Haruna bay at an 80 kph clip--It passed the outer perimeter of Tokyo 2 at 10:05 a.m. . . The local JSDF dispatched
a number of reconnaissance flights, and sent us these images--
(Darkness)
(Sound of telephone ringing--)
Misato: . . . .mmmmmph . . . .
(Sound of telephone ringing--)
Misato: . . .Zzzzz . . . .
(Sound of telephone ringing--)
Misato: . . . .Zz. . .z
(Sound of telephone ringing--)
Misato: . . . Mmmph?
(in the darkness, a weary hand reaches out from under a comfortable futon, groping for the receiver of the telephone . . .)
(Sound of telephone ringing--)
Misato: (yawning)-oooooooh. . . .where. . .is it . .
(Sound of telephone ringing--)
Misato: . . . Damn it . . .
(finally, her fingers wrap around the familiar contours of the telephone, which she pulls under the covers, placing it hastily to her ear--)
Misato: . . ..mm. .Hello?
Hyuga: Major Katsuragi?
Misato: Hy . . .Hyuga?
Hyuga: Yes Ma'am. Sorry to wake you up so early-but I think you'd better get down here.
Misato: What is it?
Hyuga: We've got a small problem . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, on the Magi's I/O towers . . .)
Technician A: Did you hear the news?
Technician B: About New Haruna?
Technician: A: Yes. . .
Technician B: Is it really-- gone?
Technician A: That's what I was told-
Technician B: What happened?
Technician A: I haven't seen a report yet, but the word is it's already classified information.
Technician B: You know, This is just like-
Technician A: (interrupting) I know, I know. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Nearly 20 minutes later, in the control center in the very heart of the Nerv Subcomplex . . .)
Misato: (yawning) Oh . . .Okay, explain to me what we've got here.
Hyuga: Right-at 5:01:33 this morning, Our detection system picked
up a massive energy surge in the area of New Haruna
bay-that's a port city about 231 Kilometers north of here. Using
long-range satellite transmission and observation, we
were able to get this image--it's a little fuzzy, but you can see it verifies
what the sensors told us-
(Misato squints, studying the picture for a moment-)
Misato: It-it's gone!
Hyuga: That's what we thought, at first--but then the Mt.
Futagoyama observation center picked up an emergency broadcast
signal on their standard low-frequency radio band. So, we went back
to Sat Ops.-
Misato: And-What did you find?
Hyuga: At 5:10:42 this morning, our Satellite camera came up with this image.
Misato: What the hell? The city's back again. . .
Hyuga: We were surprised too . . . until we noticed this-
(Misato gapes as Hyuga points out a large black "dot" on the SETM image)
Misato: Oh my God . . . Is that--?
Hyuga: That's right. Whatever it was, it was big enough
to completely cover the city--and at this moment, its heading south at
about 30 kph.
Misato: It's MOVING?
Hyuga: (nods)
Misato: Let me guess . . .
Hyuga: Yes--straight for us.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Almost 10 minutes later, far above the turmoil of the Nerv control center, The silence of the early morning air in Tokyo 3 is Shattered by the Warning sirens of the city's emergency broadcast system)
Announcement: Attention all residents. . . attention all residents
. . . A state of special emergency has now been declared for
the New Kanto, Chubu , and Tokai districts. Please take refuge in your
designated shelters. Repeat. Today...
Touji: (sitting up in bed) Mmmm--what the hell?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ritsuko: At approximately 8:22 a.m. this morning, Our sensors
detected a large object moving south from the area of new
Haruna bay at an 80 kph clip--It passed the outer perimeter of Tokyo 2
at 10:05 a.m. . . The local JSDF dispatched
a number of reconnaissance flights, and sent us these images--
Fuyutsuki: Hmmph. These aren't too clear . . .
Ritsuko: Blame it on the recon pilots. None of the JSDF's
flights got within 20 miles of the object, which at least explains
the poor image quality . . .
(Exactly 2 hours later, in the briefing room below Nerv Central's command center--Commander Ikari, Fuyutsuki, Dr. Akagi, and Major Katsuragi, along with Maya and Hyuga, review the incoming data with growing apprehension . . .)
Ritsuko: We ran a Blood-spectrum analysis on the target immediately afterwards. The results came up orange . . .
Fuyutsuki: What's the object's current position?
Ritsuko: It's still moving toward us-It'll run into the mountains
in approximately 2 hours. E.T.A. to Tokyo 3's airspace is
almost four . . .
Hyuga: At 10:20 this morning the UN detonated an N2 mine directly
below the object's central axis--No effect. It shows no
signs of slowing down . . .
Misato: At least that gives us some time to prepare.
Gendo: And what is the status of the EVAs?
Maya: They're already on standby-Repairs on Unit 06 have been
completed, and unit 02's been taken out of stasis. There are
no signs of any residual damage in the upper arm components.
Gendo: I want the pilots inserted in their entry plugs as soon
as possible. I am personally authorizing a special A-12
declaration. We're moving out.
(As the words leave the commander's lips, Fuyutsuki and Misato stare at Ikari in disbelief . . .)
Gendo: That is all-
(he pauses, eyeing Ritsuko)
Gendo: get moving!
All: Sir!
(As Hyuga, Maya, Ritsuko, and Misato exit, Fuyutsuki turns to Gendo, silent. As the door closes behind the last of the subordinates, he speaks . . .)
Fuyutsuki: (quietly) You know the committee won't stand for this . . .
Gendo: I think they've made their position clear. In any case, it is irrelevant.
Fuyutsuki: but still-
Gendo: (interrupting) We can take no chances. Inform
the city council of our intent-at the very least, THEY won't try to stop
us.
Fuyutsuki: But, officially, They still have no say in this matter-
Gendo: Maybe so. But, in their eyes, it is still their city. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, in the elevator not 200 feet away . . .)
Misato: What the hell do you mean "orders are orders"? He CAN'T do that.
Ritsuko: You can sit here and complain, or you can get to work. We're mobilizing, regardless.
Misato: But the UN-
Ritsuko: If the worst comes to worst, there will be an extra large stack of papers on your desk tomorrow morning.
Misato: You mean If there IS a tomorrow morning.
(For a moment, all is silent as the elevator
descends down the shaft--
--then, however, Dr. Akagi grins-)
Ritsuko: Hmmm. . . and here, I thought you were the optimistic
one . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcement: All cage teams, report to docking bays 05, 06, 07
for F-equipment installation procedures. B-team, C-team,
and the third wing maintenance team, report to first stage armory ops.
. . 2nd security detail has been
canceled. All security forces are to report to first-stage alert defense
positions. A special A-12 declaration has
been issued for the--
Asuka: At last, a chance to go out and fight for a change-!
Shinji: You sound eager-
Lyn: Hey--at least it's a chance to skip classes . . .
Rei: . . .
(Almost 40 minutes later, Evangelions 00, 01, 02, and 06, manned and ready, begin their ascent into the launch bay, to be outfitted in the massive, flying-wing-like F-equipment. Inside the entry plugs, the feeling is almost jovial, as result of the victory only a week earlier . . .)
Asuka: (smiling wryly) Hah! And here I thought you were
SUCH a hard worker! You've been spending too much time with
Aoi! Already neglecting your studies . . .
Lyn: (grumbling) Sorry to disappoint you, Mother-but that's none of your damn business . . .
Asuka: M---Mother!? What kind of . . . perverted-
(before Asuka can respond, however, Dr. Akagi's voice blares over the comm. System . .)
Ritsuko: Can you four hear me?
All: Roger-
Ritsuko: We're installing the F-equipment now. Maintain
radio silence until all of your neural connections have been
completed. We're taking an offensive posture with this angel, so
the stakes are a lot higher-
(she pauses, taking on a sterner tone)
Ritsuko: --in other words, don't get cocky.
Lyn: "Cocky?"
Rei: . . .
Shinji: . . .
Asuka: What do you mean? I've done this before! We can handle it!
Ritsuko: Say what you want--just follow S.O.P., and you'll be fine.
Asuka: (Mumbling) 'S.O.P.' . . .humph! sounds more like a load of 'BS' to me . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Within the hour, four large, boomerang like craft, accompanied by nearly two dozen smaller VTOL transports bearing the markings of Nerv's security force, can be seen taking off from the very outskirts of Tokyo 3's Northern district. Behind them, The rumble of titanic rotors fills the air as the city transforms into its attack mode--the tall steel towers of the newly-rebuilt metropolis sinking slowly into the earth, locking into place like ultratech stalactites above the flooded Geo-front below. . . )
(Aboard the massive F-equipment transports, The children sit in silence as Major Katsuragi, in transit on one of the numerous support craft, briefs them on the specifics of the mission . . .)
Misato: . . . So, you see, This is literally all we know about the target.
Asuka: (thinking) it's not much . . .
Misato: I want all of you to be on your guard and to backup each other--that means no unnecessary risks, Anouilh . . .
Lyn: (meekly) Yes ma'am . . .
Misato: The same goes for all of you--If the worst comes to worst, retreat--and we'll try again later.
Rei: But we cannot fail . . . is that correct?
Misato: . . . I think you understand what the consequences of something like that happening would be . . .
(silence)
Misato: All right then--we're nearing the drop-off point . . .
(she pauses, her tone changing to a much more concerned one)
Misato: . . .Good luck.
(As the Major's image fades from the pilots' views, Lyn turns to the remaining three faces on his "window", which have all become serious in light of the information relayed to them . . .)
Lyn: I don't get it--what kind of "consequences" did she mean?
Asuka: Are you stupid? The end of the world, of course!
Lyn: Oh . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(several thousand feet below the transports, moving along the craggy ridge of the Northern landscape, an impossibly huge form--nearly 10 miles in diameter--can be seen. Its mottled, blue hide strikes an imposing, yet beautiful contrast to the greenery around it which, strangely, seems undisturbed at its presence.)
(Only 5 miles from the target, the four transports jettison their cargo, which immediately enter freefall-smoke and jet-streams trailing behind them, the Evangelions cut through the air on their descent, landing with a crash that sends vibrations rumbling through the landscape and create four large depressions in the earth below.)
(As the swirling clouds of dust and dirt clear, there
is a succession of several more impacts as huge containers, carrying the
EVAs' power sources and weaponry, land only a few hundred feet away from
the guardians . . . )
(Within minutes, units 00, 02 are connected, by the transport
teams , to their umbilical cables; high tech
lifelines which supply the EVAs with nearly an hour of almost unlimited
power . . .)
(High above, the winged form of EVA 06 flies overhead, carrying in its arms a massive pallet gun. )
(Quickly, the Evangelions equip themselves with weaponry
from the armory canisters--Asuka's Unit 02 taking
an EVA sized battle-ax in hand, Shinji's unit 01 grabbing its own pistol,
and Rei's unit 00 carrying a standard EVA
High-impact artillery rifle . . .)
(At last, as the numerous VTOL craft encircle the
would-be battlefield, Major Katsuragi's voice can once more
be heard over the radio . . .)
Misato: The target's up ahead! Neutralize its AT field
and attack the core in the center-
Lyn, you'r auxilliary battery will only last for 1 pass! -and watch
your power cables!
Asuka: Right!
Shinji: Roger!
Rei: Roger . . .
Lyn: . . . Roger.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(With unbelievable swiftness, the EVAs move out--weaving over rocky crags and rifts in the landscape, making their way toward the gigantic creature looming in the distance.)
(As Unit 06 soars overhead, a staccato of bursts
erupts from the barrel of its pallet gun--colliding with dozens
of explosions that obscure the impact points . . . as the Yellow EVA
passes the rim of the gigantic angel,
the wings dissapate, then vanish--Unit 06 lands in a catlike crouch,
its now empty auxilliary battery-packs sliding
free of its shoulder wings . . .)
(Suddenly, Asuka's determined face appears on the communicator-)
Asuka: Cover me!
(As Unit 02 runs toward the target with blinding
speed, Unit 00 falls back--bracing itself, it fires three
volleys from the heavy-barreled rail-gun cradled in its arms.
So powerful is the weapon, that recoil from the shots
is enough to push the EVAs heels several feet into the earth as three
tracer shells soar toward the target at nearly
twice the speed of sound-)
(Seconds later, the air is broken by three concussive
booms as the shots hit home-the explosive rounds
detonating on the angel's surface as Unit 02 finally reaches the creature's
outer perimeter. At once, The EVA
leaps--its ax tears in a swift arc toward the Angel's mottled hide-)
(Suddenly, however, the blow is repelled by an unseen force--)
Asuka: (in surprise as Unit 02's attack is deflected) AAARGH! What the HELL?
(Far above, the smoke from the cannon volleys clears--revealing no damage whatsoever to the creature's surface . . .)
Lyn: (Shouting) What's going on?!
(Far ahead, Asuka tries once more-when the ax blade
is deflected a second time, her angered cry rings
over network as her EVA begins to pull back --)
Asuka: Misato! Its field is still up!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: What's happening!!?
Hyuga: We don't know! Unit 02's field is up, but it's having no effect on the Angel's!
Ritsuko: How can that be!?
Maya: Unknown!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinji: AAAARGH!!
(With a shout, the third child brings his
pistol to bear on the long, needle-like axis protruding from
the very center of the creature's body-
(immediately, Unit 01 squeezes off three shots,
which ring loudly in the morning air as the bullets race
toward the target-
(And, incredibly, they hit-ripping into the angel's hide with three large spurts of blood-)
Shinji: What?!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyuga: Wait! Unit 01's penetrated the target's perimeter-
Misato: What about the other EVAs?
Maya: Negative-!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyn: NO!!
(The 6th child shouts in anger as his EVA's gun volleys
richochet off the Angel's hide . . .
Despite his efforts, the creature is left unfazed by the force
of the blow--)
Lyn: Nothing's working!!
Asuka: Anouilh!! LOOK OUT!!
Lyn: Huh!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Suddenly, the Angel halts its advance-the massive
spike in its very center glowing with white-hot intensity,
as the VTOL craft around it disengage, moving to a safer distance-)
(Aboard the lead transport, Hyuga's worried shout can be heard above the pandemonium of the cockpit-)
Hyuga: Major! I'm picking up another energy reaction-
Ritsuko: The Angel?!
Hyuga: Affirmative--it's localized on Unit 06!
Misato: All of you! Pull back!
Hyuga: It's discharging!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In an instant, a blinding shaft of light erupts from the glowing angel's core--engulfing unit 06-)
(The Evangelion is thrown to the ground, its
hands clenched into desperate fists as the beam takes effect . . .
Seconds later, a round of small explosions dot the EVA's abdomen, sending
concussive waves shuddering
through its frame as the rifle in its hands overloads, then detonates
. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyuga: Unit 06's internal battery is overloading! The infusion of energy is incredible-
Misato: EJECT THE ENTRY PLUG!! Get the pilot out of there!
Hyuga: Understood--signal received and confirmed!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Far below, the occipital armor of Unit 06's pilot compartment is ejected with a burst of smoke, allowing the precious entry plug to fire free of the damaged EVA. The long, white canister shoots out like a rocket, propelled by three blue terminal jets that carry it nearly a mile into the distance-)
(As soon as the plug is clear, however, the EVA shuts
down and, to the surprise of everyone present, the Angel redirects its
attack-
-turning its beam, instead, on unit 02!)
Asuka: (shouting) Crap!
Shinji: Asuka!!
(Immediately, Soryu's EVA shudders under the force of the weapon--the Evangelion falls to one knee, dropping its ax as a pillar of smoke begins pouring from the umbilical connection on its back-)
(As Unit 1 brings its gunsight on the Angel's fiery center once more, The order is given in the makeshift command center above. Seconds later, Unit 02's entry plug slides out of the EVA's cranium, soaring above the landscape as Shinji squeezes off a second barrage of shots-)
Asuka: (as the entry plug is ejected) . .DDDammiiiit!!!!
(As the bullets rip into the column a second time,
the Angel's weapon is redirected once more- )
Misato: (shouting into the radio) Shinji! Pull back !
THAT'S AN ORDER!!
(Before the words take hold, however, the beam is brought to bear on unit 01 . . .and, without warning, the light from the creature's core intensifies-)
(In the space of a single, swift, horrid second, the pillar penetrates the EVA's chest--tearing through the armor and organics with a horrendous, sickening screech-)
Misato: SHINJI!!
Shinji: AAAAAARRRRRRGGHH!!!!!!
(As the younger Ikari's surprised scream echoes over the communication network, a volley of shots explodes on the Angel's AT field directly outside energy-beam's source-)
(Desperately, Rei tries once more to halt the creature's attack--but to no avail. Every shot from unit 00's rail-cannon is deflected, exploding harmlessly on the invisible barrier surrounding the beast . . )
(As Unit 01 falls, the Invader goes silent--once more, it continues its advance, as if nothing had occurred . . .)
(Finally, Misato's frantic call is heard over the 'net--)
Misato: Rei! Rescue unit 01 and Pull back!! NOW!!
(Immediately, Ayanami complies, Dropping the
EVAs weapon and grabbing Unit 01 by its smoldering waist as she retreats
. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(As soon as the EVAs are well out of danger, Misato turns angrily to Hyuga-)
Misato: All Units, Pull back!! Send the first two retrieval crews
to get those plugs As soon as the area's clear! Have a
medical team on standby to receive injured!
Hyuga: Roger-
(With this, Major Katsuragi turns to Ritsuko, who has begun manning the Mission ops. Console on her own)
Misato: How's Shinji?
Ritsuko: The weapon punched right through the EVA-- internal sensors
were wiped out by the blast--ECG, Brainwaves,
respiration--we're not reading anything! Even the ejection signal
was refused!
Misato: (Desperately) Could he be--!?
(Ritsuko removes the earpiece, looking at Misato)
Ritsuko: I don't know!
Misato: Why was Unit 01 the only one to get through!?
Ritsuko: . . .
Misato: -Why not the other EVAs?!
Ritsuko: (Thinking) it couldn't be . . .
Misato: Ritsuko!
Ritsuko: (Angrily) Major! I don't have enough information to GIVE you a reason!
Misato: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Nearly 30 minutes later, in the Nerv command center
. . . )
Fuyutsuki: It appears The attack outside the Northern sector was
a complete failure--reconnaissance
reports the Angel's still advancing. It'll be in our airspace within
the next two hours . . .
Gendo: What about the Evangelions?
Maya: Units 02 and 06 sustained heavy damage to their primary
and secondary power systems--we've already begun repairs
. . But the damaged components will take at least three days to replace.
Hyuga: Apparently, this angel uses a focused, high wavelength
energy beam of some sort. The weapon overloaded every one
of the EVA's power supplies. Both the internal battery and external
connections ruptured almost simultaneously--
Maya: (Continuing) Unit 01 sustained severe damage to its
torso and bio-chest components. It'll be another hour before
we
can even get it operational again-
Gendo: And what of the pilots themselves?
Ritsuko: (quietly) Unit 01's pilot suffered serious cerebral trauma
to his CNS due to the neural feedback caused by the
beam--He's unconscious right now. We've got him stabilized for the
moment on the H&L, but only time will tell if
the damage is permanent. . .
(As Dr. Akagi says these words, Misato straightens up--holding in the wave of emotions that threatens to pour forth--)
Ritsuko: (continuing) The other pilots received only minor bruises . . . They're a little shaken up, but none the worse for wear.
Gendo: What happened, Major?
Misato: Uhm . . . We're really not sure, sir. I-
Ritsuko: (stepping forward) If I may, commander?
(Gendo looks at Major Katsuragi for a moment, then to Ritsuko, and nods)
Ritsuko: It would appear that this angel's defense system is far
above and beyond anything we've encountered before. Unit's
00, 02, and 06's AT fields had no apparent effect on the Target's. . .
Gendo: However, Unit 01 was able to break through--
Ritsuko: Correct. . . Our guess is that it may have something
to do with the S2 organ that empowers Unit 01. Somehow, as a
side effect of the organ's presence, it enabled the EVA to breach this
Angel's AT field easily.
(She pauses, looking at the data on the screen below her)
Ritsuko: This would explain the--severity--of the Angel's response towards Shinji.
Gendo: So, It was trying to destroy the S2 engine. . .
Ritsuko: That's our hypothesis. In essence, it seems that only Unit 01 is capable of breaching this Angel's field.
Gendo: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(20 minutes later, on the moving walkway leading to the elevator which will take them to the command center, Dr. Akagi and Major Katsuragi discuss the plan for sortie. . .)
Misato: (in disbelief) What are you saying? You want REI to pilot it?!
Ritsuko: (flatly) There's no other viable alternative.
Misato: What do you mean 'no other alternative'? I thought only Shinji could-
Ritsuko: (interrupting) That may be so, Major. But, in his current condition, He most definitely could not.
(Misato is silent . . . raising her gaze to meet Ritsuko's before continuing . . . )
Misato: (quietly) You're sure about this . . .
Ritsuko: Rei at least has the possibility of synchronizing with unit 01- That's more than I can say about the other children.
Misato: But there's a chance-
Ritsuko: We've got to take chances if we're going to survive. . . and, in this case, survivability takes precedent . . .
Misato: (spitefully). . . Even if it means using Rei as . . as a tool . . again . . .?
(Akagi, however, seems to ignore the Major's words . . . continuing, flatly--)
Ritsuko: We're going to begin the preliminary startups as soon
as the repairs to Unit 01 are completed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(elsewhere, in the hospital far above Nerv headquarters . . .)
Shinji: ----
Rei: . . .
Shinji: ----
Rei: . . .
(Rei Ayanami stands, alone, over the prone form of Shinji Ikari--Encased in a coffin-like stasis chamber, the boy has been stabilized by a contraption that, under any other circumstances, could be mistaken for a medieval torture device.
(Silent and detached, she stares at the unconscious Eva Pilot, letting not a word--indeed, not a sound--escape her lips.)
(Finally, however, from some deep crevice in the very core of her being, she finds the thoughts-)
Rei: You are severely injured, pilot Ikari.
Shinji: ----
Rei: Because of this, I will pilot unit 01. . .
Shinji: ----
Rei: I do not know why . . .
Shinji: ----
Rei: But I am afraid . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: It's not bad enough that I lost--it's that My Unit 02 had to get damaged in the process !
Lyn: Well, at least you're alive . . .
Asuka: And what's that worth now? You heard Misato--WE can't do anything about this!
Lyn: . . .
Asuka: (kicking the wall) Nothing's worse than not being able to fight back!
Lyn: . . .
(several hundred meters below the hospital, in the observatory booth above the cages where units 00, 01, 02, and 06 undergo repairs, Lyn Anouilh and Asuka Soryu, no longer dressed in their plug suits, sit idling their time away by watching their EVAs far below)
Lyn: (quietly). . . Did you visit Shinji?
Asuka: . . . it's none of your business.
Lyn: Sorry . . .
Asuka: . . .
Lyn: But . . . On that first point, I'll agree with you, Miss Soryu . . .
Asuka: Hmm?
(Anouilh folds his arms, turning away from the window)
Lyn: Nothing's worse than feeling useless. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(almost 20 minutes later, in the EVA test center
located below Nerv's secondary command -- Dr. Akagi, Commander Ikari, and
Maya Ibuki, as well as nearly a dozen other techs, begin the first phase
of what may prove to be, in the end, an impossible task . . .)
Announcement: Preliminary repairs on Unit 01 are now complete.
Lockdown team, report to primary launch posts.
Activation teams, rotation has been scheduled for B shift in the 3rd test
cage. Repeat, preliminary repairs . . .
Gendo: Rei, can you hear me?
Rei: Yes.
Gendo: We will now begin the Unit 01 reactivation procedure.
(he pauses, taking in a short breath)
Gendoi: . . .Begin the activation sequence . . .
(almost immediately, a sonorous hum fills the air as the primary power is connected to the EVA, which has remained in the stasis cage. Unit 01's abdomen has been completely repaired, leaving no sign of the gaping, smoldering hole that had been there only an hour earlier. . .)
Maya: The main power supply connected.. .
Gendo: . . .
Maya: Voltage increasing . . . approaching the critical mark . . .
Ritsuko: Any activity from the EVA? Rejection? Response?
Shigeru: Nothing . . .
Maya: Voltage has reached critical point; rising!
Ritsuko: alright, we've come this far-- Begin the Second phase of the activation sequence.
Shigeru: The pilot has begun initial link up. Graph is normal . . .
Ritsuko: Maintain this depth for now. Begin system phase 2
(On Maya's monitor, a display of hundreds of the EVA's neural connections appears. . .)
Technician: Synapses-inserted. Junction started. . .
Maya: Pulse transmission is complete.
Technician: (turning to Dr. Akagi) All circuits read functional
(on screen, neural connections begin to form, each lighting up as the numerical values increase. . . around the room, the vibrations begin to increase in pitch. . . )
Maya: The initial contact has no problems.
Technician: I read no complications with the nerve links.
Ritsuko: Very well.
(Ritsuko pauses, looking at Gendo. The older man closes his eyes, nodding. She considers this for a moment, then-)
Ritsuko: begin the third connection.
Maya: Affirmative. Up to 2580 satisfied. Until the absolute borderline,
0.8,
0.6,
0.4,
0.2,
0.1
-absolute borderline . . !-
(In the control booth, The seconds are stretched to an eternity as numbers on the list count down--Finally, as they approach zero, nearly everyone in the room is silent, waiting for the pattern to rise--or for the pulses to reverse . . .
. . .However, neither occurs . . .)
Maya: (slowly) It--it's not clearing.
Ritsuko: Increase the depth.
(The display, however, does not change . .)
Shigeru: Negative--Pattern still at borderline. . .
Gendo: (To himself) She's refusing us . . .
Ritsuko: again . . .
(Dr. Akagi looks at the data once more-the numbers still frozen at the zero mark.)
Ritsuko:. . . Keep trying. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Inside the darkened entry plug, Rei Ayanami sits, waiting. . .
But, after the second stage connection, nothing further occurs . . .
For nearly 30 minutes, she waits;
After a while, she rests her hands on the control grips beneath her palms . . .
Underneath her fingers, however, she feels no movement--)
(There is no activity whatsoever from the EVA. It is totally silent, save for the soothing hum of the power generators which supply the unit with energy. . . )
(Gradually, in the darkness of the inactive plug, the child finds herself lost in the sound: It travels up the EVA's body, into the pilot's compartment, reverberating through the LCL fluid that fills it, and into her very mind. . .
Indeed, For her, there is nothing else to be heard . . .
Eventually, the listlessness of her situation takes hold--the girl closes her eyes, still listening to the unending, resonant drone which dulls her senses and soothes her very thoughts. . . It remains so until, at last, all she can hear--verily, all she can feel--is the warm, womb-like embrace of the EVA around her . . .
Finally, the wear and fatigue of nearly 6 sleepless nights catches up with the girl.
In the fluid-filled solitude of the entry plug . . . she sleeps.
And, Inevitably, the dreams come to her once more. . .)
Rei: -:-:-:-
Blackness
Empty
Hollow
Full
Warm
Alone
So alone . . .
The sea . . .
The stars . . .
The mountains . . .
Heavy . . .
Heavy are the mountains.
But that changes . . .
. . .With the passage of time . . .
(elsewhere, earlier . . .)
Asuka: Useless . . . ?
Lyn: (nodding, closing his eyes) Mmmm-Hmm. . . .
Asuka: (looking back at the EVAs) That's not what I meant . . .
Lyn: . . .
Asuka: . . .
(An uneasy silence (for Soryu) follows. Then, the 6th child unfolds his arms, stepping slowly toward the door . . . .)
Lyn: . . . In this case, then, it seems that I speak only for myself, eh?
(Asuka is quiet for a long time as the boy looks at her; then, he depresses the switch on the wall to his right, causing the door to slide open. With a hydraulic hiss, it closes behind him an instant later-and Soryu finds herself alone in the room.)
Asuka: Go on and Speak for yourself then. I'm not useless . . .
(She turns, looking down at the submerged form of EVA unit 02 below. . .)
Asuka: I'm not. . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, in the EVA test/launch center 15 levels below, There has been, as of yet, no change in the condition of Unit 01 . . . It would seem, to all present, that the EVA simply will not allow anyone but Shinji Ikari to pilot it . . .)
Gendo: There is nothing we haven't tried . . .?
Ritsuko: (shaking her head) Nothing short of changing Rei's genetic makeup. . .
(Though the words come out in jest, Gendo eyes the Doctor curiously . . .)
Gendo: We have no other options open to us. Keep trying.
Ritsuko: I don't think that denying-
(Suddenly, however, Ritsuko is interrupted by the Emergency Klaxons of the first stage alert warning system-around them, the room lights go red, as the monotonous, incessant wail of the alarms fill their ears . . .)
Ritsuko: What's Happening!!?
Gendo: The Angel-!
(As if to verify Ikari's words, the image of Sub-commander Fuyutsuki appears on the monitor to his left. . .)
Gendo: (To Fuyutsuki) Angel Status!
Fuyutsuki: It's here . . . !
Ritsuko: Already!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(High above, hovering motionless almost 500 feet over the very heart of Tokyo 3, the impossibly huge form of the 19th Angel blots out the very sky, casting a nearly 15 mile shadow over the citadel. Below, The city has remained in its emergency-attack formation from earlier that morning. . .
At the sharp, spike-like projection located at the very center of the creature's axis, an ambient hum has begun to fill the air-the structure begins to glow, vibrating with the incredible force of the energy concentrating at its very tip--And, as the intensity of the light increases, so does that of the sound, which begins rattling nearby windows in their frames, sending cars below tumbling down the street . . .
Finally, the noise reaches its deafening apex--as
does the glow--and, with an incredible upsurge of pure energy, the force
is released: erupting from the glowing spire in a fiery bolt which
slams into the pavement below with molten thunder. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In the control center, the shock-wave from the attack is easily felt, sending computers and technicians alike into a frenzy-)
(in the center of the chaos, a terrified Shigeru turns to Sub commander Fuyutsuki-)
Shigeru: The thing's used another energy discharge-
Fuyutsuki: I realize that!
Shigeru: The Magi indicate the first shot went straight through
the first 19 armor plates! Sensors indicate it's already preparing
to fire again!
Fuyutsuki: EVA status!
(On the monitor to his right, an image of a female technician in the launch control center far below appears. Quietly, she shakes her head)
Technician: No change! Activation is still not-
(The woman's words, however, are suddenly drowned out by another tremor, which throws several of the techs behind her to the floor as the entire complex shakes with the force of the next blast--)
Shigeru: The angel's fired again! The Geo front has been compromised!
Fuyutsuki: What!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Not 500 feet above, the white hot spire that is the creature's energy beam has pierced the final 3 armor plates separating the cave below from the world outside. The last barrier having been breached, the energy weapon now rips into the Geo-front with the sound of continuous thunder . . .
As the beam travels down into the cave, it comes into contact first with the surface of the sea water that still floods the cavern's interior. There is a loud hissing, followed by an immense outpouring of steam, as the liquid begins to boil away around the fiery shaft of light . . .
High above, as a smothering, scalding cloud of vapor
flows from the hole beneath it, the radiant spire that is the Angel's weapon
begins to glow brighter, seemingly pouring all its force into maintaining
the beam which drills ever closer to the very heart of Nerv-central . .
.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shigeru: Sensors indicate the water level in the Geo-front is dropping rapidly! Geoid depth is plus 225 and falling!!
Fuyutsuki: How long?
Shigeru: 20 seconds until sublevel penetration!
Fuyutsuki: Do what we can to vent the steam!
(Fuyutsuki turns once more to the image of the female technician on the monitor)
Fuyutsuki: The EVA?
(To his dismay, the woman simply shakes her head. )
Technician: Activation failed . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(far below, in the entry plug inside unit 01, Rei
Ayanami still sleeps . . .
. . . and the vision continues . . .)
Rei -:-:-:-
This is me.
Who am I?
What am I?
What am I?
What am I?
What am I?
I am I.
This object that is, is myself, the figure which forms me.
This is the me that is visible, though it feels as if this were not me.
A strange feeling comes--
My body feels as if it is melting.
I cannot see myself.
My figure is fading away.
Awareness dons of someone who is not me.
Who is here, there, beyond me here?!
Ikari?
This person I know. Major Katsuragi.
Dr. Akagi?
People, my classmates.
Soryu?
The pilot of Unit six.
Commander Ikari?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Voice: I
AM I .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Suddenly, In the Cage control center not 30 feet away, There is an abrupt upsurge in activity as the computers monitoring the EVA's status hum to life. Without warning, The activation sequence commences as nerve impulses are connected and neural link-up is completed . . .)
Maya: Commander! Borderline cleared! EVA REACTIVATED!
Ikari: What?!
Ritsuko: (looking at the EVA through the glass partition) What did you do?
Maya: Nothing! The values began rising on their own!
Ikari: (to Dr. Akagi) It is of no consequence! Launch the EVA immediately! Direct sortie with the target!
Maya: Affirmative!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Seconds later, there is the rumble of heavy machinery as massive hydraulics move the now activated EVA unit 01 to the launch platform. Red stasis fluid still drips from the Evangelion's hide as it is secured to the launch scaffold, the hatches above its head opening in rapid succession while the countdown to launch commences . . . )
(In the Geo-front far above, a stifling cloud of
steam fills the cave as the water level drops to almost zero. Finally,
the energy
beam reaches the cavern floor-tearing into the rock with unabated fury.
. .)
Far below, in the control center, the next series of tremors is felt as the creature's energy beam begins to drill into Nerv's very heart . . .
Shigeru: (shouting above the rumbling) The beam has breached Geoid levels G-01 through G-13!
Fuyutsuki: How long before it reaches terminal dogma?
Shigeru: 30 seconds!
29 . . . . 28 . . . . 27 . . . .
(Behind him, Major Katsuragi enters, running to the center of the control floor.)
Misato: (Shouting) Eva Status!
Hyuga: Ready for launch!
Misato: We've got no more time! LAUNCH EVA!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In the third launch cage, there is a momentary whine of the emergency generators as the final sequence is initiated: with a tumbling shower of sparks, armor-clad guardian is sent soaring up the vertical rails, trailing blue lances of residual electricity behind it . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shigeru: 10 seconds until terminal dogma has been breached!
Hyuga: EVA will be in position in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1-
Misato: Prepare the primary Armory tower!
Shigeru: Six Seconds!
Hyuga: EVA in position! Positron rifle has been sent to current location-
Shigeru: 4 . . . 3 . . .
Fuyutsuki: We're not going to make it . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In the empty streets of Tokyo 03, Eva Unit 01 steps from the launch platform--reaching to the squat armory building which has appeared to its right, it seizes in hand the narrow positron rifle, quickly taking a bead on the glowing spire 200 feet away. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shigeru: Terminal Dogma has been breached! Geoid depth minus 2800 has been compromised!
Fuyutsuki: NO!
Hyuga: Unit 01 firing!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(There is a blinding flash of light as pure energy erupts from the particle cannon's barrel, tearing into the Angel's central axis with a deafening explosion.)
(With a surprised scream, The creature's primary weapon is torn in half, the lower portion spiraling off as the beam is finally silenced. Viscous, Red liquid pours from the open wound as the entire Angel quakes with the shock of the sudden blast-)
(As Unit 01 moves in for the Kill, however, an abrupt change comes over the creature- Its entire body begins glowing brightly as a new sound assaults the EVA's external pickups-
It is the sound of a thousand voices, raised in unison-
. . . Screaming . . .
(Then, without warning, there is yet another sudden burst of light from the ragged, bloody stump that remains of the creature's central axis-and a small, red, sphere-like shape is ejected--sent shooting down the hole created by the energy beam only seconds earlier . . .)
(With this, the massive form of the 19th angel seems to contort and deform--becoming distorted and transparent as its component molecules separate . . . )
(. . . And finally, the creature disappears altogether.
. .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyuga: The Angel's main body has discorporated!
Shigeru: Major! Sensors detect the Angel's core traveling down the shaft created by the beam!
Misato: How!?
Fuyutsuki: We've got to stop it from reaching Terminal Dogma! Send EVA on sortie!
Misato: Understood!
(She turns, shouting into the monitor)
Misato: Rei! Intercept that Angel's core!
Rei: . . .
(There is no verbal response from the EVA pilot-instead, onscreen, Unit 01 drops its rifle, diving into the shaft )
Fuyutsuki: (To Hyuga) Can She make it in time?
Hyuga: Unknown!
Misato: What's the Core's rate of descent?
Shigeru: 20 seconds until Terminal dogma!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(There is an incredible blast of superheated air as the EVA flies down the hole, its arms going to its sides in an attempt to streamline itself for descent-around it, the walls of the tunnel, which have been turned to molten glass by the immense heat of the energy beam, rush by as Unit 01's primary jets are engaged.)
(With a sudden explosion, the rockets are activated,
propelling the EVA down the Shaft at an incredible speed. Soon, The
red glow of the descending core can be seen through the layers of steam
that still occupy the hole's interior. The Eva Roars, spreading its
arms wide as the 30 foot sphere looms into view-)
(A loud crash echoes through the tunnel as the Eva collides with the sphere, wrapping its arms around it with the force of impact. Immediately, the right shoulder-guard opens, revealing the progressive knife, which Unit 01 quickly takes in hand. )
(As the tunnel walls continue to rush by in a blur, the knife begins to vibrate, leaving a shower of sparks trailing behind it as it begins cutting into the core . . .)
(. . . When, to the surprised horror of those watching in the control center, the knife's blade breaks-- shattering into a thousand metal fragments on the core's shiny surface . . .)
Misato: What happened!?
Hyuga: The Core's molecular structure is composed of a high density lattice! The Progressive knife can't penetrate!
Shigeru: They've entered the Geo-Front!
Misato: NO! What do we do now!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unit 01 looks at the cracked hilt of the prog. Knife in its hand as the world rushes by at an ever increasing pace--suddenly, the tunnel walls around them disappear as the interlopers fall into the cavernous space that is the Geo-front. . . )
(Releasing the ruined weapon from its hand, EVA 01 begins pounding on the core's reflective surface, which is unyielding even under the tremendous force of the desperate blows . . .)
(Finally, the Evangelion Roars, wrapping its arms once more around the sphere's sides as the two clear the Geo-front, entering the second shaft.)
(Inside the entry plug, the sheer hopelessness of the situation has begun to grip the Unit's pilot-
Rei: (thinking) Too strong-
Why?
It is too strong . . .
Knife is useless.
No more weapons-
I will die.
They will die-
All-
Commander Ikari-
Dr. Akagi-
Major Katsuragi-
Asuka Soryu-
Lyn Anouilh-
The . . Child . . .
.a. .and . . .
Shinji . . .
(suddenly, a second voice is heard in the confines of the entry plug)
Voice: SHINJI . . .
Rei: (gasping, surprised) Who are you--!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside, the EVA screams once more as its grip tightens-sparks flying as its fingers dig into the impenetrable red crystal beneath it-)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Voice: I AM I
Rei: Who Are You!?
Voice: YOU ARE YOU
Rei: I-Ikari!!
Voice: WE ARE ONE
Rei: NO!
Voices: Darkness-
The tube-
It smells of Ikari in here-
One of them-
You-
falling!!
She!
absence-
presence-
I am I-
You are you-
we are one--
Voice: TOGETHER!!
Rei: (Screaming) NO. . . !!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(With a sudden, final shriek, Evangelion Unit 01 squeezes the core-
--and, in a blaze of light, it shatters . . .)
(blood explodes from its interior as a red wave erupts from the broken sphere--shards of shrapnel scatter in all directions as the sickening sound of fragile organics inside being pulverized fill the air . . . The Evangelion continues roaring as the blood covers its face, coating its chest and streaming from between its fingers-)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: My God . . .
Shigeru: EVA has . . .
Fuyutsuki: . . .
(Behind him, Gendo is silent, intently watching the grotesque spectacle onscreen
Strangely enough,
he is smiling. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Finally, with a tremendous crash, the EVA slams into the floor of Terminal Dogma, landing on all fours, its feet driven almost a meter into the ground by the force of its fall---around it, pieces of the crushed core, as well as a scarlet wave that is its blood, rain from above, splattering on the surface below.)
(The EVA, heaving, lifts its eyes--in them can be seen pure animal ferocity; A dim glow of the yellow rage which accompanies berserker fury. .)
(As bits of red crystal and organic matter rain from above, Unit 01's head turns, peering over its shoulder at the room around it-
--and then, it freezes-
For, not 30 feet away, there is a familiar white shape can be seen: suspended limply on a towering cross in a pool of yellow fluid. . . )
Rei: (thinking) I . . . am . . . I-
Voice: WE ARE ONE, TOGETHER!
Rei: (weakly) Ikari . . .!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Suddenly, in the control box below Nerv Control, the sound of warning sirens blares from the EVA status control panel)
(Maya Ibuki looks at her terminal, reading the barrage of data which has begun to scroll down her screen. Seconds later, her eyes betray her utter disbelief--)
Maya: (Shouting) Doctor! Instruments indicate Mental Contamination Has Begun!
Ritsuko: (running to the terminal) What!? Now?! IMPOSSIBLE!
Maya: Intrusion has reached the 2nd stage connections!
Ritsuko: Cut the nerve links!
Maya: Negative response!
Ritsuko: Eject the entry plug!
Maya: Signal refused! It's NOT RESPONDING!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unit 01 turns away from the figure on the cross, lowering its eyes to the sanguineous, pulped mass under its fingers. In the broken, twisted gore beneath, a single, familiar shape--distorted and mangled by the EVAs fury--is identifiable among the carnage. . .)
(With this, The EVA roars a final time, then falls silent--The light fading from its eyes, it collapses into the pool of blood with a hollow crash.. .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya: Is . . . that-
(For a moment, everyone in the control booth, as well as those in the command center far above, are silent, watching the EVA's final motions on the screens in front of them.
Finally, it is Dr. Ritsuko Akagi's quiet, trembling voice which shatters the lunatic calm that has descended upon them all--)
Ritsuko: Maya . . . Get a recovery unit down there . . . Now .
. .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Continued . . .
