"Very well ... leave us while you can." says Ikari Gendo. "That's enough Katsuragi. Shinji! If you don't leave now ... you'll be tardy. Find your way back 'home' yourself!"

"Damn ... " Shinji says in a curse.

Shinji embraces Rei. Her body, limp, moist by perspiration, breathing shallow and halted, he whispers to her.

"I understand." says Shinji to Rei.

Shinji looks at Rei once more.

"Father ... I hope I can ride it good enough?"says Shinji. "I will ride inside it."

The sound of servo motors, transformers begin to come to life and fill the chamber. Shinji gently lays Rei down on the gentry bridge floor. He stands, still not taking his eyes from Rei.

"Shinji ..." says Misato feeling concern for Shinji.

Ritsuko walks to Shinji to take charge of briefing him for the experience he will face.

"Those were good words, Shinji." says Ritsuko. "Well ... this way. The EVA has a simple operating system ... "

As Ritsuko leads Shinji away to the off the bridge to the prep room, Ikari Gendo looks on the scene from above. Shinji turns to give a final look to his Father. Shinji's been betrayed his entire life. He never knew who he was or what he was. It was all a carefully planned conspiracy, controlled by his Father and who's ultimate purpose and end were still unknown. But for now Shinji knew he was a prisoner, a prisoner of his life. With a deep feeling of disgust, perhaps he too like other prisoners would plan his own conspiracy, his own escape. How could his Father have done this; why was he never told. From above Ikari Gendo looks on as Shinji departs. He allows himself a small smile in proud satisfaction. His program will go forward. He will achieve his ultimate goal.

Out of sight within the wall of the chamber, pumps begin to drain the fluid. In the upper corridor, Shinji boards the plug. The plug, control and interface capsule of sorts, that will be injected into the brain stem of EVA-01.

Shinji has entered the Plug. Strapped to the riders seat he waits and reflects.

"`I am an essential element with this robot that Father built ...' " says Shinji. "What difference does it make? Huh! This is not amusing. What's one more death to the total? I'm not the coward that Father thinks."

"Refrigeration Complete!!" reports the Loading Officer. "Inner cage complete and in docking position."

"Pilot ... inside entry Plug." reports the Loading Officer 2. "... Plug in position, locked, ready!"

Like a gigantic and grotesque hypodermic syringe, the Plug with Shinji inside is injected into the brain stem of EVA-01. Electromechanical doors, sensors, levers, come to life as the Plug enters the stem to connect to EVA-01's R-complex. Mechanical levers with grasps take the Plug. Electrical leads disengage and electricity and sparks ark through the moist air of the chamber. Flashes of light from the discharges give EVA-01 an eerie glow about its head. Frankenstein lives ...

"Confirmed!" reports Loading Officer 3.
"Entry Plug in place and operational!!"

NERV CONTROL

Activity in the NERV control room is at a frenzied pace.

"Plug fix completed!!" reports the 1st Cmd Ofc. "Commence first order connections!!"

Within the Plug, Shinji listens to the intercom traffic.

"Begin Plug fluid injection." orders the 1st Cmd Ofc.

"What the ... !" says Shinji in alarm. "What is this stuff!?"