Noon. The Fifth Angel, codename Ramiel, reappeared above the Pacific.
Advanced toward Tokyo-3. Stopped above the city. This time didn't choose to unleash firepower. Instead extended a continuously extending drill from its octahedral body's underside. Broke through the ground. Prepared to drill all the way down to NERV headquarters below.
The entire city continuously trembled because of this.
Simultaneously, Operation Yashima to intercept the Fifth Angel was also proceeding in full swing.
Misato Katsuragi first borrowed an experimental Positron Cannon capable of bearing all Japan's electricity from the Strategic Self-Defense Force Tsukuba Technical Research Headquarters. Then had NERV headquarters' technical bureau temporarily create a shield specifically to block beam attacks—the EVA-exclusive heat-resistant light wave defense weapon.
After setting the sniper location as Futago Mountain's summit, she began organizing the electricity concentration work.
And in Unit-00's hangar control room—
"Pulse and resonance normal... Sync Ratio stable... error correction complete... all circuits connected... no abnormalities..." Listening to nearby technicians' reports, Ritsuko Akagi nodded.
"Unit-00's activation test—successful."
In the hangar, the orange giant unit could already move according to Rei Ayanami's control.
"Thank you for your hard work, Dr. Connie." Ritsuko Akagi turned to look at Dr. Connie Albert, also wearing a white lab coat. Smiled slightly. "Without your overtime work, Unit-00's activation test would probably be delayed several more days."
Just as she predicted, this man's scientific talent didn't lose to hers.
"Just my duty." Albert pushed his glasses. Also turned to look at her. "If you don't mind, just call me Albert."
"We'll be working together for a long time ahead."
Ritsuko Akagi was the EVA Project's director. Also a strong woman with supreme talent. Could also control headquarters' MAGI supercomputer. If Natsuki-san later chose to intervene in the Human Instrumentality Project, he hoped Ritsuko Akagi could stand on their side.
So he needed to gain her favor now. Find opportunities to let her understand the full truth.
"Alright, Albert-san." Ritsuko Akagi smiled thoughtfully.
Nightfall.
All Japan received notice of power outages during the night. And near Futago Mountain where the mission would execute, transport trucks loaded with large relays filled the highway. Massive cables densely arranged. Connected toward the summit direction.
"The fourteenth armor plate has been breached. Estimated the Fifth Angel will penetrate all twenty-two armor plates and reach above headquarters by dawn!" Through dedicated comms, Misato Katsuragi listened to technical personnel's report. Nodded.
"Still in time." She said.
"Everyone, speed up. We'll begin operations at exactly 10 PM tonight!"
"Understood!" Multiple voices responded.
Until operations began—less than one hour remained.
Unit-01 and Unit-00's pilots had already arrived at the summit early to stand by.
"Ayanami-san, what are you fighting for?" Shinji Ikari wore a white plugsuit. Sat on the summit's high platform. Gazed far at the Fifth Angel in the city. Asked Rei Ayanami beside him.
"What am I... fighting for?" Rei Ayanami sat hugging her legs. Heard this question. Fell silent a while. Contemplated the answer in her mind.
"I don't know. But..." She finally shook her head. Said softly. "Perhaps... because of bonds."
"Bonds?" Shinji didn't expect to hear such a word from this girl.
Natsuki also froze after hearing this word.
This girl seemed indifferent to everything. But actually a hot-blooded girl?
But Rei Ayanami's subsequent explanation made him freeze again.
"Bonds... are relationships with everyone... Right now I only have this."
"What everyone wants me to do, I'll do." Rei Ayanami hugged her legs. Rested her head on her knees. Said in a weak voice.
What kind of experiences created her current personality?
This was a common question in both Shinji and Natsuki's hearts.
"How can this be okay?" Shinji looked at her. "Your injuries haven't completely healed yet. This is a mission that could cost your life."
He sympathized with Rei Ayanami.
Before, he also always thought he could accept a life manipulated by others. But when truly encouraged, completing something by his own will—he discovered no one could completely live for others. Everyone should have things they want to do.
"It's okay. I'll protect you in this mission. You definitely won't die." Rei Ayanami also turned her head. Looked at him firmly.
What she needed to do in this mission was protect Shinji. Then she'd risk her life for this. This was her meaning of living. Execute orders.
"That's not what I mean. I'm saying—you might get injured in this mission, even die. Aren't you afraid?" Shinji heard Rei Ayanami's words. Somewhat moved. Continued asking.
"Afraid?"
"Mm... I'm afraid."
"But orders are orders." Rei Ayanami still didn't fully understand what emotions were. Still like a beautiful puppet.
And after hearing this, Shinji shook his head.
"Orders aren't everything."
"This mission, I'll protect Ayanami-san. Will protect everyone." Shinji looked at her firmly.
He'd already decided to protect others' lives. Protect others' dreams. Naturally including Rei Ayanami.
And besides this, he also had a trace of adolescent feelings for her.
"Protect... me?" Rei Ayanami heard Shinji's concerned words. Somewhat confused.
"Why? Orders should be for me to protect you."
Her words fell.
Shinji Ikari already stood up. Came to the platform's front. Looked at the distant Fifth Angel.
"Nothing to do with orders."
"Wanting to protect Ayanami-san now is my own idea."
He made a fist with one hand, palm with the other. Collided them before his chest. Similarly, a flame was also lit in his heart.
"Whether now or later, I won't let Ayanami-san die."
"Also... after eliminating the Angel, Ayanami-san, tell me your story."
The youth's voice drifted into the girl's ears with the wind.
For a girl unclear about what emotions were, what liking was—all this was unfamiliar.
Acting according to orders. Even detecting her difference from others, still burying it in her heart. This had become her life pattern.
This youth—was special to her.
This was the thought in her heart.
"Mm." Rei Ayanami didn't know why she agreed. Smiled and nodded.
Shinji's words were like an old general on stage—body full of death flags. Usually people saying such things wouldn't have good outcomes.
However—
Reality would prove—when your power was strong enough, you could ignore everything.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (30+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!