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.

18. Part I Act IV Scene IV

PART I

ACT IV

SCENE IV

(KAJI and CONN sit together, the former having a cup of tea in his hand while the latter just stares out at the audience.)

CONN: I am of the opinion we all must rise above the tragedies of our youth, but I am afraid to say, Special Inspector Kaji, I ran from mine as soon as I was old enough.

KAJI: From what you tell me, running is the only thing you could have done, Conn. Even a wild animal knows when to retreat.

CONN: You've heard the tragedy of my youth, Special Inspector Kaji. What about yours?

KAJI: I'm seven years older than you, Conn. My tragedy didn't happen at so young an age as yours did.

CONN: My tragedy lasted from the time I was six to the time I was nearly nineteen. Maybe you want to rephrase that.

KAJI: Alright, mine began when I was fifteen.

CONN: Second Impact…

KAJI: (He nods.) Yes… I was left orphaned because of it… We both were… My little brother and me… Do you have a little brother, Conn?

CONN: I am the little brother. I have an older half-brother.

KAJI: Well, us and four other kids escaped from an orphanage. In hindsight maybe we shouldn't have. We went around stealing things to we could survive… One day we found an army base and began to steal its food until one day I was caught… The soldier beat me, questioned me and when I said nothing, he threatened my life… I-I was terrified, so terrified that I told him where my brother and our friends were. The soldiers went to find them, leaving me alone with one other who I knocked out… And when I returned… The soldiers were leaving our hideout… Once they had left, I peered inside and saw everyone… (He closes his eyes for a moment before opening them and looking at CONN.) You believe we must all rise above the tragedies of our youth, but how can I, how can anyone rise above that?

CONN: I don't know, Special Inspector.

KAJI: What do you even call what I've done? You've called what you've done running away from the tragedy of your youth. What do I call what I've done?

CONN: I can't say I am certain, Special Inspector. Can either of us say we know anyone who has risen above the tragedies of their youth?

KAJI: (He takes a sip of his tea for a moment, while staring out at the audience. Finally, he smiles.) I can name two people who are doing a good job and they aren't doing it alone.

CONN: Oh, who? (EXEUNT.)

NOTES

Originally Conn's backstory was going to be told in this scene. Ultimately, I felt the question of "Have either of us risen above the tragedy of our youth?" made for a better subject as Kaji tells of his backstory from the manga.