SUBJECT: Transcript - Interrogation of Captain Misato Katsuragi (NERVCOM)
CC: Human Instrumentality Committee
The following excerpt is from an interview of Captain Katsuragi conducted by NERV Intelligence as part of an internal investigation focusing on the entity known as "the Doctor." The session took place two days after the Battle of Access Point Magnum.
Q: ... would you care to repeat that statement, Captain?
A: Certainly. I stand by my actions. Given the same circumstances, I would most likely react in the same manner.
Q: Let's review the situation, Captain. You have aided and abetted an unvetted... person of unknown origin, background and goals gain access to classified information and equipment. An individual who, might I remind you, has shown a clear pattern of deceptive and subversive behavior. You have furthermore withheld information about this person from your superiors. Under normal circumstances, your conduct would be at the very least cause for court-martial, if not execution for treason. Exactly how would you justify such behavior?
A: It's very simple. Without the Doctor, we would have lost.
Q: Aren't you assuming --
A: (interrupts) That's the truth of the matter, Agent. I don't like it any more than you do, but we no longer have the luxury of pride. On four occasions now, in spite of all plans and preparations, we've been caught completely off guard by the enemy. As Director of Operations, I accept full responsibility for these failures. However, I believe a full review of the facts will show that any conventional response to those scenarios would have resulted in heavy losses in terms of resources, personnel and civilian lives -- some of them irreplaceable.
Q: I presume that you are referring to the pilots.
A: Correct.
Q: And you see no risk at all in allowing an unknown factor to have unrestricted access to them?
A: I see the risk as... acceptable.
Q: Explain.
A: Without the Doctor, Shinji would be dead. So, most likely, would Rei. I therefore see the proven benefits to the pilots' security as outweighing any potential hazards.
Q: You mean pilots Ikari and Ayanami.
A: Correct.
Q: Tell me, Captain. Do you see any possibility at all that your judgment in this matter has been compromised by your personal feelings? Both towards the pilots and this "Doctor"?
A: (hesitates) I -- No. I do not.
Q: Is that so.
A: My personal feelings have nothing to do with the decisions I make as a commander. Strategically speaking, we are in a vulnerable position. If I encounter any resource that might aid us in survival, it is my responsibility to --
Q: That's enough, Captain. So, am I to understand, then, that your decisions regarding this Doctor have been completely unaffected by your experiences with him?
A: Correct.
Q: Even though, by your own report, he personally saved your life during the incident at the school?
A: Correct.
Q: And will you likewise claim that your judgment is purely rational regarding the pilots -- two of whom, I understand, currently reside in your apartment?
A: My living arrangements were directly approved by the commander himself.
Q: (pause) Err --
A: Are you questioning his judgment?
Q: (pause) Fine, Captain. Touché. Just one last question, then, off the record --
A: ... of course.
Q: Turn off the recorder!
(note: recording continues as per standard interrogation protocol.)
Q: One last question. Eh, dammit, I screwed that up...
A: Come again?
Q: Nothing. Off the record, Captain -- just what the hell are you thinking? We know absolutely nothing about this -- this thing. He's an alien, for God's sake! What could possibly make you think he can be trusted?
A: Do you really want to know?
Q: Yes.
A: Back in the school, during that attack? He begged me to help save the children's lives. He begged me. And as far as I can tell, he meant it. (pause) When's the last time you felt that kind of concern for human life, Agent?
YOU ARE READING
Doctor Who: The Evangelion Error (Book Two)
FanfictionCONTINUED FROM DOCTOR WHO: THE EVANGELION ERROR - BOOK ONE. Ever since he met the alien wanderer/schoolteacher called the Doctor, fourteen-year-old Shinji Ikari's life has only gotten crazier by the day. With the Doctor's help, he's survived getting...
