Ritsuko took a deep breath and checked the folder
at her side. A moment later, she pushed through the
door to Commander Ikari's office and walked up to the
desk. Commander Ikari sat with his back facing to her.
" When will the real 5th child get
here?" He asked suddenly. Ritsuko hesitated a moment.
" In 96 hours." She replied calmly,
even though inside she was slightly scared. Commander Ikari turned to face
her.
" I see. What about the transport
of Unit-04?" He asked more pleasantly. Ritsuko sighed inwardly, and relaxed
slightly.
" It will be here roughly 11 hours
after the pilot arrives." She informed him.
" Good." Commander Ikari contemplated
the information for a moment, before continuing with the
bombardment of questions. "What about the reconstruction
of Unit-03?"
" Unit-03 has already been completed
and the pilot has had the two missing limbs cloned and replaced. He is
still under going nervous link testing."
" So we are ahead of schedule?" Ikari
asked
" Not really." Ritsuko replied
" Why not?" Whatever kindness Gendo
had been showing had just died and gone to hell.
" The Cyclone Project is lagging behind
schedule."
" It has been lagging for the last
year and a half. Why did you mention it?" Commander Ikari asked, still
lacking kindness
" Well, we are finally ready to release
the two from status, but their Eva's are still in cryo-status, and we can't
revive them until the pilots are revived."
" How long before you can release
the two subjects?" Commander Ikari's kindness had returned. If you could
notice it.
" Three days." Ritsuko replied.
" And the Cyclone Model Evangelions?"
Ritsuko handed the Commander a file with the NERV logo on the top and top
secret written beside it. " Between 8 and 12 days." Ritsuko
replied
" What is this?" Commander Ikari asked.
" This is the latest information on
Evangelions 05C and 06C, along with their pilots current status and other
information regarding the Cyclone Project." Ritsuko explained.
Commander Ikari nodded in approval, and opened
the file. He picked out the first picture. It showed
a long upright tube, filled with LCL and a human male with
chitinous claws sprouting from the wrists.
" Claws....?" The commander asked.
" Yes, that is Specimen A. The claws
are in identical positions to those of Unit-06C, running along the lines
of
the two bones in his forearms. Thankfully, the physical
change of his body is much less noticeable than
Specimen B's changes, especially since those claws are
retractable, also like Unit-06C's." Commander Ikari picked
out an X-ray of Specimen A's left arm.
" Specimen B's changes...?" He asked,
putting the X-ray back and taking out a picture of Specimen B
" Specimen B has grown two wings,
identical in genetic makeup to those on Unit-05C." Commander Ikari shook
his head.
" This will make hiding them among
the other school children more difficult."
" But not impossible." Ritsuko added.
Commander Ikari nodded in understanding.
" If I may ask, why was Unit-03 cloned
from it's original?" Ritsuko pressed.
" It was cloned from the original
because it's pilot may have a better chance of synchronization with an
Eva he
has already been present in."
"I see....." Ritsuko said, believing
absolutely nothing that he had just said. Commander Ikari picked
out a
picture of Specimen B.
" Tell Major Katsuragi about the arrival
of Unit-04 and its pilot, and make sure that she informs the first four
children. I do not want a repeat of the fourth child
incident." Commander Ikari ordered.
" What about the Cyclone Project Children
and Eva's? Shouldn't she inform them of those." Ritsuko asked,
concerned.
" They will be attending school again
near the same time that the fourth child returns. Because they're
Evangelions are still in cryo-status, there will be no
need. I wish for them to keep a low profile."
" Is that possible? I mean, M-" Ritsuko
was cut short.
" Despite the trouble he causes, he
will understand the military reasons for the action, and will comply."
Commander Ikari said.
" But-" Ritsuko tried to start another
sentence, but Commander Ikari wouldn't let her.
" There is no need for concern, Dr.
Akagi. You may leave now." The last bit of that sentence was clearly an
order. Ritsuko silently left the office. Commander Ikari
sat in silence, and folded his hands over his mouth,
smiling.
Back to Evangelion II: Cyclone Project