Martin: Where�s Ayanami? She was supposed to meet me here half an hour ago.

Martin was waiting outside a small electronics shop for Ayanami, Rei. He had arranged to help the young girl in her attempt at getting the attention of her fellow pilot, Shinji Ikari. Martin had asked Rei to meet him in front of the small electronics shop near Shinji and Asuka�s apartment before school, however she hadn�t turned up yet.

Martin: Man, we�re late. Sensei�s going to have our heads on a platter.

News Man: -A young woman, who had dropped her bag, found the explosive device on the monorail-

The sound of a television broadcast came from the shop window behind Martin and grabbed his attention.

News Man: -When the women went to retrieve her bag, she discovered the suspicious looking device strapped to the bottom of one of the carriage seats. After this, she activated the emergency stop device and the train was swiftly evacuated. The man responsible was caught mire moments later, when police saw a man who had been suspected of previous terrorism attacks, outside the station. They followed him and upon searching his car they had found explosives and plans for the demolition of the train. There are rumours of a specific target for the attack, however the police have not presently released a statement on the matter. But the Man responsible has been identified as a Goodfellow, David, a man of Irish origin that had come to Tokyo-03 under the cover of a tourist. It was later revealed that he was a member of a fanatical religious cult, who so far has remained nameless. The police had the following to say-

Martin: Oh god, I hope Ayanami is okay! If she was on that train she may have-

Voice: Good morning.

Martin: Ah!

Martin Jumped out of his skin from the unexpected interruption. He flung himself again the shop window as he turned with a start. Rei stood in front of him giving the scared youth a curios look.

Rei: I am sorry for my late arrival. Unforeseeable events had occurred and I was forced to walk.

Martin: Rei, it�s you. You scared me. I saw the news report about the monorail and I thought that you might have been in trouble or something.

Rei: I am fine.

Martin: I�m glad to hear it. We�d better get going though. We�re already late for school.

The two teens walked off in the direction of the school.

News Man: -After which the following recording was made of the captured terrorist as he was taken away.

The News Mans image disappeared and was replaced with video footage of a man being lead away by three police officers.

Goodfellow: NERV are the one�s that should be arrested not me! They are the reason everyone�s dieing! God has sent his messengers! God has sent down his raff, upon this earth of blasphemy and sin! NERV are defying god and that is why we all suffer! We shall eradicate NERV for their defiance of God-!

The three policemen shoved the man violently into a car. After slamming the doors they drove away.

Martin and Rei walked down the street in silence not really in too much of a rush to get to the school. They were late as it was, so Martin suggested they might as well go in at the start of the next period. Rei just continued to walk in silence so Martin took it as a silent confirmation.

Martin: So Rei, did you think about what you are going to ask Ikari?

Rei: I am going to ask pilot Ikari to accompany me for lunch after school has been dismissed.

Martin: Erm ye...I guess...but I think we need to work on how you phrase that question.

Rei: Why?

Martin: Well you see the way your asking it is a bit...intimidating you need to have more...friendliness in it and try not to be so formal.

Rei: I am not sure how I should put the question.

Martin: Repeat after me.

Martin suddenly starts to act strangely towards Rei, trying and failing to talk like a girl.

Martin: Oh hi Shinji, I saw you around and I was wondering if you�d like, wanna have dinner with me after school or something?

Rei stared blankly at Martin.

Martin: Cough, cough...now you try.

Rei tried to speak but for some strange reason she couldn�t speak. Rei looked at her shoes as her cheeks turned a light pink.

Rei: I...I cannot.

Martin: Well how about just saying �Shinji would you like to have dinner with me after school?�

Rei: ..I will try...Ikari-

Martin: Shinji.

Rei: Pardon?

Martin: Don�t use Ikari, it sounds a bit too formal. It sounds friendlier to use his first name.

Rei: Hai...Shinji-

Rei�s blush depended as she stopped for a second after saying the young Ikari�s first name.

Rei: -Would you like to have dinner with me after school?

Martin: That�s it! See it�s not too hard. Now try again.

Rei: Hai. Shinji, would you like to have dinner with me after school?

Martin: Great!

Rei: Shinji, would you like to have dinner with me after school?

Martin: Ye you got it.

Rei: Shinji, would you like to have dinner with me after school!

Martin: Rei? You can stop now.

Rei: Shinji, would you like to have dinner with me after school!

Martin: Rei?

Rei: Shinji would you-

Martin: Rei!

Rei: Hai?

Martin: Phew- you can stop now, I think you�ve got it.

They arrived at the entrance to the school and headed to their separate shoe lockers.

Rei: Saying Ikar-...�Shinji�s� name feels so strange, I am not use to referring to him in such a way. It feels...nice.

Ritsuko, Maya and Shigeru all step onto one of the many monorail trains, carrying bags of the laundry they had just done. There was a man sat in front of them reading a newspaper.

Ritsuko: Sub-Commander? Good morning.

Shigeru & Maya: Good Morning, sir.

The two stood firmly to attention. As the Sub-Commander, Fuyutsuki lowered his paper and looked at them.

Fuyutsuki: Good Morning.

Ritsuko took the seat next to the Sub-Commander, placing her washing bag on the seat beside her.

Ritsuko: You�re early today, especially with the attempted terrorist attack today, on the other line.

Fuyutsuki: I�m going to a meeting for Ikari and the efficiency of the police got the monorail working fairlys quickly.

Ritsuko: I see. Is it the committee�s regular meeting today?

Fuyutsuki: Ikari is always forcing his trivial duties on me. I wouldn�t even know how to do them with out the Magi.

Ritsuko: There should be an election for the city council soon.

Fuyutsuki: The city council is just decoration. In actual fact, it�s the Magi who are in charge of this city.

Maya: Magi? You mean the three super computers?

Fuyutsuki: It�s run by the majority rule of three types of computer. The system is based on these democratic fundamentals.

Maya: Do the council really only follow all of the Magi�s decisions? Fuyutsuki: It�s an effective government that minimizes wastes.

Maya: Wow, this really is a city of science. We�re lucky to be living in a day and age like this.

Shigeru: Talk about old fashioned.

Fuyutsuki: Come to think of it, Dr. Ritsuko, you have an experiment set for Unit-00, don�t you?

Ritsuko: Yes. The second experiment for extending its activation time is to take place today.

Fuyutsuki: And the others?

Ritsuko: We have some standard synchronization tests scheduled.

Fuyutsuki: I�m expecting some good news.

Ritsuko: Hai.

Martin and Rei mixed in with the rest of the class and took their seats as they entered the classroom for second period. Martin sunk into his chair hoping his desk would hide him from the teacher�s site. Unfortunately it didn�t.

Martin: Phew, in the clear-

Taisho: How nice of young Mr. Perish and Miss. Ayanami to join us. May I ask why the two of you are so late?

Martin: Or maybe not. Well you see-

Rei: Do to unforeseeable events at the monorail station we were forced to walk to school causing our late arrival.

Taisho: Ah yes, I saw the news report. Very well, you are excused this time but try not to let it happen again.

Rei: Hai.

Martin looked to Rei to see if there was some reason for her suddenly speaking up on their behalf. But as soon as the young girl had sat down she just continued to stair out the window as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile a certain someone was watching the young Mr. Perish and she wasn�t happy with the way things were looking.

Mandy: �unforeseeable events� my ass! There�s something going on between those two.

It was lunchtime and everyone was happily eating and talking with friends. Including the three stooges plus one.

Shinji: So that�s what happened?

Martin: Yeah. I was going to get the monorail because I had something�s to do but because of the bomb scare they stopped the trains. I was going to start walking and I just happened to bump into Rei.

Shinji: Oh.

Kensuke: Are you sure?

Martin: What do you mean?

Touji: It�s a little convenient for you two to just �bump into� each other. Maybe you arranged to �bump into� each other?

Kensuke: Or maybe you�re stalking her?

Martin: Get real guys.

Touji: Hay look there�s Mandy.

Martin turned to see his flat mate walking with a tray of food, weaving in and out of the tables looking for a place to sit.

Martin: Mandy, over here!

He waved but Mandy just turned with a humph and headed in the opposite direction.

Martin: Huh?

Touji: What�s her problem?

Martin: I have no Idea�

Asuka and Hikari, like the rest of the students, sat eating and talking however most of the talk was about a certain Shinji Ikari and Asuka�s experiences with him the other night.

Asuka: -Anyway, when I was in the living room the stupid baka put his blanket over me for some reason.

Hikari: Wait. Asuka, didn�t you say that you slept in his room? How did you end up being in the living room?

Asuka: Oh? Erm, you must have just miss heard me, Hikari. I slept in the living room he slept in his own room.

Hikari: oh... but that doesn�t explain why he would put his blanket on-

Asuka: Hey, isn�t that the new girl? Mandy, I think her name is. She looks like she hasn�t got anywhere to sit.

Asuka stood up and waved to the seemingly lost girl.

Asuka: Hey Mandy! Need a seat? Come sit with us!

Mandy looked blankly at the waving red head for a minute, then shrugged her shoulders and walked over.

Mandy: Is it okay for me to sit here?

Asuka: Sure, we asked you over didn�t we? My name�s Soryu, Asuka Langley and this is my friend Horaki, Hikari.

Hikari: Nice to meet you.

Mandy: Thanks. It�s nice to meet you too.

Mandy smiled and took a seat next to Hikari with Asuka sat across from both of them.

Asuka: So your names Mandy, right?

Mandy: Yeah Newlife, Mandy.

Hikari: I heard you�re from the same place as Martin.

Mandy: Ye, we lived together.

Hikari: WHAT! Were you two going out or something?!

Mandy: No, it was nothing like that.

Hikari: Oh.

Asuka: Do we have to talk about the stooges?

Mandy: Stooges?

Hikari: It�s just Asuka�s name for Shinji and his motley crew of Kensuke, Touji and now Martin.

Mandy: Oh, right.

Back on the Stooges table, Kensuke was talking about a new battle ship he�d heard about. Martin cheeked his watch as the others listened half-heartedly to Kensuke�s love affair with war, guns and things that go boom.

Martin: Looks like it�s time to go. Shinji?

Shinji: Huh?

Martin leaned over to whisper in Shinji�s ear.

Martin: Will you come with me a second? Kensuke�s too busy going on one of his rants to notice you go and I think Touji may have died from boredom.

Shinji: Erm- Okay.

The two teens stood and left as Touji�s heavy head slipped from the palm of his hand and hit the table.

Kensuke: Touji!

Touji jumped up with a start.

Touji: My ass is on fire! Huh? What?

Asuka, Hikari and Mandy were laughing out loud as they joked about the boys and their antics. But whilst laughing Asuka noticed Shinji leaving with Martin.

Asuka: Erm, I�ve gotta go use the bathroom. I�ll be back in a minute.

Hikari: Okay.

Mandy: See you in a bit, Asuka.

Asuka left out of the same door that Shinji and Martin had gone through. Hikari and Mandy went back to talking but soon Mandy stood to leave too.

Mandy: I think nature�s calling for me too Hikari, I�ll be right back.

Hikari: Huh? Oh-okay.

Mandy left out of the same door as the other three, leaving a lonely Hikari to twiddle her thumbs.

Hikari: Maybe I should have gone as well...

Touji: Hey class rep!

Hikari turned to see the two remaining stooges ginning dumbly and waving to her.

Kensuke: Why don�t you come sit with us?

Hikari: I think I�d rather sit by myself.

Hikari turned away quickly as her cheeks flared.

Rei waited in the place where Martin had told her too, around the corner of the school building near the back entrance.

Rei: Shinji will you-...Shinji I was-...Why has it become so hard for me to think? My stomach feels extremely light and unsettled and my heart feels like it is being squeezed. It should be a simple task but yet it feels so difficult.

Rei�s thoughts were interrupted as she heard voices around the corner, coming closer.

Martin: Someone wants to see you.

Rei: He is here.

Martin led Shinji along the wall where Rei was around the corner.

Shinji: See me? Who?

Martin: You�ll see.

Rei closed her eyes and took a long breath.

Rei: I must go.

Shinji gave Martin a questioning look as they neared the corner.

Shinji: But-

Martin gave Shinji a slight push forward.

Shinji: Hey!

As Shinji stumbled past the corner Rei turned it. They fell into each other with a bump.

Shinji: Oh- Sorry, I- Ayanami?

Rei: Ikari?

Shinji turned to see Martin with his hands clasped behind his head whistling.

Martin: I�ll just leave you two alone.

Shinji: Huh!? Wait!

Martin paid no attention and walked off with his hands still behind his head, grinning. Finally admitting to himself he wasn�t going to get any help from Martin, Shinji turned his attention to Rei.

Shinji: D-did you want to see me Ayanami?

Rei: Hai...

Asuka looked down the empty corridor from behind a small pillar.

Asuka: Where the hell did they go?

The main door at the end of the hall opened and Asuka pulled her head back around the pillar to hide her self. She heard whistling then a little bit later Martin pasted her, alone.

Asuka: Where�s Shinji?

Asuka snuck from behind the pillar and headed for the exit. Outside she took a quick look around then she noticed them. Shinji was with her, the doll. Making sure she wasn�t seen she headed over to a small row of bushes and crawled behind them so she could get closer to them without being seen.

Shinji: What did you want to talk to me about?

Rei: Ika- Shinji...I was wondering...If you would, could-

Shinji: Ayanami?

Rei: Why can I not say it. I must...

Shinji: Are you okay Ayanami?

Rei: Would you like to have dinner with me after school?

Asuka: What the hell!

Shinji: Huh? Asuka?

Shinji looked around franticly but saw no sign of the firry red head.

Shinji: It must have been my imagination.

Asuka clasped her mouth shut as she hid from view behind the bush.

Rei: If it...is not appropriate, then you do not have to...

Shinji: What? No. I would...erm...well.

Rei: I shall take that answer as a negative then.

Slowly Rei turned and began to walk off.

Shinji: No. Rei wait...I�ll...erm...gladly have dinner with you.

Rei: Are you certain?

Shinji: Yes.

Shinji looked at his feet as the ground shifted.

Shinji: A tremor?

Asuka�s teeth gritted and her eyebrow twitched as her back hit the floor from the shock.

Asuka: I can�t believe this!

Rei: Very well. We shall meet outside the male changing rooms after today�s tests.

Shinji: Erm-okay... I think...

With a polite bow Rei turned and left, Shinji not noticing the blush painting her pale cheeks pink. After a few minutes of letting the news sink in, Shinji turned and went back into the school. Asuka on the other hand was still on her back behind the bush.

Mandy: Asuka?

Asuka: Huh?

Mandy: I was wondering where you were. You know, there are toilets inside the building that you can use, you don�t have to go behind a bush.

Asuka: What the hell! I wasn�t doing that!

Mandy: I was just joking, Asuka. Why are you out here?

Asuka: I, erm- lost something.

Mandy: What? I�ll help you find it.

Asuka stood and dusted herself off

Asuka: It was~ my contact, ye that�s it.

Mandy: Oh I didn�t know you wore them. Are you short sighted or something?

Asuka: No nothing like that they�re just these cool different colour ones.

Mandy: Were you wearing them before? I didn�t notice.

Asuka: No, I was going to put them on later. Oh well my eyes are the perfect colour anyways, so it doesn�t matter.

Mandy: But they must have been expensive.

Asuka: Don�t worry about it. Classes are going to start in a little while any way. So we better get going.

Asuka walked passed Mandy towards the building. Mandy didn�t follow.

Mandy: Why do I have the feeling that what she was doing, had something to do with that new friend of Martin�s, that I saw going back into the school?... Oh- were they up to something out here together

Mandy giggled to herself at the thought that Asuka may have been doing something that she was too embarrassed to talk about.

Asuka: Hey, Mandy are you coming?

Mandy: Sorry, coming.

Mandy met Asuka at the door and they both went in. Whilst they walked down the corridor, Mandy�s earlier thoughts were nagging at her, so she just had to ask.

Mandy: So are you two going out?

Asuka: What?!?

Asuka stopped in her tracks and Mandy did the same.

Mandy: Are you two a couple?

Asuka: Who?!

Mandy: You and that guy. You know the one you call a stooge. Shinji? I think you called him?

Asuka�s cheeks blushed but she quickly shook herself out of it.

Asuka: Why the hell would I go out with HIM! He�s a spineless wimp and a dork!

Mandy: Oh...sorry. I just thought that you two had been...and you were too embarrassed to talk about it.

Asuka: As if!

Asuka started to walk off and Mandy followed behind her.

Asuka: Even if I did like him, it wouldn�t matter.

Mandy: What?

Asuka: Nothing. Come on, we better hurry.

They continued to walk to class but Asuka�s thoughts were a mess, thinking about Shinji.

Asuka: DO I like Shinji? No! I couldn�t! Then why did I get so angry when that... that Doll! Asked him to dinner? Well... he isn�t too hard on the eyes... What the hell am I thinking!? He�s-a-dork-! ...Then...why...does it hurt�GOD DAMN IT!

Asuka physically slapped her forehead trying to knock her jumbled thoughts back into place.

Mandy: What�s wrong?

Asuka: Nothing.

Mandy: Hum... She has to like him.*

Nothing else was said between them. The bell went just as they got to class and they took their seats with out a word.

The school bell rang and a couple of people cheered as the others awoke with a yawn. The old sensei stopped his ramblings and turned from the chalkboard.

Taisho: Ah, over already. Well you are all dismissed but don�t forget to inform your parents of the parent-teacher evening, tonight.

Shinji: P-parent?

Shinji stared at the teacher as he thought about what his father would say if he came to a parent-teacher meeting.

Asuka looked away from the teacher with a humph but with a hurt expression that she tried to hide, Rei just continued to look out the window and Martin was still asleep on his desk whilst Mandy threw him dark looks from her desk.

Martin: Mumble, mumble...why are their knives in my back...mumble.

Taisho: Mr Perish!

Martin: Who!? What!?When!?

The students all laughed as the sleepy Pilot awoke with a start.

Taisho: Just for that you are on cleaning duty.

Martin: What? But sir, I can�t.

Taisho: And why not?

Martin: Well you know...stuff.

Taisho: Stuff?

Martin: NERV stuff.

Taisho: Ah yes, I had forgot about that. You are free to leave today but tomorrow you shall make up for it.

Martin: Oh man.

The class laughed again and all began to leave. As always the front entrance to the school was packed with people as they all headed off to carry on with their regular lives now that school had finished. Martin walked around to see if he could spot any of the other Eva pilots but they had already left.

Martin: Damn it that�s just great that mean�s I have to go alone and- wah!

Evil Voice: And WHAT have you been up to?

A hand being placed on Martin�s shoulder ripped him quickly from his thoughts.

Martin: What the-!? Mandy?

Mandy: Well?

Martin: What do you mean?

Mandy: You and that girl this morning.

Martin: Ne?

Mandy: That Rei girl, you idiot!

Martin: What about her? Why is everyone getting the wrong end of the stick? We-just-bumped-into each other!

Mandy gave Martin a scrutinising look then shrugged her shoulders and walked past him.

Mandy: Fine, whatever. Let�s go.

Martin: What the? Hey wait up.

Martin ran to catch up to his peculiar roommate.

Shinji: What should I do? Should I ring him? Or maybe talk to him in person?

Asuka: Hay what�s wrong with you baka?

Shinji: Oh. It�s about the parent-teacher meeting.

Asuka: Yeah?

Shinji: Well how am I going to ask my farther?

Asuka: Just ring him.

Shinji: But he-

Asuka: Don�t be so spineless! Look, here�s a phone. Call him.

Asuka pushed Shinji into a small phone booth. Shinji turned with a slightly pleading look but Asuka just glared at him.

Shinji: Sigh, all right.

Asuka and Rei waited at the side of the phone as Shinji swiped his card through the phone and dialled the number for his farther.

In NERV, Ritsuko and the technicians worked on trying to prolong the activation time of Eva Unit-00. However they were having a difficult time with it. The panels repeatedly flashed with emergency and error warnings, Ritsuko glared through the observation window at the monster before her.

Ritsuko: Sigh, Damn it. Not again. cut the circuits, abort the experiment.

The Eva�s solitary chamber went dark as the Technicians carried out Ritsuko�s orders.

Ritsuko: Switch over the circuits.

The technicians nodded and the tapping of numerous keyboards could be heard through out the room.

Maya: Switching circuits.

Male Technician: Power restored.

After a short while the lights came back up in the test cage, once again illuminating Unit-00. Ritsuko leant forward over Maya�s chair, looking at the display to figure out what went wrong. One of the connection codes flashed red, sticking out among the rest.

Ritsuko: As I thought it�s the same connection as last time.

Maya: Yes. I think the problem is because the conversion efficiency is 0.008 lower than our theoretical calculations.

Male Technician: It�s within the tolerance though, barely. What should we do?

Ritsuko: We�ll try again with the same configuration but lower the reciprocal conversion rate by 0.01.

Maya: Roger.

Ritsuko: Now, let�s recommence the reactivation experiment.

Misato lent against the wall of the tinny NERV elevator.

Misato: Argh! What is going on with those kids? I know they�re teenagers and their hormones would be all over the place but still I didn�t expect to walk in on what did last night. I mean I thought they hated each other? And in My apartment! I guess I�ll need to have a talk to them about some new rules or something. I just hope they didn�t have sex or anything. I am not in the mood to deal with a pregnant German girl.

Misato looked at the floor counter as it showed her floor. She pushed herself of the wall and straightened her skirt before the door opened.

Misato: Well the only way this could get worse is if I ran into-

Kaji: Hey! Hold up!

As the doors fully opened Misato saw the exact person she didn�t want to see, running her way.

Misato: Aw crap!

Misato pressed the close button on the elevator in a desperate attempt to keep the running man at bay.

Misato: I�ll just get off on then next floor and take the stairs!

Just as the doors were about to close Kaji managed to sprint through, getting trapped in-between them in the process. He pulled himself through and the doors clapped closed behind him.

Kaji: Ouch. That�s hurt.

The grinning Kaji said in a mock expression of pain.

Misato: Shit.

The elevator slowly began to descend in the shaft with its two occupants. Kaji tried to catch his breath for a little while as Misato desperately tried to avoid eye contact with a frown.

Kaji: Man, I�ve never had to run this much! So what�s with the black expression?

Misato: It�s from having to see your sorry face first thing in the morning.

Kaji looked at Misato with a smile as the lift continued on its journey.

Shinji waited patiently in the phone booth as the operator on the other end of the line told him to hold. He didn�t notice but his hand had begun to flex involuntarily because of how nerve-racking the thought of speaking to his farther was.

Shinji: Should I even be ringing him for something like this? I-

There is a small click on the other end of the line bringing Shinji from his thoughts and he hears the cold voice of his farther on the other end of the line.

Gendo: What?

Shinji: Erm...well, farther...

Shinji struggled for words as he could feel his fathers patience warring thin even over the phone.

Gendo: What? Hurry up.

Shinji�s hand flexed even more, as he grew more nervous.

Shinji: Er...Well...I�m supposed to...tell my parents about a parent-teacher meeting that is going to be held at school-

Gendo�s reply was quick and harsh as Shinji continued to stumble through his words.

Gendo: I have delegated things like that to Captain Katsuragi. Don�t bother me with such nonsense. Don�t forward any more of these calls to-

Shinji: Huh?

Without warning the tinny speaker of the phone crackled and abruptly went into silence as the line went dead.

Mandy and Martin walked down the sidewalk on the way to NERV. Martin could tell for some reason that Mandy was pissed off with him but he didn�t have a clue what he could have done wrong. They had been walking in silence for most of the journey but surprisingly Mandy was the first to break it.

Mandy: So, do you know if Shinji�s got a girlfriend?

Martin: What?

Mandy: Hello, your friend, back at school and another of the Eva pilots. Has he got a girlfriend?

Martin: No. Wait what if she likes him. Maybe I should have lied or something, damn... Wait why do I care, it's not like it matters to me any way...

Mandy: Great.

Martin: Why? Do you like him?

Mandy: What! No way! But I know some one that does.

Mandy grinned to herself as they came to a crossing and waited for the traffic to stop so they could cross.

Martin: Really! I do too...wait. Just to make sure...erm...

Martin lent forward to whisper into Mandy�s ear.

Martin: She�s an Eva pilot? Right?

Mandy: Yeah.

Martin: Excellent! Hey, maybe we should try and get them together.

Mandy: Okay.

Martin: Okay. I know this cool place. Why don�t we-

Martin is interrupted by a loud screech, as a car that sped past them brakes to try and miss an on coming car. It spins out of control and hits a nearby fence narrowly missing the pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Mandy: What the hell happened then?

Martin: I don�t know... wait a minute. That�s odd.

Mandy: What?

Martin: All the traffic lights have gone out even the crossing light.

Mandy: That is weird. Oh well what ever we haven�t got time for this we�ve gotta get to NERV.

In NERV, the lift occupied by Ryouji Kaji and Misato Katsuragi had come to stop between one of the many floors of the giant underground complex.

Kaji: What the-? A power failure?

Misato: No, it can�t be. It�s imposable.

The lights in the lift went out, plunging the small box into darkness. After a few seconds the emergency lights came on bathing Kaji and Misato in an eerie, red glow.

Misato: This is strange, an accident maybe?

Kaji: Maybe Akagi screwed up an experiment?

Meanwhile, back in the Eva test chamber...

Maya: The main power supply is non-operational. Voltage level is zero.

Ritsuko wriggles uneasily, under the gaze of the shocked technicians.

Ritsuko: It�s not my fault!

Kaji and Misato watched the floor counter for any sign of the lift starting to move but nothing was happening.

Kaji: What do you think?

Misato: It should switch to the back up power supply soon...I hope...

Shigeru: No. The backup circuits aren�t working.

The control room was in frenzy as the technicians tried to bring power to the Geo-Front. Fuyutsuki tires to maintain order in the chaos.

Fuyutsuki: That can�t be. Which circuits are still functioning?

From below Fuyutsuki, the voice of a female operator answers.

Female Operator: Only 1.2% of them! Only nine circuits out of 2,567!

Fuyutsuki: Route all remaining power circuits to maintain the Magi and Central Dogma.

Shigeru: But that could interfere with the life support system.

Fuyutsuki: Do it! That�s our top priority.

Makoto waited for the traffic lights to change so he could cross the road. As he waited an small van passed by with a female announcer talking about supporting Takahashi Nozomu for election but Makoto was to busy thinking of his own problems to care. Right now, his main problem was dealing with Misato�s laundry.

Makoto: Man she�s such a lazy slob. Why can�t she pick up her own laundry?

As the election van disappeared down the road Makoto checked the crossing signal but to his surprise it didn�t show a green light or a red light, im fact it didn't show anything.

Makoto: Huh?

Shinji, Asuka and Rei were walking to NERV however Shinji was a little bothered by his recent telephone conversation with his farther.

Asuka: Maybe Commander Ikari was just really busy?

Shinji: I don�t think so. It sound more like some sought of mechanical failure rather than him hanging up.

Asuka: Don�t be such an idiot. I though you wear supposed to be a man. Stop letting every little thing bother you. If you�re that bothered by it why do you just go and play with your doll.

Shinji: I don�t have a doll!

Asuka didn�t say another word but glared at Rei. However Rei was just watching Shinji from the corner of her eye seemingly ignoring Asuka. Finally they reached the main entrance to NERV. Shinji pulled out his ID card and swiped it through the small slot on one of the gates...nothing happened.

Shinji: What? I think there�s something wrong with my card.

Rei: I shall try.

Stepping aside, Shinji let Rei try her ID card. She swiped her ID card through the slot as Shinji had done before and waited...again nothing happened.

Asuka: What do you think you�re doing? Here let me try that!

Asuka pushed Rei aside and quickly slid her own ID card through the slot, nothing. She tried several more times but still the doors remained motionless.

Asuka: Gerr-Damn!! It must be broken, Damn it!

Back inside the dark bowls of NERV headquarters. A group of technicians tried to force open the door in the test cage control room so that they could get out and see what was going on. Slowly the door began to open and with a few more pushes the door opened fully sending the technicians flat on their faces. Ritsuko and Maya stepped over their twisted bodies and walked off down the corridor with a flashlight.

Ritsuko: We better head to the command centre. It�s been too long and the power still hasn�t restored itself. This is very unusual.

Maya: Maybe it�s some sought of test drill?

Ritsuko: Don�t be so dumb Maya you know that we would have been informed. This is something else.

Still confined in their small box, Kaji watches as Misato tries to get the elevator to work.

Misato: It has to be an emergency.

Kaji: What�s the backup power system here?

Misato: There are three circuits, Main, Sub and Reserve. It�s virtually impossible for all three to fail at once.

Kaji: Then that means...some one turned them off...Who could have done this? Are SEELE the ones behind this? Maybe some anti-NERV organisation? In any case they�re probably doing it so they can find out the layout of NERV and the Geo-Front. So that means they would still be in NERV and I know just where to look. Katsuragi we have to find a way out of here.

Kaji turned to Misato his voice sounding full of leadership and completely in control. However that disappeared when he saw Misato.

Kaji: Er...Misato? What�s wrong?

She had her back to him with her head pressed against the wall. Kaji walked towards her and reached out his hand to comfort her.

Kaji: Misato... Don�t worry we�ll get out of this, things aren�t that bad.

Misato: Oh yes they are!

Kaji: How?

As Kaji laid his hand on Misato�s shoulder she snapped around.

Misato: I need the bathroom!

Kaji: Huh?! ... Oh-

Martin: -crap.

Mandy: What the hell?

Mandy and Martin stared at their intended root to NERV, however it was blocked off by a series of smoking cars. There were sirens blaring out from the police cars and ambulances that had managed to make it to the scene. Martin walked up to a police officer that was trying to direct the remaining traffic.

Martin: Excuse me. Erm, what happened here?

Officer: For some reason all the power has been cut off in the city.

Martin: What!? Has it affected the Geo-Front too?

Officer: What? The Geo-Front? How would I know?

Martin: Never mind. Can we still get to the Geo-Front through here?

Officer: Afraid not kid. The entire road is cut off you�ll have to find another way around.

Martin: Damn.

Martin ran back to Mandy and took her hand running down one of the side streets to try and get around the pile up.

Mandy: Hey! What�s going on?

Martin: We�ve gotta find another way in. There�s been some sought of blackout and the traffics cut off the entrance to NERV.

Mandy: So where are we going?

Martin took a sharp right narrowly missing a pile of garbage.

Martin: Argh! Yuck. I remember something about another entrance in my emergency manual.

In the Command Centre the technicians had resorted to using candles for a source of light, as the power had still not yet been restored.

Gendo: ...the circuit breakers didn�t go on their own. Some one must have blown them intentionally.

Fuyutsuki: Regardless of the cause, it would be disastrous if an Angel were to attack right now.

Fuyutsuki commented as he lit another candle and placed it along side the numerous other candles.

In the Fuchu, UN Headquarters something is shown on their radar, heading towards Tokyo-03. A group of UN Commanders watched the radar screen as it changed to show the targets projected path.

Commander C: It must be the eighth Angel.

Commander A: I agree, it must be an Angel.

Commander C: What shall we do?

Commander B: Go to alert statues. That�s the procedure, anyway.

Commander A: This ones destination has to be Tokyo-03.

Commander C: Agreed, well this is no job for us.

As the three men speak the Angel finally hits the shore. Strangle it does not seam to be a hurry to get anywhere as it�s four towering long legs move it�s tinny body across the landscape.

Male Operator: The Angle has landed.

Female Operator: It is still advancing.

Commander C: What about Tokyo-03?

Female Operator: It�s still silent.

Commander A: What the hell are those NERV guys doing?

Maya and Ritsuko had finally managed to find an emergency trap door with a ladder that would lead them to the Commander Centre. There were so many rungs on the ladder Maya wondered if it would ever end.

Ritsuko: I never thought I�d actually have to use one of these trap exits.

Maya: To provide is to prevent.

However on the surface it was a different story. Asuka, Rei and Shinji were still trying to figure out a way into the Geo-Front but they were having no luck. Each time they pressed a button to open a door, the door just reamined shut tight.

Asuka: Huh...This one doesn�t work either!

Rei: This is strange. None of the facilities work.

Asuka: Could this mean something�s happened down in the Geo-Front?

Rei: It is natural to assume so.

Shinji: In any case, lets try to make contact with NERV headquarters.

Heading down the grey corridor they came to a phone, which they tried to use to call NERV, Rei and Shinji also tried to make contact with their cell phones but the line appeared to be dead.

Rei: No, no response.

Asuka put the phone back on the hook, as she couldn't get through with the pay phone either.

Asuka: Not on this one either. So the main and emergency lines are down.

Shinji: What do we do now?

Rei reached into her school bag and pulled out a small red wallet. From that she pulled out a small peace of paper.

Asuka: Ah!

Seeing what Rei was doing, Asuka quickly began to search her own school bag too.

Shinji: Erm...what are you doing?

Asuka: Baka! I�m looking for my emergency manual!

Shinji shrunk back into his collar as Asuka shouted and poked him in the chest.

Rei: We should head to NERV headquarters.

Leaving Shinji alone for a little while Asuka Smiled smugly.

Asuka: Yeah, but before that we�ll need to decide who will be the leader of this group.

Shinji: Huh?

Asuka: Naturally, I should be the leader. Any objections?

Asuka twisted on her heels ready to head in their intended direction.

Asuka: Now let�s go.

Rei: We can proceed along route-07, which is that way.

Rei pointed down the corridor, which was the opposite way to the one Asuka was facing.

Asuka: Damn it.

Asuka once again turned on her heels and headed in the direction Rei had indicated, storming past Shinji and Wonder Girl.

Asuka: I knew that.

Shinji and Rei watched Asuka as she stormed down the hall.

Asuka: Gerr. Stupid Wonder Girl! Showing me up again!

Rei turned to Shinji and blushed slightly.

Shinji: Erm...Rei are you okay?

Rei: Yes...I am fine. I-

Asuka: Hey what�s taking you two so long!?

Shinji: Sorry.

Rei stood, and then she and Shinji quickly caught up with Asuka.

Asuka: About damn time, baka.

Shinji: Sorry.

They continued to walked down the corridor and eventually came to a metal door with the number 07 in red on it.

Shinji: How are we going to get through? The doors don�t work.

Asuka: That�s your job Shinji.

Asuka pointed to a device next to the door, with a crank. It seamed like it could be used to manually open the door in an emergency.

Shinji: Huh? Sigh...

Shinji walked up to the device and started to turn the crank. Slowly the door began to edge open.

Shinji: I don�t believe it...ugh...you want to control everything...ah...but you always defer to me...in situations like this!

After weaving in and out of side streets and shortcuts, Martin and Mandy finally arrive at an entrance to the Geo-Front. Both we�re hot and out of breath by the time they got there.

Mandy: Huff,huff...so where...from here? Huff.

Martin: I think...I remember something...huff...about a seven...seventeen or twenty-seven...something like that...huff.

Martin lent on a nearby wall to try and catch his breath after the long run.

Mandy: Well...why don�t you check...

Martin: I can�t...I don�t have my manual...

Mandy: Well that was...smart.

Martin: Look who�s talking? Where�s yours ne?

Mandy: Oh whatever! Let�s just find this door. Twenty-seven, right?

Martin: No seventeen.

Mandy: Fine.

Mandy headed off down in no particular direction to try and find an entrance.

Martin: Hey wait! You don�t know if it�s that way!

Mandy continued to walk and Martin pushed himself off the wall and chased after her.

Mandy: We�ll have to see then, won�t we?

One of the UN Commanders stubbed out a cigarette, adding it to the already over flowing ashtray.

Commander A: Damn those Joint Staff Council bastards! They always rely on us in situations like this.

Commander B: What does the government say?

Commander A: Those Tokyo-02 assholes? They�re getting ready to run.

The Commanders watched as the Angel continued on its course.

Female Operator: The Angel is still advancing.

Commander B: In any case, we must contact NERV.

Commander C: But how?

Commander A: By going there yourself, if you have to.

In Tokyo-03 an airplane flew over the city. It was giving out a warning about the approaching angel, which grabbed the attention of a certain Hyuga, Makoto who was currently walking along the monorail tracks as their was no power for the trains to work, leaving him no choice but to walk.

Announcer: This is the third district ASDF! An unidentified object is moving towards this area. All residents must evacuate to their designated shelters!

Makoto: Big trouble! I�ve got to report this to headquarters! ... But how?

Just then the small announcement van from before headed towards Makoto, still campaigning for Takahashi Nozomu.

Makoto: Ah! Lucky!

Back in NERV�s elevator, Kaji and Misato were getting a little hot under the collar. As the life support for the base had started to be affected by the loss of power.

Misato: Argh! It�s too hot! And I still need the bathroom, this is horrible.

Misato�s jacket lay on the floor as she attempted to fan herself cool.

Kaji: Yeah. The air conditioners are out. If you�re so hot, why don�t you take off your shirt? There�s no need for you to be shy around me.

Fortunately that was an invitation Misato was more than willing to refuse. Which she demonstrated to the somewhat deflated Kaji by putting her red jacket back on and zipping it right up to the neck.

Misato: Don�t even think about trying to take advantage of this situation.

Kaji: Okay, okay.

Misato: Why wont he shut up! I need the bathroom bad enough as it is. I don�t need his stupid torment as well.

The Command Centre was no different to the lift as the heat was getting to the staff members there too.

Ritsuko: It�s getting even worse. Now, the air is getting stagnant. It�s hard to believe this facility represents the most advance technology on Earth.

Ritsuko commented as she and Maya used some old fans to cool down.

Maya: But look at the Commander and Vice Commander. Even with this much heat, they�re cool and in command.

Looking up to the bridge Ritsuko could see that Maya was right as both Gendo and Fuyutsuki kept their regular demeanour even with the growing heat. What Ritsuko couldn�t see was Gendo�s feet stuck in a bucket of luck warm water.

Fuyutsuki: It�s getting warmer.

Gendo: Yes...

To Be Continued...

! Warning Unauthorised Author Blag !

Hi guys.
Hope you liked this chapter. Why the to be continued? becuase I had to coninute this chapter in another chapter as I have a limit on how long each chapter is. It was kinda hard to work on thischapter because I had to try and put the stuff from the episode in as well as add things off my own. Anyway I have bad news and good news.

BAD NEWS

Listen I know you're all getting pissed about how long it is between chapter and stuff but there are a few things you NEED to understand. I am not some high school kid stuck in his room with nothing better to do with his time than write stories. I am:-

1) Currently doing a FULL TIME acting course which usually involves me doing A LOT of writing weather it be scripts for creative writing classes, evaluations and reports or scripts that are actually going to be performed. This also means I spend a lot of time rehearsing not just acting but also singing as it is requirements for the course.
2) I am no longer living with my parents I live in a flat of my own with my FIANCE. Which means I have bills to worry about and sought out as well as a bunch of house chores I have to do because I no longer have parents to depend and leach off.
3) My parents are going through a very messy break up and I'm stuck in the middle of it. Trying to keep both happy even though I'm not completely happy with what either has done. ON top of that you know things are bad in your family when your father make you, the youngest son of the family, his next of kin, which mean if he ever ends up on a life support machine and they're talking about pulling the plug, I have to make that choice. Try writing whilst that being on your mind, it's not easy. Plus my mum is intent on me meeting this guy of hers. Sure he could be the nicest guy in the world but that ain't gonna make me like him.
4) As i mentioned before I am living with my fiance. This means I have to spend time and energy comforting her and making sure she's happy. This makes it hard to write as I feel bad leaving her by herself with nothing to do.
5) On top of this i am currently have money problems and have only just manage to sought out a big mess between British Gas and Powergen over who is supplying me gas and electric.

AS you can see my life is pretty much shit, so it's lucky that I haven�t cancelled E4E altogether. But don't worry I won't. I made a vow to finish it and I will but it will take time.

GOOD NEWS

Now that I have started my second year of college I won't be in as much which will hopefully leave me with more time to work on E4E. Also don't forget to check out the fan art section of the site as there are some new peaces of work there, curtsey of SSPANDA which you�ve gotta see. Also I�m going to put a link up to some of my other work so that you can read that whilst you wait for the next chapter of E4E.

Well sorry that this blag went on for so long I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next chapter should be up SOON as I've already started work on it I'll try to make sure it's no longer than a month I PROMISE, okay?
Jaamataashite!

As always any and all flames, names and blames go to Ryouji Kaji at [email protected]