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

 
NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION:  R
ILLUSTRATED ORIGINAL FICTION
 
 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Episode 47:  "Tenkei /Revelations . . ."
 

Maya: . . . This won’t do at all . .  .

 (Deep in the corridors of Terminal Dogma, in the early hours of the morning . . .)

Maya: (to herself). . . . Let’s see—move that to 742, and we can keep Hiromi on the first shift . . . .

     (Maya Ibuki, ever faithful protégée of Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, strolls slowly down the dimly lit metal corridors of the lowermost area of the Nerv Subcomplex.  In hand, she carries a small keyboard, from which she reads aloud her morning’s work—which at the moment consists of numerous roster data . . .)

Maya: (to herself). . .Move him to 843. . . Makoto can stay on the night shift . . .

     (As she makes her way down the left path at an access junction, the girl pauses, shifting the bulky piece of equipment to one arm as she produces a security pass from her pocket . . )

Maya: (to herself) . . . hmm . . .and Yuri can take 3rd rotation . . . . but that leaves me . . .

     (At last, she comes to a familiar steel door which, besides the security card reader above the handle,  is unspectacular against the 30 or so like it that line the hallway on either side . . .)

Maya: (sighing ) . . .I guess I could move to 944 . . . but then I’d have less time to sleep . . .

     (The girl shifts her keyboard in her arms, sliding the security pass through the reader on the door before her.  With several confirmatory beeps, the small device recognizes her clearance, unlocking the door with a high pitched buzz . . .)

Maya:  . . . I hope Dr. Akagi won’t mind . . .

     (As she turns the doorhandle and walks inside, however, Maya Ibuki is surprised to find herself stepping in something wet.  The girl nearly slips, bewildered at the sound of splashing beneath her feet. . .)

Maya: What the--?

     (She gropes blindly on the wall to the right for the light-switch, uttering under her breath . . . )

Maya:  (confused) Did . . .someone spill something . . ?

    (When the dim, fluorescent lamps that line the room walls finally do come on, however,  a part of her mind wishes it had taken a bit longer . . .)

Maya: . . .!

     (Before her, the remains of the shattered containment vial are strewn about the lab floor.  Tiny shards of the yellow-tinted glass  crunch loudly under her feet as she steps forward, wearing a look of sheer astonishment.

        Below, her shoes are coated with the same orange, luminescent fluid that had been contained within the glass tube itself, and which now covers the floor . . .)

Maya: . . . !

     (At once, Maya Ibuki finds herself totally at loss for words . . .

     (The silence is soon broken as the technician’s keyboard slips from her fingers, smashing onto the floor with a loud crash . . . the unit’s LCD screen cracking, fizzing out with a bright blue flare . . .

    Seconds later, We hear only the sound of her hurried footsteps growing quieter as she runs down the hallway . . .)

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

Ritsuko:  Don’t hold your breath—you’re just making things harder.

Lyn: (over the radio)  Ulg . . . I can’t . . . help it . . .

Ritsuko:  (annoyed)  Just relax—this is no different from the last 12 tests . . .

Lyn: . . Ugh . . .I know . . .oog . . .but this still feels  . .mmgh . . odd . .

Ritsuko:  Just suck it in—you’ll get over it.

Lyn: . . .

     (Meanwhile, in the control booth which overlooks EVA test cage #3, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi and her team go about the startup tests for the newly repaired and refitted unit 06.  In the containment bay below, the EVA stands upright, bolted to the cage walls by massive forearm and shoulder restraints . . .)

Ritsuko:  Anything?

Hyuga:  (shaking his head) The pilot’s nerve connections keep fluctuating—I can’t maintain a reliable
                                        reading on the pulses . . .

Ritsuko:  Lyn—Concentrate on the task at hand.  If you don’t calm down, we wont get a good sample for
               your RAM.

Lyn:  Okay, Okay . . . nnh . . .

     (Ritsuko turns her eyes to Makoto Hyuga, a questioning look on her face.  The technician nods, adding--)

Hyuga:  There we go--It’s a little better.

Ritsuko:  What have you got?

Hyuga:  His Synch-ratio matches that of the preliminary tests, but the interface is still a little rough
            around the edges. . .

Ritsuko:  It’s no matter.  As long as we can get a core uploaded before this afternoon, I’ll be satisfied.

Hyuga:  (indicating the EVA)  Are you sure it’s a good idea?  I mean, using unit 06 . . ?

Ritsuko:  To be honest, I’m more against it than anyone else.

Hyuga:  We’ve run every conceivable test on the EVA’s Physiology, including its Waveform pattern . . .
            The Magi didn’t deliberate on it for more than 5 or 6 cycles . ..

Ritsuko: we can’t just assume that it’s safe simply because it’s passed what few tests we know we can
              run.  That would be careless . . . and in this business, carelessness can be fatal . .

Hyuga:  Is that why we’ve been keeping its power uptake under 12%?

Ritsuko:  Yes.  Just enough to get the onboard systems running. . .

Hyuga:  But-- if it’s as dangerous as we should assume, It won’t matter how much power we give it, right?

    (Ritsuko, however, is silent . . .)

    (Then--)

Lyn:  (gagging)  Uuugh!  --*cough* . . gg . .. Lem—

Ritsuko:  (sighing) What’s wrong now?

Lyn:  Lem—lemme out . .

Ritsuko:  We’re almost finished—just wait a few more minutes. . .

     (Seconds later, Hyuga turns once more to her-)

Hyuga:  Ma’am?

Ritsuko: . .hmm?

Hyuga:  I’ve got the new pattern.  But, we still can’t guarantee a perfect match the next time he pilots.

     (Dr. Akagi considers this for a moment.  Then, looking at the EVA through the glass partition,
she shakes her head. . .)

Ritsuko:  We’re not going to be able to pull anymore out of him for now.  We’d might as well be thankful
                for what we can get . . . as long as it’s functional, we’ll be fine.

Hyuga:  Yes ma’am.

Ritsuko:  Lyn?

Lyn: Gg.. . .Mnh?

Ritsuko:  We’re done.  You can get out now.

     (with this, she nods to Makoto—who responds at once)

Hyuga:  Roger.  Ejecting the entry plug. . .

     (Outside, there is a momentary whining of servos as the pilot’s compartment casing behind the EVA’s neck slides back, allowing the entry plug to twist out.  Seconds later, a large auxiliary crane latches onto the plug’s end, pulling it free of unit 06 . .  .)

Hyuga:  Ejection complete.

Ritsuko:  Fine.  Download the new pilot data into Balthazaar’s memory core—Keep 2 backups just in case.

     (Before Hyuga can verify the order, however, he is interrupted by the Control center door suddenly sliding open—as a disshelved looking Maya Ibuki runs inside--)

Maya:  (panting) . . Doctor  . .Akagi!

Ritsuko:  What’s wrong?

Maya:  It’s . . .It’s gone!

Ritsuko: . . .what?  What’s gone?

Maya: It—the Ev. N . . .It’s GONE!

     (Suddenly, Ritsuko’s eyes widen with horrid realization--)

Ritsuko:  WHAT!?

Maya: . . I came in this morning . .and—

     (Ritsuko silences the girl with a look, indicating the technicians around them--)

Ritsuko: Wait!  Not here--

     (Taking Maya by the shoulder, Dr. Akagi quickly steps out into the hallway . . .)
 

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko:  Now calm down—tell me exactly what happened—

Maya:  It’s the Ev.N prototype—the containment tube has been destroyed!

     (As soon as the words leave Maya’s lips, Ritsuko’s face contorts into one of horrid surprise—)
 

Ritsuko:  Come on—

     (At once, she pulls the assistant down the corridor toward the elevator. . .)

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

    (Moments later, far below central dogma . . .)

     (Dr. Ritsuko Akagi’s demeanor, upon seeing the decimation in the project lab, has changed from one of desperation—

    --to one of indifference . . .)

Ritsuko:  (flatly) What in . . .In the name of God . . .

Maya:  (quietly) What--What should we do?

     (Ritsuko does not answer—she instead eyes the pieces of glass strewn about the wet floor, her mind running through the numerous possible consequences which may result . . .

     . . . but, in the end, she can envision only one . . .)

Ritsuko:  (thinking)  He’ll. . .have no more use for me . . .

Maya:  Doctor?

Ritsuko: (quietly) You’re sure the lock was in place?

Maya:  It was still on when I got here—

     (Ritsuko remains quiet for a moment, her gaze still locked upon the mess before her . . .)

Ritsuko:   . . Then there’s no way it could have left on its own.

Maya:  Are you saying he was stolen?

Ritsuko:  I’m saying that IT must have been taken, yes.

     (With these words, Dr. Akagi kneels—taking one of the thousands of glass shards on the floor in hand.  She eyes the fragment for a moment, shaking her head slowly. . . )

Maya:  Ma’am?

Ritsuko:  What?

Maya:  What about-- commander Ikari?  How will we tell--

Ritsuko:  (interrupting) No.

Maya: . . ?

Ritsuko: (firmly)  We’ve got to seal up this room.  Clean up the mess, and check the security logs for any
                            anomalies since yesterday afternoon.  Under no circumstances should you relate any of what
                            happened here to commanders Ikari or Fuyutsuki.

Maya:  But—Why, Ma’am?

     (Ritsuko, however, does not turn to address the girl’s query--)

Ritsuko:  Don’t ask questions, Maya!  Just do exactly as I say. . .

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko: . .And . .  and everything will be alright-

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko:  We can still salvage this situation if we act quickly—

     (Suddenly, Dr. Akagi turns, pulling young Ibuki out the door-)

Ritsuko:  We’ve got to hurry . . .

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

Asuka:  Damn . .!

Shinji:  What?

Asuka:  Why is she taking so long?  I’m not going to sit here all day!

Shinji:  She’s probably just busy . . .

     (Asuka sneers, pulling at the wrist of her plug suit)

Asuka:  Yeah, right.

     (Far above terminal dogma, in the observation box above EVA containment cage 1, Asuka Soryu and Shinji Ikari wait impatiently for their team leader and guardian, Misato Katsuragi.  Outside the windows of the booth, EVAs 01 and 02 can be seen affixed to the cage walls . . .)

Shinji:  She said She’d be here . . um . . .

Asuka:  Verdammt!  You mean, after all that’s happened, you STILL expect her to be on time?

Shinji: . .Well . .

Asuka: Lieber Gott im Himmel, schenk Shinji Ikari ein Gehirn . . !

Shinji: Wh—What?

     (The girl gives him a scowl,  tapping her foot impatiently . ..  )

Asuka:  Hmmph.  I was just asking God to send you a brain . . .

Shinji:  sorry  . . .

     (The 2nd child eyes the chronometer on her hand, scoffing the air loudly)

Asuka: AARGH! Where the hell IS she?!

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

     (Meanwhile, not more than 30 meters below, the answer to that question stands aboard one of the moving walkways inside the upper third of the massive 15th thermal shaft.  Beside her, Rei Ayanami stands patiently, as a seemingly endless void rushes past just a few feet away . . .)

Misato:  . . .And . . what about school?

Rei:  No problems.

Misato:  . . .  are you sure?

Rei:  I could not be otherwise . . .

Misato: . . .

     (a moment passes, in silence, as the two make their way toward the main service lift .  .)

     (Then however, Ayanami throws her own question into the air . . .)

Rei:  Major?

Misato:  Hmm?

Rei:  If I may ask---why are you suddenly concerned for my well-being?

Misato: . .um . . . why not?

Rei: . . I am not in your care. . .

     (Suddenly, Katsuragi laughs, seemingly at herself, before falling silent.  Several seconds pass before she answers . . .)

Misato:  I’ve had to get used to caring for all of you in the last few months. . .maybe I’m just accustomed to it . . .

Rei: . . .

Misato: . . .

Rei: (quietly) . . . I see. . . .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     (Almost 5 minutes later, in the control booth 15 levels up . . .)

Asuka:  THERE you are!  What the hell took so long?!?

Misato:  Unit 0’s startup took longer than expected—how did it go with you three?

Asuka:  Hmmph . .

Shinji: . .eh . . .

     (Suddenly, Misato looks around, as if noticing something missing . . .)

Misato:  Wait—where’s Anouilh?

     (Shinji’s eyes fall to the floor.  Inevitably, It is Asuka who answers-)

Asuka: Feh.  The idiot swallowed too much LCL again.  He’s probably off being SICK somewhere. . .

Misato:  (embarrassed)  Oh . . .

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

    (Elsewhere . . .)

Announcement:  Will the project R vice-representative, Takuya Nakamura, please call extension 510 . . . Takuya
                           Nakamura . . .

Lyn: . . .

     (In a crowded hallway in the base infirmary almost 30 levels up, Lyn Anouilh sits, silent.  Still wearing his damp plug suit, he holds in his hands his pilot’s headband, fingering its contours
thoughtfully . . . Around him, patients, nurses and physicians walk the busy corridor, paying no attention to the child as he waits, seemingly, for something. . . )

    (As he sits in the noisy corridor, his hand goes to his abdomen, as if a pain exists there. . . In his heart, however, he knows that the twisting, throbbing feeling in his stomach has nothing to do with any physical injury . . .)

     (At that moment, one of the doctors takes notice of him,)

Doctor:   Hey . . .you there. . .is something wrong?

Lyn: . . .

Doctor:  Boy? —hey—

     (Anouilh snaps out of his silent reverie as the older man shakes his shoulder, making eye contact)

Lyn: hmm?

     (The boy looks around for a moment, as if surprised at just where he is.  Then, he seems to relax, turning his eyes away . . .)

Lyn:  No. . .It’s nothing. . .

Doctor:  Are you sure?

Lyn:  I’m fine.

     (With this, the child stands—walking quickly into the crowd, making his way toward the exit . . .)

     (Before stepping out of the double doors, Anouilh takes a quick breath—taking in the hospital air about him . . . then, he sighs, holding his temple in an attempt to steady the thoughts spinning around his brain . . .

  . . . finally, he pushes his way through . . .)
 

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

    (Elsewhere . . .)

    (An unsteady figure walks a staggering gait in the darkened tunnels below central dogma . . .)

    (Its form concealed in the shadows, it clutches the walls for support—struggling along on legs that have never walked, and lurching toward the end of the hallway at an unsteady pace . . .)

    (The figure is no more than three feet tall—its thin, uncovered form shivering in the cold air of the terminal dogma passageway. The being makes small, desperate noises as it struggles toward the massive, reinforced steel gate almost 10 meters down the hall . . . stifled whimpers, panting, and shudders fall from its lips, to echo endlessly in the darkness of the empty corridor . . .)
 
. . .

    (Then, At last, the creature’s small hands come to rest on the immense steel portal—

     (above, in writing, the words LCL PLANT 0411 are stenciled, along with the bold message:

ACCESS BY UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL PROHIBITED—
VIOLATORS  WILL  BE  PROSECUTED  TO  THE  FULLEST EXTENT  OF  THE  LAW  .
TRESSPASSERS MAY  BE  SHOT  ON  SIGHT

     Apparently oblivious to the warning, however, the being pushes vainly against the gate—grunting lightly as it strains uselessly against the reinforced titanium.  When the door does not yield, It begins pounding it with its fists, crying out helplessly at the door which will not open . . .)

     (Then, at last, it seems to succumb---falling to the floor in defeat . . .)

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

Misato:  There you are . . .

Lyn:  Sorry to keep you waiting.

Asuka:  It took you THAT long to barf? I’m impressed.

Lyn: . . .

     (nearly 2000 meters above, in the control room above EVA containment cage 1, Lyn has rejoined his companions . . . much to his chagrin . . )

Lyn: . . ulp . . .I wasn’t ‘barfing!’

Asuka:  Sure . . .

Shinji:  We’re all here now--What did you need from us, Misato?

Misato:  (looking around) Actually—I didn’t need anything from you . . .Ritsuko’s supposed to be here . . .

    (oblivious to Misato’s words, Asuka and Lyn rant on . . .)

Lyn:  I was just clearing my head  . .

Asuka:  Is that what you English call it ?

Lyn: -!-

     (the boy blushes as Katsuragi continues, heeding the two no mind . . )

Misato:  She said she wanted to speak with you four about something . . .

Shinji:  Well, she doesn’t seem to be here now--Can’t you let us go?

     (Suddenly, Asuka seems to take notice of Shinji’s words--)

Asuka:  (annoyed) Yeah, can we leave?  We’ve been waiting here for over an hour!

Misato:  I guess. . .

     (Almost instantaneously, Asuka is on her way to the door.  Rei is slow to go, however,

      . . .as is Shinji . . .

    Anouilh looks from Ikari to Ayanami, as if ready to say something—

    But then, his face falls blank, and he makes his way slowly out the exit . . .)

Shinji:  It’s okay?

Rei: . . .

Misato:  Yeah, you guys have been here long enough.

     (As she says this, she looks around the emptying control room once more—and, cannot help but utter to herself . . )

Misato:  (Under her breath)  Where IS she?

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

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko: There!!

     (Maya nearly jumps as Dr. Akagi’s finger hits the screen—indicating a single, blurry shape in the darkness of the area under surveillance camera 105. . .)

Maya:  Where’s that?

Ritsuko:  The main LCL production plant—three levels down from the lab. . .

Maya:  (Confused) How’d he--?

Ritsuko: (interrupting). .It’s dangerous for it to be outside of containment at its current state!  We have
                                    to get down there!

     (Ritsuko stands, heading toward the door of the control center . . .Maya, however, is far more hesitant . . .)

Maya:  but ma’am—

Ritsuko:  (impatiently) What is it??

Maya:  (meekly) Y—Your clearance doesn’t allow you to go down there . . . Don’t . .Don’t you remember . .?

     (Akagi looks at the girl, surprised . . .then, however, she relaxes, seeing the veracity in the
assistant’s words . . .)

Ritsuko:  You’re right . . .

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko:  . . . but your security clearance does.

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko:  I’ll prepare the auxiliary S. D. chamber . . . while you go retrieve the unit.

Maya:  Yes ma’am . . .

     (Ritsuko nods . . .but then, her expression changes once more--)

Ritsuko:  (quietly) Listen--It’s imperative that you don’t let anyone see you, Maya.  Whatever happens, our security with this
                            matter can’t be compromised.

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko: Do you understand?

     (without a word, Ibuki nods—standing from behind the terminal as Dr. Akagi hurries out the door . . .)

Ritsuko: (to herself)   There’s still a chance . . .
 

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

Fuyutsuki:  Are you positive this is the course we want to take?

Gendo: . . .

Fuyutsuki:   I mean, the danger inherent in using it—

Gendo:  I’m well aware of the risks.  But it remains our only viable hope for success. . .

Fuyutsuki:  (to himself)  Hmm. . . Last I heard, "hope"  wasn’t something measured in viability . ..

     (High above the streets of Tokyo 3, in a large VTOL transport belonging to Nerv’s security forces, Commanders Ikari and Fuyutsuki discuss the more recent turn of events in the city below--as well as in the maze-like fortress underneath --as the aircraft makes its way to the international airport almost 15 miles outside the city limits . . .)

Gendo: . . .

Fuyutsuki:  What about the UN?

Gendo:  (scoffing) What about the UN?  Our affiliation with them is no longer in question.  In their eyes, Nerv has become an
                            organization second in importance only to their own.  The branch 5 and 6 projects have been fruitful only in
                            that they have given the old fools yet another excuse to waste money.

Fuyutsuki:  (smirking)  Like . . . the city?

Gendo:  One could suppose as much.  But I find it easier to rely on other predictions. . .

Fuyutsuki:  Then you’re still going to allow them to send a delegate?

Gendo:  As you know, the first order of business in today’s summit meeting is the selection of the representative body that
            will deal with the Americans.  You, of course, will be delegating our interests . .

Fuyutsuki: (thinking) As I have all too often . . .

Gendo:  Besides, to back down now would only raise further suspicions. . . and quelling those could prove
            to be a far more complicated matter than simple remittances.

     (The two men fall silent as the whine from the aircraft’s twin engines rises in pitch, indicating the unit is about to land.  As the VTOL drops in altitude, the landing gear extends from the transport’s wings and base, cushioning the vehicle as it makes contact with the earth moments later.

     As Sub-commander Fuyutsuki exits the plane, he turns once more to Ikari, who stands above him in the portal’s threshold, and calls to the commander over the noise generated by the engines-. . . .)

Fuyutsuki:  (loudly)  And—what would you have me do should I happen to see Chairman Kihl at the security council
                                conference?

     (Ikari is silent as he considers the man’s words—his clothing tossed about in the wind created by the aircraft’s engines, it seems he will not answer the question . ..

     . . . then, however, a wry smile crosses his face--)

Gendo:  Tell him---

Fuyutsuki: . .. ?

Gendo: . . . Tell him—that I send my regards.

     (Seconds later, the door to the transport closes; And, with the deafening roar of its massive rotors, the vehicle takes off once more.  Fuyutsuki watches as it ascends into the sky, becoming a dark spec on the unending field of blue above, before making his way across the airfield toward the charter jet scheduled to take him outside the haven of the Third Tokyo city . . .)
 

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

     (Elsewhere . . .

     . . . back in the darkened hall below central dogma . . .

     (the creature is still, sobbing quietly to itself as it lies before the impenetrable gate to the main LCL production plant.  Around it, its soft wails are carried into the calm air, reverberating down the vacant hallway as the being resigns itself to despair . . .

     But Then—

     A new thought . . .

      . . .A new feeling  . . .

     . . . Enters the creature’s mind.

    It is a presence of spirit-- a remembrance-- illustrated in the depths its young brain by an image . . .of a vacant, pallid face on the other side of a translucent, yellow barrier . . . a face filled with fear and grief equal to its own, yet also filled with a sense of hope . . .and gentleness . . .

     . . .much like the one it wishes to feel . . .

     And with this, the being stands.

    Possessed of another purpose, It turns back down the hallway—pushing itself in the direction from which it came . . . )

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

Lyn:  Hey—Shinji?

Shinji:  . .hmm?

Lyn:  Um . . . I was wondering if I could ask you a favor . . .

Shinji . . .

     (Meanwhile, in the men’s locker room 60 levels up, Shinji Ikari and Lyn Anouilh are once more dressed in their school attire.  Lyn’s plug suit, its yellow and black trim still glistening with residual LCL, hangs draped over the bench which sits between the rows of lockers.  Shinji’s, conversely, has been folded carefully, and has been laid at his feet as the boy fastens the last few buttons of his shirt . . .

     Anouilh looks down at the uniform for a moment, building up the courage to say what has been on his mind . .. )

Lyn: . . I  . .what would you say about staying at my place tonight?

Shinji:  tonight?

Lyn: . .um . . .yeah . . .

     (Shinji blinks his eyes, considering his answer.  It, however, is forthcoming . . .)

Shinji:  Sure—I guess--Is there any reason?

Lyn:  . . .

Shinji:  . . ?

Lyn:  I just - - - I don’t want to be alone up there right now.  It gets really  . .

     (The boy’s words trail off, as his mind begins to dwell once more on his newest  . . .and oldest . . . fears . . .)

Lyn: . .I . . .oh, boy . . .

     (Shinji, however, easily makes the connection . . .)

Shinji:  I think I understand.

Lyn:   . . . Thanks . . .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Meanwhile, in an adjacent room . . .)

Asuka:  (mumbling) Damn stupid experiments . . .idiotic waste of my time . . .

Rei: . . .

Asuka:  Hey—just what were YOU doing while we were taking our tests?

Rei: . . .
 
    (The girl continues changing, offering no response . . .)

Asuka:  (annoyed) Hello!?

Rei: . . . I was doing the same . . .

Asuka:  (suspiciously) Really? And just why did they have you take the same test in a COMPLETELY different cage?

Rei:  I don’t know.

Asuka:  What? Oh, come ON!

Rei: . . .

Asuka:  Well, something’s up!  And don’t think I can’t tell, either!

Rei:   . . .

Asuka:  (mumbling) Doesn’t anything piss you off?  Why are you such a zombie!?

     (Asuka is silenced, however, as Ayanami slams her locker door shut—glaring at the other pilot . . .)

Rei:  . . . I do get angry.

Asuka: . .?

Rei:  (flatly) But nothing you can do will make me as such.

     (The girl walks to the exit, her school-bag in hand.  As she depresses the switch to open the door, she looks over her shoulder at the second child once more--)

Rei:  I’m leaving.

     (with this, the door shuts behind her.  Asuka stands there for a moment, before throwing a comment into the air--)

Asuka:  Hmmph!  Good riddance. . .

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

    (elsewhere . . .)

. . .

    (A lonely figure shuffles through the empty steel catacombs below central dogma . . .

    Its head held low, it wraps its arms around its shoulders— shaking with cold as a new longing becomes apparent—

    --the longing for warmth . . .

    Suddenly, from up ahead, come the sounds of hurried footsteps. The being freezes—paralyzed with  fear, it huddles near the wall, awaiting the inevitable as the footsteps grow louder . . .

    then however, they grow quiet—as whoever it is rushes past, missing the frightened creature altogether.

    It stands, peering down the hallway, confused.  For some strange reason, there is a sense of –familiarity—present in the being’s mind.  It dwells on it no further, though, and it pushes onward—finally coming to an exit of sorts . . .

    the door opens wide with the sound of metal scraping against metal—a deep, grating noise which causes all the hairs on the being’s back to stand on end . . . as if the cold hadn’t already done so. . .

    Stumbling along the vacant hallway, the creature easily senses a distinct difference in the world around him—his eyes are stung by the harsh, bright lights from overhead, which in turn are reflected off of the sterile, white walls around them.  As the creature pushes onward, it hears the sound of footsteps once more—this time, however, from behind. . .

    Frantically, it looks about—experiencing the animal-like feelings of being exposed and vulnerable in the eyes of a predator . . . and, with a desperate cry, it pushes against a part of the wall which seems different from the rest—

    --and nearly falls over as the door slides open, spilling it inside before abruptly closing behind it . . .

    The creature sits there, silent, as the sound of footsteps grows softer once more.  As the fear passes, the being at last takes in its surroundings—

    the room is small, and nearly bare, save for several large, white machines that line the far left wall.  As the creature stands, its eyes spot something else—a basket, seemingly on wheels, filled with cloth . . .

    The being’s shivering form seems to cry out to its young mind that warmth is very much desired—and, without argument, the creature complies—taking one of the pieces of fabric in hand and, after puzzling over it a bit, pulling it over its bare body . . .

    The uniform top falls well below the child’s ankles. Its sleeves, several inches too long, hang draped over the creature’s hands.  Almost pure white, save for a "Nerv" patch gracing the arm and left breast, the shirt suits its function well—as the boy’s skin abruptly ceases its quaking . . .

    The child pushes the door again, which opens easily into the vacant hallway once more.

    Sensing the object of its struggles is far away now, the creature moves on—driven by a most unnatural instinct into the access tunnels that crisscross the fortress, it pushes onward and upward—to the world of daylight above . . .)
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ritsuko: . . .

     (meanwhile, several hundred meters away and over 30 meters up . . . Dr. Ritsuko Akagi stands in what remains of the project Ev. N laboratory.  Before her, a small, cylindrical vial—very similar to the ruined one which sits in the center of the room—sits, filled with the same, yellow-orange fluid that still covers the floor. . .)

Ritsuko: . . .

     ( the woman, lost in her work, is silent—as thoughts of Nerv’s supreme commander tear through her brain, clouding her emotion over with a sense of longing . . . and betrayal . . .)

     (suddenly, however, her trance is broken as the door slides open—and Maya Ibuki’s desperate voice is heard for the second time that day--)

Maya:  Dr. Akagi—

Ritsuko (without turning) Did you find it?

Maya:  No ma’am—when I got down there, he was gone!

     (Ritsuko curses the air, spinning on her heel and facing the nervous young girl standing in the doorway behind her--)

Ritsuko:  Shit!  I knew I should’ve gone down there on my own—

Maya: . . .

    (Maya is silent as Ritsuko drops her work, takes her be the shoulder, and pulls her into the hallway.  The instructions come in a blaze as the doctor runs toward the emergency lift, pulling the technician along once more--)

Ritsuko: Okay—we’re going to have to setup a search of the entire complex—we can use Melchior’s sensors to isolate its
             spectral pattern within 1000 meters of the Geo-front . . . but we’ll have to erase the logs when we’re finished . . .

Maya:  . . . By ourselves?

Ritsuko:  Exactly.

     (Ibuki considers this as the two finally step inside the elevator, Ritsuko stabbing the button for G13 . . .)

Maya: But ma’am—what if he’s not in the complex?

Ritsuko:  We pray that that isn’t the case, Maya.

Maya: . . .

     (as the doors close, Akagi’s voice seems to drift off . . .)

Ritsuko:  (quietly) If it is, then there’s no hope in finding it. . .
 

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

Shinji:  How long did it take him to get back?

Lyn:  six months . . . but, by then, she’d already died.

Shinji: . . . oh . . .

Lyn:   . . .

Shinji:   . . um . .sorry about that . .eh . . .

Lyn:  Don’t be.  It’s just not something I usually talk about . . that’s all.

Shinji: . . .

Lyn:  Besides . . .I heard you lost your mother, too . . .

     (Far above Nerv, in the 6th car of the Tokyo 3 express-line, Lyn Anouilh and Shinji Ikari sit among nearly a dozen or so morning passengers, discussing a most sensitive subject . . .)

     (Shinji nods quietly)

Lyn: . . . How old were you?

Shinji: . . .

Lyn: . . .

Shinji:  Little.

Lyn: . . .

Shinji: (quietly) as little as I feel right now . . .

Lyn: . . .

     (For a long time, The two sit as an uneasy silence descends on the air between them . . .)

     (Then, however, Lyn smiles to himself—reviving the conversation--)

Lyn:  Well . . . Thanks again for accepting my offer.

Shinji:  Oh, it was no problem.

Lyn:  you know—I used to wonder what the EVA pilots did for fun . .

Shinji: . .. ?

Lyn:  (smirking)  then I figured out that, when compared to piloting those things, everything ELSE is fun.

     (Shinji cannot help but smile at his companion’s words, which are soon lost in the soft rumble of the train-car around them . . .)
 

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

     (Elsewhere . . .)

     (A young pair of eyes squints as it is momentarily blinded by the bright sunlight—

    something that, until now, it has never before seen . . .)

     (The creature shudders once—gasping in a lungfull of morning air as it steps over the thick steel threshold of access port #66 into the world of the city above.  Rubbing its stinging eyes, it stands there, unhurried, as the door behind it closes with a hollow clang. . .)

     (The sounds of the city already loud in its sensitive ears, the being takes a tentative step onto the nearly vacant sidewalk before it.  Under its bare feet, the processed concrete is still cold and damp from the night before, sending strange, prickling sensations running up its unsteady leg.   Around him, passersby seem to barely take notice—too absorbed in their own day-to-day lives to be troubled with the odd sight that the strange being affords. . .

     Indeed, however, as it is now in the world of day, we are finally able to take a full assessment of the creature—

    He stands no more than a meter tall—his skin, a pale yellow hew, clashes markedly with the shock of white hair that seems to sprout from the sharp widow’s peak on his forehead.  Its face and body, seemingly,  are those of a child no more than 5 or 6 years of age . . .

     . . .although, in reality, he is much, much younger . . .)

     The boy looks around once more, the instinctual senses which have been driving his progress thus far now telling him to head north, and moves on  Taking an odd, crisscrossed path through the city blocks, the child walks among the now growing midmorning street crowds without fear . . .)

Child: . . .

     (As the shining towers of the city’s inner citadel come into view from behind the squat buildings of the eastern quarter, the boy’s eyes widen with astonishment . . )

Child:  . . .!

    (Without a word, however, the child pushes on—looking about at the population center around him with continued amazement as he disappears into the now ubiquitous throngs of pedestrians  that frequent the streets . . .)
 

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

Asuka:  Hey!!

Pen Pen: . . .

     (meanwhile, almost 8 miles away and 7 stories up . . . in the apartment of Major Misato Katsuragi  . . . a struggle of a different sort is taking place . . .)

Asuka:  ‘Gimme the stupid remote, you damn bird!

Pen Pen:  Qwuaa!!

Asuka:  RRRRRGGGHHH!!! Verdammter Bruchpilot  !

Pen Pen:  Qwuaa!! Qwuaa!!

Asuka:  Give—mmph!!--It---rrrrgh---

Pen Pen: . . . !

Asuka: . . - GIVE--IT--HERE!

Pen Pen:  Squaaa!

     (It is with a final, defiant shout that the bird releases its sought after television control—stumbling on its dumpy avian legs as it tries to regain its balance in light of its sudden loss . . .

    unfortunately, it fails in doing so—falling , not unlike a clumsy child, flat on its rear . . .)

Pen Pen: . . .

Asuka:  Ha!  Serves you right!

     (the penguin turns its back to her, refusing to acknowledge the girl as she returns to her seat on the floor, already flipping through the channels . . .)

     (suddenly, however, there is the new sound of the front door sliding open.  At once, a familiar voice can be heard calling through the corridor--)

Shinji:  I’m home!  Is anyone here?

Asuka:  Yeah.

Shinji:  Asuka?

Asuka:  (calling)  Nice guess.  What do you want—a morning kiss?

Shinji: . . .

Asuka: . . . didn’t think so . . .

     (to the girl’s surprise, however, yet another graces the morning air--)

Lyn:  That depends—Are you gonna come over here or do I have to come to you?

Asuka:  (indignantly) Get bent!

Lyn: .  . . yeesh . . .

     (moments later, the two join Soryu in the Living room—Lyn taking a seat on the floor (on the OTHER side of the table . . .))

Shinji:  Let me just get my things . . .

Lyn:  Oh, yeah—yeah . . .

     (Asuka takes her eyes from the TV for an instant, watching intently as Shinji walks down the hallway toward his room . . )

Asuka: (curious)  things?  What "things?"  where’s he going?

Lyn:  Oh—um—he’s just going to stay over at my place tonight.

Asuka:  Oh, really?

     (At this, Anouilh takes on the defensive . . .)

Lyn:  Yeah.  I haven’t had any guests in a while . . .

     (to his surprise, however, Asuka almost laughs-)

Asuka:  Does that mean you count Tamashii as Family, then?

Lyn: . . .!

     (Soryu grins, seemingly satisfied to see the boy’s ears turn a shade of red brighter than that of her plug suit . . )

Lyn:  (coughing) I don’t know what you mean . . .

Asuka:  (sarcastically) right .  .  .

     (Before the innuendo can escalate any further, however, to Lyn’s relief, Shinji returns--)

Shinji:  I’m ready.

Lyn:  (standing)  Okay.

Asuka: It’s still morning. . ! Why are you leaving now?

Lyn:  Why not? Get a good start.

Shinji: . . .

Asuka:  (mumbling) Idiots . . .

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

Maya:  Nothing!

Ritsuko:  I’ve set the SP priority as high as it will go without setting off the alarm—we should be able to detect it if it’s within at
              least 980 meters of the Geo-front . . . !

Maya:  Could the sensors be malfunctioning?

Ritsuko:  Highly unlikely, considering we refitted them less than 3 days ago.

     (Maya looks up from the terminal—casting her worried gaze once more to Dr. Akagi--)

Maya:  Then-- he’s gone?

Ritsuko: . . .

     (In the control center of Nerv central, almost 100 meters below the city, Ritsuko Akagi and Maya Ibuki sit atop the Magus Melchior, attempting to use the supercomputer to locate that which both of them hold dear . . )

Ritsuko:  Then  . . it’s gone.

Maya:  If we used all three Magi, then there would be more time to process the incoming data rate, and we would be able to—

Ritsuko:  (flatly)  No, Maya.  We’d be too easily detected.

Maya:  then--what can we do?

Ritsuko:  I don’t know.

Maya:  (thinking)  where could he have gone?
 

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

Hyuga:  She still hasn't responded, Major.

Misato:  (sighing) Don’t worry about it, then.  She’ll turn up eventually.

Hyuga:  Did you try paging her?

Misato: 5 or 6 times.

Hyuga: . . . oh . .

Misato:  It’s not a problem—with Ritsuko, I’ve gotten used to being neglected . . .

     (Meanwhile, in the corridor 3 levels above the control center  . . . Misato Katsuragi and Makoto Hyuga walk the hallway, discussing a matter of their own . . .)

Hyuga: . . .

Misato:  Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about?

Hyuga:  Oh--I was told to inform you that Commander Fuyutsuki has left for the security council meeting.

Misato:  Hmm.  And how long should we expect him to be gone?

Hyuga:  1 to 2 days, depending on how smoothly things go with the appropriations committee and D. S. I.

Misato:  "D. S. I." ?

Hyuga:  The ‘Division of Special Investigations . . .’

     (Misato is quiet for a long time as the words sink in . . .)

Misato: . . . so when they’re finished with the U.S., they’re going to come after Nerv, are they?

Hyuga:  Can you blame them?

Misato: (to herself). . .only for waiting this long . . .

Hyuga:  Huh?

Misato:  Nothing.  Thanks for the info.

     (with this, the Major turns, walking down the hallway . . .)

Hyuga:  . . It was . .no problem . .

     (As Katsuragi takes her leave, Hyuga looks on . . .

    Behind the thin glass lenses on his face . . .his eyes betray a distinct sense of distress . . . )

Hyuga:  None at all . . .

     (. . .or, perhaps, longing . . . )

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
     (elsewhere . . . in the cold, decrepit apartment of Rei Ayanami . . .)

Rei: (sighing) . . .

     (the EVA pilot sighs wearily—dropping her school-bag in the corner of her bedroom, she rubs her face as she shuffles slowly toward the bed.  Exhausted from the early morning tests, Rei nearly collapses on the sheets—allowing all the tension to rush from her body as she begins to drift off into the realm of sleep . . .

     Indeed, The monotonous, droning sounds of the city around her are soon lost in the rhythm of her own breathing—and, with one final drawn breath, the girl becomes oblivious to the outside world . . .

     . .. as the dreams come once more . . .)

Rei:  -:-:-:-:-:-

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

Child : . . . .

     (meanwhile, far from the turmoil of Rei Ayanami’s sleep . . .
A strange, awkward looking young boy continues his trek through the crowded center of Tokyo 3.)

     (As he comes upon a busy street-corner, however, the child freezes.  For some reason yet unbeknownst to him, the feelings of urgency that have been driving him on seem to suddenly increase exponentially . . .)

    ( With a newer, stronger will, the child pushes through the crowd—ignoring the fact that the mob of pedestrians around him have all but stopped for some reason—

 As the boy steps out into the busy intersection, however, the reason soon becomes apparent—)

    (At that very moment,  the sound of tires screeching suddenly fills the air as the driver of a red coup desperately hits the car’s breaks, his vehicle bearing down on the unwary child at almost 40 miles per hour.

    The driver’s reaction comes too late, however, as the car’s momentum is more than enough to carry the vehicle over the crosswalk.  As the horrified onlookers shield their eyes, the boy manages to turn his head seconds before impact.

    Amazingly, however, he does not move—and is unfazed at the oncoming prospect of death--

     when , an instant later, the car slams into an invisible barrier-- its front end folding under the force of impact as the sound of safety glass shattering, coupled with that of metal rending, fills the air .  . .!

    Orange lines of phase distortion materialize for the briefest instant as the vehicle is stopped dead in its tracks, its driver knocked into unconsciousness. . . .

    And seconds later, as the shield dissipates, the boy looks at the crushed, mangled wreck with an expression that seems to indicate only passing interest—before moving on as if nothing at all had occurred . . . )

    (behind him, a bewildered crowd of pedestrians is struck silent—having born witness to a miracle of some sort . . .)

     (elsewhere, however, the event is seen something far, far more sinister--)

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

Shigeru:  What the hell—!?

     (Far below, in the Nerv control center, The young technician nearly falls out of his seat as, before him, the readout indicates:

 WARNING:  UNIDENTIFIED FIELD DISCHARGE DETECTED . . . MAGNITUDE:   13612.8756 HFP

  . . .)

Shigeru:  A-- field discharge?

     (The young control operator looks about at the nearly empty command center around him, unsure of what to do.  Unfortunately, at the moment, there seem to be only subordinates present.
 

Shigeru:  What . .?

    (Finally, an answer comes to him- - and he types a new set of commands into the terminal . . )

 LOCATION OF FIELD DISCHARGE?

 PROCESSING . . .

     (Seconds later, the computer beeps in reply--)

 UNKNOWN

     (Shigeru looks on as the Magi begin a deliberation;  three supercomputers processing millions of bytes of data in the space of a clock cycle . . .

     their response, however, is also unhelpful—)

 I/O FAILED
 PATTERN LOST
  ERROR 000921
 NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION TO PROCESS REQUEST
 PROBABILITY OF ERROR 66.66667%

     (At this, Shigeru takes the telephone receiver of line 34 in his hands--)

Shigeru:  This is control—Where is Dr. Akagi?

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

    (elsewhere, nearly an hour later . . .

    The sound of beautiful music can be heard coming from 9th floor of the housing complex that Major Misato Katsuragi calls home.  It is a soothing, sad melody;  a piece that reflects both the mood of the man who wrote it, as well as that of the child playing it. . .

    (Ed. Note—the song is Barber’s "Adagio"—a particularly heart wrenching piece by Samuel Barber)

    when the song reaches a crescendo, however, it abruptly stops—as the sound of someone knocking at the front door interrupts the young musician playing . . .)
 

Shinji:  Coming!

     (Shinji Ikari calls to the unexpected visitor as he sets his bowstring and instrument down carefully on the floor--)

     (seconds later, as the door to the apartment slides open, the boy is surprised to see Aoi Tamashii standing on the other side . . .)

Aoi:  (smiling) Hey, Ikari!

Shinji: . . oh- -– hi. .!

Aoi: . . . .?

 (the girl looks at him patiently, as if waiting for the boy to ask her something . .. )

Shinji:  Are you—um—you’re here to see Lyn, right?

Aoi:  (Jokingly)  No, actually --I came here to see you.  Your song has touched the very wings of my soul, Shinji Ikari, and I
                        have come here to profess my love to you !

Shinji: . . .!  er—

Aoi:  (sighing)  Of course I want to see 6.  Where is he?  And what are you doing here?

Shinji:  (nervously) Oh—he went out—he said he wanted to get us some food.

Aoi:  And—why didn’t you go with him?

Shinji:  He asked me to stay here and answer the door in case you—um—came.

Aoi:  (quietly) How considerate of him. . .

Shinji: . . . .

Aoi:  Well, thanks for the info, third child.

Shinji:  O--okay.

Aoi:  (sighing)  just tell him to call me when he gets back . . .

     (somewhat disappointed, the girl turns her back to the pilot . . . walking down the hallway as he stammers a reply--)

Shinji:  Um,  sure!

    (He pauses for a moment, watching as she takes her leave of him . .. )

Shinji:  Well . . . bye!

     (the girl manages to call over her shoulder)

Aoi:  Yeah . . . so long . . .

     (As the apartment door shuts once more, however, Tamashii stops.  Peering back at the place where Shinji had stood, the young girl shakes her head. . .)

Aoi:  Brother mine, what did you SEE in that boy?

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

    (As the door shuts, Shinji hears yet another voice call--this time, from behind. . .)

Lyn:  Who was that?

Shinji: . .. It was Aoi.

Lyn:  Aoi?

Shinji: . . . yeah.

Lyn:  . . .  um . . .Did you--?

Shinji:  Yes. . .

Lyn . . . thanks.

     (Shinji looks down at his instrument once more—the desire to play having left him, he instead joins the 6th child on the balcony . . )

     (Outside, the sun is visible high above the gleaming towers of downtown.  The air, for once, is still, and already filled with the sounds of the cicadas . . . )

Lyn:  Sorry about asking you to do that . ..

Shinji:  Is there any reason?  You seem to be avoiding her.

Lyn: . . .

Shinji:  I thought you liked Aoi—

Lyn:  I do . . it’s just . . . that . . she says stuff sometimes . . .that . . .

     (as his voice trails off, The boy inhales sharply, shaking his head)

Lyn:  I—can’t explain.

Shinji: . . .don’t worry . . .

     (for a long time, the two sit there, silent.  As Ikari watches the busy streets far below, his own mind turns to other things:  namely, to thoughts of one for whom he cares quite deeply . . .although, he knows, in his heart, that he could never truly come out and say it . . .)

Lyn:  Shinji?

     (The boy is brought back from the tide of thought as Anouilh’s voice breaks the silence once more . . .)

Shinji:  Yeah?

Lyn: . . . you asked me—before—what I was doing after the test this morning. . .

Shinji: . . .

Lyn:  I’ll tell you—but only if you promise not to tell anyone else.

Shinji:  Okay.

     (Strangely, Lyn seems to be—longing—to tell him something.  And, suddenly, the words seem to flow from the boy, as if forced out by a great burden on his heart . . .)

Lyn:  I went-- -- down to the infirmary.

Shinji: . . .?

Lyn:  But I wasn’t sick or anything—not really, anyway.

     (the boy thinks for a moment, shifting his gaze to the rooftops in the east . . )

Lyn:  I told you about what happened to my mom. . . about how she died in the hospital . . .

     (Shinji nods)

Lyn:  well- -  I don’t know why, but . . .I always feel more comfortable when I’m in a hospital.

Shinji:  . . .

Lyn:  Like--like the way it smells.  It reminds me of her . . .

Shinji:  The . .smell?

Lyn:  Yeah . . . most people don’t like it . . .but for me . .it’s like . . a mother’s smell. . .

Shinji: . . .

Lyn:  sometimes, I think that’s the only reason I visit my friends when they’re in the hospital . . .

Shinji: . . .

Lyn:  Or, like this morning, I just . . .go there for no reason at all . . .

Shinji: . . .

Lyn:  this must sound pretty morbid to you, but—

     (Ikari shakes his head, interjecting--)

Shinji:  No—not really—

Lyn:  I don’t know, Ikari.  I guess I just suddenly felt like I could tell you. . .

     (At this, Shinji cannot help but . .smile, somewhat . . )

Shinji:  hmm . .

     (suddenly, Lyn laughs at himself)

Lyn:  Heh, Look at me—the poor little Englishman pouring his heart out.

Shinji:   . . .

     (Ikari is silent as he notices Lyn’s hand fall to his stomach—pressing on it as if to stifle some awful feeling . . .)

     (finally, Anouilh grins at himself—turning once more to Ikari--)

Lyn:  Shinji Ikari, have you ever had Earl Grey before?

Shinji:  E—Earl Gray?

Lyn:  It’s a kind of tea, named after the European nobleman who invented it.

Shinji:  Um . . . no, I haven’t .

Lyn:  Come on—I brought some with me when I came over here from Oxford.  Would you like to try it?

Shinji: . .Sure. .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (meanwhile . ..

    far below, in the control center that is at the very heart of Nerv’s operations . . . Dr. Akagi and Maya have joined Shigeru at the sensor control station . . . )
 

Shigeru:  (indicating the screen) It was here—somewhere between coordinates 213, 222, 141, and 015.

Ritsuko:  What was the duration?

Shigeru:  Less than a second.  It was so short the Magi’s sensor’s couldn’t pinpoint it in any less than a 6 mile radius.

Ritsuko:  You’re sure it was a field discharge?

Shigeru:  I can call up the record—

     (as he says this, his fingers work busily at the keys- —and soon, the same, urgent message that had appeared earlier once more flashes across the screen:

 
 MAGI  A.T. F. D.  SYSTEM VER. 6.0—
RECORD #900201
27: 12: 10 HRS:

WARNING:  UNIDENTIFIED FIELD DISCHARGE DETECTED . . . MAGNITUDE:   13612.8756 HFP
 

 At this, Shigeru eyes the doctor for any reaction.  She is slow to respond, however. . . )

Shigeru:  Ma’am?

     (Surprisingly, however, Ritsuko simply shakes her head . . .)

Ritsuko:  We can’t trust this reading.

Maya: . . .?

Shigeru:  but—

Ritsuko:  (interrupting) It was probably a glitch in the detection system.  An A.T. field has a much higher output than that . . .

    (as if to reinforce her words, Ritsuko taps the "CLR" key, erasing the record from the screen . . .)

 
Shigeru:  but still—Should I at least notify commander Ikari?

Ritsuko:  I don’t think we have to worry . . . I’ll handle that.

Maya: . . .

Shigeru:  . . . yes sir.

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

     (Moments later, however, in the corridor outside the control room . . .Dr. Akagi’s voice has taken on a distinctly more concerned tone . . .)

Ritsuko:  That was our break.  We’ll limit our search to the coordinates the Magi determined.  With any luck, it’ll still be in the
              general vicinity . . .

 (Maya looks back at the control center for a second, unsure, before responding--)

Maya:  But ma’am—that’s such a wide area to cover—

Ritsuko:  I know that—but it’s better than trying to track it through the whole city. . .

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko:  Besides--I have a good idea of just where it might be headed. . .
 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (meanwhile . . .)

Rei: -:-:-:-:-:-:-:-
 

    (unbeknownst to the sleeping Ayanami, however, someone is trying to gain entry to her apartment . . .)

     (outside the world of dreams, in the land of nightmares known as cold reality, a short, odd looking figure stands outside the entrance to her home.

     The child puzzles over the door for a moment—having already found his way to the apartment complex, and made his way up the stairs to her floor. Far above his head, the nameplate reads:

                        AYANAMI  402

    Although the words and numbers mean absolutely nothing to him,  the child seems to know that this is, in fact, his final destination . . .)

Child:  uunnh-- ?

     (The boy intones, confused, as the doorhandle refuses to budge.  Trying several more times, the child pants in distress upon finding that, like the entrance to the LCL plant, this door is locked . . .)

Child: . .!!

     (Then, however, his eyes fall upon something else-- and his face brightens with happy realization . . .)

Child: . . .

     (placing his hands over the keyhole below the doorhandle, the child closes his eyes—concentrating all thought on the task on the small, oddly shaped indentation . . .

     and, with the hum of an energy field being erected, the very air about him seems to distort and warp--conforming around the boy’s hands like some unholy force of nature . . .

      . . . before disappearing as the lock is miraculously undone.)

Child: . . .!

     (Opening his eyes, the boy smiles—pressing down on the doorhandle once more, it now yields easily.  With a familiar metal creak, the portal swings open, allowing him entrance. . .)
 

     (As the child steps inside, the door closes behind him with a hollow clang.

    As he looks around the room in quiet awe, his senses tell him the object of his struggles quite close . . .

     and then, as he steps from her kitchen to her bedroom, he sees her;  )

Child : . . .

     (The child gasps quietly at the sight of the sleeping Rei Ayanami.  In his eyes is a look of happy familiarity as, once more, the memories of their first meeting course through his brain . . .

                     -(Flashback)-of Rei’s visage behind the tube walls

                     -(flashback)-of the boy reaching out to her . . .)

Child: . .nnnn . . .

        (with a stifled cry, the child places a hand on her face—tears gracing his eyes as, at long last, he
makes contact . . .)

     (with his heart filled with a new sense of peace, the boy struggles to climb onto her bed—slipping several times on the sheets before finally taking his place beside her.  Taking the still-sleeping girl’s hand in both of his, the young child curls up into a ball . . .

     . . and slumbers . . .)

Rei: -:-:-:-:-:-:-
 

      (suddenly, within the farthest reaches of her mind, a new, unfamiliar voice can be heard in Rei Ayanami’s dream . . .)
   
    (With a sudden, all-encomapassing roar in her ears, Rei Ayanami Awakens—sitting up in bed with a shout.

     Her face is cold with sweat as she gasps for air, gulping it down in hurried lungfulls as the rosary of a thousand images tumbles across her vision; as the tide of emotion sweeps across her astral form, clinging to her spirit with a suffocating deathgrip.   Rei Ayanami touches her face, feeling the contours of her countenance as if to be sure they still exist; as if to be sure they are still corporeal;

     as if to be sure she is still herself . . .

     And, as she does so, she feels, below her eyes, the traces of tears. . . .

     As  her racing heart begins to slow, the girl clutches her trembling hands to her chest—sensing the last traces of the vision    fading from her memory . . . she then closes her eyes, shutting out the outside world in an attempt to clear the thoughts from her troubled mind once and for all . . .

     And, when she at last opens them, she is calm once more . . .

     It is then, however, that she sees him.

     The visage that has haunted her memories for nearly six months. . .

     Though sleeping, peaceful, and angelic, his vision is a like sudden blow to her senses.)

Rei:  (gasping)  . . !

     (with still trembling hands, the girl touches the child’s face - -his supple cheek, once emaciated and thin, now full and healthy-

    -that of a 6 year old boy  . . .

     As her fingers trace the side of his face, however,  the child stirs.  Ayanami quickly draws her hand back as the boy awakens, rubbing his tired eyes as he sits up in bed, facing her.

     For moment that seems to last eons, the two sit there, regarding each other in the ever-dimming glow of the evening sun, which casts a warm orange hue over their still, silent figures . . .

     And then, with a quiet, soothing voice, Rei Ayanami speaks . .
 
Rei: . . . . . . .who are you . . .?

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

Asuka:  Hey!  Wipe that stupid smile off your face!

Lyn:  - -wh—Wha?

Asuka:  It’s making me nervous.  Just what are you thinking about, anyway?

Lyn: nothing . . .

     (meanwhile, on the other side of town, Asuka Soryu has joined Shinji and Lyn in the 6th child’s apartment.  All three sit at his kitchen table, as Anouilh sets small, steaming cups of tea before them.
In the center, a small, old looking tin with the words, "TWININGS Earl Grey Tea . . . A fragrant blend ,exquisitely scented . . ." sits open.)

     (As Lyn sets the tea out for his guests, Asuka takes one of the glasses in hand, taking a tentative taste.  Shinji follows in suit, sipping the tea lightly . . .

    As Anouilh looks on, he clearly sees that their reactions are somewhat . . .

     . . varied . . .)

Asuka:  Hey . . . .this isn’t bad!

Lyn:  You like it?

Asuka:  Yeah . . .It’s almost worth the trip up here.

Lyn: er. . .thanks . ..

Asuka: . . .eh.

Lyn:  (to Shinji)  Well,  what do YOU think, Shinji?

Asuka: . . .?

Lyn: . . um . .Shinji?

     (Ikari, however, cannot answer, for his face has contorted into something resembling that of the 14th angel . . .)

Shinji: . .!!!!

Lyn: . . .

Asuka:  You okay?

Shinji:  It’s . . fine . . just  . . .a little bitter . . .

     (At once, Lyn places the small sugar jar next to him)

Lyn:  It’s like that at first, but you get used to it.

Shinji:  Thanks . . .

     (Soryu, however, is far less kindly--)

Asuka:  Ha! Wimp!

Shinji: . . .

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

Rei: . . . .

Child: . . .

Rei:  What’s your name?

Child:  Roh!  Kaah wehe, anna fe al mai Gehennam !!  Anta al-helua, Dagji, Djinni, wa Al-Malaika!

Rei: . . .?

Child:  Shou fe?

Rei:  . . .what?

     (The child speaks in a tongue that is both incomprehensible  and unrecognizable to Ayanami.  Verily, upon her confused response, the boy’s face falls—as he edges closer to her, seemingly pushing on in desperation--)

Child:  Shou?  Anta Ma’ ba’arif?  Kome wa!?

Rei:  I’m sorry—I don’t know what you’re saying—

Child:  Al Gehenna!  Ulli, khoufa!

Rei: . .!

     (Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening is heard through the apartment  . . . )

Rei:  Who’s there?!

Child: . .??

     (Soon, a familiar voice follows in the silence . . .)

Ritsuko:  Give me the SFI—We have to maintain containment at all costs!

     (Rei is surprised to see Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, accompanied by two Dark-suited Nerv Security officers of impressive stature, enter her room.

    In her hand, the doctor holds what resembles a syringe of some sort--)

Ritsuko:  Stay calm—We’re just here for the child. . . .

Child:  Aka?  Anna Ma’ bide rouh min Roh!!

Rei: . . .

     (Ayanami falls deathly silent as the woman approaches.  Indeed, the images currently running through the girl’s mind are almost primal, broken,

 . . .and full of fear . . . )

Child:  Rit—su?  U—uk-o?  min . .min Roh?

    (The child, meanwhile, seems strangely torn—between both Rei . . .

      . . . and his creator . . .
 
     Within seconds, however, Akagi is upon him—pushing the needle deep into the boy’s abdomen . . .

     Yet, even more peculiar—

     the child shows no reaction whatsoever . . .

     seconds later, his eyes seem to glaze over—and he falls, unconscious, in the doctor’s arms . . .As Ritsuko takes the boy's limp form in her arms, she looks to Rei, her eyes as questioning as her words . . )

Ritsuko:  What happened?

Rei: . . .

Ritsuko: What did he say to you?

Rei: . . .

Ritsuko:  Well?

Rei: . . .

Ritsuko:  Answer!

Rei:   . . . I. . .don’t know.

     (With her answer, Ritsuko turns away in disgust—lifting the now sleeping boy into her arms, she mutters something to one of the guards . . )

Ritsuko:  This situation is hereby deemed class A.  Cover the unit up, and take it to the transport immediately.  Let NO-ONE
              see you.

     (The officer nods, taking the child with him.  As he exits, Ritsuko turns once more to the 1st child, saying, coldly--)

Ritsuko:  You know it would do you know good to lie to me.

Rei: . . .

Ritsuko:  If he said anything to you—in any way—you are under orders to tell me.

Rei:  Orders?

Ritsuko:  My orders.

Rei: . . .

Ritsuko:  Well?

Rei: . . . I could not understand.

Ritsuko:  . . .

Rei: . . .

Ritsuko:  (to 2nd guard)  Let’s go.

Guard:  Yes Ma’am. . .

     (On her way out, Akagi eyes Rei once more—this time, however, her face is indicative of a new emotion . . .

     . . . jealousy . . .)

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

    (Many hours later . . .

    (As night once more falls on the steel fortress that is Tokyo 3 . . .

    and the citizens retire to their beds  . . .

    There is at least two among them who cannot think of sleep . . .)
 

Shinji:  Lyn?  What are you doing out here?

Lyn: . . .  I couldn’t sleep.

Shinji : . . .

Lyn:  I’ve got another test tomorrow . . .

Shinji:  When?

Lyn:  at 8:30.  Before any of you.

Shinji:  You should probably get some rest.

Lyn: . . . I want to, but I really can’t.

Shinji: . . . ?

Lyn:  I keep tossing and waking up . . . and my stomach hurts. . .

Shinji:  You feel sick?

Lyn:  No  . . . I just . . .

     (Then, the shakes his head)

Lyn:  It’s probably all in my mind.  I guess I’m just nervous or something.

Shinji: . .yeah.  I went through that too . . .

     (Ikari doesn’t sound very sure of himself, however, as he has already realized:  the feeling his young friend is describing . . .

     . . is guilt . . .)

Lyn:  did Asuka go home?

Shinji:  Yeah . . .

Lyn:  you know—I bet someone could really get to like her if they got on her good side. . .

Shinji:  . . .

Lyn:  I mean—you really like her, right?

Shinji:   Huh? What do you—

Lyn:  (interrupting) Oh no, don’t even try to deny it, Ikari.  You mentioned Aoi, so it’s only fair that I mention Soryu . .

     (Shinji, however, is silent. . . and perhaps a bit embarrassed . . .)

Lyn:  (Sighing)  Anyway, you’d better turn in—I’m going to get a little more fresh air.

Shinji: . . .Okay . .. but, don’t stay up too late.

Lyn:  I know.

     (As he stands, Lyn utters something incomprehensible in English . . . To which Shinji, confused, cannot help but ask--)

Shinji:  What?

Lyn: Oh. . I said . . "Pleasant dreams . . ."

Shinji:  Oh . .. thanks. . .

     (It is with this that Anouilh steps once more onto the balcony—shutting the door partially behind him. )
 

Shinji:  . . .Pleasant dreams. . .
 

    ( For nearly an hour, Shinji Ikari lies on the floor, as a dozen possibilities race through his head. .

     . . .Then, finally, a combination of curiosity and concern gets the better of him—and he shifts under his futon, peering out the door to the ledge . . .

     . . .until, at last, he can see Anouilh . . .

    . . .as he does so, however, he also sees that the boy’s eyes are once again focused
on one point, and one point only, in the distance . . .

     . . . an object that rises above many of the rooftops in the eastern district . . .

     . . . a simple wooden cross on a church steeple . . .
 

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

Misato:  Dammit, I knew she was up to something . . .

     (Meanwhile, several thousand feet below—at an access terminal several floors beneath the main control center . . .)

Misato:  (grumbling) ‘I can’t believe I was actually beginning to trust her . . .

     (It is apparent that, once more, Misato has used the chip left to her by one Kaji Ryouji . ..

    for, on the computer screen before her, the readout indicates—

MAGI SYSTEM 3.0
           BALTHAZAAR
                MELCHIOR
                     CASPAR
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED
SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL:  ALPHA
INFORMATION REQUEST: GRANTED  )

 As Misato’s eyes skim over the lines of Data, the look on her face suggests feelings of anger, regret . . .

and  betrayal . . .

For, on the screen below her, she reads:

PROJECT:  Ev.N
DATA CLASSIFIED
)

Misato: . . .Idiot . . .

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

Ritsuko:  Have you completed the uplinks?

Maya:  Yes Ma’am—

Ritsuko:  The translation Algorithm?

Maya:  Already in place—but it’s text only at the moment, and Melchior indicates at least a  15% chance
            of error.

Ritsuko:  That’s good enough for what we need right now . . .

     (Elsewhere, in the newly cleared laboratory below central dogma, Ritsuko Akagi and Maya Ibuki work diligently to re-establish connections with the strange looking boy they have retrieved from Rei Ayanami’s apartment . . .

     In the very center of the room, the Child stands, silent, staring blankly off into space as dozens of connections are made to his head and neck—each line, a wire leading to the computer that sits next to him.

     As the final link is established, Ritsuko kneels in front of the boy and, placing her hands on his shoulders, looks directly into his pale, yellow eyes . . .

     Then, slowly, she begins to speak . . .)

Ritsuko:  Who am I?

Child . . .

     (At that moment, something appears on the computer readout of the terminal to which the boy is connected. . .)

 DR. RITSUKO AKAGI _

Maya:  That’s a response—

     (Ritsuko, meanwhile, seems to be containing her excitement . . .)

Ritsuko:  Good.  Now, what are you?

Child: . . .

     (This time, however, there is no response . . .)

Maya: Negative.

Ritsuko:  What are you?

Child: . . . nnn . . .

     (On the computer screen, the words finally appear—albeit much slower, and more broken . . .)

 Ev.N A-114 C._

Maya:  Yes . . .

Ritsuko:  What is your Designation?

Child : . . .

Maya:  Nothing . . .

Ritsuko:  (impatient)  What is your NAME?

Child: . . .nnnnh . . .uhn . . .

     (This time, a single word appears on the Terminal . . .)

 TENKEI_

Maya:  He’s got it . . .

     (Finally, Dr. Akagi takes a deep breath—Asking her final question of the boy . . )

Ritsuko:  And—What is your purpose?

Tenkei: . .  .

Ritsuko: . . .

Maya:  Nothing again . . .

Ritsuko:  . . .What is your purpose?

Tenkei: . . .

Ritsuko: . . .

Maya: . . .

     (At the boy’s unresponsiveness, Ritsuko’s voice becomes louder . . .)

Ritsuko:  (Firmly) What is your Purpose?

Tenkei: . . .uuunnhh . . .

Ritsuko: . . .

Maya: . . .

Ritsuko: (louder) Tenkei---What is your purpose!!?

Tenkei: (weakly) . . .nnnnnnh . . hh . .h . .

     (At last—the words appear on the screen . . .

     . . .Maya, however, remains silent as she reads them . . .)

 THE COMPLEMENTATION OF MAN _

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Continued . . .