1 Angel - III
Fuyutski blinked at his superior. "You can't be serious. It's not yet ready."
Fuyutski's words had no visible effect on Gendo Ikari. The Commander gazed impassively ahead, as he always did, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on some distant goal only he could see.
They were standing side by side in an isolated section of Central Dogma, a raised platform that commanded a view of the rest of the department. The only staff present were the three Head Technicians, and they appeared to be deep in conversation.
Ikari said, "I am. It is. I am aware of your objections, Professor Fuyutski. I have considered them. The fact remains that we require a backup should one of our pilots falter, and we need it now."
Fuyutski said, "One of our pilots..." He paused. "Asuka won't let herself falter. And Ayanami is exceptional. You're concerned about Eva-01. Ah, the Third Child," he added delicately.
Ikari grunted in affirmation. "I am counting on you to handle this matter, Professor Fuyutski. With discretion." He turned to regard the Professor. "Seele must continue to believe that they are the only ones to possess a Dummy Plug System."
Fuyutski nodded. "Yes. If Kiel were to find out, we would be ruined." He sighed. "Very well. I'll have Akagi install it. She has access to the Test Type, and we can trust her."
Ikari frowned. "No. But we can use her."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Ikari. We've taken risks before, but there's no guarantee that Unit-01 will accept another pilot. Rejection could prove disastrous."
Ikari turned away. "The Dummy Plug is a last resort. Nothing more. We may or may not need it, but I will leave no room for error."
They were silent for a moment, as they watched the movements of the diminutive figures far below. The gentle humming of Central Dogma filled the space between them. Satsisfied that the department was running smoothly, Fuyutski turned his attention to the Head Technicians. "I wonder what they're talking about."
Ikari said, "They begin to suspect. The integrity of the project has been compromised. Security registered an unauthorized entry into Heaven last month."
Fuyutski looked irritated. "They failed to inform me."
"You know as much as you need to, Professor Fuyutski."
Fuyutski let that pass. He said, "Ryouji, of course."
"Yes. I believe Major Katsuragi was with him at the time."
Fuyutski shrugged. "We knew it would happen. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. I assume appropriate action has been taken."
"Of course."
They fell silent as one of the technicians approached. It was Makoto. He said, "Commander, Vice-Commander, I think you should see this."
Fuyutski blinked at his superior. "You can't be serious. It's not yet ready."
Fuyutski's words had no visible effect on Gendo Ikari. The Commander gazed impassively ahead, as he always did, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on some distant goal only he could see.
They were standing side by side in an isolated section of Central Dogma, a raised platform that commanded a view of the rest of the department. The only staff present were the three Head Technicians, and they appeared to be deep in conversation.
Ikari said, "I am. It is. I am aware of your objections, Professor Fuyutski. I have considered them. The fact remains that we require a backup should one of our pilots falter, and we need it now."
Fuyutski said, "One of our pilots..." He paused. "Asuka won't let herself falter. And Ayanami is exceptional. You're concerned about Eva-01. Ah, the Third Child," he added delicately.
Ikari grunted in affirmation. "I am counting on you to handle this matter, Professor Fuyutski. With discretion." He turned to regard the Professor. "Seele must continue to believe that they are the only ones to possess a Dummy Plug System."
Fuyutski nodded. "Yes. If Kiel were to find out, we would be ruined." He sighed. "Very well. I'll have Akagi install it. She has access to the Test Type, and we can trust her."
Ikari frowned. "No. But we can use her."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Ikari. We've taken risks before, but there's no guarantee that Unit-01 will accept another pilot. Rejection could prove disastrous."
Ikari turned away. "The Dummy Plug is a last resort. Nothing more. We may or may not need it, but I will leave no room for error."
They were silent for a moment, as they watched the movements of the diminutive figures far below. The gentle humming of Central Dogma filled the space between them. Satsisfied that the department was running smoothly, Fuyutski turned his attention to the Head Technicians. "I wonder what they're talking about."
Ikari said, "They begin to suspect. The integrity of the project has been compromised. Security registered an unauthorized entry into Heaven last month."
Fuyutski looked irritated. "They failed to inform me."
"You know as much as you need to, Professor Fuyutski."
Fuyutski let that pass. He said, "Ryouji, of course."
"Yes. I believe Major Katsuragi was with him at the time."
Fuyutski shrugged. "We knew it would happen. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. I assume appropriate action has been taken."
"Of course."
They fell silent as one of the technicians approached. It was Makoto. He said, "Commander, Vice-Commander, I think you should see this."
