Now those who’ve seen this episode of Evangelion will know that this episode goes differently than the way I have portrayed it.  The reason for this is simple.  EVA fans already know the twisted story of NERV.  This episode will give you a little background into the Republic, and what their motives are.  All comments and queries go to matt_eklom@hotmail.com !! Episode 20:  Shadow of the Templar/The Watchers are Waiting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Misato:  Hiya!  You’ve reached Misato Katusuragi!  Unfortunately I can’t come to the phone now, so leave a message after the beep!!  Heh heh, buh-bye!!! (With a mechanical beep, the message ends, and the caller leaves his message.  From the distance we stand at, we can see that it is in fact Kagi standing in the phone booth which is otherwise completely out of the way of any traffic, pedestrians or buildings, in the middle of nowhere.  As he hangs up the phone, he looks at the card in his hand.) Kagi:  (thinking)  Hmm...my last assignment...and it’s red too... Kagi:  Like the colour of blood. -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- --------------------- -------------------- (Meanwhile, at NERV H.Q., Misato is dealing with two NERV security agents.) Misato:  What?  Commander Fujutsuki was kidnapped?! Agent:  We have reason to believe he was last seen in  the Tokai region. Misato:  That’s right inside this sector!  But...why have you come to me..... (Suddenly, she realises.) Misato:  Ohh no...you don’t think Agent:  (finishing her sentence)  Ryogi Kagi.  He is the suspected mastermind behind this kidnapping.  However, there is also the possibility that the Republic may have kidnapped him.  But, seeing as Mr Kagi has decided to make a disappearance, and that there has been no detected Republic activity in Tokyo-3 for the last month now.... Misato:  (darkly)  And given my current relationship with him... (Misato gets the idea, and hands over her service pistol and ID card.) Agent:  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------ (Meanwhile, far from the eyes of mortal men...Fujutsuki sits cuffed to a chair, the method of his kidnapping apparent in his appearance.  As the light from above shines down on him, he looks into the darkness around him with a defiant smile.) Fujutsuki:  Are all your invitations so friendly, Chairman Keel? (In front of him, a monolith depicting the words “SEELE-01” appears.) SEELE-01:  (Lorenz’s voice)  The nature of your procurement was neccessary.  There are certain things we need to discuss outside of Ikari’s hearing. (As other monoliths begin appearing, Fujutsuki looks around.) Fujutsuki:  Well, this is a surprise...not the committee, but SEELE itself.... SEELE-06:  How did an S2 unit manage to get into Unit 01? SEELE-04:  A living god created by our own hands... SEELE-05:  Such blasphemy cannot be allowed! SEELE-01:  Professor Fujutsuki, you will share with us what you know. (Fujutsuki’s head dips as he remembers his old title....before he finally goes into an explanation with SEELE.) -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------- (Far from any of the above mentioned locations, Matt stands on the balconey of his flat in downtown Adelaide, South Australia.  Flexing his arm, it is obvious he is trying to regain all senses in it once more.  A receding line around his throat indicates that the injuries he suffered at the hands of the Fouteenth Angel are well on their way to healing fully.  The view from the balconey is one of the city of Adelaide, now almost complete after the immense destruction wreaked upon it during a crisis years before.  All of the buildings in it seem to spire upwards towards the centre where the tallest of all the buildings stands, it’s mirror-like finish shining in the morning sunlight.  As he stretches, a feminine figure walks onto the balconey to hug him from behind.) Jess:  You’re supposed to be resting, General. (Matt turns around to give her a tired smile.) Matt:  Stop calling me that, it’s only a rank when I’m on duty.  And I couldn’t sleep, not on a day like this. Jess:  Well, I’m your doctor, and I know what’s best, so get back inside.  That rib cage of yours still isn’t fully healed. (Matt smiles and hugs her again, guesturing to the view.) Matt:  Can’t I sit out here?  It’s so much nicer out here than in there, at least today anyway. Jess:  Oh, all right.  My, you seem happy to be back again. Matt:  What can I say?  I’m back in a familiar city, my girlfriend has come back...I’ve never been so happy in all my life.  I only regret one thing. Jess:  (frowning)  What’s that? Matt:  That Shinji wasn’t able to come.  Looks like he ended up changing his mind...now he’s determined to pilot the EVAs. (As Matt sits down on one of the chairs outside, Jess sits next to him.) Jess:  Well, you offered.  I guess he decided to choose duty over freedom. Matt:  I just wish he didn’t have to suffer so much. (Jess takes one of his hands in hers, and Matt looks at her.) Jess:  It was his choice to make, Matt....nothing you said could have changed his mind. (Matt nods at her, smiling, and looks back out to the cityscape again.) Matt:  Well...I guess time will tell. ------------------------------- --------------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------------- (Back in Japan, Shinji Ikari sits in his classroomwith his fellow students, and although he seems pleasant enough, it is clear by his silence and seeming unwillingness to join in his friend’s conversation that all is not right with Shinji.  Despite the recent battle, the only absentee aside from Touji is Rei Ayanami, her body still not yet fully healed from the Angel’s attack.  It is shortly before class.  Sitting in front of Shinji, Kenske  tries to cheer up his friend.) Kenske:  Come on, Shinji!  Things aren’t that bad.  I know saying goodbye to Matt must have hurt, but you  gotta let it go. Shinji:  It’s not that simple, Kenske.  Matt was like...a father to me.  Now I’m living with Misato....I don’t know how to feel.  I know he didn’t just leave me....he gave me the choice to join him.  But...I can’t run away any more.  I’m a pilot now.  I have to face up to what I am now. (Across the aisle of seats from Shinji and Kenske, Asuka sits by herself, idly tapping away at her little computer.  The look on her face belies how she is really feeling.) Asuka:  (thinking)  I couldn’t even scratch that Angel....and then Shinji came alongand killed it.....what good am I to anyone? (As the teacher enters the room, Hikari’s voice can be heard over the others.) Hikari:  All rise!!!  Bow!!   Be seated. (The lesson for the day gets on as normal, as usual the teacher’s words going ignored.  Shinji’s attention seems more directed on the scenery outside the window, his mind deep in thought.) ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------------- Caption:  10 YEARS AGO. Sound:  BREEP BREEP. (The scene opens inside a smallish apartment.  The curtains on the windows are drawn, indicating that it is late night, or early morning.  Aside from the sound, nothing else stirs.  The lights are out, and there are no other signs of activity.) Sound:  BREEP BREEP. (The sound fades into the background again, replaced by silence.  Along the walls of the apartment’s lounge, we can see several photographs in frames.  The first reveals a young couple standing in front of a sleek looking fighter of some sort.  Another shows a picture of five individuals saluting the camera in one way or another, some with bottles of some sort of alcoholic drink, others simply smiling.) Sound:  BREEP BREEP. (As the insistent sound continues, we see more of the photos, most of them showing a smiling young couple in different places, some simply showing one individual.  As we leave the wall of photos, we see that the lounge is a neatly kept affair, with a smallish entertainment unit against one wall facing a largish couch and two armchairs.  On the coffee table, beside a remote of some kind and a rose, are two empty champagne glasses, and beside the table sits an empty champagne bottle, overturned and sitting in a cooler full of melted ice.  As we continue on, we can see a neatly kept kitchen, with all the usual accompanyments.) Sound:  BREEP BREEP. (Finally, we can see where the piercing beep is coming from.  A small monitor mounted in the wall in the kitchen flashes lightly in the dark, with small writing in green lettering.) Monitor:  -INCOMING CALL-  -CALLER ID UNKNOWN-  -INCOMING CALL- (As the sound is repeated again, we finally hear a different sound....) Sound:  Mrrf...who the hell... (Finally, we see some activity in the room as a masculine form walks through the darkness towards the flashing monitor.  By his attire, is is clear that he has just been woken from a rather needed sleep.  As he reaches the monitor, however, he seems to be searching for something else.) Man:  Aww....where the hell is it? (Finally, after two more insistent BREEP BREEP’s, he finds what he is looking for.  Picking up the small device, he presses a button on it and puts it to his face.) Man:  Whoever this is, you got five seconds. Voice over phone:  Hello, customer.  I’m from Joes Crematorium, and I understand you have a package for us? (As he rubs his eyes absently with his free hand, the man looks up at a small chrono mounted in the wall above the T.V.) Man:  Jimmai, I hope you didn’t call me at four in the morning just to shout prank calls at me. James:  Aw, crap.  Was it that obvious? Man:  Yeah, it was.  Now what the hell do you want at this hour of the morning? James:  Oh, couldn’t sleep...so I thought I’d call you up to piss you off...and to see if you two are still on for tonight. Man:  (pausing for a moment)  We would be if you didn’t call us so damn early.  What the hell are you calling us at this hour for? James:  (laughing)  Like I said, because I couldn’t sleep.  And just to shit you.  Catch you on the flip side, Matt. (With that, the line clicks, indicating the call has ended.  Matt lowers the handset, pressing a button.) Matt:  Bastard. (Putting the reciever back down on the counter in the kitchen, he walks back down the hallway still mumbling and into another darkened room at the end of the hallway.  Careful not to disturb the other sleeping person in the bed, he crawls back under the sheets, and settles back.  However, the sleeper stirs lightly before speaking.) Woman’s voice:  uurf....who was that? Matt:  Just James ringing up about tonight.  Don’t worry about it, Jess. Jess:  Hmmmokay... Matt:  (looking up at the ceiling)  Remind me to kick his ass. (Jess rolls over in bed enough to look Matt in the face.  Matt turns his head and smiles back, even though her eyes are still shut.) Jess:  Whatever.  What time is it? Matt:  It’s almost four. (Jess moves under the covers to lie across his chest.) Jess:  I missed you. Matt:  (Kissing her forehead once whilst stroking her hair)  As did I. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------------------------- (A little later on, Matt walks out of the bathroom, towelling the dampness out of his hair.  Looking across to their bed, he sees that Jess hs gotten up, and straightened the sheets slightly.  From the kitchen, the sounds of clattering dishes can be heard.) Matt:  Oi! (Walking briskly out into the kitchen, he comes upon Jess standing over the sink, washing the breakfast dishes.) Matt:  I thought I told you to take it easy today. Jess:  (turning to smile at him)  Well, these were just sitting around so I thought- (Whatever else she has to say is cut off as Matt kisses her warmly.  After a few seconds, she breaks it for a moment-) Jess:  Matt, come on, I wanna get these done and- (Another kiss, this one longer....until Jess takes a gloved hand out of the sink and rubs the suds onto the side of his head, causing him to break.  As he laughs, wiping it off, she flicks another handfull of soap at him.) Jess:  I thought you were meant to be going to H.Q. sometime today. Matt:  (still wiping suds off his face)  Yeah, well....H.Q. can wait.  This is the first leave you and I have had together in what?  A year?  I intend to enjoy the next two weeks as much as I can. Jess:  (laughing)  You always did put me first, didn’t you? Matt:  Always, my love. (It is here that as she turns back to the sink, she feels a pair of arms around her waist, pulling her away.) Matt:  ...leave those to me, I can get to them before I go today. Jess:  (finally leaving the sink)  Oh all right! Matt:  (holding her in his arms)  Why don’t you go and take a shower while I finish these up, and then we’ll see what to do next? Jess:  (taking off the gloves)  Okay.... (As she leaves the room, Matt smiles to himself as he puts on the gloves himself.) Matt:  I really couldn’t live without her. (Suddenly, a cruel thought occurs to him...) Matt:  (considering)  Hmm..... (Finally, he picks up the reciever again, and dials a familiar number.  A short time later, a familiar yet tired voice answers.) James:  It’s your buck, spell it. Matt:  (in an old granny voice)  Hello, deary.  Is a Mr Walls there? James:  .....I think you have the wrong number lady. Matt:  (still in the granny voice)  Oh, sorry deary....is Mrs Walls there? James:  Sorry, I don’t know who you’re talking about.  No. Matt:  (in his voice, shouting)  Then what’s holding up your damn ceiling?!?! (There is a pause before finally, James answers.) James:  You’re dead. Matt:  (laughing) James:  Your family, dead. Matt:  (almost dropping the reciever, still laughing) James:  Your friends, dead. Matt:  (still laughing)  Happy wake up call, shithead!  And get your ass outta bed, we gotta be at H.Q. in half an hour! (With that, he presses the ‘end’ button and puts the reciever down, still laughing.) Matt:  Got ‘im! ---------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------- (Half an hour later, Matt walks into R.A.D.F. H.Q., Edinburgh, wearing his full R.A.D.F. uniform:  all black pants and shirt, with dark green trimmings, a leather belt with several attachments, and finally an officer’s hat on his head.  After going through the security booths, he makes his way to a hallway marked “POSTINGS”.  As he walks in, a second figure in R.A.D.F. uniform joins him.) Matt:  Jimmai. James:  Mattai.  You’re a little late, aren’t you? Matt:  Traffic was a bitch.  So, where do you think they’ll send you? James:  (shrugging)  Eh, wherever.  I’m not fussed. Matt:  How do you reckon Kendal will take it if you get posted out of here? James:  (shrugging again)  She’ll be pissed.... (As the two men walk towards the postings office, a familiar figure (to them) walks out of the office, and salutes.  Instantly, the two men stop in their tracks, and salute back.) Matt:  Sir. James:  Sir. (The officer in question walks up to James, and grins.) Officer:  Corporal May.  Come with me, son, the old man wants to talk to you personally. James:  Sir. (As James follows the officer off, behind his back, James turns a questioning look at Matt...and shrugs again.) Matt:  (thinking)  Surely they’re not holding him back for some reason....hmmm.... (Released from standing at attention, he continues on, until finally, he comes to the posting offiice.  Entering, he salutes the man at the desk, and introduces himself.) Matt:  Corporal Matt Eklom reporting for posting information, sir. Man:  One moment, Corporal. (As the man calls up the information, he finally prints it out on paper, and hands it to Matt.) Man:  Looks like you got ‘mech duty, son.  Congratulations. Matt:  Thank you, sir. (Leaving the office, Matt looks more closely at the print out.) NAME:  EKLOM, MATTHEW JAMES RANK:  CORPORAL   SERIAL NO:  EKL-0001 SECTION:  INFANTRY   UNIT:  B BATTALION, 3RD PLATOON. DOB:  6/4/1980    DATE:  3/7/2005 POSTING INFORMATION: NEW SECTION:  NOVA COMMAND UNIT:  EPSILON COMPANY, 1ST PLATOON. COMMENTS:  Due to your outstanding performance in the field, and your naturally high psyche scores, Command has decided that you are fit to be trained as a Mechwarrior, and sent into service after training.  Your new assignment is with Epsilon Company, First Platoon, “Heartbreakers” effective at the end of next month.  Until your starting date, you are officially on leave.  Congratulations, Mechwarrior. NEW SECTION STARTING DATE:  3/9/2005. (As the printout’s meaning finally hits him, Matt leans against the wall for support in shock.) Matt:  Nova Command.... -------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ----------------- Caption:  2 YEARS AGO. (Matt walks into the headquaters at Edinburgh swiftly, wearing the full uniform of a Nova Command Major.  As he reaches a certain office, he walks up to the secretary and salutes.) Matt:  Lieutenant, inform the General that Major Eklom has arrived as ordered. Lieutenant:  Yes sir.  One moment. (As the Lieutenant contacts the General in the room beyond, Matt takes off his peaked hat and looks around the office.  Numerous photgraphs of various aircraft, vehicles, infantry units and even a newly launched Landship hang around the walls.) Lieutenant:  Sir?  The General will see you now.  Go right through. Matt:  Thank you. (Matt walks into the office, and sees two individuals.  One he recognises as Amy Patterson, wearing a Naval Command Colonel’s uniform.  The other is General Edwin Gray, Commander of Nova Command.  Matt stops and salutes them both.) Gray:  (saluting back along with Amy)  At ease, Major.  We’ve been expecting you.  Please, take a seat. (Matt takes a seat facing the two of them.) Matt:  I came as soon as I could, sir. Gray:  Good.  I know you and Major Patterson here need no introductions, so let’s cut right to the chase. (Amy and Matt listen intently as Gray goes on.) Gray:  The reason I’ve asked the two of you here is because you’ve both excelled in your chosen fields.  Colonel Patterson, your skills in Naval Command, despite a few discrepancies, and Major Eklom, your continued success in the field of Mech’s and now your excelling skills in Special Ops, make you both the best choices for a mission of this magnitude. Matt:  Thank you, sir. Amy:  Thank you, sir. Gray:  This mission will not be an easy one, especially for you, Matt.  Do either of you have any knowledge of the true cause of the Second Impact? (Amy and Matt exchange glances.) Amy:  Uhh...we were under the impression that the Second Impact was caused by a meteorite impact. Gray:  I see.  Then it’s time to let you both in on a few secrets. (Gray goes ahead to explain to the both of them the truth.  How Second Impact was caused by an exploding Angel. How SEELE has been manipulating governments in order to further it’s on agenda. And  the truth about the Third Impact. One hour later, they know everything.) Matt:  That’s....quite a tale sir.... Amy:  I always had a feeling that an asteroid hit seemed a little convenient.... Gray:  Now, to the reason I called both of you here.  You know how the Second Impact was caused.  You know how the Third Impact will be caused.  This mission is going forwards in order to stop that from occuring.  Major Eklom, you will go in under cover, taking one of the new Titan-Mechwarrior units with you, and work alongside NERV.  Once there, you will continue to feed us on-site intelligence whilst at the same time you will follow this order:  Under no circumstances whatsoever are you to allow NERV to capture an Angel intact.  To do so would be disastrous to the future of humanity.  That is your primary mission.  Stop the Third Impact any way you can. Matt:  Understood sir. Gray:  Colonel Patterson, you are to begin training to take your new command as soon as possible.  Your mission will be to deliver the Titan-Mech and to provide support for Major Eklom’s operation should he require it. Amy:  Yes sir.  A new command, sir? Gray:  Congratulations, Colonel.  In one years time the new Landship Righteous Endeavour will be completed and sent into action.  You are to be it’s first commander. (Amy’s eyes widen in shock and amazement.) Amy:  ...Thank you sir! Matt:  Congratulations Colonel. Gray:  Now, this mission is strictly top secret.  You can’t tell your families, your friends, no one.  You leave in 2 years.  Your training begins as of next week. Amy/Matt:  Yes sir! --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ --------------------- ------------------ Caption:  2 YEARS LATER. (The scene opens aboard the Righteous Endeavour as it sails across the ocean towards the coast of Japan.  Matt walks down the catwalk onto the flight deck wearing full flight gear.  As he reaches a Starfury, Amy is there to meet him.) Amy:  All set? Matt:  It’s time to get this mission rolling.  What about you? Amy:  The Templar’s just how we left it, ready to be shipped out.  Now, we’ll see you in a few weeks.  Try not to kill anyone between now and then. Matt:  Yes sir.  Any other words of encouragement? (Amy gives him a quick hug.) Amy:  Watch yourself, okay? Matt:  (smiling)  I’ll see you again, have no fear. Amy:  (smiling back)  I’m counting on it. (With that, Matt climbs into the Starfury...and a few minutes later, the starfighter rockets out of the hanger bay and off into the night sky.) ------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ---------------------- Caption:  PRESENT DAY. (Fujutsuki remains tied to the chair...until he feels a light on him from behind.  Looking  around, blinded by the light, he sees a familiar silhouette.) Fujutsuki:  ..Is it you? Kagi:  Yes.  It’s me. (Kagi kneels down, and frees the trapped man.) Fujutsuki:  You realise this action will probably result in your death. Kagi:  I just want the truth.  To have it within my grasp. --------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------- (Misato sits alone in an isolation chamber, awaiting to be released by the NERV security personell.  Finally, after hours of waiting, the door opens and a man walks in carrying her pistol and ID card.) Man:  Here.  A solution to the problem has been found. Misato:  (taking back her belongings)  So where is Kagi? Man:  I wouldn’t know that. -------------------------- --------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- -------------------------------- (A while later.  Kagi stands underneath a massive ventilation fan, as if waiting for someone. That someone arrives.) Kagi:  (smiling)  Oh hi.  You’re a little late, aren’t you? (In the next instant, a pistol discharge can be heard.  Kagi squeezes his eyes shut, expecting death... ..but not getting his wish. Opening his eyes, he sees the faint outline of a body between him and his attacker.  His attacker is now gagging on the end of a glowing blade, his throat punctured.  As the blade pulls out, the attacker slumps to the ground, dead.  The body turns... And the field hiding it from view vanishes to reveal an armour-clad warrior. Kagi is silent, eyes wide open, not knowing what to expect.  Suddenly, the warrior’s armour accordion’s  back, over his head and into his suit, revealling a familiar face.) James:  (in flawless Japanese)  Mr Ryogi Kagi? Kagi:  (stuttering)  Umm...yeah... James:  (smiling and extending a hand to shake)  The Republic of Australia has a proposition for you. --------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------- (Misato returns home...although the atmosphere around the flat is far from it’s usual joviality.  Misato sits alone in the kitchen, drinking a beer.  Shinji lies in bed in his room, listening to “Low Man’s Lyric” by Metallica.  Asuka is nowhere to be seen.  Misato notices that there is a light on her phone, flashing.  Trembling, she reaches forwards and presses it.  After a slight whirr, Kagi’s voice can be heard.) Kagi:  Katsuragi...it’s me.  I thought Ishould call you after causing  you so much trouble.....sorry.  Tell Ritsu, I’m sorry too.  And there’s one other thing.  I’ve been growing...flowers.  I’d appreciate it if you could water them for me.  Shinji knows where they are.  Katsuragi, the truth is with you.  Don’t give up.  Move ahead.  If I can see you again, then I will say the words I could not say eight years ago.  Bye. (As the machine indicates the time the message was recorded, Misato collapses on the table in tears.) Misato:  (sobbing)  You fool......you were always such a fool....... (Knocking her beer and other objects off the table, she kneels down and cries, knowing that once and for all, Kagi is dead. In the bedroom, Shinji hears her crying.  He looks around the corner to see Misato crying in the kitchen. A million thoughts race through his tortured mind as he tries to think of what to do. Suddenly, without any warning, he knows. And with that, he walks to her side and holds her.  Misato wraps her arms around him, still sobbing.) Shinji:  (thinking)  Goodbye Kagi....and goodbye Matt.... ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------ To be continued.