Episode 17-  A knife in the dark/Ambivalence.

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(The scene opens on a bright, yet modestly cloudy day high in tha air.  The first thing we can see is the massive F-TYPE transport bearing the huge form of Evangelion Unit 03 towards it’s new home.  As it flies, we can make out it’s details more closely:  the EVA is predominantly black, with white trimmings.  A standard EVA body can be seen, topped off by a rounded head with two savage eyes and gnashing teeth.   As the craft moves to pass, we can hear the pilots talking with Tokyo-3.)
Pilot:  Control, this is Zulu Niner Alpha, have detected cumulo-nimbus clouds ahead.  Request instructions, over.
Control:  Roger, Zulu  Niner Alpha, cumulo-nimbus clouds confirmed.  No signs of storms or electrical activity.  Will monitor  and keep you updated, over.
Pilot:  Roger control, Zulu Niner Alpha over and out.
(As the aircraft dissapears into the clouds, we see a short burst of lightening arc behind the craft, almost as though something had occured....the aircraft flies on in peace.)

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(Meanwhile, back in Tokyo-3 at Misato’s apartment, Shinji finishes tying his shoelaces before standing up straight to look at Misato, who stands nearby.  Next to him sit two suitcases, neatly packed.)
Shinji:  Hey..where’s  Asuka?  I didn’t see her this morning.
Misato:  She’s taken off already....
Shinji:  I wonder why...
Misato:  Sometimes a teenage girl can be a hard thing to understand.
(There is a slight pause.)
Shinji:  I thought I hear-
Misato:  Uh, Shinj-
(They both stop, before Misato smiles and nods.)
Misato:  Go ahead.
Shinji:  I thought I heard about some kind of an explosion at the Second Branch in the U.S....is that true?
(Misato’s face is dismayed...but she goes on.)
Misato:  Yes.....EVA 4 and the entire Second Branch are gone....where did you learn that?
Shinji:  Uh....Kenske told me the other day that somethign had happened...Unit 03’s on it’s way over here now, isn’t it?
Misato:  Mm hmm...I’m going to Matsushiro for the next few days for the start-up test.  But don’t worry, Kagi’s coming to take care of you guys.
Shinji:  Who is the new pilot?
(At this, Misato hesitates.)
Misato:  The pilot is.....
(Suddenly, before she can say anymore, the doorbell rings twice quickly.  Shinji looks at it, slightly annoyed.)
Shinji:  Yes?
(The door opens to reveal Kenske Aida bowed down.  As the door clicks open, Kenske looks up.)
Kenske:  Good morning!  Major Katsuragi, I’ve come for your help!  Please, please, you’ve just got  to choose me as the pilot for EVA Unit 03!  I’m begging you!!
(Misato simply stares, mouth open as Kenske pleads on...)

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(A little later that morning...Misato and Ritsuko travel in a NERV M.C.U. (Mobile Command Unit) as it drives across the countryside.)
Misato:  So..when do we aquire the new pilot?
Ritsuko:  Tommorow.  There’s still a few details to be ironed out.  Have you told Shinji yet?
Misato:   (absently)  I’ll...tell him later....maybe the new pilot will tell him himself.
Ritsuko:  Oh, I doubt it.  This one wasn’t enthused about the idea at all..I think he’s scared of the whole prospect....he won’t talk.  The only way he agreed is on the condition that we take his little sister into our own private hospital.
Misato:  (sighing)  I see...

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(Back at the Tokyo-3 High School.  Kenske sits slumped and dejected at his desk whilst Touji relaxes back in his seat, feet on the table.)
Kenske:  (sad)  It’s not fair...why won’t Misato choose me as a pilot?  Even as a s pare?  Why can’t I be the pilot...
Touji:  (absently)  Yeah, I guess....
(Shinji looks at Touji oddly...and then notices Asuka enter the room.)
Shinji:  Hey!  Where wer you this morning?  You left before me, but you’re getting here after me...
Touji:  Aww, no fight between the newly-wed’s today?
(Asuka slams her bag down on her table, glancing an angry glare back at the three.)
Asuka:  I just didn’t want to see your ugly faces!!  You damned three stooges!!
(A long string of german curses can be heard afterwards as she shoves Shinji to one side to get into her seat.)
(The day goes on as normal, until finally lunch arrives.  Kenske drops his bag on his desk, getting  his food out.)
Kenske:  Ahh, the precious moment of lunchtime.  Hey..where’s Touji?
Shinji:  (standing nearby)  Uh....I haven’t seen him around today.
Kenske:  You mean he left?  Without his lunch?!  Touji the Stomach?!  That’s impossible!!
Shinji:  Well, he’s been acting kinda different lately....

(Meanwhile outside, Touji leans on the ballustrade of a balcony looking out over Tokyo-3 in silence.  As he stares out at the cityscape, he hears a voice behind him.)
Rei:  Uh...Mr Suzahara?
(Touji turns his head to look before looking back at the cityscape again.  Rei stands silently behind him.)
Touji:  Oh it’s  you, Ayanami.  If you’re looking for Shinji, he’s not here.
(There is a slight pause before he goes on.)
Touji:  You know, don’t you?  I think Asuka knows.
(Rei nods her head lightly.)
Touji:  It’s funny, you know...
Rei:  It is?  I don’t think I understand...
Touji:  Oh you have a thing about Shinji allright.
(Rei stops still for a moment...until she lowers her head.)
Rei:  Maybe that is true....
Touji:  (lightly amused)  You do.
(Below them, Hikari looks up at Touji and Rei standing above her with sad eyes.  In he hands, a neatly wrapped lunch can be seen.)
Asuka:  (in the background)  Hikari!  Let’s have lunch together!!!
Hikari:  (strangling a sob)  Okay....

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(Meanwhile, across town at NERV, Matt works on the Black Templar by himself again.  The two  NERV agents stand on the catwalk at the ‘mech’s shoulders, although Matt stands many stories below, his legs hanging out of a port near the ‘mech’s left hip.  The song “Neighbour” by Ugly Kid Joe can be heard echoing across the chamber out of the ‘mech’s external speakers.  It is obvious the two NERV men are trying their level best not to cover their ears.  Inside the ‘mech, Matt sings quietly to himself as he adjusts a large mechanism attached to the leg joints.)
Matt:  See I’m a dick, so?  I don’t care.  And I got dirty underwear.  I got my finger in my butt.  And I think your wife’s a sl-
Maya:  (over a comm nearby)  Matt?
(Matt stops singing at the sound of the comm, and reaches over to pick it up as he lowers the volume of the music with his wrist unit.)
Matt:  Yeeeeup?
Maya:  How are the check-ups on the Black Templar coming along?
Matt:  No worries, Maya.  I’m almost finished here already.  Just a few more modifications to make and the Black Templar will be ready to rock.
Maya:  (amused)  And how are your two supervisors?
Matt:  If you’re reffering to Beavis and Butthead out there, I think I’ve prematurely deafened them with my music, but otherwise they’re as stiff and untalkative as usual.  Why, you want to talk to ‘em?
Maya:  (trying not to laugh)  No, just checking.  Dr Akagi asked that I check up on your progress every so often.  Good to hear everything’s okay.
Matt:  Okay.  Anything else?
Maya:  No, I think that about covers it.
Matt:  Okay.  I’ll get back into it then.  Seeya.
Maya:  Okay...bye...
(Matt clicks off the comm unit and turns the volume up again as the song ends and a new one starts.  This song, however, is much different, with a more classic sound to it <Ed’s note:  the song is actually Libera Me from the Interview with a Vampire soundtrack, a paticularly moody and sinister sounding piece>.  Matt smiles to himself as he goes back to work.)

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(It is later in the day when we see Asuka and Hikari walking up the street together after school.)
Hikari:  Thanks for walking home with me, Asuka.  I thought you usually went home with Matt and Shinji.
Asuka:  Well I can’t go home with Matt anymore because of something that happened at work, and I only walked home with Shinji because we work together.  And right now, I don’t feel like looking at him.
Hikari:  Oh...
(The walk goes on in silence until the two girls reach a small lookout area looking over the city.)
Asuka:   You’re sad because of Touji, right?
Hikari:  (sad)  Yeah...how’d you know?
Asuka:  (smiling)  Everybody knows.  The three stooges are the only ones who don’t.
Hikari:  Oh....well...Shinji seems nice in a sensitive way..
Asuka:  (abruptly)  Shinji’s a big fat dork!!  And he’s denser than lead!  He wouldn’t know how to relate to someone if you gave him a manual!
Hikari:  Oh....Asuka...I think Touji might like Rei....
Asuka:  (dumfounded)  Are you kidding?!  Touji and Wondergirl?!
Hikari:  (hesitantly)   Well, they were talking together at lunchtime...
Asuka:  Ha!  Don’t worry, Hikari, it’ll never happen.  If Shinji is denser than lead, then Rei Ayanami is off the atomic scale!
Hikari:  Really?
Asuka:  (nodding enthusiastically)  Yup!
(Hikari smiles, glad to hear her friend’s optimism.)
Asuka:   (looking closely at her)  Can I ask you something?
Hikari:  Uh...sure...
Asuka:  Just what do you see in a dumb jock like that anyway?
(Hikari turns away, blushing madly)  His.....compassionate side....
(Asuka just stares at her friend in total disbelief.)

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(Later that night, in Misato’s apartment, Shinji and Asuka sit in the lounge.  Asuka reads from a tabloid magazine whislt Shinji idly does homework.  However, it is clear his mind is on something else.   In  the background, a cheesey television drama drones on.)
Shinji:  Hey, Asuka-
Asuka:  (absently, without looking up)  Kagi sure spends a lot of time in the tub.
(Shinji loks back at his homework again.)
Shinji:  (more to himself)  I wonder who the new pilot is....
(Asuka looks up at him, eyes wide open.)
Asuka:  You mean you haven’t heard?!
Shinji:  (suddenly interested)  Who is it?
(Asuka suddenly stops...and then seems to come to a conclusion before looking back at her magazine.)
Asuka:  ...I don’t know...
(A short time later, Kagi walks in, drying the last of the water from his hair.)
Kagi:  Yep!  Nothing like a bath...
(He stops to regard the two children in the loungeroom for a moment.)
Kagi:  Are you two fighting again?  I don’t believe it.  Are you always like this when Katsuragi’s around?
Asuka:  (quickly)  It’s not like that!!  I wanna be happy, especially since you’re spending the night, Kagi...but I can’t...
(She slumps on her pillow.)
Asuka:  Not now...not tonight...not with everything.
(Kagi is about to speak when Shinji stands up.)
Shinji:   Uh...if it’s okay, I might go and see Matt for a while.  See how he is.
(Kagi looks  at the boy narrowly.)
Kagi:  Didn’t Commander Ikari say you were  supposed to keep away from him?
Shinji:  (defensively)  It’s not like I know anything he doesn’t anyway...what harm can I do?
(Kagi thinks about this for a moment.)
Kagi:  Sure, why not.  I might join you, see how he’s doing myself.  You mind?
Shinji:  I don’t mind.
(However, when the two men press Matt’s buzzer, they can hear the sound of the bell within...but no answer comes to  the door.)
Buzzer:  (sounds like Bill Cosby)  SOMEBODY’S AT THE DOOR!!!!
(Kagi and Shinji exchange glances.)
Shinji:  He has a thing for Bill Cosby...
Kagi:  So I see...well, I guess he’s not home.  Sorry, Shinji.
Shinji:  That’s okay...I guess we can head back.
(They head back to Misato’s apartment...although Shinji is obviously a little upset.)

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(Meanwhile, on the other side of town, in an apartment across from Touji Suzahara’s apartment complex, Matt stands in a lounge next to another similarly dressed woman.  Both are looking at the monitor of a small computer built into a suitcase.  From the kitchen, the sounds of clinking bottles can be heard.)
Matt:  Hoi Jimmai, keep it down, willya?  I can’t hear him.
Woman:  (looking back into the kitchen)  What the hell are you doing in there anyway?
(A voice comes through from the kitchen.)
James:  Looking for that bottle of Sambuca I left in here last night.  You seen it, Kendal?
(The woman looks back at the console, smiling to herself.)
Kendal:  You drank that last night for a nightcap.
(There is a pause from the kitchen.)
James:  (obviously dissapointed)  CRAP.
Matt:  (laughing quietly)  You always did drink too much for your own good, Jimmai.
James:  (snorting)  Oh, get your hand off it.
(Matt and Kendal’s attention turns back to the small monitor, upon which an unaware Touji Suzahara can be seen sitting in a lounge, watching television.)
Matt:  Any sign we’ve been detected by anyone?
Kendal:  Are you kidding?  NERV’s goons couldn’t keep up with us if they tried.
Matt:  I know, I just like to hear it.
Kendal:  Ha ha.  Well, the Fourth Child’s not in any danger for the moment.  James and I will keep an eye on him until Section seven comes over to pick him up tommorow, of course.  But it looks like everything is going according to the plan for the moment.
Matt:  Yeah.  Maybe that’s why I’m so nervous.
James:  (walking in from the kitchen)  She’s sweet, Matt.  NERV’s got no idea we know what we do, and it’s gonna stay that way.
Matt:  I guess....
Kendal:  ....
(It is clear there is still a sense of uneasiness in the room, however.)

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(Meanwhile, far out to see, a squadron of aircraft fly, escorted by several dozen small fighters.  In their bomb bays, a massive bomb can be seen, each one marked with the initials “N2”.   As they fly along, they move closer to the ground, obviously in order to avoid radar detection.)

(Aboard the Righteous Endeavour, the  tactical officer’s, board suddenly lights up w ith alarms.)
T.O.:  Sir!!  We  have multiple aircraft closing fast!  Scans indicate they are carrying N2 weaponry!
(At the helm, Amy suddenly stands up from her seat, and guestures to the Fighter Control Officer.)
Amy:  Get twenty Starfurys in the air now!!!  I want those aircraft wasted ASAP!!!  And tell the patrol squadrons to prepare to repell attackers!
(Deep in the aircraft hangers, fighter technitians scramble across the deck as twenty Starfurys are loaded up and readied for combat.  Their pilots rush out, quickly donning flight gear in preparation for flight.  Five minutes later, all twenty are in the air, their turbines screaming in the night sky as they race towards the approaching aircraft.)
Amy:  Status of aerial defense network?
Tactical:  Armed and ready to fire, ma’am.
Amy:  Time until the Starfury’s contact the aircraft?
Tactical:  Thirty seconds.
Amy:   Tell them to hold their fire until they see a hostile action.  If those bastards come within ten kilometers of us, open fire.
Comms:  Feisar Wing leader reports orders  understood, ma’am.
(Back outside, the Starfury’s finally encounter the enemy aircraft.  Circling around them like a swarm, they begin transmitting radio signals.)
Voice:  (obviously Starfury pilot)  This is Commander Richard Murdock of the Republic Defense Force.  Turn your aircraft around immediately, or you will be fired upon.   This is your final warning.
(The aircraft answer...by breaking ranks and launching Sidewinder Missiles at the Republic aircraft.
Murdock:  Okay, Feisar Wing, nail ‘em!
(The Republic counter-offensive is swift...as each starfughter lines up, they unleash a deadly hail of bright green plasma bolts, ripping the enemy aircraft to shreds.  We follow behind one of the many Republic starfighters, which rolls neatly out of the flight path of a Sidewinder to launch it’s own Sledgehammer Missile at an approaching F18.  The missle homes in on the fighter, detonating between the tailfins.  The fighter’s fuel tanks rupture, and it burts into flame in mid air, sailing down to crash into the ocean some time later.  Another Republic starfighter fires it’s Plasma Cannons straight into the cockpit of the first bomber, frying the occupants and blowing the nose of the craft off.  As the aircraft tumbles from the sky, it’s counterparts fly on, the enemy F18’s making it difficult for the Starfury’s to follow.)
Murdock:  Endeavour, this is Feisar Wing!!!  A few bomber’s have slipped through us!!  Send in the Avengers!!

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(As the fifteen bombers start to arrive at the Endeavour, they are met by a new threat:  thirty F-190 Avenger Close-Range Fighters.  As four of the bombers die instantly in balls of roaring flames, the last eleven make a dive for the Endeavour, obviously not heeding their own safety as the Endeavour’s anti-aircraft fire rips through the first five, annihilating them in mid air.)
Amy:  A.T. Field up!!!  Now!!!!
(A slight shimmering effect passes over the ship as the invisible field  takes effect.  The bombers, ignoring the field dive on, with one dieing every second as the Avenger’s behind them close in.  At the last moment, the bombers start to level out, as the Avengers desperately try to destroy the last of them.)
Amy:  It’s going to hit!!  Full power to fields, and engage blast shields!!  EVERYONE GET DOWN!!!!
(Two bombers crash heavilly into the A.T. Field.  At first, the blast is insignificant, merely a small flash on the front of the Landship.

And then the N2 Mines they hold detonate.

The effect is instant...the explosion rips through the A.T. Field, immersing the ship in fire.  For the pilots of the Avenger’s behind them...death is instantaneous.  For the other pilots, their face shields automatically slam down to protect them from the ultra-bright glare, even as the blast wave reaches out and crushes them from afar.

On the ship, the blast is stopped before it can get into the hangers by massive blast doors.  However, on other decks, the damage is much worse.  On the bridge, a light brighter than a million suns lights up the room, causing everyone to drop to their knees and shield their face, even as the blast shields slam down over the viewports.  Outside, the immense explosion rips into the front of the ship where it struck, tearing through both metal and composites alike.  In the numerous decks, crewmember are killed where they stand as the blast hits them.  The front of the Landship noses down, it’s forward loading ramps sinking beneath the ocean as their repulsor-fields are torn out from under them.  As the blast wave starts to subside, the massive mushroom-cloud shape known so horribly well throughout the world takes form, driving the front of the landship into the water.  Finally, after untold damage, the blast begins to subside.....

Onboard the bridge...people start to breathe again.

Amy recovers from where she has fallen.  Clutching a bloody wound at her side, she collapses into her seat.)
Amy:  Everyone, sound off!  Is everyone okay?
(As the crew slowly call themselves out, it is clear there have been a few casualties.)
Amy:  Dammit....damage report!!
Tactical Officer:  (obviously trying to stay cool)  Heavy damage to the forward section:  we’ve lost all communications with both cannon controls, and we’ve still got damamge reports coming in now!
Communications:  Heavy casualties  reported on all sections of the ship!
Engineering:  Emergency bow repulsors have been engaged, main power is offline, we are on backup.
Weapons Engineering:  Sir, I’m receiving a communication from Fire Control B:   They report a massive anti-matter containment field failure!!!!
Amy:  Put it on audio!
(As the crackling  sound of the radio fills the bridge, everyone l istens in.)
Voice:  (obviously strained)  -otal failure of all contingency systems!!!  We’ve got a major overload of the primary magnetic field generators, and the secondaries are giving out fast!!  If we don’t blow the forward A.M. reactor now, she’s going to take out half the ship!!!
Amy:  Jettison the forward A.M. Reactor, now!!!!
(Outside, with a massive blast of hydraulic steam and rending metal, a massive circular object is fired out from underneath the ship, smashing deep into the water.)
Amy:  All hands, brace for shockwave!!!
(With an immense BOOM, the reactor detonates, removing billions of litres of water from beneath the ship and causing the water around it to blast upwards, rocking the ship about violently.  On the front of the ship, with an earsplitting CRACK, the left forward loading ramp snaps off, sinking beneath the waves.  Finally, the ship settles to the water’s surface as the explosion clears.)
Amy:  Get all crew on damage control, now!!  Inform medical that they’re going to be getting a lot of patients really soon.  And get me a status report on the fighters!  Find out what happened to-
(Amy stops in mid sentence as the wound as her side screams out for attention.  Struggling to stay on her feet, she looks across at the comms officer.)
Amy:  Inform fleet command to what has happened!  Tell them to send a resue ship ASAP!!!!

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(Back at the flat, Matt is just saying goodnight to James and Kendal when al three of their wrist units start  beeping urgently.  As they all look, they all see a dreaded sentence in flashing red on the display.
Display:  WARNING!!  COMMUNICATIONS WITH LANDSHIP CONTROL TERMINATED:  REASON UNKNOWN.
Matt:  What the fuck?!
James:  The Endeavour’s lost contact?!
Kendal:  That’s not possible!

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(Back at the Righteous Endeavour, now that the blast has cleared, the damage can finally be seen.  The front of the ship has  been blasted almost flat, with both forward cannons completely gone.  From above, decks well inside the ship can be seen, amongst thousands of small fires and explosions.  Emergency sirens can be heard blaring all over the ship as crew rush around, trying to put out the fires and save their injured crewmates.  It is obvious that the ship is having difficulty staying in the air, as the front of the ship seems  to keep bobbing slightly as it’s repulsor fields desperately try to hold it up.  On the bridge, reports are still coming in indicating the ship is not in good condition.  Amy sits at her post, talking into her console as General Pierce’s face stares back out at her.)
Pierce:  How long can you hold out?
Amy:  (still cringing as she clutches her wound)  We’re not sure...but not for much longer, that’s for certain.  We’ve got too many casualties to make repairs on our own, and we’ve lost half our contingent of fighters.  We’re sitting ducks out here, we need assistance now!!
Pierce:  (concerned)  The Errant Shroud and the Daedallus are racing at full speed now:  the Shroud’s starfighters will arrive in two hours...can you hold out?
Amy:  As long as we have to.  Tom, what do I do about Matt and the others?
Pierce:  For the moment, just send them a transmission indicating what’s happened, and tell them to continue on mission.
Amy:  And if they come to attack us again?
Pierce:  Use any means necessary to ensure they do not succeed.
Amy:  Understood.
(As Amy signs off, she stands again to address the bridge crew.)
Amy:  Ladies, Gents, we’ve learnt a valuable lesson tonight.  Technology can only protect us so far.  Next time we’ll be ready.  Now, get me a list of the most important damaged systems, pronto!!

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(Back at the flat, the three australian agents look concerned.  They have just finished reading the last message sent by the Endeavour.  Now all three are obviously contemplating what to do.  Matt sits in  a chair, alone in the corner of the room whilst James and Kendal sit beside one another at the table.)
Matt:  That bastard, Ikari.....he had  something to do with this,  I’m sure of it.
James:  (standing)  Then tonight he dies.
Matt:  (also standing)  You’ll do no such thing.  You know as well as I do killing him means changing the scenario.  We can’t do that.  Not yet.
James:   Then what the hell are we supposed to do?!  Nothing?!
Kendal:  James, settle down!!  We’ve gotta think this through.
Matt:  There’s nothing to think about....we have to carry on the mission...even if we don’t have the Endeavour’s backup...
(As they all consider this option, Matt goes on.)
Matt:  We’re all trained to the best standards the Republic could offer.  This is the sort of situation we revel in.
James:  Yeah, right.  I still feel like killing someone.
Matt:  (darkly)  As do I.  And trust me, the Republic’s not going to just sit down about this one.  Someone just signed their own death warrant.
Kendal:  I guess we’d better give a minutes silence for our newly fallen.
(The three lower their  heads and remain silent for five minutes, in respect for their dead.  Finally, they raise their heads again.)
Matt:  I think it’s time I was going.  If they could find the location of the Endeavour, there’s a good chance they might have found out where we are.  You two would do well to get out of here tonight.
James:  What are you going to do?
Matt:  Stay where I am.  If I run, I’ll blow my cover.  You two have a legitimate excuse for leaving.  I don’t.
Kendal:  Matt, like hell you are.
James:  Not on your own you’re not.
Matt:  Fine.  Stay at my place if you want.  But I’m not going anywhere.
James:  I guess that’ll have to do it.

(A few minutes later, the three dissapear from the room...taking all of their equipment discreetly with them.  Shortly afterwards, a black Jaguar followed by a black Dodge Viper can be seen driving off into the night.)

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(Next day, early in the morning.  The newly arrived Evangelion Unit 03 stands in the testing cage at Matsushiro.  It’s huge form is prepared for it’s first activation trial, finally.)
Announcer:  Repairs to the left arm completed.  All stations reporting ready for action.
2nd Announcer:  The Fourth Child has arrived.  Move all operations to the second stage.

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(At the school in Tokyo-3....Hikari stands in the classroom, looking for Touji.)
Hikari:  Asuka...have you seen Touji today?
Asuka:  No...He might not come today.
Hikari:  I made this for him...I was hoping we might have lunch together...
(She holds up the bundle to Asuka.)
Hikari:  Did you want this?
(Outside, Shinji and Kenske observe the city from a high point at the school.)
Kenske:  Unit 03 arrived yesterday, didn’t it?
Shinji:  Yeah....it’s going for it’s first activation trial today.
(Kenske’s head sinks lower.)
Kenske:  This sucks.....wonder who the new pilot is.....Touji  was  absent again today.  Maybe the it’s him.
Shinji:  (grinning)  Oh, I don’t think so!

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(Meanwhile, back at Matsushiro, the entry-plug is inserted into the plug at the back of the EVA as final preparations are made.  In the control box, amongst other technitians, Misato and Ritsuko confer.)
Ritsuko:  The system is ready for activation.
Misato:  Terrific.  Let’s get started.
Ritsuko:  That sounded enthusiastic.  You realise if it passes these tests, it will be posted to your unit.
Misato:  (grinning evilly)  Exclusive control of four EVA’s...if you wanted to, you could take over the world.
(Ritsuko pauses to look at her friend before continuing.)
Ritsuko:  So, have you told Shinji yet?
Misato:  I’ll...tell him after the test.
(Outside, as the nerve links between pilot and EVA are established, the EVA’s eyes glow a piercing white amidst the sounds of activation.)
Tech one:  Nerve pulses flowing normally.
Tech two:  External power online.
Tech three:  Count to absolute borderline...zero point two, zero point one....
(Suddenly, alarms go off as on the small screens, the nerve pulses change direction.)
Tech three:  The nerver pulses are flowing backwards!!!!
Ritsuko:  Abort the test!!!  Break the circuit!!!
(Outside, the EVA’s eyes turn to a gleaming red as the unit tears free of it’s bindings.)
Tech Three:  NO!!!  We’ve got high energy readings from inside the target!!!
Ritsuko:  AN ANGEL!!!!!
(The EVA’s armour expands slightly, showing a gleaming web-like substance between it’s armour plates.)
Ritsuko:  NO!!!
(As the EVA opens it’s mouth to roar....a blinding explosion goes off....and from a distance, all that can be seen of Matsushiro is a rapidly expanding cloud of vapour.)

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(Back at NERV, alarms are going off everywhere in Central Dogma.)
Hyuga:  There’s been some kind of explosion at Matsushiro!  Extent of damage unknown!
Shigeru:   We’ve got to handle this before the JSDF gets involved!!
Hyuga:  We’ve spotted a target approashing from the blast...spectral scans can’t prove if it’s an angel yet!
Gendo:  (from above)  Prepare for combat.  Launch all EVA’s.
Maya:  Roger.  All EVA’s, prepare for ground surface combat.
(Below, in the EVA hangers, the three Evangelions are prepared for combat.  As Asuka Shinji and Rei get  to their entry-plugs, Matt is stopped by NERV security half-way to the Black Templar.)
Agent:  Sorry, but the Commanders  orders.  You are not to come near the ‘mech until he gives the okay.
Matt:  WHAT?!
Agent:  You heard me!!
Matt:  If you don’t get out of my way within the next two seconds, I’m gonna rip your head off and shove it so far up your ass you’ll be jamming a toothbrush up there to clean your teeth!!  Now MOVE!
(But the agents are persistant, still not allowing him through.)
Matt:  IKARI!!!!  YOU’LL RUE THE DAY YOU SCREWED WITH US!!!!!!!!!

----------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------

(Outside, after the three EVA’s have  been launched, the pilots are breifed on the mission.  Unit 01 stands kneeling in a field as it’s pilot listens to the comm.)
Shinji:  An explosion?  Is everyone okay?
Maya:   (over the comm)  Contact hasn’t been restored yet.
Shinji:  Then what do we do?
Asuka:  We’re going to have to go for it ourselves.
Shinji:  But how are we gonna beat an Angel without her?
Rei:   Commander Ikari is going to command this operation.
Shinji:  (after a pause)  My father?

--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------------

(Back in Central Dogma, reports are coming in.)
Hyuga:  I’ve got a report from the Mount Nobei observation  tower...they’ve spotted the target.  I’m putting it on the screen.
(As the image flashes up...everyone gasps as the Angel steps into view from behind the mountain.  It’s normally graceful form is hunched over, with both arms hanging at either side, mouth wide open, like a zombie.)
Fujutsuki:  As we suspected.
Gendo:  Transmit the abort signal.  Eject the unit’s entry-plug.
(Aboard the EVA, the plug is stopped from launching by a hard set of webbing around it.)
Maya:  It’s not responding..none of the abort signals are working, sir!
Gendo:  I see...what about the pilot?
Hyuga:  Well, his heart’s still beating, and he’s still breathing....but he’s probably...
Gendo:  I understand...then we must assume the loss of Evangelion Unit 03, reclassified as the Thirteenth Angel.
All crew except Gendo/Fujutski:  What?
Gendo:  Send out the Evangelions at once to intercept the target at the base of Mount Nobei.  The target must be destroyed!
(A communication comes from down in the EVA hanger where the Black Templar sits, waiting.)
Voice:  Sir?  Colonel Eklom is demanding to be allowed to access the ‘mech.  What are your orders?
Gendo:  Stop him from accessing the ‘mech.  His prescence is not required.
Voice:  Yes sir.
(But in the background, Matt’s voice can be heard.)
Matt:  Ikari, either you let me through to that ‘mech, or I promptly kill each and every person who stands in my way.  Do you understand?
(Gendo remains silent, shutting off the comm.)

--------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------ ---------------

(In the EVA hanger, Matt hears the ‘click’ of the discommuication.)
Matt:  (laughing humourlessly)  Ho ho, no more warnings, Ikari.
(Matt starts forwards, and the two men standing at the entrance to the hangers stand in his way.)
Agent:  You heard the commander!  No acc-
(The first agent is promptly lifted off the floor by Matt’s left arm and hurled into his companion.)
Matt:  (unemotionlessly)  You are in my way.
(As he strides forwards into the first EVA hanger, the second agent recovers and attempts to grab Matt from behind.  Spinning an one heel, Matt brings his left leg around in an arc that knocks the other man’s legs out from under him.  As he headbuts the man directly to the temple, he lets go, limbs flailing wildly as he slips over the edge of the walkway.  His scream can be heard echoing across the chamber is he hits the bottom  with a wet THUD.  Matt walks on, seeing two more men in front.  They both pull their Glok-9’s, firing at Matt’s strongly striding figure.  Almost instantly, Matt’s armour reacts, accordioning over his form in one fluid motion to encase him in bullet-proof armour with a grey, faceless visage.  As bullets richochet widly off him, he reaches the first man, standing in front of the other.  Batting him harmlessly aside like an insect with his exo-armour giving him additional strength, the man’s neck is snapped in an instant, his limp form toppling over the edge.  The second man keeps firing, right up to the point where Matt grabs his outstretched arm, twists it until it breaks, burying the pistol deep in the man’s gut, and depressing the trigger himself again again until the weapon clicks empty.  The man’s choked scream follows his over the edge as Matt pushes both man and pistol aside without breaking stride.  Reaching the T-junction between EVA cages 1 and 2, he sees another group of men coming towards him.  Reaching into his coat, he withdraws a massive pistol, and continues striding towards them as he aims with one arm, the automatic pistol’s massive discharge echoing throughout the hangers until it sounds like thunder as it mixes with the dying men’s screams.)

--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ---------------

(Meanwhile, back outside, Shinji sits silently in his entry-plug, as Aoba Shigeru’s voice reaches them.)
Aoba:  Target is approching!
(Shinji looks up.  Although shadowed by the afternoon sun, for him, there is no mistaking the sillhouette that slowly walks towards him.)
Shinji:  It can’t be!
(As Shinji looks at the rouge EVA, Asuka, her EVA nestled nearby, a massive bazooka held over one shoulder, loks on in disbelief.)
Asuka:  Gott in heimel....how could it have been possessed like that?
Shinji:  Is that an Angel?
Gendo:  Correct.  That is your target.
Shinji:  It may be my target....but it’s also an EVA!  There’s someone inside there, isn’t there?
Asuka:  You mean you still don’t know this?!?   The pilot of Unit 03 is-
(Suddenl,y Asuka’s image in Shinji’s cockpit vanishes to be replaced with static, along with her scream.)
Shinji:  ASUKA!!!
(Outside, Unit 02 crashes to the ground as it’s entry-plug is force-jettisoned by Central Dogma.  Unit 03 walks past the inert EVA without a second glance.)
Aoba:  Unit 02’s pilot has been successfully ejected.
Hyuga:  Recovery teams are moving in!
Gendo:  Rei, stop it.  I’ll send in Unit 01 to support you.
(In her entry plug, Rei nods.)
Rei:  Yes sir.
(The huge form of Evangelion Unit 00 kneels behind a building clutching a Pallete Rifle, out of sight of the Angel/EVA as  it strides past her with it’s unusual, zombie-like gait.  Inside the plug, Rei looks through the EVA’s targeting reticle as she zones in on Unit 03’s entry-plug hatch.  However, just as she is about to fire...she hesitates.)
Rei:  (thinking)  But the pilot is...
(Suddenly, outside, the EVA stops walking.  Without turning around, it emits a low growl as it’s huge fomrs archs back, like it is in great pain.  Suddenly, it seems to rise off the ground in an immense gust of wind..and before she even realises it, the Unit  03 lands on Unit 00, pinning it  to the ground.  The EVA leans in on Unit 00, growling as if almost amused.  It’s left arm suddenly seems to liquify, melting into Unit 00’s left arm.  In the plug, Rei screams as she feels the Angel trying to invade her.)
Maya:  We’ve got a contamination alert!!!!!  Unit 03 is attempting to invade Unit 00!!!
Gendo:  Sever the left arm immediatly.
Maya:  But the pilot’s nerve connections are still active!
Gendo:  (forced)  CUT IT OFF.
Maya:  ...yes sir...
(Outside, the Unit 00’s left arm suddenly explodes away from the rest of it’s body.  Rei screams as  the pain of the injury is transmitted through to her  arm, making her feel as though it is her arm which has been blown off.  The huge arm crashes through a building before landing in a heap.  Unit 00 rolls  away from Unit 03, andd remains in a folded up position as Rei struggles to over come the pain.)
Maya:  Unit 00’s pilot is injured!  It can’t continue combat!!
Gendo:  The target  is approaching you, Unit One.  Stop it immediatly.
(In Unit 01’s entry-plug, Shinji  looks  up as the EVA once again turns to face him and walk steadilly towards him at a slow pace.)
Shinji:  There’s another kid in there, isn’t there?
(The EVA plods on, it’s hate filled red gaze starign straight into Shinji’s eyes.)
Shinji:  Another kid like me....
(Suddenly, the EVA stops a distance away from Unit 01.  Unit 01 stands with it’s rifle aimed at Unit 03....but Shinji does not dare fire.  Sudddenly, Unit 03 lowers it’s head....and roars!!)
EVA Unit 03:  GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAARRR!!!
(Leaping into the air, and cartwheeling in mid flight, it lands a devastating kick to Unit 01’s chest, sending the other EVA flying.  In the plug, Shinji recovers quickly....and sees the EVA’s entry-plug hanging out thte back of Unit 03’s neck.)
Shinji:  An entry-plug!!!!  I knew it!!  I knew there was someone in there!!!
(Unit 03 scrapes the ground like a dog for a moment, before throwing it’s arm back, and hurling it towards Unit 01.  The arm distends horrbly, extending to reach out and wrap it’s fingers around Unit 01’s neck.  As Shinji gasps for breath in the plug, Unit 03’s other arm snaps forwards, joining the first arm to crush the EVA’s neck.  In the entry-plug, Shinji struggles to hold the EVA’s arms away, but their strength is too much.)

----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------------

(Back in the EVA hangers, Matt has done a merry dance of death along the hanger catwalk.  As he drags the half-concious body of anolther agent with him, he holds it up like a shield to block the incoming barrage of shells from an M16 hel by another agent.  Still moving forwards, he drops the dead body, and lets fly with his own pistol, blasting the major part of the other agent’s upper section over the side of the catwalk.  Finally, he reaches the Black Tempar.  Closing the field long enough for him to get inside it, he reactivates the field.)
Matt:  TEMPLAR!!  CODE 043!!  Full spread of A.I. Field!!!
(With a blur, the field expands to encompass the entire fourth cage.  Any agents unlucky enough to be in the cage are electrified where they stand, their charred bodies held up only by the immense electrical current running through them.  Those carrying rifles die horribly as their weapons explode in their arms, blasting their charred remains to pieces.  Matt climbs into the cockpit of the ‘mech, and prepares  to start it.)
Matt:  (into the comm)  Hold on Shinji, I’m on my way!!!
(With the  sound of activating servo-motors, the Black Templar’s eyes light up, and it’s head looks skywards.)
Matt:  (in the cockpit)  Ikari, if you don’t launch the ‘Templar in five seconds, what happened in the EVA cages just now will be a pleasent memory compared to what I’ll do trying to get out on my own.
(It is with these words that Gendo finally agrees.)
Gendo:  Dammit!!  Launch the Black Templar!!
(With a blast of steam and jets, the Templar screams up the launch tube, it’s speed increased as it fires it’s back mounted jets.)

-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------------

(Back outside, Unit 01 is forced into the side of a mountain as Unit 03 leans in, still trying to squeeze the life out of the EVA.)
Hyuga:  The pilot’s life signs are erratic!  He can’t keep this up!!
Fujutsuki:  Damn!!  Reduce our pilot’s synch ratio to sixty percent!
Gendo:  Belay that!
Fujutsuki:  But Ikari, if we don’t, the pilot could be killed!
Gendo:  Shinji, why aren’t you fighting back?
Shinji:  (choked)  I can’t!!  There’s another person like me inside!!
Gendo:  Irrelevant.  Destroy our enemy!
Shinji:  If he’s still alive, we have to help him!!  I can’t kill another human being!!!
Gendo:  It’s him or you!
Shinji:  NO!!   I’D RATHER DIE!!!
Gendo:  (standing)  DAMMIT!!!  Shut down all of Unit 01’s nerve connections!!!
Maya:  (in disbelief)  Shut them down?!
Gendo:  Engage the Dummy Plug system.  Then activate!!!
Maya:  But the dummy-plug system isn’t ready yet! Dr Akagi hasn’t approved the specifications yet!!
Gendo:  IT’S STILL BETTER THAN THE CURRENT PILOT!!!!  DO IT!!!!!
Maya:  (turning away, darkly)  sir.

-------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------------------- -------------------------------------

(In the entry-plug of Unit 01, Shinji relaxes as suddenly, everything goes black as the EVA is shut down.  As he gasps for breath, suddenly, the interior of the plug goes bright red, and s Shinji looks up, the sounds of reactivation can be heard...only much more high pitched.  On a display near the front, Shinji sees the words.)
Display:  DUMMY PLUG SYSTEM ENGAGED:  REI 04
(Shinji looks on in horror before crying out.)
Shinji:  WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, FATHER?!?!?!
(In central-dogma.)
Hyuga:  Connections completed.  But emotional responses are still unknown.
Maya:  We can’t monitor the status of the plug, sir!
Gendo:  Irrelevant.  Activate the dummy plug now!!
(Outside, the EVA’s eyes suddenly glow a deep, forbidding red, and with a huge start, the EVA’s arms reach out, and wrap around the throat of Unit 03.  Unit 03 stumbles, the unbelievable force around it’s neck enough to crack the armour.  In the plug, Shinji can only watch in horrified awe as with a sickening crunch, Unit 03’s neck snaps wetly, the EVA’s head lolling to one side with an immense scream.)
Maya:  My god...is that what the dummy-plug is for?
(Outside, Unit 03’s arms slide helplessly away from Unit 01 to hang limply at it’s side, the EVA dead.  However, Unit 01 is not yet finished, picking up the EVA to hurl it crashing to the ground.  Looking at  the bloody head of Unit 03, it reels back and smashes the EVA’s head with it’s right arm, and with a sickening crunch, the EVA’s head explodes, covering all the street in blood and brain mass as Unit 01 grabs Unit 03’s arm.)
Shinji:  DAMMIT!!!  FATHER!!!  STOP THIS GODDAMN THING!!!
(In central dogma, technitians either turn away in horror or stare in disbelief as Unit 01 proceeds to tear off the arms of Unit 03 and hurl them across the city.  It then goes on to continually drive it’s fists again and again into the exposed belly of Unit 03, blood spraying in all directions as  it pounds on mindlessly.)
Shinji:  FATHER!!!  PLEASE, FOR GOD SAKES STOP!!  STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP!!!!!!
(The river nearby flows red with blood.....lights, buildings and trees drip wet with scarlet.  Still, the EVA pounds on, spattering blood and EVA body parts everywhere.  In the plug, Shinji looks up from pulling  innefectually at the handgrips of the entry-plug to see the EVA holding in it’s hand the web-covered form of Unit 03’s entry-plug.)
Shinji:  FATHER!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
(As the EVA moves to crush the plug in one quaking hand, suddenly, another huge hand clamps down over the EVA’s wrist, pinning the fingers open, so they cannot crush.  Looking up from the carnage, Shinji sees a sight he has never been so happy to see...
The fearsome sight of the Black Templar holding Unit 01 back.)
Matt:  Forgive me for doing this, Shinji....
(With a sharp compression, the Black Templar crushes the EVA’s wrist, shattering it through and through, and causing it to drop the plug into the Black Templar’s over outstretched hand.)
Matt:  ....but this is the only way.
(Placing the plug  on the ground away from the conflict, the Black Templar lifts it’s hand back up just in time to stop a huge left cross from Unit 01.  Retaliating with a huge backswing, the ‘mech smashes the EVA into the mountaiside with an immense backhander across the face of Unit 01.  Gripping the EVA by it’s chest armour, the Black Templar slams the berzerk EVA again and again into the mountainside.)
Matt:  IKARI!!!!  SHUT DOWN THE DUMMY PLUG AND RETURN CONTROL TO THE PILOT BEFORE I DESTROY IT MYSELF!!!!
(In central dogma, Gendo stands once again.)
Gendo:  Shut down all nerve-connections to Unit 01 NOW!!!
(As  Unit 01’s struggles cease, The Black Templar stops attacking it, and helps it to it’s feet.)
Matt:  Shinji!!  Are you allright?!  Answer me!!!
(Shinji’s reponse comes...)
Shinji:  I’m ...okay...
(Although a little shaken.

In the silence that ensews, Aoba’s voice can be heard.)
Aoba:  EVA Unit 03....I mean....the target has gone completely silent.
(In the resumed silence, all that can be seen in the mindless destruction caused by Unit 01.  Blood covers everything, amidst shattered armour and broken bone.  The Black Templar turns to regard the blood-caked entry-plug of Unit 03.)
Matt:  (to himself)  Damn you, Ikari....

---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- -----------------

(Far from this scene of slaughter, Hikari hums quietly to herself in her kitchen, oblivious to what has just happened, as she prepares the evening meal <Ed’s note:  Again, she is humming “Fly me to the Moon”.  What IS it with that song?>.)
Hikari:  Now, what shall I cook for Kidomi, Mizoma and myself?  Hmm, but these all serve four....I sure  hope he’s hungry tommorow.

----------------------------- -------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------

Voice:  Over here!!  There’s another survivor!!!
(Misato first hears this voice...and then slowly opens her eyes to  find herself lying on a stretcher, her arm in a sling and her head bandaged.)
Misato:  I’m....alive?
Voice:  Yes sir, under 800 meters.
(As Misato looks around, she sees Kagi kneeling beside her.)
Misato:  Kagi?
Kagi:  You were lucky, Katsuragi.  Most of the other’s didn’t survive.
(The camera pans out to reveal a massive smoking crater where the Matsushiro Evangelion Testing Facility once stood.  Overhead, emergency helicopters fly, and all around emergency vehicles sits, with sirens blarign all over the place.)
Misato:  What...about...Ritsuko?
Kagi:  Don’t worry.  She wsn’t hurt as badly as you.
Misato:  (releived)  Good....(suddenly concerned)  What about EVA 03?
Kagi:  It was destroyed.
(Misato’s face shows a  glimmer of sadness.)
Kagi:  As an Angel.
(Misato’s eyes widen in shock.)
Kagi:  By Unit 01.
(Misato breaks down into tears.)
Misato:  I never told him....Shinji....he never knew.....

-------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

(Meanwhile, a short time later, back at the foot of Mount Nobei.  The kneeling form of Evangelion Unit 01 kneels over the recovery squads as they move to help the Fourth Child in the entry-plug below.  Next to it, the Black Templar stands, it’s huge form dwarfing the hunched figure of the EVA.)
Misato:  (over the comm)  Shinji?
(Shinji sits in his entry-plug...but his head is hung low, and there is much pain in his voice.)
Shinji:  (wracked by sobs)  Misato.....I almost killed  today.....my father made me...I begged and begged him....
Misato:  Shinji....I’m sorry....dear god I’m sorry.....
Maya:  Report from the recovery squad...pilot’s life signs confirmed!
(Shinji looks up with sheer joy in his eyes.)
Shinji:  He’s alive?!
(As Misato goes on, Shinji looks through the entry-plug viewport to the recovery squad clustered around the entry-plug below.)
Misato:  (still broken with tears)  Shinji...I need to tell you something...something important....the pilot of Unit 03....is-
Matt:  (quietly) Save it, Misato.
(As Shinji sees the broken body of his best friend and confidant, Touji Suzahara being pulled from the entry plug, everything seems to vanish around him as his heart beat seems to engulf his hearing, blocking out the sound of Misato andd Matt’s voice, the walls of the entry-plug, everything.  All he can think of is Touji’s injured body....
....and his bloody hands.)
Matt:  (quietly)  He already knows.
Shinji:  (screaming)  NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------

To be continued......