Evangelion and Eva concepts are copyright © 1995-1999 GAINAX and Project Eva. EVA:R
original fanfiction and all artwork here (unless otherwise indicated) are copyright © 1999 Maher Al-Samkari.


 

NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION:  R
ILLUSTRATED ORIGINAL FICTION

 
 
 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Episode 35:  An angry calm / pestilence

    (The scene is early morning-- In the very center of Tokyo 3,  The
sounds of constructionabound through the moist dawn air as thousands
of workers go about the incredible task of rebuilding a city.

    Through the newly formed streets, which sit atop 20ft thick armor plating,
go massive earth-moversand utility vehicles.  All of them bear a single, ambitious
symbol scrawled hastily on the side:
 

 

     The sense of determination in the reconstruction is readily apparent as scaffold
after scaffold is set up, each one the template for a new structure-a housing complex,
an I/O center, an armory building-all built to the original specifications
for the city . . . The patriotism of the remaining residents has not died,
as the population center still retains the numerical designation "3". . . )

    (Several hundred feet below, however, is a different matter-the sky is no longer
visible from the Geo-front, which is still flooded.  As draining it would be a task more
expensive than simple restoration,  adaptation has taken the front-and newer accessory
structures can be seen poking out of the water's surface.  Below, buildings are reinforced
to handle the tremendous pressure of the liquid, while others are simply torn down-
allowed to be crushed , if only to make room for buildings of sturdier design . . .)

    (Yet, even farther below, another sort of reconstruction is taking place-. . . as Ritsuko,
Maya, Shigeru, and numerous others work diligently in the control center,
overseeing portions of the facilities reclaimation operation. . .)
 

Shigeru:  Sir? Maintenance reports that repairs to unit 02 have been finalized.

Ritsuko:  Fine.  What about unit 06?

Shigeru:  The going's slower on that one.  Seems they're having some
            difficulties maintaining cellular cohesion around the wound to the
            bio-chest components-

Ritsuko:  Arrhhh-I thought we already dealt with that!

Shigeru:  yes Ma'am-it appears that during the cooling process the
            wound opened up again.

Ritsuko:  How were they handling it? Didn't I tell them to be careful around
              delicate cellular material?!

Maya:  Report says they were working nowhere near the area when it started-

Ritsuko:  But, Then, that would leave-

Maya:  I think so-

Ritsuko: No!  Not more protein degradation!?  What did the Magi come up with?

Maya:  See for yourself-

    (Ritsuko bends over the console, and for several seconds looks intently at
the data displayed on the monitor. )
 

    (Then, her face contorts into a look of sheer annoyance-)

Ritsuko: Damn!
 

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

    (Meanwhile, far, far above, Two figures sit atop a winding mountain
road which affords an incredible view of the city below.  From their vantage
point, the morning sun baths a warm, orange glow over the newlyformed
skyscrapers and towers, casting massive shadows which seem to stretch for
miles into the horizon . . .

    Asuka and Shinji watch the sunrise in almost complete silence, each immersed in their own thoughts . . .

    Finally, as the sun is obscured behind the billowing clouds, young Soryu turns to her companion- )
 

Asuka:  You know, Ikari, this wasn't such a bad idea after all . . .
            It almost feels as if things are going to get . .  normal . . .
 

    (At the girl's words, Shinji's ears seem to perk up, as he
has been deep in thought)

Shinji:  -Hu-Wha?  What?

Asuka: (annoyed)  You weren't listening, were you?!

Shinji:  Aaahm..., well-

Asuka:  I knew it!

Shinji:  I-

    (The girl ignores him, scoffing under her breath . . )

Asuka:  Rrrr! Boys!

Shinji:  Well-

Asuka:  I JUST said, that it seems things'll be
            getting back to normal.

Shinji:  Yeah . . .

     (Several seconds pass)

Asuka:  Shinji-

Shinji:   . . . .

Asuka:  Ikari-?

Shinji: . . .

Asuka:  SHINJI!

Shinji:  What!?

Asuka:  You're doing it again!

Shinji:  Sorry--it's a nice view, okay?

Asuka:  So what!  You've seen it a dozen times already!

Shinji:  Not like this-

Asuka: ?

Shinji:  I mean-with all the buildings like that-

Asuka:  Oh. . .

     (another moment passes-soon, the sun peeks out from
behind the clouds once more)

Shinji:  Well, guess we'd better get going . . .

Asuka:  Aw, already?

Shinji:  Yes--we've got one more class meeting before the trip, remember?

Asuka:  Oh yeah!

Shinji:  I don't see how you can  forget--you've done nothing
            but talk about it for the past week. . .

    (They both stand, taking their book bags in hand)

Asuka:  Well, I wouldn't have to spend HALF the time talking
            about it if you'd listen for the other half!

Shinji: . . .

Asuka:  Well, come on.

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

    (As the two make their way toward the corner where Touji
and Kensuke wait to meet them, Shinji looks to Asuka,

    seemingly with a need to say something very important to her . . . )

    (Finally, he manages,)

Shinji:  A . . .Asuka . . ?

Asuka:  What?

Shinji:  Um . . .

Asuka:  What?

    (swallowing hard, the boy scratches his head, stumbling over his words . . .)

Shinji: . . . er, how have your harmonics tests been going?
        I heard that you've been going back to the 'box a lot lately . . .

Asuka:  Oh, I've been doing JUST fine, thank you very much.
            Dr. Akagi says I've never been better- and I'm higher than
            either you or first child. . .why?  Jealous?

Shinji:  Oh?  I'm not!

Asuka:  Sure . . .

Shinji:  No!  That's not what I mean!

Asuka:  Really?  Then what?

Shinji:  I mean - - why are we worrying about all this now that it's all over?
          What's going to happen to EVA-

    (Strangely, the girl's eyes fall to the street, as her voice seems to recede into a more
quiet tone . . .)

Asuka:  Who said that?  You never know, Shinji

Shinji:  ?!  You sound like you WANT there to be more of them!

Asuka:  You mean like that idiot Aida?  No way!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (Elsewhere, nearly a mile below, Gendo sits above the command center,
Fuyutsuki at his side, as the two conference in silence . . . )
 

Fuyutsuki:  Nothing?

Gendo:   . . . . not a solitary word.

Fuyutsuki:  Any idea what they might be--?

Gendo:  I have my theories . . .

Fuyutsuki:  Do you care to share them?

     (several seconds pass)

Gendo:  Not particularly.

Fuyutsuki:  Well . . . I won't push you, but-

    (Ikari does not face the man as he answers . . .)

Gendo:  I believe the time to worry about a physical assault has passed-at least for time being.
            They wouldn't dare attempt it now that the eyes of all the world community are on the
            city's rebuilding. . . such a thing would draw unnecessary attention to them . . . and
            that is something the old men would hope to avoid at all costs . . .

Fuyutsuki:  I gather . . .

Gendo:  No.  They have something else in mind.

Fuyutsuki:  And?

Gendo:  Just what it may be is at the root of the matter.

Fuyutsuki:  Then--all the build up?

Gendo:  In preparation for a possible pre-emptive strike.

Fuyutsuki:  How?  The security protocols have not been changed, and our forces-

Gendo:  Oh?  How easy do you think it would be for them to trigger an
             "incident" if our own security forces were built up to the point of paranoia?

Fuyutsuki:  That may be so, but surely you wouldn't have us resting on our laurels-

Gendo:  I haven't.  Don't worry- arrangements are being made.

Fuyutsuki:  I hope your right.

Gendo:   . . .Indeed . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (Elsewhere, Lyn Anouilh and Rei Ayanami walk the long path to
school . . . there is nearly half an hour left before classes are set to begin.
They walk in almost complete silence, save for the occasional comment tossed
into the morning air . . . )

Lyn:  So - - Um . . .

Rei: . . .

    (Several wordless moments pass. . .)

Lyn:  Ah-d'you think the others will be at school on time? I mean, Shinji said something
        about wanting to look at something,  and those guys . . .Touji and Aida I think. . .
        they were going to meet them. . .

Rei:  . . .possibly.

    (several seconds of silence)
 
Lyn:  So . . .

Rei: . . .

Lyn: . . Um . . . I heard unit 00's going through some kind of upgrades.

Rei:  yes.

Lyn:  Ah-what for?

Rei:  What do you mean?

Lyn:  I guess I'm just wondering-really--Why are any of us doing this?  Especially you three . . .
        The way everyone's talking, it . .  seems a bit pointless . . .

Rei:  I am not certain.

Lyn:  Oh yeah . . . you already mentioned that . . .

Rei:  Commander Ikari says we must always remain vigilant.

Lyn:  He did?  Um, Who is he, anyway?  Is he--  Shinji's father?

Rei: . . .

Lyn:  Is-

Rei:  Yes.  But I would advise you not to speak of him in Shinji's presence.

    (Several more moments pass.  Finally, the school is visible down the road)

Lyn:  Miss Rei--You really don't talk much, do you?
 

    (Rei suddenly stops, eyeing him.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (Meanwhile, several hundred feet below, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi is taking
on a rather interesting dive . . . )

    (Dressed in blue skin-suit and scuba gear, she rides a small outboard
motorboat to the very center of the enormous EVA cooling cage.
Ahead of her are the massive head and shoulders of unit 06, which sit above
the liquid surface in the very center of the scarlet "pool" )
 

    (As she reaches a point directly below its chin, she stops the motor,
weighs the small anchor and, pulling on her breathing apparatus,
dives over the side of the boat.

    It takes her several moments, but soon she has swum nearly 20 feet down,
to the area of the wound. A massive scar can be seen running down the EVA's
chest, which has been exposed to the stabilizing liquid for maintenance.

    She produces a small knife from the utility belt around her waist, and
proceeds to cut free a large piece of the twisted, knarled tissue.
Taking it in hand, she returns the blade to her belt, and ascends to the
water's surface . . .

    Once aboard the boat, she pulls in the anchor,  turning on the motor
with a single pull of the starter. As the boat noisily makes its way to the
steel "bank", Ritsuko takes the blackened piece of tissue inhand,
turning it over several times, almost as if mystified by it. )

Ritsuko:  You'd better have some answers. . .

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

    (At that moment, nearly a mile above, Rei and Lyn arrive at school.  The class is as full as ever,
and Touji, Shinji, Kensuke, and the others have already arrived.  It is evident, through the chaos of
conversation and shouting, that class has not yet begun. )

    (Lyn quickly takes to his seat, producing his trusty Kanji dictionary from his shoulder bag. )

    (Rei, meanwhle, sits at her own desk, seemingly oblivious to the clamor around her. )

    (at the opposite end of the room, Asuka sits with Hikari, watching as the two enter . . . )

Asuka:  Hmmph, those two are FINALLY here . . .

Hikari:  Well, class hasn't started just yet.

Asuka:  Still . . .

Hikari:  So, are you ready for tomorrow?

Asuka:  Oh, am I!

Hikari:  I take it you've already packed . . .

Asuka:  I did that a week ago!

Hikari:  !!

Asuka: Well-it's always good to be prepared  . . .

Hikari:  Right. . . Now, You will be staying with ME on this trip, right?

Asuka:  'Course!  What makes you think I wouldn't?

Hikari:  Well, there is that little rumor going around .  . .

Asuka:  What rumor?

Hikari:  You know .  . .

Asuka:  What Rumor?!

Hikari:  You and Ikari . . .?

Asuka:  WHAT?

Hikari:  Never mind.

Asuka:  Who the hell started that!?

    (at long last, the teacher enters)

Hikari:  Oh-All Rise!

    (there is a sudden hush as all the students rise, while others hastily take to their desks)

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

    (Meanwhile, nearly a mile below, Ritsuko sits in the lab, dressed in
her customary white coat and high-collared uniform, working intently with
the tissue sample collected only half an hour earlier. Maya, her ever present
protégée, is seated beside her, typing commands into the computer . . . )

Ritsuko:   . . . And be sure to specify a size of 0.4 grams.  We've got to start big for the
             EVA cellular matter samples . . .

Maya:  I'm sure that'll be enough . . .

    (The older woman nods, placing a small slice of the tissue specimen into a small tray . .)

Ritsuko:    Okay--configure the T.E.M. for a wide stream-

Maya:  Got it-

Ritsuko:  --Sample width of, let's say, 3 microns-

Maya:  Done-

Ritsuko:--and configure the Magi to search for unusually high instance of protein denaturation.

Maya:  Yes sir-
 
    (as she finishes entering the instructions, the computer beeps twice, verifying the commands)

Maya:  -okay, it'll be a couple of minutes.

    (Ritsuko sighs, leaning back in her chair.)

Ritsuko:. . . . I tell you, with all the trouble we've had with 06 . . .

Maya:  (smiling) What do you mean?  Besides all the headache they went through to build it?

Ritsuko:  That thing has the most substandard construction of any EVA we've worked with this long
                -I mean, they threw it together in a matter of weeks. . .

    (As a casual atmosphere seems to descend onto the small, cramped laboratory,
Maya sighs, Relaxing in her seat as well)

Maya:   And then there's the Cage-

Ritsuko:  Don't get me started!

     (Ritsuko seems to drop the subject immediately.  A quiet moment slowly passes)

Maya:  Sir--Why all the rush to get everything back to ready status?

Ritsuko:  (sighing) I'm really not sure.  But, like I said before, Angels aren't our
                            only concern any longer. Nerv's purpose lies in other matters now, I suppose . . .

     (Despite her callous tone, it is apparent to Maya that the doctor is hiding
something. . . The young technician does not pursue the matter, however.)
 

Maya:  Sir--what about the--other project?  Have we put it on hiatus or something?

Ritsuko:  Yes- Ikari finally decided to give us the time we needed to do it right.
                It always takes so damn long to convince . . .

Maya:  So then we-we're going along with it as planned?

Ritsuko:  Of course . . .

    (a troubled look seems to spread across Maya's face)

Ritsuko:  What is it?

Maya:  Oh?  Nothing . . .

    (Suddenly, the computer begins to beep urgently.  Maya springs back to work,
analyzing the data as it appears on the screen . . . )

Ritsuko:  That was fast.  Well?  What have we got?

Maya: . . the Magi have analyzed the sample--
            report a protein denaturation frequency of 1/3 . . .

Ritsuko:  (sarcastically) Great . . .

Maya:  (continuing) -a detected increase in enzyme count . . . Proteiase proliferation . . .

Ritsuko:  (mumbling) Cheap, worthless piece of-

Maya:  And.  . . . !!   Wait a minute! This can't be right!

Ritsuko:  (straightening up)  What? What is it?

Maya:  The report indicates an INCREASE in average cellular mass-and a lysing
        of the cells in the surrounding tissue!

Ritsuko:  WHAT!?

     (She nearly knocks over her chair as she stands, hurrying to Maya's side)

Ritsuko:  (after Scanning the data)  This-this can't be right!

Maya:  Melchior reports that the cause is Pathogenic in origin!

Ritsuko:  But-That's impossible!!

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

    (Nearly a mile above, at the local school, class discussion has focused
on  the trip planned for tomorrow. . . )

Teacher:  And where shall you go in case of an emergency?

Entire class:  (in unison)  To our Group leader.

Teacher:  And if you, say, can't reach your group leader?

Entire class:  (in unison) Then to our established meeting place . . .

    (From the monotone present among the students, it is quite obvious this is WELL rehearsed.)

    (Asuka drums her fingers impatiently as her classmates repeat the
instructions for what seems to be the thousandth time . . .
Next to her, Hikari obediently follows along with the rest of the students.)

Asuka:  (to herself) Jeez, this isn't the army!  What do they think's gonna happen on a 3 day trip?
 
    (Several seats over, Shinji finds he cannot think on the trip tomorrow.  His eyes wander around
the room, focusing on some of his classmates:  Touji, Kensuke, then over to Rei . . . who he tries
not to think on at all . . . until, finally, they fall upon Asuka, who is obviously in one of her
more impatient states .  . . )

Shinji:  (Thinking) How . . . can I say . . .
 

    (Ahead of him, Rei Ayanami also sits quietly, unable to concentrate on the droning
of the instructor . . .Her mind wanders as well, but toward less trivial things . . . )

    (For, in her mind's eye, she sees the face of Kowaru,

    Then, her own face. . .

    And the face of another child, one she does not recognize-

    A child with white hair . . .

     . . .and yellow eyes . . .

    And, strangely enough,

    it fills her with a sense of dread . . . )
 

Rei: . . .
 
    (Several desks behind her, near the back of the room, Touji and Kensuke snicker
quietly as they mangle the instructor's commands . . . )

Teacher:  . . . and if, say, you can't find an law officer anywhere?

Touji:  (whispering )Then do whatever you want-

Kensuke:  -And pray they don't find you!
 
     (Three rows over and 4 desks up, Lyn sits at his terminal,  paying no attention to the
teacher's instructions, as he will not be going on the trip.  As he diligently studies his characters,
his thought s are interrupted by an incessant beeping coming from his computer . . . )

   ( His eyes fall to the small red laptop, which displays a message . . . )

 --< 6th child looks pleasant today . . .>

    (He looks around the room several times-yet, as before, the author gives no indication as
to his identity . .  Slowly, Lyn types in a response:--)

 <Who is this?  Are you the same person as before?>

    (The response, however, is unhurried . . .)
 
 --<Why would I change?>

    (Anouilh scratches his temple, momentarily puzzled, then continues-)

 <Who are you?>

    (the answers are faster this time-)
 
 --<Why do you wish to know?>

 <You said you were a friend>

 --<Yes, I did.>

 <So tell me-who are you?>

 --<I cannot.  Not yet.>

 <Why?>

 --<This is not the time nor the place>

 <What do you mean?>

 --<Will you be going on the class trip?  Y/N_?>

 <NO>

 --<Then the time will come soon.>

 <What do you want?  This is kind of strange>

 --<Good try.  You almost had me laughing.>

     (Several seconds pass . . . )

    (Suddenly, a thought enters Lyn's mind-and he looks toward Asuka: He is surprised to see,
however, that she has joined in with the rest of the class . . )

     (Finally, he sends another message--)

 <Well?>

 --<You and I will meet face to face soon, 6th child.>

 <Why do you keep calling me that?  I have a name.>

 --<Oh, do you?>

 <yes!!>

 --<And what might it be?>

 <It is 'Lyn Anouilh'.>

 --< . . . I cannot call you this.>

 <What?   Why not?>

 --<For me . . .It is not your real name. . .>
 
    (Lyn is almost taken aback by the statement, but is speedy in his next response---)

 <What are you talking about?>

 --<Who gave you this name?>

 <My parents, of course.>

 --<No, they did not.>

 <?>

 --<you must ask yourself . . . >
 
 <What?>

 --<. . .Who are you?>
 
 (Abruptly, however, the messages cease. )

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

    (Meanwhile, far below, Major Misato Katsuragi stands atop the balcony
overlooking unit 06's cage, as the EVA is hastily sprayed with coolant by a
frenzy of technicians.  . .

    Nearby, Commander Gendo Ikari stands in the observation deck far above,
watching the fervor below.  For several moments, there is only the roar of thousands
of gallons of liquid being pumped into the room, accompanied by the hurried shouts of the techs. )

    (Then, the door behind the commander opens, and Dr. Akagi enters. . . )

Gendo: (without turning)  What is the status of the EVA?

Ritsuko:  We've just begun the final cooling phase now .

Gendo:  Can you contain it?

Ritsuko:  I think so.  We were lucky . . .

Gendo:  I've still not been informed just what this is . . .

Ritsuko:  I'm at a loss myself . . .

Gendo:  Well, what do you have?

Ritsuko:  It is a lytic virus of unknown origin . . . 

Gendo:  Impossible.

Ritsuko:  As impossible as it may sound, that's what we have.

Gendo:  The EVA's biological components are not susceptible to viruses.

Ritsuko:  On that matter, I have an explanation.

Gendo:  Which is?

Ritsuko:  It appears to be an immuno-suppressive strain.

Gendo: . . . Go on . . .

Ritsuko:  It seems to attack the proteins of the  healing strands of cellular matter around the wounded area.

Gendo: . . .

Ritsuko:  . . . In effect . . it Negates the EVA's regenerative capabilities . . . to the point of near-total nullification.

Gendo: . . . Expand the quarantine to include the launch platform, as well as this section.
            I want you to sterilize everything that has come in contact with unit 6.
            Oversee it personally.

    (Akagi eyes the man coldly through the reflection in the glass, before answering quietly . . .)

Ritsuko:  yes, sir.

Gendo:  What is the Status of the other Evangelions?

Ritsuko:  Our first 3 scans were shown to be negative for the strain.  Only unit 6 has been affected.

Gendo:  Continue testing until you're 100% sure.

Ritsuko:  That may take a while.

Gendo:  Do it.  Can you control the infection?

Ritsuko:  Yes.  I think we caught it in time.  The refrigeration should crystallize the
                virus, then it can be purged in a matter of  hours.

     (A moment goes by, and only the sounds of the cooling process can be heard)
 
Gendo:  So then the EVA is salvageable?

Ritsuko:  It would appear so.  We should be able to run the tests tomorrow as planned.

Gendo:  Do you have any indication as to what may have
            carried the virus here?  How the EVA  became infected?

Ritsuko:  None.  The virus is not airborne, nor is it transmitted by normal physical contact.
             What we do know from its rate of  growth, however, is that it must have appeared
             at least a day after the initial injury.

Gendo:  So . . . it was planted. . .

Ritsuko: That seems to be the only explanation. . .

Gendo:  Very well.  Place security details at every access port leading into the quarantine area.
            Once you've finished the  refrigeration process, see about examining the entry logs for
            all cage personnel.  Find out who was in here, and when,  that could have done this.

Ritsuko:  Yes, Sir.

    (Ritsuko exits.  Gendo stands there, alone, with his thoughts.

Finally he utters one phrase-)

Gendo: . . . A Pox . . .

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

    (Meanwhile, below, Misato watches as the EVA's head is
immersed in the red liquid.  She taps her foot impatiently, as the
service crews lock the EVA into place with tertiary bolts . . . )

    (She looks up, and can make out the distorted figures of Dr. Akagi and Commander Ikari through
the foggy glass in the observatory booth.  Their conversation is seemingly over in minutes, with Ritsuko
exiting as abruptly as she had entered.  The commander stands alone in the booth for several moments,
before leaving himself. )

    (Misato returns her eyes to the form of Unit 06, which is now completely submerged. )

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

    (Two hours Later, Gendo and Fuyutsuki consult privately on a matter
of most dire consequences . . . )

Fuyutsuki:   . . . In essence, I suppose we should have seen something like this coming.

Gendo:  Seele . . .

Fuyutsuki:  You know it could be no other.

Gendo:  Yes.  It would appear that our controls were insufficient.

Fuyutsuki:  Hmph . .  .They can be altered.

Gendo:  Of course.  however, I can't help but wonder . . .

Fuyutsuki:  What?

Gendo: . . . If, perhaps, that was the purpose of infecting the EVA in the first place . . .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Misato:  you mean-You're going to have them STAY?  All four of them?

Ritsuko:  Yes.  There's no other way.  Securing Nerv is our first priority now,
                and we can't do that without the EVAs.

    (Misato is driving down the main road from the car-train access to
Nerv towards home.  In one hand, she holds her cellular phone;
Ritsuko's voice can be heard on the other end . . .)

Misato:  Well, I don't want to be the one to tell them.  They've been waiting all month for this trip-

Ritsuko:  (her voice takes on a teasing tone) Oh, don't want to be the one to do the dirty work, eh?

Misato:   . . . Look, why all of them?  I mean, one of them is already staying-

Ritsuko:  The 6th child would be insufficient should a situation arise.  He's still in the early phase
                of training, and has no combat experience whatsoever.

Misato:  But-all FOUR of them?

    (She pauses as she takes a hard right turn-the screeching
of tires and the angry honking of horns can be heard from behind . . .)

Ritsuko:  Look-Lyn can't cut it.  We need experienced pilots for this . . .

Misato:  Don't feed me that line of bull. Who are they going to fight, the auditing comittee?

Ritsuko: . . .

Misato: Well, look--what if just 1 of them stayed, then? That should be enough, right ? . . .

    (Ritsuko is silent for several seconds as she considers this . . )

Misato: (banking left)  Ritsuko?

Ritsuko:  Hold on, I'm thinking . . .

    (another moment passes)

Ritsuko:  Alright-two of them. The boy and one other--no less.

Misato:  Great!  I'll just ask one of them to volunteer to stay-

Ritsuko:  Yeah, Right.  And, of course, if none of them want to-

Misato:  Yeah, yeah, I know-- I'll make it an order.

Ritsuko:   . . . Good luck.

    ( There is a subtle "click" as the phone is hung up.
Misato presses a button on the cellular, setting it aside  . . . )

Misato:  (Mumbling to herself)  Why can't they be allowed to act like children, for once?

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

Asuka:  (horrified) You mean one of us has to STAY?!  But you said we could all go!

Misato:  I know what I said!  But things have changed--after what happened this morning,
            one of you three is going to have to remain here.

    (Soryu crosses her arms, turning away in defiance)

Asuka:  Well, It ain't gonna be me!

    (Asuka, Shinji, Rei stand outside the school, where class has finally ended.
Misato leans on her car as she speaks with them.

Around them, male students ogle her as they leave . . .)

Shinji:  What happened, exactly?

Misato:  I can't bring it up right now.  Let's just say it was A BAD thing. . .
             but don't worry--Ritsuko's got it under control.

Asuka:  Then what do you need us for?!

Misato:  In case who ever did it tries it again . . . Look, I want to be fair--I know how much
            you want to go, so I'm giving you a choice--one of you can volunteer, if you like . . .

    (Shinji and Asuka look at each other . . .)

Misato:  . . . or I can order one of you to stay.  I'd prefer you volunteer.

    (Suddenly, Rei steps foreword)

Rei:  I will stay.

    (Asuka's eyes light up)

Asuka:  Really? Perfekt!

     (Rei turns her eyes to Asuka)

Shinji:  Are you sure . . I mean . . you . . ?

Asuka:  Shinji! Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

Rei:  I do not mind.  If I am needed, then I wish to be here.

Asuka:  's fine with me!

Misato:  Thanks, Rei.
 
Rei:  It is . . . no problem.

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To Be Continued . . .