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Episode 35: Atrophy
/ Pestilence
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(It is early morning.
In the very center of Tokyo 3, The sounds of
construction abound through
the moist dawn air as thousands of workers go about the unprecedented task
of rebuilding a city.
Through
the newly opened streets which sit atop 20ft thick armor plating, go the massive
earth-movers
and utility vehicles charged with the
reclamation as scaffold after scaffold is set into place above the titanic
crater near what was once the city center. Each one the template for a new
structure-a housing complex,
an I/O center, an armory building-all built to the original specifications
for the city . . .
Indeed, it would seem even the pride of the remaining residents
has not died,
as the population center still retains the numerical designation "3". . .
Several
hundred feet below, however, is a different matter--the sky no longer
visible from the Geo-front floor, still flooded in the wake of EVA 00's death
knell so many months ago.
As massive pumps begin the arduous task of draining the stagnant waters that
have settled within,
adaptation has taken the forefront, as evident by the newer accessory structures
which can be seen piercing
the water's surface.
Even
further below, another sort of reconstruction is taking place, far removed
from the facilities' reclaimation operation. . .)
Shigeru: Sir? Maintenance reports that repairs to unit-02 have been finalized.
Ritsuko: Fine. What about unit-06?
Shigeru: Seems they're
still having some difficulties maintaining
cellular cohesion around the wound to the bio-chest components.
Ritsuko: Again? I thought we already dealt with that!
Shigeru: Yes Ma'am--it
appears that during the cooling process the
wound
opened up again.
Ritsuko: How were
they handling it? I told them to be careful around
delicate cellular material!
Maya: Report says they were working nowhere near the area when it started.
Ritsuko: But, Then, that would mean--
Maya: I think so.
(Ritsuko Akagi places her hand to her forhead, letting out an
exasperated sigh . . .)
Ritsuko: No! Not more protein degradation. What did the Magi come up with?
Maya: See for yourself-
(Ritsuko
bends over the console looking intently at
the data displayed on the monitor. )
(It is not long, then, before the extent of her frustration is clearly evident on her face . . . )
Ritsuko: Damn!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile,
far above . . .
Two figures sit atop the winding mountain road which
oversees the valley that serves as the cradle for the embattled metropolis,
afforded an incredible view of the endless expanse before them. From
their vantage point, the morning sun baths a warm,
orange glow over the newlyformed skyscrapers and towers, casting massive shadows
which seem to stretch for
miles into the horizon. Asuka
Soryu and Shinji Ikari watch the sunrise in a muted awe, each immersed in
their own thoughts . . .
Finally,
as the sun is obscured behind the billowing clouds, the second child turns
to her companion . . . )
Asuka: You know,
Ikari, this wasn't such a bad idea after all.
(At the girl's words, Shinji's ears seem to perk up, jarring him from his reverie . . . )
Shinji: What?
(The boy nearly wilts, then, as Asuka shoots him a hostile
glance . . .)
Asuka: You weren't listening, were you?!
Shinji: Ah . . .well . . .
Asuka: I knew it!
Shinji: I-
(The girl ignores him, scoffing under her breath . . )
Asuka: Boys can be so dense sometimes, I swear!
Shinji: Well-
Asuka: I JUST said, that you had a good idea for once.
Shinji: Yeah . . .
(Several seconds pass)
Asuka: Shinji-
Shinji: . . . .
Asuka: Ikari-?
Shinji: . . .
Asuka: SHINJI!
Shinji: What!?
Asuka: You're doing it again!
Shinji: Sorry--it's a nice view, okay?
Asuka: So what! You've seen it a dozen times already!
Shinji: Not like this-
Asuka: ?
Shinji: I mean-with all the buildings like that-
Asuka: Oh. . .
(Another moment passes. Soon, the sun peeks out from
behind the clouds once more, flooding the sky overhead with blinding light.)
Shinji: Well, guess we'd better get going . . .
Asuka: Aw, already?
Shinji: Yes--we've got one more class meeting before the trip, remember?
Asuka: Oh yeah!
Shinji: I don't
see how you can forget--you've done nothing
but talk
about it for the past week. . .
(They both stand, taking their schoolbags in hand)
Asuka: Well, I wouldn't
have to spend HALF the time talking
about it
if you'd listen for the other half!
Shinji: . . .
Asuka: Well, come on.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(As
the two make their way toward the corner where Touji
and Kensuke wait to meet them, Shinji casts a downward gaze to the pavement
below . . .)
Shinji: A . . .Asuka . . ?
Asuka: What?
Shinji: Um . . .
Asuka: What?
(Swallowing hard, the boy idly scratches his head, stumbling over his words . . .)
Shinji: . . . er, how
have your harmonics tests been going?
I heard that you've been going
back to the 'box a lot lately . . .
Asuka: Oh, I've
been doing JUST fine, thank you very much.
Dr. Akagi
says I've never been better. It won't be long before I'm higher than
either
you or first child. . . worried?
Shinji: Oh? I'm not!
Asuka: Sure . . .
Shinji: No! That's not what I mean!
Asuka: Really? Then what?
Shinji: I mean -
- why are we worrying about all this now that it's all over?
What's going to happen
to EVA-
(Strangely, the girl's gaze falls to the street as well, as her voice seems to recede in light of the boy's query . . .)
Asuka: Whoever said that? You never know, Shinji .
Shinji: You sound like you WANT there to be more of them . . .
Asuka: You mean
like that idiot Aida? No way!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Elsewhere, nearly a mile below,
Gendo sits above the command center, Fuyutsuki at his side, as the two conference
in silence . . . )
Fuyutsuki:
Nothing?
Gendo: . . . . not a solitary word.
Fuyutsuki: Any idea what they might be--?
Gendo: I have my theories . . .
Fuyutsuki: Do you care to share them?
(Several seconds pass)
Gendo: Not particularly.
Fuyutsuki: Well . . . I won't push you, but-
(Ikari does not face the man as he answers . . .)
Gendo: I believe
the time to worry about a physical assault has passed--at least for time being.
They wouldn't
dare attempt it now that the eyes of all the world community are on the
city's
rebuilding. . . such a thing would draw unnecessary attention to them: something
that, as
I'm sure you're well aware, the old men would hope to avoid at all costs .
. .
Fuyutsuki: I gather . . .
Gendo: No. They have something else in mind.
Fuyutsuki: And?
Gendo: Just what it may be is at the root of the matter.
Fuyutsuki: Then--all the build up?
Gendo: In preparation for a possible pre-emptive strike.
Fuyutsuki: How? The security protocols have not been changed, and our forces-
Gendo: Oh?
How easy do you think it would be for them to trigger an
"incident"
if our own security forces were built up to the point of paranoia?
Fuyutsuki: That may be so, but surely you wouldn't have us resting on our laurels-
Gendo: I haven't. Don't worry. arrangements are being made.
Fuyutsuki: I hope your right.
Gendo: . .
.Indeed . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Elsewhere,
Lyn Anouilh and Rei Ayanami walk the long path to
school . . . there is nearly half an hour left before classes are set to begin.
They walk in almost complete silence, save for the occasional comment tossed
into the morning air . . . )
Lyn: So - - Um . . .
Rei: . . .
(Several wordless moments pass. . .)
Lyn: Ah . . . d'you
think the others will be at school on time? I mean, Shinji said something
about wanting to look at something,
and those guys . . .Touji and Aida I think. . .
they were going to meet them. .
.
Rei: . . .possibly.
(Silence
again. Anouilh glances at the pale girl quizzically, unsure of how to proceed
. . . )
Lyn: So . . .
Rei: . . .
Lyn: . . Um . . . I heard Miss Ibuki say that unit-00's going to be functional again.
Rei: yes.
Lyn: Do you have any idea what for?
Rei: What do you mean?
Lyn: I guess I'm
just wondering, really, why are any of us doing this? Especially you
three . . .
After the ordeal your lot's been
through. The way everyone's talking, it . . . it just seems a bit pointless
. . .
Rei: I am not certain.
Lyn: Oh yeah . . . you already mentioned that . . .
Rei: Commander Ikari says we must always remain vigilant.
Lyn: He did? I only met him once. Odd fellow. Rather kept to himself.
Rei: . . .
Lyn: Is he . . . He's Shinji's father, isn't he?
Rei: Yes. But I would advise you not to speak of him in Shinji's presence.
(Several more moments pass. Finally, the school is visible down the road)
Lyn: Miss Ayanami,
I get the distinct impression you really don't talk much, do you?
(At this question, however, Rei suddenly stops in her tracks, eyeing him cooly.)
Rei: Words are wasted.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile,
several hundred feet below, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi prepares
herself for a hazardous journey . . .
Dressed
in blue skin-suit and scuba gear, she rides a small outboard
motorboat to the very center of the enormous EVA cooling cage.
Ahead of her, the massive head and shoulders of unit 06 sit above
the liquid surface in the very center of the scarlet pool )
As she reaches a point directly below the EVAs massive
chin, she kills the motor.
Weighing the small anchor, the woman checks her gear one final time before
pulling
on her breathing apparatus, diving backward over the side of the boat.
Within
moments, she is at nearly 10 meters' depth. Before her, a massive scar
can be seen running down the EVA's sternum, which has been exposed to the
stabilizing liquid for maintenance.
She
produces a small knife from the utility belt around her waist, hesitating
for a moment
as she considers the task before her. Moments later, she sinks the blade into
the knotted flesh and,
with the twist of her wrist, wrests free a large piece of the twisted, knarled
tissue. Taking it in hand,
she returns the blade to her belt, beginning her ascent to the water's surface
. . .
Once
aboard the boat, she pulls in the anchor, returning the small outboard
motor
to life with a single pull of the starter. As the dinghy noisily makes its
way to the
steel embankment ahead, Akagi takes the blackened piece of tissue in-hand,
turning it over several times, regarding its contours curiously. )
Ritsuko: You'd better have some answers. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(At
that moment, nearly a mile above,
Rei Ayanami and Lyn Anouilh arrive at school to find their
classroom fuller than the day before,
a throng of new and returning students having joined the chaos. The sixth
child quickly takes
to his seat,
producing his trusty Kanji dictionary from his satchel. Ayanami,
meanwhle, sits at her own desk, seemingly
oblivious to the clamor around her.
At the opposite
end of the room, Asuka sits with Hikari, watching the two intently . . . )
Asuka: Hmmph, those two are FINALLY here . . .
Hikari: So, are you ready for tomorrow?
Asuka: Oh, am I!
Hikari: I take it you've already packed . . .
Asuka: I did that a week ago!
Hikari: Good lord, Asuka . . !
Asuka: Well-it's always good to be prepared . . .
Hikari: Right. . . Now, You will be staying with ME on this trip, right?
Asuka: 'Course! What makes you think I wouldn't?
Hikari: Well, there is that little rumor going around . . .
Asuka: What rumor?
Hikari: You know . . .
Asuka: What Rumor?!
Hikari: The one about you and Ikari . . .?
Asuka: WHAT?
Hikari: Never mind.
Asuka: Who the hell started that!?
(At
long last, the aged educator charged with the task of teaching the class shuffles
through the doorway.
Taken by surprise for the first time in her tenure as class rep, Hikari Horaki
nearly stumbles as she struggles to her feet--)
Hikari: A- All Rise!
(There is a sudden hush as those students actually in their seats rise, while the remaining strays hastily take to their desks.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile,
nearly a mile below, Ritsuko languishes in the lab, having once more donned
her customary white coat and high-collared uniform. Before her, fragments
the tissue sample collected only half an hour earlier sit beneath the blades
of a microtome.
Maya, her ever present protégée, is seated beside her, typing
commands into the computer . . . )
Ritsuko: .
. . And be sure to specify a size of 0.4 grams. We've got to start big
for the
EVA
cellular matter samples . . .
Maya: I'm sure that'll be enough . . .
(The older woman nods, placing a small slice of the tissue specimen into a small tray . .)
Ritsuko: Okay--configure the T.E.M. for a wide stream-
Maya: Got it-
Ritsuko: Sample width of, let's say, 3 microns-
Maya: Done-
Ritsuko: And configure the Magi to search for unusually high instance of protein denaturation.
Maya: Yes sir-
(as she finishes entering the instructions, the computer
beeps twice, verifying the commands)
Maya: Two minutes until analysis.
(Ritsuko sighs, leaning back in her chair.)
Ritsuko: I tell you, with
all the trouble we've had with '06 . . .
(Ibuki stifles a laugh . . .)
Maya: What do you mean? Besides all the headache of throwing it together?
Ritsuko: I hate
to admit it, but that thing has the most substandard construction of any functional
EVA we've worked with.
Even
the early fabs of the primary prototypes didn't present this much hassle.
Maya: But . . . there was no avoiding it, right?
Ritsuko: Strength in numbers. I suppose that's the theory.
(As
a casual atmosphere seems to descend onto the small, cramped laboratory,
Maya affords herself a stretch, relaxing in her seat as well)
Maya: And then there's the Y-system and the test cage . . .
Ritsuko: Don't even get me started.
Maya: Then sir--
Ritsuko: Hmm?
Maya: Why all the rush to get everything back to ready status?
(At this, Dr. Akagi lets out a prolonged sigh . .
. )
Ritsuko: I'm really
not sure. But, like I said before, Angels aren't our
only
concern any longer. Nerv's survival is taking precedent.
Maya: Sir--what about the other project? Have we put it on hiatus or something?
Ritsuko: Yes. Ikari
finally decided to give us the time we needed to do it right.
Maya: So then we . . . we're going along with it as planned?
Ritsuko: Of course . . .
(For an instant, a troubled look flashes across Maya's face.)
Ritsuko: What is it?
Maya: N . . Nothing, sir. Nothing at all.
(Suddenly,
the computer begins to beep urgently. Maya springs back to her station,
analyzing the data as it appears on the screen . . . )
Ritsuko: That was fast. Well? What have we got?
Maya: . . the Magi have
analyzed the sample--
report
a protein denaturation frequency of 1/3 . . .
Ritsuko: (sarcastically) Great . . .
Maya: They've detected
an increase in enzyme count . . . Protease inhibition decreased. . .
(Running an exasperated hand through her hair, Akagi mumbles
ruefully . . .)
Ritsuko: Cheap, worthless piece of-
Maya: Wait a minute! This can't be right!
Ritsuko: What? What is it?
Maya: The report
indicates an increase in average cellular mass, and a lysing
of the cells
in the surrounding tissue. Sir, there are metabolites here that
aren't part of
the normal cluster of cellular respiration--
Ritsuko: WHAT!?
(Akagi nearly knocks over her chair as she stands, hurrying to Maya's side.
A tense moment passes as
the older woman scans the data, shaking her head slowly . . .)
Ritsuko: This . . . this can't be right!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Nearly
a mile above, at the local school,
class discussion has focused on the trip planned
for the following day. . . )
Teacher: And where shall you go in case of an emergency?
Class: (in unison) To our Group leader.
Teacher: And if you, say, can't reach your group leader?
Class: (in unison) Then to our established meeting place . . .
(Asuka
drums her fingers impatiently as her classmates repeat the
instructions for what seems to be the thousandth time. Next to her, Hikari
obediently
follows along, helping to direct the rest of the students.)
Asuka: (thinking)
Jeez, this isn't the army! What do they think's gonna happen on a 3
day trip?
(Several seats over, Shinji finds he cannot think on the
trip tomorrow. His eyes wander around
the room, focusing on some of his classmates: Touji, Kensuke, then over
to Rei . . . who he tries
not to think on at all . . . until, finally, they fall upon Asuka, who is
obviously in one of her
more impatient states . . . )
Shinji: (Thinking)
How can I even begin . . ?
(Three rows over and 4 desks closer to the door,
Lyn sits at his terminal, tuning out the
teacher's instructions, as he will not be going on the trip. As he diligently
studies his characters,
his thought s are interrupted by an incessant beeping coming from his computer
. . . )
( His eyes fall to the small red laptop, which displays a message . . . )
Lyn_Anouilh:<Why do you want to know?>
Iki0873<6th child is a good student today.>
(He
looks around the room several times-yet, as before, the author gives no indication
as
to his identity . . Slowly, Lyn types in a response:--)
Lyn_Anouilh:<Who is this?>
(The
response, however, is unhurried . . .)
Iki0873:<Why would I change?>
(Anouilh scratches his temple, momentarily puzzled, then continues-)
Lyn_Anouilh:<Who are you? Are you a boy, or a girl?>
(the
answers are faster this time-)
Iki0873:<Intriguing question. Why exactly
would you want to know that? Worried you're being hit-on?>
Lyn_Anouilh:<You said you were a friend>
Iki0873:<Yes, I did.>
Lyn_Anouilh:<So tell me--who are you?>
Iki0873:<The game's more fun this way.>
Lyn_Anouilh:<Oh, come off it.>
Iki0873:<Ah, so he doesn't like the guessing game?>
Lyn_Anouilh:<Not really.>
Iki0873:<Will you be going on the class trip?>
Lyn_Anouilh:<No>
Iki0873:<Then the time will come soon.>
Lyn_Anouilh:<What do you want? This is a little wierd>
Iki0873:<Good try. You almost had me laughing out loud.>
(Several seconds pass . . . )
(Suddenly,
acting on a hunch, the sixth child's eyes dart to Asuka Soryu: He is surprised
to see,
however, that she has long since actively joined in with the rest of the class
discussion. . )
(Turning back to his terminal, he finds a new message already waiting for him--)
Iki0873:<ASUKA SORYU!?>
Lyn_Anouilh:<Sorry.>
Iki0873:< You know, I think maybe you don't like guessing games because
you suck at them.>
Lyn_Anouilh:<I don't have much to go by.>
Iki0873:<You and I will meet face to face soon, 6th child.>
Lyn_Anouilh:<Why do you keep calling me that? I have a name.>
Iki0873:<Oh, do you?>
Lyn_Anouilh:<yes!!>
Iki0873:<And what might it be?>
Lyn_Anouilh:<It is 'Lyn Anouilh'.>
Iki0873:< . . . I cannot call you this.>
Lyn_Anouilh:<What? Why not?>
Iki0873:<It's boring. And stuffy..>
(Lyn is almost taken aback by the statement, but is speedy
in his next reply---)
Lyn_Anouilh:<What are you talking about?>
Iki0873:<Look at it this way. you must ask
yourself . . . >
Lyn_Anouilh: <What?>
Iki0873:<. . .Who are you?>
(Abruptly, however, the messages cease. )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile,
far below, Major Misato Katsuragi stands atop the balcony
overlooking unit 06's cage, as the EVA is hastily sprayed with coolant by
a
frenzy of technicians. . .
Nearby,
Commander Gendo Ikari stands in the observation deck far above,
watching the fervor below. For several moments, there is only the roar
of thousands
of gallons of liquid being pumped into the room, accompanied by the hurried
shouts of the techs.
Ikari remains still as the door behind him opens, and Dr. Akagi enters. . . )
Gendo: What is the status of the EVA?
Ritsuko: We've just begun the final cooling phase now .
Gendo: Can you contain it?
Ritsuko: I think so. We were lucky . . .
Gendo: I've still not been informed just what this is . . .
Ritsuko: I'm at a loss myself . . .
Gendo: Well, what do you have?
Ritsuko: It is a cytolytic retrovirus of unknown origin . . .
Gendo: Impossible.
Ritsuko: As impossible as it may sound, that's what we have.
Gendo: The EVA's biological components are not susceptible to viruses.
Ritsuko: On that matter, I have an explanation.
Gendo: Which is?
Ritsuko: The viral
products of the altered cellular metabolism, while composed primarily of the
core genome
and a peptide coat, includes a protein strand produced randomly approximately
one part per
million that I've never seen before. A peptide sequence which seems to attack
the proteins of
the healing strands of cellular matter within the wounded area, in effect,
re-conforming and thus
denaturing those proteins.
Gendo: . . .
Ritsuko: In effect,
it nullifies the EVA's regenerative capabilities. But ONLY unit-06's.
We
found it to be incompatible with 00's, 01's, or 02's cellular machinery.
In short, it was not selected, but rather--
(Ikari curses silently-)
Gendo: . . . An engineered strain.
Ritsuko: (nodding) My
conclusion, yes. Carried within the genome of the virus, concealed so well
that I'd almost
dismiss
it as a freakish coincidence if it wasn't so destructive. The retrovirus is
a delivery system,
a vector, for this engineered prion. Had unit-06 not been damaged during the
training exercise, we'd never
have seen this until the destruction was too widespread to be controlled and
the EVA lost.
Gendo: Can the infection be controlled?
Ritsuko: If we act quickly, yes . . .
Gendo: Very well. Expand
the quarantine to include the launch platform, as well as this section.
I want
you to sterilize everything that has come in contact with unit-06. Oversee
it personally.
(Akagi eyes the man coldly through the reflection in the glass, before answering quietly . . .)
Ritsuko: yes, sir.
Gendo: What is the status of the other Evangelions?
Ritsuko: Our first 3 scans were shown to be negative for similar processes. Only unit-06 has been affected.
Gendo: You believe you can contain it?
Ritsuko: Yes.
I think we caught it in time. The refrigeration should crystallize the
virus, then it can be purged in a matter of hours. The damaged tissue
will be debrided.
Gendo: Do you have
any indication as to what may have
carried
the virus here? How the EVA became infected?
Ritsuko: None.
The virus is not airborne, nor is it transmitted by fomites or surface contact.
What
we do know is that from the EVA's fairly rapid rate of seroconversion demonstrated
in
our simulations so far, however, the infectious agent must have been introduced
at least
a
72 hours before the initial injury.
Gendo: . . . implying, then, that it was planted.
Ritsuko: Quite plausible, yes.
Gendo: Very well.
Place security details at every access into the quarantine area.
Once you've
finished the refrigeration process, see about examining the entry logs
for
all cage
personnel.
Ritsuko: Yes, Sir.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile,
below, Misato watches as the EVA's head is
immersed in the red liquid, the initial stage of decontamination complete.
She taps her foot impatiently as the service crews lock the EVA into place
with tertiary bolts . . . )
(Turning
her gaze upward, Katsuragi can make out the distorted figures of Dr. Akagi
and Commander Ikari through
the foggy glass in the observatory booth above. Their conversation is
abreviated, seemingly over in minutes as Ritsuko
exits as abruptly as she had entered. Their words a mystery to her, Misato
returns her eyes to the form of unit-06,
now completely submerged in the sanguinous fluid . . . )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Hours
Later, Ikari and his sub-commander consult privately on what has shortly become
a matter
of most dire consequences . . . )
Fuyutsuki: . . . In essence, I suppose we should have seen something like this coming.
Gendo: Seele . . .
Fuyutsuki: You know it could be no other.
Gendo: Yes. It would appear that our controls were insufficient.
Fuyutsuki: Hmph . . .They can be altered.
Gendo: Of course. However, I can't help but wonder . . .
Fuyutsuki: What?
Gendo: . . . If, perhaps,
that was part of their design.
Fuyutsuki: Meaning?
Gendo: The purpose of infecting the EVA in the first place . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: You're going to have them STAY? All four of them?
Ritsuko: Yes. There's no other way. Securing Nerv is our first priority now.
(Misato
swerves hard as she speeds down the main road from the car-train access to
Nerv towards home. In one hand, she holds her cellular phone, Ritsuko's
voice tinny on the other end . . .)
Misato: I don't believe the nerve you have.
Ritsuko: Oh, don't make me the villain just because you don't want to be the one to do the dirty work.
Misato: You get the job done well enough on your own. Besides, I'm no in the mood.
Ritsuko: The 6th
child would be insufficient should a situation arise. He's still in
the early phase
of training, and unit-06 has become a liability.
Misato: You mean more than it already was?
(She
pauses as she takes a hard right turn, the screeching
of tires and the angry honking of horns audible from behind . . .)
Ritsuko: Look, Lyn can't cut it. We need experienced pilots for this . . .
Misato: Don't feed me that line of bull!
Ritsuko: . . .
Misato: I'll agree to
having one more stay.
Ritsuko: What the hell gives you the authority to override--
Misato: And you think, for a SECOND, you have the higher ground here?!
(There
is silence at the other end of the line. Katsuragi affords Ritsuko a moment
to
let the venom sink in, banking the vehicle left before pressing on . . .)
Misato: Two reserves should
be enough to cover your ass.
And I'll
be damned if I'm going to let more than that stay here with you.
Ritsuko: . . .
(Another moment passes.)
Ritsuko: I'll make
note of this in the official record. If there's a situation and they're not
here--
Misato: You can write me up when the world ends, then.
Ritsuko: Alright. Two of them. The sixth child and one other. No less.
Misato: I'll just ask one of them to volunteer.
Ritsuko: Yeah, Right. And, of course, when none of them want to-
Misato: Keep your shoes on. I'll make it an order.
Ritsuko: . . .
( There
is a muffled "click" as the line is terminated.
Misato closes the cellular with a snap, setting it aside . . . )
Misato: Why can't they be allowed to act like children, for once?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: What do you mean one of us has to STAY?! But you said we could all go!
Misato: I know what
I said! But things have changed--after what happened this morning,
one of
you three is going to have to remain here.
(Soryu crosses her arms, turning away in defiance)
Asuka: Well, It ain't gonna be me!
(Outside
the main steps of the school, Misato leans wearily on her car as she speaks
to the four pilots
gathered before her. Her
presence is not entirely unnoticed as, around them, more than a few male students
ogle her as they walk by. . .)
Shinji: What happened, exactly?
Misato: I can't
bring it up right now. Let's just say it was A BAD thing. . .
Dr
Akagi's got it under control.
Asuka: Then what do you need us for?!
Misato: Look, I
want to be fair--I know how much you want to go, but I have a duty here as
well.
So
I'm giving you a choice. One of you can volunteer, if you like . . .
(At this, shinji and Asuka regard each other momentarily. . .)
Misato: . . . or I can order one of you to stay. I'd prefer you volunteer.
(Suddenly, Rei steps foreword)
Rei: I will stay.
(Asuka's eyes light up)
Asuka: Really? Perfekt!
(Rei turns her eyes to Asuka)
Shinji: Are you sure . . I mean . . you . . ?
Asuka: Shinji! Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!
Rei: It is of no consequence to me.
Asuka: That's fine with me!
Misato: Thanks,
Rei.
Rei: It is . . . no problem.