moves slightly ahead of the other, the one behind looks at the first tech casually.) Tech 2: Well, this must be my lucky day...although I wouldn’t say it was yours. Tech 1: (turning to face him) ? What makes you say th- (Anything else the first tech might have had to say is suddenly cut off as the second tech suddenly grabs the man around the face, cutting off his scream. With a sharp twist to the right, the first tech slumps in the second tech’s arms, his neck broken. The second tech gently lowers the body to the ground, laying him out on the deck.) Tech 2: Sorry to do this, mate. No offence intended. You understand. (The second tech stands, leaving the dead body of the first tech on the deck. He faces EVA Unit 04, and smiles grimly.) Tech 2: And as for you...the Republic has great plans for you my friend. (As he says this, the tech climbs up onto the catwalk rail, and leaps onto the EVA’s body. Carefully, using every nook and cranny as a foot or handhold, he climbs around to the back of the EVA, where he finds what he is looking for: the gaping hole where the entry plug will soon be fitted. Freeing up one hand to reach into his coat, he withdraws a largish egg shaped device, and studies it’s exterior carefully. Pressing a few small buttons on it’s surface, he is rewarded when it’s small display comes to life.) Display: DETONATION TIME SET: 504:00:00: WEAPON ARMED (The tech looks at the device for a moment longer before rolling it down into the entry-plug hole. As the device lands at the bottom of the hole, it suddenly drives itself into the flesh at the bottom, burying itself out of sight and out of sensor range. The tech smiles to himself before climbing back around the EVA to stand back on the catwalk. Hefting the dead man over his shoulder, he looks back at the EVA’s armourless, grinning, skull like visage. For a brief moment, the tech presses something on his belt...and suddenly, his face shimmers before vanishing altogether to reveal that the figure is in fact James.) James: (in his true Australian tone) Nothing personal. Give my regards to oblivion. (With that, he touches the control on his belt again, and his false-face returns. Spinning on his heel, he walks back out of the EVA hanger, his footsteps ringing lightly as the lights in the chamber go out. Soon, there is nothing to be heard at all.) ---------------- -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------------ (Meanwhile, back aboard the Righteous Endeavour, the time is now 2:35 PM. Matt and Amy still sit in her quaters, in a pair of seats facing the massive window dominating the wall.) Matt: -and then Mick was left wondering where’d he‘d left his pants- Amy: -and I’d thrown them out the third story window- Matt: -and the poor bastard ended up having to walk home in the dark without ‘em! (They both crack up again remembering the old adventure, when suddenly Matt’s wrist chrono starts beeping. Matt looks at it briefly before looking back over at Amy.) Matt: Well, as much as I’d like to stay longer, duty calls. I hope I haven’t overstayed my welcome. Amy: Matt, you know as well as I do that a true friend never overstays their welcome. They just stay longer. Matt: (chuckling) Good point. Well, anyway, I must head off. See me down to the flight deck? Amy: Of course. (The two leave General Patterson’s quaters, and soon afterwards are standing in the elevator waiting for it to reach the flight deck.) Matt: Well, it’s been fun, Amy. Amy: We’ll have to do this again sometime. Matt: Indeed we shall. Same time next week? Amy: Of course. Matt: I’ll be here. (As the Elevator reaches the flight deck with a soft tone, Amy and Matt disembark, walking towards Matt’s Starfury. As they get there, Matt presses a few buttons on the device at his wrist...and the Starfury’s engines begine to whine as they go through their warm-up procedures. Matt turns to face Amy once more.) Matt: Well...see you next week, I guess. Amy: Take care of yourself Matt. (They both lok at each other for a moment longer before Matt turns on his heel, and walking towards the fighter, activates his armour, which accordions over his form in one fluid motion. Climbing into the cockpit once more, he waves at Amy, who waves back, before sealing the canopy and nudging the throttle up to full. As Amy takes a few backwards steps, the Starfury rises on a humming pillar of invisible repulsor energy, before gracefully banking into the flight lanes.) Matt: (into the comm) Flight Control, this is Rouge One requesting departure clearance on runway one. Flight Controller: (over comm) Roger Rouge One, clearance granted. Have a good flight. Runway is clear. Matt: Roger Flight Control, Rouge One out. (With that, the Starfury roars forwards, it’s twin vectored engines hurling it out of the hanger and into the darkening Japan afternoon. Amy follows it’s course for a few moments before turning herself and heading towards the bridge.) ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- (A short time later, the Starfury lands at Tokyo-3 International Airport with a scream of turbines and hum of repulsorlifts. Debarking the fighter, and after carefully locking it down, Matt sheds his flight gear in favour of more civilian attire, and walks towards his Jaguar.) Matt: (checking his watch) Ah, another day, another dollar. (Soon afterwards, the Jaguar can be seen coming sideways out of the airport exit, the song “Dirty Deeds: Done Dirt Cheap” by AC/DC blasting from it’s speakers.) (A little while later, across town, Asuka, Shinji, Hikari, Touji and Kenske are just leaving school in a group, talking amongst themselves. As they come out of the school and start walking down the street, suddenly they hear a roaring sound approaching. They all recognise it straight away, and turn to look. There, at the end of the street, a black Jaguar is speeding. As it roars along, a van pulls out in front of it. Swerving to the right, it comes alongside the van, and a coke can sails out of the passenger’s window to hit the truck on the side. Even from this distance, over the roar of the cars, a voice can be heard...) Matt: -razy fuck-knuckle!! Who taught you to drive, Ray Charles?! (The Jaguar overtakes and leaves the van behind, pulling up on the kerb beside the children. As the van drives past again, Matt leans out the window and screams.) Matt: You bloody F.I.G.J.A.M.!! (looking back at the children) Excuse my language...and G’day. (Everyone bursts out laughing as Matt raises an eyebrow.) Matt: Well, I thought he was.... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- ------------------------- (As the day finally draws to a close, aboard the Righteous Endeavour, General Patterson stands on the bridge, looking out across the horizon. Around her, normal activities go ahead as the evening shift is called over the ship’s internal communications system.) Announcement: (After a soft tone) Attention. Attention. Evening shift will start in ten minutes. Any personell assigned to the evening shift please report to your stations now. Repeat, Evening shift will start in ten minutes. (Amy blinks sleepily, and yawns quietly.) Amy: (to herself) It’s a been a long day..... Voice: Sir? (Amy turns to face the young officer standing behind her.) Amy: Yes, Commander? (The woman hands her a pad-like device and a light-pen.) Commander: The status results for the day shift, sir. (Amy takes the proffered pad, and peruses the results.) Amy: Anything new on the stern A.M.? Commander: Engineering says they thin they’ve found the cause, and are working on it now. Amy: (signing the otherwise normal stat pad) Very good. You may as well sign yourself off for the night, Cooper. Have a good night. (The commander takes the pad and salutes the general.) Cooper: Thank you sir. I think I will. Goodnight sir. Amy: (turning back to the view outside) ‘night Cooper. (Alone again at the viewport, Amy sighs to herself before smiling and turning to walk off the bridge.) Amy: (to herself) That’s who watches the watchers..... (With that she walks off the bridge, just as the sun sets below the horizon outside the viewport.) --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ To be continued....