Phase 14 - A Discussion of Truths
Needing to get away from the hectic environment that home has become since Mari moved in, Tetsuo is out on a walk around Tokyo-3, thinking about the conversation he had about Mari with Toby. He wonders how anyone could like someone like him, and simply figures that Toby was just messing with his head. Even ending up at this conclusion though, Tetsuo can't help but have nagging thoughts about Mari, and if she could really genuinely be interested in him. Tetsuo frowns and looks down to the ground, his thoughts suddenly falling to Haruko. He tells himself that he thinks of Haruko as a sister, but feels that deep down inside, there's something that just doesn't feel right about that thought. That feeling has always been with him as long as he can remember, and he's never been able to understand it. He hates these lingering thoughts he has about her, and wishes that they would just go away. Sighing, he wonders if maybe they'd finally stop coming up if he got into a normal relationship with a girl. As he ponders these things, a convertible pulls up to the curb beside him. Tetsuo looks over, spotting Kenji as the driver. He gives Tetsuo a wave, and asks them if he'd like to go for a drive, and have that conversation Tetsuo promised him. Looking around, Tetsuo decides that going for a drive beats walking around and thinking about his fractured love life. He climbs into the car, and Kenji starts driving. It's silent for a short while, but then Kenji eventually asks Tetsuo just why did he sabotage the Gilgamesh project. When Tetsuo stays quiet, Kenji continues, saying that he just hasn't been able to figure it out, since Tetsuo hates piloting EVAs so much. Gilgamesh would have fixed all his problems, being an unmanned machine, which would have let Tetsuo just be a normal kid. Tetsuo shakes his head, and asks Kenji if he'd put his life in the hands of a machine that couldn't possibly compute just what it's worth. Kenji gives him a glance, but doesn't respond. Tetsuo takes a breath, then starts to explain himself.
He details how the night before they were to set out for the unveiling of Gilgamesh, he received a call on his cell phone from Akira, asking to set up a meeting between them to discuss a matter of great importance. Tetsuo didn't want to go to the meeting initially, but was drawn to it by concern of just what it was that Akira would consider important. Late at night, Tetsuo snook out of the apartment, and climbed into a waiting black sedan. The car drove him out of the city, to a cemetery in the hills overlooking Tokyo-3. When it arrived, Tetsuo got out and wandered among the graves, looking for Akira. He eventually finds him standing over a grave, placing flowers on it. Tetsuo approached Akira, and demanded to know what he wanted. Silently, Akira handed Tetsuo a confidental file containing all the information on Gilgamesh. Flipping through it, he asks Akira how he got his hands on the file. Akira told him not to concern himself about that, then explained how the UN was leaning toward the Gilgamesh project as a replacement for the EVAs as it needed no pilots, which in theory eliminated human error in battles against Titans. Tetsuo shrugged, and tossed the file back to Akira. He asked Akira why he was supposed to care about it, as it sounded great to him. The EVAs would be obsolete, NERV would shut down, and he'd be able to return to a normal life with Haruko. Akira adjusted his glasses, and asked Tetsuo if he was really that selfish. Tetsuo glared, demanding to know what that was supposed to mean. Akira explained himself, telling Tetsuo how easily an unmanned machine can be made to malfunction, then added there would be no way that one of those machines would be able to penetrate a Titan's AT-Field. Akira asked Tetsuo if he was really willing to gamble with the lives of those he cared about just for his own personal happiness. Tetsuo clenched his fists, calling Akira a bastard, then asking him what he wanted him to do. It was then that Akira detailed to Tetsuo how to properly sabotage Gilgamesh, to make it go out of control. Tetsuo demanded that Akira guarantee Haruko and Toby's safety during the test, and Akira replied that he'd just make sure to send Alpha along with the group, so that Tetsuo can be the hero, just how he likes it. Angered, Tetsuo turned away, and limped back to the sedan.
As Tetsuo finishes his story, Kenji nods solemnly, saying that he can't blame Tetsuo for his actions, given the way it was presented to him by Akira. Tetsuo mutters, saying how Akira's actions never surprise him anymore. Kenji looks to the road, and asks Tetsuo if he feels Akira betrayed him. When Tetsuo asks him what he means, Kenji reveals that Ayako knows about Uranus now. Tetsuo stares at him for a few seconds, then looks away. He stays quiet for a few moments, then states that it's about time that she believed him. Kenji tries to defend Ayako, explaining that there's no way she could have known that Tetsuo was telling the truth about a giant Titan hiding deep inside NERV. Tetsuo punches the dashboard, exclaiming that he had never lied to her before in his life, and that she should have just believed him. Kenji sighs, and asks Tetsuo if this is why he doesn't trust Ayako anymore. Tetsuo gazes out the window as he talks, saying how Ayako just brushed him off like it was nothing, and mentioned what he saw to others, which in turn got him busted. He confirms that because of Ayako, he had to flee NERV and leave Haruko behind. Kenji tries to say that Ayako didn't do it on purpose, but Tetsuo states that it doesn't matter. She didn't believe him, and he paid for it. Kenji sighs, and changes the subject, asking him what he knows about the instrumentality project. Tetsuo is quiet for a moment, then states that it depends. When Kenji asks on what, Tetsuo replies that on whether or not he's meant to know about SEELE. Kenji is caught off guard by this, the car swerving a bit as he stares at Tetsuo. He shifts in his seat a bit uncomfortably, and asks Tetsuo just how deep into NERV he is. Tetsuo leans back in his seat, watching the road and replying that he's deeper then he ever wanted to be.
Meanwhile, back at NERV, Commander Yayashi and Akira have finally returned from their mission away from Japan. When they get in, Ayako greets them, and informs them of what happened while they were gone. Commander Yayashi asks for a full report on the black out, while Akira heads off on his own to his office. In a short while, the commander joins him there, the two starting up a game of chess. As they play, Commander Yayashi asks Akira if he's going to be reporting the blackout to the committee. Akira nods, stating that he'll pass along Ayako's report to them. When the commander admits that that wasn't what he meant, Akira replies that the report will have all the information that they need to know. The commander seems concerned, but lets it go. He then asks Akira what they're going to do about Kenji. Akira replies that they might as well keep him around as long as he proves useful to them. Commander Yayashi reminds Akira that Kenji shares personal history with Ayako, and that the longer he's around, the more complicated he may make Ayako's job. Akira doesn't seem concerned though, saying that Ayako knows what her job is, and how to deal with men like Kenji. The commander nods, moving a chess piece.
Back out in Tokyo-3, Kenji has stopped in a restaurant, and is treating Tetsuo to lunch. As the two eat, Kenji asks Tetsuo why he doesn't just expose NERV, and put an end to it all. Tetsuo shakes his head, saying that Kenji is overestimating what he knows. Tetsuo explains that he knows bits and pieces about things concerning NERV, but not enough to sound like anything more then a raving lunatic. Kenji states that Tetsuo must feel like he's stuck between a rock and a hard place. Tetsuo shrugs, saying that it hasn't been all bad. He's been able to spend time with Haruko, and made friends at school. Piloting EVA-Alpha has been hard on him, but Tetsuo admits that it's really the only place in the world he feels truly comfortable. Kenji ponders to himself, thinking how sad it is that the most comfortable place for Tetsuo to be is the one place that could get him killed. Tetsuo breaks the silence, suddenly asking Kenji how he knew Ayako liked him out of nowhere. Kenji nearly chokes on his food, laughing a bit and running the back of his head. He tries to say that he and Ayako haven't liked each other for a long time, but Tetsuo calls him a liar. He explains that he saw them kiss outside the apartment building the night they had the party. Kenji coughs, and confesses that it was a spur of the moment thing, and only happened because Ayako was drunk. Tetsuo comments that he didn't know Kenji was the kind of man to take advantage of an intoxicated woman. Kenji adamantly defends himself, but chuckles when Tetsuo cracks a smile. He tells Tetsuo that he's really become relaxed as of late. Tetsuo shrugs, saying that he must be finally getting used to his role. Kenji nods, then asks Tetsuo why he wanted to know about him and Ayako. Tetsuo coughs, and says that he was just curious. Kenji chuckles and drops it at that, the two finishing their meal.
Back at NERV, Commander Yayashi and Akira are still playing chess. The commander asks Akira how the Uranus project is coming along. Akira adjusts his glasses, and says that it's going fairly well, only 2 behind the estimated schedule. The commander nods, and inquires about the sickle. Akira moves a chess piece into checkmate position, stating that even that is being handled, with the assistance of Haruko. Meanwhile, deep in Terminal Dogma, EVA-Beta stands before the giant Titan nailed onto the cross, clutching a strange scythe like weapon in it's hands. Haruko looks the Titan over for a few moments, before rearing the scythe back, and slamming it forward, burying the tip of the blade into the Titan's neck, and pinning it there with the rest of the blade.
Back out in Tokyo-3, Kenji pulls his car up to Ayako's apartment building to drop Tetsuo off. As Tetsuo gets out, Kenji tells him that Mari likes him. Tetsuo gives him a surprised look, and tries to stammer a reply. Kenji tells him to stop focusing on things he can't control, and start focusing on the things he can. Kenji then drives away, leaving a bewildered Tetsuo behind.