A past long forgotten
Part II: Tragedies
Shinji places his small hands on the large window which peers out in the world at large. Shinji can see his reflection in the window, although not as visible as a mirror it was still there. Shinji didn't know about the physics which related to the reflection of objects and images so he just accepted that the window did what it did for a reason. The trouble was that he didn't know his reason for being there in more words or less so just like the window he accepted that he was there because.
However Shinji was not the only one doing the watching. Kyoko had been watching the boy for some time halfway down the staircase. She had grown to know that Shinji was sort of a loner and always off by himself and when by himself had a look of loneliness. However this time was different, Shinji was expressing loneliness on his face. Rather this time it was a mixture of expressions; curiosity, contentment, displeasure and even slight happiness. This type of look pleased her but also concerned her.
Kyoko (to herself): So many emotions at such a young age......what will he be like when he's older?
A large crash from upstairs breaks her train of thought for a few moments as she looks up the staircase where Asuka was dragging a large box around the floor.
Kyoko (laughing to herself): Probably not like Asuka. Although there is something about these two.
She returns her gaze to the boy with his hands on the window, almost as if he is reaching out through the window to grab something......something always out of his reach.
The woman had stared long enough and she walks down to the boys side, her gaze never straying from the young Ikari. Strangely Shinji had not noticed her or that loud crash of before. Even more strangely several moments later Shinji seems to snap out of his trance and finally acknowledge the outside world.
Shinji (his gaze not wandering from the window): Yes mother.
Kyoko after almost two months of persuading had finally got Shinji to relent and call her mother. It was much easier than saying Mrs Sohryu and would have been disrespectful to call her Kyoko or other names. Not only that but Shinji calling her mother seemed to fit well and she liked it, Shinji also seemed to get used to her title after a few weeks of saying it.
Kyoko: Why aren't you outside playing?
Shinji (still looking outside): It's raining mother.
Kyoko took a good look outside and blushed slightly. She had been so focused on her work of the morning and then of Shinji staring out the window she totally ignored the sound of the rain on the roof or the evidence outside that was clearly visible through the windows. Sure enough the house, lawn and street were soaked and a light drizzle still continued.
Kyoko: So it is.
Shinji finally takes his gaze from out of the glass portal to look up at the woman next to him. He smiles as does Kyoko. Suddenly the rummaging gets closer and closer as it nears the stairway.
Kyoko: You should know....rain has never stopped Asuka before.
A small scream can be heard on the second level then a large cardboard box slides rather quickly down the stairs and finally comes to rest halfway down the hallway with both Shinji and Kyoko looking at the object. Suddenly two feet appear out of the box kicking wildly in the air, then a head. Soon Asuka clambers out of the box with red rainwear on.
Kyoko (laughing): See I told you Shinji.
Asuka runs up and drags Shinji over to the box where a blue set of rain clothing awaits him. Shinji looks curiously at the rain gear then up at Asuka who has her small hands on her hips.
Asuka (slightly annoyed): What are you waiting for? Put it on.
Shinji continues his curious gaze at Asuka while he slowly dresses himself. Finally Shinji is dresses in a long blue raincoat with matching rain hat and boots. The two stand together at the front door looking almost identical underneath all the protection. Kyoko walks down the hallway with a camera in her hands.
Kyoko: Hold on you two I want to get a photo of this.
Asuka (impatiently): Mamma you've been taking photo's of us for ages!
Kyoko (smiling): But you two look so cute.
Asuka and Shinji give curious looks at each other and then back at the woman in question.
Kyoko (holding up the camera): Smile.
Asuka drapes her left arm around Shinji and flashes a toothy smile while Shinji manages a weak but sincere one. CLICK and it was all over. And with that Asuka flings open the door and drags Shinji out into the rain. Kyoko smiles to herself while looking at the camera in her hands.
Kyoko (dreamily): They grow up so fast. But it looks like fate placed them together.....and I want to keep it that way.
She then remembers some unfinished paperwork that awaits her upstairs and she makes her way towards the study.
Meanwhile deep below the Earth in the NERV Geo-Front still being constructed even after almost six years of development, a rather large ceremony is taking place, more specifically in the command center. A hastily constructed podium and seating arrangement has the most important figures in the Japanese government and defense industry there including the prime minister himself. All around are high ranking officials in all aspects of the Japanese government and military not to mention all the media.
The prime minister is finishing his address which has followed all the other speeches.
Prime Minister: And we owe a great deal of thanks to Doctor Naoka Akagi not to mention her daughter Ritsuko Akagi, Gendo Ikari, Kozou Fuyutsuki and all the other scientists, technicians and command staff involved with this historic project. And now you shall witness the future today, the world's first stand alone artificial intelligence capable of independent thought.....the Magi!
Power floods through the dimly light command center as the supercomputers go online. Holograms and lasers paint the gigantic room in diagnostic screens, tactical maps and computer code dazzling everybody including Gendo and Naoka who were expecting this. All the surrounding audience claps loudly as the view of the command center darkness and fades into black.
A small girl of no more than five stands in a dark room, however she is like no ordinary girls because her hair is unnaturally blue and is complemented with red eyes. The only light comes from a small light in the floor beneath the girl. Unfazed by the darkness or the bright light beneath her the child contently waits, her red orbs peering out into the darkness seemingly able to see all.
Voice: Rei.
Rei (still looking into the darkness): Yes commander.
Another light appears across to the right of Rei and illuminates Gendo Ikari.
Gendo: The ceremony took longer than anticipated.
Rei turns her head in his direction but says nothing.
Gendo: However now we can begin.
Both lights illuminating the two figures shut off and the room is then bathed in light revealing am orange Evangelion with various cables and tubes connected up to its lifeless form making it look more like a Frankenstein monster than a cutting edge bio-mechanical avatar......or was it the former anyway.
Beside the Evangelion was a large observation window where Ritsuko and Naoka wait behind several computer terminals.
Gendo: We will begin the first activation trial.
Rei: Yes sir.
The next day
Asuka and Shinji are now in the backyard of the house over in one particular corner of the yard next to the stone fence. Both again are dressed alike; Asuka in pink boots and overalls with a red shirt underneath while Shinji with blue boots and overalls and green undershirt. The children are busy again with their spades and buckets, although its not sand they are shoveling...rather it is resude from the pervious days rain.
Shinji picks up a large glob of mud and lets it run through his hands slowly. The boy watches it slip through his grasp back into the pool of muddy water.
Asuka (looking up from her pile of mud): Whatcha doin mud boy?
Shinji takes his time to formulate a reply while he watches the last of the mud slip through his grasp.
Shinji: I thought I was monkey boy.
Asuka (slightly annoyed): Ok you're a muddy monkey.
Shinji gives her a quizzical stare then returns to his bucket of mud. He tips it upside down and makes a tower of mud which quickly hardens in the sunlight. Germany like the rest of the northern hemisphere had been flung into a state of perpetual summer as the Earth was permanently titled towards the sun and so it was either bright and sunny or gloomy and raining. It wasn't exactly pleasing for all those who knew of the seasons that took place before second impact but for all the others like Shinji and Asuka there was nothing else, and frankly they didn't care.
Asuka: There.
Asuka took a step back to admire her work. It was a rough sculpture of the house, complete with mud trees, a mud fence and even so much as a mud Shinji and Asuka. The girl washes her hands in the muddy water then steps over to see what Shinji was doing.
Asuka (uncertain): What is that?!
Shinji (looking up): Not sure.
Asuka: why did you make something like that?!
Shinji: I remember it.
Asuka stares at Shinji like he is insane, then she takes another look back at the sculpture....a rough sculpture of the armored head of Evangelion unit one.
Inside the house Kyoko is reading numerous forms which have accumulated on her desk. When she finishes one she picks up yet another and then begins to tick multiple choice boxes and sign her name on the various forms. Taking a break the woman leans back in the leather chair and she steals a look a Shinji's passport photo which she then places in a large brown envelope.
*Kyoko (distantly): Who thought adopting a child was so difficult.
Her thoughts trail back over the last two months of having Shinji in the house. She had been unsure of the effect Shinji would have on their household. However the results had been more than pleasing. The boy had a profound effect on everyone especially Asuka who was now even more cheerful and expressive than before, those children were like brother and sister....no even closer than the closest siblings. Shinji had not only fitted in with the family but now he was considered part of the family and both her and her husband wanted to make sure that continued.
After packing all the forms into the large envelope Kyoko breathes a sigh of relief, all those weeks of going through various government departments of both Germany and Japan and cutting through the red tape of their bureaucracies had finally come to fruition. Once this envelope had reached the German welfare department Shinji would then legally be her son and he would escape the cold reach of his father.
Rising from her chair Kyoko takes a look out of the study's window out into the backyard where she saw the beginnings of a mud fight develop between the two children. Although she was inclined to stop it she smiled as the children were having too much fun but she was guessing that wouldn't be the case come bath time. She laughed to herself as she remember the first time they had shared a bath together.
Flashback
Kyoko: You two are absolutely filthy
Asuka: It was only dirt and sand mamma
Kyoko: But look at yourselves and your clothes
Mr Sohryu walks in holding their articles of clothing which are a shade of black and covered in sand.
Kyoko: And what do you have to say for yourself Shinji?
Shinji looks up at Kyoko then back down at the bath which is filling up with warm water while he blushes because he is naked as is Asuka who stands beside him.
Kyoko: Well?
Shinji takes a deep breath then speaks.
Shinji: Didn't know dirt was dirty.
Both adults look at Shinji for a few moments then at each other and laugh much to the confusion of the two children. Finally the bath is drawn and Asuka climbs in splashing her dirty body with water.
Asuka (looking at Shinji): What you waiting for?
Shinji: Waiting for you to finish.
Kyoko: You're getting in with Asuka Shinji.
Shinji blushes a shade of light pink at the mentioning of it. Asuka gives a small grin.
Asuka: Awwww monkey boy afraid?
Shinji (still blushing): Am...n...n...not
Asuka makes the motion to come in and Shinji looks at Kyoko questioningly. She gives the child a reassuring smile and Shinji cautiously climbs into the bath and sits down. Asuka giggles and splashes Shinji with water, wetting his hair.
Shinji: Hey!
Asuka (giggling): Wet monkey.
The two exchange splashes for a while then look at each other, their wet hair matting on their bodies. Each child stares at the other rather curiously then something on each of their bodies catches their eye.
Asuka and Shinji together (pointing at each other): What is that?
Both adults cannot help but laugh again
End flashback
Kyoko now has a small smile across her face as that memory subsides for now. Suddenly the phone rings and she receives the call she has been both desperately waiting for and dreading.
SPLAT
Asuka wipes the mud off her face and stares angrily at Shinji who grips his bucket tighter in response to her gaze of death.
Asuka: You're gonna pay for that one!
Shinji: Eeep!
Asuka takes her bucket and tosses the entire contents at Shinji. The boy assuming this action might be taken is quick to dodge out of the way. Although the mud from Asuka's bucket does not strike her intended target it does hit someone...someone tall and female. Asuka looks up and cringes.
Asuka (blushing heavily): S...s....s...sorry mamma.
Kyoko doesn't have a look of anger on her face, that or really any emotion. She reaches over and grabs Shinji and gently pulls, him in front of her alongside Asuka. Kyoko then bends down on her haunches to look the two children in the eyes.
Kyoko: I have some important work at NERV to do.
The two children nod to indicate they understand.
Kyoko: Daddy's already there so you two will have to come with me because there's no-one to watch you two.
Asuka: So we get to go with you to work mamma?
Kyoko: Yes.
Asuka jumps with joy while Shinji loses some of the color in his face.
Kyoko: I've already run a bath so you two get in there and get cleaned up.
Asuka (happily): Yes mamma!
Shinji (softly): Yes mother.
Asuka quickly drags Shinji into the house while the boy still has his gaze focused on Kyoko. He felt something was amiss when she told them she was going to work and now he was getting more positive. However Asuka paid no attention to this and kept pulling.
Meanwhile Kyoko stands back up and looks up at the bathroom window, she sighs.
Kyoko (softly): We'll see soon won't we Yui.
Gendo: How went the tests?
Naoko leafs through a pile of printouts and clipboards which confirmed her theory.
Naoko: Not well.
Fuyutsuki: How so?
Gendo: Yes....Rei syncronisation examination progressed within the set parameters.
Fuyutsuki nodded in agreement with Gendo. However Naoko simply turned to Ritsuko and made a small gesture. In response Ritsuko typed a small string of commands into the terminal she was sitting at and a large large was projected on the main screen of the command center.
Naoko: Yes this experiment tested well as such because Rei was designed for this work. However for her to keep at this level will not come to pass. The Magi have detected that her ability is flawed and will diminish over time and use.
The next pictures projected up is a time line graph that continually falls to the zero point.
Naoko: She won't be able to pilot an Eva under combat conditions after she is seven, and unable to synchronize with an Eva after she is fourteen. Therefore......
Gendo (coldly): She is useless to us.
Naoko wasn't fond of how Gendo put it but regardless of the wording he was correct. She nodded to him in reply.
Fuyutsuki: Is there some apparent reason why this is occurring?
Naoko: After studying the problem with the aid of the Magi Ritsuko and I have come up with one possible problem.
Gendo: That being?
Naoko: Ritsuko.
The woman at the computer terminal nods again and types in another set of commands. This time the image of a double helix is produced on the command screen.
Naoko: A flaw in her basic genetic structure.
Fuyutsuki: Her DNA is corrupted?
Naoko: In matter of speaking.
A small square appears around the strand of DNA and magnifies that section producing small red hexagons indicating troubled sectors.
Naoko: Eva pilots have this extra section of code in their DNA while run of the mill humans do not. This is our main basis for selecting Eva pilots. Not only that but the strands seems to be hereditary.
Gendo nods as he is already aware of the selection procedure. Fuyutsuki is new to this information and looks at Gendo curiously.
Fuyutsuki (thinking): That means that Ikari could pilot.
Naoko: However somewhere in the cloning procedure or even before so Rei's DNA has been corrupted and therefore negating any future chance for her piloting an Evangelion with any decent amount of training before the said time of arrival.
Gendo: We cannot make another Rei clone?
Naoko (hanging her head): No.....all strands of the existing......donor DNA have been tested for this flaw and it holds true for all the samples.
Gendo: Is there any way to salvage this experiment?
Naoko: Perhaps combining DNA strands from another 4th level candidate could work however the technology for that is still in its infantile stages.
Gendo: Therefore we shall put the experiment on hold until such a time, all documents and results shall be put under highest classification.
Fuyutsuki: And the first child?
Gendo: We must accept the loss of the first child and concentrate our efforts on finding the third.
Fuyutsuki nodded his head understanding what Gendo meant by 'the loss of'. He bowed and left the room leaving Gendo and the two scientists.
Gendo: Schedule another test for Rei.
Naoko (coldly): Yes sir.
Naoko like Fuyutsuki knew what Gendo meant and she also didn't like it one bit. Gendo then turned and left without another word. The older scientist looked over at her daughter who gave a puzzled look.
Naoko (quietly): Come Ritsuko.
Ritsuko: Y...yes mother.
The two got up and proceeded out of the command center where a heavy air of guilt now hung.
Naoko (thinking): First Yui, now Rei...when will it be enough for you Ikari?
Three figures pass through armored steel doors through the large underground facility that is NERV the second branch stationed in Germany where like Japan is fully geared towards Eva development and construction. Kyoko is dressed in her lab coat and takes Asuka's hand in her left who in turn takes Shinji's hand in hers and the line makes it way through the numerous blank corridors.
Kyoko puts her key card through another card reader, it beeps positively in response and the door slides back revealing a lobby of sorts with a door pointing North, West and South with a desk in the center of the room. She walks up to the desk and the woman sitting behind the desk swivels her chair to face her.
*NERV receptionist: Hello doctor Sohryu.
*Kyoko: Good afternoon Natasha, I've got an important test in the chamber.
The woman types at her terminal for a few moments then looks up.
*Natasha: So you do. But who are these cuties?
She leans over to take a good look at the two children. Asuka is beaming brightly while Shinji starts to blush and look at the floor.
*Asuka (happily): I'm Asuka.
*Natasha (smiling): So you must be the pride and joy your mother is always talking about.
Asuka giggles but says nothing. The woman then turns her attention on Shinji.
*Natasha (warmly): And who are you?
*Kyoko: He is Shinji Ikari. He's from Japan and is staying with us. He doesn't understand German and he's a bit shy.
Asuka: Right monkey boy?
Asuka nudges Shinji playfully in the ribs, Shinji doesn't make a sound but continues to look at the floor.
*Kyoko: Anyway these two need to go to the playroom.
*Natasha: I'll take them there myself.
Kyoko looks down at the two children.
Kyoko: I'll be gone for a while. Have fun in the playroom.
Asuka: Why can't we go with you mamma?
Kyoko: It's a big secret.
Asuka: The robot?
Kyoko: Yes dear the robot.
Shinji's ears perk up when her hears the mentioning of the robot but he says nothing. However his fears are now confirmed. He looks at Kyoko in a way to say "don't go". She understands what Shinji is trying to tell her and in response she rubs his head playfully.
Kyoko: It'll be ok Shinji.
Asuka: Yeah....mamma knows what she's doing!
The scientist gives both children a kiss on the cheek then she disappears through the doorway to the north. Natasha takes a child's hand in each of hers and leads them through the West door to the play area.
*Natasha (comforting): Don't worry your mother will be back before you know it.
*Asuka (confidently): Sure she will!
Shinji didn't exactly understand German yet but he had picked up a few words and he was quite certain they would not see Kyoko Sohryu again...or at least as they knew her.
Naoko, Ritsuko and Fuyutsuki stand in the observation room overlooking the restrained figure of Evangelion unit zero. On the wall monitor a picture of Rei flashes up, she is inside the entry plug of the Evangelion.
Rei: Iam ready.
Naoko (softly): Ok we'll begin syncronisation in a moment.
The two women start typing commands into the computers while Fuyutsuki looks on with the same grim expression. Rei's face changes from a look of neutrality to one of slight curiosity.
Rei: Is something wrong?
Fuyutsuki: There is nothing wrong Rei.
Rei: Where....is the commander?
Fuyutsuki: He couldn't be here today.
Rei (almost sounding sad): ok.
Suddenly inside the entry plug the LCL began to get warmer than before and even slightly bubble. Small arc's of electricity also flow through the plug.
Rei: This is strange.
Naoko: Don't worry Rei it will soon be over.
Rei: Yes.
The LCL temperate continues to increase and the electrical discharges continue to grow more frequent. An electrical spark makes Rei scream and the following pressure and temperature also cause the girl to cry in pain.
Rei: It hurts!
Fuyutsuki (trying to remain calm): Just a little longer Rei.
Rei (through her tears): Yes.
The sub commander looks over at the two scientists. Naoko looks him directly in the eyes and Fuyutsuki nods.
Fuyutsuki: Open the link to the Magi. We may lose Rei's body but we can preserve her mind...for later.
The computer responds by opening pathway from Rei's neural sensors to the main memory storage for the Magi computers allowing her brain signals and synapses to flow through. Her mind is drawn out of her body like water through a straw and into the cold recesses of the supercomputers in the command center.
The picture of Rei in the entry plug becomes distorted but the screams of the young girl are completely prevalent. As her body is being slowly disintegrated while her mind is being sucked out...and all not by the most painless or humane ways. Finally the screaming stops and all three adults in the observation room have the heart to look at the view screen again. All they can see is small particles of matter floating in the discolored LCL.
Fuyutsuki shakes his head while Ritsuko buries her head in her hands.
Ritsuko (sobbing): I knew there would be sacrifices but not like this!
Naoko puts her hand on Ritsuko's shoulder trying to comfort her daughter. Fuyutsuki gaze finally sways from the view screen to the computer graph of Rei's "mental transfer" showing a success.
Fuyutsuki (to himself): I'm sorry Rei.
Asuka looks up from her block castle over to Shinji who was busy with a metal construction set.
Asuka: Hey monkey boy what was that?
Shinji (not looking up from his creation): Not sure.
Again a slight rumble makes its way through the facility and this time the lights flicker for several moments. Asuka gets a small stab of fear in her heart and then she looks over again at Shinji who is totally absorbed in constructing something with the pieces of metal.
Asuka: You doin it all wrong silly monkey!
Shinji: Think you do better pigtail girl?!
Asuka: Yes!
She gets up and plops down next to Shinji and retrieves her own pieces of metal and construction tool. Somehow she feels more relaxed and at ease next to the usually nervous boy, only this time he doesn't seem to have his mind on reality and Asuka decides that isn't a bad thing once and a while.
And once again the two become absorbed in both their task and each other's company although one or the other doesn't understand it in the slightest and wouldn't admit it to each other even on the best of occasions.
*Technician A: We had a few problems with the generator. Everything seems to be running smoothly now.
*Technician B: Well these robot's suck up a lot of juice.
Just then Kyoko walks past them and looks rather sternly at the two tech's checking the power cables.
*Kyoko: Need I not remind you. This 'robot' may be the only thing that will save your lives come the time.
*Both technicians together: Y...yes ma'am!
The two return to their work very quickly, Kyoko sighs then turns to the row of consoles on the foot of the messy chamber. Various cables ran all over the area making it look like a pit of snakes, computer terminals were also all over the area with different scientists checking different system settings not to mention the horde of tools that littered the floor, some were familiar but many were not.
The woman walks up to the set of hastily mounted computer consoles and watches the scientist aimlessly typing away at them. One of them looks up at her.
*Scientist: Ahh doctor Sohryu. Your husband is in the observation post.
He points up to the large windows on the far right of the chamber where a number of people in white coats were walking around checking sheets, typing at computers or just staring out the observation portals. Kyoko nods, however before any more can be said the chamber's PA system comes online.
*Announcer: Doctor Kyoko Sohryu please report to station nine.
*Scientist: Looks like its time. Good luck.
*Kyoko (flatly): Thankyou.
She turns and walks to the lift waiting behind her. As it returns to the ground Kyoko takes one last full look at the result of many years research and work put together. The Eva itself was supported in a hastily constructed cage with very few restraints. Cables of all description flowed into and out of its giant armored shell except in several places where there was no amour yet and there look like many acupuncture needles sticking into the bright pink flesh.
*Kyoko (to herself): Evangelion unit two. The final production model. Earth's final and only hope.
The lift comes to the chamber floor with a large whine and hiss. The mesh slides back and Kyoko steps in. Once inside the mesh slides back and the lift groans back upwards.
Once again Fuyutsuki finds Gendo in hangar seven, with Yui, with Evangelion unit one. His footsteps clang slightly on the metal walkway but not enough to draw the man's attention away from the purple avatar.
Gendo (not moving his gaze): It is done?
Fuyutsuki (regretfully): Yes.
Gendo (coldly): I see.
Fuyutsuki says nothing but glares at the man in front of him. Gendo is fully aware of Fuyutsuki's reaction although his eyes have not looked upon him once during his who time in the hangar.
Gendo: It.....disturbs you.
Fuyutsuki (aggressively): You just...threw her away. You treated her like your daughter and threw her away.
Gendo: She was no use to us. You are aware of her purpose.
A long silence develops between the two.
Gendo: She is not dead.
Fuyutsuki: No...just condemned to a fate worse than death. Like Yui.
Although Fuyutsuki's words lack emotion they do contain the truth and that hurts Gendo more than any insult or physical assault could. Gendo turns to face the speaker of these words and gives his a cold stare then turns and walks out the opposite door on the other side of the hangar. As the door slides shut Fuyutsuki gives a small grin of accomplishment...he had hurt Ikari like no-one else could however he had just reminded himself of the painful truth and his heart sank once more.
Kyoko steps off the elevator and walks along the metal plate way up to the entry plug where two more technicians and several NERV scientists wait. Once she reaches them she removes her lab coat to reveal a red plug suit with the numbers 02 near the neckline.
*Scientist C: Remember you have to release your soul otherwise it will not work.
*Kyoko: Iam a woman of science, if there is a soul my beliefs do not acknowledge it. This is simply just another matter of mind over matter.
*Scientist C: I hope you're right there.
*Kyoko (softly): As am I.
She nods to all of the personnel assembled there and then climbs into the waiting entry plug. The hatch seals and slides into the back of the Evangelion by screwing into position.
*Technician A: Entry plug inserted. Filling the plug with LCL.
*Technician B: All vitals checkout normal. Ego-borderline stable.
*Technician C: All links confirmed. Computers active and ready to begin.
*Scientist A (nodding): Alright...open channel to the pilot.
On the screen flashes a picture of Kyoko in the entry plug.
*Scientist B: Are you ready to proceed doctor Sohryu?
The woman on the screen is having enough trouble keeping the LCL in her lungs let alone talk so she just nods.
*Scientist B: Affirmative. Begin activation sequence!
*Technician A: All nerve pathways open. Beginning A10 nerve connections.
*Technician B: Waveform patterns are normal.
*Technician C: Absolute borderline in 1.1, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5, 0.3, 0.1, Absolute borderline passed.
*Technician A: Syncronisation holding at 2.6%
The camera inside the entry plug reactivates and shows Kyoko still in the plug. All the teams breathe a sigh of relief.
*Scientist A: Evangelion activation test success.....what the!
Alarms and klaxons start going off and the chamber is bathed in red light as the Evangelion began to move. The room is filled with screams of Kyoko and the Eva, these screams drowning out those of the terrified NERV personnel. The right side of the framework smashes away as the Eva throws its right arm towards the observation post. Fortunately the blow was weak and the post had been re-enforced assuming something like this might happen. In response the cables around the Eva break off and the power cord disconnects and crashes to the floor.
However the Evangelion did not try for a second attack but dropped its right arm and hung its head as if it had run out of power but had over forty seconds of activational power remaining. No-one dared move until that power had drained for the Eva's batteries.
Asuka had just finally let go of Shinji after she had flung herself at him when the alarms and screaming started.
Asuka (frightened): W...what was that?
Shinji (terrified): M....mother gone.
Asuka (still sacred and now confused): W...what about mamma?!
Shinji (seizing up): G...g...gone.
Asuka begins to shake Shinji roughly.
Asuka (sobbing): Don't know...don't know!
As Asuka shakes him Shinji also develops tears in his eyes. Somehow he knew this would happen and it did. Even before the adults came to get them.
The scene reopens in a dark place....it can't be distinguished what place it is because of the darkness. Suddenly the room is bathed in an eerie green glow and a voice speaks out into massive room.
Voice: Where am I?
Voice: What is this place?
Voice: Commander?
Voice: Anyone?
A flash of light produces the figure of a small child with red eyes.
Rei: Hello?
Another more metallic voice now rings throughout the giant glowing room.
Voice: Rei...welcome to the Magi.
-----------------------------
Episode 3 coming soon:
"The values of a bond are tested to their limits when these the two seemingly inseparable children are forced to live their lives without each other once more. What becomes of them and what is the fate of humanity during these troubled times?"
Any comments and criticisms are welcome.
Writer/Storyboard: Les Robb aka Rion (rion@dingoblue.net.au)
Storyboard/Editing: KoalaKiller (birdman@key.net.au)
NOTE: * means dialogue in German.
Disclaimer:
Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned and copyrighted by Gainax, all characters used from that series as well as familiar plot links and scenarios. All names are (TM) and (C) by their respective owners.