RITSUKO & GENDO<br/><br/>Ikari Gendo lifted his eyes from the file in front of him and regarded Dr. Akagi. His elbows rested on the desk. His fingers were laced together and his lower lip touched his joined thumbs. For a few seconds he said nothing, then,<br/><br/><strong>"How reliable is the data?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"At the moment, not very. Which is why I need to gather more. But the indications are solid. The occurrences so far all point to that."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Example?"</strong><br/><br/>The blonde scientist flipped a page over on her clipboard then glancing at it, stuck her hand back in the pocket of her lab coat.<br/><br/><strong>"Three weeks ago Asuka tested a full half point increase. I checked her monthly cycle, it wasn't that. I checked at the school, and nothing significant had happened there. I spoke with Misato and she couldn't offer an explanation. Then I talked with Kaji and he said that he and Asuka had been into Tokyo-2 that morning. Shopping and lunch. She came in for her synchronization rate test straight after."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"You are suggesting a shopping trip with Kaji Ryoji affects Asuka's synch rate?"</strong>There was a hint of disdain in Gendo's tone.<br/><br/><strong>"Not shopping, no. Shinji tested up zero decimal seven three one one, twelve days ago. Once again biometric diagnostics showed no physiological reasons. I talked with his teachers and then Misato and she laughed and seemed embarrassed but apparently he'd walked in on her showering that morning."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Fascinating."</strong>The seated man's voice was dry, scornful.<br/><br/><strong>"Last week, Shinji was another zero decimal four eight up."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Don't tell me, he was seen ogling Asuka."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"No. But Misato told me that evening, that his bedding was… dirty that morning. Before he left for the testing lab."</strong><br/><br/>Gendo closed his eyes,<strong>"Spare me the details, please."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"The issue is that in each incident, heightened libido has led to a corresponding rise in synch rate. I would like to collect more data and… conduct tests."</strong><br/><br/>(http://www.abcb.com/eva/eva_t004.jpg)<br/><br/><strong>"You want to give my son a supply of dirty magazines then synch test him after he's masturbated?"</strong>Gendo shifted position a little, his distaste obvious even from behind the bright reflections on his glasses.<br/><br/><strong>"No, sir. Nothing so crude. The thing is, all the pilots are virgins. They are all healthy, fit teenagers. Their sexuality is normal. They are all dealing with the hormonal changes in their bodies. I can see clear but small links between sexual stimuli and synch rate. If further testing shows that we can categorically raise pilot synch rate <em>when we need to</em>, for example when an Angel attack is first detected…"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"You want them to engage in <em>sex</em> instead of piloting EVA?"</strong><br/><br/>Ritsuko sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She lit a cigarette and drew on it hard, quickly blowing out between pursed lips a thin streamer of smoke.<br/><br/><strong>"If you would just authorize a programme of data collection. I will call in Kaji and Katsuragi and discuss the mechanics with them."</strong><br/><br/>Gendo snorted at the word 'mechanics'.<strong>"As long as this does not get to the point of a distraction, Doctor Akagi. I need those pilots ready at immediate notice in the case of another attack. Not running around half dressed pulling on clothes and wiping off… substances."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Thank you, Sir. I'll ensure that does not happen. I've drafted a project authorization form, secured a budget and obtained a work code."</strong><br/><br/><em>Budget?</em>thought Ikari Gendo as he signed the flimsies,<em>are you going to - buy equipment?</em><br/><br/><strong>"What about Ayanami?"</strong>the Commander asked.<br/><br/><strong>"Her rates are stable. I've not collected any data on her."</strong><em>Which is hardly surprising</em>, Ritsuko thought.<br/><br/>Gendo remained impassive,<em>hardly surprising</em>, he thought.<br/><br/>Ten minutes later Risuko Akagi sat down in her office and picked up the phone.<br/><br/><strong>"Kaji. Good morning. Something just came up. A new project. The Commander wants you in charge. Yes, a Science Department project. Yes. Well, I won't talk over the phone. No, I need to speak face to face. Can you come to my office? At two? Good."</strong><br/><br/>The doctor put the phone down then dialed Major Katsuragi's number.<br/><br/>...to Ritsuko's office... (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=24332.msg954578#msg954578)