ACT 1: Ensemble
Episode 1: Gathering
Clattering filled the air. The cane had slipped from the side of the seat and banged against the tile floor. Sound reverberated around the vast chamber before settling once again. With a sigh the man rubbed his leg. Reaching down, he picked up the cane again and hooked it around the arm of his chair. No one even looked up any more. The slip, the clatter, the sigh and retrieval were daily routine by this point. He was a middle-aged man in a dark suit. His dark brown hair streaked with lines of grey, intelligent dark eyes staring out at the world around him. He would have been handsome for his age if not for the deep creases and dark rings about his eyes. Looking at the report on his desk, his sight flicked back up to the main screen.
“Status report Doctor.” he asked, his voice hoarse. Another man stepped forward. He was taller, gangly, with a half-smoked cigarette hanging from his lips. A dishevelled mop of blonde hair reaching to his shoulders. He took a puff of his cigarette.
“In terms of pilots and units, the progress is as follows Commander. All pilots and units are accounted for with the exception of Unit-02 and Mark.06, both of which are not due to arrive for some time. Apparently Berlin is having trouble getting clearance to release the Unit and Tabgha is behind in construction.” the doctor explained dully, glancing back at his superior.
“What's being done with them?” the Commander replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The doctor hesitated, unsure of which he meant.
“Well, while all are accounted for, we've yet to actually receive all of them. So far we're prepping Unit-00 and Unit-01 for active use since they're our resident Evas. Unit-03 has experienced turbulence due to a storm on the way in, it will arrive shortly. 04 is having... Issues.”
“Issues?” The Commander arched an eyebrow.
“Uh, well, the pilot has been a little.. Picky. For now we've bolted it down in Bay Three, but she keeps hassling the technicians. We're probably going to keep that one on the active register for now. Other than that the Evas are all being put into storage to coincide with the Vatican Treaty. Provisional Unit-05 and Unit-07 are already being stored, but Unit-α is causing some confusion.” The doctor continued.
“Don't make me wait Doctor, just get on with it.” An edge appeared in the Commander's voice.
“Well, the odd thing is, it's already sealed. Eden Base delivered it to us prepacked in a block of Bakelite. The techs don't know whether to seal it or defrost it Sir.” the doctor gave a chuckle. There was an uncomfortable silence.
“Have them lower it into one of the vats. Couldn't cause it any more harm. Anything else?” The Commander rose slowly from his seat. He had only just sat down, but his immediate return to motion was also routine by now.
“Well, there is the matter of the pilots...” The doctor answered, his cigarette burning out.
The door to the Command Centre opened, the Commander walking out, leaning on his cane, the doctor following closely.
“I can't advise this for your leg...”
“Continue your report.” his voice echoed in the empty corridor.
“Fine, what do I know, I'm just a doctor... We've started rounding up the pilots. We're getting them together in the conference room. So far Shirou Karigane is being escorted there by his brothers an-!”
“Karigane, technicians right?” The Commander interrupted. The doctor checked his hand-held.
“Yes Sir, twins, they're the pilot of Unit-α's older brothers. They're bringing him to the conference room. Shiori is already there along with the pilot of Unit-07, Qi, both under supervision. Unit-04's pilot is being removed forcibly from Bay Three according to the latest news and Unit-05's pilot, R, Rock, uh... Katla, has been informed. Unit-03's pilot was sent ahead of his Unit, but he's still a little behind schedule, he's in transit now. Finally, um, your Son, Sir...” the doctor paused, unsure of how to continue.
“What is his status?” The Commander continued evenly, not breaking his stride.
“He's arrived at the base Sir, he's on his way, but he still has no idea why he's here. You'll be addressing all the pilots, correct?” the doctor tried to broach the subject.
The Commander stopped in his tracks. Turning his head slightly to look towards the other.
“... No, I'm leaving orientation up to you.” he explained, picking up his step once again.
“Uh, what, you must be joking! I'm no good with kids, you've seen me interact, I can't even talk to... Gah! What the hell Owen, you aren't even going to talk to the kid?!” The doctor's patience had worn out. Throwing down his cigarette, he glared at the back of the other man.
“No Johann, there is a time and a place for such things, this isn't it. You will handle their orientation and then delegate them to Kiyoshi.I have other things to attend to.” Passing into the next corridor, an electronic door slid shut behind the Commander, leaving Johann alone with his thoughts. Cursing under his breath, he marched off towards the conference room.
(Alrighty, you all read that I hope, your positions have been laid out with a few different perspectives here and there. Basically just take it as your character going from somewhere on or off base to the conference room. I decided to create a bit of staggering here so we don't just end up with an instant mess of everyone trying to talk to one another at once. Be mindful of others' posts and try to have fun.
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