Misato Katsuragi silently parted from the tunnel, her steps firm and confident.
Behind her, Ritsuko Akagi watched, stunned. She exhaled after a moment, staring at Misato's departing silhouette and murmured,
"Misato… Misato, is destroying the Angel… truly your duty—or is it your vengeance?"
---
Deep within NERV's underground base, Kitazawa Ryota, Asuka Langley Shikinami, and Rei Ayanami had assembled early. They were already dressed in plug suits, awaiting orders.
Misato entered the operation room in purpose—she had come specifically to brief them on the battle plan.
The Eighth Angel was unlike anything they'd ever faced. One misstep, and the consequences wouldn't just impact Tokyo‑3—perhaps all of Japan would cease to exist.
Japan might truly vanish.
After Misato outlined the plan, it was Asuka who leapt to her feet in shock.
"What? We're supposed to catch the Angel with our hands? That… that's impossible!"
Asuka looked at Misato incredulously. "Angel power is terrifying. If an Eva even falters, the outcome will be catastrophic! Not just the unit—perhaps even the pilot…"
She cut herself off mid-sentence, as if realizing this moment wasn't the right time for such comments.
Misato merely smiled calmly and said,
"Yes. We must use the EVAs' A.T. Fields to intercept the descending Eighth Angel. Without doing so, the chaotic field would destroy the EVAs instantly."
Clearing her throat, she continued:
"Because the Eighth Angel distorts the A.T. field, its precise trajectory and target point can't be pinpointed. Therefore, to maximize success, all three EVAs must deploy separately. Once one unit engages and holds the Angel, the other two must destroy it immediately. There won't be much time or guidance after interception."
"As if that's necessary—I can handle it alone!" Asuka stomped. "I don't need the others. I just need to be watched—on me."
"Impossible," Misato said without hesitation, shaking her head. She calmly refuted Asuka's boast:
"The drop zone is too vast. A solo EVA mission would have almost no chance of locating the Angel. This is why we're deploying three units simultaneously, divided—but coordinated. You'll each have the freedom to act, but also mutual support."
Asuka and Rei exchanged glances—then Rei spoke.
"Misato‑nee, any particular details we should keep in mind? How did you come up with this plan?"
Misato scratched her head and replied slyly,
"Well… it came down to a woman's intuition."
No one had expected that answer. They stared at her, speechless. Even Asuka didn't know what to say.
Ryota's voice then cut through the silence, calm and controlled.
"What's the estimated success rate for this plan? The Eighth Angel seems fundamentally different from the others."
Misato paused, looked to Ryota, and smiled softly.
"Only God knows… but maybe… less than one in a thousand."
---
"External power supply engaged. Systems check complete!"
"Substation online. Power distribution active."
"Unit‑00 internal charge at 105%. Backup power cables positioned."
A flurry of dispatches filled the operational frequencies like snow.
"It's almost time…" Misato whispered, glancing at the radar screen.
Outside, all three EVAs stood at strategic positions across Tokyo‑3—towering like living mountains, ready.
"Pilot vital signs stable. Heart rates normal."
"Excellent. EVAs—stand by. The Angel is approaching. Begin engagement." Misato issued the first command.
Asuka muttered under her breath, still simmering:
"I said it before—protecting humanity only requires me. The others are just baggage."
Her words were heard clearly by the other pilots—communications allowed no secrets.
Boom!
Unit‑00 took a step forward, breaking ground, ready to move.
With the Angel's drop point unknown, all three pilots stared skyward, wary of any sign.
"Target's descending—20,000 feet… 18,000… 12,000…"
Technicians relayed altitude data urgently.
Anxiety gripped every soul—because no one knew if, at that exact moment of descent, Japan would be obliterated, or if they themselves would be lost along with it.
Everything depended on the EVAs—and their pilots.
---
"Operation begins now! From this moment, your freedom of action begins—and with it, the future of Japan lies in your hands!" Misato's voice rang out.
Boom!
All three EVAs surged forward, sprinting toward their preassigned zones.
With no precise drop point, MAGI had identified a few probable areas; beyond that, the pilots had to rely on their judgment.
The ground trembled under their steps. Highways cracked, overpasses crumbled beneath their passage. They charged across fields, shredded through power lines—
Asuka charged into a vast farmland.
"Quick! The Eighth Angel might be right here! You better hurry—don't make me handle it alone, understood?"
Her voice crackled sharply over the comms.
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