The Hallway
Chapter Seven
Live your Life
Neon Genesis Evangelion is property of GAINAX.
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Misato Katsuragi waited for the pilots because Scientific Unit had to start a complex test with Evangelions because the last battle damaged them very seriously. Ritsuko showed a great patience but Commander Ikari looked Misato from his position in the Bridge like asking an explanation. Finally, Misato decided to search them and exited the Test Room and many technicians were working in the halls and levels because NERV began an overall updating of electrical connections and maintenance. The captain reached the level number six after long minutes inside the elevator, and walked some steps to a gate with the notice: "Pilots Room".
She knocked the door but didn't hesitate to open it because the deadline for the test was very soon. Shinji and Asuka were inside, but Misato saw something that completely paralyzed her and both pilots were shocked. The Pilots Room had basic furniture and sofas and NERV built it only for pilots during waiting time between tests or battles. Misato and both pilots exited the Room five minutes later.
Ritsuko talked with Maya about ongoing results from Evangelions with pilots in, and MAGI analyzed core parameters during the test. Maya commented that Asuka was mentally disturbed and Ritsuko inquired Misato about the delay. The captain mentioned that both pilots were watching a very interesting documentary about animal kingdom. Ritsuko realized that Misato spoke ironically but giving an excuse for Shinji and Asuka. The doctor didn't show what really thought, but maybe Misato caught both pilots in some embarrassed situation and she was covering them but angry. Gendo Ikari watched the test with Kozo Fuyutsuki completely quiet but talking if MAGI detected abnormalities like mental dirtiness or LCL Concentration at dangerous levels, but the test was being conducted in normal way.
Shinji smelled blood from his first experience in the Evangelion-01, but LCL wasn't blood and he kept that feeling in secret during the time in NERV, but he told it to Asuka before test`s beginning in the Pilots Room. And, Asuka told to Shinji how familiar was the environment inside the Entry Plug. Then, they spent some time in there.
Misato wanted to finish the test, but the time seemed to move very slowly like long two years in the cage where she lived after Second Impact. The same quietness invaded her because what she saw in the Pilots Room forced her to be quiet. She decided to talk with Shinji and Asuka after test, and finally it ended and Maya arranged the last movements of both Entry Plugs. Ritsuko commented preliminary results but Misato just show false attention. Shinji exited the Entry Plug and went to the Pilots Room feeling his legs shake, and Asuka followed him keeping nerves into control. They didn't talk in the Pilots Room, and Rei entered the room not wearing her Plug Suit. Asuka saluted Rei not looking her, but Shinji smiled when Rei commented that she was better after an Incident. Another person knocked the door and Rei opened it. Misato appeared and Rei reported that Commander Ikari needed to see her during the evening. Shinji tried to ignore what Rei said because his father devoted more time in the feminine pilot than his own son. Rei left the room and Misato looked both pilots with serious face.
"As you know…the results must be analyzed by Scientific Department before any official report to the pilots, but I don't need much formality to analyze what I saw before the test. Maybe, Intelligence Unit shows much interest because what you did is unacceptable". Misato was surprised to see that Asuka was angry and they looked to each other waiting for opening the fires.
"Are you warning us or accusing us?" Asuka hesitated because Misato was her boss and tutor, and Shinji just look the floor.
"They don't need a report from me because what we do here and outside is completely recorded by safety and control. They are the Big Brother right now". Misato wasn't surprised to see Shinji not replying like Asuka.
"Are you worried by them?" Asuka didn't believe that Misato mentioned Intelligence Unit was her great concern, and maybe both pilots were what it worried her.
"Yes. I need you in my apartment after your meeting with Ritsuko. Is it clear?" Misato left the room when the pilots agreed with her. Asuka didn't expect that reaction from her captain and Shinji just was quiet.
"What is the difference between reveal and assume?" Asuka asked Shinji that only moved his head in negative way. "I see…you are able for revealing our issues to her".
"No, I am not but she knows it". Shinji showed a passive stance that Asuka analyzed as the answer to her previous question.
"Misato will tell something that could force us to change our issues". Asuka foresaw the talking among them in the apartment, and Shinji watched Asuka with intense expression on the face.
"Asuka…Do you want to finish this or not? I don't".
Ryoji Kaji was reading secret files from Commander Ikari about Project Evangelion, and specifically about secret suppliers to the project because each requirement from departments was satisfied through contracts with them. But, Kaji wasn't doing what Gendo Ikari exactly ordered. He was looking for duplicate suppliers according to their names. Then, he checked the information with a database through algorithms and the results shocked him because at least ten names were the same company because the money flowed through those suppliers like a circle. Unexpectedly, hits on the door interrupted the work. Kaji allowed the entrance to the unknown person.
"Hi, are you busy?" Misato Katsuragi closed the door behind her, and Kaji didn't demonstrate his surprise for the visit. "You lost the test".
"Yes, I had to finish some things here". Kaji prepared two cups of coffee and hid the documents previously read.
"I had liked to test three Evangelions, but Rei wasn't able". Misato began to comment the details about the test and Kaji heard with false curiosity because she was preparing a cover for a painful truth.
"So, what is wrong?" Kaji didn't need many words for pushing Misato to talk and the captain said: "I caught Shinji and Asuka having sex in the Pilots Room". Kaji nodded very serious weighting the discovery and looked to the ceiling. "Our ceilings are equipped with tiny cameras and Intelligence guys got good material for Internal Affairs.
"I am going to talk with them". Misato drunk coffee very slowly and Kaji wanted an answer.
"Maybe Intelligence only will follow them, but you cannot ignore this situation and I am not talking about your job". Finally, Kaji realized that Misato will have to face a complex situation with Shinji and Asuka. "Unfortunately, Shinji and Asuka have decided to grow up very fast and they will have to accept the consequences".
"Live your life…If I could to convert this into an optimization problem I would be happy because the problem could be written as…Live your life subject to the next constraints". The captain smiled ironically but Kaji supported her commentary.
"So, you have to put the constraints".
