Interlude
Silent Screamer
Akira Rokubungi rubbed his left wrist, feeling the markings of the gold watch he used to wear already fading.
Even years after passing it down to Shinji, it still felt strange being without it - the weight of the accessory served as a reminder of his task, an anchor binding him to work he had dedicated himself over the last decade. The fact that his nephew now had it in his possession, even without knowing its significance, made him feel both relieved and uncomfortable at the same time. Pettiness played a part in it, but it was quickly suppressed: he had the right to have it. That gift had always been meant to be passed down, whether he wanted or not - it came from his blood, and therefore it should return to him. Akira himself was just an asset, a means to an end.
As hard as it was to admit.
"Mr. Rokubungi", the deep voice called, echoing in the dark room. "Don't get distracted."
The man lifted his head, scanning the wall of holographic monoliths that surrounded him. His eyes hovered over the one located at the center, standing tall and menacing as did all the others. He adjusted himself on his seat, intertwining his fingers and placing them on the cold table.
"Forgive me", he answered in a respectful and controlled tone. "Please, continue."
SEELE 1 grumbled in acknowledgement, the only reaction perceptible to Akira: all the members of the Committee communicated by sound only, a possibility that was not extended to their subordinates. He imagined that, right now, his small holographic figure stood in front of each and every one of them as they scrutinized the brown haired man for any sign of weakness.
He was used to it: he had lived in such charade for far too long.
"We were discussing the battle against the Sixth Angel, and the awakening of Unit-01", explained SEELE 3, contempt dripping from his words. "Do you have any explanation for that?"
Akira raised a brow. "What do you mean, sir?"
"Don't play dumb, Rokubungi: you were involved with Project E since the very beginning. To say you have no knowledge about it would be ridiculous", SEELE 11 retorted. "It is the second time Unit-01 has lost control. If a true awakening happens before it is time, all our planning will go down the drain."
"We also question how involved you are with your brother's agenda", SEELE 5 continued, the distortion from the voice modulator unable to hide how nasal it sounded. "We will speak with Ikari soon enough, but first we would like to hear your own explanation of the events of the battle. If you don't mind, of course."
Akira looked down towards the table, tapping a finger on it. Of course he knew the reason for Unit-01's berserk state, as did all the present members of the Committee: the nature of the Contact Experiment was nothing new to them, a mere footnote among the complexities of Project E.
Or at least that's what they thought.
"As you know, entering the berserk state poses a certain risk for both the pilot and the Evangelion. It is a pilot's task to avoid the ego barrier and keep it under control", he began, folding his hands and leaning his chin on them. "The consciousness inside each Unit varies from one to another: it's to be expected that some are more temperamental."
"Nonsense: they are mindless", interrupted SEELE 8, his accent slipping. "There is no proof that the soul that inhabits them has any rational or irrational control over their actions. Unit-01 is simply unstable, and a threat to the scenario."
"I disagree, sir. You see-"
"I did not ask your opinion, Rokubungi!", SEELE 8 exclaimed, interrupting him. Akira gritted his teeth, but suppressed any other reaction. "Ikari flaunts that thing around like a child with a toy. We should take immediate acti-"
"Silence!", demanded SEELE 1, and all went quiet. "Continue."
Akira cleared his throat, silently thanking Chairman Keel. It seemed that the worst criminal that had ever existed had some manners, after all.
"As I was saying, such variables are to be expected. The Scrolls didn't predict such things, but it is negligible: as long as we follow their path, our end goal will be reached. The Evangelion Units will serve the purpose they were created for, and nothing else."
"Correct. Unit-01 may be unpredictable, but its usefulness as a spare vessel cannot be neglected. While Mark-6's construction and the Carolus Series proceeds, it shall stay as an alternative", said Keel. "I ask that the gentlemen calm their nerves: all is going according to the Scrolls, there is no need to panic."
"But what about Ikari?", questioned SEELE 5. "Can we really trust his loyalty to the Instrumentality Project?"
"We won't need to", said Keel. Akira exhaled, adjusting himself on his seat and waiting for his task to be given. "Rokubungi will serve as our guarantee."
"How so?", asked SEELE 4.
"Ikari has personally requested the assistance of his brother on Project E", Keel explained, eliciting surprise through the Committee. "What his schemings or intentions are, I do not know, but this presents a good opportunity.
"Agent Rokubungi, your transfer to Tokyo-3 has already been processed. You are to assist NERV and Ikari on whatever necessities they require, and send regular reports", Keel ordered, leaving no room for argument. Not that Akira would have any. "If Ikari falls off the line for even a moment, the consequences will be severe."
"Is this wise? How can we be sure that his loyalty truly resides in us?", asked SEELE 7, as if Akira himself wasn't listening. The man hid a smirk behind his hands. "He is Ikari's brother, after all."
"Agent Rokubungi proved himself to be a reliable asset over the years. We have no reason to not utilize him in such a good opportunity", Keel explained.
"I protest! It all seems too convenient for my tastes!", SEELE 8 raised his angry voice. "Rokubungi and Ikari collaborated before, who's to say he won't aid Ikari in whatever schemes he has concocted?"
Akira waited for a second. Two seconds. Three…
"Because I said so", SEELE 6, silent up until that moment, spoke up. Akira's smirk grew imperceptibly. "As the Chairman stated, Agent Rokubungi's collaboration has aided in many advancements to the scenario over the years. He has proved nothing less than his loyalty to the Human Instrumentality Project."
The Committee grumbled for a moment, before SEELE 6 spoke again.
"Besides, I am aware of Rokubungi and Ikari's current relationship. There will be no alliance there, only the fulfillment of our demands."
There was a momentary discussion among the members of the Committee, arguing over SEELE 6's trust in him and his contributions to the Instrumentality Project. Being under his jurisdiction, they had no arguments or words to counter it, contenting themselves to grumble in agreement.
"Very well. Rokubungi will serve as our dignitary at NERV, as the Chairman decided", SEELE 7 spoke for his colleagues, who remained silent. "We will oblige his decision."
"Thank you", Akira nodded. "I am honored by your trust."
"Don't let your tongue be your downfall, Rokubungi", hissed SEELE 8, still bothered by the development of the meeting. "There is another matter we have not yet discussed: what about the boy, Unit-01's pilot?"
"Our Comrade poses a good question, Agent", SEELE 5 perked up, the insufferably nasal voice sounding more irritating by the second. "You were his guardian by Ikari's request, a fact that has not escaped our knowledge. Are you and Ikari truly estranged? Or does he have some modicum of trust in you?"
Akira controlled his reactions, simply exhaling through his nose to calm himself. He never liked when his nephew was mentioned in the meetings: the boy didn't deserve to be discussed in such a way. But as hard as he tried to avoid it, there was no way to escape it - she had made sure of that with her decision, long ago.
"My brother sent him to me as a way to rid himself of distractions, not as a show of trust", he answered, not entirely insincere. "I have raised him for the past ten years with the best of my abilities, and I assure you he will not be an obstacle to Instrumentality - far from it: he will be an asset to it."
"What do you mean by that?", questioned SEELE 12, scrutinizing his every word. "Have you made him aware of the Scenario, by any chance?"
"Not at all: he knows nothing. But as opposed to the weak individual we expected, the Third Child has presented a deep connection to others, wishing them nothing but happiness. Guided in the proper manners, he will undoubtedly embrace the possibility of Instrumentality: the prospect of all souls joined as one in purity will be tempting to him", he explained, before shrugging. "If not, he won't be a problem: I can exploit his connection to me for our benefit. Instrumentality will be reached, one way or the other."
The Committee hummed in agreement, before Keel demanded silence once again.
"Very well, it is acceptable", he declared, and the rest echoed his sentiment. "This meeting is adjourned. Your presence in Tokyo-3 is expected by the end of the month, Rokubungi. Don't disappoint us."
One by one the black monoliths faded from existence. Akira glanced to his left, seeing the form of SEELE 6 hanging in the air for a moment before disappearing as well. He understood the message, staying on his seat and waiting patiently.
Alone in the dark room, he allowed himself to breathe, rubbing his temples in discomfort. The time of lies and deceit was approaching its end, but the hardest part had yet to come: he pondered if he would make it to the end, if he would see his… her work bare fruits. He felt uncomfortable referring to Shinji like that, and wondered what she would think of it - what she would think of any of the things he had done in the past ten years in his work to further their scenario. Judging by her own actions on her last days, he liked to think that she would approve somewhat.
But that possibility scared him more than her disapproval ever would.
A buzz interrupted his thoughts, a lone monolith appearing in front of him.
"Rokubungi", it coldly greeted, and Akira nodded in response.
"Sir", he replied, coughing in his hand. "I assume we have no unwanted listeners."
"Of course not. Don't take me for a fool", retorted SEELE 6 with impatience. "We will make this short: I have many matters to attend to."
"I understand", said Akira, folding his hands. "Straight to business, then: have you received our report?"
"Yes, the data collected by you and agent Nakano has proved useful", SEELE 6 replied, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "To think the Sub-Commander had gathered this much information on the Committee is surprising, to say the least: if his goals were not similar to ours, this could've posed a problem."
Akira smiled faintly. "Sensei was always very capable."
"Irrelevant: it will serve our purposes now", the monolith dismissed Akira's words. "The identity of the members of SEELE is something that will aid our cause when the time is right, but the rest of Fuyutsuki's data is mostly useless: vain conjectures about Second Impact, not much else."
"Sensei was made aware of the truth after his time in Toyohashi, but not the entire truth. I recruited him myself at the time, a time where he was obsessed with chasing it", said Akira. "I judged that this information would be useful to you, while some snippets would be forwarded to the Minister of the Interior: a way to keep him interested without interfering with our operation."
"Towada will be guided to the direction I want, have no doubt", the chairman hummed. "The support of Japan's central figures will be useful when the time comes."
"Is the JHCI's absorption part of that, sir?", questioned Akira, remembering the news he had read not a week before. "Weren't they developing their own anti-angel weaponry?"
"A foolish endeavor at best, and a useless toy at worst. Tokita's delusions have been stomped, and his assets taken care of", he explained nonchalantly, making a chill run through Akira's spine. "He, and his funds, have been transferred to a more useful goal."
Akira nodded, his mind wandering to the southern poles and the massive feat of technology that was being developed there.
"How is that project going? I had guessed that the Carolus Series would take first place on the Committee's priority", he asked, curious. "Haven't they grown suspicious?"
"Too focused on Mark-6 and their soulless monsters. I have it under control", said SEELE 6, dismissing his worries. "Directing funds to the south pole was an easy task: they believe it will serve as an alternative vessel, nothing more."
Akira frowned. "But if they take control of it, they could very well use it for their purposes: it could-"
"Do not doubt my decision, Rokubungi", the chairman hissed, making Akira go silent. "It is meaningless in the end: the Committee has already partaken in the communion of the Key. No matter what they do, they are doomed to fail.
"Your task is to make sure Ikari participates in the communion as well. That is the reason you will work with him, and that is all. Do you understand?"
Akira pressed his mouth into a thin line, silent for a moment.
"Of course, sir. Forgive me."
"It was my daughter's work that made all this possible: your role in this has been clear from the beginning", the chairman continued. "WILLE's creation and work has been solely directed to victory - my victory. You will all reap the benefits of it, whether you want it or not: it was the purpose of her work.
"I have played to win since the very beginning, Rokubungi. And in the end, even if the Committee succeeds, I WILL win - no matter the outcome. Do you understand that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Make sure that you do. Be ready for your transfer, Rokubungi", Daisuke Ikari demanded. "Yui's will must be made reality: that is the purpose of WILLE. If you fail, a fate worse than death awaits you."
With a buzz, the call ended and the darkness receded, leaving Akira alone.
He leaned on his chair, sighing and tapping a finger on the table. The web of lies he had concocted felt heavier by the day: he wondered if he would let it slip by accident at some point.
"Whether you win or not won't be up to you, chairman", he whispered, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Only to a mother and her child."
He lifted himself from the chair and left. The door closed with a creak, the echo spreading through the empty room.
A/N: *gets crushed by plot dump*
Interlude, yay!
What? You don't understand half the things they are talking about?
Well, sucks for you! See ya in part two!