Back at home, Misato was staring at a line graph generated on her computer, which showed comparisons of different sync ratios of Kaworu and the other Children. Being a bit forgetful, she stuck a Post-It on the side of the monitor that she should report to Fuyutsuki at eight 'o clock in the morning, and maybe try to budge him to release Asuka as soon as possible.

On a spreadsheet, she processed the raw data that Makoto Hyuga copied and sent her the previous afternoon, crunched it through some formulas, until she got this graph: The sync ratio was on the X-axis, the time length at the Y-axis, and each line represented the Children in a distinct color. Their data resulted in very shallow, occasional dips and rises, which was normal. None of the lines exceeded around 60 percent of sync ratio.

However, once again it was only Kaworu's sync ratio data that set him far apart from all the other Children, no matter how Misato even entered other sets of the Children's test data gathered from different times as comparisons: his sync ratio showed it steadying low at 20 percent, then skyrocketing between 70 to 90 percent, before falling back to 5 percent, just as Makoto explained previously.

It's another red flag, Misato concluded, imagining that if Ritsuko were to see his data for herself, the blonde scientist would spill her coffee over her lap in shock.

Shinji was alone and sleepless in his bed, the young man staring at the ceiling while the midnight breeze blew into the bedroom. Despite the earlier reunion with his friends, by now his euphoria was worn off, to be replaced by thoughts of Rei.

As an afterthought, he glanced at his left hand and recalled about the strange thing that happened when he tried to wrestle the Angel off from Unit-01. The creature also destroyed his Pallet Assault Rifle and came up upon him like a jungle python entangling a hunter; the hunter became the hunted.

Shinji imagined the Angel manifested itself on the back of his hand, by a creeping sensation accompanied with some veins growing under the glove of his plug suit. He saw it grow, and it sprouted miniature heads of Rei, like it wanted him to be absorbed.

Yes, it pulsed with life and it really hurt like hellfire as it tried to infest him, even as he jammed the Prog Knife into the Angel's body. He wanted to scream but he could not as he watched the damned thing grow in his hand, his eyes widening in terror before he thought he heard the Angel talking to him:

"It hurts so well, doesn't it Ikari?"

He could also recall how the Angel seemed to giggle as he struggled to stop this luminous python from going into him any further until Rei painfully whispered some of her last thoughts through the comlink:

"Is this my heart... to be one with Ikari...? NO!"

And he saw everything turn to a blur, as the Angel instantly let go of Shinji and Unit-01 and snaked itself towards Rei and Unit-00. Like a bullet, the Angel slammed straight into that Eva's chest and buried itself into the core. Once it became one with the Eva, the core imploded with a large glob of pink coming out... before it shrank back into Unit-00.

With his eyes widened in shock, Shinji saw Unit-00 slowly rose from its feet, its right hand reaching for the sky. For a split second it shed off its blue and white exoskeleton armor, took the pink shape of a woman's body and then the next thing he witnessed was a massive fireball that ripped up the city in half.

By instinct, Shinji shielded his eyes from the glare of the blast, the shockwave hitting hard on Unit-01, and didn't peer outward until he opened his eyes... and the landscape was changed irrevocably from a skyline of concrete into a giant, steaming hole in the ground, slowly filling up with water. As he stared at the crater, Shinji wondered if Rei could survive an explosion this destructive until she told him later at the Infirmary that she was the Third.

But to him she was the last of her kind, after he saw Ritsuko destroy the other Reis with a remote control in her hand. In her eyes was a combination of rage, disgust and self-loathing. All three of them were in the Dummy Plug Plant, and Ritsuko showed them the dark secret of the First Children.

As they were in the large vat of LCL, the facsimiles of the First Child disintegrated into pieces. In a flash, their heads and limbs were torn away not unlike paper dolls, their bodies dissolving into flecks of flesh, internal organs, and even an eyeball popping from its socket. All of those spilled out and the amber liquid was diluted with the blood of the needlessly condemned.

This slaughterhouse sight was definitely he couldn't take anymore, causing Shinji to instantly drop on his knees and wretch, his bile rising up to his mouth. While he gagged onto the floor, vomiting what was left of his lunch, Shinji heard Ritsuko's lament towards a shaken Misato as she wept, dropping the remote control gadget from her grip.

"...I'm really stupid... I'm so fucking stupid as my mother! Misato... I was made a goddamned fool and played around with!"

Now Shinji looked at his left hand once again, before he thought of this insanity made by his father was all about. He sighed.

"I'm not the only one suffering, am I right?" he asked himself, realizing that even the two older women in his life had their own demons to face.

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION
LIGHT AND WATER – SEASON 2
CHAPTER 10: RED FLAG
An alternate path fanfiction by soulassassin547

Written on 2/26/2010 19:08

On the shores of Lake Ashinoko, surrounded by rubble and collapsed buildings, Kaworu scanned the landscape, his eyes adjusting to the near-darkness. He wanted to make sure that nobody was following him, and in the last half-hour of walking all the way here he glanced over his back several times. The night sky was powdered with stars, and there was little wind at the moment.

It was clear that there was no other soul within a radius of about five kilometers from where he was standing.

With great caution, Kaworu took a deep breath, and the toe of his shoes touched the water. Then he made another step, until he was now levitating above the lake's surface using his AT-Field. Kaworu willed himself to go forward.

He went on floating away from the shore until he found a cluster of shattered ferroconcrete pillars and slabs above the water, remnants of one of Tokyo-3's towering condenser units prior to Unit-00's destruction. He placed the backpack onto one of the slabs.

Kaworu took out his phone from the bag. It was a satellite phone with full encryption, disguised as a regular clamshell cellular phone, and would only hook up to SEELE-controlled communication satellites. The sunglasses that Kaworu now also wore were holographic display glasses that can connect wirelessly with that special phone. Now he turned on both gadgets.

Using his transit data and orbital coordinates, he located the communication satellite he wanted and began tuning the phone to its specific frequency. He could now hear a chime from the gadget, confirming a good satellite uplink.

Through his glasses, the monoliths slowly "emerge" from out of the air, until he could see that they surrounded him completely. All of them with watching eyes, and as he pivoted around, Kaworu could imagine their ancient faces behind those monoliths, each with a glowing red number.

Kaworu now faced the monolith that called itself SEELE 01: Keel Lorenz, the Chairman of the Instrumentality Committee.

"Good evening," Kaworu greeted. "I know that you are expecting me, sir."

"Do you have anything to report since your arrival?" SEELE 01 asked.

Kaworu nodded. "I do."

"Very well," SEELE 01 said. "Before we proceed, let us remind you that you are being watched. Understood?

"Yes, sir, I acknowledge that."

"Let us begin hearing what you have gleaned from NERV."

In formal language worthy of a presentation of an annual business report, the Fifth Children narrated about his first two days at NERV. He mentioned that he underwent a physical examination, had an initial sync test, a combat readiness test on the simulator, before he discussed about the people he met. But as Kaworu promised himself, he intentionally left out the juicier details, telling the SEELE men what they wanted to hear, choosing his words carefully as he went.

Near the end of his report, Keel Lorenz asked Kaworu, "What is your impression regarding the First Children?"

Kaworu shook his head. "She remains as she is, just as reported. No emotions, no past, and she will exist for the Commander's purposes, even if she is no longer the Pilot of Unit Zero."

"What about the Second Children?" Keel questioned, referring to Asuka.

"Because of her psychological trauma, there will be no future for her outside Project E, nor would she ever be able to recover from her ordeal, as the Commander will decide her fate."

"Hmmm… and is there anything about the Fourth Children?"

"They were forced to amputate his damaged limbs and therefore he is medically grounded," Kaworu reported.

"So, he is no longer in the picture, and that leaves the Third Children to remain, is that correct?"

Kaworu nodded.

He could then hear a faint condescending snort from behind Keel's monolith.

"Time and again Commander Ikari pushes and manipulates everyone around him to do his work," Keel lectured, "even cowards and lunatics, as long as he thinks that they are valuable to him to further his aims, until they are no longer useful. I still find it funny that he carries no guilt in the things he do, whether it involves men, women or children, that he is constantly stubborn as a bull against a hundred bullfighters. This behavior is also costing us our time and money."

Kaworu said nothing, and as the whole SEELE council was eyeballing his every move and gesture by their spy satellite's ultra-resolution IR video camera, he kept his feelings in check, his face remaining neutral and indifferent. However, for the Fifth Children this might also be the first time the Chairman has become very blunt, as the elder's stress related to the Human Complementation Project has risen in direct proportion to a dwindling amount of time.

Now Kaworu knew that he has only five days left to finish the job.

"Before you go," Keel said, breaking the silence. "Never once we doubted your abilities, young man. You always raised our confidence and gave us hope."

Kaworu smiled. "Thank you, sir. It is my pleasure."

"Now that we are pleased with your progress, we would like you to continue on with your duty," Keel answered. "We can feel that the day is coming for our benefit, and once you fulfill your destiny, all of us will have our reward."

Kaworu nodded. "Yes, sir… I will not fail you all."

"Well then, we wish you good luck. You can go now, Mister Nagisa."

The monoliths immediately "vanished" from Kaworu's presence, and after a moment the Fifth Children took off his holographic glasses.

He could breathe easy now. It was over.

The man that Keel Lorenz described as a "stubborn bull" examined his left palm, swathed heavily in bandages, knowing that the power of the creature embedded in it would be harnessed later. He was restless with a brain still running at full tilt, even at this early hour of the morning, a man out to get even at fate for the loss of his wife.

Sitting on the side of his bed and wearing only a pair of boxer shorts, Gendo Ikari was fresh out of surgery and right now he was back in his private quarters, located somewhere in Central Dogma.

However, only a few people were privileged to enter, including Ritsuko Akagi, as his sleeping and living quarters were a very stark contrast to the opulent, expansive office occupying the top floor of the NERV headquarters pyramid: this was a complete, repelling mess, and the air inside was a mixed miasma of cigarette smoke, sweat, and dust.

This clutter was also a product of Gendo's single-minded personality over the years as he pursued his Holy Grail, evidence of his impatience.

Walls with bookshelves were packed with thousands of scientific and mystical tomes (mostly on the Kabbala); around his bed and against some of the walls were stacks of books, publications, folders and envelopes. His clothes were on hangers, with at least two more dangling from the ceiling lamp. His large desk was occupied by two computer monitors and a keyboard, but stuffed with more paper. Finally the wastebasket besides the desk was overflowing with crumpled balls of paper and empty cans of UCC Coffee.

But all of it no longer mattered to Gendo as long as he possessed Adam: he would soon proclaim himself a god over all others, and his time of supremacy would be forthcoming.

With the idea still fresh in his mind, Gendo Ikari went to his desk and began writing down the memo of his proposal to restart the Dummy Plug program. He must seize the day and the opportunity presented by Kaworu Nagisa.

Deep within the bowels of the Stockade, a baton's loud crash upon the steel door woke up Ritsuko Akagi with a start from her iron cot. She could see that a guard was peeking inside. The growing smell of her body odor also permeated the whole cell, a by-product of her prolonged detention.

"Damn it, I'm still sleeping," she complained loudly, staring angrily at the CCTV camera aimed below at her, as the guard opened the door. "What do you want?"

Wordlessly, the guard handed her a packed plastic bag, which she opened and dumped its contents onto her cot: they included a set of light green prisoner jumpsuits, slippers, spare underwear, a towel, and toiletries – soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant in a single pack. After for so long wearing her now-soiled duty uniform for days, stinking by the hour, without a change since her arrest, at last there was sanitary relief.

Get used to the new routine, Ritsuko thought, scolding herself. Sooner or later that bastard Gendo will have his karma.

"Good morning. As this is our offer for you to be a little more comfortable, you'd better take a shower and wear it, Doctor," the guard said. "We'll also have to hose down your cell as you fix yourself and get some breakfast."

Ritsuko sighed. "Ah, okay," she agreed with self-sarcasm as she stood up and carried the bag. "I look like crap, and I also smell like crap. What's on the menu today, soldier?"

"Beef yakudon with miso soup on the side, if you like, ma'am," the guard replied. "By the way, if you wanted to know, it's five o'clock in the morning."

As Ritsuko, plastic bag in tow, following the guard on their way to the shower room, she worried of the duties that were forcibly taken away from her. I hope that Natsumi knows what she's doing, and that Maya works on the MAGI properly; I can't afford a hardware breakdown.

Well, Ritsuko added, at least finally I get to be squeaky-clean while behind bars.

By around six o'clock, the Katsuragi residence began to stir to life, as Shinji began the day by turning on the TV for the morning news, swept the floor, cooked some breakfast, before he went to Misato's bedroom. He found her dozing on the desk, head resting upon arms before the computer monitor. There were also two empty cans of UCC coffee and a barely-empty bag of Doritos, as it was clear she worked all night.

He shook her gently on the shoulder to wake up.

"Mmmmm…," Misato groaned, trying to open her eyes. "What's for breakfast?"

Shinji shrugged. "The usual fried eggs and fish," he said, "Good morning to you, anyway."

"Timeisit?" she asked in a sleepy voice.

Shinji glanced at the wall clock. "It's almost seven. Come on and get up," he answered.

Misato stared at the reminder stuck to the monitor, and nodded. "All right, we've got some work to do today," she decided as she stood up and stretched with her arms, yawning wide open.

As always, Rei Ayanami was in her usual punctual self, and the sentries at Gate 18 knew that they could set their watches to her daily routine of showing the ID card and going through the turnstile. Thus they gave her a secret nickname: Clockwork Ayanami.

While one sentry inspected her ID card, another guard picked up a ringing phone and answered it.

But as she passed through the turnstile and was about to board one of the elevators, one of the guards called out her name as he ran towards her.

"What is it?" Rei inquired.

"Commander Ikari wants your presence immediately," the guard replied.

Kaworu's breakfast at the cafeteria consisted of rice, miso soup and tea. As he ate, Kaworu wondered if everything was on schedule, but still the unexpected could always happen, even with the best intentions. Last night's first report went well, but he felt that he would probably gain nothing from trying to use the meeting as a way to ask hard questions about Rei and everything else, and even then SEELE would keep silence; they presumably wanted to say anything that can only please their ears.

He remembered yesterday's lunch and overheard Fuyutsuki inviting Misato to report to his office today. Perhaps they may discuss something mundane, but it could be everything critical, especially at this moment as Fuyutsuki was greatly concerned at NERV's situation.

Just as he was about to finish his meal, a man in a three-piece suit, presumably one of the Second Section agents, approached him.

"You're Mister Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Children?" the agent asked.

Kaworu turned to him and answered, "Yes."

"The Commander would like to see you at his office."

Svengali, Kaworu muttered in his thoughts.

As Misato was driving with Shinji, her cellphone went off with a loud ring. The young man pressed the phone's hands-free mode button, as Misato was on the steering wheel and didn't want to be distracted, while dodging massive Komatsu dump trucks roaring in the middle of the road as they hauled away concrete slabs of Tokyo-3 debris.

"It's the Sub-Commander," Shinji reported, reading off the caller ID on the phone.

"Is that you, sir?" Misato answered.

"This is Fuyutsuki here. I'm afraid there's a change of plans because Commander Ikari wants me up there for an urgent discussion."

Misato grimaced, as she noticed a frantic note in Fuyutsuki's voice. "Just great," she muttered. "What is it all about?"

"I don't know, but I think he's up to something very big, and still I have a very bad feeling about it," Fuyutsuki answered.

Misato could also hear some paper being shuffled around in the background. Fuyutsuki was probably filing or signing away everything on his desk. "Why, sir?" she inquired.

"Asides from me, he also called in Nagisa and Ayanami. However, I can't explain much right now. Now, I must go, Major. You two have to wait at my office instead," Fuyutsuki replied, before the line went dead.

"More red flags," Misato grumbled.

"I don't understand, but why?" Shinji asked.

"Know what this rush means to you? I bet my left lung that your dad has a crazy new idea and is itching to revive a failed project."

In his massive office, Gendo Ikari faced Kozo Fuyutsuki and the two Children present, as they were his own idea of a highly acceptable audience that he could easily speak his mind to. He also now sported a very confident smirk on his face, signalling that there was a very grand idea on his brain. Fuyutsuki tried to keep his self-control intact; and Rei and Kaworu stood quietly, but they weren't aware that Gendo was now carrying Adam in his left palm, hidden by those white gloves.

"Today I have made a very important decision," Gendo answered matter-of-factly. "This time we have the right opportunity and the factors to make it work once again." He promptly handed Fuyutsuki a folder containing his proposal.

"What do you mean?" Fuyutsuki asked.

Gendo turned to face both Children.

"The First Children must pass a compatibility test in Eva Unit One," Gendo declared. "The Fifth Children in Unit Two will also have his synchro data recorded in his own test, and keep an eye on the First Children. I propose that we rebuild the Dummy Plug."

Inwardly, Kaworu was stunned. The Dummy Plug?

Rei suddenly felt a chill in her spine, remembering the dead floating bits of her empty selves in the tank down at the Dummy Plug Plant.

Both Children tried not to look surprised, while Fuyutsuki was clearly thunderstruck, nearly dropping the folder. "You can't be serious," he mumbled loudly, "The whole scheme blew up in our faces, and I think it's not worth salvaging anymore."

Unpleased, Gendo gave him a defiant stare. "When I took this position," he defended, "I understand that in the process of scientific inquiry, and in the interest of our superiors, all possible risks must be dealt with, in order to accomplish our objectives. There is still much potential to be made if we could make use of the limited time we have right now."

Gendo was now hovering so close to Fuyutsuki's face, his nose no more than four inches away from the other, and the older man could even hear the heavy breathing, apparently trying to keep self-composure.

"And how can we prove that it's feasible this time?" Fuyutsuki countered, unfazed by the intimidating icy stare. "Do you have any idea that Unit One is still potentially unpredictable, even we've gone through many incidents involving it?"

"I know all of them, including those cases of rejection," Gendo answered, "but since she's ready again, I have full confidence in having this project revived. You may take it or leave it, but as I have obtained the favorable consensus of others involved, we will proceed as I have planned."

Gendo then pivoted away from Fuyutsuki to confront the Children.

Wordlessly, Fuyutsuki clenched his jaw, using much of his willpower to restrain himself. It would be futile and pointless to persuade Gendo not to take that deadly path again. The Committee must have pushed him too far that he wants to play this insane gamble, he thought angrily. You're so damned stubborn.

"As with any scientific endeavor, it may be unpleasant," Gendo said to them, "but very important. What we have started, we must finish it. Since both of you will be the very core of this experiment, and I believe that there are no problems with your well-being, I ask you a question: are you ready?"

Kaworu and Rei stared at each other, trying to make up their minds.

I never realized that he can even make sudden, rash decisions regardless of any circumstances, Kaworu thought. But since this Lilim is very persistent, trying to fathom the unknown, thinking he has everything… I will have to see how this leads to. I'm not afraid of any challenge. I think I can handle it, as I have to show him what he wants.

Very well, then... There's no turning back.

Kaworu now faced Gendo, and the eyes behind the tinted glasses were demanding for his decision, but never too long.

"I'm ready, sir," Kaworu answered.

I existed because he needed me, Rei contemplated. He wants me to be with Nagisa on purpose and as duty. However I do not know if Unit One is still able to accept me as its pilot.

I am not very sure.

Kaworu slowly looked at Rei, as if his eyes told her he was greatly concerned.

As I am doubtful, I have nothing else but need his help.

"Yes, Commander, I will participate," Rei replied with a nod.

Gendo now focused at Fuyutsuki with a triumphant, silent smirk. The old man will have to live with the decision.

In the hallway, Shinji and Misato were waiting by the door to Fuyutsuki's office, sitting on a bench when the Sub-Commander appeared, walking down to their direction. He was flush with red, breathing heavily, and wore a grave expression on his face. He was also carrying the proposal folder that Gendo gave to him.

"Sir, what's wrong?" Misato asked.

"I can't believe his nerve," Fuyutsuki grumbled as he opened the door. "Come inside, Major."

Fuyutsuki's office was tidy, comfortable and ordered, with window curtains opened wide to offer a magnificent view of the Geofront. Framed certificates and photos were on the walls along with rows of books and publications on shelves, but his most special picture was on his desk.

He offered Misato and Shinji a chair each before his desk, then Fuyutsuki plopped onto his chair. He rummaged through the drawers in his desk and brought out a jar of antacid tablets.

"Heartburn," Fuyutsuki said grimly as he took two antacids and chewed them. "I couldn't believe what he said right there, it was out of the blue. He's pushing his luck too far."

"What's it all about?" Misato inquired. "I'm sure it's bad news, sir."

"You're right. The Commander wants to revive the Dummy Plug, starting today."

"WHAT?" Misato and Shinji screeched in unison, as they nearly jumped out of their seats in shock.

Fuyutsuki took a deep breath and recounted what transpired with his conversation with Gendo.

"I don't understand why he would do such a thing again," Misato said, tabling the folder back on the desk after the explanation. "That damned Dummy Plug nearly killed us all!"

"I tried to talk him out of it but he overruled me," Fuyutsuki replied. "Unless in a disaster, I don't think he's going to listen to reason and he thinks he can do everything what it takes after they've badgered him to go one step further. But all I think is that he wants to take advantage of Ayanami's new 'purity'. Already he convinced Nagisa and Ayanami and promptly assigned them to pilot the Evas at the preliminary testing stage."

Misato knew what the "they" meant: The Instrumentality Committee of Grumpy Old Men.

"After all the trouble we had with the Plug," Misato said, "I'm starting to wonder if everyone else here is beginning to doubt their sanity for being a part of this scheme. This isn't going to fly; this could again have a lot of people getting hurt or even killed."

Shinji now looked down to the floor and shook his head in frustration. Misato placed her hand onto his shoulder to reassure him. She knew that he took most of the brunt of witnessing the brutal results of the Dummy Plug's power.

"Sir, what are we going to do, then?" Misato asked.

Fuyutsuki ran his fingers through his gray hair. Sometimes he did this when he was worried or exasperated. "God help us," he muttered. "We'll have no option except to ride it out and wish for the best. Right now they're preparing the Evas and the pilots, and we'll have to go there and see if his stunt would work."

They all stood up and walked out of the office. As they paced towards the Test Facility, Misato nudged close to the young man.

"Shinji, if anything goes wrong, try to get out of the way," Misato sternly advised the Third Children. He nodded obediently.

"I just wish nothing should go wrong," Shinji commented nervously.

In the Children's locker room, Rei and Kaworu were in separate dressing cubicles, suiting up for the mission, knowing the difficulty ahead of them. Only Kaworu felt a growing doubt about the task given to them.

"Ayanami," Kaworu said, breaking the near-silence as he finished wearing his blue-purple suit. "Are you sure you can still handle this?"

"Yes," Rei answered as she pressed both wrist buttons to tighten up the fit of her white plug suit. "This is what the Commander wanted, and so this is my duty."

Kaworu shook his head, but noticed the hint of doubt in Rei's voice. "The Sub-Commander wasn't happy at all, because I think he's been there before, and didn't want to try again."

"The Commander could be correct in his proposal," Rei countered, yet Kaworu slowly took hold of her right hand and held it gently.

"Rei, listen to me," Kaworu spoke, using her first name to get more personal. "I know that being useful and dutiful are all-important for you, but honestly, for the first time I'm a bit more concerned about what we're about to do. I'm sure that even Shinji and Misato are just as worried right now for your safety, assuming that the Sub-Commander told them what happened back there."

"But…"

"Since we cannot refuse at the last minute, and the Commander insists on getting his results at any cost, if anything happens to you, I'll be there at your side," he promised.

"I understand," Rei replied.

"Trust me on this; I'm ready for you, so try to be at least strong."

Rei nodded before they heard the voice of the Eva crew chief, waiting at the door.

"Are you Children prepared now?" he asked loudly.

"Yes," Kaworu answered. "Both of us are ready."

At the Test Facility, the atmosphere in the control room was considerably tense, and almost everyone working inside experienced, one way or another, the uncomfortable prospect of an out-of-control, 80-meter tall Eva. Therefore, as a precaution against the possibility of some obliterated ferroconcrete chunks flying around once hell breaks loose, they were now either wearing construction-yard hard hats or combat helmets.

The stakes went even higher as they got word that the First Children would be inserted into Unit-01. They knew that she and the original Dummy Plug were rejected several times before, often with disastrous results.

As the control room techs and scientists were chatting nervously while working, Makoto, Shigeru and Maya among them, they were less than pleased to have a front-row seat of the action, but only Commander Ikari was fearless, very confident in his foresight. He was in total control at this moment, and to ensure that there will be no dissenters he assigned Section Two agents to guard the entrance to the control room.

He wanted Fuyutsuki away from him, for now.

Gendo could see the technicians swarming about around the scaffolds, rigs and gantries, disconnecting lines, tightening hoses and connectors, packing up and clearing the test floor, as crews at the plug insertion deck were preparing the Entry Plugs and the LCL injectors.

The two Evas now had their pauldrons and arms bolted to heavy restraints, while two huge cranes held aloft massive electrical plugs of the umbilical cords, ready to plug in the power. The emergency systems were also in place, including Bakelite dispensers, fire extinguishers and foam, medics and fire-fighting crews.

All of this activity was music to Gendo's ears; it was the poetry he could not read and the summit he longed to scale.

As the crew finished readying the Plugs, and actuator arms lowered the Children on the cockpits into the capsules, Kaworu looked back at Rei and into her cerise eyes. The girl nodded back, knowing that he would be there for her, before Kaworu gave her a thumbs-up.

Rei, you can handle this, Kaworu thought. Just be okay.

"Everything's all right, Children," the crew chief said, glancing up as the rest of the crew cleared the deck. "You're all set to go."

Kaworu nodded. "Thanks, sir," he replied as the massive cover of their Entry Plugs slid down and clamped shut over the Children's heads.

The control room was now ready for the initiation sequence. Everyone stationed at their own workstations, eyes on every gauge and meter. Banks of monitors showed camera shots of the test floor, the Evas and the Entry Plugs.

"Everything is clear down at the floor," Makoto reported, "and both Evas are fully restrained."

"Ibuki, start up all systems for Unit Two," Gendo commanded.

Maya began to type in commands to begin the sequence, before switches were thrown to insert Kaworu's Entry Plug into Unit-02. The armored carapace shut over the plug and LCL was pumped into her. Then power was allowed into the umbilical cord in increments, as the control room crew watched every figure and graph on their monitors, guarding every small amount being injected into Unit-02. When the nerve branches came next, everyone watched as Kaworu's link points matched up with the Eva before his A-10 connection confirmed a solid hookup.

"The mutual lines are connected, and his synchronization rate is at 65.2%," Maya reported, while trying not to let the nervousness come out of her voice.

On one of the monitors connected to Unit-02's video feed from the inside of the Entry Plug, Kaworu showed a thumbs-up at the camera before him, reassuring everyone that he was okay. He also once again felt the soul inside Unit-02, but because of her weak will was subdued into seclusion as though she was overwhelmed by his presence, enabling him to control the Eva from the Entry Plug. However, from time to time he briefly glanced at Unit-01 standing by his side, wondering what Rei was feeling at the moment.

"Good. Now prepare Unit One," Gendo said.

This time Maya had a bit of hesitation before she carefully entered the commands.

Gendo peered into one of the monitors showing Rei in the Entry Plug. "First Children, are you prepared?" he asked.

Onscreen, Rei nodded quietly as she gripped the butterfly control handles.

"Insert and fill the plug now, Aoba," Gendo ordered.

Shigeru took a deep breath and flipped the switches to allow several pistons to push Rei's Entry Plug into Unit-01, before they all heard the carapace lock the plug into place, and the LCL injector connected into the plug, filling it up with amniotic orange liquid. The sensors told them that the insertion was successful.

"Initial plug depth is now set at 0.105, and plug data has been reprogrammed for Ayanami. LCL internal pressure, temperature, electrolyte and oxygen mixtures are at nominal levels. Main power is ready to be activated," Shigeru reported. He could now see Rei breathing in the LCL.

"Excellent. Prepare to power up Unit One," Gendo commanded.

Makoto pushed a lever to plug the umbilical cord and another to let in several thousand electron volts through the cord up to Unit-01. As he did, he was silently praying that the First Children could survive this one.

The power indicators now lit up in green, confirming optimal levels.

"Input voltage is now green and optimized," Makoto reported.

"Start activation system, second phase," Gendo instructed.

"Synapses inserted. Junction with pilot in progress," Shigeru said.

"Pulses transmitted, all circuits are operational. Initial contacts confirmed." Maya answered.

Inside the horned Unit-01, Rei Ayanami patiently waited for the preparation sequence to finish when she began to notice something wrong with the LCL. Her nose instinctually quivered.

Is it… the smell of blood?

Then alarms began to shrill loudly all over the entire plug. Warning boxes flashed and painted the heads-up display, overwhelming her field of vision. A loud metallic echo reverated throughout, as if the plug was being crumpled in a junk-car compactor.

Her eyes instantly bulged in shock.

No!

Suddenly she couldn't breathe!

Rei was now beginning to choke and just as she was struggling in her seat and stars popping in her eyes while clutching her throat, a heavy surge of psychic energy rushed into her mind; images, voices and words crashing in like a tsunami, clamshelling her into the vortex, and her past, present and future seem to collide into a singular mass, culminating in several streams of thought patterns and threads of color, before resolving into an image in her mind:

Rei was now standing in a pool of LCL, observing two more in her image. Where she was she didn't know.

The first Rei, all encrusted with swollen veins, horribly throbbing with life of their own, spoke. "Who is it? Is it me? I am within Eva? No, I feel that someone else other than me is there. Who are you? An Angel, is it the being that we call an Angel?"

The second Rei stared at the first. She looked unblemished, yet somehow there was this sinister quality to her. The Angel.

"Don't you want to be unified with me?" she asked.

The first Rei shook her head.

"No," the First objected. "I am myself... I am not like you."

The second Rei shrugged her shoulders.

"Hmm, but you shall see. It is too late for you, but I will give you part of my mind. I shall give you this emotion. Pain, you see, First Children, your mind has pain and suffering."

The first Rei frowned. "Is that pain? No, this is something different. It is loneliness. Yes..."

"But why it is loneliness? I cannot understand," the second infested Rei countered, almost perplexed.

"Do you hate being alone? We are many of ourselves, though you despise being alone. That is called loneliness," the first Rei said.

The second Rei shook her head and closed her eyes. "That is your mind, full of sadness. That is your own mind and thoughts."

Another memory began to surface. There was a loud crack not unlike a bullet's trajectory or a lightning strike.

Rei was riding on the escalator along with Shinji, but at the same time they were arguing over his father's conduct towards him.

"You are the son of the Commander, are you not?" Rei questioned.

Shinji was frowning. "Yes," he replied.

"Then why you could not trust your father and his work?"

"Of course I can't trust him like that! He drives me nuts!" Shinji shot back, before Rei came close and slapped him in contempt.

Now a memory of Asuka swam into view. They were in the elevator.

"If you do not open your heart and mind to her, Eva will not move," Rei admonished Asuka.

But Asuka looked back at her with total contempt. "You mean I'm closing myself off and everything? Is that true?"

"Yes," Rei answered without much emotion. "Eva has her own mind and soul."

Asuka frowned deeply, completely skeptical of the idea. "That doll? You think it has a conscience?"

"You should be aware of that."

Suddenly Asuka grinned and leered at Rei, as if her annoyance level has gone through the roof.

"Ha! Today's so special, you know," Asuka answered loudly, rage and frustration soaked in her voice, "because it's your first time you're talking to me. Heck, we'll have snow falling and later some cherry blossoms on a day like this. Damn, talk about a miracle! Are you so fucking happy that I can't use Unit Two? Don't worry, you little Prozac-hungry twit. When an Angel comes knocking on the door, big Shinji will kill that fucking thing, and we don't have anything to do except to hang around. Goddamn it, they only need Shinji because he thinks he has it all! If he's there, everything's all fine. HA! Now I'm almost out of a career! Not only you've got Shinji, but a doll like you is trying to get along with me!"

"I am not a doll," Rei answered, not moving a single inch where she was standing.

Asuka yelled back. "Shut up, you frigid bitch! You do anything you're ordered to. You'll even waste yourself if Commander Ikari orders you to do so!"

Rei never even blinked. "Yes, I will."

The reply left Asuka laughing sarcastically, not knowing the truth in Rei's words.

Finally, she found herself staring at the enraged, burning eyes of Naoko Akagi.

"You are a hag, aren't you?" Rei questioned Naoko, who was becoming agitated.

Naoko yelled back at her. "You're pissing me off! That's it! I'll ask the Chief to stop you!"

But Rei could not silence herself, mouthing her mantra. "It's the Chief who calls you that. That hag is stubborn, that hag is now useless, that hag is stubborn, that hag is now useless…"

Naoko screamed. "STOP IT!"

There was no stopping, as Naoko was getting redder in the face.

"That hag is stubborn, that hag is now useless. It's the Chief who calls you that," Rei kept on the mantra.

It was too late. Naoko was already cracked up and off her rocker. "Damn you, you're also useless, fucking USELESS brat because there will be other copies of you even if you're dead! You're JUST LIKE ME!"

With complete odium, Naoko strangled the little girl to death, shattering her trachea.

Bedlam broke loose as the control room frantically tried to stop Unit-01 from tearing away from its restraints, but failed. Already, most of the room's occupants jumped off their seats and scrambled for cover. Klaxons were screaming, and blinkers were flashing red.

Still trying to stay on, Makoto Hyuga repeatedly punched the Bakelite button, but the dispensers weren't working. Apparently Unit-01 damaged one of the Bakelite supply pipes in the wall or the pumps as she went on a smashing frenzy. He also tried to activate the automatic plug ejection system, but to no avail it was hung up on something, another infuriating glitch.

"DAMN IT!" he cursed, before he saw a fistful of Test Type Eva coming his way. He ducked behind the console as the purple knuckles cracked the thick, meshed plates of glass, but chips of concrete pelted the top of his helmeted head. He then turned his attention to the Commander, who was just standing there like a captain behind the wheel in a sinking ship.

Makoto shook his head. "Commander!" he yelled. "We have to go!"

"Unit Two, immediately stop Unit One!" Gendo quickly ordered aloud as he flipped a switch on the console to disengage the restraints locking down Unit-02.

"Yes, I'm coming in, Commander!" Kaworu obeyed, and he and Unit-02 got out of the restraints and tore away a steel-mesh divider. They took hold of Unit-01's arms, but the purple beast broke free, grabbed and hurled the other Eva to the wall. Chunks of concrete flew off from the impact zone as she bounced on the concrete.

Trying to go after Commander Ikari, Eva Unit-01 sent more crashing fists into the control room, pulverizing the wall and some of the windows to smithereens, and then Unit-02 jumped up to grab the pauldrons again to ride on her. The Eva still bucking, Kaworu now attempted to locate the ejection handle and the cord release.

Where is it? Kaworu thought as he fumbled Unit-02's hand along Unit-01's spine, trying to feel for the hidden releases. Of late, these were incorporated as part of an emergency measure in an event should the automatic shutdown and ejection failed, and an accompanying Eva can help its fallen comrade and recover the troubled pilot.

Even as Unit-01 tried to shake them off, Kaworu found the releases and yanked them both outward. The umbilical cord snaked loose as it dropped to the floor, before Unit-01 started to slump forward, losing all power and control. Kaworu caught the Eva as she fell down, and he saw Rei's Entry Plug popped out of the spine. He then pulled the plug away and carefully laid it on the concrete floor. Only afterwards as that plug ejected a great deal of LCL did he allow himself to get off Unit-02.

Ayanami! Kaworu yelled in his thoughts as he shut down the red Eva and pulled a lever just below his seat to eject the plug so that he could use the escape hatch. All power were instantly extinguished and LCL began to drain away as the Entry Plug slipped itself out of the spine, before Kaworu opened the hatch and kicked it away with his feet.

The Fifth Children crawled, slid and jumped down Unit-02's back and limbs before he rushed towards the rescued Entry Plug. He came close but as he was about to grab the hatch, he immediately sensed an awful amount of heat on the metal surface of the plug. Kaworu instinctively pulled his hands away from it.

Quickly seeking for what he wanted, he found a fire hose along the wall of the test pit, grabbed and pulled the nozzle, and opened the valve. Kaworu blasted the heated plug with water, steam hissing from its surface until it was cool enough to touch the escape hatch. He pulled and twisted the release levers and the hatch opened up.

Now he went in and found Rei unconscious. With great effort he grabbed her by the armpits and started to pull her outside. Once clear of the Entry Plug he laid Rei on her back and began to shake the girl's shoulders.

"Rei? Can you hear me?" Kaworu asked.

No reaction whatsoever. She seemed lifeless. Wake up, Ayanami.

Now he cleared her airway with his fingers, tilt her head backward, and perform quick resuscitation. Kaworu pinched her nose and sealed his lips over hers, giving two breaths.

As he did, he felt the tingle of that psychic rush again and saw in his mind the images from Rei's memories, but at the moment he disregarded them as he was more gravely concerned with saving her life.

Nothing... No response again.

Kaworu now placed his interlocked hands upon her breastbone, and began to press down and release for fifteen times.

Again he gave her his breath and repeatedly compressed her chest until Rei began to spew LCL out of her mouth and nose. The First Children was now coughing and gagging, throwing up the amniotic liquid, and Kaworu found himself staring at her fluttering eyes as she calmed down, taking in new gulps of air. He wiped off the LCL from Rei's cheeks.

Kaworu asked once more as he propped her up to sit, "Rei, are you all right?"

Without much to say as she was again breathing heavily on her own, Rei nodded before she laid her head upon Kaworu's chest. "I told you I'll be right there by your side," he whispered. "Hang on there, help is on the way."

As they waited for the pandemonium to settle down, and his breathing still ragged from exhaustion, Kaworu glanced up to the control room and saw that Gendo Ikari was stoically watching them from there, before he turned his attention to Shinji Ikari, who was looking from the observation room with a shocked face.

For a moment he wondered what came to their minds in the midst of the carnage, what kept them from trying to run away.

Have they gone through a situation like this before? Kaworu speculated. I don't know.

Now he remembered something from his psychic contact with Shinji. He saw him in his mind's eye, trying to rescue Rei.

It now makes sense, he reflected, and he then noticed the heavy damage concentrated at the control room. Why Unit One should go after the Commander?

Perhaps there is something wrong between him and that Eva.

Maybe it seems that she wants to kill him, but why?

Only then the paramedics quickly arrived with a stretcher and they hefted Rei onto it. A neck brace was then placed below her chin and strapped in, while a medic played a beam over her eyes with a flashlight, checking her eyes.

"Can I go along to escort her?" Kaworu asked.

The medic nodded. "Yes, you may come," he agreed.

All along and though they were apart, father and son witnessed the entire debacle and Kaworu's rescue, and the scene triggered a flashback in their respective memories. There was the same victim, but different incidents and rescuers.

First there was Gendo and his hands were burned in trying to extricate her, and then later Shinji came to the rescue on Mount Futagoyama.

Now it was Kaworu who saved Rei again.

Déjà vu.

Author's Notes: The draft was done in a space of two days, and four cups of the strongest coffee available. For a very long time I imagined this chapter, holding these money shot images in my head, as I struggled on with my life while being off the keyboard. Now that it's been realized, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

This here chapter dedicated to Strike Fiss and Senie.

And thanks to Stephen King for his On Writing – I advocate this book as required reading for all aspiring writers.