Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

"Test begin," Ritsuko Akagi gave the order.

[Automatic driving device begins recording; monitoring shows no abnormalities; simulated insertion plug inserted.]

[The system has been connected to the simulator. Connection complete. It is now under MAGI control.]

With the data scrolling rapidly across the display screen, more than a dozen inspection tasks were completed in just a few minutes.

"Wow, that's incredibly fast, like lightning!" Misato Katsuragi stood next to Ritsuko Akagi, holding a white porcelain teacup. "I remember the first experiment took a week, and that was just for measuring one machine. The speed now is unbelievable, the progress is too fast!"

"The test is expected to take about 3 hours to complete. Please wait a moment. The test site is ready over there." Hyuga Makoto looked at Katsuragi Misato, who was standing not far away, with a broad smile.

"Oh, thank you so much, that's so thoughtful of you. I won't be polite then." Misato Katsuragi smiled sweetly.

However, Misato Katsuragi did not leave, even though the experiment was being handled by the Fourth Division of the Development Department. As the person in charge of the Operations Department and the three pilots, Misato Katsuragi felt it was necessary for her to stay, at least to watch these little guys complete their assignments before she could feel at ease.

Besides the 1,700 tasks that MAGI can perform on its own, there are also tasks that require the cooperation of the qualified individuals, which take up most of the experiment's time. One such task is having the three qualified individuals enter the cockpit naked; without the aid of combat suits, what harmonic values ​​could they possibly achieve?

What is taking place at this moment is the synchronization between the qualified individual and the machine without the individual wearing a combat suit.

"The simulation data of the first Child is still exactly the same as last time." For a moment, Ritsuko Akagi didn't know whether to say that Rei Ayanami was very stable or that she hadn't improved at all.

"The second child's right hand is clear, but the synchronization of the other limbs to Unit-02 is delayed. As for the third child—" Ritsuko Akagi paused.

Actually, even without Ritsuko Akagi saying it, Misato Katsuragi herself was already watching, "The simulation test started measuring the neuron at the synaptic level, and the synchronization rate was stable at 199%, so why did it decrease?"

“They weren’t taking it seriously. The Third Child pilot only unleashes their true power when facing an enemy.” Ritsuko Akagi recorded the data. “Speaking of which, the Fourth Child, who belongs to IPEA, seems to have similar characteristics to the Third Child. They are qualified to pilot all mobile suits and can perform better than during the experiment, depending on the intensity of the battle, but they are not as good as the Third Child.”

That last sentence was completely unnecessary, but Ritsuko Akagi just wanted to make her friend happy.

“Yes, Shinji is a near-perfect pilot. He achieved a synchronization rate of 200 on his first piloting of Unit-01, and was the absolute ace who tore apart the Water Angel with his bare hands… You know that there’s a group of fans of him within NERV, like an idol guard, called the Knights Guard.” Misato Katsuragi spoke at length about Shinji Ikari.

But this does not mean that the unseen fourth Child is weak; quite the opposite, in fact—

Because there are many candidates with excellent experimental data but who may make mistakes in combat, while the EVA pilots that can become stronger in difficult battles, like the Fourth Child, are the ones that humanity needs.

Data collection is complete and review is underway.

MAGI will return to normal mode in ten seconds. To cancel, please give the command before the countdown ends.

This time it wasn't a broadcast, but only the MAGI system's female voice sounded in Ritsuko Akagi's headphones. She looked at the data that MAGI had transmitted to her tablet and nodded slightly.

"As expected, the data without combat uniforms is the most realistic. We should conduct another round of simulation experiments."

"Why not finish it all at once? What else is there to do?" Misato Katsuragi picked up her white porcelain teacup again and took a sip of Maojian tea, somewhat curious.

"Remember the first Child's rampage? And when we were fighting the Fish Apostle, the third Child's synchronization rate briefly exceeded 100%, and the third Child was also in it at the time. Perhaps we should conduct another body-swapping experiment to see if it's just an isolated case or if it can be replicated again."

There are too many mysteries surrounding the third Child, such as his synchronization rate consistently remaining above 200, while his mental pollution and physical health remain at very healthy levels. However, for other Children, exceeding 100% is extremely dangerous, and could even prevent the insertion plug from returning to its normal potential.

Ritsuko Akagi has a theory about this: it might be related to Yui Ikari, who merged with Unit-01 after exceeding 400 synchronization points, and that she was protecting Shinji Ikari's safety. So, her real purpose is to test whether the Third Child could remain unharmed while piloting other mobile suits and maintaining a high synchronization rate.

Is Yui Ikari protecting her child, or is Shinji Ikari simply the chosen one, whose extraordinary life needs no explanation?

Of course, there's no need to tell Misato Katsuragi the truth about this, even if she eventually agrees to the experiment. Not being able to say something and not needing to say it are two completely different things.

Ritsuko Akagi was planning the next simulation experiment, putting away her tablet to prepare for the next AT field and power failure test, when suddenly, an alarm went off in the development department.

"What happened?" Ritsuko Akagi hurried back to her office.

At this moment, all the researchers were awakened, and even the display screen that was originally showing the current data of the machine popped up a bright red warning pop-up.

“High-intensity contamination has appeared in layer A of unit ∑.” Ibuki Maya looked at her senior and quickly stood up to reply.

"Sit down and talk first." Ritsuko Akagi pressed her assistant back into her seat, then looked at the contamination situation that was being monitored by MAGI's frantic alarm.

"The entire unit layer is heating up, and even the 87th protein wall has been completely eroded, deteriorated and collapsed. The source of contamination is continuing to erode into the sinking area?" Ritsuko Akagi's voice grew louder and louder, and Misato Katsuragi, who had rushed over with her, also realized what was happening.

"Isn't that very close to the site of the simulation experiment? Who is the closest mecha?" Misato Katsuragi asked hurriedly.

Ibuki Maya glanced at it, then swallowed hard, her face turning deathly pale.

"...Yes, it's Unit-01!"

Chapter 93: The Invading Apostles and the Counter-Invasion

The Three Sages System, whose protein walls were corroding, had already reported to headquarters that a bluish-purple liquid was seeping from the cracks in the walls, as if some kind of monster was sealed inside. Upon receiving the news, Misato Katsuragi immediately ordered security personnel to be dispatched. Vice Minister Miyamura Gozen led a team to Unit A, but before they even reached their target location, they saw the bluish-purple liquid seeping from the walls.

"The rate of erosion from this unknown source of pollution is 1,700 times faster than expected." Vice Minister Miyamura Gozen's face turned pale. Normal sources of pollution couldn't be this extreme. He thought of a certain possibility.

The construction workers accompanying them were unaware of the danger. They even squatted down to take out a glass bottle from their bag to collect some of the blue-purple liquid as a specimen. At that moment, the "liquids" bared their fangs... and pierced through the construction worker's left hand like some kind of snake the instant they got close.

The construction worker was terrified by its horrifying appearance. Just as he was about to let go, a sudden, sharp pain shot through his palm. Looking again, he saw that his entire arm had been stained a bluish-purple color. Within seconds, his whole body convulsed, and something seemed to be wriggling on his skin.

"Help me! Help me!" the construction worker screamed, stumbling and running toward his companions.

"First aid kit! Where is the first aid kit?" my companion shouted hoarsely.

Just as the construction worker, corroded by the liquid, was about to reach them, the team medic rushed forward to help him. Suddenly, Deputy Minister Miyamura Gozen pulled a pistol from his work clothes and shot the construction worker in the forehead. The worker stumbled forward two steps and collapsed into the liquid behind him.

Everyone was stunned. No one could believe that their leader was carrying a handgun, and his marksmanship was so sharp that one shot pierced the construction worker's skull. The stark contrast between their boss, who had been laughing and chatting with them at an izakaya just the night before, and the leader suddenly shooting and killing his colleague, left everyone speechless.

"Miyamura-kun, what you're doing is murder! He's one of our colleagues!" the team doctor exclaimed in shock.

"The first-aid kit is useless now. Can't you tell he's already dead?" Vice Minister Miyamura Gozen said coldly. "Do you think this is just a problem caused by a simple construction error? This is an Angel invasion, you idiot!"

This thing must be destroyed and cannot be allowed to spread further, otherwise the NERV headquarters, which has withstood seven invasions by the Angels, will lead to the destruction of the world due to internal collapse!

Looking at his dazed subordinates, Miyamura Gozen finally realized the problems within NERV. They were focused solely on countering the Angels, neglecting internal issues. No wonder the massive power outage occurred; as the vice-head of the security department, he also bore responsibility for it.

Under pressure from Miyamura Gozen, the construction workers who had come to carry out emergency repairs were forced to bring buckets of fuel. Fortunately, the tunnel had eroded and formed a depression, and more and more liquid was accumulating around it, but it was temporarily unable to leave the depression. The occasional tentacles reaching out were a horrifying sight. Soon, the fuel was poured into the depression, and the liquid was watched to be eliminated.

“The problems here are just minor ailments. The real issue is the ∑ unit. It’s probably not just Layer A anymore; the entire ∑ unit has become His stronghold,” said Miyamura Gozen.

But as he was speaking, he seemed to feel a slight coolness on the top of his head, as if liquid was dripping from the top of his head onto his forehead.

The moment he looked up, the entire upper level of the tunnel was bathed in a soft, warm light.

More blue-purple liquid rained down from the sky like fluorescent light, completely corroding the ceiling. Every drop of liquid was frantically radiating malice towards humanity.

—In the Central Dogma Office Area, Fuyutsuki Yukizo pushed open the heavy black door and stepped inside.

"Has it been confirmed?" Fuyutsuki Yukizo asked.

It's 10:30 AM now. Just half a minute ago, he received news of his assistant's death, and four minutes ago, he confirmed it was an Angel invasion. Before that, he had been working all night in the experimental field, researching experiments on modifying the still-active remains of the Fetal Angels. Suddenly, his secretary called, informing him of the Angel invasion and the death of his deputy, who was also his assistant, Miyamura Gozen.

An apostle invasion? An apostle invasion? The sudden news caught everyone off guard.

“Starting from the 87 protein wall, the temperature and conductivity of that area have been problematic recently. We haven’t spotted the target yet, so we can’t determine whether it’s an Apostle through the spectrum,” Aoba Shigeru said softly.

"Why wasn't it reported!" Fuyutsuki Yukizo slammed his fist on the desk.

"Because the sterile room has been deteriorating frequently during this period, and because the construction period for that area was shortened by two months, it was simply assumed that air bubbles had accidentally seeped in..."

Aoba Shigeru's voice trailed off as he looked at Fuyutsuki Kozo's grim face, finally realizing that his superior didn't want an explanation. He quickly pulled out a chair and knelt on the floor. "Red Bean Paste Secret Marseille! It seems that the embryo of the Angel was already mixed in with the building materials during construction! We are working frantically to salvage it!"

"You bastards! Do you know what the consequences of your mistakes will be?!"

Although they hadn't seen their target yet, everyone was already tacitly acknowledging each other's identities.

"What about Misato Katsuragi?" Fuyutsuki Yukizo asked.

“Three minutes ago, she ordered all three machines to be ejected to the ground, but…” Aoba Shigeru said anxiously, “the Angels have completely invaded the PrbnowBox area, and our orders can no longer be transmitted!”

The three people in the testing grounds, especially Shinji Ikari who was closest to the Σ Unit, were completely unaware of the impending danger. MAGI's alarms were all intercepted by the new Terror Angels, special Angels that resembled bacteria and had simulated optical circuits, completely controlling the area.

Several minutes passed without any new instructions being issued. The screen flashed, then switched back to the normal user interface, which was monotonous and dull, filled with English abbreviations. Although Shinji Ikari could understand them, something still felt off.

"It's so quiet." Asuka's voice rang out in the cockpit.

At this moment, the three of them were still connected on the channel and were even able to chat about things that happened at the recent sports meet.

It was only then that Shinji realized that Asuka and Rei had actually been watching him high jump. Afterwards, a kind person gave him a KFC Crazy Thursday voucher.

"Is it so quiet?" Shinji Ikari said. "Indeed, it's too quiet."

The black screen and silent loudspeaker made it feel like she had suddenly lost contact with the outside world. But Asuka didn't dislike this feeling, because it always reminded her of the time she and Shinji Ikari sank to the bottom of the sea together in the cockpit of Unit-02.

It was just him and herself, and for some reason, Asuka always felt as if she had experienced similar scenes before. She had a vague, ominous premonition, but she couldn't tell anyone, as if saying it would make it come true.

But at that moment, Shinji Ikari felt a slight pain in his left hand.

It wasn't his own left hand, but Unit-01's. Shinji Ikari quickly realized it was just sensory synchronization caused by high harmonic distortion, and then he saw a crimson warning displayed on the semi-virtual screen in the cockpit.

"An Angel invasion?" Shinji Ikari's gaze narrowed slightly.

He tentatively grasped the invaded left hand, finding no resistance whatsoever. Yet, the tingling sensation from contact with the foreign object was clearly and simultaneously transmitted to his left arm.

He twisted his neck and then clenched his fist.

A dull cracking sound echoed from the underwater surface, indicating that Unit-01 had come to life. The taut left arm of the machine even made the armor crackle. The alien creature hidden inside no longer concealed itself, using Unit-01's left arm as a starting point to rapidly spread throughout the entire machine!

Chapter 94: Shinji Ikari's Development Plan

The anomaly of Unit-01 also affected the pilot, and due to the synchronization rate exceeding 100%, the condition became even more severe.

Shinji Ikari checked the pulse in his left wrist with his right hand, then gently touched his chest. His heart pounded like a rapid drumbeat, and his breathing became somewhat erratic. The Unknown Form of the Dead Apostle extended upwards from his left wrist to his chest, clearly indicating that it had already invaded the machine's interior.

However, intrusion is mutual. The moment the terrifying angel, on the scale of bacteria, entered the Evangelion's body, a sharp will exploded in its mind.

The grand, prayer-like sounds from the sanctuary echoed in the apostle's mind, and fragmented images flashed before his eyes every now and then... Knights praying beneath faded murals, aliens with single horns on their heads, deadly attacks raining down from the sky, cannonballs flying, armor booming, towering Titans and towering warriors surging onto the battlefield, all wearing steel helmets, and no one knew whether they had any expression beneath those masks. Looking at this hellish scene, perhaps they were laughing maniacally.

[With the blood of an alien, offered to the great emperor!]

No hypocrisy, no lies, no arrogance, remember hatred, maintain hostility, and harbor anger!

The glory of nobility is innate, and the responsibilities of nobility are everlasting!

[May this calamity be inflicted upon the unclean, the aliens, and the mutants!]

[With your pain and blood, with your golden throne and your death, with your destruction and the godlike rebirth of humanity!]

Sir Alarbas's butt is so big and round! It would feel amazing to shove it in!

The terrifying Angel suddenly contracted, almost out of control. Shinji Ikari regained control of Unit-01, but no further action was needed.

Because the bacteria-sized Angels actively left Unit-01's body, and could even be described as escaping, disappearing without a trace in a very short time.

"Report! Communication restored in the PrbnowBox area!" Hinata Makoto shouted, his joy barely concealed.

"Communications have been restored?" Misato Katsuragi asked in surprise.