Reichu: This makes me wonder about the layout of Nerv HQ. Shinji and the others had to cross all that coolant by hovercraft to getto the left side of the Cage, but Rei and her caretakers just have to take an elevator to get to the right.
HeWhoPostsStuff: Maybe they were just keeping the “Port-a-Rei” purposely nearby in case of just such a situation, rather than taking her all the way to the med wing?