Chapter6


	Episode Six: The Human Creation/At the end of the day. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (It is early next day. In the apartment of Matthew Eklom....) Matt: So how is Rei? Misato: She’s fine, thanks to you. Another second under that weapon, and she’d have been killed. Shinji’s greatfull too, but he was so tired after last night that he’s still asleep. Matt: You checked up on him? Misato: After you were taken to hospital, he stayed the rest of the night at my place. It was touch and go there for a while with you, you were lucky the Black Templar has such thick armour. Matt: Hmm. Still hurts a bit, that’s for sure. (Matt now stands, looking over the fresh scar now on his chest after the encounter last night in his small bathroom.) Matt: Took it right in the chest. Heh, I’m lucky it didn’t kill me with it’s first shot. (As he goes to put on his shirt, Misato, standing outside the room, sees his reflection slightly in a mirror from the hallway. Although from this distance it’s hard to see, looking closely, it is easy to see the his body has more than one scar on it. And some do not look like battle scars.) Matt: Just another one to add to this tired torso. Misato: Where did you get all of those? (At this, Matt goes silent.) Matt: Perhaps some other time...... (As he comes out, he is wearing his normal again. Blue denim jeans, black cotton shirt, and black blundstones. Stretching, he smiles at Misato.) Matt: At least I came off better than the Angel..... Misato: Yeah, you can say that again. Take a look out the window. (As he looks out his loungeroom window, Matt is awestruck for a moment. For buried in the centre of the town, a massive diamond shaped shell can be seen, all that remains of the Fifth Angel.) Matt: Huh. How about that. Misato: Well, I might go and check on Shinji. Back in a sec. (As Misato returns to her flat, Matt continues staring at the Angel. Only now, his face is not full of wonder.....but more of trepiditation.) ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- --------------- (The scene is late night in Tokyo-3. Around the diamond shaped corpse that was the Fifth Angel, Ramiel, the scene is silent, all of the technitians responsible for dismantling the body having long since gone home. A pity, for if anyone were to be working there at that moment, they would be privy to an amazing display of firepower....) Man: .... (A lone man walks up the stairs of a medium-sized building, his footsteps the only sound in the otherwise-deserted building. As he reaches the doorway to the roof and opens it, his features are revealed for a moment in the moonlight- a tall, muscular man in his early thirties, wearing nothing but black-on-black clothing covered by a dark trench-coat, and carrying a large pack on his back. The figure walks to the edge of the building, the side facing the Angel’s corpse. He places the pack on his back on the ground as he presses a button on his wrist. Stepping back from the pack, he watches as it seems to grow, lifiting on tiny hydraulic hinges until finally, it’s true form is revealed. A large, menacing looking black missile with a huge warhead on it’s tip. As he presses a final button on his wrist unit, he can be heard to speak in a quiet, even tone.) Man: For the Alliance. (With that, he presses one last button, turning away from the missile launcher as he walks away. With a short roar, the missile ignites, streaking towards the target, and flying directly into the hole made by the Positron Cannon the night before. The man does not even flinch as the almighty explosion goes off, gutting the Angel’s corpse, and charring it’s exterior seriously.) ------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- --------- (In the Command Centre at NERV, suddenly alarms go off everywhere, indicating an emergency.) Fujutsuki: Report!! (Still startled by the sudden burst of activity, Aoba Shigeru regains his composure, and studies his screen.) Aoba: We’re detecting a large scale explosion in the vicintiy of the Angel’s body!! (As the news sinks in, Fujutsuki is the first to ask.) Fujutsuki: Was it the Angel?! Maya: Negetive! Explosive was mechanical in origin! -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------- (As the man rides away from the buiilding on a low swept motorcycle, again, he does not even flinch as another explosion goes off, this time it’s source being the launcher as it’s self-destruct mechanism kicks in., engulfing the abandoned building in fire. As he rides, he toggles a switch on his wrist unit, and speaks.) Man: Mission Accomplished. (With that, he rides off into the night.) ------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Aoba: We’re detecting another explosion!! Fujutsuki: Where is it this time?!! Maya: From a building roughly one hundred meters from the last explosion. Fujutsuki: Damn! Must be some gas line rupture or something! Get the fire service in, now! Aoba: Yes sir. ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------------------- (Later that night, still in the command centre at NERV.) Fujutsuki: It’s been confirmed. The Angel’s body had been completely destroyed. Gendo: Is there anything redeemable? Ritsuko: Nothing. We haven’t been able to determine the source of the two explosions, but whatever they were, they both had enough firepower to wipe out an entire building. Fujutsuki: The only good thing about this is that the blast left very little for us to actually clean up, so it’s actually going to save us money and time. Gendo: Can we rule out sabotage? Ritsuko: Right now, I’d say that’s our best guess. Someone didn’t want us to get an intact specimen of an Angel. And it looks like they’re willing to do anything to stop us. (A silence closes over the room, one as cold and chilling as the morning air.) --------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- Shinji: So you heard the news? Touji: How couldn’t I? I don’t think anyone in the city wasn’t woken up by that blast. (The scene is mid-morning of the next day at the local secondary school. Shinji and his new friends talk whilst they are on a short break.) Kenske: Have you heard any interesting news about it? Shinji: Not me. They say it might have been sabotage, but they aren’t sure. Touji: Well, whatever it was, it scared the hell outta me. Shinji: And me. I fell out of bed when that thing went off. And I couldn’t bring myself to go back to sleep afterwards....but now that I think about it, I can’t remember hearing Matt after it went off.... Kenske: What did he say in the morning? Shinji: He said he’s heard it, but that years in the army had trained him to get used to explosions nearby, so he wasn’t so scared by it. (The three boys go silent, as Shinij’s words sink in.) Touji: Well....whatever. I’m sure he was just as shaken as all of us. (Suddenly, the teacher walks into the room, and as Hikari asks everyone to stand, the conversation ends. But now, Shinji is no longer so sure about his guardian...) ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ------ (That night, inside Matt’s apartment, Shinji and Matt sit in Matt’s loungeroom, listening to “Interview with a Vampire”. From his position, Shinji can see Matt is in a relaxed position, head back, eyes closed. And even though every fibre in his body screams not to, Shinji cannot help but ask him.) Shinji: Matt? Can I ask you something? Matt: Of course, Shinji. Go ahead. (It is with great difficulty that Shinji goes on.) Shinji: Do you know something I don’t about that explosion with the dead Angel last night? (Suddenly, the music is turned down. Matt answers, but his voice is much darker now.) Matt: What makes you think that, Shinji? Shinji: Well.....It’s just that yesterday when Misiato showed you the Angel’s body, you couldn’t seem to stop looking at it when you didn’t think anyone was looking. And then, when the explosion went off, you didn’t seem to have been fazed by it at all, like it was a common day occurrence, or something..... (There is a long silence before Matt answers solemnly.) Matt: And just how could I have had something to do with that explosion, then? Shinji: I don’t know. You could have sent in a stealthed airstrike, or a man in with a bomb, I don’t know.... (The silence returns, although it is not a welcome one.) Shinji: I’m sorry....I probably shouldn’t have asked, but.....is it true? (It is with a slow and deliberate tone that Matt answers.) Matt: ......well done, Shinji. You’ve single handedly managed to figure out what no one else has. (Matt stands, looking at Shinji with stern eyes.) Shinji: Who are you, Matt? Matt: Colonel Matthew James Eklom, Mechwarrior and Assassin for the Republic of Australia Strategic Defense Force. Primary Mission: Assist in the destruction of all Angels, no matter what the cost, and stop the capture of any Angel, live or dead at any cost. Secondary Mission: Obtain access to the MAGI, and collect and send data from NERV to Republic Command. Mission Status: In Progress. (As Matt’s words sink in, Shinji is speechless. He stares at Matt, unable to comprehend...) Matt: I’m a spy, Shinji. My mission is to make sure that the Angel’s don’t win, and that no one gets any sample of an Angel. (Finally, Shinji speaks, although his voice is dry.) Shinji: Are you going to kill anyone? Matt: No. That is one of my mission perogatives. Do not kill anyone unless absolutely necessary, or in a situation where the mission’s cover will be compromised. Shinji: So now that I’ve figured it out, does that mean you’ll kill me? (Matt answers, but it is seated, and with a weary voice.) Matt: .....no. I’m not going to kill you, Shinji. Shinji: ? Matt: It’s not that I can’t. It’s that I don’t want to. Shinji: .... Matt: I like you, Shinji. I like you a lot. And for that reason, I’m going to trust you. (Shinji stares at Matt, mouth open as Matt explains.) Matt: You have to understand, Shinji. My orders do not allow for this. If my superiors were to find out about this, they’d kill me as well as you. But I don’t want to hurt you, Shinji. You’ve had a hard enough life, and I’m not going to be the one to end it. I’m going to trust you not to tell anyone else. And when I say anyone, I mean ANYONE. No one else can know what I am, Shinji. To tell them will be to compromise my mission security, and I’d be forced to kill whoever you told. Shinji: Including Misato? (Matt does not answer for a time.) Matt: .......including Misato..... (The two sit in silence for an hour, not saying anything. However, after an hour of silence, Shinji suddenly speaks.) Shinji: .....I understand. Matt: ? Shinji: I said I understand. I’ll never tell anyone, Matt. Matt: Do you understand the implications involved? Shinji: I do. And I know what you’ll do if I say anything. Matt: And yet you still agree? Shinji: With one condition. Matt: ? Shinji: You have to swear you’ll never kill anyone. (Matt stands, throwing a cushion down.) Matt: Dammit, Shinji!! This is not a negotiating point!!! If my mission is compromised, I have no choice!! Shinji: Promise me you won’t, Matt!! Matt: I have my orders!! (The room goes silent again as Matt stands facing the window, looking out to the night sky. Shinji watches him for a while, until suddenly Matt speaks.) Matt: Shinji. Know that I’ll do my best not to kill someone. Know that I don’t like or want to do it. But also know that I’ll have no choice if I’m forced to. I’m sorry, but that’s the best I can do for you. (Shinji is silent for a moment before answering.) Shinji: I understand. That’s all I wanted to hear. (Matt turns back to Shinji, hand outstretched.) Matt: Will you shake on it? (Shinji takes Matt’s outstrectched hand, and they shake hands together.) Matt: Welcome aboard, Shinji Ikari. I think there’s a few things you ought to know. ------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------- ----------------------- (Meanwhile, deep in the office of Gendo Ikari, a heated discussion is taking place.) Fujutsuki: So I hear the commitee is in a panic again.. Gendo: Yes. The old men are dumbfounded. Again, the prophecy as described in the Dead Sea Scrolls has been changed. It seems that someone is trying to stop their plans. Fujutsuki: Do we have any idea on who it might be? Gendo: .......yes. The first incident with the Australians might have been an accident. But this proves it. The Australians are up to something. Fujutsuki: I take it then you are going to ask that they send the Colonel away? (Gendo does not answer at first, until finally, he speaks with a low, dry tone.) Gendo: .....I’ve been instructed by the commitee not to do so. Fujutsuki: But surely he’s responsible for- Gendo: There is no evidence to suggest he is guilty in any way. Nor is there any evidence to suggest the involvement of the Australian goverment. At this point in time, we know nothing. Fujutsuki: .... Gendo: For the moment, however, he is the least of our concerns. The commitee is rewriting their scenarios. Everything is for the moment going mostly to plan. ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- (Back at Matt’s apartment.) Shinji: You can’t be serious. The goverments of earth wouldn’t do something like that!! Matt: I’m sorry, Shinji, but it’s true. The Second Impact was not some freak accident with a meteorite. The Second Impact was a planned event supposedly meant to actually capture a live Angel. And amazingly enough, it was Misato’s father who headed up the operation. That is why she’s the only one who was at ground-zero that lived through the disaster. (Shinji is silent. Matt goes quiet, having finally laid it all down. Second Impact. Adam. The Giant of Light. The Katsuragi expedition. He has just spent the last hour explaining exactly what the Second Impact was, and how it had affected the earth. Finally, after ten minutes, Matt stands.) Matt: I think it’s time we hit the sack. Come on, Shinji. (Matt’s words are more a statement than a suggestion, as both men leave the room, and head off.) Matt: I know you got class in the morning, so I’ll see you then Shinji. Goodnight. (But Shinji is still silent: the implications of what Matt has told him only just beginning to hit. As he finally lies awake in bed, in time we can hear his thoughts. So. The Second Impact was all a big lie. And I’ve been lied to all my life. (Shinji smirks, the smiile twisting his normally pleasant features.) Big surprise there. I’m can’t really say I’m upset. But what to do? Now that he’s told me, what do I do? I can’t just tell someone.... ......but I don’t really think I want to anymore..... Considering that he’s the only one who’s ever told me the truth rather than lie.... .....Hmm. I think the choice is pretty obvious. (It is with this final thought that Shinji Ikari, the Third Child, finally falls asleep. ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Matt, so, I hear that Nippon Heavy Industries has built something like the Titan Mech-Warriors. Misato: Yeah. But I don’t know how good they are..... (The scene is late next day, on an escalator going towards the car garage at NERV.) Matt: Heh. They’ll never be as good as a Titan Mech-Warrior. Misato: You sound pretty confident. Matt: That’s because it’s coming from the knowledge that no one else has our technology. Misato: Hmmph. I think it was you who said “arrogance and ignorance go in hand.” Matt: Actually, it was Metallica who said that. But I quoted it. And anyway, this isn’t arrogance or ignorance. I know what I’m talking about. So anyway, what’s the move? Misato: Ritsuko and I are heading out there in four days to observe the test activation. Matt: Want some company? Misato: You’re kidding. I thought you were too busy with the repair job on the Black Templar.... Matt: Oh yeah, that.....heh, well the replacement chest plate will arrive shortly. Misato: By air? Matt: Yeah, it’ll be in by about noon tommorow. Misato: That soon? Matt: Well, we need the Black Templar on ready status, don’t we? Misato: I guess.....but will you actually have time to come out with us? Matt: Oh yeah, don’t worry about that. I’ll be able to come. Misato: So, where are you going now? Matt: I’m heading off to a parent-teacher meeting for Shinji. Misato: But aren’t you a little busy? Matt: I’m making the time for him. (Misato is silent, watching as Matt smiles at her.) Matt: I’ll come by in an hour to pick you up, if you like. Misato: You’re kidding....you’re willing to come back and get me as well? Matt: Sure, it’s the least I can do. So, see you in an hour? (As he puts on his sunglasses, Matt is suddenly very much surprised as he feels a sudden warmth on his cheek. Misato leans back, having given him a quick thank you kiss. As she turns around and walks off, Matt is left stunned.) Misato: See you then. (As she dissapears from sight, Matt turns back around before thumping his head once against the wall, a look of sorrow on his face.) Matt: (to himself) Dammit, Jess, if you’d seen that, you’d have killed us both... ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- (It is late afternoon. Shinji and his two new friends, Touji Suzahara and Kenske Aida, are leaning out of a window of their classroom whilst they are on a break. As they look out over the horizon, they suddenly become aware of a loud roaring that seems to be getting closer. Suddenly, from around a corner, a sleek black Jaguar screams into the school carpark, landing on it’s right side wheels with a THUD as it comes to a halt in a parking space. Kenske instantly pulls out his camera to look on, while Touji leans out.) Touji: Is that who I think it is? Shinji: Yeah, that’s Matt. (As they speak, A lone figure gets out of the drivers seat to the sound of “Rock and Roll” by Led Zepellin, and stands in the afternoon sun. His form is revealed: a tall, white, muscular man in his mid thirties wearing black denim jeans, a white t-shirt with the words “Griffon’s Head Hotel” on it, blundstones, a long dark trench-coat, an akubra and sunglasses. Taking the sunglasses off, he closes the door, and starts walking towards the school. As he sees the eyes of several students upon him, he looks up, and gives a thumbs up.) Student A: Is he Ikari’s guardian? Student B: What? You mean he’s got a guy like that for a bodyguard? Kenske: Man, he seems pretty cool. Shinji: He’s got his good side.... Touji: I don’t know...he seems a little arrogant to me.... Shinji: Trust me, he’s not as arrogant as he looks.... (The boys continue watching as Matt enters the building....a short time later, he appears at the classroom door, hat off, glasses off, and knocking on the doorway. Upon seeing him, the teacher gets up and greets him. Shinji watches from the back of the room, smiling.) --------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ (A day goes by. Night turns to day. Misato prepares to leave for Old Tokyo, with Ritsuko and Matt behind her. The scene is onboard a VTOL transport flying towards the area where the activation test will take place. Matt sits in the pilot seat, with Misato in the co-pilot’s seat, and Ritsuko just behind them.) Misato: You seemed to pick up the controls for the VTOL pretty quickly.... Matt: Well, this is sort of ancient stuff in comparison to a Starfury or Venom. Misato: I guess....So Ritsuko? Why are they having the test in a place like this? Ritsuko: I’m not sure. They wouldn’t say. Misato: Is the J.S.S.D.F. getting involved? Ritsuko: The Strategic Self Defense Force? No, they have nothing to do with this. Misato: I see....I guess that’s why they’re keeping us in the dark about this sigh Matt: Here we are. I see a good landing position there. Misato: Think you can handle it? Matt: No problem. But I still think you should have let me bring you guys here in a Venom.... (Ritsuko turns to look at Matt, and smiles.) Ritsuko: I’m not doubting your country’s technology, but can you imagine how biased it would look if we were to arrive here in a Republic Starfighter? Matt: Point taken. And Venom’s aren’t Starfighters. They’re Starbombers. Misato: Just land the damn transport! (Matt grins, dropping the aircraft more rapidly than necessary, making both women cringe.) Matt: Heh heh heh. Yes Ma’am. ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- ------------- (A short time later, in a massive auditorium, the sounds of many people claaping can be heard. Atop the stage, amongst many “Congratulations” and “Well Done” presents, a young man stands, thanking the applause. On the floor, a dozen tables sit, and interspersed amongst them are many people of various companies, here to congratulate the company in question. However, the NERV table seems almost absent, with only Misato, Ritsuko and Matt seated at it. As the man (Ed’s note: I worked out in the series that his name is actually Tokihida, or somthing similar.) goes on about how thankfull he is to everyone for coming to witness (in his words) Japan Heavy Industry’s latest triumph, Matt points out a certain group of people sitting in the corner of the room, in the shadows.) Matt: See them? They’re an Australian group. Aus-Teki Engineering. Misato: They look bored.... Matt: Can you blame them? They’re the ones who built the Titan Mech-Warriors. This technology is like a jet pilot trying to fly a biplane. Old stuff. Misato: Hmm. So, why are they here? Matt: Probably just to keep up public relations. (Tokihida asks if there are any questions, and Ritsuko stands.) Tokihida: Ahh, the famous Doctor Ritsuko Akagi. It’s our pleasure having you here. Ritsuko: Thank you. May I ask you a question? Tokihida: Of course. Certainly. Ritsuko: The unit is powered by a nuclear reactor, is this true? Tokihida: Correct. It’s one of our product’s most distinguished features, ensuring one hundred and thirty days of operating power. Ritsuko: But isn’t equipping a unit designed for close-range combat with a nuclear core a little dangerous? Tokihida: We think it’s more practical than a weapon that won’t work for more than five minutes. Ritsuko: But in an emergency, you could have problems with communications- Tokihida: I would think it’s safer than a machine that has been known to go berzerk in the middle of a city. (Saying this, Tokihida holds up a photograph of the berzerked Evangelion Unit 01.) Tokihida: A weapon that cannot be controlled is like a hysterical woman, it’s simply useless. (Amongst the laughs from all the crowd (except from the NERV and Aus-Teki table), Ritsuko fumes. Suddenly, a voice from the back gets everyone’s attention.) Woman: On the contrary, Mr Tokihida. I think Doctor Akagi is absolutely correct. (Everyones attention turns to see a woman in her thirties standing up at the Aus-Teki table, speaking in a soft, clear voice.) Woman: It’s suicide to put a nuclear reactor so close to the chance it could be breached. Tokihida: And who might you be? Woman: I am Vanessa Redfield, head of technical division at Aus-Teki Engineering. And trust me, we know what we’re talking about. (Everyone goes silent for a moment before another man speaks.) Man: Well, maybe they wouldn’t have to if your country would be lenient enough to give the rest of the world your so called “unlimited” power. Redfield: That is not an arguing point. Just let it be known that the Republic does not agree with the Jet Alone unit. (The room is left in silence with these words, suddenly, Ritsuko speaks again.) Ritsuko: Whatever the case, our technology is the only thing able to defeat the Angels. Tokihida: You mean the A.T. Field, of course. That is only a matter of time. NERV’s day in the sun will not last forever. --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------- -------------------- (A short time later, in a room set aside for the staff of NERV. A large amout of banging and frustrated kicking can be heard coming from the room. Inside, Misato is wildly kicking at a locker.) Misato: Damn him!!! Dammit it all to hell, those jerks are just so pissed off about being cut out of their share of the loop!!!!! GRRRRR, I wanna rip off that smug face of his, and shove it into this locker, and then I’d kick it and kick it and kick it!!! GRRRRR!!! Ritsuko: Stop that! Behave yourself. He’s just a fool, begging for praise and adulation. He’s petty, no reason for concern. Misato: How’d that smug S.O.B. learn about the A.T. Field? Ritsuko: How could something so secret get out? Misato: Intelligence must be dragging it’s ass. (Suddenly, the door opens, and Matt walks in followed by Vanessa Redfield.) Matt: Hey, everyone. I thought I’d introduce you to a friend of mine. Vanessa, I believe you’ve met Doctor Akagi. This is Captain Misato Katsuragi. (As Vanessa shakes hands with everyone, she speaks to Ritsuko.) Vanessa: I take it you feel the same way about this whole Jet-Alone thing as we do? Ritsuko: Well, the Black Templar is a pretty impressive thing.... Vanessa: Thank you. From what we’ve seen of the Evangelions, they seem like a nice piece of handiwork too... (As the two technitians start talking, Misato and Matt stand to one side, smiling. ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----- (However, onboard the Jet-Alone, things are not so peacefull.....for an unknown hand types commands into the robot’s computer system. Commands that will eventually spell disaster for those attempting to use it.) --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------- (A short time later, in the main control centre for the Jet-Alone. A large croud has gathered inside the room, watching the huge viewscreen as the giant robot is finally revealed.) Tokihida: Ready to begin Jet Alone Activation test. Don’t worry folks. There’s no risk at all. Please, make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the show. Start the countdown. (As he eyes the gargant, Matt can be heard to mutter..) Matt: Ugly son of a bitch.... Tech 1: N2 core is charged and ready. Tech 2: Coolant valves engaged. Tokihida: Begin walk cycle. Tech 1: Roger. Forward ahead slow. Forward left leg. Tech 2: Left leg ahead. Balance is nominal. (As the two technitians go through the walking cycle, the massive red and white Jet Alone takes it’s first tentative steps forwards.) Misato: It’s walking!! I guess that’s a good start! (But Ritsuko is silent, not even looking at the display. Suddenly, on one of the technitian’s boards, a warning beeping sounds.) Tokihida: What’s wrong? Tech 1: Somethings odd....the coolant valve is behaving strangely... Tokihida: Valve open. Insert the neutron decelaration fluid. Tech 2: No effect. The temperature in the core is increasing!! Tokihida: Okay. Cut off the power, abort the test. Tech 1: It’s not accepting it!! IT’S OUT OF CONTROL!! Tech 3: IT’S COMING RIGHT AT US!!! (As everyone leaps out of the way, the walking behemoth steps into the control building, walking straight through it, and out the other side. Matt throws Ritsuko and Misato down, shielding them from the falling debris...Finally, as the robot walks off into the distance, everyone stands, Misato automatically assuming command.) Misato: That robot is as badly behaved as the idiot who built it! Tokihida: This simply cannot happen!! The Jet Alone’s onboard computer has been programmed to deal with all possible situations and scenarios. Misato: Well, you’re about to have an impossible meltdown out there! Tokihida: We’ve already tried everything possible. The only alternative we have is to wait for it to stop itself. Misato: And how likely is that?! Tech 2: 0.00002%- It would be an act of god! Misato: Acts of men are better than acts of god!! Tell me how to stop that thing! Tokihida: We’ve already tried everything!! Misato: There must be a password- a way to wipe out everything! Tokihida: The password to delete all programming is top secret. I’m sorry, but I’m not permitted to tell you. Misato: Well, you better get the clearance, Botzo- DO IT! ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- (A short time later, Misato decides what to do. Getting to a phone, she calls NERV.) Misato: Hyuga? I need you to bring Unit One, and Shinji down here using the F-Type equipment. And hurry up, we don’t have much time! Ritsuko: Captain, you are overstepping your bounds. Call this off immedietely. Do you really think you can stop that thing? Misato: I’ll override the controls: manually. Matt: But the only way you could do that is......oh shit.....I just figured out what you meant..... Ritsuko: What? What does she mean?! (Suddnely, realisation dawns on Ritsuko.) Ritsuko: Oh no......you really are mad. ------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------ (A short time later, back in the Jet Alone control centre.) Tokihida: You’re going into Jet Alone? Misato: That’s right. Tokihida: But the interior must be flooded with radiation! You’re insane! Misato: But if I succeed, Atsuki City will be saved. (Suddenly, a grunt followed by an axe burying itself in the control panel gets their attention. A technitian looks up, and speaks.) Tech 1: You should be able to access the interior through the backpack unit after our command signal is terminated. (Misato nods, and looks back at Tokihida, who is now facing away from Misato.) Tokihida: Hope. That’s the password to delete the program. Misato: Thank you, sir. (Suddenly, Matt appears beside Misato, also wearing a HAZ-MAT suit like her.) Misato: Just what do you think you’re doing? Matt: Sorry, Misato. You honestly think I’m going to let you go out there and have fun on your own? Misato: I’m ordering you to stay here, Matt. I can handle this. (Matt smirks, looking at Misato.) Matt: It’s times like this I’m glad I’m not under your jurisdiction. You’ll just have to deal with having company, Misato, because I refuse to let you do this on your own, if at all. (Misato shrugs, a resigned look on her face.) Misato: Your funeral. Matt: That’s no way to think about it. Let’s go. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (A short time later, onboard a massive F-TYPE transport unit, the huge form of Evangelion Unit 01 hangs, ready for action. Inside, Misato finishes briefing Shinji and Hyuga on the mission.) Shinji: You’re climbing on that thing? Misato: Correct. You’ll place myself and Matt on the target before doing your best to stop it getting any closer to the city. Shinji: But that’s just crazy! Misato: Well, my concience just won’t let me do otherwise. (A silence goes through, until finally, Shinji agrees to pilot the mission.) Hyuga: Sir? Have spotted the target. Misato: Right. Matt? Let’s go. Matt: I’m ready. (Soon afterwards, the entry plug is fitted, and the Evangelion is ready for launch.) Misato: Docking release!!! Shinji: Roger! (With loud clanks, the huge EVA is released from it’s transport, and it freefalls for a short time before hitting the dirt with a massive CRASH that shakes the earth. As the Transport heads away, EVA Unit 01 starts running at an incredible pace after the rouge Jet-Alone. Slowly, meter by meter, the EVA catches up.) Shinji: We’ve caught up to it!! Misato: We’ve got less than ten minutes!! Put us down!! (Unit One grabs onto the handle on the back of the Jet Alone, halting it in it’s tracks. As the EVA lowers it’s hand to the robot’s surface, two small figures dressed in HAZ-MAT suits can be seen scrambling off it, and onto the Jet Alone.) (As Matt and Misato carefully walk across the surface, suddenly, the machine shudders, and Misato loses her footing.) Misato: Aaaiiee!!! (Matt is instantly on it. Locking his feet into a ladder rung, he lunges down, catching Misato’s hand before she can slip out of reach.) Matt: Nnnnggg......Got you!!!! Come on, grab onto the ladder, I can’t hold you here for long!! (Misato manages to regain her footing, and carefully, the two get to the entrance. After a keycard check, Misato and Matt are granted entrance. A superheated gust of wind meets them.) Misato: Talk about hot! I got a bad feeling about this! Matt: Let’s get this over with, shall we? (Meanwhile, Unit One has managed to get around to the other side of the Jet Alone, and puts up it’s huge arms to try and block it.) Shinji: Stop running you bastard!!! ------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------- (A short time later, the two finally find the control chamber of Jet Alone.) Misato: This is it. Cross your fingers. Matt: Heh. (Misato carefully enters the password “hope”. However, the computer beeps a negetive, the word ‘error’ flashing on it’s screen.) Misato: Error? (She tries again, still to no avail.) Misato: The programming must have been altered. It must have... Matt: Oh shit...... (Suddenly, the chamber shudders as the robot’s N2 core begins to go through it’s final death throes. Outside, Unit One struggles to hold in the escaping gases.) Shinji: Misato!! Matt!! Get out of there!!! (Matt suddenly runs to one of the huge cooling rods.) Matt: C’mon, gimme a hand!! We’ll try the long shot!!! (As they both struggle to push the rod in, alarms are flashing everywhere.) ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- ----------------- Tech 1: Temperature is increasing!! Meltdown imminent!! Tech 2: By god, it’s going to blow!!! Hull integrity failing!! (Behind them, Tokihida hangs his head in final defeat.) --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------- (Suddenly, onboard the Jet Alone, the computer suddenly beeps an affirmative, and with a huge clunk, the eight coolant rods slide back into place, bathing the room in a green hue. Matt and Misato are sent sprawling by the sudden lack of something to lean on, but both lie motionless as time seems to halt. Outside, the robot stops, suddenly slumping on it’s feet. ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- Tech 1: Internal pressure lowering!!! All readings are normal!!! (The room erupts into cheers as the news spreads. However, one woman is not so pleased. Ritsuko Akagi seems separate from the others, looking away....) Ritsuko: Crazy fool..... ----------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- (Inside the Jet Alone, all seems silent. Matt and Misato lay slumped against the wall, exhausted after their ordeal.) Shinji: (Over the comm) Are you guys okay in there? Misato: Yeah, we’re fine. A little out of shape though.... Matt: Hey, speak for yourself... Shinji: Oh my god....it actually worked!! It’s a miracle!! Misato: Yeah.... (But the two in the robot are eyeing each other....for they know in their hearts that they are thinking the same thing....) Misato/Matt: (Thinking) But the miracle was set up by someone..... -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ---------------- (A few hours later, back at NERV H.Q., Ritsuko briefs Cammander Ikari on the event.) Ritsuko: The reports were clear on Unit 01. No risk of infection. Except for Captain Katsuragi’s operation, everthing went according to the plan. Gendo: Good work.... ------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- (Meanwhile, back at Matt’s apartment later on....) Misato: So do you have any idea who it might have been? Matt: Yeah, a little. But my goverment won’t tell me, so I guess I’m in the same situation as you. Still I’m glad we came out of it okay. Misato: Yeah, there’s something to be happy about.... (As Shinji enters the room, they all agree......it has been an eventful few days.) ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be continued......