NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION:
R
ILLUSTRATED ORIGINAL
FICTION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Episode 39: "All three of you, ascend once more! / the piper
at the gates of dawn . . ."
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
Rei: . . . uuuuugghh!!!!!
(A cry of pain knifes through the darkness like a
saber-accented by the howling wind through shattered windows, and
complimented by the echoes of thunder off of rain-soaked walls . .
.)
Rei: unh-unh---aaaaaaagghhh!!!
(There is the sound of something . . .wet
. . . in the darkness--with a lighting flash, we finally see Rei Ayanami,
the first child, curled up on the floor of her apartment. She
is clutching her shoulder, wincing in pain. . .
(Embedded in her chest above her heart is a large
shard of glass from the shattered window above -- 4 inches
of the icy dagger protrude from her bloodied fingers, as she slowly
and painfully attempts to wrench it free. . . )
Rei: Nnnh . . .
(For several moments, there is only the sound of
her agonized struggles . . . then, With one final wail, she pulls
it out--
creating a sickening sound of small sinews tearing as the final length
of red-soaked glass slides free of her chest.
She drops it to the floor, panting in unfathomable pain, as the life-fluid
begins to gush from the wound.)
Rei covers the gash with her hand, standing up and
facing the strong winds which now billow freely through her
window. Outside, a fiery orange glow lights up the sky from nearly
3 miles away--the roar of the flames only partially
drowned out by the screeching wind and rumbling thunder.
(The Injured Eva pilot turns from the window, staggering
toward the sink. Nearly there, the girl stumbles and falls,
crying out once more. )
Rei: Uungh . . .!
(She remains on the floor for several seconds, panting,
as the blood continues to pour from her wound.
Ayanami clutches the bloody mess tightly with both hands, eyes full
of tears . . .)
Then, Slowly, She removes her left hand, holding
it before her face--in the glow of the inferno,
she catches a glimpse of red-stained fingers, trembling as their sanguinous
essence flows freely onto
the floor . . .
Finally, she manages to stand; her legs shaking from
the waves of shock that begin to shudder through her
entire body, the girl reaches for the sink. . .
As she runs her hands along the cold, damp ceramic
edge, they leave red streaks of bloody fingerprints
in their wake, tracing a path to the object of her struggles- )
Rei: . . .
( . . . Ayanami finally wraps her fingers around
Gendo Ikari's broken glasses, clutching them tightly to her,
as she falls once more.
Wearily, she tries to crawl toward the door, whimpering in mortal agony with each painful motion . . .
. . . But it is in vain.
With one final push, her strength leaves her . . .
She is a mere 2 meters from the door as she goes limp--the precious
glasses sliding from her fingers . . .
. . .Ironically, with her fading vision, she can see the
reflection of her pale white face and dark,
red eyes in the cracked, tinted lenses. . .
. . .
Then, As sight slowly gives way to darkness, and
senses dull, giving way to an incredible
feeling of lightness, Rei Ayanami'sears fill with a roar having nothing
to do with the wind outside . . .
Indeed, it is louder than any sound she has ever heard in her short
existence--
Seemingly, it is the collection of a thousand voices, in unison, calling to her. . .
Crying to her. . .
Screaming for her . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
AYANAMI!!!!!
GET THE DOOR OPEN!!
It's locked!
When the hell did she start locking it?
Just Get back! Both of you!
Arrrgh!!!!!!
Come---on!!!
AAARGH!
(There is the sound of pounding, then, finally, metal
screeching followed immediately
by a tremendous crash)
Get back-
Where is-MEIN GOTTE!
REI!!!
AYANAMI!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Moments later, outside, a red sports-car speeds
around the corner of an empty
street in the northeastern district--By all indications, the person
driving is either crazy, or in an incredible hurry . . .)
Misato: I said HOLD HER LEGS UP! Shinji, Keep applying pressure!
Shinji: (swallowing) Oke--Okay . . .
Misato: All of you hang on!
(There is the screech of tires as the car suddenly
lurches to the right, narrowly avoiding a flaming pile of rubble
obstructing the left side of the street ahead . . . )
Lyn: Whoa--oof!
Misato: Asuka, keep talking to her! We've got to Keep her calm!
Asuka: Uhm . . . Come on, first child! WE-- um . . . Oh
shit, Misato! She's bleeding everywhere!
Can't we go any faster?
Shinji: . . .
Rei: . . .
Misato: Lyn! Take my cellular and call headquarters!
Tell them to hurry and get an express car--
train ready at the, um, seventh access gate! Tell them we've
got a medical emergency-
Lyn: Oh! Right!
(The sixth child digs into Misato's jacket
pocket, producing the cel phone-- )
Lyn: Major--what's the number?
Misato: Just hit program, then 6--hurry!
(immediately, Anouilh begins dialing as Misato shouts the numbers--pausing, however, when the car lurches once more)
(Her voice shaking, Asuka lightly pats Ayanami's pale cheek)
Asuka: First child? Rei, Rei, come on--it'll be okay, Rei . . .
(Young Ayanami stirs as the car screeches to the
right again. . . looking at Shinji through dazed,
half open eyelids. . . Ikari looks down at her, his hands still
pressed to the wound, with eyes
that betray his own terror.)
Shinji: (shaking) Rei . .I-
Lyn: (into the phone) Yes ma'am, she's bleeding real bad . . .yeah,
we're applying pressure--
Hey, you guys! Keep her head lowered!
Asuka: I'm already doing that!
(A moment Later, Lyn turns to Misato, shutting off the phone-)
Lyn: They said the train should already be there!
Misato: Then hang on-
(There is a sudden burst of acceleration as the car
leaps forward once more,
pushing its passengers back into their seats . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, in the control center far below . . .)
Shigeru: (hanging up the phone) understood . . .Commander!
Ikari: What is it?
Shigeru: Major Katsuragi's on her way--she has the pilots, but one of them is injured---
Ikari: Which?
Shigeru: Rei Ayanami--she was hurt in the blast when the object impacted-
(Gendo is silent as the words sink in . . .)
Fuyutsuki: (thinking) You're very quiet, Ikari . . . could it still mean that you have . .Feelings . . for her?
Ikari: How serious are her injuries?
Shigeru: unknown.
Ikari: Send an EMS unit to their position immediately! Notify Dr. Akagi of the situation.
Shigeru: Yes sir--they're coming in through the car-train at gate 7-
Ikari: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(moments later, nearly a mile above, a bright red sports car screeches into Car-train access gateway 7--coming to a stop in the very first open platform. Immediately, a frantic hand reaches out of the driver's side window, and pushes the buttons on an entry keypad on the wall. As the last digit is entered, a series of conformation beeps ring out, and below, large metal "boots" clamp onto the car's wheels, locking it into place, as the conveyance begins its hurried descent-)
Misato: (turning around in her seat) How is she?
Shinji: I--I don't know-
Asuka: (still cradling Rei's head in her hands) Misato, I think she's cold--she's shivering and--
Misato: Here-
(without hesitation, Misato removes her red flight-jacket--placing it over Rei's shoulders and, inadvertantly, Shinji's hands, which still cover the wound . . . )
Misato: There-
Lyn: (looking out the window) Oh, How long is this thing going to take to get there?
Misato: It should only be two more minutes-
Lyn: Does she have that long . . . .?
Misato: I don't know - -
(In the back seat, the sound of Asuka, Lyn, and Misato's
worried conversation slowly fades
from the realm of Shinji Ikari's perception-
It seems he can only see Rei, who still looks at him through semi-closed lids, more ghostlike than ever.
Shinji's own eyes fall to the girl's neck--which is now as white as
marble, save for the shock of dried blood
coating its left side. He gasps at the sight of this, turning
his gaze to the others in the car--
They seem to be discussing something, but his ears do not pick it up-
Indeed, He can only hear a faint, far away ringing . . .and the shallow breathing of the injured pilot below him . . .)
Finally, he looks into her eyes again--
only now, they are wide open--
For what seems like an eternity, he finds he can only stare into the
dark, red orbs as the world around him
seems to simply fade away . . .
Gradually, he begins to feel as if he is drowning in the deep, alizarin pools-
. . .and, inevitably, the memories come rushing up to meet him . . . .
-(flashback)-first meeting with Rei
-(flashback)-Ayanami slapping him
-(flashback)-Rei smiling
-(flashback)-destruction of unit 00
-(flashback)-dummy plug
production facility
Shinji gasps as the last image assaults his mind--and he closes his eyes, not wishing to see anymore . . .
. . .When suddenly, he feels a trembling hand on top of his-
as he looks down, he sees that, incredibly,
it is Rei's.
He looks to her face once more and, to his disbelief-
--he sees that she is smiling . . .)
(His last vestiges of control now totally spent, Shinji's eyes begin to tear up--his words come out in a whimper)
Shinji: A-Ayanami-Don't die! Don't Die! Not again!
(as these last two words leave Ikari's lips, Lyn
Anouilh's eyes dart toward the boy curiously, as Asuka and Misato continue
to argue over what to do next)
Rei: . . .
Shinji: Please! J-Just --hang on!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Nearly 10 minutes later, in the hospital located in Nerv's depths . . .)
Nurse: . . tore into the left sub-clavian artery.
Ritsuko: Prepare a plasma-LCL transfusion. Type O, RH negative.
Nurse: yes ma'am . . .
(Rei's prone form lies on an operating table in the service-hospital's emergency room, connected by dozens of tubes and wires to a massive machine which has taken over her respiration and circulation. Dr. Akagi, masked and gloved, stands over her, watching with almost a passing interest as the other physicians work furiously to close the wounds. Behind them, a nurse prepares a blood transfusion of a very special kind. . .)
Nurse: Solution ready.
Ritsuko: Begin.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya: (sighing) Where should I start?
Fuyutsuki: Begin with the sensor logs. What did you find in the Magi's data recorders?
Maya: All sensor readings were inconclusive. Nearly everything
is down, save for visual, radar emission
and limited spectrum analysis. Basically, all we can see from here
is a pit of heat, nothing more.
(in the briefing room below the main command center, Gendo, Fuyutsuki,
Misato, Shigeru,
Maya, Hyuga, Shinji, Asuka, and Lyn stand around the massive table
which displays what little
visual data has been collected by the Magi's sensors . . .The children's
clothes are still covered with
Ayanami's blood, as there has yet been no time to change-or even wash
up . . .)
Misato: So the spectrum analysis came up empty?
Hyuga: Yes. Whatever it is, we can't penetrate the interference
produced by the storm--
that, combined with the EM disturbance caused by impact. We've tried
auxiliary information-gathering
devices--recon, probes, and even armored scout craft. But we can't
penetrate the heat of the crater--It's
just not enough to get a reliable reading.
Fuyutsuki: Yet . . .the possibility still exists that this is an angel.
Maya: The Magi have given a 60% probability ratio . . .
Hyuga: Is it possible an A.T. field could penetrate the interference? Enough to get a reliable reading?
Maya: That's our best bet . . .
Gendo: Very well. What is the status of the Evangelions?
Maya; Units 0 through 6 sustained no damage in the impact.
They have all been placed
on standby alert in the launch cage, par your orders.
Gendo: Very good. What is the condition of unit 0's pilot?
Hyuga: The medical team has her stabilized--They were lucky to get to her in time . . However-
Fuyutsuki: (interrupting) She is in no condition to fight?
(Maya simply nods, casting a concerned eye to the three children standing across from her . . .)
Fuyutsuki: . . Understood.
(His own eyes then fall to the three remaining pilots--Shinji, Asuka, and Lyn)
Fuyutsuki: You three will gear up for intercept.
(Lyn looks at Fuyutsuki indirectly--his eyes focusing on the far wall,
he finds, strangely,
that he cannot bring himself to meet the man's cold gaze.
(Asuka, meanwhile, finds she can only look at Shinji--who, in
turn, simply stares at his hands-
. . . for they are still covered with
Rei's blood.)
Gendo: (turning to Misato) This will be a simple reconnaissance
mission.
The EVA's will act as our eyes and ears, nothing more.
If possible, you will avoid an engagement until we know
exactly what this is. Is that understood?
Misato: Yes, Sir.
Gendo: Get Moving.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, nearly a mile above the tense atmosphere of Nerv command,
Pandemonium reigns in the terrified
city as panicked citizens hurry to the evacuation shelters-fire lights
up the sky, and the storm still batters the
population center with unabated fury . . .)
(In the northern sector, where the inferno slowly grows from the massive
crater which spawned it, the streets
are empty, save for what remains of a few unlucky travelers unfortunate
enough to be caught in the initial blast . . .
some would argue, however, that they are among the more lucky of the
populace-
--as they will not experience the horror that lies ahead . . .)
(Suddenly, something begins to move in Tokyo 3's small piece of hell . . .
A massive shape, bulbous and round, slowly begins to rise out of the
crater's fiery depths--and,
as it does so, the flames surrounding it burn white for an instant,
then wink out-leaving only smoldering
ashes behind. Uninterrupted, it continues its ascent .
. .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Far below the havoc of the city, in the men's locker located outside the EVA containment cages . . .)
(Lyn Anouilh sits on the bench across from his open
locker, pulling at the "arms" of his
Yellow and gray plug suit. At his side, his clothes have been
neatly folded, despite the fact that they are still
stained with red patches of Rei Ayanami's blood.
He, meanwhile, is silent, and his eyes are vacant . . . for he is not thinking about the task at hand.
Echoing throughout the locker room is
the sound of the elastic and rubber suit being pulled taught and stretched--
this is accompanied, however, by the sound of running water, for, at
the far wall of the locker room, Shinji Ikari is
at the sink; his hands under the faucet, which has been fully opened,
allowing the icy cold liquid to run over his palms
and wrists.
The boy's eyes are closed, as he attempts to block out the images which constantly assault his mind-
He also finds he cannot stop shaking. Whether it is fear, anguish, or a direct result of the cold, is not clear . . .
It is like this for several moments . . . finally, as Lyn pulls close the collar seal of the plug suit, he breaks the silence)
Lyn: Shinji . . .
(his voice, though it is quiet, still resonates off the cold metal walls of the empty locker room.
There is, however, no answer.)
Lyn: . . . Shinji ?
(Yet again, there is still no reply from the third
child--however, the sound of running water soon
disappears as the faucet is closed. . .)
Lyn: Ikari . . .
(at last, from the other side of the lockers, there is a muffled response)
Shinji: (quietly) What?
(At the sound of Ikari's weary voice, Lyn's eyes
fall to his own bloodstained cloths as he
contemplates what to say next . . .
But then,he realizes that now is really not the time for questions. . .)
Lyn: (Sighing) . . .nothing. Never mind . . .
(There is the hiss of a vacuum seal as Lyn depresses
the trigger on his left wrist, causing the plug suit to conform
tightly to the contours of his body. That finished, he tosses
his clothing into the locker, shutting it slowly. He finds,
oddly, that he does not want to disrupt the deathly silence that pervades
the room. For some strange reason, doing
so at that moment would seem . .
. . .sacrilegious. . .)
( He sits there, unmoving, as he listens to the sounds of Shinji finally pulling on his own suit.)
Lyn: (Thinking) Later . .. I'll ask him later. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: It's too quiet in here . . .
(Asuka listens to her own voice, which is hollow and alone in the women's locker-. )
Asuka: (thinking) of course, it was this quiet when first child was here, anyway . . .
(Finally, she stops putting on her plug suit, and looks at the empty room around her. )
(Then, her eyes fall to the blood-soaked yellow dress lying at her feet . . .)
Asuka: If that's not enough, My dress is ruined. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: Status report!
Shigeru: The pilots have been inserted into the EVAs-awaiting further instructions.
(Misato turns around, looking at Commander Ikari, who sits at his desk which overlooks the entire control room. The man looks at the Major for a moment, then loudly, says-)
Gendo: You will launch units 01 and 02 to the assigned coordinates immediately.
Unit 06 will remain here on standby until needed.
(Katsuragi nods, turning once more to Shigeru)
Misato: Launch EVAs.
Shigeru: Understood-launching Units 01 and 02-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Far below, in the launch cage which hold the three
EVAs, there is a momentary shunting of power,
then a tremendous shower of sparks as Units 01 and 02 are propelled
up the launch track-
(Shinji cringes at the sudden increase in G-force, which presses his body into the plug seat . . .)
(Asuka, meanwhile, finds she can only smile at the
familiar rush, knowing that, once more . . .
. . .she is needed.)
(And far below, Unit 06 is still attached to the launch platform. Inside the entry plug, Lyn Anouilh watches the other two EVAs make there assent . . .
. . .and breaths a sigh of relief . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shigeru: Launch confirmed. The EVAs will exit through Elevators 8 and 10 in nine seconds . . .
Fuyutsuki: (to Gendo) That's not very close to the target . . .
Gendo: As I said, this is an information gathering mission.
Fuyutsuki: I don't see why, considering we already know what to expect . . .
Gendo: (smiling) All the better to be sure . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(With a sudden, jarring halt, both EVAs come to a
stop at the top of the track. The wind and rain of the storm batter
the metalshod bodies of the two guardians, as they immediately begin
moving toward their target, which is nearly
10 blocks away . . . )
(the fire created by the impact crater glints off the armor of both the EVAs as they cautiously make their way toward the pit-
suddenly, Asuka's voice rings in Shinji's ear-)
Asuka: Shinji, Cover me! I'll take point-
Shinji: Point position? But I thought this was recon only-
Asuka: I know that, Dummkopf! I don't want anything to surprise us, that's all! It's best to be prepared!
Shinji: Oh, yeah . . .
Asuka: (As Unit 2 moves ahead) Just watch your step!
Shinji: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: Are you getting anything?
Hyuga: Not yet.
Misato: Asuka, Move in closer. Shinji, keep your eyes open.
Asuka: Roger . . .
Shinji: Be careful . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(As unit 02 moves closer, weaving between buildings
and over piles of rubble strewn in its path,
Asuka clutches tightly the handgrips beneath her fingers-)
(Behind her, Unit 01 holds its pallet gun at the ready . . . )
Asuka: (thinking) God, I can feel the heat from HERE!
(Brushing the bangs from her eyes, the girl pushes
on--moving her EVA ever closer to
the source of the inferno . . .)
Asuka: I'm 20 meters from the edge--still no reading . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya: The heat being produced by the pit is incredible! Index is over 90!
Misato: Asuka--keep your field raised, and watch unit 02's surface
temperature-
get back if it gets too hot in there!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: You don't have to tell me twice-
(suddenly, in unit 02's cockpit, nearly a dozen instruments spring to life,)
Asuka: I've got something! Transferring data now-
Misato: . . . What the hell is that?
Hyuga: It doesn't conform to any known configurations--spectrum analysis is orange-
Shigeru: Major Katsuragi-- Perhaps you should look at this-
Misato: (turning around) what is it?
Shigeru: The ambient air-pressure in this area is much lower than in the rest of the city-
Misato: . .? . .What does that mean?
Shigeru: Well--It makes no sense-with all the heat in the area, the pressure should be much higher . . .
(Suddenly, alert sirens blare from Hyuga's terminal)
Hyuga: Major! The target is Moving!
Misato: What? !
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Without warning, the flames surrounding the edge
of the pit begin to burn a brilliant white--
Unit 02's hand instinctively raises to shield its face from the immense
heat as Asuka begins to pull back--)
Asuka: AAAAGH! What's happening!?
Maya: Heat index is above 180! Approaching tolerance limit!
Shinji: Asuka! Get away!
(Suddenly, there is a blinding flash as the flames wink out, revealing a massive shape rising above the lip of the huge crater. Nearly 100 meters in diameter, the object towers over Unit 02, which trips over its power supply, stumbles, and falls!)
Misato: GET BACK!
Asuka: Rrgh--Dammit!!
(With incredible swiftness, Unit 02 recovers: going to all fours, then standing (not unlike a sprinter) and running from the target . . .)
(Strangely enough, the thing does not follow- )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: Okay--
Shigeru: Major! The air pressure surrounding the target is dropping rapidly!
Maya: (her eyes widen as the data appears on her screen) I don't
believe this! It's creating a Vacuum!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(To the horrified surprise of both pilots, the shape
begins to glow a brilliant white--casting a blinding light
on everything within the vicinity- )
(And suddenly, With the gale force of a hurricane, air begins rushing toward the object . . .)
(Around it, buildings begin to topple and shatter,
sending thousands of pieces of debris
hurtling toward the creature- )
(As everything within close range is mercilessly
pulled in, Shinji's EVA falls, its pallet gun slipping from its hands.
The weapon is quickly blown away as Unit 01 struggles to grasp the
pavement- )
(Inevitably, the EVA begins to slide toward the target--sparks fly as the unit's metalshod fingers are dragged along the ground, groping desperately for a place to grab hold- )
(Meanwhile, nearly 200 feet away, unit 02 has been
pulled off its feet, and is also dragged along the
ground by the force of the gale . . . Asuka struggles wildly as structures
around her topple and fall,
leaving her nothing to grab hold of--)
(Then, as the lost rifle comes into contact surface
of the object, it is immediately crushed-- pulverized
by some powerful, unseen force . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyuga: I don't believe this--it's compressing the matter
it draws in! Sensors indicate the debris is being
crushed to anultrathin film on its outer surface-!
Maya: The force it's exerting is incredible!
(Suddenly, a red warning indicator flashes on Aoba's console . . .)
Shigeru: The EVAs are being pulled in! 10 seconds until contact with Unit 02!!
Misato: NO! Can the EVAs survive the-
Maya: Negative! The force is too powerful!!
Misato: (shouting into the comm.) ASUKA! GRAB ONTO SOMETHING!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: AARGH! I--I'M TRYING!
(Unit 02 tries once more, in vain, to grab
hold of something--but every tower, every building, every support
structure its fingers close around shatters, torn to pieces by the
violent force of the wind--)
(Finally, the Eva is pulled from the ground, and carried through the air at an incredible speed toward the beast-
(Asuka Shields her face with her hands, screaming,
as the creature's glowing surface fills her view-)
Asuka: Noooo!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Suddenly, Misato's eyes widen as realization strikes--Quickly, she turns to Hyuga-)
Misato: (shouting) Reel in the umbilical cable!
(at once, the young technician begins keying in the command sequence . . .)
Hyuga: Roger--!
Misato: ASUKA! Shinji! GRAB ON!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside, there is a sudden whining of Servos as the rotor holding the other end of Unit 02's power supply begins to wind, drawing the cable in at an incredible rate-
Nearly 200 feet away, Asuka complies, and Unit 02
twists in midair, grabbing hold of the improvised lifeline and wrapping
it tightly around its right wrist. Almost immediately, the cable
becomes taught, tightening with a force that Stretches the EVAs muscles
to their absolute limit . . . )
(Shinji, meanwhile, gropes desperately at the cable as Unit 01 is carried into the air-
but it is too fast. . .
Within seconds, unit 01 passes the end of the lifeline, pulled hopelessly toward oblivion- )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyuga: unit 01 has passed the termination point of the cable!
Misato: Damn!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
In the entry plug of Unit 01, Shinji closes his eyes, cringing as the
bright light from the
ever- nearing object blinds him . . .
(When suddenly, in the cockpit of the EVA, there is a sudden jolt as the entire unit comes to a stop)
Shinji's eyes open . . .and widen when he sees, to his amazement, Unit
02 clinging to his own EVA's flailing arm!
(Asuka growls in desperation, concentrating hard on maintaining her grip . . .)
Asuka: . . .NNNnnngggot you!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: YES!
Hyuga: Unit 02's got him-
Shigeru: The stress limit on EVA 02's shoulder-joints is nearing the maximum! She can't keep this up for long!
Misato: Divert ALL power to the pulley system! Force in the cable!!
Shigeru: Yes sir!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Far above, there is a grinding of gears as emergency
power is shunted to the Rotor containing unit 02's power source . . .sparks
fly as the titanic motors struggle against the gale to pull the cable in.
At first, it only succeeds in pulling the line tighter--
Then, slowly, but surly, the cable's length begins to shorten.)
(As the EVA's clear the worst of the maelstrom, the winds lessens in intensity until, finally, it is not enough to hold them up--they fall to the earth with a tremendous crash, shattering the pavement beneath their combined weight. At that instant, the pulling force from the cable suddenly grows substantially, dragging them both toward the building which houses it . . . )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: They're clear! Cut the power!
Shigeru: Understood!
(With this, he keys in the appropriate commands--immediately, the rotor shuts down)
Misato: Asuka! Shinji! Are you two alright!!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: (rubbing her head) Dammit . . .Yeah, I'm fine.
Shinji: We're okay-
Misato: (interrupting) Then Retreat! Take recovery route 33! HURRY!
Asuka: Got you-
Shinji: You don't have to tell me twice-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(With this, both EVAs return to their feet, heading
in the direction of the closest launch scaffolds. . .
Meanwhile, behind them, the object becomes silent--the winds stopping
altogether . . . )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Nearly 30 minutes later, deep in the heart of the
Nerv complex, Maya, Misato, Ritsuko, Fuyutsuki,
Shinji, Asuka, and Lyn (still in their plug suits, yet) sit in the
debriefing room, as Hyuga fills them in
on the current state of things. . .)
Hyuga: . . . So, using what data we gathered from the EVAs'
sensors, it seems this angel uses a
concentrated center of mass to generate an intense, localized gravitational
field--
this, in effect, resulted in the vacuum we saw.
. . .
Lyn: (raising his hand) Wait a minute, I don't understand--a concentrated. . . mass?
Ritsuko: (without turning) All physical entities in the universe
are made from matter. As a law, all matter
exerts an attractive force on other matter- what we refer to as the force
of gravity.
The difference between the force exerted by something small, like a person,
and something
large, like a sun, is directly related to the amount of mass that
you have.
(she frowns, turning her head to the display of the "angel" onscreen)
Ritsuko: This angel uses an AT field to create a super-condensed
core of matter within itself. This is then used to
generate what would appear to be a self-contained, localized singularity--something
not unlike a
black hole--which, in turn, draws in more matter, increasing the inherent
gravitational force and therefore
the inherent strength of the singularity. In short, the more it pulls
in, the stronger it becomes. Hyuga?
(At once, Makoto clears his throat, continuing . . .)
Hyuga: Yes ma'am--At 12:21 this morning, after Eva Units
01 and 02 dis-engaged the target,
It became silent. It returned to a holding pattern directly above
the crater in the northern district
and hasn't moved since.
Ritsuko: We've tried to destroy the target using what conventional
weaponry we could, but since it is in
such close vicinity to both Nerv and the rest of the city, our options
have been limited. Anything more
powerful than guided rockets is, for now, out of the question. And,
up to this point, they've proved
completely ineffective.
Fuyutsuki: (in disgust) It's taken more than enough debate to stop the
UN from using an N2 mine in the center of
Tokyo 3. For now, Commander Ikari's made it clear to them that such
an action would be
seen as . . "Rash" . . .on their part, in the eyes of the world community.
But we don't have
much more time.
Fuyutsuki: (thinking) To think, the greater threat of annihilation
comes from our own people rather than from the
invaders themselves . . .
Misato: What is the status of the city's defense system?
Hyuga: Still off-line in the northern district. The damage
to the Emergency attack formation system is extensive.
It will take at least a week to get it operational again-
Fuyutsuki: What about casualties?
(Maya looks to her clipboard, scanning it for the data--)
Maya: The initial reports are just coming in--um--312 confirmed
dead, 114 confirmed missing. Disaster relief's
doing what they can, but they won't go anywhere near the target-
Shinji: Which means anyone still in that part of the city. . .
Misato: (to Fuyutsuki) Sir, We've taken all of this into account
in formulating a plan.
Fuyutsuki: Which is?
Misato: A direct assault on three fronts using all three
EVAs.
Fuyutsuki: But I thought that anything that got close to it would
be crushed--can the EVA's armor
withstand that kind of force?
Ritsuko: No. But what we did not take into account, initially,
was that the objects that are pulled in only get crushed
on the Angel's OUTER surface, and then are drawn inside. If we can
breach its external shell, and get
an EVA close enough to the core to neutralize its AT field, then the Singularity
it is using as its weapon would
cease to exist, thus making the angel vulnerable to attack.
(she pauses, frowning)
ritsuko: . . .The problem is, how do we breach this angel's exterior. . . ?
Fuyutsuki: I trust you are working on it-
Misato: Yes sir. Using what info. We've collected, We hope to have a viable penetrative strategy within the hour.
Fuyutsuki: Very well. I will expect a workable plan in exactly one hour. No slip-ups.
Misato: yes, Sir.
Fuyutsuki: Hmph. You are all Dismissed!
All: Sir.
(As Maya, Hyuga, Ritsuko, and Fuyutsuki exit, Dr. Akagi turns to the sub-commander, asking curiously--)
Ritsuko: By the way, sir, Just where IS Commander Ikari?
Fuyutsuki: He is currently attending to a . . .personal matter.
Ritsuko: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Several hundred Meters above the debriefing room, in the service infirmary above the Geo-front . . . )
(The scene is a darkened hospital room. Nearly empty, all that occupies its center is a large bed, surrounded on one side by large life-support machinery. The sounds of an H&L respirator fill the void of silence which permeates the room, as the patient, covered up to her waist by the bed-sheets, lies motionless in the dark. )
(Rei Ayanami is perfectly still, save for the slight movements that accompany her shallow breathing. She is unconscious, dressed in an improvised hospital gown. The fabric on her left shoulder has been cut away, to make room for the large dressing which covers her wounds. Around her, tubes from the various life-support machinery run into her arm and shoulder bandage, supplying her with necessary nutrients and plasma . . . A Nasal-esophageal mask covers her face, giving her purified oxygen from several tanks that sit beside the machine. Above these tanks, on a small table attached to the cart that houses them, the girl's possessions have been placed--few though they may be--in a small tray: some pocket change, her security card, a small date-book, a watch, a wallet-- and, strangely enough . . .
. . . a dirtied, broken pair of tinted glasses . . . )
(suddenly, a shadow descends over her prone form--it stands there, unmoving, for several moments . . .
seemingly, it is watching the girl.)
(Then, an aged, scarred hand descends to her face.
Slowly, tenderly, it traces the curve of her cheek. . .
running over it several times. Rei, still exhausted from
shock, does not so much as stir.)
(Gendo Ikari looks down at the girl's face with eyes
that seem to belie great pain. For a long time, he simply
stands there, watching her struggle with each intake of breath.
. . )
(Gradually, however, his eyes fall to the respirator
which keeps the child alive--and he is surprised to see
that a familiar-looking shattered pair of glasses has been set on its
cold metal surface among the girl's things.
(He quickly turns his gaze from these, back to Rei. . .
and nods . . . )
(a moment later, the shadow recedes. This is
followed by the sound of the door sliding open, then closing.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Elsewhere, several hundred meters below, in the
situation room . . .)
Lyn: Major Katsuragi--how is Ayanami?
Misato: Dr. Akagi told me they got her stabilized. Don't worry, She's going to be okay.
Asuka: Well, That's good for her, but what about us? What are we going to DO about that-- THING out there?!
Misato: I told you, we're working on it.
(Misato, Asuka, Shinji, and Lyn have remained in
the debriefing room, in an attempt to bring some
order to the situation . . .
unfortunately, that is the LAST thing on their minds.
. .)
Asuka: "Working on it?" you mean you don't have a plan YET?
Misato: Well . . . no, not really . . .
Shinji: (to himself) Here it comes . . .
Asuka: I knew it!
Lyn: (his hands falling to his sides) Just Great . . .
Asuka: (turning to Lyn) What are YOU complaining about? YOU didn't have to go out there and fight-!
Lyn: Hey, It wasn't by my choice!
Asuka: (sarcastically) Yeah, sure, and I bet you were real disappointed, too!
Lyn: (indignant) Just what the hell is that supposed to mean?!
Asuka: (nearly shouting) You know what I meant!
Lyn: (Shouting) WHAT!?
Asuka: YEAH!
Lyn: Why You uptight, conceited little-!
Misato: (Angry, interrupting) Cut that out, the both of you!
(immediately, the two go silent, casting glaring looks at each other)
(Misato shifts her gaze back and forth between the two, in disgust) We don't have time for this!
With this, she turns to leave, pressing the keypad on the door. As it slides open, she turns to the three pilots-
Misato: I want you three to be back here in one hour-and We'll
fill you in on what we've come up with.
Try not to kill each other till then.
(she steps through the door, which slides shut behind her.)
(for several seconds, the three pilots eye each other in complete silence. Finally, Lyn turns in a huff, clenching his fists as he walks briskly toward the door.)
Asuka: And where are you going?
Lyn: (flatly) To the restroom.
Asuka: (smiling wryly) Really? I thought youd've already went in the 'plug . . .
(Anouilh does not turn at the remark-he simply opens the door and exits . . .although, audibly, he is growling)
(As the door slides close once more, Shinji turns to Asuka, who is still chuckling)
Shinji: Why are always you so rude to him?
Asuka: because he's the same way with me.
Shinji: Really? He doesn't seem like that kind of person . . .
Asuka: (suspiciously) Hey, Just whose side are you on, anyway? What do you care?
Shinji: Well--I . . um . . .
(For a moment, the boy attempts to stammer a reply.
. . Asuka, however, quickly throws her hands
up into the air, shaking her head . . )
Asuka: Never mind . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: What am I going to do with those kids . . .
(Major Katsuragi watches, almost intently, as the
elevator counter above her head on the wall in before
her reads an ever increasing floor number as the lift ascends . . .
below it, the button marked "G14" glows, as
the elevator proceeds to that level . . .
(unexpectedly, however, it stops at G07-and Dr. Ritsuko Akagi enters . . .)
(upon seeing Misato, she smiles)
Ritsuko: Ah! I was just on my way up to see you.
Misato: . . .
Ritsuko: Not in the ideal mood for brainstorming, are we?
(Misato shakes her head, casting her gaze to the floor-counter above their heads . . .)
Ritsuko: No need to worry--I've already done enough of that for both of us.
(At these words, Katsuragi's ears suddenly perk up . . .)
Misato: Hmm?
(Strangely, Ritsuko produces a small disk from her labcoat pocket, smiling . .)
Ritsuko: While you were playing baby-sitter, I took
a little time off from my 'busy schedule,'
and actually got some work done-
Misato: Then that's-
Ritsuko: (nodding) Mmm-hmm-a workable plan for penetrating this angel's outer shell.
Misato: How?
Ritsuko: Don't worry--I'll explain it all in full detail when we get there.
Misato: (smiling) Thanks
(Ritsuko looks toward the floor indicator, slipping the disk back into her pocket. . .)
Ritsuko: Of course. What are friends for?
Misato: . . .
(Misato, however, finds she cannot answer. )
(Instead ,she watches the counter along with Ritsuko
as a comfortable silence
descends upon the tiny room . . . )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyn: (in English, furious) Arrgh!!! Uppity, snobbish little bitch!
(Lyn Anouilh is at one of the many restroom sinks
in the W.C. outside the situation room. Cold water streams
over the gloved fingers of his plug suit as he looks at his face in
the mirror, talking to the image that stares
back at him . . .)
Lyn: (quietly) What the hell's she gotta be such a brat for?
(he pauses, splashing his face with water)
-(flashback)- Asuka: . . . I bet you were real disappointed, too . . .
Lyn: (angrily) Dammit!
Lyn: I'm no coward!
(suddenly, another image enters Lyn's mind
. . .an image of a cross . . .
it is there, for only an instant, accompanied by
a voice-)
Small boy's voice: I'm no coward!!!
(There is an intense rushing sound in his ears as
the child's declaration assaults his mind . . . with this, however,
Lyn breaks free of his reverie , holding his head in his hands as he
sqweezes his eyes shut . . . )
Lyn: No . . .no, NO!
(he opens them once more, looking at his image in
the mirror. After several seconds, the tap automatically
shuts off, and the sounds of running water soon fade . . . replaced,
then, by the sounds of his own breathing . . . )
(Lyn's face then takes on a more determined look as he stands up straight, still staring at himself )
Lyn: (firmly) I'm not afraid . . .
(with this, he backs away from the sink, turns, and exits . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Nearly an hour later, in the situation room, a firm-faced Dr. Akagi and a somewhat nervous Misato Katsuragi present their plan to Nerv's command. Maya, Shigeru, and Hyuga are also on hand, as well as Shinji, Asuka, and Lyn . . .)
Fuyutsuki: You're saying you want to use the positron rifles?
Ritsuko: Correct-
(pointing to a diagram on the table)
Ritsuko: In short, a combined, continuous burst of particle fire
from two to three of the EVAs should, in theory,
be enough concentrated energy to disrupt the gravitational field this angel
produces long enough to penetrate
its outer perimeter.
(She pauses, faces the commander)
Ritsuko: . . . it would then be possible for at least one of the
EVAs to come into close contact to with
angel's core-- long enough to raise a disruptory A.T. field and destroy
it using standard
weaponry and tactics--
(She pauses again)
Ritsuko: -Um, once again, in theory . . .
Fuyutsuki: Hmmph. What did the Magi say?
Misato: The Magi predict a 15% probability of success.
Fuyutsuki: (doubtfully) 15%?
Misato: .It's the best we could come up with in such little time-
Fuyutsuki: (unconvinced) But it is only-
(suddenly, Gendo raises his hand, silencing them both. Slowly, he turns to Dr. Akagi)
Gendo: This is acceptable. How are repairs going on Units 01 and 02?
Maya: Unit 02 sustained heavy damage to its shoulder and upper
arm components-
it will be another 15 hours at least before it can engage in close
range hand-to-hand combat again.
Gendo: And what of Unit 01?
Maya: EVA Unit 01 sustained minor damage to its ventral armor
components--nothing more.
Repairs have already been completed . . .
Gendo: Very well. We will proceed with your plan.
Misato: How are you going to do this?
Ritsuko: We will use Unit's 02 and 06 as our snipers, then unit 01 shall attack the enemy's core . . .
Misato: Unit 01?
(She pauses, eyeing Shinji . . .)
Misato: Is that wise?
Ritsuko: Unit 01 has no need for an external power source.
Therefore, it is the only EVA capable of
completing this mission.
Gendo: Understood . . .
(he suddenly pauses, eyeing Shinji contemptuously)
Gendo: . . .That is, of course, if there are no objections . . .
(The boy remains silent, his eyes cast to his
feet . . . it is obvious he does not want to give his father
the pleasure of seeing his apprehension . . .)
(Gendo smiles at this, and turns to Misato--)
Gendo: You will begin the operation as soon as possible. Notify
the ministries concerned that
we are going to begin an offensive against the invader immediately.
Misato: yes, sir.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcer: Maintenance to cages 02, 06, and 07. Interlock
crews, report to alert positions in launch
bays 02,03, and 04-
(There is the rumble of heavy machinery as Evangelion
units 01, 02, and 06 are moved once more to
the launch platform. In addition to the standard power cable
on units 02 and 06, all three EVAs are now
attached to three thick anchoring lines; meant, of course, to counteract
the deadly vacuum they will encounter topside . .)
(Inside Unit 01's entry plug, Shinji can hear Ritsuko's voice ringing over the comm. . . .)
Ritsuko: The secondary and Tertiary support cables are now in
place--they will help keep you steady
in the event that Angel creates another vacuum, but they will not be able
to handle the extreme force
for too long. Shinji, remember: once a hole has been opened
in the enemy's perimeter, that's your chance--
disengage your cables and attack the core.
Shinji: I understand
Ritsuko: Lyn?
(Shinji hears Anouilh's voice over the comm.)
Lyn: I'm here.
Ritsuko: This positron rifle is exactly like the one you used
in all the simulations--just remember
your procedure and you'll do fine.
Lyn: "Position the target in the center . .a-and pull the switch," right?
(as Shinji hears the 6th child utter these words, he feels another wave of worry pass over him . . .)
Ritsuko: Correct. Asuka?
Asuka: (her voice is loudest over the communicator) What?
Ritsuko: I don't have to tell you-
Asuka: (annoyed) yeah, yeah, I know-keep a safe distance.
Ritsuko: Just remember that when you're out there. Unit 02's arms were nearly torn off last time. . .
Asuka: (to herself) Why is she telling me this when it's the rookie we should be worryin' about?
(suddenly, Misato's voice can be heard . . .)
Misato: All three of you, get ready-
Shinji: Misato?
Misato: What, Shinji?
Shinji: What happens--if we can't destroy the Angel?
Misato: Then the UN will take over.
Shinji: And what are they going to do? bomb the city?
Misato: (quietly) . . . If they have to.
(Shinji is silent.)
(In unit 06's entry plug, Lyn utters to himself . . .)
Lyn: (disgusted) . . ."in order to save the village, we had to burn the village"
Asuka: Shiest . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Nearly 100 meters above, in the control room,
Major Katsuragi turns from the radio,
facing the rest of the crew-
The tension here, it seems, is at an apex. . .)
Ritsuko: I'd say they're ready.
Misato: As ready as they'll ever be . . .
(at that moment, Hyuga's terminal lights up-)
Hyuga: The EVAs are ready for launch.
Misato: Target status?
Shigeru: It hasn't changed position.
Misato: Right.
(suddenly, she turns, facing the image of the invader on the main viewscreen. )
(With the sight of it, Her look changes from one of apprehension to one of determination)
Misato: (nearly shouting) EVAs Launch!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(At that instant, far below, there is a tremendous
influx of power, and three simultaneous, concussive blasts as all three
Evangelions are catapulted up the launch path, leaving a trail of electrical
discharges in their wake-
(Inside unit 06's entry plug, Lyn Anouilh holds tightly to the
control grips under his fingers. He looks
upward, cringing as the tunnel around him rushes by at incredible speed-)
(In EVA unit 01, Shinji Ikari closes his eyes once more-
not from the acceleration, however . . .
. . .but in trepidation. . .)
(Far above, a small patch of darkened, turbulent sky can be seen through
the tunnel exit overhead--
As the launch rails extend into the open air, all three EVAs come up
to meet them--breaking the surface with
the sound of metal screeching on metal. . .
Then, only seconds later, they come to a complete stop with a sudden
jolt that straightens them out on
the scaffold, sending vibrations traveling down the mooring lines attached
to their backs . . . for several
seconds, they are motionless, as the torrential rain batters their
armor once more . . .)
(suddenly, not 15 meters to their right, an armory building rises out
of the ground--the massive titanium
doors that make up its eastern wall immediately slide back, revealing
three fully charged positron rifles . . .)
(As Unit 02 steps away from the launch frame, making its way to the
weapon-rack, the other 2 EVAs
quickly follow in suit . . .)
(Her EVA Taking the very first rifle in hand, Asuka looks at the silent
Angel, which floats above the
still-smoldering crater nearly 1 mile away, and smirks-)
Asuka: That flying toilet won't know what hit it.
(With this, she opens the Rifle's stock housing, which clamps firmly onto the EVAs arm like a vise.)
(As Units 01 and 06 arm themselves, Misato's voice comes over the radio once more-)
Misato: Okay-all of you, take your positions at the coordinates
we discussed.
Remember: Asuka, You're far left, 00, 15, 42.
Lyn, you're far right, 00, 24, 60.
Shinji-you've got to take the very center.
All three: Roger!
Lyn: (thinking) Well, the farther away from Soryu, the better
. . .
( the EVAs split up, taking their positions in a
wide, "V" shaped formation at 3 points several hundred feet from each other)
(suddenly, Asuka's face appears on the viewer to Lyn's left)
Asuka: Try not to fall on your face this time. . .
Lyn: (annoyed) You Just worry about yourself, okay?
(Asuka, however, simply smiles as her image disappears)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Below, In the Control room, Hyuga turns in his seat, facing Major Katsuragi--)
Hyuga: The EVAs are in position 20 meters from each other-Rifles armed and ready!
Misato: (to the children) This needs to be a simultaneous burst
from all three guns. When the countdown stops,
concentrate all your fire on the centermost point on its belly. Once
a hole's opened up,
Shinji, you know what to do.
Shinji: (firmly) Right.
(Misato sighs, silent for a moment. . .)
(then, her eyes narrow, as she gives the order)
Misato: Begin countdown!
(Seconds later, the female voice of the Magi supercomputers blares over the P.A.-)
Magi: Particle beam Unizone firing sequence initiated. . . T-minus: 10 seconds. . . -MARK-
Magi: 10 . .
9 . .
8 . .
7 . .
6 . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside, as the countdown rings loudly in their
ears, All three Pilots prime their rifles, centering the
targets on the massive, pale shape not 1 mile in the distance. The
creature is completely motionless, seemingly
oblivious to the three distant avatars as they bring their energy weapons
to the ready. . .)
Magi: 5 . . .
(Inside unit 01, Shinji Ikari looks at the vaguely organic shape ahead of him, as lighting crashes overhead. )
Magi: 4 . . .
(Asuka Soryu's Unit 02 steadies its rifle, its hand
fingering the trigger as the numbers approach 0 . . .
inside the Entry plug, the pilot does the same . . .)
Magi: 3 . . .
(Lyn Anouilh stares at the glowing, triangular target-sight
as the number "3" is reached.
Strangely, he finds himself being lost, for an instant, in the strange
pattern of lines that crisscrosses
the Angel's smooth surface. . . in his mind, he cannot help but wonder
. . . )
Lyn: (Thinking) for something so dangerous, it's really. . . beautiful . . .
Magi: 2 . . .
1 . . .
(Suddenly, at that very instant, there is movement
as the Angel swivels on an unseen axis,
facing the would-be snipers)
Shinji: (stunned) HEY!-- It moved!
Magi: 0.
Shinji: . . .
Asuka: . . .
Lyn: . . .
Misato: (shouting) FIRE!!
Simultaneously, Units 02 and 06 comply--unleashing
a barrage of raw energy from their positron rifles.
With a tremendous, blinding flash, green light erupts from the weapon
barrels and streaks through the air,
colliding with the target in a shower of verdant flame-
(Mere seconds later, however, Asuka Soryu screams in surprise, )
Asuka: IT'S NOT WORKING!!
(Indeed, the beams simply curve around the Angel's
surface, missing entirely . . .)
(Inside unit 01, Shinji watches on in horror, as
the Rifles seem to have no apparent effect. Suddenly,
the creature tilts itself forward, approaching his EVA at ever increasing
speed. Around it, buildings and
pavement are shattered and crushed by an unseen force as the Angel
whips by, leaving a path of destruction
in its terrible wake . . .)
(Without warning, Major Katsuragi can be heard shouting over the communicator)
Misato: Shinji! What the hell are you doing! FIRE!!
(Finally, the young Ikari breaks free of his trance--depressing
the switch with his thumb.
Instantly, the EVA responds, pulling the trigger, unleashing a third
bolt of energy )
(For the milliseconds it takes for the beam to reach the target, Ikari holds his breath-)
. . . And then gasps as, only mere feet from the angel's surface,
the third beam curves, like the others,
over an unseen shield-
Suddenly, however, it comes into contact with the
other two beams-producing a tremendous explosion that sends the creature
careening into the earth, and knocks all three EVAs to the ground, kicking
up a smothering cloud of dust and smoke!
Asuka: It's down!
Lyn: Where is it? I can't see!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: Did we hit the target?!
Hyuga: Unconfirmed--There's too much residual interference from the energy discharge!
Misato: What happened?!
Shigeru: The beams were being redirected by the angel's gravitational
field! It must've seen it
coming and altered its shape to compensate!
Hyuga: It's clearing- I've got visual . .
(Then, his eyes widen)
Hyuga: Surface has been penetrated!
Misato: Shinji! Get ready!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Topside, The armor casing above unit 01's right
shoulder opens, revealing a type I progressive knife.
Dropping its rifle, the EVA takes the smaller weapon in hand, as the
blade begins to vibrate with ultrasonic
intensity . . .)
As the smoke clears, however, all three pilots gape
at the sight before them: indeed, the angel's outer shell
is cracked, with a massive hole in the very center. Blood pours
from the ragged, charred wound, illuminated
by the red glow of the creature's inner core. . .
. . . there is, however, one slight problem-)
Asuka: What the hell is this? The hole's on TOP?!?!
Shinji: Misato!! How am I supposed to get to that?!
Lyn: No! It's moving!!
(As if to comply with young Anouilh's words, the
Angel rises into the air once more,
its core glowing brightly
Then, at that moment, an incredible wind arises as
a powerful vacuum begins
drawing in everything around it once more)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shigeru: The Singularity has appeared again!
Maya: The breach is on the angel's Dorsal surface! Unit 01 can't reach it!
Misato: What about his jets?
Ritsuko: impossible--he has no way to control his flightpath!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: AAAAARGHH!!!!
(All three EVAs crouch low to the ground as the wind tears mercilessly
at them, pulling them ever closer to
the creature--Behind them, the support cables have been pulled
tight, stretched to their absolute limit . . .)
(The roar of the wind now deafening in his ears, Shinji Ikari shouts desperately to his companions . . .)
Shinji: (shouting ) It's getting stronger--!
Lyn: (shouting) You've got to get up there!
Shinji: But---How?!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: Abort the mission! Send the EVAs back to the launch
platforms!
Hyuga: Negative! The scaffolds have been ripped from their moorings!
Misato: WHAT!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside, the wind has grown in strength- )
Asuka: (shouting) We've got to get out of here!
Shinji: (Shouting) WHERE? If we run away, they'll drop-a mine--
Lyn: Then-
We-
(Suddenly, in Anouilh's mind, a vision of a young child, screaming, appears once more)
Lyn: We. . .!
Child's voice: I'm no Coward!
I'm no Coward!
Lyn: We-
Child's voice: I'm no Coward!
I'm no Coward!!!
Lyn: We-must-
Child's voice: (screaming) I'M NO COWARD!!!!!!!
Lyn: (shaking his head) nnnnggg.. . . .
(Then, At that very instant, his eyes widen with
stark realization)
Lyn: I'VE GOT IT!!
Asuka: (Shouting) Got what?
Lyn: Shinji--When I tell you, release your anchoring cables!
Shinji: What?!
Lyn: You're going up to the Angel's Core--
Shinji: What?!? how?
(Lyn does not hear Ikari's confused response, however, as his EVA makes its way through the torrential wind toward Unit 01-)
Lyn: Uncouple . .. the mooring lines-
(At once, the auxiliary lines attached to Unit
06's back are ejected with a burst of smoke--leaving only the
power cable connected . . .)
Asuka: What are you doing!?
Lyn: Come . .. on . . .
(With his shout, Lyn's Unit, from behind, grabs onto the armor underneath the shoulders of Shinji's EVA--)
Lyn: Engaging flight system-
(With these words, there is a sudden flash
of light-
and, in a luminous blaze, the wings of Unit 06 extend--6 fiery
sails that catch the wind almost immediately,
carrying the EVAs into the Air- )
Lyn: Shinji!! NOW!!
Shinji: Right!!
(The command is given and simultaneously, all three auxiliary lines holding Unit 01 against the wind, as well as the Power source still holding to unit 06, detach; sending the Evangelions hurtling through the air)
Asuka: No!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(There is a collective gasp in the control center as, onscreen, the EVAs are carried toward the angel)
Ritsuko: Dear God. . .
Maya: 5 seconds until contact--
Hyuga: What's he doing!?
Misato: NO!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyn: (struggling) Higher---HIGHER!!
(desperately, Anouilh pulls back on the control grips
as the ominous, glowing shape of the
white Angel fills his view)
Lyn: Please-
(He closes his eyes, pulling back with all his might--)
Lyn: (thinking) PLEASE!!
PLEASE!!!
Higher!
Higher-
(Finally, he screams, forcing the grips toward him--)
Lyn: nnnggggg!!!!
Lyn: -HIGHER!!
(suddenly, The EVA's head raises:
It looks, for an instant, at the onrushing monster ahead-
And then, it turns its single eye skyward as slowly, but surely-
The Evangelions Rise . . .)
Shinji: That's it!
(with only mere meters to spare, the EVAs pass the greater curve of the Angel's bow.
Immediately, the massive, gaping hole on its back comes quickly into view-
. . . along with the glowing, red light within)
Shinji: . . !
(At the sight of the Angel's core, Unit 01 raises its prog. Knife--)
Lyn: This is it!
Shinji: NOW!!
Lyn: DO IT!!!!
(With this last shout, Unit 06 twists in midair--releasing Shinji's EVA at the apex of its turn, sending it hurtling on a direct arc toward the Angel's core--)
(almost at once, Unit 06 veers to the right--clearing the Angel altogether.
inside the cockpit, however, The Battery warning indicator flashes red--
WARNING! INTERNAL BATTERY: 00:00:00
Lyn can only gasp as, Suddenly, the EVA goes dead in midair--its wings
wavering, then
vanishing as the earth below rushes up to meet it at terrifying speed
. . .)
(A mere instant later, As Unit 01 nears the wound, the winds around the EVA dissipate as the AT fields are nullified-
and for a moment,
as the seconds are stretched into horrid eons by the stillness of freefall . .
everything is quiet . . .)
(Then, the calm silence is broken. . .
. . .by the sound --
--of a scream-)
Shinji: AAAAAARRRRRRGHH!!!!!
(With a tremendous crash, Unit 01 lands above the Angel's core--Quickly, It recovers and, its feet pressed to the pulsating, bleeding walls around it, the Evangelion rams the Progressive knife into the creature's fiery heart-)
(With a blinding shower of sparks, the blade enters--cutting into the core with a high-pitched metal screech that reverberates through the EVAs armor into the very entry plug containing its pilot . . .
(Suddenly, the entire beast shudders-as the sounds of a million voices shrieking in abject horror fill his ears, Shinji continues screaming, ramming the weapon ever deeper . . .
Until, At last, a single, hairline crack appears on the core's shiny,
crystalline surface--viscious, red liquid bubbles out
as its glow changes from a deep scarlet to a brilliant white--)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Inside the control center, Misato, Ritsuko, and the rest watch on as a tremor passes through the creature, and a twisting column of smoke rises from the hole in its back . . .)
Maya: SIR! I'm reading a massive energy buildup within the target-
Misato: What?
Ritsuko: NO! It's going to -
(Dr. Akagi's words, however, are cut off by the explosion-
It fills the viewscreen, silencing all with its power . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Sound of Cicadas)
. . .
. . .
Rei: . . .?
(on the edges of her hearing, Rei Ayanami detects a far away voice-
It seems to be struggling to say something . . .)
Boy's Voice: fu-
fu-shi-chou-?
fushichou.
"Bird"
Huh.
Rei : . . .?
Boy's Voice: Let's see . . . Ah! Kou-kan-chou . .
. . . Kou -Koukan--Koukanchou.
Koukanchou!
Hmm . . ."cardinal"
. . .That's not it . . .
Rei . . .
Boy's voice: Ummm---yes! here it is-
Pen-gin.
Pengin?
That's "penguin?"
Huh.
Bloody--That's so easy it's not even funny . . .
(Finally, Rei stirs, opening her eyes-she blinks several times as her blurred vision clears--)
(Immediatly, the familiar sight of a florescent lighting fixture on a very familiar looking ceiling comes into view . . .)
(For a moment, she puzzles over it--listening to the voice struggle on . . .)
Boy's voice: Just my luck it would be something as simple as that . . .
(Then, She turns her head-- only to see that she is, indeed, in a dimly lit hospital room--
Far to her right, sunlight shines in from the large,
eastern window, as the voice continues its mumbling . . .)
Boy's voice: Could've sworn it would be more complicated than
that. "Pengin?" Sheesh. . .
(Rei sits up, turning her head in the direction
of the voice--and finds Lyn Anouilh sitting in a chair beside
the bed, looking carefully through his Kanji dictionary . . . )
(As she moves, he pulls the book away from his face, smiling)
Lyn: Oh, good! Your up!
Rei: . . .
(Ayanami looks down at her shoulder, which is covered in bandages,
and then turns her gaze
back to Anouilh. As she focuses on his face, however, a surprised look
comes over her . . .
. . . for He is wearing glasses.)
Lyn: What is it?
Rei: . . .
Lyn: What . .?
Rei: . . . your . . .
Lyn: (indicating his small, round frames) Oh, you mean these?
(At this, Rei nods slightly)
Lyn: I only wear these when I read for a long time--I don't care
for specs, really, but they're more
comfortable than contacts.
. .
(Rei looks down once more, and closes her eyes, sighing deeply.)
Lyn: Uhm-hey, How do you feel?
(the girl is quiet for a long time . . . then--).
Rei: . . . what happened?
Lyn: Nothing much. Er, by the way, the nurse says you'll be able to leave in another day or so.
(Rei looks up once more; this time, her eyes
falling to the window--She looks on as a dawn glow
baths the room in morning sunlight . . . and, strangely, her eyes grow
a bit wider . . .)
Lyn: (Noticing her reaction) Oh! Yeah-storm's finally over. Good thing too.
(He returns to his dictionary, remarking)
Lyn: You know, After last night, I was afraid I'd never see the sun again.
(Rei looks at him for a moment, her eyes
betraying her sheer exhaustion . . . then,
she lies back down, looking up at the ceiling.)
Rei: . . . So. . . was I.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Continued . . .
