Chapter 80: Attempting to Reconnect
At NERV, Gendo was sitting in the committee chambers room waiting for the members of SEELE to log on. The head chairman appeared first suddenly along with the rest of the committee members.
[Let us begin with the immediate matters of the incident in Nevada] the head member stated.
The committee discussed about an accident that happened at the U.S. NERV branch base in Nevada. An experiment of installing an S2 core into an Eva was being conducted there. The hope was with a new core, a continuous supply of energy would fuel the humanoid war machine. If successful, theoretically there would be no need for an external energy source and cable. However, finding out the results from the experiment took a different turn. Looking at the before and after photos of the accident, everything in a 50km radius with the NERV base at the epicenter was scorched from a high energy release explosion. Recovery crews found no trace left of the NERV facility or black boxes.
[To prevent panic from being widespread in the US, Eva-03 at the NERV base in Connecticut will be transferred to the base in Neo-Tokyo-3] the head chairman stated.
"…" Gendo said in his usual sitting position with hands in front of his mouth.
[Do you not agree to this Commander Ikari?]
"Not at all. We will take the burden off the American's shoulders," he said smirking a little.
[Don't get too cocky Commander] a SEELE committee member stated with some agitation. [The U.S. still owns that Unit.]
[Until further notice, Eva-03 will stay at your base Commander.]
"Understood."
[That is all] the head chairman stated. After the last committee member logged off and the room's lights came back on, footsteps were heard. Reaching closer to the Commander, an older man stopped a little to Gendo's right side.
"SEELE is getting desperate to prevent widespread panic," Fuyutsuki stated.
"They don't have resources to use at the current time except other NERV branches."
"Is sending Eva-03 here wise?"
"Fear drives them in preventing another incident. Having the Unit sent here is meant to calm down the public in America; however, it doesn't change their plans or mine," Gendo replied standing up.
"Even with Yui back, are you still going to follow the Dead Sea Scrolls and their plans?"
"Only to appease those old fools," he answered. Walking toward the exit, he stopped to turn around.
"Professor, you should go visit Yui sometime."
"…" the Sub-Commander said with a surprised face seeing the other man look back with a small smile on his face. Blinking, he smiled back.
"I will make some time to go visit."
Nodding, Gendo continued toward the exit. Once he left the room, Fuyutsuki let out a sigh and walked to an adjacent room nearby. There were a couple of monitors that were showing camera footage of different security areas in the base. One was a shot of the Eva cages. Focusing on Eva-01, a couple of technicians were seen working a distance away from it. The report that Dr. Akagi gave regarding complaints from technicians working on the unit made him curious. Some of the staff stated that they are having a hard time doing their work around it without feeling a rising amount of apprehension.
'…' he thought staring at the purple Eva. 'What is going on with it? Did the Angel infect it with something?'
The more he stared; it became harder for him to not feel like he was being stared back at. Shaking his head, he moved his hand to change the camera view when something caught his eyes. Staring back at the image, there seemed to be something in the Eva's eye slots.
"…" Kozo said zooming at the unit's head. Looking closer, he noticed that there was a pixel or two of color in both slots.
'Strange…Unit-01 hasn't been powered on since the Angel attack,' the older man stated seeing both eye slots dark. 'Is it a computer glitch?'
About to back away from the view, he saw the pixels of color slowly moved to the left then to the right. Watching them made the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Looking at the computer, there were no warning signs of activation or alarms going off. Looking back at the camera view, the pixels of color moved back to being in the center.
"…" Fuyutsuki said closing his eyes and giving a sigh. "I must be tired for some reason. The unit is off and can't do anything without power."
Opening his eyes and looking back at the monitor, the pixels of color changed. Dark magenta eyes were staring at him. It made the grinning mouth guard on the Eva look menacing. The sound of a piercing and distant shrill came to his mind from looking at the camera feed.
"…!?" he said switching the monitor to a different view. Seeing it change to an exterior shot in the Geo-Front, he slowly pulled his hand away from the monitor controls. Finding a chair near him, he slowly sat down and contemplated what he just saw. As much as he wanted to say he was daydreaming or sleeping while standing, he couldn't get the fear that generated out of him.
In the Eva cage with Unit-01, a tech supervisor was making rounds and saw one of his crew members acting paranoid.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know…I have this itching feeling that I'm being stalked at," the worker said in a low voice.
"Well there are cameras watching what you are doing."
"I know that…but…going to sound crazy saying it…but, like something evil is here."
"Oh, you are probably getting the bad vibes from Eva-01."
"…bad vibes?" the tech asked surprised.
"Yeah. Most of the techs that work on the units say the same thing when working on Unit-01," the supervisor said nonchalantly.
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"You get use to it…sometimes."
"H-How can I get use to it?" the tech asked feeling a chill go down his spine.
"Well, you got two options: One, you can take a 15 minute break to do the electronic check-ups on the unit then come back. Or, you tell it a piece of your mind then continue."
"…how does the second option help?"
"It works for some staff," he said moving his clipboard to his other hand. "Say like right now, you getting the hibbie-jibbies?"
"Y-Yeah," the worker said with a head nod.
"Well, you just turn to it and," the supervisor said then faced the Unit. "Hey you piece of shit! Knock it off or I'll put you in a 12 hour calibration cycle! You got that!?"
"…!?" the tech reacted by recoiling back a little from hearing his boss shout at the purple war machine.
"See? Simple," he said turning back to the tech. Both felt goosebumps fester on their arms in which the supervisor looked back at the unit.
"Fucking warned you! That's it! You are going into a 18 hour calibration cycle! And that's with a cranial probe and scrubber!" he yelled at the unit before stomping away.
'…I'll take 15 and do check-ups,' the technician said picking up his things and walking quickly out of the Eva cages.
In the North American continent, a large W-2 bomber was traveling the skies while carrying a very large package underneath it. Held by crane arms and locking mechanisms on the bottom side of the plane was Eva-03. Along the flight path to Neo-Tokyo 3, it passed through many clouds without a hinder of turbulence. There was one massive cloud that had a signature of higher than normal electron activity; however, no lightening was sighted or forecasted to occur. The plane went through the cloud and came out of it without any problems. The dark blue unit came out without damage as well despite some residue that remained around its head. As quickly as it was on the robot's head, the residue evaporated away.
Back in Neo-Tokyo, Shinji and Rana were doing mild cleaning around their apartment after coming home from school. It had been more than a week since they first stepped into their home. Finished with the areas they were cleaning, a cell phone started to ring. Placing his rag and cleaning spray on the table, the male pilot pulled out his mobile and answered it.
"Hello. Shinji Ikari speaking," he said stoically. In his peripheral, Rana came out of the kitchen and walked next to him.
[Afternoon Shinji] a female voice stated.
"Afternoon Dr. Ikari. How are you feeling?" he asked while seeing the female twin looking a little relieved.
[I am doing better. I will be discharged soon. How are you?]
"I am well."
[That is good to hear…how was school?]
"School was fine."
[Getting good grades?] Yui asked moving a little in her hospital bed. Talking to the male pilot over the phone felt more calming than in person. Her first phone call attempt a few days ago was successful, but short. She planned to make this call a bit longer.
"Yes," he stated feeling a hand on his shoulder. Glancing to his right, the Third Child watched Rana move her ear closer to the phone.
[Getting along with the other pilots?]
"I believe so."
[Any girlfriend I should know about?] she asked with a small smirk on her face. Wondering if that would trip his composure, she initially didn't think so. However, the scientist heard a breath intake that sounded not too far away.
"I do not have one Dr. Ikari."
[Really? I thought I heard a faint gasp.]
"That would be Rana listening in on the conversation."
[Oh?] Yui stated hearing a female voice on the other end.
She stammered and denied to him that she was snooping. The sound of the conversation amongst the twins was enough to make her smile a little. Though the aspect of there being a twin was something she was slowly accepting; however, the actual physical sight of a the real twin was still hard to accept.
[How…is she?]
"Fine. Would you like to talk to her?" he stated causing Rana to look at him with surprise.
[Actually…I was wondering if both of you could visit me this evening before I get discharged.]
"Very well Dr. Ikari. We will be there in a while."
[Thank you]
"Is there anything else I can do for you?"
[…could…could you…] she asked as nervousness built up and guilt gripped her.
"…"
[Nevermind] Yui shook her head and took a deep breath in and out. [I will ask the both of you when you visit.]
"Very well. Until we meet, good day Dr. Ikari."
[Bye Shinji] she said then hit the end button on the phone. Pulling it away from her ear, Yui stared at the phone. A smile developed on her face feeling that she was ready. Putting it back on the nightstand, she lay back down and closed her eyes.
'This time…I won't be frightened,' she thought as her mind drifted to a mild slumber. After some time passed, a knocking occurred at the door. Steering awake, the scientist saw the door open in her blurry vision. Rubbing her eyes and seeing clearer, a nurse entered the room.
"Good evening Dr. Ikari. How are you feeling?"
"I am well. How are you?"
"I am doing fine," the nurse stated with a smile and bowed a little. "You have a visitor."
As if on cue, Gendo entered the room. The nurse gave a short bow and left the room. Once the staffer was gone, the Commander gave a small smile to the patient lying on the bed.
"Hello Yui."
"Hello Gendo," she said sitting up a little. "How are you?"
"I am doing well seeing you doing better."
"…" Yui said with a small smile.
Despite him being the main person that helped her recover psychologically since coming out of Eva-01, a part of her emotional side held negative feelings toward him. One afternoon when she had calmed down enough to feel normal, she asked him about the Third Child's upbringing. Hearing the Commander state about the boy's living and growing up with an uncle set her astray internally.
Reading the documentation records of the male pilot's upbringing made her slightly convinced of the Commander's story. The surreal nightmarish images, visions, and dreams in the boy's mind fit with him having schizophrenia. However, a small part of her mother instinct told her to have doubt. Some part of the images in which he called out to her and Gendo still felt gut wrenchingly real.
"By the way Gendo," she started to say seeing him take a seat near her bedside. Looking at her, her expression morphed into one of being intrigued.
"What happened to the NERV branch in America?"
"They were trying to install an S2 core into an Eva."
"How successful were they?" she asked curious if the Americans were able to.
"…" he said crossing his arms over his chest. "They failed."
"What ended up happening?"
"That branch and a 50km radius from it vaporized."
"…oh my…" Yui said with surprise and shock. "How terrible."
"If they were successful, it would have given Evas a continuous power source," he said with a neutral face.
"Was anything able to be recovered from the accident? At least to give a lead to what caused the explosion?"
"The meeting with SEELE didn't reveal anything new that is already known and seen through satellite. That along with both SEELE and the Americans not sharing information on their end. As a result from public fear in the U.S., Eva-03 is being sent here."
"Really?!" Yui stated surprised and excited. "The American built Eva is coming here!?"
"Yes," the commander answered with a smirk seeing her expression. "Apparently, we are the safest base out of the others."
"I can see that. Our facility is still operating from the Angel attacks so far while maintaining three EVAs. It could be considered the safety place for the time being.
"Indeed," Gendo agreed with a small nod.
"I am curious to see if the American Unit is different from the Evas created here," she mentioned while leaning back. Resting with the pillows behind her, she crossed her arms in her lap.
"By the way…"
"What is it?" he said turning his head toward her.
"How has Shinji been?"
"From what Major Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi have reported, he seems to be doing fine."
"…" Yui said with a small smile. "When was the last time you talked to him?"
"Not recently," Gendo answered with no guilt in his face.
"How about before he succumbed to his mental disorder?"
"Only in times I ordered him to do something."
"…" the scientist said losing the small smile. "Has he referred to you as his father?"
"No."
"No?" Yui asked a bit surprised.
"He has only addressed me as Commander which is fine," Gendo commented still having no guilt on his face.
"It's fine?! How is it fine?"
"…" he said not saying anything.
"Have you addressed him as your child?"
"Not recently, no."
"Define recently," she asked with narrowed eyes.
"Since he arrived here."
"Why not? You've been monitoring him over the years so it shows you do care for our son. Why stop now?"
"…" the Commander replied by sighing through his nose. Seeing the disappointed look in Yui's face, he tried to come up with a recovery. Seeing her about to open her mouth, knocks were heard at the door.
"Enter," Gendo said as both watched the room door open. The same nurse came in and bowed.
"Sorry to intrude. You have two more visitors Dr. Ikari."
"Oh, thank you. Send them in," Yui said changing her expression back to being pleasant looking.
Bowing again, the nurse turned to the outside and talked to the visitors. Instructing the two in, both saw the female twin and Third Child walk in. Bowing again, the nurse left the room and closed the door. Both were dressed in their school uniforms. It gave greater evidence that both were opposite sexes despite looking identical in the face. The male pilot had dark tinted glasses on and kept them on. Both teens wore unreadable expressions standing next to each other.
"Greetings doctor and Commander," Shinji said with a bow.
"Evening," Rana said bowing a little.
"…" both Gendo and Yui said. Both were still not able to accept that there was a female twin. Let alone that it was in Eva-01 since birth. The scientist cleared her throat a little.
"Thank you for both of you to come visit me," she said and saw both nod their head in unison.
"I…I wanted to ask a couple of questions if that is alright."
"To whom do you wish to ask?" Shinji asked stoically.
"You Shinji."
"Very well doctor."
"Alright…what," Yui said glancing at the female twin who looked back at her then blinked. Feeling a small build of a anxiety, she pushed through it.
"What is Rana exactly?" she asked noticing that the female twin became a little stiff with a slight frown.
"…" he said tilting his head causing an audible pop to be heard from his neck. It made both Gendo and Yui feel a little alarmed.
"Rana is my twin sister."
"…but how?" the scientist asked. "I did not give birth to twins. I only gave birth to you Shinji."
"I see," the Third Child said tilting his head back straight.
"…" both adults were waiting for a further explanation, but only got a stoic stare from the male pilot. Rana looked ambivalent.
"Was there another question you wish to ask Dr. Ikari?"
"…?" she said blinking and feeling tense.
"Give an explanation Third Child," the Commander stated in a cold tone. Both teens saw the scientist look agitated for a second before going back to a tense expression.
"In what sense do you wish me to explain Commander?" Shinji asked stoically.
"What do you mean?"
"I was diagnosed as a schizophrenic for a good portion of my existence Commander…the documentation of my yearly progress states that I was…mentally deteriorating," he stated causing Rana and Yui to blink and look at him.
'…how…' Gendo thought feeling his usual expression falter a little. 'How does he know about the documents?'
"Is that not correct Commander?"
"…" he said crossing his arms over his chest. Calming down and putting on his normal cold expression, he stared back at the Third Child.
"From what I remember reading, yes."
"It was not too long ago that I was quarantined from losing to the mental disorder."
"What are you getting at pilot?"
"If I gave an explanation Commander, what truth would it hold?"
"…?" Yui blinked in confusion. "I don't understand."
"…" the Commander commented feeling a migraine starting to develop on his temple. Rana downcast her head toward the two adults and gripped her skirt. Only the Third Child was able to hear her grind her teeth a little.
"Since I have been labeled and diagnosed as insane Dr. Ikari, why would anything I explain about the past be rational…truthful…coherent…meaningful…more importantly...real?"
"…!?" the scientist said slowly comprehending what the boy was saying. At the same time, it was harder to accept. It made anything that the boy said questionable.
"Does that help you Dr. Ikari?" Shinji stated taking off his glasses to clean them. He kept his eyes closed.
"…" she said looking up at him as he put the blackout glasses back on. Despite not feeling afraid of him, his aura was unpleasant. It didn't help her headache from the living paradox and the unexplainable that was standing before them.
"It helps a little," Yui spoke quietly looking back at him. The stoic expression of his with the depressed vibe of the female twin made the atmosphere awkward and uncomfortable. Debating if she wanted to continue the discussion, she shook her head.
'If I continue with the topic, I won't be able to ask them,' she thought before continuing.
"Okay," the scientists said quietly then turned to the Commander. "Gendo, what were the results of Dr. Akagi's testing?"
"Are you referring to them being related?" he asked seeing her nod.
"Dr. Akagi's sampling of both resulted in both having identical DNA matches...minus the difference in gender," Gendo said seeing Yui slowly nod her head though had a surprised expression. He still had a hard time accepting the results as well. The Commander still believed that the female twin was a test subject from SEELE or another government organization.
"…" Rana said smiling a little; however, she took a step closer to the Third Child. Keeping a downcast face, she whispered to him while grabbing a piece of his shirt.
"…" Shinji said not moving but glancing with his eyes at his twin. Blinking, he nodded his head a little then looked back at the adults.
"Was there anything else that you wish to ask Dr. Ikari?"
"…" the scientist said feeling that she was losing both of them. Seeing the female twin move closer to him and grab onto him gave her the sense that she wanted to leave. The aspect that the twin was that close to him while she could hardly muster the courage to ask for the same made Dr. Ikari feel bitter and guilty.
"Shinji…could you explain what happened when the Angel absorbed Eva-01?"
"Other than what was in the security camera feed, no I cannot."
"…?!" Yui said in surprised.
"Why not pilot?" Gendo asked with a cold stare.
"…" Shinji said moving his head to look at the ground for a couple of seconds to think. Moving back up, he answered.
"Would saying that a miracle happen be sufficient?" the male pilot stated with a stoic expression and tone. Before Yui could react or respond, the Commander stood up.
"Do you expect me to believe this?"
"What you believe in Commander is up to you. I cannot tell you to believe me. I cannot explain a miracle or how something happens with no foundation of occurring logically," the Third Child stated looking at the Commander then looked at the scientist.
"But…but…you saw what happened!?" Yui asked leaning forward with anxiety.
"Saw what Dr. Ikari?"
"The room, the hallway, the doors, the voices, the evil persona of yourself…that was in your mind when I connected with you," she said leaning forward more.
"…stop it…" Rana whispered gripping his shirt a little harder. Her other hand was clenched into a tight fist.
"It was your subconscious Shinji…I swear that is what I saw. You saw that too…right!?"
"…" the Third Child stated only tilting his head a little. His expression didn't change.
"…" Gendo said feeling that the conversation was not gaining any ground. He already knew that the topic that Yui was trying to get information from, would not hold up to prove things. The aspect of what happened to the Third Child, the existence of the twin, or her coming out of Unit-01 were all mysteries. Turning to her and putting a hand on her shoulder, he got her attention.
"Yui…I suggest…ending the conversation," he said lifting his hand. "Or move to another topic."
"What? Why?" she asked blinking in surprise.
"Just stop it," Rana said in soft, but tense tone. As much as she wanted to lash out at them, she willed herself to not. Both adults turned to her and saw upset and angry.
"How can he explain anything when his mind acted on its own accord…He had no control over what it showed him and influenced his senses…is THAT the explanation you are looking for Dr. Ikari?"
"Watch your tone child," the Commander stated seeing her grit her teeth at him. Shinji moved his hand and placed it on top of Rana's fist. It made her calm down a little as she wiped her eyes with the other hand.
"Is there anything else you wish to ask Dr. Ikari or Commander?"
"…" Yui said leaning back in her bed unable to look at the twins.
She was perplexed and unsure of what to think now. The scientist felt so sure that the times that she connected and engage with him, he was himself. However the more she thought about the times connecting with him, there was more times not connecting with him than conversing with him. Other times, there were different versions of himself that she assumed that the one with dark magenta eyes was the real one. Based on what his eyes were now, she wasn't sure which one was the real one.
"Are you really," she asked softly looking up at the male pilot. "You are Shinji…right?"
"…!?" Rana said feeling herself flare up with aggravation.
Instead of bursting, she turned and headed toward the door. Opening it harshly, she slammed it shut upon leaving. The action rattled Yui while Gendo only blinked. Instead of following Rana, the Third Child slowly walked to her bedside opposite of the Commander. Gendo kept an alert eye on him as he made his way.
The closer he walked toward them, an eerie aura was radiating from him. Reaching and stopping at the bedside, he slowly turned to face Yui. His vibe was rattling both giving goosebumps on their skin. Fear was gripping the scientist as she willed herself to not pull away or give in to the emotion. The Third Child took off his blackout glasses and had his eyes closed. Slowly, he bent forward and moved his face closer to the scientist's face. Stopping, he slowly opened his eyes to reveal the black-red color of them.
"…!?" Yui said visibly flinch and shake a little. Gendo flinched a little and slowly moved his hand to his inner coat pocket. The Third Child's expression was stoic with the reaper color eyes creating an unnerving, unfriendly, and apprehensive atmosphere.
"Would you believe me if I said yes or no Dr. Ikari?" Shinji asked without blinking.
"…" Yui said trying to speak; however, the fear and migraine that was festering prevented her from making a sound. Seeing her in distress, Gendo took action.
"Move away pilot. That's an order," he said with a cold harsh tone and expression. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up when only the boy's eyes slowly moved to look at him. With the downward angle of his head, the Third Child gave a stoic glare that felt evil and malicious. Making a more direct approach, he pulled out his pistol and pointed it at the boy's head.
"I said move away!" he ordered.
"…" the Third Child said not blinking or trembling from seeing the barrel of a pistol in his face. Slowly moving up to stand straight, he gave a small nod.
"Very well Commander," he said with a stoic tone and expression. While turning around, rapid footsteps were heard outside followed by the door opening quickly.
"Shinji!? What's going-!?" Rana asked then squeaked. The sight of the older man pointing a handgun at the male pilot shocked her. Yui's eyes were wide open in both shock and fear of what was occurring in front of her. Watching the boy walk back to where he was standing before, he turned around to look back at the two adults.
"Is there anything else you wish to ask?" he said with a passive expression. Rana looked at the Commander seeing that he turned to the pilot and pointed the pistol in the male pilots direction still. Unable to tolerate them anymore, she felt her bottle become uncorked.
"I HATE BOTH OF YOU!" she shouted at them feeling tears fall down her face. Only Yui blinked from surprise as Gendo kept staring at the Third Child. Rana walked behind Shinji and embraced him.
"If you won't acknowledge us, then I will never accept either of you!" she said harshly putting her head on his back with anger and angst.
'…no…no no no no no,' Yui thought not able to formulate words or sounds from what was progressing.
"…" both the male pilot and the Commander said as they kept their stoic expressions. Before the scientist could try to recover, she saw the boy bow his head slightly.
"My apologies for upsetting you both Dr. Ikari and Commander. I shall take my leave with Rana."
"Very well pilot," Gendo said putting his pistol back in his inner jacket holster.
"Excuse us," Shinji said standing back up and slowly walked toward the room door. Rana walked in step behind him while holding onto him. Her face was facing the other way to not look at the two NERV officials.
"…" Yui commented. Wearing a defeated expression on her face, she watched the two exited the hospital room. Looking downcast at the bed, self-hatred and anger infected her thoughts over the anxiety and depressing ones. Hearing the Commander turn to face her, she clenched her teeth together but kept her mouth closed.
"…Yui…" the Commander called, but didn't move toward her or extend his hand. "Despite the reports that Dr. Akagi has analyzed, I am not convinced that is the same Third Child. If you wish to continue your pursuit for becoming a family again, I will support you. Until I am convinced otherwise, I do not see the current pilot as a being of my own or yours."
"…!?" she said feeling shocked at how his words held no sense of emotion or feeling. It was only cold and analytical. Though she knew that was how he was, his reasoning and statement made her feel spiteful.
"…" Gendo said looking at the slowly balling up form of the scientist. Seeing that the goal that she wanted to do had been foiled, he took his cue.
"I will see about getting you discharged now," he said walking toward the hospital door. Opening it, he looked back to see Yui still downcast and hugging her knees.
"I will see you in a little bit Yui," the Commander said leaving and closing the door quietly.
"…" Dr. Ikari said hugging her knees tighter and clenching her teeth together more. Trying very hard to not cry out, tears were falling down her face. It felt as if the tears was the emotions and guilt seeping out.