"I wonder how Shinji and the others are doing at ho?"
Misato bit her pen, crossing her long, stocking-clad legs. Her half-removed high heel dangled rhythmically from her toes.
"You have a smile all over your face every ti you ntion them lately."
Ritsuko walked into the mobile command car carrying a coffee, glancing at the various icons on the screens. "Is it because your sense of guilt has lessened a bit?"
"At first, yes. But later, I realized sothing."
"What?"
"Humanity might actually have a chance at survival under Shinji's protection. Once all the Angels are defeated, everyone can live happily ever after. I just wonder if Shinji will choose Rei or Asuka~"
Misato looked out the window with a smile, her eyes full of yearning for the future. The current situation was excellent; the Angels hadn't even managed to threaten Tokyo-3.
Wrapped in her fantasies, she didn't notice the strange look in Ritsuko Akagi's eyes, who stood motionless clutching her coffee cup.
'A chance at survival? A happy life? If only it were that simple.'
Ritsuko wanted to offer a cynical retort, but the words died in her throat. The reality was exactly as Misato described; Shinji Ikari's reliable performance had caused even Ritsuko to waver montarily.
Was the script recorded in the Secret Dead Sea Scrolls truly unchangeable?
She shook her head. Having gambled everything and worked for half her life, how could she be swayed by a few months?
"Stop daydreaming and co look at this."
Ritsuko skipped the topic and used a stylus to circle a blurry shape on the screen—a dark shadow that had suddenly appeared within the magma.
This was a report sent back by the Seismological Research Institute, which had already cost them two subrsibles. Usually, Misato Katsuragi would handle such matters, but this ti Ritsuko had co in person.
Under her lead, the analysis was complete. The image showed a giant egg containing a lizard-like entity, and the biological signal analysis was finished.
"Identified as 'Blue.' It's an Angel for sure—and one that is still developing."
Misato turned serious. This was a developing Angel, seemingly still in a state of dormancy.
"So Angels develop from embryos? What a discovery. Tell , did this one gestate because the Seventh Angel was dealt with, or has it existed for a long ti?"
Ritsuko stared at the image and replied offhandedly: "Theoretically, they've existed for a long ti. They remain in an embryonic dormant state until they receive a specific signal. That signal is the fall of the previous Angel."
Then the Angel develops, awakens, and finally follows its instinct to head for Tokyo-3.
"I've always wondered why the Angels don't attack all at once instead of just feeding themselves to us one by one."
This was a point Misato could never wrap her head around.
"It is the instinct of the Angels. Anyway, an opportunity has presented itself. Should we issue Directive A-17?"
Misato fell silent. Directive A-17 represented NERV taking the offensive. In this context, it ant capturing an Angel alive.
"Seal off the research institute, cut all external communications, and classify all related data as top secret."
She nodded expertly to her subordinates, then looked at Ritsuko solemnly. "It's too dangerous. No one can guarantee the Eighth Angel is truly dormant. If we fail, the events of fifteen years ago..."
"Misato, you're supposed to be more reckless than ."
Ritsuko looked surprised. Given her friend's usual personality, she expected Misato to propose this even if Ritsuko hadn't ntioned it.
"Because the Angels are different now. I trust Shinji's judgnt implicitly."
Misato had indeed changed; she had long occupied a supporting role. "The opportunity is precious, but that's exactly why I have to be cautious."
"Are you afraid the Angel is deceiving us?"
"Yes. You've seen the mutations since the Third Angel. The Fourth learned techniques, the Fifth understood tactics, the Sixth utilized terrain, and the Seventh actively divided the battlefield. It's not impossible for the Eighth to be laying an ambush for us."
That was true.
Ritsuko lit a cigarette and opted for a compromise.
"Then let's send the information back and let Commander Ikari decide."
'Commander Ikari? That man with bandages on his head and his arm in a sling, who can't even maintain a steady posture? I heard he's been quite withdrawn lately.'
Misato blinked. At so point, Gendo Ikari's image of reliability had collapsed—or rather, it had been replaced by soone else.
"We definitely have to let the Commander know, but the one who can truly provide an opinion is Shinji-kun. Have him co here in person. Let him judge whether to issue Directive A-17."
The cigarette between Ritsuko's fingers paused, and a few flakes of ash fell. She looked stunned, feeling a flicker of sadness for reasons she couldn't na.
'Who is actually the Commander of NERV? Has this 'reversal of hierarchy' already taken root in everyone's hearts?'
She saw everyone in the command room nodding; no one questioned it. With a light sigh, she crushed the cigarette into an ashtray already filled with butts.
"Fine. I agree."
.
.
.
Whoosh—
The giant transport plane kicked up a storm. Densely packed engineering vehicles were spread across the ground, and cables spanned the area like a spiderweb. It was a scene of intense activity.
Shinji walked down the ramp, glancing at the busy site before looking at the smoking volcano in the distance. The scent of curry still lingered on his fingertips.
He had been called away right in the middle of making lunch. It seed the investigation work had yielded results.
"Hey, what are you doing blocking the door? Move aside."
Asuka's energetic voice rang out as she squeezed out of the cabin.
Shinji glanced at her and advised: "You still have a fever. It would have been better if just Rei and I ca."
"Tsk, so you two can run off and get all 'lovey-dovey,' right? (German)"
Noticing Shinji's expression shift slightly, Asuka waved her hand dismissively: "Work cos first. Besides, I feel much better after sleeping all night."
'Sleeping all night? You were like soone with chronic prostatitis—sneaking out of bed every twenty minutes to use the bathroom and wandering past my door.'
Shinji didn't call her out. For so reason, Asuka was suddenly brimming with fighting spirit, and she seed slightly antagonistic toward Rei.
"What is going on with you two?"
"We're fine. What could be going on?"
Asuka glared at Rei. That's right—this was revenge.
'You made look like a fool once; if you think you're going to get lovey-dovey with this idiot, keep dreaming.'
Watching her stride down the ramp, Shinji didn't bother asking further. Among the three of them, Asuka was the one who talked most about being mature, yet she was also the most childish.
Better to focus on the task.
He looked at the busy site. He had received news on the way here.
Gendo Ikari had activated a top-secret encryption line. No need to ask—he was definitely consulting with SEELE. Currently, Gendo's body and spirit were taking hit after hit; he desperately needed a major victory under his own command to regain his confidence.
Trying to believe everything is under control only to find it slipping away—Shinji knew exactly how to torture such a person.
Under the influence of the psychic seeds, Gendo thought he was trying to win back a round, but in reality, it was aningless; he was rely fulfilling Shinji's desires.
"A dormant Angel inside the volcano?"
Shinji looked toward the volcano. He didn't have much interest in capturing an Angel alive, but this ti, he also planned to conduct an experint.
"Let's go, Rei. We'll head to the command post first."
The girl following him like a shadow nodded and matched his pace.
The three soon arrived at the foot of the volcano, where a giant command vehicle painted with UN markings served as the temporary headquarters.
Misato Katsuragi had been waiting. Seeing Shinji and the others, she managed to suppress any teasing and walked up, looking slightly worried.
"Headquarters just signed the order. Code A-17. Shinji, you know what this ans, right?"
"They've made up their minds to capture the Angel."
Shinji nodded. This was a combat code of the highest level. He said sowhat mockingly, "It seems the evolution of the Angels hasn't deterred their resolve."
"It can't be helped. The temptation of capturing a live specin is too great. I was planning to wait for you to decide."
"I'm just an EVA pilot. How could I decide such a major matter?"
Shinji didn't take it to heart. Stepping into the vehicle, he saw rows of monitoring screens; work was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
The target was at a depth of 1,600 ters, completely encased in searing magma. To capture the images, NERV had lost three deep-sea probes—five billion dollars down the drain without even a splash.
"This depth is interesting. It's right at the limit of human technology. A bit shallower, and we could conduct more detailed scans. A bit deeper, and we wouldn't need to bother; we'd just wait for it to wake up and intercept it."
"You think the Angel is fishing?"
Ritsuko Akagi stared at the screen. Every so often, another probe was lowered—billions and billions wasted.
"It's a possibility. But we won't stop because of a possibility."
Shinji stepped forward, expertly tapping the keyboard to call up dense data streams, observing the photos from various angles.
He was focused. Asuka, who hadn't been able to get a word in, looked at the man's profile and dazed off for a mont.
"No, the samples are too few. You can't see the problem from this."
Shinji gave up and tapped his finger on the desk. "For instance, let an EVA go down and see for itself. Doesn't the Technical Departnt have a specialized terrain armant? With an overlapping AT Field, it should be able to reach the 1,600-ter mark."
"I was thinking the sa thing. Use an EVA for direct contact. If the Angel wakes up, switch to extermination."
Ritsuko put her hands in her pockets and swept her gaze over the three. "However, even with improvents, this armant can only be used by Unit-00 or Unit-02."
"Why can't Unit-01 use it?"
Ritsuko didn't explain; she simply pulled up a picture. Everyone understood imdiately.
The protective suit was similar to a spacesuit—round, bulging, and puffy. Because of its horn, Unit-01's head was too large to fit, whereas Unit-00 and Unit-02 were "bald."
"Wow, so ugly."
Asuka imdiately covered her eyes, as if the suit's ugliness was off the charts and looking at it for another second would be painful.
Specialized combat equipnt: radiation-proof, high-pressure-proof, high-temperature-proof. Flexibility was drastically reduced, leaving it with almost zero actual combat capability.
Shinji rubbed his chin. Going down to fight an Angel hand-to-hand in that thing—how was that different from suicide?
"So, will Unit-00 or Unit-02 handle it?"
Ritsuko hesitated for a mont, her eyes finally landing on Rei Ayanami.
"Since Asuka is sick, Rei should go."
"Okay."
Rei, of course, would not object.
Asuka felt a sigh of relief, but looking back and forth, she felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, feeling as though her thunder had been stolen. Just then, she caught the worried look in Shinji's eyes.
"I'll go instead. I have to be there for such a high-profile mission."
She suddenly raised her hand, eting everyone's surprised gazes. "Even if it's ugly, I'll deal with it. As for being sick, my sync rate is a good notch higher than hers."
"This operation is no joke. Have you seen the UN's disposal plan? If things spiral out of control, they will use N2 mines to wipe the area. Do you really want to go?"
Ritsuko Akagi's face was grave.
'N2 mines?! Why didn't you say so earlier!'
Asuka's eye twitched. But having reached this point, her pride would not allow her to back down. She tossed her long hair nonchalantly.
"Hmph. If the operation succeeds, that's that. Besides, Unit-00 and Unit-01 are here; nothing will go wrong."
"Of course. I will ensure the operation is an absolute success."
Shinji was moved by this "loyalty." He also knew that choosing Asuka was more logical; had she not been sick, he would have suggested the swap himself.
In the eyes of an Astartes, personal feelings always take a backseat to mission success probability. Rei's sync rate was a bit low, and she wasn't suited for delicate close-quarters work; all her training was in long-range sniping.
Going into battle even while ill... truly, such loyalty was beyond words.
Compared to Shinji's perspective on loyalty, Rei was clearly more attentive. She looked at Asuka—who put on a "no big deal" dismissive front but was actually extrely nervous—and tilted her head slightly.
'Why is she helping ?'
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