Episode 36:  Infusion / Infusion
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

   (Far away from Tokyo 3 and Nerv, a shadowy assemblage speaks of designs hatched,
and the coming of the fruition of their contrivance . . .)

Kihl:  The Child?

Seele:  As expected.

Seele:  Already within the organization.

Kihl:  And what of the pestilence . . . ?

Seele:  Perfection.

Seele:  They know they are weak.

Seele:  The next stage will finally be set

Seele:  This child . . .

Seele:  They suspect NOTHING.

Seele:  The child has been accepted.

Seele:  As readily as any other.

Seele:  See how easily it gains their trust . . .

Seele:  Very soon . . .

Seele:  Both . . . a cancer within the greater body . . .

Kihl:  Then everything is as it should be . . .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Early morning, before sunrise . . .)

Rei:  Do not force yourself upon the EVA.  She will not follow if you do so.

Lyn: (over the radio)  I'm-trying- . . . . .!. . . .Argh! what---how
                                do----What the blazes am I suppose to think about?

Rei:  What do you mean?

Lyn:  Should I imagine it?  Do I have to picture it happening or something?

Rei: You do not.  You simply allow it to unfold.

Lyn:  Allow it?  How?  I don't know how-to make--

Rei:  You do not "make" it . . .

Lyn:  Eh?

Rei: It is already there.
 
    (Rei Ayanami's reply is subdued, her voice muffled by the LCL fluid which ecases her within
the newly designated Evangelion unit-00; An image of a frustrated Lyn Anouilh is suspended
in the virtual window to her right, outside of which can be seen the other EVA,
as well as the walls of EVA containment cages housing them both. . . )

Lyn:  Well. How do you know?  I mean, I guess if it's . . .

Rei:  It is always there. 

Lyn:  Okay . . . Okay . . .

    (Lyn closes his eyes.   Several wordless seconds go by until, finally, the air
n front of Unit 6 momentarily shimmers . . .)

Lyn:  Got it!

Rei:  Indeed. . .

   (The sixth child nearly jumps out of his seat, then, as a third voice blares loudly over the comlink . . .)

Ritsuko:  Have you got it under control, you two?

Lyn:  Yes Ma'am.

Rei:  Yes.
 

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

    (Inside the test control center, Ritsuko Akagi and Makoto Hyuga monitor the two pilots
as the EVA's are once more placed through their startup routines. )

Ritsuko:  Has 6's field unfolded yet?

Hyuga:  Yes, he's just gotten it.

Ritsuko:  Good.  Start the tests. . .

    (With this, Rtsuko leans over, speaking into the radio)

Ritsuko:  Hang in there, It'll be a little while.

Hyuga:  Stream already being received.

    (On the monitor in front of him, thousands of lines of raw data
scroll up the screen as they are captured from the cage sensors in realtime. . .)

Ritsuko:  What's the status of unit-06's injury?

Hyuga:  The wound's closed up nicely--no sign of the degredation present.

Ritsuko:  It's only 4 AM. About time for some decent news.

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

    (Within the liquid embrace of unit-00's entry module, Rei's eyes move from unit 06,
which is bound tightly to the wall of the cage, to the control booth above, through which she makes out the form of
Dr. Akagi, obscured by the glass of the observation window.

Ayanami says nothing as, for reasons she cannot fathom, a shudder passes through her . . . )

Lyn:  Um---Is something wrong?

Rei: . . .

Lyn:  . . . Uh . . Rei?

Rei:  No.
 

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

    (Above them, Ritsuko scans the data over Hyuga's shoulder)

Ritsuko:  Hmm . . .unit-00 looks a bit shaky.

Hyuga:  That's probably because of interference from '6
            His field's still not quite stable yet.

Ritsuko:  Not a problem.  Once you've finished data collection on unit-06,
            shut it down and concentrate on unit-00's.

Hyuga:  Yes sir.

Ritsuko:  I've had enough of unit-06 as it is.
              I'd like to just get done with it and worry about unit-00 for a
              while . . .

Hyuga:  Full-body regeneration was a complete success. Why dwell on it?

Ritsuko:  When you get older . . .

     (she pauses, taking a sip from the mug of cold coffee in her hand,
her otherwise elegant features twisting at the rancid taste . . .)

Ritsuko: Eugh. . .you'll learn it's always best to expect the worst.
 

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

    (Nearly three hours later,

     As the sun rises high over the eastern hills, another sort of test is
begins taking place in the apartment of one Major Misato Katsuragi:

    A test of patience . . . )
 

Asuka:  Come ON, stupid!  We're gonna be LATE!

Shinji: (muffled) I-- I'm on my way!

    (Asuka stands outside the door of Shinji's room, hands on hips, tapping
her foot impatiently. From inside can be heard the sounds of scuffling, shuffling,
and struggling as the third child makes several last-minute additions to his supplies for
the trip. The second child shoulders her uncomfortably large carry-on bag,
shifting uneasily beneath the burden as she waits.

    It is another moment before, finally, the door slides open)

Asuka:  Well it's about TIME!

Shinji:  Sorry--I had to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything-

   (The boy hasn't the time to explain himself, however, as the girl grabs him by the scruff of his collar--)

Asuka:  come ON!

Shinji:  Hey!

Asuka:  (Loudly)  Misato, we're taking off now!

    (An  inaudible reply can be heard coming from Misato's room;
Likely muffled by her futon, which she has once again pulled over her head . . .)

Shinji: We--oof!

Asuka:  Yeah, yeah, we will. Come on, Schildkröte!

Shinji:  I said I'm comi--

    (He is cut off, however, as  Asuka slams the door behind them)

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

    (Moments later, the two make their way as fast as their feet will carry them
in the direction of the train station where they are to meet the rest of their class.
Ahead of them, walking in the opposite direction, Lyn Anouilh has his head
held low, exhausted from the early morning tests.

It is Shinji , however, who is the first to realize a collision is imminent . . .)

Shinji:  Asuka! Hey!  Look out!

Lyn:  Huh?
 
    (In that instant, as the sixth child sees the two pilots barreling toward him at top speed,
what remains of the boy's survival instinct takes over. Anouilh nearly falls as he clumsily stumbles out of the way,
landing hard against the retaining wall just as the two fly by. )

    (Collecting himself, he shrugs, calling to them as they
disappear down the street- )

Lyn:  Have Fun!  Don't get eaten by any bears!

Asuka:  (Distant) Halt den Mund, idiotisch! . . .

Lyn:   Eh? Okay .  .

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

    (Meanwhile, further up the road, Rei Ayanami, too, walks with a weary gate as she makes her
way home after a busy morning. It is only upon hearing the shout from behind that she stops,
turning to see the source of the commotion. . .)

Asuka:  Halt den Mund, idiotisch! . . .

    (Rei offers no reaction as the two children barrel toward her at breakneck
speed.  Indeed, the first child stands nearly frozen in place as the two approach, opting only to deftly step
aside at the last second with an almost unnatural grace . . .)

Shinji:  Was that-?

Asuka:  Shut up!  No time-!

        (With a shout, Shinji feints, narrowly avoiding a light-pole)

Shinji:  Hey!  Asuka!  They're not leaving for another half hour!

Asuka:  I know that, Dummkopf!  I want to get a good seat!

Shinji:  Oh--

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

    (As the two disappear down the street, Rei Ayanami turns, and continues
on her way home.

    The sun has cleared the surrounding cliffs now, casting its light over the
gleaming skyscrapers of Tokyo 3 - -the girl can sense the morning star's heat
on her pale skin, but she does not feel its warmth. . .

    What she does feel is anything but warm . . . )

Rei:  (thinking) So many people

                         .  . . so many

                         . . . so much time . . .
 
                         . . . and yet so little..
 
    (She pauses in her steps, yawning. )
 
Rei: (thinking) Must find the time. . . to sleep.
 
     (And, as the new day begins and the city wakes, Rei Ayanami continues on her way.  . .)

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

     (Meanwhile, Back at the apartment, Misato Katsuragi finds herself finally shaken from
sleep by the incessant beeping of her cellular phone . . .)

Misato:  (muffled)  hmmm. . . Hello?  Oh.  It's you.  Yeah, they've already left.

Ritsuko:  We sound well-rested.

Misato:  (yawning)  Oh . . . shut up . . .

Ritsuko:  You're going to be here on time this morning, right?

Misato:  yeah, yeah.

     (Exhausted, she drops the phone, covering her head with the futon once more)

Ritsuko:  . . . Hello?

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

    (Dr. Akagi holds the receiver closer to her ear-)

Ritsuko:  Hmph.   Good to know someone can sleep.

    (She hangs up the phone, turning to face the rest of the staff.)

Ritsuko:  Okay, ladies and gentlmen.  We're all done here.  Go home and get
                some rest--day shift's going to be in soon.

Hyuga:  um . . . aren't you coming, ma'am?

    (The woman shakes her head, returning to her chair) 

Ritsuko:  No.  I've got something more to work on here.
                                                You go on;  I'll be expecting you in this
                                                  evening.

Hyuga:  Of course.

Hyuga:  (thinking) TRIPLE shift . . !  She's a monster . .

    (As the techs leave, the massive area which holds the Magi supercomputers
becomes silent . . .and Ritsuko can almost hear her thoughts echoed off the
cold, sterile walls. Several moments pass, until the serene quiet is finally broken by the harsh
sound of the telephone ringing. Sighing loudly, Ritsuko takes the receiver in hand . . .)

Ritsuko:  Dr. Akagi . . .Oh, Maya . . . Yes.  I'm  waiting for you.

Maya:  I'm already on my way . . .

Ritsuko:  Be sure to get yourself something to eat--we've a long day ahead of us.

Maya:  Then-

Ritsuko:  Right.  Unit-00's tests came out positive.  We can get back to
                work on our primary project.

Maya:  . . . Yes Ma'am.

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

Shinji:  Asuka!  Wait UP!

Asuka:  Why do you have to be such a slug, Ikari!  Come on, Get moving!

Shinji:  They're all over there!  Jeez, can't you be patient?

    (Asuka shoots the look of daggers toward the 3rd child.
Shinji, in turn, immediately wilts beneath the force of the gaze.  . .)

Shinji:  Uhm. . .  Never mind.

    (Up ahead, a large, bustling  crowd of students can be seen gathering in the
terminal.  All of them carry large backpacks, knapsacks, and otherwise
necessary carry-ons for their trip.  within moments of their arrival, Hikari Horaki
emerges from the mob, waving excitedly-)

Hikari:  Asuka!!  Over here!

Asuka:  (smiling) Hikari!

    (At long last, the young German drops Shinji's arm, sending him stumbling)

Hikari:  What took  so long?  I wouldn't have thought you were going to be one of the late ones.

Asuka:  I tried to get here sooner, but Ikari wouldn't get his lazy butt out of bed!

    (Shinji, Meanwhile, has finally regained his balance--with the help of Touji,
who has appeared readily at his side. . . )

Touji:  Whoa, Ikari--it's no good if you bust your face BEFORE the trip.

Shinji:  Aaargh . . .I know!  I know! . . .Asuka's just in such a hurry--

    (Suddenly, the boy pauses, looking about as if noticing something absent . . .)

Shinji:   . . .where's Kensuke?

Touji:   Oh, he's in there somewhere. . .

      (Touji pauses, indicating the crowd . . )

Touji:  just look for the guy with all the junk on his back . . .

    (just then, as if to verify Suzihara's words, Aida emerges from the throngs of students. laden with a
knapsack bearing a massive amount of supplies. Noticing Shinji's arrival, the boy waves,
nearly knocking over another student in the process . . .)

Kensuke:  Ikari!  What took you so long?

    (Upon seeing The boy's sizable knapsack, Shinji's face turns
an interesting hue of red . . . It is Touji, though, who voices his embarrassment . . .)

Touji:  Why d'you got to take everything you own, Aida?

Kensuke:  I've been in the woods before!  It's best to be prepared.

Touji:  Yeah, Well, c'mon Shinji--looks like they're getting ready to leave.

Kensuke:  Finally!
 
     (As the students pour into the train, Shinji pauses at the door, looking
around the car. Lowering his eyes, the third child trudges over the threshold, mumbling to himself. . .)

Shinji:  I hate these trains . . .

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

    (Moments later, the train full of chattering students as it makes its way
down the line, toward the very outskirts of the city. As Asuka Soryu watches the scenery go by, she nudges the girl next to her, )

Asuka:  How far we gonna walk before we get there?

Hikari:  The hike's only about 2 miles-but the forest's real nice when you get deep down into it!
 
Asuka:  deep?

Hikari:  Yeah-that's where the campsite is. Oh, I just remembered--

    (The girl pauses, reaching into her satchel and producing a stack of papers as thick as her wrist . . .)

Hikari: Can you help me pass these out to everybody?

Asuka: What are they?

Hikari: Objectives. We're to "discover the beauty and timelessness of nature
           as the area returns to its natural state of being 16 years after the 2nd impact" . . .

    (Soryu rolls her eyes . . .)

Asuka: It never fails. Why do they have to ruin a perfectly good trip with busywork?

    (Several seats over, the trio of Shinji, Kensuke, and Touji sit in relative quiet by themselves
as the students chatter around them.  Ikari bristles slightly as he catches site of Touji shifting
the joint of his arm prosthesis uneasily . . .)

Kensuke:  Hey. Is it bothering you again?

Touji:  No, 'just thinking about somethin . . .

Kensuke:  (smiling) That something --wouldn't happen to be the class rep, would it?

Touji:  Uhm!  No . . .

Kensuke:  Yeah, right.

Touji:  No really!  's Just the trip.  I'm kinda worried.

Kensuke:  about what?

Touji:  . . . Bears.

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

    (Nearly two hours later, the sun is high in the morning air.  In the apartment
of Rei Ayanami, the young EVA pilot sleeps soundly atop her bedsheets, still dressed in her school
attire. . . )
 

Rei                -:-:-
 

    (There is an immense roaring in her ears as Rei Ayanami awakens with a start. )

Rei: . . .

    (The sunlight streams into her window as the sounds of construction from outside
reverberate off the walls. For a long time, she simply sits there, listening to the uniform
pounding as the last vestiges of the dream's imagery fade from thought. The sound is a soothing
staccatto, like many things both foreign and familiar to the first child.

    Soon, she inadvertently matches her breathing with it. . .Then her heartbeat

    Then, it all seems to close.

    And Rei lies back down, pulling her knees to her chest,

    . . . And sleeps again. )

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

    (Meanwhile, in the very center of the city, Lyn Anouilh wanders the streets
of Tokyo 3, having found sleep too elusive,, no matter
how early he has woken up.  As he walks from one sidewalk to the next,
he gazes at the crowds which mill about around him, filled with people going about their
daily business . . . )

Lyn:  (thinking) God, this place is crowded.

    (For several moments, he walks from street to street, block to block, in silence. )

Lyn:  (thinking) And here I thought it'd be nice not to have school for three days. . .

     (he stops, waiting for the streetlight ahead of him to turn green)

Lyn:  (thinking) But-everybody's gone! It was lonely enough when they were here.  . .

    (he crosses the street as the light changes, wading through a crowd of
people moving in the opposite direction)

    (His thoughts run on . . .)

Lyn:  (thinking) That's the one thing you forgot to mention, Seyoko.

    (he steps aside as an elderly couple hobbles by)

Lyn:  (thinking) The worst part about having friends is missing their company when they leave you in the dust.

    (suddenly he stops, as if having witnessed a revelation. . .then he shudders:)

Lyn:  (thinking) We were just starting to get along, too.
 
    (Several moments later, he clears downtown, and finds himself in the area near
the newer living complexes and apartment buildings.   As he walks, he runs his
fingertips over the stucco surface of the stone wall which lines the sidewalk.
The noise of the city is gone, and there is only the chirping of birds and the
occasional rush of air that accompanies a passing car left to upset the stillness. . .

    Suddenly, the boy is shaken from his doldrum by a voice from above. . . )

Girl's voice:   So, How is the "6th child" today?

    (The sudden intonation from on high startles the child, and trips over himself . . .)

Lyn:   Wh-what?!?

    (He turns, but finds no one behind him.

    It is not until he traces his gaze upward that he finds the source of the voice:
a figure standing atop the retaining wall, her features obscured by the light of the morning sun behind her . . . )

Lyn:  Who are you?

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

    (Elsewhere, Misato Katsuragi shifts uncomfortably behind the wheel of her car, heading in the direction of the eastbound
causeway to Nerv central. Though she has a placid look on her face for a change, inside, however, her thoughts churn . . . )

Misato: (thinking)  So, 'going to be without Shinji or Asuka for 3 days. . . guess
                            I should be grateful for the chance of some piece & quiet . . .
 
    (She stops at a light, As a crowd moves across the crosswalk in front of her car

    As she waits for the light to change, she rests her gaze upon the new skyline of
Tokyo 3. Sunlight gleams off the shiny steel and glass structures, their sharp angles a distinct contrast to the white clouds
tracing a path across a bright field of blue behind them. As the sounds of construction abound through the city streets, 
Misato cannot help but take notice of the hurried pace of the workers all around her. . . )

Misato:  (thinking)  . . . We're building up for something.  Everyone seems so happy-
                            so relieved--but something's up underneath all of it.

    (suddenly, her look hardens)

Misato : (Thinking) Ritsuko let them go just to placate me, that's for sure. God, hasn't she had enough of this?

    (She presses the gas pedal a bit harder as the light changes to green, and the buildings
begin to go by with increasing speed.)

Misato:  (Thinking)  Well. . . as long as they can be happy . . .even if its for a little while . . .still .  . .
             Can she actually be up to something?  Again . . ?

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

Ritsuko:  I don't believe this!  You're not getting cold feet NOW?

Maya:  No . . No ma'am,  it's just th---it-I hoped the project . . .was canceled. . .because . . .

Ritsuko:  What is it?  Maya, we don't have the time for this!

     (Far below the city, In the Project-E development lab, Maya Ibuki
uneasily in her chair as Dr. Ritsuko Akagi stands over her. . .)

    ( The young protégée  cannot look at her mentor in the eye, however, as her
hands fidget nervously at the edge of her uniform.  Her laptop, meanwhile,
sits folded on its side at her feet.)

Maya:  I . . .I-

Ritsuko:  Well, Spit it out!

Maya:  You promised us. . . yourself.  . .never again . . .

     (she closes her eyes and stops.  Several seconds pass in silence)

    (Ritsuko turns away, her look softening a bit . . .)

Ritsuko:   Maya--You know I haven't forgotten.

    (Ibuki looks up at Dr. Akagi--her face, seemingly, desperate for any form of consolation)

Maya: . . . Well ,

Ritsuko: This is our chance to make things right.  This is my chance. We have to take it.

Maya:  Make things right?

Ritsuko:  Yes.  You were right , before.  From the very start.  I know that, now.

Maya:  But this-

Ritsuko:  I told you--it's not going to be the same as last time.

Maya: . . . you sound so sure of yourself.  . .

Ritsuko:  I am.

Maya:  But . . . how will we know?

Ritsuko:  We will know when we know.

Maya:  That doesn't make any sense.

Ritsuko:  Of course it doesn't.  That's just the way it is.

Maya:  But ma'am-

Ritsuko:  Maya, look.  I promised myself, now I promise you:  We are doing what's right.

Maya:  . . .

Ritsuko:  I can't finish this without you. There's no one left who's qualified . . .

    (The woman pauses, smirking . . .)

ritsuko:   . . . no one left who I can trust.

    (a moment passes as Maya thinks it over.

    Then, very slowly, she reaches for the laptop at her feet)

Maya:  all right, ma'am.  If you can be so sure.

Ritsuko:  Thank you. . .

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

Lyn:  You?  It was you?  The whole time?

Girl:  Your quick!

    (The girl sits atop the stone wall that lines the sidewalk.
Clad in the uniform of the local school.)

Lyn:  You were the one sending the messages?  On the computer?

Girl:  Right!  I told you we'd meet soon, sixth child.  And here I am.
 
    (With this, she rises to her feet, continuing her walk down the wall)

Lyn:  Wait, Wait!--Who are you?  What's your name?

Girl: Aoi.

Lyn: A--Aoi?

Aoi:  Not bad, English!  You got it on the first try.

    (Lyn stands, brushing himself off.  The girl jumps down from the wall,
and with hands behind back, bows)

Lyn: Um . . .guess I'm pleased to meet you.

Aoi:  (still bowing ) And I you, 6th child.

Lyn: Why do you keep calling me that?  Why did you send
        those messages?  I've never met you before in my life.

    (At his forewardness, the girl Suddenly stands up straight,
Waving her finger in his face . . .)

Aoi:  Slow down!  Don't they teach you Britons manners?

    (Lyn does not get the joke-he finds, strangely, that he cannot help
but look at her deep blue eyes . . .he is silent for several seconds)

Aoi:  Oh, have I offended thee, sir knight?

Lyn: You've got to be kidding.

    (The girl pouts turning her back to him . . . )

Aoi:  And here you go on and on about how you want to meet me, and then you've got nothing to say.
        Talk about failed expectations . . .

Lyn:  Uh . . wait . . .

Aoi:  Boys these days are so easily confused!

     (She turns around, facing Lyn once more)

Aoi:  I am Aoi Tamashii.  I'm in the second year A-class at your school,
        silly, and I'm pleased to meet you as well.

Lyn:  Uh,  okay. . . er .  . What do you want?

    (An angry look crosses the girl's face)
 
Aoi:  What do I want?  What do you think?  To be your friend.  You did say you wanted friends . . .

Lyn:  Well, yeah, but . .

Aoi:  So then its settled, 6th child.

Lyn:  Fine, fine, but why do you insist on calling me that?

Aoi:  Because that's what you are.

Lyn:  Er, That's true, but-

Aoi:  So that's what I will call you.

Lyn:  Oh.  . .Whatever.

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

    (Meanwhile, far outside Tokyo 3, the A12-line out of Tokai has reached
its destination in the terminal near the very outskirts of the city.  As soon as the
doors open, dozens of students pour out, lugging their packs about them.
The excitement in the air is still palpable, as last minute preparations
compliment the clamor already present in the crowd. )

    (Asuka, Hikari, and two other girls grouped tightly together emerge, followed shortly by
Shinji, Kensuke, Touji and a taller boy, who has been designated the fourth member of their group.

    Touji looks around the station as they exit, and immediately, notices
Hikari's group.  He watches them for a moment, then smiles, nudging Shinji hard- )

Touji:  Looks like you won't get a shot at Asuka after all, Ikari-

Shinji:  I said cut that out!

Kensuke:  We'd better find our group leader. Goro, you remember which one it was?

   (The boy contemplates this for a moment, before pointing to a crowd of children gathered around a man
further down the platform wearing a green uniform who quickly becoming overwhelmed)

Goro:  I think he's this way--let's see-- we're in the L's, so we have to go over there-

Kensuke:  Man . .!

Touji:  I get the feeling this is still a "class" trip.

    (Shinji Ikari shrugs, shouldering his bag . . .)

Shinji:  come on . . .

Kensuke:  I'd have better luck off by myself .  . .

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

Misato:  Look, we've been through a lot together---you could even call it hell---
            especially in the last few weeks . . .so keeping
            secrets is the last thing either of us need.  . .

Ritsuko:  I don't know what gave you the idea that I'm keeping anything from you, Major.

Misato:  You don't?  What about all these extra shifts you've been pulling
            in the lab, and all the shuffling you've done with the
            science crew schedules?

Ritsuko:  I'm merely trying to get things in order par commander Ikari's request.
                You know me, Misato. If its going to take a
              little hard work to get it done on time, then so be it.

    (Inside one of the corridors of Nerv, Misato and Ritsuko walk the hallway,
the tension in the air between them apparrent as they make their way toward the service lift at the end of the corridoor . . .)

Misato:  That's true, but still-

Ritsuko:    Look what I've got to deal with:  one sick EVA--which is
                something that's not supposed to be even physically possible--
                Another which has been partially re-grown from a
                few charred pieces of tissue and fabrication samples . . .
                One pilot who is STILL below operational capacity after a
                boffed training exercise, and another that's just had her second activation test. . .
                This, plus the role of overseeing part of the  city's reconstruction, as well as the
                "relocation" of the Geo-front. All while trying to maintain things here as
                they are.  Is it any wonder that I've been busy?

Misato: . . . I suppose not.

Ritsuko:  All this build-up has put everyone a little on edge.
              You'll just have to trust me on this one, major.

    (Misato gives the woman a disquieted look as the doors slowly begin to close)

Misato:  . . . Interesting choice of words.

    (The elevator doors shut, and it begins to descend. Misato
stands there for a moment, watching as the numbers count down . . .)

Misato:  (thinking) But that's not something I do easily these days, Ritsuko . . .

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

Lyn:  So. . . How long have you been in Tokyo 3?

Aoi:  Much Longer than you.

Lyn:  Oh, yeah, I guess.

    (Lyn walks through the east district of Tokyo 3 with the girl, Aoi,
who still treads playfully along the edge of the retaining wall beside him.)

Aoi:  So, English, what do you think of our fair city?

Lyn:  Well, it's, um . . . really nice, I guess.  'A lot of construction going on.

Aoi:  You know why, right?

Lyn:  Eh?  Oh,  yeah.  I read up on it before I came here.

   (The girl turns, keeping pace while looking at the skyline . . .) 

Aoi:  My father and my sisters had to leave when
        our house was destroyed-we weren't going to come
        back, but then my uncle called us one day and said that
        the danger was gone, and the city would rebuild our
        home for us. So, here I am.

Lyn:   . . . That's good for you, I guess.

Aoi:  What do you mean?

Lyn:  Having a home.

Aoi:  Why do you speak so?  From what I've heard,
        you come from a wonderful home.  . .

Lyn:  From what you've heard?

Aoi:  Yes!  They say you lived in a mansion-with maids and servants and tea-

    (The young man rolls his eyes.)

Lyn:    Oh, cut that out!  That's not true.

    (The girl pouts, her voice taking on a dissappointed tone . . .)

Aoi:  It's not?

Lyn: No!  I came from a family a lot like yours, I'm sure.
        We were-well off, but not 'rich or anything.

Aoi:  Hmmm. . .?  Sounds to me you don't like being from a rich family . . .

Lyn: . . .

Aoi:  Well, Don't worry, 6th child . . . I'm still interested in your company even if you don't own an island in the Balkans..

Lyn:  eh--Be careful. you're running out of wall.

    (The boy comes to a halt, indicating the sharp drop where the retaining barrier meets the street.
Aoi peers over the edge before spinning on her heel, taking a seat on the corner . . .)

Aoi: So I am. I'm glad to see you're looking out for me, 6th child.

Lyn:  Why do you keep on with that "6th child" nonesense?

     (The girl laughs, shaking her head.) 

Aoi:  Oh . .  I guess I'm just silly that way-

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

Asuka:  You mean we gotta join up with THEM?

Group leader:  That's right.

Asuka:  But Why?

Group leader:  There are more children here than expected . .
                        we don't have enough adults to watch over all of you.

    (In that instant, smiles alight the faces of nearly every child in the crowd . . . )

Kensuke:  (whispering)  I've got no problem with that . . .

    (Suzihara shakes his head, indicating the second child with a nod--)

Touji:  Yeah, but why we gotta be put in with the demon ?

Kensuke:  I'd hardly think you'd be complaining, what with Hikari-

Touji:  (Loudly) Shut UP!

    (The train station is nearly empty, save for one last crowd of students,
who are gathered about their group leader.  There are about 20
children in all, eager to get on with their trip. The groups that make up the
number are almost totally female . . .

    . . . Save for Shinji's four, however. . . )

Group leader: You will remain in these groups of eight at the campsite--Let's see-

Hikari: But--but they're BOYS!--

Girl:  We're all girls!

    (Soryu places hands on hips, pointing an accusatory finger at Aida and Suzihara . . )

Asuka: I don't want to be put up with these perverts!

Touji:  Hey!
 
Kensuke:  Why am I suddenly a pervert?

Shinji:  This really isn't the time for this . . .

Goro:  . . .

Group leader:  This is the only way it can be done.  If you'd like, you can
                        always choose to go home . . .

    (At this, the crowd of children becomes deathly silent. )

Group leader:  I thought so.  Don't worry--if there's any trouble,
                       you know where my tent will be. . .

Asuka:  Oh, great.  'Lotsa good that's gonna do!

Shinji:  Oh, come on, it's not going to be that bad.

Asuka:  Says you.

    (Their instructions recieved, the crowd of children begins to disperse,
leaving the last group of Shinji, Asuka, Touji, Kensuke,
Hikari, Goro, and two other girls alone near the terminal)

Kensuke:  I guess we'd better get going-

Goro:  I Don't want to get left behind-

Touji:  Hey, Hikari--Let me carry your bag-

Hikari:  Thanks . . !

    (Touji pauses as the other two girls giggle to themselves, shaking his head as takes the bag.
Surprised at this unfamiliar display of chivalry from Suzihara, Shinji regards the boy for a moment,
before turning to Asuka, indicating the other boy's example as he stammers his offer. . .)

Shinji:  Well, um, I guess, do you want me to carry your-

    (Asuka is taken somewhat aback by this, before she shakes her head,
pulling her backpack tight around her shoulders)

Asuka:  Oh, get real!

    (Soryu is the first to exit-with the others not so far behind . . .)
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    (Nearly an hour later, deep in the bowels of the Nerv complex . . . )
 

Maya:  It's no good.  The link up seems to be ineffective.  It's not accepting the signals-

Ritsuko:  Boost the signal strength to 0.5 millivolts, and increase
            the frequency of the stimulation by a factor of two.

Maya: Yes. . .still nothing.

Ritsuko: . . . increase stimulation frequency by a factor of 3.

Maya: . . . nothing.

Ritsuko: . . . a factor of five.

Maya:  Nothing.

Ritsuko:   . . . a factor of ten.

Maya:  (surprised)  Sir?  Are you sure?  Maybe the frequency is not the problem-

Ritsuko:  Do it.

Maya:  Yes, ma'am . . .

    (Maya works slowly, typing in a new set of parameters in her laptop-within seconds, the computer beeps in reply-)

Maya:  I've got a response!  Plus a feedback of 30%--

Ritsuko: We've got it!  Decrease frequency factor to 7. Begin infusion.

Maya:  Done.  All inputs registering at normal levels.

Ritsuko:  good--what's the gain?

Maya:  43.7

Ritsuko:  That high?  After only two weeks?

Maya:  Yes-It looks like he's developed another set of higher level connections-

    (Ritsuko stands in front of the large vial which sits in the very center
of the room.  It is over 3 feet in diameter, filled with an orange-yellow
liquid that illuminates the consoles that line the room with an eerie glow.

     Inside the tube, a shadowy form floats, connected to hundreds of wires that lead into
the tube's base and ceiling.  Maya, seated behind her,  reads aloud the data as
it appears on her screen.)

Maya:   T value below 0.05 percent. . . it appears each nerve can accept a greater input.

Ritsuko:  (softly)  That's a good boy . . .
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (Elsewhere, far above the bustle of the city, Rei Ayanami awakens-

    (The first child sits up, her room is no longer bathed in the warmth of the morning sun.
Instead, the ambient glow of midday light fills the small corner of her apartment
where she has been sleeping.

    Ayanami issues a barely audible sigh as she slides out of bed. Her starched school uniform now
hopelessly wrinkled, she disregards it, untying the bow about her neck and tossing it carelessly to the side. 
The first child turns toward the window, listening as the sounds of metal pounding from outside ring
monotonously in her ears, the reverberations palpable at her fingertips. 

    Eventually, her eyes fall upon the broken pair of tinted glasses which still lay on the small metal
table at the head of the bed. Taking them in hand, she regards them carefully, turning them over in her
hands before holding them up to the light . . . When she does so, however, she is overcome with an
eerie sense of presence. An uncomfortable feeling of familiarity, noting that, in the sunlight,
the lenses glow like a pair of yellow eyes. . . )