Neon Genesis Evangelion

EVA-R Prime Extension

Version 5.2

Alex Voutsis

Writer's Notes:

Credit where credit is due to Gainax, etc etc. Evangelion is someone else's property, etc.

Additional Credits to the creators of EVA-R Illustrated Fan Fiction. Find it at http://www.eva-r.com - it is an absolutely brilliant fan fic and essential reading to understand this story. You should have read EVA-R up to episode 53 PRIME before reading this fan fiction.

The other fan fictions that are a part of this storyline are

Light of the Soul / Contact

Light of the Heart / At Last, A Reason

The Runaway

Stand By Me

This fan-fiction is intended to continue the story begun in the above episodes.

Author's Note: For those of you who are confused by the reference to "Adytum", just think of it as something similar to Central Dogma - a term for a specific part of NERV. It is left as an excercise for the reader to satisfy their curiosity and look up Adytum in a book somewhere.. after all, we did!

Another's Touch

(Our story begins, as all things do, at the beginning. In this case, the beginning of a day - a rather special day. It is a milestone for one of the many friendly faces we know so well from Tokyo-3. It is someone's birthday.

But this person would be annoyed to have the birthday cited with any celebration - in fact, those that know her would say that any question of age is more than likely to bring a tear to your eye.. resulting from the heavy impact of a fist at high speed.

This stray fact is making Lyn Anouilh nervous. You see, the person in question is Seyoko Okazaki, his guardian. It is her birthday. And Lyn, officially the sixth child and Evangelion pilot, has placed it upon himself to be the celebrant in an impromptu birthday party.

That's not exactly the whole truth - coming from a culture where birthdays are a celebrated affair, he has been viewing this date with trepidation for some time. He could forget about it, and risk his guardian remembering - or remember, and risk a punch in the face if "that word" slips out.

The English pilot has chosen the latter, dispite being rather embarrased by displays of affection. This event is no different - he figets as he sits at the small living room table of his apartment, one hand absently clenched around a box of matches. His other hand, recently freed from plaster casting, is entwined around that of a female companion, one upon which he is now desperately seeking comfort, reassurance..

.. and a partner in crime.)

Lyn: Please, Aoi..

Aoi: (worried) I can't, six.

Lyn: (desperate) You can do it.

Aoi: I can't do it! I just can't!

Lyn: I'll be singing too, Aoi.. Seyoko won't even hear you..

Aoi: (looks up) Then why don't you do it yourself!?

Lyn: (sighing) Because it sounds terrible when just one person does it..

(Aoi Tamashii, seated next to Lyn in the kitchen of the boy's home, casts a nervous glance at the cake on the table. Clearly she does not wish to follow through with the plan thrust upon her by her pleading companion.)

Lyn: Unless you want me to sing to Seyoko.. alone.. it would be really romantic..

(The girl looks up, her eyes narrow.)

Aoi: I know you don't mean that, six, so don't even try to make me jealous.

Lyn: Please, Aoi, I know you can do this. You sound so good I wouldn't even know you can't speak English..

Aoi: Oh please. Don't even -

Lyn: (interrupting) I'm serious!

(A voice from out in the living room makes the two teenagers jump.)

Seyoko: (muffled - from her bedroom) Lyn? What's taking so long? Can I come out now?

Lyn: (to Aoi - frantic) Just this once, Aoi.. I'll be your.. your servant!

Aoi: Really?

Lyn: (hesitating) ..Maybe.

(The girl smiles suddenly, darting forwards and kissing the sixth child on the cheek.)

Aoi: That's enough for me. But you better not stop half way through.

Lyn: You better not either - I'm not feeling that good about this..

(Aoi takes the box of matches from Lyn's hands and opens it. As she begins lighting the small confectionary candles, Lyn heads for the door.)

Lyn: (calling out) Just another minute, Seyoko!

Aoi: Um.. what were the words again?

Lyn: (in English) Happy Birthday To You..

(The girl fumbles briefly, trying out English words on her tongue softly..)

Seyoko: (muffled) That's it.. I'm coming out!

Lyn: Here, take this..

(Lyn gently lifts the cake.)

Lyn: This is it. Ready?

(Aoi nods once, slightly pale in the face, and both take a deep breath as the door to Seyoko's bedroom slides open..)

Seyoko: Alright..! Now what the he-

--------------------------------------

(Several floors below -

With a deft twist, Shinji cracks an egg on the rim of the pot and deposits the viscous contents into the nearby frying pan. As he continues with his chores, chopping up vegetables and sliding them into the growing mash of ingredients, Shinji smiles.

The second child and roommate, Asuka Langley Sohryu, watches the boy at his efforts. He is, as always, making breakfast for the pair of them - and as always, he seems to be smiling as he cooks, his eyes slightly unfocused as his hands work mechanically. Perhaps he finds some peace in the unthinking tasks, but either way, to the girl seated at the breakfast table, his clear abstraction is nothing if not annoying..

Eventually the redhaired girl dumps the magazine with a loud slap to the table, rounding on the boy in irritation.)

Asuka: Will you stop that? It's starting to get on my nerves!

(The second child blinks, stopping in his work to turn towards the waiting - and hungry - companion seated at the breakfast table.)

Shinji: Asuka? What's wrong?

Asuka: That infernal smiling of yours! No one who's cooking should smile at the same time! Are you going to poison us or something?!

Shinji: ..I just like cooking, Asuka. So what if I smile?

Asuka: So what? So what?

(Asuka huffs to herself, returning her attention to the magazine in her hands. Shinji obediently forces his face to remain straight as he continues adding ingredients to the pans on the stove.)

Asuka: (glancing over) That's better.

(Asuka flips through the magazine as Shinji continues to prepare breakfast. At this point, one of the hallway doors slides open and Misato Katsuragi, NERV Operations Director enters. Her expression is drawn, somewhat weary, that of a person under a great deal of stress, and her eyes do not register the scene at first.)

Asuka: Shinji?

Shinji: Asuka?

Asuka: You can smile if it's that important to you.

Shinji: It's not - not really.

(He continues cooking while Misato wanders past in her usual waking slumber. To the complete ignorance of all else, the woman makes her way over to the refrigerator, stepping over discarded magazines, empty beer cans and a skateboard as she yawns widely, scratching the left side of her stomach with her hand.

This behaviour does not draw the attention of the children; long since used to Misato's early morning disorganisation, they turn a blind eye as their guardian fetches a can of sake and slides past into the living room in her own special form of oblivion.)

Asuka: (absently - towards Shinji) Idiot.

(Misato drops onto the couch heavily, holding the beer in one hand, popping the pre-stressed seal with the other. There is a hiss, and the expected head of foam, followed immediately by a rather large gulp as the woman takes a totally unnecessary and protacted pull on the can.

At this point, both pilots turn a confused stare toward Misato - who remains slouched on the couch, beer in hand, almost expressionless as she takes another drink in nearly total silence. No cheer, no whoop, no yell, no exclamation and most importantly - no burp. It is the nearby penguin, Pen Pen, who breaks the silence as the Major reaches over, confiscating the remote control.)

Pen Pen: Quaaaa!

Misato: Shhh. (begins flicking through channels)

Pen Pen: Keeeaaa!

(The penguin struggles with stubby limbs; after some effort, heaves himself out of Misato's grasp and lands on the floor.)

Misato: Sometimes, Pen Pen, I think I spoil you too much.

(Pen Pen looks at her.)

Pen Pen: Quaaaa!

(The penguin waddles into the kitchen, in search of his refrigerator. Misato watches the penguin as he disappears from view.

Returning her attention to the television, she checks a few more channels before giving up.)

Misato: Might as well face it sooner rather than later.

(Behind her, in the kitchen, Shinji has returned his attention to preparing breakfast and Asuka has shifted her gaze back to her magazine. With a brief glance towards the two pilots, Misato reaches under the couch to retrieve a manilla folder; she had placed it there in disgust the previous night. Stencilled on the front of the folder is:

Recommendation

Marduke Organisation

Evangelion Pilot Candidate 07

Without a word, the Major begins flicking through the folder, frowning absently at the contents. On the edge of hearing, Asuka grumbles something suspiciously like a swearword under her breath - most likely directed at Shinji's lack of speed in preparing her breakfast.

But Misato is not listening - indeed, she doesn't even appear to be reading the report, thumbing through the pages at high speed. It is as if she already knows what is written within..)

Misato: (thoughtfully) The Seventh Child..

(She now knows that it cannot be held off any longer.)

Misato: I guess I'd better get it over with..

(As Misato struggles up from the couch, beer in one hand and folder in the other, a sudden shocking noise makes all three jump; Shinji spills a cracked egg on the stove, where it immediately chars black, Asuka spills a glass of water over her magazine, and Misato loses the contents of her beer onto the rug. The sound appears to be coming from above, at least a floor above to be more exact. Misato winces as a particularly awful note tears out..)

Asuka: Mein Gott.. what is that noise..

Shinji: It sounds like..

Misato: Did someone bring home a stray cat or something?

Shinji: Is that..

Asuka: I've heard better strays from the alley..

Shinji: Is someone singing?

--------------------------------------

Lyn: You stopped!

Aoi: I forgot the words!

Seyoko: (laughing)

(The apartment of Lyn Anouilh, the Sixth Child, is now filled with laughter, replacing the strains of 'Happy Birthday'. Aoi Tamashii, companion to the boy, is now the subject of his embarrased anger, having forgotten the English words rather quickly and fallen back on mouthing. As a result, the boy discovered himself singing alone - much to his embarrasment - and the carefully prepared song has now trailed off into silence.

Instead, the subject of the celebration, Seyoko Okazaki, is now seated in a chair at the table, trying to control hysterical laughter. Across from her, Lyn is redfaced, unsure whether to run and hide or stay and face the shame. In frustration, he sits in the chair opposite, head bowed, highly embarrased, as Aoi Tamashii takes a seat next to him, wrapping an apologetic arm around his shoulders.)

Aoi: Look, I'm really sorry okay?

Seyoko: (laughing)

Aoi: You weren't that bad, anyway..

Seyoko: It was the worst thing I've ever heard! (chuckling)

(Lyn merely ducks his head lower, nose almost touching the table, face flaming.)

Aoi: Aww... Six... please.. I'm sorry..

(Seyoko breaks out in another gale of laughter, thumping the table with one hand, almost crying in her hysteria. Eventually she brings herself back under control, her laugh trailing off into several small giggles, a chuckle, and a hiccup.)

Seyoko: I'm sorry Lyn..

Lyn: ..

Seyoko: The expression on your face though.. priceless..

(Seyoko hiccups again, catching herself short of more giggles.)

Lyn: (angrily) Well.. its the thought that counts, right?

Aoi: (agreeably) Right!

(After a thoughtful pause, Seyoko responds.)

Seyoko: I guess so.. yeah. Hey.. did you make this cake yourself?

Lyn: ... well.. um...

(Aoi nudges him in the ribs.)

Lyn: .. sort of. (winces as another nudge hits home) Aoi helped me.

(Seyoko smiles gratefully at the girl.)

Seyoko: Thanks.. it's a nice touch.. but..

Lyn: (worriedly) What?

Seyoko: Where's the icing?

(The two children look at each other in shock, then examine the cake closely. Indeed, in their hasty preparations, they neglected to apply icing, leaving the cake somewhat.. lacking.)

Lyn: Bloody hell.

Aoi: ..!

(The Sixth child rises from his place, moving quickly into the kitchen, pulling open the refrigerator. Sure enough, a bowl of icing sits proudly on the second shelf, spoon embedded in the thick mixture. Moments later Aoi joins him, cake in hand, and the two begin to rectify the situation, liberally applying the topping to the cake.

A dollop, a second, spread around to cover the top of the cake.. another dollop for the sides.. another dollop.. Lyn starts to scrape around inside the bowl with the spoon, frowning as he realises there is not enough icing to cover the required area.)

Lyn: There's not enough - where'd all the icing go?

Aoi: Don't look at me, it's not my fridge.

Lyn: Seyoko?

Seyoko: (slowly turning red) Um.. well.. you see, I found a bowl in the 'fridge last night with a spoon in it and..

--------------------------------------

Misato: ..

(Misato Katsuragi stands before the smooth metal panel marked "72". In her hands she holds the folder containing the Marduke report. Still dressed in her casual clothes, it would be hard to believe that she has arrived at the door to Seyoko's apartment on serious buisness.

Yet her expression belies her dress; her mouth is fixed in a thin line, teeth almost clenched as she considers the news she now has to impart to the guardian of the sixth child. As she raises her hand to press the doorbell, a sudden intuition strikes, and she pauses as the sound of raised voices reach her ear. Tenatively, she turns her head to the side, her expression shifting from solemness into curiosity, and she presses her ear to the cool steel panel.)

Male Voice: (from other side) Wha.. That was for you!

Female Voice: (from other side) I'm sorry! How was I supposed to know?!

Male Voice: (from other side) But that much?! You must have had half the bowl!

Female Voice: I'm sorry! I like chocolate! It was the middle of the night and I was hungry! (pauses) Hey, if it was for me anyway, then what's the matter?

Male Voice: You could have asked! Only two of us live here, you know!

Female Voice: (petulant) Well, if you're going to be that way about it, you put all of your stuff on your side of the fridge, and I'll put all of my stuff on my side. And since you made this wonderful icing, you can have it..

Misato: (pulling away from door) Hmm..

Male Voice: (raised in horror) Seyoko! Don't you DARE!

Misato: ..

(There is a sudden shriek of laughter from the inside of the apartment, followed by a loud yell.)

Male Voice: Aaarrrrrgghhh!! Did you have to do that?

Misato: (sighing) I better interrupt them before..

(The Major's hand moves forward, this time reaching the button, depressing it for a long moment to ensure the doorbell chime is noticable to those within. The sounds from within the apartment quiet suddenly, the joyousness replaced by embarrasment as the people in the apartment realise the volume and length of their argument.

After a long pause and some scuffling, the steel entry panel slides open, revealing the grinning figure of Seyoko Okazaki, clutching a chocolate spattered spoon in one hand, dressed casually for a morning at home.)

Seyoko: Hello - Major Katsuragi?

(Seyoko appears startled by the figure before her. Indeed she should - the two are of a like dress, with Misato clutching a half-empty can of sake in her spare hand. Under her arm is tucked a plain folder - perhaps the neatest part of her dress - for the rest of her attire is a loose fitting sleeping top and a crumpled pair of jeans.

To complete the awe-inspiring ensemble, the dark haired Director of Operations is barefoot, choosing to brave the cold concrete in exchange for the enjoyment of the soft carpetting of the block elevator.)

Misato: Good morning. What's all the noise about?

Seyoko: (smiles) Just a little birthday celebration. I'd have invited you, but .. (slight laugh) It was rather sudden to me you see..

Misato: (level and calm) Happy birthday. (holds out folder) Your first assignment under my command.

(The Lieutenant looks briefly pained at the awkward timing of the Major's delivery. She holds out her hand, as if to accept the new package, but is interrupted by a boyish shout from inside the room is heard by the two officers. Seyoko pauses, looking over her shoulder to shout some instructions at the boysterous pair that remain inside the apartment.)

Seyoko: (calling out) Hey you two, quiet! I'm talking to Major Katsuragi!

Aoi: Yeah, shut up!

Lyn: Aoi, quit being such a..

Aoi: Such a what?

Lyn: Such a girl! And I can wipe the chocolate off myself!

Misato: (thinking) Aoi?

(Looking past Seyoko, Misato spies the young girl in question. Aoi Tamashii stands, washcloth in hand, in the hallway of the apartment of the sixth child, her face set in an expression of determination, a result of her partner's current look. The boy's face is somewhat smeared with what looks to be a spoonful of chocolate - courtesy of the expert hand of his guardian, the casting tool being the smeared spoon still clutched in her hand. Aoi is busy restraining the English boy, trying to hold his head steady as she cleans his face with the damp cloth, but his squirming causes her to spread the stain over more of his face as opposed to cleaning him.)

Misato: (thinking) Aoi is here?

Seyoko: So what's the assignment?

Misato: (reconsidering) Actually..

Seyoko: ..?

Misato: It is your birthday, so I really shouldn't ruin it so early in the day.. I... (thinking hastily) Perhaps we can meet after, say.. lunch and discuss it?

Seyoko: Sure.

Misato: ...

(The Major fumbles around, trying to find a graceful message of departure..)

Misato: One o'clock sound good?

Seyoko: (cooly) Sure.

(The two eye eachother carefully, like wildcats, neither speaking for a long moment. Eventually, another shout and giggle interrupts the freeze frame - Aoi now struggling with her red-faced 'prey', looking for all the world like a mother trying to clean a fussy child. Lyn yelps again, bringing an apologetic grimace to Seyoko's face as she takes a step backward, hand reaching to one side of the door frame.

The panel slides shut, muting the sounds of shouting from within.)

Misato: ..bye.

(Turning away from the door, she looks at the folder in her hands.)

Misato: ..

(The Major walks back down the corridor, turning the folder over in her hands absently. Stopping before the elevator doors, she presses the 'down' button, one bare foot slapping a rhythm on the cool concrete as she waits for the lift to return to her own apartment.)

Misato: You'd think they were all fifteen years old..

--------------------------------------

Seyoko: (chewing) mm mmmm mm mmm!

(Seyoko eyes the spoon in her hand, taking in the chocolate mass perched on the curved end. Opening her mouth as wide as possible, she tips the entirity of what remains of her slice into her already full mouth and munches, a contented smile on her face.)

Seyoko: mmm...

Seyoko: My compliments to the chef... I'm sorry, chefs.

(Seyoko continues chewing, her eyes half-closed as she savours the sweet chocolate taste. After a titanic gulp and several deep breaths, she heads for the sink and begins to fill a glass of water.

Aoi, meanwhile, is trying to coax Lyn's face around to clean it.)

Aoi: Lyn, turn around so I can clean it off...

Lyn: (objecting) Aoi!

Aoi: (waving dishcloth) You've still got some on that side.

Lyn: (looks at Seyoko, embarrassed) .. Seyoko!

Aoi: Oh, I see. Seyoko, could you please go outside so I can clean the baby?

(As Lyn flushes with embarrasment, Seyoko casts a thoughtful glance in the direction of the clock.)

Seyoko: I'm not sure if I trust you two.. and by the way, when does school usually start?

Lyn: (looking at clock) What.. Aoi! We'll be late!

(The sixth child leaps up and runs to his room - Seyoko briefly wonders if his haste was born of his worry about being late, or of his fear of Aoi's attentions. She takes a drink from her glass and looks at the girl, taking in her lack of proper school uniform.)

Seyoko: Don't you have school too?

Aoi: Uh..

(An uneasy silence falls as the two women regard each other, Aoi looking at just about any place but the Lieutenant's face. Seyoko's eyes narrow, detecting the evasion, but as she draws breath to pin down the point, the door to Lyn's room opens as the sixth child rushes past once more, having hastily changed into his school uniform.)

Lyn: Come on, Aoi! We'll be late!

(He grabs his empty schoolbag from its resting place near the dining table, using his arms to brush a heap of notepads, pens and textbooks from the table into the bag indiscriminately. He casts a guilty glance at the chocolate cake in the centre of the table, a peice missing - he has not yet had a chance to sample his own creation, but for now, school beckons.

Aoi takes a deep breath, about to say something, but is interrupted as Lyn rushes off once more, this time down the hallway, his finger stabbing at the door panel.)

Aoi: Lyn! Wait..!

(Aoi turns and rushes after, dishcloth still in hand. After a brief moment, the metallic hiss of the door signals the departure of the two children.)

Aoi: (in the distance) You've still got chocolate on your..

(Seyoko has not yet moved from her place at the table, from the time she mentioned school, to the time the two children left half a frantic minute later. Instead, her gaze falls on the chocolate cake which seems to rest contentedly on the table, almost bloated in its satisfaction at having but a single peice of itself missing.)

Seyoko: (sighing) I guess I'd better put you in the 'fridge..

(The cake says nothing - naturally.)

Seyoko: .. after just one more peice.

(The woman reaches over to the kitchen sink, retrieving the chocolate covered cutting knife and board, humming to herself as she makes her way to the table, cutting another generous slab, letting it lean over to one side, deftly catching it on her plate. She uses her fingers to lift the warm, fresh chocolate mass to her mouth and takes another bite, her eyes closing again in satisfaction as the savours the cake again.)

Seyoko: (around cake) I wonder where Aoi's going.. its not like her to skip school, and I can smell when someone's hiding something..

Seyoko: (chewing)..

Seyoko: (thoughtfully) What if she's seeing another boy?

(Seyoko takes another large bite of the cake, turning the possibility over in her mind. Abruptly she realises the outrageousness of the suggestion - just as the mouthful is making its way down her throat as she swallows. Her swallow changes abruptly into a fit of coughing as the cake goes the wrong way, the woman hastily dropping the plate to the table as she leans over, both coughing and laughing and, at the same time, gasping for air.

Eventually, she takes a few deep breaths, steadying herself, and sheds the lunatic idea from her mind. As if nothing had happened, she reaches down, recovering the plate and lifting the slice to her mouth for yet another taste..

On the table, the cake seems to gaze up vindictively, satisifed that it has gained the appropriate payment for an additional slice.)

Seyoko: Oh.. shut up!

--------------------------------------

(It is less than an hour later, and school is in for the children of Tokyo-3. The teacher of class 9A has not yet made his appearance, which leaves his students with a few idle moments to chat, cram in forgotten homework, and generally kill time. Touji Suzahara, the one-time Fourth Child, makes the most of this time. With his feet kicked up onto his desk he leans back in his chair.)

Touji: I've been thinking about it, but.. what's a guy supposed to do in this kinda situation?

Kensuke: Don't look at me. I'm not a counciller or anything like that.

Touji: You can say that again.

Kensuke: This is the sort of thing that we're just not good at.

Touji: Yeah, but it's just a movie. It's not like it means anything.. but.. you know, don't you?

Kensuke: No. You're not being very helpful, Touji. If you want advice, then why don't you -

(Kensuke sneezes, abruptly cutting his sentence off.)

Touji: Haven't you shaken that cold yet?

(Kensuke grimaces, pulling a hankerchief out of his pocket and raising it to his nose.)

Kensuke: No. Shinji and I should've taken some of my wet weather gear before running off.

Touji: Well, I guess it's the price of rushin' like that.

(Kensuke wipes his nose, briefly remembering the mad race through the wet countryside, now a week past. Unfortunately for the teenager, Kensuke's cold, picked up during the journey, is still with him, and is causing his nose to complain wetly.

The two boys look up briefly as Asuka enters.

The second child is wearing her usual school uniform, but her usual alertness is absent. Instead, she seems to almost wander into class, her mind apparantly elsewhere. Hikari, standing at the teacher's desk attending to the roll, is the next to notice the entrance of the second child, and greets her friend cheerfully.)

Hikari: Good morning, Asuka!

Asuka: ...

(The class representative frowns slightly before she lowers her head again, busying herself with her duties. Asuka continues to absently thread her way between the chairs and desks of the class, until she finally sits.

Touji and Kensuke freeze - Kensuke, in particular, resembles a rabbit caught in the spotlight of an oncoming truck. As the boy still feels the after-effects of the cold trip a week before, he still remembers the focused violence Asuka had directed at him in a moment of vengeful wrath.)

Touji: What did you do, Kensuke?

Kensuke: (cautiously) Nothing that I remember..

(The reason for his discomfort is that the second child has not taken her usual seat, but is instead seated directly behind Touji and Kensuke.)

Touji: Are you sure?

Kensuke: ..

(Asuka stares at the top of the desk in silence. It is a plain, nearly featureless rectangle of wood, exactly identical to all others in the classroom - except of course for the words scratched into the desktop:

What are you, stupid?

The second child's head seems to be bowed slightly, her eyes fixed on the words as she contemplate what appears to be some deep and meaningful truth.)

Kensuke: (looks at Touji sidelong) Um..

Touji: (leaning forward) Sohryu?

Asuka: (staring) ..

Touji: (snapping fingers) Hey Sohryu!

(Asuka seems to shake herself awake, dragging her attention to Touji. Her eyes narrow.)

Asuka: What?

Touji: What are you doing?

Asuka: (spiteful) It's called school, Suzahara, if you can wrap your two braincells around the word.

Touji: ..

Kensuke: (blows nose) ..

(The two boys, faced with Asuka's aggressive defence, carefully re-assess the situation - they look around carefully. Once certain that they have not made any mistake, they look back.)

Touji: But..

Kensuke: .. you're sitting in..

Asuka: (turns on him) What, Aida?

Kensuke: (trailing off) Shinji's.. seat.

(Asuka pulls back slightly, her eyes blank.)

Asuka: Huh..?

(She slowly looks around, taking in her position in the classroom. Her eyes narrow as she drops her suddenly suspicious gaze to the desk:

What are you, stupid?

Asuka looks back at Touji and Kensuke.)

Asuka: (under her breath) Stooges..

(She gets up abruptly and heads down the room towards her own seat. Kensuke and Touji don't get the chance to comment on the girl's strange behaviour as Lyn Anouilh enters the classroom, a frown on his face. Asuka brushes roughly against her shoulder as she pushes past him.)

Lyn: Hey! Sohryu, what's up?

Asuka: Just shut up, Anouilh.

(Lyn sits at his own seat, somewhat confused by Asuka's anger, but it is an all too familiar occurance for him to have any serious interest as to the source. Yet the confused look remains as he ponders some unknown fact, that is, until the Class Rep approaches him as part of her early morning duties..)

Hikari: (to Lyn) Mister Anouilh? Would you know where Miss Tamashii is?

(The boy looks up at sound of the girl's voice - Hikari is still filling in the roll for the morning and waits with a pen in hand. Her curious gaze meets his own, slightly baffled expression.)

Lyn: Aoi won't be coming today.. but she said she'd bring a note in tomorrow to explain it.

Hikari: (ticking off the name) ..Ok.

Lyn: (softly) She wouldn't say why, though..

--------------------------------------

(Aoi Tamashii sighs down at the large bundle of forms as it lands on the desk before her with a loud thump. Slowly, cautiously, she raises her eyes to meet the encouraging smile of Maya Ibuki.

It is a smile masked in trepidation; Maya isn't very used to indoctrinating new pilots. Promoted to the position of Project-E chairperson after Ritsuko's arrest, this is the first real chance Maya has had at direct pilot interaction - the kind that steps out from behind the computer console and beyond the giant Evangelions that the pilots are assigned to.

Taking in the expression on Aoi's face, Maya comes to the all too easy conclusion that she's simply not cut out for her line of work.)

Aoi: What's this?

Maya: NERV dogma. That's your basic conduct routine - you have to sign after you've read it.

(In a small, sterile-looking office in the Geo-Front complex, the newly appointed seventh child sits before the chairperson of Project E - Leiutenant Ibuki. Maya, since having replaced her predecessor and teacher, Ritsuko Akagi, has taken to wearing a white lab coat over her usual uniform.

Aoi looks at the thick booklet of sheets before her and considers examining them, but the sheer mass of the report quickly sways her from even attempting it - there is simply too much to read.)

Aoi: I trust you. What does it say?

Maya: In the most simple terms, you belong to us. Otherwise, you can't pilot.

Aoi: (surprised) Thanks for you honesty, um.. Lieutenant?

Maya: (smiling slightly) I'm actually the Project-E Chairperson.. but you can just call me Maya.

Aoi: Maya. So just how much of my freedom am I giving up?

(The former officer shrugs, knowing there is no possible way she can remember - let alone explain - all the details to the new pilot. Uncomfortable already, Maya drops her smile and simply waves a hand at foremost page of the large, tied bundle.)

Maya: Just read through the outline - it'll give you the general idea.

(Aoi lifts up the first paper and looks over it - then goes to the second. Finding the contents sheet, she flips quickly to the appropriate section and scans through it.)

Aoi: Obeying orders.. discretion of vital data.. defense plans.. secrecy.. Well, I suppose this makes sense.. Sort of.. (surprise) I have to what?

(Maya leans over the desk and looks at the section of the outline. She nods.)

Maya: That's the clause about residence. You have to remain where you can be located and transported to NERV central at all times. So, no long distance vacations, no hiding from the security teams that will be following you.. It also means you can't go on any school trips, I'm afraid - outside a certain vicinity of fast transport, that is.

Aoi: No trips? But..

Maya: It's been standard procedure ever since we lost Asuka.

Aoi: Lost her? How?

Maya: (sighing) Just sign the form.

(Aoi settles the correct page in front of her and stops. Her hands fumble as she looks for something to write with.)

Aoi: Um..

(Maya reaches into a pocket and retrieves a pen, handing it to Aoi.)

Aoi: Thanks. (looks at paper) So.. when will we.. do this thing? The test?

Maya: Actually, it'll just be the first test. But we won't be able to start today.

Aoi: (signing) Busy?

Maya: You could say that.

--------------------------------------

Teacher: So, in conclusion it can be seen that the derivative of these equations..

(In class 2A of the Tokyo-3 school, the students collectively release a large yawn of boredom. It is nearly the middle of the day, and against all hope, the teacher has progressed from a topic as boring as the Second Impact, and proceeded to actually educate the students. The matter at hand is mathematics; the students of the class display expressions varying from mild interest to outright boredom to utter confusion.

Shinji has his head down and is busy tapping away at his laptop, taking as many notes as is possible. Nearby, Kensuke is furiously typing as well - though most likely for very different [and less than legal] reasons. Touji seems to be doodling on his notepad - every so often his gaze wanders around to rest on the Class Representitive, Hikari Horaki. He is well into his fourth protracted "glance" when Asuka finally notices.)

Asuka: (poking Touji) Hey!

Touji: (whispering) Ah jeez, leave me alone..

Asuka: Quit staring at Hikari!

Touji: (angrily) I am not!

(The wizened teacher looks up, right on cue. Touji pales slowly as the class falls silent, punctuated by the sharp tap as the teacher tosses the piece of chalk onto the table.)

Teacher: Mister Suzihara - is there a problem?

(A deep chime sounds in the classroom.

The class releases a second collective sigh - loudest from the student in question. He has been saved by the bell; the Teacher's ire dissipates as Hikari Horaki rises to her feet and gives the appropriate commands. Once the pupils have paid their respects, the teacher nods once, directing an irritated glance at Touji, then steps out.)

Touji: (panting) ..! Saved by the bell.. and by my favourite meal, too!

Asuka: Trust you to be thinking of your stomach.. and why were you staring at Hikari so long, anyway?

Touji: ..

(The class 'tough guy' flushes a light shade of red under the questioning of the Second Child. Nervously, he peers around the classroom, looking to his friends for aid - Shinji, still absorbed in taking down some last minute notes, Kensuke shaking his head, remembering the reward he recieved for his last involvement with the often-vindictive German student. Eventually it is the subject of his embarrasment - Hikari - that comes to the rescue.)

Hikari: Actually, Asuka.. I was going to share my lunch with Touji..

(Asuka looks a little startled as Hikari has her turn at coloring an embarrased shade of red. Eventually, the Second Child shrugs, throwing her hands up in the air, and turns away with a look of disgust..)

Asuka: Bah.. betrayed! Who am I going to have lunch with now..?

(Asuka's eyes fall upon Shinji, still typing.. she touches her lip thoughtfully, considering.. until Kensuke leans into the picture, a bright smile on his face.)

Asuka: Aarrrghh.. no way..

(The redhaired girl's gaze travels around the class - with the Teacher gone, most of the seats are empty. One familiar figure is still packing her books and departing - the calm figure of Rei Ayanami. Out of desperation, Asuka raises her voice in a call..)

Asuka: Hey, Wondergirl! Where are you going?

Rei: It is lunchtime.

Asuka: Aren't you going to eat your lunch? You do eat, don't you?

Rei: .. He is waiting for me. Goodbye.

(Asuka stands, speechless, in the centre of the classroom as Rei quietly leaves, slowly closing the door in her wake. By the time the girl recovers from her astonishment, the rest of the class has abandoned her as well, leaving a very irritated figure standing amidst disorganised lines of desks and chairs.)

Asuka: ..

--------------------------------------

(The NERV security agents spread out - two men walks nearly a hundred metres ahead, another pair follow at an equal distance. All maintain cautious radio contact through their earplugs and microphones as they discretly escort the child.

Tenkei walks through the streets of Tokyo-3. The security team did not have a choice in the child's actions; the boy has previously displayed ease in evading their scrutinous eyes. Rather, they follow and protect as best as they can.

They already know where the child is going - he has gone there every lunch break for the past week, walking out of the primary school grounds, leaving his teachers and classmates behind.)

Agent: (radio) Two hundred metres to the park.

(It is just past noon on this fine school day - at this time children are, usually, just beginning their lunch breaks, eating their meals or playing in school grounds. The city parks are almost empty, making it easy for Tenkei to find Rei Ayanami, waiting patiently. The first child sits on an unmoving swing, her head bowed, an open book in her lap, using the wait as a chance to catch up on her studies.)

Tenkei: ..

(The pale-haired boy picks up his pace, striding towards the swings. Rei looks up, her face blank as her crimson eyes focus on the approaching child, then flicker from side to side, observing the security agents.)

Tenkei: ..

Rei: ..

(He stops a few feet away from the waiting girl, his small sneakers scuffing on the turf. Meanwhile, the security agents spread out along the perimetre of the park, turning their backs politely, giving the children some privacy.

It is a ritual that has been repeated daily since the two children returned from their escape from the city.)

Tenkei: ..

(Rei closes her book and slipping it into a pocket of her uniform. Tenkei watches her calmly, his expression as blank as the girl's - she slowly stands.)

Rei: ..

(The first child covers the distance between her and the boy in a few short steps. Kneeling down, she levels her eyes with Tenkei's. A smile flickers breifly on the boy's face as he reaches out to clasp Rei's hands. His hands curl around her fingers, and his smile spreads across his young face.

The first child returns the smile, closing her eyes briefly, as if in thanks.)

--------------------------------------

(With the lunch half over, most of the students have vacated the area near the classrooms and now take to the large grassy oval. Shouts of competition and laughter echo from the building walls as the students engage in a variety of games, several taking advantage of the school pool to quench the day's heat.

Shinji and Kensuke have joined the students currently engaged in a basketball game. Neither is known for their skill - in fact, both are straying near the sidelines, almost content to watch. They usually participate reasonably well in such games, but today is different; today, Touji is not on the court to join them. Suzahara is still known for his skill in the game, despite his prosthetic limbs.

Asuka suffers from a similar distraction - Hikari is off, who knows where, sharing her lunch with Touji. This stray fact leaves the redhaired girl somewhat annoyed - and perhaps a little jealous. She now wanders the school grounds, passing between the buildings slowly, her feet tramping through the dust, lunchbox clasped in one hand. She has not yet bothered to open it.)

Asuka: (muttering) Hikari.. off having lunch with.. rrruuuugh

(The girl presses her free hand to her stomach, grimacing as a slight discomfort touches her. She wanders across a bare tennis court, the net torn - hanging to the point of unusability. The girl walks slowly to the far side of the court, her hair being kicked up by stray gusts blowing over the school oval.

Reaching the side, she begins to walk along the tall fenceline until she reaches the end of the divider, where a small bench is placed for people to view tennis matches. Since the court itself is abandoned, the seat is conveniently empty and Asuka sinks into it, still rubbing her stomach with a thoughtful expression on her face.)

Asuka: mmph.. this doesn't feel good..

(The redhaired girl slumps in the seat, leaning back and stretching her feet out, the heels of her sandshoes scraping along the bitumen court. After a few minutes of relaxation, the second child lets out a deep sigh and shifts slightly, kicking a leg up comfortably on the seat.)

Asuka: ahh.. that's.. mmph better..

(Almost absently, her hands come together over her lunchbox and she pops the lid, seeking for the first time to eat the food packed earlier in the day. Rummaging around, she comes up blindly with a tidbit..)

Asuka: (sniffing) Shinji made this lunch..

(She pops the morsel into her mouth, chewing contentedly. She shuts her eyes, enjoying the lunch that someone else - that idiot - made, and produces another two morsels, popping them into her mouth with machinegun regularity, swallowing one after the other, her lids still closed.)

Asuka: Pretty good, as always.. 'course, I'd never tell him that..

(A sudden voice sounds, terribly close, catching the girl in the middle of a new portion..)

Voice: Are you alright?

(Asuka freezes in mid-bite, opening one eye to peer around, attempting to locate the source of the voice. It takes a moment for her to realise that the speaker is not, in fact, before her, but on the other side of the wall. Sitting up, she hastily gulps and leans closer to the divider.)

Second Voice: Yeah..

Asuka: (frowning)..

First Voice: You sure, Shinji? What happened on the court?

Asuka: (thinking) Shinji?

Shinji: I don't know.. I just felt.. sick.

Kensuke: But you're alright.. now?

Shinji: Yeah.. I just... (pausing) .. thanks for helping me..

Kensuke: Hey, anytime!

(There is a distant shout; probably one of the players from the other court, Asuka surmises.)

Kensuke: I gotta go.. if you need a hand, just holler..

Shinji: (quietly) Sure..

(There is the quick scuff of footsteps as Kensuke leaves, his departure hidden by the thick webbing of the fence. Asuka leans closer to the divider, listening to the soft sounds as Shinji takes several deep breaths.

On the other side, Shinji sighs as he leans back, relaxing in much the same way Asuka did several moments ago. After a long pause, the boy speaks once more in the same soft tone.)

Shinji: (quietly) Asuka..

Asuka: ..!

(There is no way the Third Child could have seen her; the fence is nearly totally opaque, made to provide shade as well as prevent after-hours intruders.)

Shinji: (smiling slightly) Enjoy your lunch..

--------------------------------------

(FLASHBACK:

Smoke swirled overhead as the tired figure sat at the bar.

The drinking establishment at which the figure sat was not known for its reputation; more accurately, it was one of the most disreputable places around. All kinds of low life ended up in a joint such as this at one time or another, for various reasons - tax evasion, wife evasion, job evasion or simply, life evasion. It was the kind of place where the drinks weren't watered down, but up - where you could drink yourself to stupidity relatively cheaply.

It was the perfect place for her, in her current situation. Seyoko Okazaki absently turned her drink around in her hand - it was a Scotch, rocks.. neat. She hates hard liqour.)

Seyoko: Waited my life for this..

(The swirling smoke - clearly the exhalations of cigarette users - has until this point obscured her figure as she slumps at the bar, chin on the palm of her hand in depression.)

Seyoko: My whole life.. and they make me a bloody nursemaid..

(The woman is clearly not happy with her situation. Her hand tightens on the liqour glass, producing a sharp crack as the glass shatters along one side. A hairline fracture appears in the cup, causing a matching red sliver along the palm of her hand. A small droplet of blood seeps down, unnoticed, to the top of the bar..

.. until strong fingers separate cracked glass from her tight grip.)

Voice: Can I buy you a drink?

Seyoko: (glum) I don't drink.

(The voice appears to belong to a tall figure, well proportioned, and from the depth in his tone, male. Without a word he sits on the next stool and takes up idly twirling the cracked glass, carefully keeping his fingers away from the sharp sliver. The cigarette smoke swirls lower, concealing his features as he answers with a gentle rebuke.)

Man: Well, I was fooled.

Seyoko: What do you care?

(In response, the man takes her hand in his, turning it over, tracing a finger along the small cut in her palm.)

Man: A small, shallow injury - caused by a sliver of glass, a cut of pain, a slice of the injustices of life.. a lady as beautiful as you should have wounds such as these mended by a strong heart..

Seyoko: (pulling her hand away) Still the charmer, I see.

(The man's smile is a flash of white, even teeth in the smoky dimness of the bar.)

Man: I'm told I never change. I take it you've been given your assignment?

(In response, the woman makes a face, expressing her disgust at her new and vaunted 'assignment'.)

Seyoko: A-04. Protection. In other words, babysitting. Worse yet, standby duty.

(She runs a hand through her hair, uncaringly staining it with a thin streak of blood. The crimson is lost among her red locks.)

Seyoko: They could assign me to anyone, at any time. Until then, I'm nailed down here. My career and my life is waiting for them to decide which fat-cat's son needs a sitter.

Man: It could be worse - you could have pulled a D-06. Then they'd decide which fat-cat's son you have to impersonate.

Seyoko: (grimly) That's the sort of assignment I wanted.

Man: Really? "A deep cover operative placed in a foreign land to be activated only in situations of dire need, required to place their life at constant risk for an indefinite period of time".. are you serious?

Seyoko: Stupid instructor..

Man: ..

Seyoko: (grumbling) Just because I wouldn't sleep with him..

Man: (shrugging) Some of them are like that.

Seyoko: Everyone seems to think we're sleeping together, too.

Man: Let them. Does it bother you?

(The redhaired woman falls silent, looking down at the palm of her hand, on which the tiny red line is already scabbing over. A wound, a brief pain, healed by another's touch - the pain is fleeting, the blood already clotting as she looks ahead to her new position, and around to see the progress of others.)

Seyoko: (sighing) I'll probably get stuck with some spoiled, loudmouth brat who thinks he's old enough to sleep with me.

Man: (smirking) ..If you didn't look so young and innocent..

(Seyoko answers with a solid punch to the upper arm. The man shrinks away, wincing, making a show of rubbing the impact point with his other hand.)

Seyoko: You're distinctly better off, from your travel records. You move around a lot.

Man: My travel records?

(Seyoko nods.)

Man: And how did you get my travel records?

Seyoko: (to herself) I should have gotten a D-06..

Man: (interrupting) You know why you got an A-04?

Seyoko: (sullenly) Why?

Man: Because you ask too many questions - and stick your nose in unsafe places.

Seyoko: I thought you were the one with the nose for trouble.

Man: Yes, I suppose.. (thoughtfully) But I slept with the instructor.

(Seyoko glances sharply at her companion, almost sure he is joking.)

Man: (leaning in close) I'd much rather sleep with you.

Seyoko: Just a matter of time until you make those rumors into truths, right?

Man: ..

Seyoko: Good thing I've got you covered - I know your secret, oh fortunate undercover man..

Man: My secret? My achillies heel? And what, pray, would that be? Some photographs of my dark days, perhaps? A bit of blackmail from my sordid past?

Seyoko: Oh.. hardly. A person, actually.. a name. A very old friend.

Man: (frowning) Who?

---------------------------------------

Seyoko: (softly) Misato..

Misato: (pausing) Are you paying attention, Leiutenant?

(The time is now 1:00 pm. Major Misato Katsuragi has made good of her promise - presently she and Lieutenant Seyoko Okazaki are traversing one of the many mechanical conveyors that line the maze of the Geo-Front complex. Beneath the 'bridge' under them is a vast drop into the abyss, where, far below, more conveyors and elevators are visible.

Seyoko shakes herself out of her memories, turning her attention to the Major.)

Seyoko: I'm sorry, Major. You were giving me..?

Misato: (smiles) Your first assignment under my command.

(Seyoko takes the offered folder and opens it, a faintly sick expression passing over her face.)

Seyoko: You're enjoying this, aren't you?

(The smile remains fixed on Misato's face as she begins to detail the Lieutenant's new duties.)

Misato: The first duty of any official is the delegate responsibility onto others.

Seyoko: You are enjoying this.

Misato: If it makes any easier on you to think that I am, then you can think whatever you want.

Seyoko: ..

Misato: Well. Firstly, your primary duty is to protect and care for the sixth child, Lyn Anouilh. You are his official guardian, and all responsibilities that go with it are yours.

Seyoko: (hesitating) But.. I already take care of Lyn..

Misato: And your immediate duty to Lyn is to inform him of the next child - the seventh.

Seyoko: The seventh? Another pilot?

Misato: (nodding to the folder) On the last page you'll find the report from the Marduke institute.

Seyoko: (opening folder) Marduke?

Misato: You must have heard of it.

Seyoko: (flicking through pages) Yeah..

Misato: It's important that you tell him.

(Seyoko finds the report profile and stares at the name.)

Misato: You see?

Seyoko: You're kidding.

Misato: No. That's why I think it would be best if you told him.

Seyoko: (eyes narrow) This is crap. This is unbelievable. How can they do something like this to the pilots?! To him?

Misato: They didn't. She came to me and overturned her.. previous decision..

(Seyoko's momentary anger freezes within her. As if doubting her hearing, she takes a step down the escalator towards Misato.)

Seyoko: She.. refused originally?

Misato: (nods somberly) She was actually the sixth child 'out of the hat', so to speak. But she refused, intitially.

Seyoko: (quiet) The sixth? That means that Lyn was..

Misato: Her replacement. (hesitates) I've been told that they have an.. understanding.

Seyoko: (slowly) She must be trying to make up for it.. she thinks she's forced him into it.. by refusing..

Misato: (looking down) Well, I'm leaving it in your hands.

Seyoko: (dryly) Thanks.

--------------------------------------

(The day wears on, and soon 3:00 pm arrives, bringing with it the end of the school day. Hikari Horaki is approaching the gate out of the school grounds when a strident shout reaches her ears.)

Aoi: (yelling) Hikari!

(The class representative stops, turning towards the source of the call. Aoi Tamashii runs along the fenceline of the schoolyard, waving.)

Aoi: (yelling) Hikari! Gotta speak to you!

Hikari: Miss Tamashii?

(They meet at the school gate - Aoi leans against a fencepost, breathing heavily.)

Aoi: (breathless) I'm sorry I wasn't in.. today..

Hikari: You have a note, don't you? Lyn said you would..

Aoi: (nods) Just let me.. catch my breath..

(Hikari slips her school bag off her shoulder and waits as Aoi recovers.)

Aoi: (rummaging through pocket) ..

Hikari: So why weren't you in class today?

Aoi: Here.

(Aoi unfolds a sheet of paper, recovered from one of her pockets, and hands it to the class representative. Hikari takes the sheet and reads it - after only a brief skim, her eyes widen.)

Hikari: (surprised) ..!

Aoi: See?

(Hikari nods, mute, and checks the sheet again, taking in the red symbol in one corner.)

Hikari: ..NERV?

Aoi: Don't tell anyone - please?

Hikari: ..

Aoi: ..

Hikari: (offers it back) It's too late today.. I'd have to hand it in tomorrow - you really should do it yourself-

Aoi: (interrupting) I won't be in tomorrow either - it says so in there.

Hikari: Oh.

(The class representative's face is briefly creased with a worried look; the hand that holds the sheet out to Aoi sinks back to hang at Hikari's side. Hikari takes a breath, trying to formulate something to say, but the seventh child turns away and, with a brief wave, begins to run.)

Aoi: (calling back) Thanks anyway Hikari!

--------------------------------------

(The door slides shut with a hiss as Misato arrives home. Looking about the apartment, she can see that, despite the relatively early hour of the evening, all is quiet in the Katsuragi household.)

Misato: ..Hey Shinji?

Shinji: (from another room) Hey Misato.

Misato: What are you doing?

Shinji: (from another room) Home work.

Misato: Where's Asuka?

Asuka: (from another room) I'm with Shinji.

Misato: (to herself) Huh?

(Misato heads into the kitchen and opens the fridge. From her vantage point she can see the second and third children in the living room, both intently staring at a textbook.)

Misato: Having trouble?

Asuka: Kind of.

(The young woman grabs a beer from the fridge and breaks the seal. As she gulps down the contents, she watches the two pilots studying.)

Shinji: ..

Asuka: ..

(Misato burps.)

Shinji: ..

Asuka: (turning page) ..

(Quickly finishing off the can, Misato looks about for the rubbish bin - then stops. She turns, slowly and thoughfully, and places the can down next to the sink. Stepping back, she looks at it.)

Misato: (calling out) Shinji! Don't touch the can on the sink!

Shinji: (from another room) Right!

Asuka: (from another room - frustrated) This is no good! You didn't get it either!

Shinji: I'm sorry! I guess we must have forgotten something.

Asuka: (aggravated) Rrrrgh! Let's go back and try again.

--------------------------------------

(Cool night falls onto the city of Tokyo-3 - the dark clouds overhead drift on the winds, occasionally revealing bright stars beyond. Midnight comes in a silent wave, and passes, bringing the earliest hours of the new day. It is at this time we see Misato Katsuragi restlessly shifting in her bed.)

Misato: (groans) ..

(Her eyes breifly open, blearily taking in the time shown on the clock. It read 4:30 am.)

Misato: Too.. early..

(Her eyes close again, and her tired body obeys the simple order - stay still. Misato rests silently, trying to return to her slumber.)

Misato: ..

(Her eyes open again, almost experimentally, and again she glances at the clock. It reads 4:30 am.

Then 4:31.)

Misato: (groans) ..

Misato: Not one of these mornings..

(The woman closes her eyes again, determined to return to sleep - but no longer feels tired.)

Misato: ..

(Another glance. Still 4:31. Eyes close.)

Misato: ..

(Her body, seemingly determined to force her awake, begins complaining. A dryness encroaches on her tongue, bringing up visions of glasses of moist, refreshing water - or cans of cool beer. The prospect of a further two hours in bed stretch out into the infinite distance..)

Misato: ..Damn it.

(She rises, slightly stiff, but finally resigned to the waking world. The apartment is dark, only the most faint pre-dawn light enters through the windows. Not yet worked up to getting properly dressed, Misato trudges out into the corridor, wearing her pyjamas.

Her bare feet slap against the linoleum floor as she seeks out the cure for her thirst - beer.

A crack, then a hiss, sound loudly through the otherwise silent apartment. Then, much more faint, the sound of determined swallowing.)

Misato: (burps) ..

(Fumbling briefly in the faint light, Misato deposits the empty can on top of the previous one, which still rests beside the sink. In some way satisfied by her small tower of aluminum, Misato heads out into the living room - and stops.

A foot protrudes from behind the couch.)

Misato: ..?

(She approaches the foot carefully. The body that the foot is connected to is, more correctly, in front of the couch, on the carpet before the TV.

And actually, there are two bodies.)

Misato: Oh.

(Shinji and Asuka are sprawled on the carpet. Shinji's head rests on an open textbook, while Asuka has one arm wedged up under her ear. Misato quickly surmises that the study they were doing the previous night stretched out - and out.)

Misato: ..

(Shinji makes a small sound in his sleep, shifting slightly. A murmer escapes his lips, too muffled by slumber for Misato to recognise the words. The watching woman remains silent during this; after Shinji's brief movement the apartment is consumed in a vacuum of silence.)

Misato: ..

(Taking great care not to wake the children, Misato heads back into Shinji's room, roughly pulling the sheets up from his bed. Doing the same with Asuka's, Misato returns to the living room with a bundle of blankets.

Once the two pilots are covered, Misato stands back, a small smile on her face.)

Asuka: (sleeping) Nnnngh..

(Worried that she might have woken the girl, Misato steps back slightly; but her fears fade as Asuka continues to murmer in her sleep, apparently undisturbed.)

Asuka: (sleeping) ..Nnnnnn.. (shifts)

(Asuka flops slowly onto her other side, twisting under the covers, until finally she manages to roll onto her back. She throws her arms out in sleep, one foot protruding haphazardly from beneath the warm covers, mouth open as she takes a deep rasping breath. The whole display draws a smile from the Major, who smiles, nodding once as she turns, slowly making her way back to her room. In her humour, Misato fails to notice the significance of Asuka's outflung arms, and the person to whom she is unconciously reaching.

The two teenagers in the living room continue to sleep peacefully, not disturbed by Misato's careful nursing as the now slightly tipsy Operations Director makes an unsteady beeline for her bedroom.)

--------------------------------------

Gendo: The Unit?

(Maya looks up from her checklist - slight circles of darkness under her eyes reveal that she has remained at work through the night.)

Maya: The final formation proceedures have yet to be initiated.

(Gendo Ikari holds his hands behind his back as he gazes up through the thick plexiglass screen at the giant form beyond. It's body, bare of armour, is a mass of brown-green flesh - a distorted human form. Elongated arms hang down limply, almost reaching the floor. Equally long tubes and cables are inserted into it's body, some vanishing up into the ceiling, others running along the floor into the walls. Reinforced restraints hold the creature to the wall of the Adytum chamber.

It's eyes are dim - the creature is inactive.

Other NERV personel are still at work; a few labour at the computer stations set at points along the cables that lead from the Evangelion. All have a quiet, subdued attitude, well aware of the extreme early hour.)

Gendo: I trust there were no difficulties in the last formation?

Maya: No sir. The test-type genome followed the prototype's anatomical structure to within point seven percent. There were no problems found in graphing the entry canals or the skeletal structures.

Gendo: Then the Unit will be operation once the final formations are completed?

Maya: It should be capable of an activation.. of course, affixing armour will take several weeks, especially as we'll need to fabricate entirely new plates to fit its dimensions..

Gendo: We merely need to test it's operational capacity. The exo-skeletal restraints are all that is necessary.

Maya: Yes sir.

Gendo: When can the final formations be completed by?

Maya: Um, if we start the final stage tonight - I mean this morning, I suppose we could have it ready in maybe three hundred hours.. if we rushed it. But I'd advise another week for checking the calculations and measurements - we only have one shot at this, sir.

(The early hour seems to have no effect upon the Commander of NERV as he gazes up at the creature.)

Gendo: (thinking) One more step towards you..

Gendo: What about it's capacity to recieve pilot data?

Maya: Sir? Well, the nerve links are nearly fully developed - but without the final stage being completed, it's incapable of responding to any input.

Gendo: Very well. Continue, Lieutenant. Ensure that it is ready for the test tomorrow.

--------------------------------------

(When the sun finally shows it's radiant face, it sheaths the city of Tokyo-3 in light.)

Rei: ..

(The first child is seated at her place in class as she gazes out a nearby window at the sun-soaked courtyard beyond. The morning is cool, but the skies, clear of the previous day's clouds, warn that by noon the coolness will become oppressive heat.)

Rei: ..

(Rei glances up at the classroom clock - classes have not yet started. More to Rei's concern, the lunch break is still far away - and thus, so is her daily meeting with Tenkei.)

Lyn: Ayanami?

Rei: (turns in seat) Anouilh?

Lyn: ..

Rei: What is it?

Lyn: Was.. (pauses, looks around) Was there a test scheduled for today?

Rei: I do not believe so.

Lyn: Because Shinji and Asuka aren't in..

Rei: (looks at him questioningly) ..

Lyn: Normally they are.

Rei: Perhaps Lieutenant Ibuki has requested them specifically.

Lyn: ..Maybe.

(The boy switches on his terminal; Rei takes this as an end to their conversation and turns back to the window.)

Lyn: (thinking) Maybe I'll call her later..

(The sixth child looks around again, and again the object of his search is missing - Aoi Tamashii is absent from class.)

Lyn: (thinking) Two days now..

(From the front of the class, Hikari Horaki watches Lyn with a faintly worried expression.)

-(flashback)-Aoi: Don't tell anyone - Please?

(Hikari stands, choosing to stay outside the class room. Closing the door behind her, she waits in the corridor.

As she waits, students file into the classroom to wait until the teacher arrives. As each enters, Hikari marks them off on the roll.)

Touji: (loudly) 'Morning, Class Rep.

(Hikari ticks off Touji Suzahara's name on the roll as the boy calls out from down the corridor.)

Hikari: Good morning, Mister Suzahara. Not late today?

Touji: Um.. No, I guess not.

Hikari: Have you seen Mister Aida this morning?

Touji: Yeah, on the way in. He had to return some money to the office.

Hikari: (smiles) Thanks, Touji.

Touji: Um.. you're welcome.

Hikari: Say, do you want to have lunch again today? My sister Kadama and I cooked extra again last night by mistake..

(Touji is saved from responding by the sound of a wooden cane striking the hall floor - annoucing the approach of the teacher. In scant moments the wizened Teacher enters the classroom and Hikari resumes her duties, approaching him with her papers.)

Hikari: Sir? I have the absence slip from Miss Tamashii, from yesterday.

(Hikari hands the teacher the note - the old man reads the message from NERV impassively.)

Teacher: Hmm.. another one..

(A brief frown creases his ancient face before he enters the classroom. Just as Hikari turns to follow, the sound of rapid footfalls in the distance causes the girl to turn, a knowing smile on her face.

Kensuke and Goro sprint down the corridor, bursting into the room just as the Teacher turns, relief evident on their faces as they gauge the timing of their arrival.)

Kensuke: (breathless) -made it!

--------------------------------------

(The door slides open, revealing an unusual figure. She wears a baggy orange-and-black plugsuit and a dark expression.

Aoi Tamashii is not impressed.)

Maya: Ready?

(The seventh child steps out of the locker room and into the corridor, her movements made awkward by the unsealed plug suit.)

Aoi: Do I really have to wear this?

Maya: It's standard. All the children do.

Aoi: Can't I.. can I get this fitted? To fit me? It's about five sizes too big!

Maya: Just press the button on your left wrist.

(The girl awkwardly raises her left had to her face. Gripping the thick wrist band she finds the button and depresses it. The vacuum seal contracts the black-and-orange suit around her body's contours - she straightens with a slightly alarmed expression.)

Aoi: Well that was surprising..

Maya: But better?

Aoi: (takes an experimental step) Definitely.

Aoi: (looks down herself) But not very flattering..

(Maya leads the seventh child to the test chamber, where four entry plugs rest, side by side, and angled slightly. The lower end of each plug is half-inserted into a canal in the wall. Two more canals are visible, but no plugs fill them.)

Aoi: What's this?

Maya: This is where you'll be doing your synchronization tests. Usually the pilots come here at least once a week.

Aoi: Synchronization? That means..

Maya: It's a ratio of how much you and an Eva can operate together.

Aoi: ..

(The girl approaches one of the empty canals. Since no plug blocks the view, the girl can peer down the tunnel into the next chamber, where a sea of purple fluid is visible.)

Aoi: What's down there?

Maya: You're looking at the test fluid. It's an LCL derivative.

Aoi: LCL? That.. breathing stuff.. you talked about?

Maya: Yes. We haven't installed your test plug here yet, so you'll have to use one of the other children's plugs today.

--------------------------------------

(Asuka carefully pulls her red hair free of the neck of her plugsuit and presses the seal tab. As her suit tightens around her frame, her thoughts turn to something that has hung on the edge of her mind since she arrived at NERV this morning.)

Asuka: (thinking) Why isn't Wondergirl here?

(The second child closes her locker and looks about the otherwise empty locker room.)

Asuka: (thinking) I didn't see Lyn, either..

Asuka: (thinking) What are we going to do today?

(She frowns and balls her fists, trying to work the stiffness out of the tight-fitting gloves. The lack of other pilot presence only briefly troubles her.)

Asuka: (thinking) Shinji and I have the highest synch ratios..

Asuka: (thinking) Maybe that's it..

(But something else is wrong.)

Asuka: ..?

(Something much nearer - something more immediate. Asuka looks around, her eyes running over the surfaces of the locker room, until she finally sees the stencilled plate on her locker.)

02

(Frowning slightly, she turns from her locker and looks around. The others in the room are unstencilled, belonging to no one - except for Rei's.)

01

(And, she suddenly realises, one more!)

07

(Asuka stares at the additional locker..)

Asuka: (disbelief) What?

--------------------------------------

Hyuga: The second and third children are entering the decontamination rooms - they'll be ready for the tests in a few minutes.

(Misato Katsuragi doesn't look away from the display screen, on which a single entry plug can be seen suspended on the slope above the test fluid. The readout comes from the synchronization test chamber, even as, far away in the Pribnow box, the simulation bodies are being prepared for the second and third children.

The door hisses open and Maya enters. The Lieutenant's brown eyes immediately fix on the lone plug on the viewscreen - the plug that contains the latest pilot.)

Misato: She's ready.

Hyuga: And the simulatory test is still a few minutes from beginning.

Maya: Then we might as well start Aoi's test, while we have the time. (to intercom) Yuri? Patch us into the fourth plug's communication circuit.

--------------------------------------

Misato: (from radio) Okay Aoi, are you ready?

(The girl's hands clasp and unclasp the control handles nervously. She knows the butterfly handles are useless, a reassurance as it were - but her hands still tighten on the grips as she struggles to blot nervous perspiration.)

Aoi: Just let out all my air and take in a deep breath?

Maya: (radio) That's right. We're flooding the entry plug now..

(The seventh child looks nervously at the sluices of the entry plug - LCL has begun to flow in, pooling in the bottom recesses of the large cylinder. With uncomfortable speed, the level of the yellow fluid rises up towards the pilot.)

Misato: (radio) Don't worry, Aoi, it becomes natural in just a few seconds. You won't even notice it after the first few breaths.

Aoi: (sarcastic, slightly frantic) That's very comforting, I'll remember that when -

(Her sentence is rendered down to an unitelligable garble of bubbles as the LCL level passes over her head. Blinking uncomfortably, the girl concentrates on remaining calm and trying to peer through the yellow sludge. Her tutor's voices ring eerily clearly through the murky yellow dimness..)

Misato: (radio) Just let it all out.

Aoi: (thinking) Easy for you to say.. has Misato even tried this?

(Steeling herself, she lets the air flow out of her lungs - a string of yellow bubbles bursts upwards, 'pooling' at the uppermost point of the back of the plug, where they are drawn out of the compartment by the final vent system.

With a convulsive movement, she sucks in a lungful of LCL, the liquid causing an uncomfortable tightness in her chest. Her body instinctively tries to gag on the fluid, but she forces herself to hold the mixture in. Another breath, and the tension in her lungs eases.

A few seconds later, the girl is breathing normally.)

Aoi: ..

Misato: (radio) You alright, Aoi?

Aoi: (frowning) ..gublb.. I'm okay.. this stuff tastes funny..

--------------------------------------

Misato: How is she?

Maya: Synch is very low with the simulation program; only fifteen percent. But given that she hasn't had any training, that's acceptable. It'll be quite a while before I'd want to put her in a combat situation..

Misato: (grimly) Tell me about it.. what's the plug depth?

Maya: One point five. Hardly deep enough for a reading. Her harmonics aren't good enough yet to hope for anything more.

(The test proceeds in silence until Hyuga reports the progress.)

Hyuga: Caspar has recorded the seventh child's RAM.

Maya: She's shown point zero three percent improvement since the start of the test.. she might stabilize an entire point zero five percent above her initial reading.

Misato: (slightly sarcastic) Great.

Maya: ..

Misato: (pausing) Sorry, it just doesn't seem that.. great..

Maya: Well.. she's new. Rei took seven months - if you measure in comparison to Rei's initial scores, she's a prodigy. We'll work with it. (to communicator) Yuri? Keep taking readings - the Major and I are heading over to the Pribnow box to handle the simulation bodies.

Yuri: (from communicator) Yes Ma'm.

--------------------------------------

(Only two simulation bodies are present in the pribnow box; the other test bodies have been lost to deterioration. The massive shapes are much like Evas, elongated human limbs strapped to the wall of the chamber.

These Evas are incomplete - the growth of the creature's heads and legs have been prevented through chemical treatment and cybernetic implantation. Instead, masses of cables and tubes project upwards from the necks and shoulders of the bodies. Bastardized Evangelions, built purely to test the raw data that pours from the entry plug - from the throne of the soul.)

Misato: Sir? Why are we only testing these two pilots?

(The Major's question is directed towards the presence of NERV's second-highest authority - Commander Fuyutsuki. The grey-haired old man sit seated at one of the rear-most consoles were he oversees the data from the experiment.

Still a scientist at heart, Fuyutsuki takes a moment to raise his eyes from the readout.)

Fuyutsuki: Commander Ikari's orders. I would assume it relates to the Contact.

(Misato nods, understanding what the Commander refers to. The 'Contact', an incident in a recent battle, when Units 01 and 02 breifly combined their AT fields. For a terrifying moment the pilots were subjected to third-stage mental contamination, where the basic building blocks of the psyche form what is called the human mind.

Niether pilot has revealed exactly what they experienced in that moment - if they even remember. Misato, however, does. She was, after all, at ground zero.)

-(flashback)- The AT field swells, the white light pouring from it's radiance growing even more brilliant, then bursts forward, a giant wall of incandesance that washes outwards from the two Evangelions in the core of the blast. But it is not a blast - the wave of light disturbs not one stone or leaf; rather, all it touches is imbued with it's white fire, glowing briefly as if touched by the hand of God.

Maya: Unlike the Evas, the test bodies have no personal imprints. They haven't been active long enough to develop them from pilot linkage.

Fuyutsuki: And so, through using the simulation bodies instead of the Evas, we may be able to aquire a more 'pure' recording of the pilots' readings - to see if everything is where it should be.

Misato: ..

Misato: (thinking) You still want to know what they saw, don't you?

Misato: (thinking) They can pretend that this is some kind of check-up, but ..

Maya: Inserting the entry plugs.

(Misato nods, pulling away from her thoughts of suspicion as she glances out the metre-thick plexiglass that separates the chamber from the Pribnow box. The entry plugs slide into the simulation bodies and the procedure begins.)

Maya: Flood the plugs.

Hyuga: Plugs are flooded. Begining activation, power levels at forty percent.

Maya: (to Fuyutsuki) Commander? Is the data coming through?

Fuyutsuki: So far.

Hyuga: All connections in place, no abnormalities detected.

Maya: (to Misato) The simulation bodies are activated.

Fuyutsuki: Run the data through Balthazar - archive the information.

Hyuga: We've reached optimal data input - we can begin the transfer to to the test type.

Fuyutsuki: Begin with the standard transfer; send the pilot's signals to their designated Evas. If there are no problems, we'll commence transfer of data to the test type in the Adytum.

Maya: Yes sir.

Misato: (to Fuyutsuki) Sir? The test type?

Fuyutsuki: Another pet project of Commander Ikari's. We'll need it to complete the readings.

Hyuga: (from console) Transfering signal to Unit One.

Maya: Transmit Unit Two's signal.

Hyuga: Transferring signal to Unit Two. Opening circuits.

Misato: (to Fuyutsuki) A pet project, Sir? Could you clarify just what that means?

Fuyutsuki: Another Eva.

Misato: (surprised) Another Eva? Another? Sir, why wasn't I informed?

Fuyutsuki: (small smile) I can only apologise that we don't send out staff newsletters displaying Eva construction time tables..

Misato: ..

Fuyutsuki: You didn't really need to know, Major. After all, it was a miracle that Unit 6 was successfuly activated; why inform personel about what may be merely a 'flash in the pan'?

Misato: I see.

Fuyutsuki: The outcome of these tests will most probably decide the Unit's fate.

Hyuga: (from console) Sir? The circuits are open.

Misato: (into radio) Shinji? We're about to patch your signal into Unit One.

(As she speaks, a countdown appears on the screen - the reading is 20 seconds.)

Misato: When the counter reaches zero, unfold your AT field.

Shinji: (radio) Right.

Maya: Patch his signal through.

Hyuga: Affirmative.

(As the flow of data from Shinji's test plug is diverted through the simulation body and channelled into Unit 01, half a mile away in the storage cage, the countdown begins.)

Hyuga: AT field will generate in fifteen seconds.

Maya: Unit One is recieving data flow. All nerve connections normal.

Hyuga: Field will generate in nine.

--------------------------------------

(Unit 01's eyes flares up slightly as power and data flow into it. As the distant pilot bends his will, the Evangelion's AT field slowly appears - a shimmering wall that flickers up the giant's body like a heat wave.)

Technician: AT field generated. AT field is stable.

--------------------------------------

Maya: Confirmed. Open Unit Two's circuit and transfer the data from Asuka.

Misato: (into radio) You can stop now, Shinji.

Shinji: (radio) Okay.

Maya: (into radio) Asuka, you know the operation. When the counter hits zero, generate your AT field.

--------------------------------------

(A few minutes later, Fuyutsuki judges the standard procedures have been followed.)

Fuyutsuki: Lieutenant? Inform the Adytum crew that the Test-Type is to be prepared.

Maya: Yes sir.

(Misato steps closer to the thick plexiglass screen that separates the control room from the fluid filled chamber were the simulation bodies are suspended.)

Misato: An activation by remote contol.. It sure beats having a pilot sitting inside of what might turn out to be an enemy.

Maya: It's still not a true activation - it's impossible to obtain a synch ratio higher than ten percent without a pilot in the entry plug. And the pilots are releasing a tremendous amount of information through the plug interfaces.. it puts an enormous strain on the uplinks..

Misato: Well, as long as it's safe, it's good enough for the first time.

Hyuga: The Adytum reports that the circuits are open.

Maya: (to radio) Shinji, we're about to send your signal into.. another Eva. Tell us if anything goes wrong.

Shinji: (radio) Right.

Maya: (to Hyuga) Do it.

Hyuga: Cutting signals to Unit One.. preparing Balthazar to record all entries..

Fuyutsuki: Let's see what this thing can do..

Hyuga: Transfering Shinji's signal into the Test Type.. now!

--------------------------------------

(Far away, secured to the wall in a chamber not unlike the Evangelion cages, something stirs. A pair of eyes begin to glow fiercly as they are used for the first time by a new inhabiting awareness - the mind of Shinji Ikari.)

--------------------------------------

Hyuga: Contact has been made.

Maya: No problems.. yet. Recording Shinji's signal through the Test-Type.

Misato: (to radio) Everything alright, Shinji?

Shinji: (radio) It's okay. It feels.. different from Unit One.. but I guess that's normal.

Maya: Anything specific..?

(There is a long moment of 'dead air' as Shinji seems to ponder the question. Eventually, his answer rings out through the control room, tinged with uncertainty and a slight curious, questioning tone..)

Shinji: (radio) I feel.. like I'm tilting.. like this is leaning to one side.. or somehow.. not balanced correctly..

Misato: (reassuringly) Shinji.. what you feel is a new Eva - a test type. The interface probably needs a few tweaks.. don't worry about it, okay?

Shinji: (unsure) Uh.. if you say so, Misato.

(At this moment, Fuyutsuki looks up from the terminal he sits at - the readouts illuminate his lined face in a way that makes him appear old - far older than the note of command in his voice as he speaks.)

Fuyutsuki: Inform the pilot that he is to generate an AT Field, as according to the standard procedures.

Maya: (alarmed) Sir? I wasn't informed that -

Fuyutsuki: (interrupting) There is no danger. But without the interference of Unit One, with an Eva untarnished by use, we can take a pure reading of the pilot's AT field. Do it.

Maya: Yes sir. (into radio) Okay Shinji, when the counter reaches zero, activate your AT field.

Shinji: (radio) Okay. Fifteen seconds to AT field activation.

Misato: (thinking) I hope you know what you're doing, Commander..

(They all watch the counter tick down.)

Misato: Five seconds.

Misato: Four.

--------------------------------------

(The sensory systems in the Adytum begin taking their readings, to the satisfaction of a lone figure who stands at a viewing port high above the test type. He looks down at the giant figure, noting the thick cabling that enters the Eva under its left shoulder blade - where one of two entry plugs resides.

The twin plug slot, under the right shoulder blade, has an identical bundle of thick cabling leading into the mass of computer terminals, but the plug is inactive, with no data feeding into it.

The giant form seems to shudder as the world warps around it - within the phase space of the creatures AT field, the very laws of physics suddenly bend to the will of the distant pilot. The barrier rises in a blur, then fades to a slight haze that barely distorts the features of the Test Type.)

Gendo: Excellent.

--------------------------------------

Hyuga: AT field is active. No problems detected..

Fuyutsuki: The Adytum's readings?

Maya: Confirmed, the readings are being documented in Balthazar. (looks at Fuyutsuki) Commander, you might want to look at this..

(The aged man looks over Ibuki's shoulder for a moment.)

Fuyutsuki: Feed the data into the master terminal. (straightening) Repeat the procedure with the second child.

--------------------------------------

(Asuka settles herself back in the plug seat, gripping the control handles lightly.)

Maya: (radio) Her signal is being accepted.

Misato: (radio) Asuka - is everything okay?

Asuka: (thinking) This is weird.. It doesn't feel anything like my Unit Two..

Asuka: (thinking) This place smells..

Asuka: (thinking) Shinji.. I can smell him - almost like he's in here, with me.. no.. close by.. on.. my right?

(The pilot casts a curious glance to her right, at the featureless wall of the entry plug. One of her hands slips from the controls, almost lifting to reach for the wall, when a voice from the Pribnow box interrupts..)

Misato: (radio) Asuka?

(Asuka frowns, and simply returns her hands to the controls, where they belong.)

Asuka: Everything's ready, Misato. What do you want?

Misato: (radio) Generate an AT field when the counter runs out.

Asuka: Roger.

--------------------------------------

(Misato Katsuragi stands silently in the control room, looking out at the simulation bodies, where the two children that have become her family are tested.)

Hyuga: Asuka's AT field has been recorded through the Adytum systems, Sir. Is that it?

Fuyutsuki: Not yet.

Fuyutsuki: (thinking) The moment of truth..

Fuyutsuki: Transmit Ikari's signal into the test type again.

Hyuga: Yes sir. Cutting connections to the second child -

Fuyutsuki: (interrupting) No! Leave them engaged.

Hyuga: Sir?

Misato: But two direct signals can't be interpretted through a single Eva! Even with an indirect signal, you still recieve thought noise -

Fuyutsuki: (interrupting) I understand how the interface operates, Major. Patch in the signal from the third child and order him to unfold his AT field.

(As Misato struggles to puzzle out the Commander's intent, Fuyutsuki turns to Ibuki.)

Fuyutsuki: Lieutenant? What will happen?

Maya: If we have both signals running? Both fields? Well, they'll show up as incompatible - the system will run an automatic shutdown of all power to the Eva and will cut the circuits to the pilots.

Fuyutsuki: Then there is no danger to the children.

Maya: No Sir, there shouldn't be.

Misato: (thinking) She's acting too calm about this..

Misato: (thinking) Does Maya knows something?

Misato: (thinking) What is this new Eva?

Fuyutsuki: (to Hyuga) Then send his signal.

Hyuga: (turning to console) Yes Sir..

Misato: (thinking) He's not trying to recombine their signals, is he?

Misato: (thinking) Are they trying to repeat the contact?

Hyuga: Signal transmitting - the Adytum is recieving.

(They wait for a moment. Then Hyuga speaks again, shocked as he looks down at the console.)

Hyuga: They're.. the signals aren't rejecting each other!

Misato: What?

Hyuga: It's working - Shinji and Asuka are both synchronizing!

Maya: Are you sure that both signals are being recieved?

Hyuga: Double checking.. confirmed! Balthazar is recording..

Misato: (thinking) They planned this.. with Shinji and Asuka?

Misato: (thinking) Maya, tell me what this is..

(But even as Misato puzzles over the test, Fuyutsuki seems pleased with the results.)

Fuyutsuki: Cease the experiment - the children are finished.

Maya: Then it's time we checked on Tamashii.

--------------------------------------

(Aoi's face on the screen frowns.)

Aoi: (radio) Are you finished yet?

Yuri: Just try to concentrate.

Aoi: (radio) On what?

Yuri: (frowns) ..I'm not sure. Maybe you should ask one of the other pilots.

(Yuri finds herself as uncomfortable around the new pilot as her superior, Maya Ibuki. The phone beside the technician rings and she gladly picks it up, almost grateful for the interruption.)

Yuri: Yes?

Maya: (phone) We're done here. How is the seventh child's harmonics readings?

Yuri: Improving. We were able to squeeze another point eight out of the plug depth. I also compared her readings with the personal RAMs of the other pilots.

Maya: (phone) Have you come up with anything yet?

Yuri: Not yet. She doesn't seem to have any obvious incompatability with any of the Evas, though. It might be worth looking into.

--------------------------------------

Gendo: Hmm.

Fuyutsuki: You see it?

Gendo: This is - disturbing.

(Gendo looks down at the printout Fuyutsuki places on the Commander's desk. The focused light in the office lands upon the figures of Gendo Ikari and Vice-Commander Fuyutuski as they discuss the results of the test. Maya Ibuki stands off to one side.

The syncrhonisation tests have been completed long since; the pilots dismissed and departed for their various homes. Now all that remains is the collating of information, and, it seems, a proper understanding of the message contained within..)

Gendo: (to Maya) Lieutenant Ibuki? Your opinion?

Maya: (straightening) It appears, Sir, that once we eliminated the interference from the Evas, the AT fields of the second and third child have barely a one point two percent difference in phase and frequency.

Fuyutsuki: In effect, their personal fields are almost identical.

Maya: One point two percent is almost negligible.

Gendo: (looking at the report) Neither of the other pilots share any of the similarities exhibited by the third and second children.

Maya: No Sir. Their waveforms are completely different. (pauses) It really isn't possible.

Gendo: Do have have a theory to explain this.. kinship?

Maya: I compared the results from this test with the ones from the prior tests involving the simulation bodies. (hands over a sheet) The differences are, as you can see..

Gendo: (looking at sheet) Hmm.

Maya: Their fields have changed since the last test.

Fuyutsuki: (bluntly) Why?

Maya: (thinks for a moment) It could be merely a side effect from living together for a long period of time.. but that wouldn't explain this sudden shift. Possibly the effect may have originated from when Asuka piloted Unit One.. or it may be a result of the contact.

Gendo: Look into it. Lieutenant, you are dismissed.

(The two men wait until Maya has left the dim, expansive office before they voice their own opinions. Ibuki, if she was able to hear them, would most likely be shocked.)

Gendo: (satisfied) We were correct.

Fuyutsuki: This pushes it forwards, you realise - of course, you don't need me to tell you this.

Gendo: Then the complementation may be accomplished in a much simpler manner than we had anticipated.

Fuyutsuki: (narrowing eyes) Substitution.. even if such a thing could be acheived. I didn't actually believe you go through with it. We had always intended to use the complement.

Gendo: The results of these experiments confirm that it is possible - even preferable. (closes folder) The complement has failed us in this instance - perhaps our answer did not need to be birthed through science.

Fuyutsuki: Then the solution is almost too simple. Of course.. how could this be called simple.

Gendo: This also confirms that the test type's presence may facilitate the complementation. That, at least, follows the orignal hypothesis.

Fuyutsuki: But we musn't contaminate the Unit by use - it must remain on neutral ground.

Gendo: Yes. So another way must be found to accelerate the development.

Fuyutsuki: Another series of tests?

Gendo: It seems the limit of what we can utilize.

(Silence falls over the pair as Fuyutsuki pauses to consider the path that Ikari has embarked upon. And in that path, what step they must next take.)

Fuyutsuki: Ikari? If the Test-Type is successful, then what genome will we proceed to develop?

Gendo: If the Test-Type is successful, we will not need to proceed.

Fuyutsuki: (pausing) Allow me to rephrase myself - if the Test-Type fails to accomplish our goals, what will we do?

(Gendo appears to think.)

Gendo: If it fails.. then why continue?

--------------------------------------

(Misato Katsuragi picks at her food absently, slightly worried by the silence that hangs over the dinner table. Although both Shinji and Asuka are present, no words have been spoken.)

Misato: ..

(But unlike other times, neither child seems upset or angry - instead, both seem calm and neutral.)

Shinji: (passing pepper to Asuka) ..

Misato: ..

(And silent.. unusually silent. No amount of alcohol seems to shake the sense of unease for Misato - the two pilots before her are eerie in their movements - almost anticipating one another. The lack of conversational banter, or for that matter, outright abuse, is more than a little disturbing.)

Asuka: (sprinkling pepper onto her meal) ..

Misato: ..

(Asuka looks up suddenly from her peppering.)

Asuka: So Misato.. who's the seventh child?

Misato: (alarmed) What?

Shinji: (to Asuka) The seventh? What do you me-

Asuka: (offhandedly) Oh, just before the test today I noticed that one of the lockers had a new number on it. Seven. (to Misato) That is what we're up to, right?

Misato: Why do you have to be so pointed about it?

Asuka: (flatly) Because you haven't told us.

Shinji: This pilot.. if the locker was in the girl's locker room, that must mean she's a girl, right Misato?

Misato: (dread) Yes..

Asuka: But Misato, why do we need another pilot? We've got me for Unit Two, Shinji for Unit One, Lyn for -

Misato: You know why, Asuka. We need backups in case one of you is injured.

Shinji: Who's the seventh child? Is it for this.. test type.. you had us synchronise with today?

Misato: I'm not sure, Shinji. The pilot..

(Misato Katsuragi takes a breath, forcing the name to leap out of her mouth, as if speed might help.)

Misato: It's Aoi Tamashii.

(The two children absorb this name.)

Shinji: (shocked) Lyn..

Asuka: (outraged) Her?!

Misato: It wasn't my choice.

Asuka: ..

Shinji: Whose choice was it then?

--------------------------------------

Lyn: (disbelief) Oh no.. no way.. no no no damn way!

(His guardian, Seyoko, flinches at the harsh tone, looking down at her meal, as other shop patrons turn curiously towards the source of the sudden outburst.

It is dusk, and the pair are seated in a small resturaunt overlooking the geofront, picked for its beautiful views and apparently peaceful dining. Clearly, the financier of the outing - Seyoko herself - had made an attempt to bring her ward to a quiet spot and break the news to him over an evening meal.

From the expression on her face, the woman is no more happy about the chain of events that have led her here than the boy seated opposite.)

Seyoko: (somewhat quieter) I have no say in how they pick their personnel.

Lyn: Can't you do anything about it?

Seyoko: It wasn't my decision, Lyn.. I'm sorry..

Lyn: Major Katsuragi, then.. I'll talk to her.. (angrily) I'll sort this out..

(Seyoko's expression softens further as she tries to concentrate on the plate in front of her.)

Seyoko: I don't think they'll listen.

(The sixth child fumes, slamming two fists on the tabletop. His face is dark with rage, his expression one of contempt for the cruel irony that, of all possible people..

.. the next Evangelion pilot would be her.)

Lyn: .. this is insane. You do know there's a chance I'll be picked to ride shotgun with... with the new pilot. When she.. when.. when they put her through activation..

Seyoko: (patiently) That's why I'm telling you now. I didn't want to go through this when you're in a 50 metre tall Eva with a rifle in your hands.. perhaps with the task of guarding her on your shoulders.. or going into combat the first time..

Lyn: (muttering) Damn it.. if I was I'd wipe out this stupid town in a second.. (louder) Damn NERV.. where do they come up with this crap?

Seyoko: (thinking) I want the answer to that one myself..

(A few of the nearer patrons rise, making their way to distant seats, one departing with a frown on his face from the language in use by the young Evangelion pilot.)

Patron: (in passing) Rude boy.

Lyn: (scowling) ...!

(The boy hunches forward, placing his elbows on the table, his face in his hands, totally ignoring his half eaten meal as it slowly grows cold in its elegant plate arrangement. The tablecloth bunches up under his forearms as he slumps forward, fingers digging into his own forehead as he makes a noise of pure frustration.)

Lyn: .. and how did they ever get her to agree to this, anyway?

(Seyoko pointedly picks up her discarded knife and fork, deftly slicing another portion and chewing before she draws breath to answer.)

Seyoko: I think I'd better let her tell you that herself.

(A hand gently touches the sixth child's shoulder. The boy freezes, eyes peeking out between his fingers, as he slowly realises who has approached from behind, listening to the entire conversation. The breath freezes in his lungs, a band of cold pressure tightening across his chest as he turns in his seat, slowly, inevitably coming to face the watcher who regards him with blue eyes that shine in the soft resturaunt light with unshed tears..)

Aoi: ..

(A tear spills down her cheek as she stands, trembling slightly, before the enraged pilot. Astonished at her presence, outraged at the news he has just been delivered, at the sacrifice that now stands before him, Lyn stares up at Aoi in disbelief. Her expression of tearful vulnerability smashes into him, her stance of dejected humiliation tearing a hole in his heart, pushing down his desperate hope for a solution, rending any chance he may have had in deluding himself that this was all, somehow, a horrible nightmare. His voice comes in a harsh whisper, cutting off the girl as she begins to speak..)

Aoi: Six.. I..

Lyn: (whispering) How could they?

Aoi: Six..

Lyn: (rising from his seat) How could they?

Aoi: Lyn.. I..

Lyn: (shouting) Those sodding bastards!

(Lyn lashes out with a foot, smashing his own seat, sending the chair in pieces across the resturaunt floor. A growl rising in his throat, the boy next grabs hold of the table, overturning it in his rage and bringing the silverware and china crashing down. The plates smash on the hard floor, attracting the attention of several waiters and the manager of the establishment as Seyoko scrambles backwards, tripping over her own chair and falling hard onto her rear.)

Aoi: (reaching) Lyn, please understand..

(The sixth child is beyond hearing. Aoi's hand finds his shoulder, but he shakes it off in pure rage, pushing past her as he storms out of the store, shoving past another patron, his hands almost tearing at the door as he rushes out. Seyoko merely looks after the departed boy for a long moment, her steady gaze taking in the trail of destruction in his wake before her eyes travel to the shivering figure standing beside the overturned table.

Aoi Tamashii has not moved. She remains, motionless, silently shaking, one hand stretched out in the direction of the departing child. Tears stream down her cheeks from the rejection, the unexpected outburst, and most of all -

.. the guilt stemming from Lyn's misunderstanding.)

Aoi: (whispering) I... I volunteered.

--------------------------------------

(Later that night, long after the sixth child's outburst, Shinji morosely stamps down the main corridor of the Katsuragi apartment, passing Misato's door on the way.)

Misato: (from inside) Shinji?

Shinji: I'll be in bed in a second, Misato..

(The boy enters the kitchen, pausing momentarily when he sees the two stacked beer cans, but remembers Misato's words and doesn't disturb it.

His interest is elsewhere. Shinji reaches up the refrigerator, feeling across the top surface with one hand, searching. From the frown on his face, he has not found what he seeks and heads out into the living room.)

Shinji: (to himself) Where is it?

(He checks the floor with a quick glance. His gaze passes over the television. He reaches down between the sofa cusions, where his questing fingers locate a pencil and a crusted hankerchief that most likely has been a resident of the sofa for longer than Shinji has been a resident of Tokyo-3 - but neither is quite what he searches for.)

Shinji: (to himself) It's got to be here..

(The boy gives up his search in the living room and heads down the corridor.)

Misato: (sleepy) Shinji? What is it?

(Misato blinks at the light as she looks up at Shinji standing in the doorway.)

Shinji: Um.. Misato?

Misato: (rubbing eyes) Mmm hmm?

Shinji: Have you seen my Walkman?

Misato: (thinks) No, not recently.

Shinji: (stepping in) Well, could I just..

Misato: (sleepily) I don't think it's in here.. can't you sleep without it?

(The boy nods, briefly regretting the notion that his Walkman might have somehow hidden itself in Misato's room.)

Shinji: (leaving) Sorry..

(Shinji Ikari heads down to the next door - his own room. After a brief search - a repeat of his previous efforts - he again concludes that his Walkman is not in his own room.)

Shinji: (to himself) Where is it..

(There is only one option left: Asuka's room. Strangely, the prospect does not fill the Third Child with trepidation - if anything, as he approaches the door he begins to feel more assured, almost certain that the object of his quest lies within. Carefully he slides the panel door open, allowing some light to spill into the room.)

Shinji: ..

(Asuka is asleep on her bed, Shinji's headphones over her ears.)

Shinji: ..

(Slipping into the room silently, he slowly slides the panel closed after him. With careful steps he approaches Asuka's bedside and kneels down.)

Shinji: ..

Asuka: (sound of breathing) ..

(Shinji looks at the sleeping second child silently for a moment, just able to hear the faint sounds of the music coming from the headphones.)

Asuka: (sound of breathing) ..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: (sound of breathing) ..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: (sound of breathing) ..

(The boy reaches out, one hand reaching towards the sleeping girl's head. His fingers drift closer to the headphones.. and then he stops.)

Asuka: (sound of breathing) ..

(His hand casts a shadow over Asuka's face, a sharp contrast of the darkness against the light from the hall. Lowering his hand over her features, the line of darkness slides down, fleetingly masking the girl. Shinji raises his hand again, watching the play of shadow and light across Asuka's face.

After a moment his palm comes to rest on Asuka's own hands, curled around the walkman clutched to her chest. The girl's fingers are cool to Shinji's touch.)

Asuka: (sound of breathing) ..

(The boy lets his hand rest there for a moment, simply touching her.. almost as if he was holding her hand. Briefly he considers trying to draw the Walkman from her grasp.. and then - decides against it. Smiling slightly, he regards the sleeping pilot as words rise unbidden, almost like a memory..)

Shinji: (softly) Who else knew you were so peaceful when you sleep..

(A slight feeling - a tingling, a shiver of warmth, spreads across the hand that cover's the girl's. The sensation is fleeting - then becomes a breif stinging pain.)

Shinji: (pulling hand away) ..!

(He stares at his hand, which still tingles faintly. Remaining silent, the boy rubs his fingertips together lightly, frowning.)

Asuka: ..

(Shinji slowly reaches out again, gently resting the same hand on Asuka's. This time, there is nothing but simple, shared warmth.)

Shinji: (softly) It's alright.. you can keep it..

Asuka: ..

(The room is bathed in silence. Shinji remains there for a long moment, his fingertips tenatively running over Asuka's hands.)

Asuka: ..

(In the cool, silent darkness, the gentle contact continues..

Then Shinji is standing, and, very quietly, leaving.)

Shinji: (softly) Guten Nacht, Asuka.

Asuka: ..

(And then, the Second Child is alone in her room, the headphones still in her possession.)

Asuka: ..

(Two eyes open slowly, directing a blue gaze towards the now closed door.)

Asuka: ..

(Then they shut again.)

To Be Continued...