Stage 32 "The Abyss of Truth" Cover: Ritsuko sitting in a Command Center chair holding a cup of coffee and staring ahead and slightly downward in a distant manner Scene: Nerv pyramid inside the Grofront Misato (off camera): Have we been able to contact the Commander? Maya (off camera): Radio contact was re-established just a short while ago... Scene: Command Center Misato: So, what's the damage report? Maya: Electrical wires physically severed in 27 places... and elaborate cover-up work using programmed operations has been found in 10 places. The recovery rate is currently at 58%. Misato: Just as I expected... someone did it intentionally. Ritsuko (drinking coffee): Regardless of who did it, the object is probably to investigate Nerv. They can guess the structure of Headquarters from the recovery route. Misato: Bastards... Ritsuko: I ran dummy programs on MAGI, so I don't think they were able to get everything. Maya: It just upsets me that the first damage to Headquarters should be caused not by an Angel, but by humans. Misato: Be that as it may... I wonder who did it? Ritsuko: It had to be someone on the inside. That's for sure. Misato: You mean there's a spy in Nerv? Ritsuko: I'm currently checking the movements of all Nerv personnel in detail, but the perpetrator might be closer than we think. After all, the closer you are to a person, the more difficult it is to see their true self. (Misato, Ritsuko and Maya all look silently at each other.) Misato (aside to Ritsuko): You _do_ know he was with me when the lights went out... Ritsuko: Yes, but it's possible that might have been for the purpose of creating an alibi. After all, it might not be the work of just one person. Misato: ...... Scene: Misato's apartment - Shinji feeding Pen^2 Pen^2 (eyes=hearts): Craaawwww! Craaawww! Shinji (holding fish/thinking): Misato didn't come home last night... but I guess that's to be expected. With the blackout and all, Headquarters is probably in an uproar. (calling out) Asuka! Are you still asleep? I'm leaving for school now! (imaging the aborted kiss scene/thinking): After what happened, I'd rather not have to face her now. It's a good thing that ended just as an attempt... although was a bit of a pity... Asuka (emerging from room holding stomach and looking sick): Shinji.... You can't go to school... Shinji: What!? Why not!? Asuka: Because I said so. You have to go to Nerv headquarters at once. Shinji (shouting): But why!? Asuka (shouting): Because it's all your fault that Kaji misunderstands my intentions! You have to take responsibility and explain things! It wasn't my fault!! Shinji (shouting): What!? You were the one who came on to me! So explain it yourself!! Asuka (turning away/shouting): I would if I could! But this is the 2nd day of my period and my stomach aches so bad I could die!! Shinji (cringing): I wish you wouldn't say *period* like that... Asuka: Besides, after being seen like that, how can I even face Kaji? (trembles as if crying silently) Shinji (beaten/thinking): Shit... She gets so desparate whenever it comes to Kaji - I can't beat that look... (speaking): *sigh* Okay, okay... I'll go. Asuka (perking up): Wait- (hands a letter sealed with heart to Shinji) Take this. Shinji: What's this? Asuka (faint triumphant grin): A letter - I wrote it last night because I can't trust you to explain properly in your own words. Scene: Asuka shouting/scowling at Shinji from the apartment door - Shinji walking away and through Tokyo-3 Asuka: You make sure and give that to Kaji just as soon as you find him! And don't you dare read it!! Shinji: Sure, sure... (thinking): But being told not to read something just makes you want to read it. Besides, I'm more than a little concerned about what it says... (holds letter up to sun) If I hold it up to the sun like this... [Letter contents: I only love you, Kaji...Yesterday that idiot Shinji came on to me in the dark...He was trying to kiss me. I didn't want to, but...He just forced himself onto me. But Kaji...I believe you when you say there is nothing between you and Misato...XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO] Shinji: ....... (crumples letter/thinking): I'll just explain in my own words... Scene: Nerv entrance - Shinji manually cranking open the door Shinji: Shit, this is tough. I guess the power isn't completely restored yet. (enters/tries other doors) No good, these won't open either... (thinking): Uh, oh... I think I'm lost again... (sees Misato walking down corridor) Misato? Thank God! (calls out): Misato! (Misato's face is set firm and she doesn't notice Shinji, who stops short.) Shinji (thinking): I wonder why she's in such a bad mood? (Shinji tries to follow Misato, but loses sight of her.) Shinji: Huh? Where'd she go? I was sure she went this way... (comes across sign: KEEP OUT MAIN L.C.L. PLANT CIRCULATION LINE NO. 1 Trespassers will be shot on sight. Violators will be liable for penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, $100,000 fine, or both.) Shinji (thinking): Terminal Dogma...? Scene: Kaji with a flashlight in the dark - Terminal Dogma card lock with sign saying "L.C.L. PLANT: CL3 SEG." Kaji takes out a card and begins to slide it through the slot. A gun presses against the back of his head and he freezes. Raising his hands and turning slightly, he sees Misato. Kaji: Oh, it's you. Misato: So is this your real job? Or are you just moonlighting? Kaji: I wonder... Misato: Kaji Ryouji - Special Supervisory Section of Special Agency Nerv. And at the same time, Kaji Ryouji - Agent of the Investigation Bureau of Japan's Ministry of the Interior. Kaji: So you know about that...? Misato (losing temper): Don't underestimate Nerv!! I'm willing to keep this incident just between us, but if you pursue your little side business any further, you shall die. Kaji: I think I can keep it up a little longer... Commander Ikari is using me even though he knows what I am. But Katsuragi, I do apologize for keeping secrets from you. Misato: I don't want your apology! Kaji: ...Then, let me show you something you might be interested in. The Commander and Ritsuko have also been keeping secrets from you. (whips card through slot *beep*) Secrets like this! (Door opens - Misato stands with shocked expression on face) Scene: Inside Terminal Dogma - Giant white legless figure with Mask of SEELE hanging on cross. LCL trickles from beneath the mask, and down the cross below the figure Misato (shocked): This is...Eva...? No, it can't be... Kaji: That's right. This is the key to the Instrumentality and "E" Projects, and the beginning of everything. This is Adam. Misato (thinking): Adam...!! The 1st Angel, here...!? (speaking): It looks like I'm the one who has been underestimating Nerv. (They hear a sound from behind them and turn to see Shinji staring dumbfounded at the figure on the cross.) Misato: Shinji...!? How did you get here!? Shinji (shocked/thinking): Father... What on earth are you doing, father...? This is far beyond anything I could have imagined...What can it be? (Flashback to the scene at Yui's grave) Gendo: Shinji, don't come to see me any more. People live by their own ability, and everyone must grow by themselves. Shinji (monologue): It was then that I understood no matter how hard I tried, my father was already in a far-away place that I could never reach. (Flashback cont.) Gendo: Stand and walk on your own two feet. Shinji (monologue): That was the first and the last time that my father ever spoke to me as a father.