Stage 59 -- Pride

Cover: Asuka in plug suit against backdrop of Eva-02's head

Scene: Shinji and Kaworu in corridor
Announcement: Prepare for aerial interception!
Announcement: Evangelion Unit 0 and Unit 2 pilots emergency scramble!
Announcement: Unit 3 pilot stand by in No. 3 cage!
(Shinji stares up at the speaker in surprise)
Kaworu: Why are you the only one on standby?
Shinji: I don't know -- that's what I want to ask.
Kaworu: What about me? It'd be dangerous to go outside now, right?
Shinji: I guess you'll have to stay with me for now. Just don't go
walking around by yourself any more.

Scene: Eva-02 in cage
Announcements: No problems with Eva-02 signals.
VA bonding and fusion normal; proceeding on schedule.
(Asuka in entry plug)
Asuka: Why does a weapon have a heart? It'll only get in the way. You're
my doll, so just shut up and move as I say. At least don't disobey my
orders.
Misato (on monitor): Asuka, are you really feeling all right?
Asuka (sharply): Drop it, will you! I'm fine! Just fine!
(Command Center -- Angel on monitor screen)
Shigeru: The target's staying in satellite orbit.
Makoto: It's maintaining a steady distance (from here).
Misato: I wonder if it's waiting for a chance to drop in on us... or
maybe it can destroy us without needing to close... (to Maya) What is
Rei's status?
Maya: Both Rei and Eva-00 are satisfactory. They can go.
Misato: Okay. Launch Eva-00!! Prepare for super-long range
sharpshooting! Eva-02 prepare for launch as backup!
Asuka (shocked, then shouting): Backup!? Me? For Eva-00!?
Misato (calm): That's right. Backup.
Asuka (flustered/angry): Screw that!! Eva-02 launch!!
(Eva-02 launches)
Ritsuko: Asuka!
Misato (calm): It's okay... let Asuka go first.
Makoto: Major Katsuragi...!
Misato (exasperated): Let her go until she's had her fill.
Ritsuko: So in other words, if Asuka fails here, she's out?
Maya: Her... last chance?
Ritsuko: Time to start thinking about the Eva-02 pilot conversion.
Maya: Affirmative...
(Shinji rushes into Command Center with Kaworu following)
Shinji: Misato! Why only me? Why am I on standby instead of deployment?
Misato: Shinji...
Shinji: It doesn't make sense, not with Asuka not feeling well and
all...
Misato: ...Those are absolute orders from Commander Ikari.
(Shot of Gendo and Fuyutsuki watching from higher tier)
Shinji: ..... (frowns angrily)
Misato: It can't be helped, not after what happened...
Gendo: That's right -- Return to your post.

Scene: Eva-02 deployed in Tokyo-03 -- raises Positron rifle
Asuka (thinking): If I fail this time, I'll probably be taken off
Eva-02... That boy (image of Kaworu)... That dissing attitude -- he's
probably my replacement. (sighting unit lowers over face) No mistakes
allowed this time, Asuka...
(Sighting screen -- crosshairs do not align)
Shigeru: The target is still out of range.
Asuka (impatiently): Hurry up and come down here! This is irritating!
(Just as the crosshairs are about to align, the Angel emits a focused
beam of light which illuminates Eva-02. Eva-02/Asuka is transfixed, and
alarms sound in the Command Center.)
Misato: Asuka! Is it some directional weapon of the enemy's!?
Shigeru: Negative! There's no thermal energy response!
Maya: !! The psychograph is destabilizing! Psychic contamination is
starting!
Ritsuko: No... A mental attack from an Angel!? Is it attempting to probe
the human heart?
Shinji: Asuka...
Kaworu: Looks like things are starting to get interesting.
(Shinji whirls angrily and grabs Kaworu's shirt lapel)
Shinji (shouting): What do you mean, interesting!?
Misato: Quiet back there!
(Eva-02 falters -- Asuka suffering in the entry plug)
Asuka: Unnnnnhhh... (looks up) Shiiiiit!!
(Eva-02 raises the Positron rifle and fires a shot at the Angel. The
shot rises into the sky, but passes below the Angel)
Shigeru: Positron charge extinguished!
Makoto: No good! It's still out of range!
Asuka (looses control): Aaaaahhhh!!!
(Eva-02 convulsively pulls the trigger and Positron blasts rip across
Tokyo-3 and into the surrounding hills)
Asuka: Aaaaahhhh!!!
Shigeru: Eva-02, remaining rifle rounds at zero!
Misato: What's the light beam analysis!?
Makoto: It's a visible wavelength energy wave -- similar to an
A.T.Field, but the details are unclear!
Ritsuko: What about Asuka!?
Maya: She's in danger! Psychic contamination has entered the Y region!
(Asuka clutches at her face and screams)
Asuka: Noooooo!! Don't come inside meeeeeeeee!!!

- End Stage 59