That day noon. Above the Pacific Ocean. Inside NERV's dedicated transport helicopter.
"Just welcoming Unit-02—is it necessary to bring Unit-00?" Shinji glanced at the large combat transport aircraft behind specifically carrying EVA Unit-00. Asked puzzled.
He remembered Unit-02's pilot should also be a NERV member.
"Commander Ikari worried accidents might occur. So brought extra insurance." Misato Katsuragi answered.
When briefing this mission, Gendo Ikari specifically instructed absolutely no accidents could occur. Must ensure Unit-02's handover.
"Then why not bring Unit-01?" Shinji asked.
Speaking purely of combat capability, Unit-01's performance was stronger than Unit-00.
"Because Unit-01 must stay at headquarters to prevent Angel attacks." Misato Katsuragi answered. Then smiled. "Don't worry. This time won't have any accidents."
The thing attracting Angels was under headquarters. Here was just Unit-02's handover transport site. How could accidents possibly occur?
If she said so, Commander Ikari was overthinking.
"You two just treat it as tourism."
"After all, maintaining high-intensity combat makes people mentally and physically exhausted." Misato Katsuragi said to Shinji and Rei Ayanami in the cabin.
"Okay." Rei Ayanami obediently nodded.
Today she still wore the blue-white sailor uniform from school. Seemed besides the plugsuit and school uniform, she had no other clothes.
And Shinji's outfit was simpler. Black pants with white shirt. Simple yet capable.
"Every time Misato-san says things like this... I always feel accidents will happen." Shinji couldn't help complaining.
This was a death flag before battle.
"Don't worry. If nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected will definitely happen." Natsuki also crossed his arms and nodded.
As an Ultra veteran's intuition—also told him this mission definitely wasn't simple.
"You actually don't believe me!" Hearing Shinji completely didn't believe her words, Misato Katsuragi grabbed Shinji's head and rubbed vigorously. "I say it's fine, it's fine!"
"Okay, okay!" Shinji painfully begged for mercy.
Soon, they arrived above the fleet transporting EVA Unit-02.
Five carriers. Four battleships. This was the United Nations military's subordinate fleet. Specially dispatched this time to transport EVA Unit-02 from Germany Branch to NERV headquarters.
"Transporting Unit-02... actually mobilized such a large formation?" Through the helicopter's glass, Shinji saw the fleet below. Though not a military enthusiast, he also knew these things' strategic status. Internally sighed—NERV organization's influence was truly massive.
"Alright, we're preparing to land."
"Soon you two will see Unit-02's pilot. Get along well then." Misato Katsuragi reminded Shinji.
Shinji silently nodded. Internally curious what Unit-02's pilot would be like.
Pilot from Germany... Unit-02 with powerful combat performance... Combining these two keywords, what first appeared in Shinji's mind was a mighty 185cm tall muscular man in military uniform. The type who could lift him with one hand.
In the roar of engines, the helicopter landed under guidance.
Cabin door opened. Misato Katsuragi led Shinji and Rei Ayanami onto the carrier's deck.
A sea breeze hit their faces. Shinji extended his arm to block the sunlight directly above. Looked forward.
Saw numerous deck workers in military uniforms. He looked around. Tried to find Unit-02's pilot among them.
At this time, a beautiful mixed-race girl in a beige dress walked toward them. Hem and orange hair gently swayed with the sea breeze.
"Hello~"
"Long time no see, Misato." Asuka came before the three people and one phantom. Hands on hips. Greeted. Face brimming with confident smile.
The two seemed to already know each other.
"Long time no see, Asuka." Misato Katsuragi smiled in response.
She seemed to detect Shinji's somewhat dazed look. Actively introduced both sides: "This is Asuka Langley Soryu. Unit-02's pilot."
"And this is Rei Ayanami, Unit-00's pilot. And Shinji Ikari, Unit-01's pilot."
Both sides officially met.
After learning the girl before him was Unit-02's pilot, Shinji's fantasy shattered instantly.
"Three units—all selected fourteen-year-old youths." Natsuki understood the reason. "Seems related to your so-called AT Field."
"Eh? Is that so?" Shinji said blankly internally.
"If just an isolated case, could still argue. But all three pilots are fourteen-year-old children—that's very telling." Natsuki analyzed with reason and evidence.
"Moreover... probably the bigger the internal problems, the easier to pilot EVA."
Natsuki thought—Unit-00's pilot Rei Ayanami, suspected clone, congenitally emotionally deficient. After gradually learning what emotions were, even more easily fell into confusion.
Unit-01's pilot Shinji Ikari—before meeting him, could completely be called a loser abandoned by his father. Internally isolated, wanting to escape this world.
And this Asuka before him—beneath the seemingly tsundere exterior, probably also hid a fragile heart.
Good grief. Not one normal person.
The entire team—only I'm... hmm... I don't seem qualified to talk about others either...
Natsuki, internally complaining, shook his head. Threw all these thoughts out.
"Natsuki-san, if you say that, I'll be hurt too." Shinji, one with Natsuki, naturally detected his thoughts. Hearing Natsuki-san describe his previous self as a loser, also naturally showed resentful eyes.
"Ah... hahaha..." Natsuki used laughter to cover embarrassment.
Then rubbed his head: "But current you grew a lot, right? People always experience growth stages. Don't need to excessively deny your previous self. After all, that's the path you personally walked."
While the two communicated mentally—
Asuka standing to the side already slightly frowned.
"Hey! Don't space out when greeting others!" She pointed at Shinji.
First meeting. Future comrades. Yet this guy spaced out the entire time. Probably didn't hear a single word she just said.
"Ah... sorry." Shinji also tried to use laughter to cover embarrassment.
"He's like this. Sometimes suddenly spaces out or talks to himself. You'll get used to it." Misato Katsuragi also complained.
Asuka looked at Shinji. Then at Rei Ayanami.
One spaced out upon meeting. The other... simply had no expression the entire time.
Where did headquarters find these pilots!
"Forget it. In future Angel combat, I'll take the lead. You just cooperate with me. We'll easily win." After thinking and not understanding, Asuka simply stopped thinking.
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