Project Germanicus: A Three Part Play

by William Chekhov

Nearly two months have passed since an Angel has appeared and in the archives of NERV, a file for something called "Project Germanicus" is discovered that causes the staff lower than Commander Ikari and Doctor Fuyutsuki to grow suspicious until an Angel mysteriously appears, bringing the investigation to a halt and endangering the pilots. Plot may change.

9. Part I Act II Scene IV

PART I

ACT II

SCENE IV

(The garden. KAJI is hard at work when MISATO, RITSUKO, MAYA and CONN arrive with HYUGA and AOBA not far behind. Noticing them, KAJI waves a hand in greeting. Nearby lies a folder.)

KAJI: Not everyday we see us all together. Anyone discover anything about this Project Germanicus?

MISATO: Not as much as we like, Kaji, but it seems like Conn is now in the same boat we are when it comes to what it might be about.

KAJI: Really, now? (To CONN.) What changed your mind?

RITSUKO: (Answering before CONN can.) Apparently, Germany's first king had posthumously been given the name "Germanicus".

KAJI: Really? That's interesting. Now, Conn, what can you tell me about an ancient Roman victory title for in Britain? Was there ever a British monarch given that title posthumously?

CONN: (Shocked.) P-Project Britannicus? You've found a Project Britannicus?

RITSUKO: But so far there are only four pilots and none of them are of British descent.

CONN: I don't know about that. Commander Ikari looks ambiguously British, at least to me. If Project Germanicus has to do with Asuka Langley Soryu then this Project Britannicus might have to do with Shinji Ikari.

KAJI: Not exactly, but I think you might be on the right track. (KAJI picks up the file and hands it to MISATO.)

MISATO: (Opens the folder and begins to read from the file.) Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Soryu, Shinji Ikari, Toji Suzuhara, Kaworu Nagisa, Hikari Horaki, Kensuke Aida, Mari Makinami Illustrious…

CONN: "Mari Makinami Illustrious"? Good lord, that must be the most pretentious appellation I have ever heard!

MISATO: T-This looks like…

MAYA: A list of Evangelion pilots!

RITSUKO: But there are only supposed to be four at the moment.

AOBA: Might be an indication of how many Evas have been built so far.

KAJI: I looked into the background of each of them and this Mari is part British. Conn, you told me and Misato that there had been an Ancient Roman general named Germanicus. Had there been an ancient Roman general named Britannicus?

CONN: N-No, but there had been an individual named Britannicus.

RITSUKO: Any relation to Germanicus?

CONN: Y-Yes, Britannicus was the son of Claudius, Germanicus' younger brother, therefore the nephew of the general. W-Wherefore? What is going on here? What are you two suggesting?

MISATO: I think they are under the impression that Project Germanicus might be a part of a series and I think they might be right.

HYUGA: For what though? What is being planned for Asuka and this Mari?

(Everyone turns their attention to CONN, now looking at the list in MISATO's hand. Realizing everyone is looking at him, CONN looks around with a blank expression.)

CONN: What?

KAJI: You're the history guy, tell us what you know.

CONN: About what?

MAYA: (Coldly.) About Germanicus' nephew Britannicus.

CONN: Can someone other than Commander Ikari's bastard tell me?

MAYA: (Furious.) Stop calling me that! I have a name!

CONN: Yes, I know, it is just more fun seeing you get like this.

MISATO: Leave Maya alone, Conn, and answer the question.

CONN: (Nodding.) A-Alright, Major Katsuragi, though there isn't much to tell since Britannicus was almost fourteen when he was poisoned.

(Everyone stares at the archivist, wide-eyed. RITSUKO opens her mouth to speak only to close it again.)

HYUGA: H-How old did you say?

CONN: Almost fourteen, First Lieutenant Hyuga.

AOBA: Fourteen! The age the children are now!

RITSUKO: Oh, my God…

MISATO: And how did Germanicus die?

CONN: He became ill in Antioch and died there. Ancient sources say he was poisoned, but this was never proven. (MAYA covers her mouth with a hand, AOBA takes a few steps back and HYUGA can do naught but speechlessly stare at the archivist. MISATO, KAJI and RITSUKO all exchange worried looks while CONN comes to the realization.) Y-You don't think Commander Ikari is planning to… What in God's name would that accomplish?

KAJI: I don't know, but we are going to find out. Misato, Ritsuko and I will see what I can find throughout HQ. Conn, you and Maya head over to the archives and see what might be there. Maybe there is a Project Britannicus. (CONN and MAYA both stare at one another, the latter not looking forward to the former's company.) Hyuga, Aoba, you better go with Conn and Maya too, just to make sure Conn behaves himself. (EXEUNT.)