Scenario:Asuka & Unit 02 - Find Yourself

Find Yourself

Some time has passed since the NERV pilots became members of the Grandcypher crew. Asuka receives a "Career Consultation Form" with orders to fill it out within a week. When she grumbles to Nicholas about being strong-armed into the task, he points out that her genius may not translate to other fields in the Sky Realm. Not one to take a challenge lying down, Asuka sets out to try different jobs to prove him wrong.

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Some time has passed since the NERV pilots joined (Captain)'s crew.

They drop in occasionally between their NERV missions, eager to learn more about the Sky Realm.

Asuka: Whaaat! The Evas are off-limits? What for?

Ritsuko: After the battle with Elpis Agonia, the Evas have been sent to assist with rebuilding efforts and dispatching monsters.

Ritsuko: The pilots, you included, haven't had a moment's rest. I decided it was prudent to carve out some time now.

Misato: Besides, you haven't spent much time with (Captain)'s crew lately, especially with things being so hectic, right? Think of it as a field trip to the Sky Realm.

Asuka: Not that I'm against seeing them, but how long is this "field trip" supposed to last?

Misato: Hmm... I'd say a week ought to do it.

Asuka: A week! What exactly are we supposed to do for an entire week?

Shinji: That does seem like an awfully long time. I can't think of what we'd do with a whole week, besides helping (Captain).

Misato: I figured you'd bring that up. Lucky for you two, I've prepared a homework assignment.

Shinji: Er, Misato? What is this?

Misato hands Shinji and Asuka each a piece of paper with "Career Consultation Form" written on it. Below are empty fields to be filled.

Asuka: Huh? What are we supposed to do with these?

Shinji: They look kind of like the forms guidance counselors give students at school.

Asuka: I know what they look like. I want to know why we need them. It's not like we need to pick our dream schools or anything.

Ritsuko: These aren't really counseling forms. They've just been designed in a familiar way to facilitate your understanding.

Misato: Your assignment is: "Go out and experience the world."

Misato: So, I expect these forms to be filled out in full by the end of the week. Easy, right?

Asuka: Ugh, no way! Pass! I've got better things to do!

Misato: I'm afraid you don't, Asuka. Consider this an order from your commanding officer.

Asuka pouts, clearly displeased with Misato's orders.

Asuka: What does my future have anything to do with you?

Misato: I'm your commanding officer, but I'm also your guardian. Looking after you all is my responsibility.

Misato: If you want to stand at the top one day, you're going to have to experience life in the real world too, Asuka.

Asuka: Whatever! If you're going make excuses, at least think of something more believable. Let's go, Idiot Shinji.

Shinji: Huh? Wait up, Asuka!

Shinji: If you'll excuse us, Ritsuko! Misato!

Misato: Maybe I was a little too pushy...

Ritsuko: I wouldn't worry about it. That's about what you can expect from children their age. The important thing is to let them fly, and be there step by step.

Vyrn: You're back already? We figured you'd want to spend more time with NERV, since it's been a while and all.

Asuka: It's fine. I'm pretty sure I would have gone crazy if I'd stayed any longer.

Asuka: Anyway, do you mind if we take a detour? There's somewhere I want to go.

Vyrn: She's got a face sour enough to curdle milk. What happened?

Shinji: Well... Misato gave us orders to "go out and experience the world."

Shinji murmurs the details while showing the crew the form they received.

Shinji: But I don't think Asuka likes being forced to do things like this...

Asuka: Shut it, Idiot Shinji! No one asked for an explanation!

Shinji: All right, all right. Geez, talk about stubborn...

Vyrn: So, where was it you wanted to go?

Nicholas: Asuka! Shinji! It's great to see you guys again!

Asuka: It's been a while, hasn't it? Glad to see you're doing well too!

Vyrn: Ohh, so you wanted to hit up the Rashomon Research Vessel. Makes sense. It's not every day we get to pop in.

Robomi: Welcome. What may we do for you today?

Asuka: Oh, right! I was wondering if you could do a little repair job for me?

Shinji: Isn't that the game console you always play on?

Asuka: Yeah. The monitor's starting to go on the fritz. I figured you'd have the tools to get it working properly again.

Nicholas: Gotcha! Leave it to me! Let's see what we can do.

Robomi: Readying optimal tools. Judging by the size of the device, I extrapolate that we will need a selection of smaller instruments.

Shinji: I'm pretty sure we could have fixed that console back at NERV. Why did Asuka want to come all the way out here?

Lyria: Hehe, isn't it obvious?

Lyria: I bet she wanted to catch up with her friends.

Shinji: I guess Asuka has a softer side too, huh. I always thought that she spends a lot of time to herself... that maybe she prefers it that way...

Shinji watches, surprised, as Asuka chatters animatedly with Robomi and Nicholas.

Robomi: I see. That is how you ended up with the mission to "go out and experience the world."

Asuka: Yeah. What a colossal waste of time. And then she has the nerve to talk to me about my future and how she's looking out for me.

Asuka: So long as I get to pilot my Eva, nothing else matters.

Nicholas: Hmm. I think it's admirable that you know what you want to do, and that you've got the dedication to see your goal through.

Nicholas: But I think it's worth branching out and seeing what else the world has to offer. I mean... you're still young, after... all.

Asuka: Ugh, are trying to go all parental on me too?

Nicholas: N-no! But I've lived long enough to understand what you're going through. You might think I'm sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, but my perspective might help.

Asuka: Or we can just focus on those repairs.

Nicholas: Hey, can't blame a guy for trying. Anyway, let's see...

Nicholas pops off the console's cover and inspects the machine's inner workings.

Nicholas: Huh... Well, this is... Hm.

Vyrn: That doesn't sound good. Is it so busted up you can't fix it or somethin'?

Nicholas: No, it's not that...

Robomi: It would appear that the system architecture is fundamentally different from what we normally see; therefore, Nicholas cannot identify the issue at a glance.

Nicholas: H-hey, Robomi! You didn't have to say it straight like that!

Asuka: Well that's pathetic. So much for your dignity as an adult.

Nicholas: Haha... Well, I'm sorry. If I could at least identify what's wrong, I think I've got a shot at fixing it.

Asuka: I think the battery itself might be leaking. If it's just rust on the circuit board, a little cleaning solution ought to do the trick.

Nicholas: Huh? Wait, did you know how to fix this all along?

Robomi: Disassembly complete. As Asuka has pointed out, it appears rust is indeed the problem.

Nicholas: So a cleaning job'll get it as good as new? Then I've got a few bottles of solution tucked away somewhere here...

Asuka: Wait, won't using that one corrode the circuits? It'll solve the rust problem, but destroy the machine in the process.

Robomi: It can be safely utilized with the correct cleaning method. By minimizing the amount of solution and applying it with this brush and cloth...

Asuka's suggestion combined with Robomi's and Nicholas's advice make the rest of the console repair smooth sailing.

Vyrn: You're really somethin', Asuka. You must've studied a whole bunch to be able to converse on par with Nicholas and Robomi.

Asuka: Not really. They showed me some equipment last time we worked together, so I took mental notes.

Shinji: But we weren't even there that long. How did you manage to remember so much?

Asuka: How idiotic can you get? Well, unlike you, with your below-average brain, an elite like me can memorize it no problem.

Vyrn: Elite, huh? That's a lotta confidence, but I guess you can back it up.

Nicholas: Oh, I don't know about that.

Nicholas: You are brilliant, Asuka. I bet you could hit the ground running if you were to ever join our research team.

Nicholas: Still, the Sky Realm's a big place. When it comes to other fields, no guarantees that even you could pick them up quite as easily.

Asuka: Is that a challenge? Are you saying I'd be useless in another field?

Nicholas: Not at all. I'm not saying you'll fail. I'm saying that there are things even you might have trouble with, that's all.

Nicholas: Same goes for machines. As much as I know, I still run into issues that didn't present themselves during the design stage. Though to be honest, that's part of the fun for me.

Asuka: Hmm... Well, I see no reason to turn down your challenge.

Asuka: You're on! I'll show you that I can handle any job that the Sky Realm throws at me, no problem!

Asuka: Let's get a move on, (Captain)! We're not going to take a challenge lying down, are we? That means you too, Idiot Shinji!

Shinji: Huh? Why do I have to get dragged into this?

Robomi: Nicholas. You deliberately lit a fire under Asuka, did you not?

Nicholas: Kind of, yeah. I just think it's a waste of potential to ignore something just because it doesn't catch your attention at first.

Nicholas: Heh. I spent all day, every day of my youth tinkering with machines, so I speak from personal experience.

Nicholas: You and Asuka are close, right Robomi?

Nicholas: So leave the prodding to me. In exchange, can I count on you to help her find what she's looking for?

Robomi: Understood.

Robomi: However, I do recommend making up with her later.

Nicholas: Haha... Roger that.

And so, Asuka embarks on a journey to get as much on-the-job experience as possible in the Sky Realm.