To Be Continued . . .
NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION:
R
ILLUSTRATED ORIGINAL
FICTION
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Episode 30: " Listlessness" / " Listlessness"
( Early morning . . . in the quiet quarters of Major Misato Katsuragi . . ..)
Shinji: No! I won't! not again! Last time . . . you
promised you wouldn't put me in that
situation ever again!!
Misato: Shinji, please! You have to. There is no
one else. Asuka certainly can't handle it right
now, and Unit 0 is still not functioning. Rei can't use EVA's 1 or
2. I'm sorry, but there is no
other choice.
Shinji: But-I don't want to! Can't you see? After what happened to Nagisa-
Misato: (angry) You know what the fifth child was! We all
remember! But that's not to say the same thing is
going to happen today, right? And in case it does--or if that boy
needs help--
who will be there?
Shinji: . . .
Misato: You have to be at unit 1's cage within the hour.
I promise--I promis--if anything
goes wrong--Anything--saving him will be our top priority.
(Shinji looks away from the small telephone
as Misato's call is disconnected. . . his eyes falling
to the floor, as he places the cellular on the desk before him . ..)
Shinji: (quietly) You . .promise. . .
(The child says nothing more as he angrily stands up from the desk, shutting the door to his room.)
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(Simultaneously, in the transport taking Major
Katsuragi to the test area,
Misato leans back in her seat as she turns off her cellular.
Akagi is seated next to her, driving.)
Ritsuko: "His safety will be our top priority," eh? I wasn't aware of any change in protocol.
Misato: What did you want me to tell him? To expect the
same thing that happened the last two times?
Then he'd never agree to do it.
Ritsuko: So you lied to him?
Misato: No! The boy's life will be one of our major concerns, just-
Ritsuko: Just not our primary concern. Right?
Misato: . . .
(Misato, however, does not answer.)
Ritsuko: You do know, of course, what we ARE to do if This turns out to be another problem?
Misato: Yeah. I don't want to talk about it, alright?
Ritsuko: Suit yourself.
(Indeed, there is little talk as the transport continues toward its destination.)
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(Elsewhere, far below the surface, Rei Ayanami
is standing on the
observation deck above Unit 6's cage, looking at the EVA through the
glass as its final system checks are run. On her face is a look
of deep contemplation. )
-(Flashback)-of Shinji: Don't you remember?
-( Flashback)- of Kaoru: "You are like me."
-( Flashback)- of Kaoru's death.
-( Flashback)- of the vision in the tube . . .
(She looks once more to the unit's head, at
the contours, which very much
resemble those of her EVA. Finally, she steps away as the primary
restraints are
locked into place. As she does so, it can be seen that the hallway
she is in has
another row of windows on the opposite side, which she steps slowly
toward.
She stands there, looking down blankly at the contents of the cage
through the glass.
Below her, Unit 0 is nearing the final stages of regeneration . . .
She still makes no sound. Several moments pass.
Finally, she leaves the room altogether.)
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(Several thousand meters above, Asuka sits
in the bath, still fuming over
her encounter with Anouilh from the previous day. Despite her
anger, however,
she can't help but wonder aloud why anyone would be "disappointed"
by her.
(A part of her knows, of course. The
part that also knows she can yet
achieve a synchro ratio of only 23%.)
Asuka: (to herself) Das sechste Kind. Sixth Child! Child of what?
(She pauses, looking toward the clock, which
reads noon.
In her mind, an image of her encounter with the boy replays
itself once more . . .)
Asuka: (spitefully) Du Irrer!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Elsewhere, the boy in question, Lyn Anouilh,
seals the catches
on his plug suit, which is a dark shade of yellow complimented by a
black trim. He looks toward the small monitor on the wall of
the
equipment room, where unit 6 is shown still being prepped.
He checks the clock, then gets up to leave. As he exits,
he encounters Shinji, who has already changed.)
Lyn: Oh! Um-- Hi. . .!
Shinji: Hello.
Lyn: We met before, right? In the school. You are. . uh . . 'Ikari-kun.'
Shinji: You can call me Shinji
(The boy manages a weak laugh, mentally kicking himself . . .)
Lyn: Yes. Shinji. Did I say that right?
Shinji: You sound fine.
( The two begin to walk down the hallway together)
Lyn: You are the pilot of Evangelion unit 1, right? You'll be shotgun on this, I guess.
Shinji: Shotgun?
Lyn: Aco-Accompanying me.
Shinji: Yes
(Lyn is quiet for a moment, and looks down at the cuffs of his plug suit)
Lyn: I know why, you know.
Shinji: What?
Lyn: It's because of what happened to the last two, right?
They're afraid I'll go crazy or something.
(Shinji looks ahead, silent)
Lyn: That's why there are only three of you, isn't it?
Shinji: (slowly) Yes.
Lyn: (Looking ahead.) I'm sorry-
(He stops as they come upon the door leading
to the elevator
which will take Lyn to unit 6's cage. The boy presses the keypad,
then looks at Shinji. Several seconds pass as the elevator ascends.)
(Finally, Lyn breaks the silence.)
Lyn: Shin-ji?
Shinji: Yes?
Lyn: If something happens . . .you're going to be there to help me, right?
Shinji (quickly) yeah . . .
(The door opens, and Anouilh enters, still looking at Ikari as it closes.
Shinji, however, looks away as it descends. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Above ground, Sirens begin to wail as the
massive towers of Tokyo 3's
outer Citadel lower into their angel-attack ready positions, beneath
the ground.
As if complimentary to all the noise, a voice can be heard over the
PA network)
Announcement: . . .riod. Repeat--All residents of
the Tokai district are to remain indoors for the duration
of the alert period. . .
(moments later, inside the Nerv control center, Maya and Ritsuko set the final countdown for launch. . .)
Ritsuko: Is unit 6's entry plug inserted?
Maya: Affirmative.
Ritsuko: Has unit 1's?
Maya: There just getting him in now, sir.
(Behind them, a door slides open and Seyoko enters)
Seyoko: Has Lyn been placed in unit 6?
Ritsuko: Yes
Seyoko: And the third child?
Ritsuko: They're getting him in as well.
Seyoko: Very well. You are now responsible for the boy Anouilh's safety and well being.
Ritsuko: (slightly annoyed) Are you not his Liaison? Are those not, in fact, your duties-
Seyoko: (quickly) When his life is in my hands, then yes,
they are. However, at this moment, it is all out
of my hands. I have placed him in yours. I am simply informing
you of the state of
accountability.
Ritsuko: Very well.
Maya: (thinking) friendly Girl.
Maya: Sir, the pilot's been inserted into unit 1.
Ritsuko: Is Shinji's neural linkup complete?
Maya: Yes sir.
Ritsuko: Any anomalies detected?
Maya: Negative.
Ritsuko: Alright. Launch Unit 1.
(Inside Unit one's entry plug, Shinji feels the familiar rush as the massive creature is launched into place in the test-area above. . .)
Maya: Launch complete
Ritsuko: Very good. Has Anouilh been connected?
Maya: They're doing it right now. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, far below, Lyn has been placed
inside unit 6's entry
plug which has, in turn, been inserted into the unit itself.
He nearly
jumps at the sound of a female operator announcing: )
Technician: Unit 6, online. Commencing Entry plug LCL injection: filling the entry plug.
(The boy cannot help but gag as the fluid fills his lungs. . . but makes no other sounds)
Technician: Primary neural connections: -complete. Secondary
connections: -complete.
Connection to the A10 nerve is-functional.
(around him, a cascade
of multicolored light fills the plug-soon, he
can see the entire docking area through large, simulated "windows"
in the plug walls)
Technician: Set the primary language interface for English. .
.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In the control room, Misato has arrived, as
Maya receives the
information gathered on the boy's progress)
Maya: Connect the mutual lines. Synchronization ratio is 23.1%.
Ritsuko: Not too bad for two days of training.
Maya: All harmonics read normal. System verifies user control.
Misato: Well, he's gotten this far . . .
Ritsuko: Commence the launch sequence.
(Below them, a tech's voice announces the removal
of the umbilical
bridge, then the lock bolts, and primary and secondary restraints)
Maya: Evangelion unit 6 ready for launch.
(Ritsuko is quiet for a moment, and glances at Seyoko. The younger woman slowly nods.)
Misato: Launch Eva unit 6.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(The 6th child is pushed into is seat
by the surge of G-forces as the
entire unit rushes up the narrow, dark tunnel. His ears are filled
with the
sound of metal against metal as massive wheels send him shooting into
place . . .)
(He still makes no sound, however-and can only
grit his teeth as the
speed increases . . . Suddenly, all is light-as the EVA comes to a
complete stop above ground.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In the control room, the tension is at an apex: )
Maya: Unit 6 ready. Unit one on standby at ready status. Awaiting orders.
Ritsuko: Here we go. Lyn, can you hear me?
(Inside Unit 6's entry
plug, Ritsuko's voice fills Anouilh's ears:
only here, it is in perfect English)
Lyn: Y-Yeah. I hear.
Ritsuko: Concentrate on my voice, Lyn. Do you understand everything I'm saying?
Lyn: Yeah! I can! How did-
Ritsuko: The language interface in that EVA provides a translation
algorithm--you
should be able to understand everything I tell you. And you will
do exactly as
I instruct. Is that understood?
(The child's face slowly fills with determination)
Lyn: Yes. . .
Misato: Shinji?
Shinji: Yes? I'm here.
Misato: Remain at ease for now . . . and stay alert.
Shinji: . . . .
Ritsuko: Lyn? We're going to begin. Have you learned
the locations
of the emergency power sources? weapon depots?
recovery areas? Escape routes?
Lyn: Yes.
Ritsuko: Then we'll start with walking, for now.
Lyn: (surprised) Walking? But I already-
Ritsuko: This EVA's a little different from the model your used
to.
Its gyroscopic systems and your own sense of balance
need time to adjust to one-another, so we're going to start simple.
Understood?
Lyn: (slowly) Yes. Sir.
(Seyoko turns from the massive viewscreen,
where EVA unit
6 can be seen, to Misato.)
Seyoko: Please pardon my intrusion, but why are you here?
This is a training exercise, not a tactical situation.
Misato: I need to be here in case of any problems with his first
test--
if things turn INTO a tactical situation, Sey-
(She pauses, correcting herself )
Misato: Er-'Lieutenant.'
Seyoko: I see.
(Ahead of them, Ritsuko ignores the stifled
conversation-
and continues to instruct Lyn . . .)
Ritsuko: Try not to think about what your doing. Remember: walking...
Lyn: Walking----Walking---Ah-
(Slowly, the unit lumbers forth from the Launch
scaffold.
Its first steps are unsure at first, but slowly, they begin to pick
up . . . )
Ritsuko: Excellent! But your still a little shaky. Just try to concentrate on something in the distance, okay?
Lyn: (Unsure) Okay . . .
(He stops and looks about for a moment.)
(As he searches for something to focus on, his eyes
fall upon one
of the taller buildings in the citadel. Slowly, he moves toward it,
unconsciously raising his right arm. )
(To those in the control center, It looks not unlike a child taking its first steps. . .)
Ritsuko: How's his balance?
Maya: He's maintaining a stable posture: He's not compensating
enough for the wings, though.
Ritsuko: You're doing fine! Try standing up straighter-
Your going to throw yourself off if your not careful. . .
Lyn: Walking . . .
(In a short time, the
EVA clears the 5 blocks between it and
Shinjuku (Memorial) Tower. As it approaches, Lyn makes out the
Unit's reflection
in the glass windows that cover the building's surface. Slowly,
the Unit's
fingers get close enough to touch the image . . .)
Ritsuko: Wait! STOP!
Lyn: Oh!
(The massive fingers suddenly halt, only inches from the fragile glass. . . )
(ED. Note: actually, the glass probably isn't that fragile: most likely it's shock absorbent, reinforced crystal-But that really doesn't mean much to something with the strength to break I-beams like paper clips)
(seconds later, There is a collective sigh of relief inside the control room: )
Ritsuko: (Sighing) That's okay--try not to lose yourself completely.
Lyn: (restrained) Uh-sorry.
Ritsuko: Don't worry. How do you feel?
Lyn: fine, I guess. Maybe a little dizzy. . .
Ritsuko: That'll go away soon. With enough practice, that is.
Maya: Sir?
Ritsuko: What?
Maya: The unit's out of the test zone.
Ritsuko: Not a problem. Lyn-you're out of the test area.
take the EVA back
to the launch scaffold so we can continue the training.
Lyn: Okay-
(The Eva slowly
turns around, and begins in the direction of the launch tower . . .
. . .Suddenly, however, the right foot becomes
caught under one of the
heavy power cables strewn about the test area. As It tries to
take
another step forward, it loses all balance-)
Ritsuko: Lyn! Watch your-
Lyn: (yelling in surprise) Whaaaaaaaaaaat??!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(The Unit loses its footing completely, falling
flat on its face with a massive
impact which, in turn, sends a wave of vibrations shuddering through
most of the nearby
structures . .
Across the field, unit 1 suddenly springs to life-raising
its artillery rifle to the ready.
Instantly, the targeting reticule is positioned over the entry plug
casing at the base
of the Fallen EVA's neck-)
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Misato: Shinji! It's alright! He just fell-!
Shinji: What?
(Suddenly, Shinji seems to snap out of his
daze, suddenly realizing where he is--
his eyes fall upon his display, which shows the target reticule's position.
Underneath
his thumb, the safety switch for the rifle has been shut off.
Slowly, he realizes, to his
horror, how quickly and how close he had come to killing the 6th child.
. . Slowly, the
EVA's weapon slips from its hands, and falls to the ground.)
Misato: Shinji? Are you okay?
Shinji: Uh---
Misato: Shinji . . ?
Shinji: I'm - - I-
Misato: Shinji!
Shinji: . . . I'm . .okay
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Ritsuko: Lyn? Can you hear me? Are you alright?
Lyn: Ow ow ow ow. . .
Maya: His readings are fine-he's just a little shaken.
Seyoko: Anouilh! Are you okay? Speak!
Lyn: Ahh-Yeah, I-.
Ritsuko: Are you hurt? Can you continue?
Lyn: I think so. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, on an observation deck situated
far outside the test area, Asuka and Rei
stand watching the test. Ayanami seems only passively interested
in what is
happening, and seems more affixed on Unit 1. Asuka, however,
can hardly keep
her footing, as she is shaking with laughter. . . )
Asuka: Ha! Das hat er verdient! 'Flat on his face, too! Serves him right!
Rei: Oh? How so?
Asuka: What do you mean? He deserves it! Thinking he's so hot, when he can barely walk!
Rei: And. . .
(Rei's eyes are still fixed on the test area as she responds . . .)
Rei: And. . .What about you?
Asuka: (Suddenly angry) Oh, . . . Shut up!
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(Back in the control room, Things have calmed down a bit-)
Ritsuko: Lyn, try to stand up.
Lyn: How?
Ritsuko: (mumbling) How many times do we have to go over this
. . . Lyn, There is no 'how'.
Don't even imagine yourself doing it--just do it as you normally would.
Stand.
(For several seconds, there is no movement.
Finally, the unit shudders
once, and its hands come into position, pushing it off the ground.
There is
the sound of metal being stressed as the EVA slowly stands.)
Maya: I read negligible damage to the head armor. Brain-case intact. Pilot readings are normal.
Ritsuko: Okay-return to the zero point. We'll start again. And this time, watch your step.
Lyn: Yes ma'am.
(Over the next hour, Akagi takes the boy through
the entire induction
process with no further difficulties. )
(However, though Unit 1 remains on standby, Shinji is motionless, his eyes still fixed on the safety catch for the rifle. Slowly, for reasons he can barely fathom, he is filled with a profound sense of shame. . .)
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(Several hours later, Unit 6 is returned to
the cage, and as Anouilh
exits the entry plug, he finds that Seyoko is on hand to meet
him.)
Seyoko: well, how was it?
Lyn: Fine.
Seyoko: Just 'fine'? How do you feel?
Lyn: Really?
Seyoko: Yes!
Lyn: I feel . . . Soaked. And tired.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Elsewhere, Shinji is has locked himself away
in his room, lying in bed.
In his mind, over and over, he replays the image of the targeting reticule
locking onto unit 6's entry plug . . .)
Shinji: What if. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Hours later Ritsuko, looking for Gendo, finds
him on the observation
deck observing Unit 6's cool down process, and informs him of the 6th
child's status: He has passed the introductory phase of his training,
and,
despite others' beliefs to the contrary, she advises that he no longer
be
perceived as a threat. Gendo, however, is far less optimistic:
)
Gendo: So, you would forget the past, and act like the incident with the 5th child never occurred?
Ritsuko: No. but I don't think posting four security officers outside he and Lt. Okazaki's quarters is necessary any longer.
Gendo: . . .
Ritsuko: For the child to correctly adjust to the environment we've placed him in, we-
Gendo: (interrupting) At what point were you made his deputy?
I am well aware of the child's needs.
But I am also aware of the influence of certain powers outside of
our
own. The security detail will remain in place until I deem it unnecessary.
Not before.
Ritsuko: But-
Gendo: Is that understood, Dr. Akagi?
Ritsuko: (Firmly) Yes, commander.
(As she exits, she thinks to herself)
Ritsuko: (thinking) Arrogant bastard! Just because
you're my keeper . .
doesn't mean you have to be the children's . . !
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, Lyn is alone, riding the express
platform taking him over the
Geo-front, which provides him with an excellent view. He is silent,
looking
out onto the flooded landscape below. . .)
(A short while later, he walks through the
darkened southwest corner
of the city, several blocks away from the apartment in which he is
staying.
The monotonous sounds of construction fill the night air, raking his
nerves,
for he has lost his way. . .)
(Finally, after nearly 3 hours have pass, he
finally finds his way to the
correct apartment complex. As he enters the elevator set to take
him to
his floor, however, he is surprised to run into Asuka, who is also
on her way home-)
Lyn: Oh!
Asuka: . . . meine.
Lyn: eh--Pardon me . . .
(He enters, pressing the button for his floor)
(Several seconds pass, then Asuka slowly smiles wryly)
Asuka: I watched your test today. Not bad. But please
tell me:
What was it that caused you to fall so . . . suddenly?
Lyn: (noticeably embarrassed) I-It- Look, It's none of your concern.
Asuka: Oh? And why not? Am I not fit to speak to?
Lyn: No, that's not it-
Asuka: Does your 'disappointment' in me go so far?
Lyn: Look, if its about what I said earlier, I didn't mean to be rude. I just meant that-
Asuka: Meant what?
Lyn: That . . That-Oh, Why AM I talking to you!? I don't even know you!
Asuka: You're worse than Shinji! At least he has a reason not to be foreword!
Lyn: (suddenly indignant) What do you mean 'worse?'
Asuka: you tell me!
(Lyn Turns away quickly, looking toward the small
light as it ascends
the levels of the housing complex . . . )
(As his frustration mounts, the boy's speech becomes broken as he responds . . .)
Lyn: I am-- new here! Before I arrived, I had
always heard that, of
all -- children
chosen to pilot EVA, Soryu Asuka Langley was the very
best. "The Elite pilot." So, I-- thought it'd be --helpful to meet
you.
But what I said- -It was just a joke! And I find she is not the 'warrior'
She is, just
another --uptight
girl!!
Asuka: Ah---Uptight!?
Lyn: (calming a bit) It's not your fault, I guess. I just put expectations too high-
(There is a sudden SLAP!, which cuts the boy off)
Lyn: Hey! What--what did you hit me for?
Asuka: Hah! Apparently, your mom didn't do it enough! Du Verlierer!
(She abruptly turns and exits as the elevator
stops on the 7th floor, without another word.
Lyn stands there, dumbfounded, fingering his stinging cheek, as the
door closes once more . . .)
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To Be Continued . . .