First, a highly encrypted communication brief arrived from NERV's Second Branch in Nevada, USA. During a startup experiment for EVA Unit-04, an unexplained and catastrophic "annihilation" phenomenon occurred. The entire branch, along with Unit-04, was completely erased from the map.
Before this grim news could be fully digested, an emergency notification from the Matsushiro Test Range reached headquarters: EVA Unit-03, originally scheduled for testing in the U.S., would be urgently transferred to Japan due to the accident. NERV Headquarters would take over its activation experiment.
When this information appeared on Osiris' authorization interface via the internal system, a predictable sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Memory data from his original body was instantly activated—Unit-03 had already been parasitized and infected by the Ninth Apostle (Angel) during transport.
The upcoming activation experiment would be a meticulously orchestrated disaster. It was destined to inflict massive psychological trauma on the pilot of Unit-03 and on Ikari Shinji, who would eventually be forced to battle a machine piloted by his friend.
This was a critical junction. Osiris quickly made a decision: he needed to intervene in this event.
His motives were multi-layered. On the surface, his reasons were valid and justifiable: as the head of the "Cherubim" series weapons project, the appearance of a new Apostle—especially one appearing in such a unique way (parasitizing an EVA)—was an excellent opportunity to test weapon effectiveness and gather combat data.
Deep down, however, he could not sit by and watch Shinji's mental state slide toward the brink of collapse; it did not serve his interest in maintaining pilot stability. Furthermore, an EVA parasitized by an Apostle, with its biological tissue fused with the Angel, held immense research value. It might provide unique samples and data for his understanding of the nature of EVAs and Apostles, as well as his future "Mass Production" concepts.
He needed to devise a thorough plan to ensure effective intervention at the critical moment without revealing his full hand too early. For him, this approaching storm was both a crisis and an unmissable opportunity.
The success of the "Cherubim II" project marked a key step in NERV's anti-Apostle weapon technology. Based on Osiris' theoretical framework and his team's efficient execution, this new type of ammunition—which encapsulated high-concentration catalytic particles within special shells fired from a Positron Cannon platform—successfully completed all laboratory testing phases.
Osiris soon handed over the first batch of "Cherubim I" shells for live-fire testing to the weapons department. This substantive progress prompted NERV's high command to quickly convene a tactical review meeting.
Considering the potential risks and importance of the new weapon, the meeting passed a resolution: after EVA Unit-03 safely arrived and completed its basic inspections, the new unit would perform the first live-fire test of "Cherubim II" in a strictly controlled environment. This would test the compatibility between the new weapon and the new EVA model and evaluate its ultimate effects in a relatively "clean" environment, avoiding unknown risks that might occur in actual combat.
The test date was officially set. Meanwhile, another personnel arrangement was quietly underway.
After evaluation, Rei Ayanami was selected as the temporary test pilot for Unit-03. The decision itself was not unusual; however, the scheduled test day happened to conflict with an important private appointment. Under Rei's clumsy but sincere prompting, Ikari Shinji and Gendo Ikari had finally agreed to have dinner together on that day—an extremely rare family-style meeting aimed at thawing their frozen relationship.
When Rei calmly reported this scheduling conflict to Misato Katsuragi, Asuka, who was present, overheard the entire process. She looked at Rei's expressionless face, which vaguely hinted at a certain persistence. Thinking of that guy Shinji and the faint hope he likely held for this meeting—an expectation he might not even be clearly aware of himself—a surge of complex emotions welled up in Asuka's heart.
"Hey," Asuka interrupted their discussion with a seemingly casual tone, arms crossed. "For a simple test like this, wouldn't it be fine if I went? It's just firing one shot at a target and recording data anyway. No need to trouble the First Child to do it herself, right?"
She intentionally made her tone sound haughty and matter-of-fact, as if she simply didn't want to be excluded from the new weapon test, or found Rei's reasoning "annoying."
Misato looked at Asuka with some surprise, weighing the possibility and procedure of changing pilots. Just then, Rei turned to Asuka. Her red eyes gazed at her quietly for a few seconds before she spoke in her characteristic flat but clear voice: "Thank you, Asuka."
This simple thank you, devoid of any exaggerated modification, made Asuka pause. In Rei's nearly hollow eyes, she caught a glimpse of a very faint, yet definitely present, emotion of gratitude. Such a display of feeling was rare for Rei.
"Hmph... don't flatter yourself! I just want to try out the new weapon too!" Asuka turned her head away unnaturally, a trace of an unnoticeable blush appearing on her ears. Her tone remained sharp, but its usual sting seemed slightly blunted.
Upon learning of this personnel swap, Osiris offered no opinion, merely recording the change in his observation log. He saw clearly that beneath Asuka's hard protective shell lay a lonely heart that also yearned for connection and feared abandonment. Her aggressiveness and flamboyance were largely a cover for her inner fragility and a way to gain a sense of existence and recognition through superior performance.
In this proactive substitution, perhaps even Asuka herself didn't fully understand her motives. It was a mix of a slight desire to help fulfill the delicate relationship between Rei and Shinji, as well as an unconscious attempt to belong and build bonds.
On the surface, everything seemed to be moving in a better direction: the new weapon was about to be tested, the relationship between the pilots showed signs of softening, and even the strained father and son were about to attempt a breakthrough.
However, Osiris knew well that beneath this peaceful facade, deadly undercurrents were surging. Unit-03 was heading toward the Matsushiro Test Range as planned, and the Ninth Apostle lurking within was like a hidden viper, ready at any moment to turn this test into a nightmare that would consume everything.
He planned to use the Cherubim I to eliminate the Ninth Apostle while saving Unit-03 and Asuka inside the entry plug, preventing her fate of being crushed by the berserk Dummy Plug-controlled Unit-01. Although according to his original memories, Asuka did not die in this accident, Shinji—who was piloting Unit-01 at the time—had to watch helplessly as Unit-01 bit through Asuka's entry plug.
To prevent irreversible trauma, Osiris decided to stop that scene from ever happening.