EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 68 Chapter 65.5 Interlude: Cerebro's Game

"I see."

Listening to Katsuragi Misato's report over the phone, Ikari Gendo remained unmoved... Even though he knew that the headquarters was almost lost, he just nodded calmly.

"I'm so sorry! It's all my fault. Not only did I damage two EVAs, but I also caused serious damage to the base..."

Having no idea what Gendou Ikari was thinking, Misato Katsuragi could only apologize mechanically.

"No, defeating the Eighth Angel is our top priority. Furthermore, even with the power outage, successfully eliminating an apostle is a truly remarkable feat. Well done, Katsuragi Ichigo."

"…Isa!?"

"Yes, due to your outstanding performance in recent battles against the apostles, Dongyue submitted an application for your promotion, and I have approved it."

"Thank you for the promotion!"

Although her official position was promoted, Katsuragi Misato didn't feel happy at all... Firstly, she didn't attach much importance to her position and authority, and secondly... after experiencing the Kaji Ryoji spy incident... her suspicion of Ikari Gendō was growing stronger.

"By the way... I saw the report you submitted. Unit 00... it started up successfully, right?"

"Yes! Although the first two activation tests failed... but at the critical moment when the headquarters was about to fall! Ayanami Rei bravely stepped forward and successfully activated EVA Unit-00, and cooperated with Unit-02 to defeat the Eighth Angel... Ayanami Rei played an indispensable role in protecting NERV headquarters."

There was no way to guess why Gendo Ikari suddenly mentioned Rei Ayanami's name, so Misato Katsuragi could only commend Rei Ayanami's achievements step by step.

"Ah, I see... After the scheduled physical examination the day after tomorrow, have Dr. Akagi bring Lifei to the Matsushiro base."

“Eh…!?”

The sudden request made Misato Katsuragi stunned. She didn't know why...she just had a bad feeling in her heart.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong? Katsuragi Ichisa?"

Although he was asking, Ikari Gendō's tone was filled with a firmness that did not allow for any questioning.

"No, no...it's just..."

Misato Katsuragi calmed herself down and tried to organize her words, trying to justify her actions in trying to keep Rei Ayanami.

"However, Unit 02 is severely damaged. If Rei leaves headquarters and relies solely on Unit 01, I'm worried about the danger if an Angel attacks."

"It's alright, the startup tests here are over. Today, the Fifth Qualified and Unit 8 will be deployed back to headquarters for garrison duty. The pilot configuration will remain three-on-three, but the First and Fifth Qualified will be swapped. Follow the order."

Perhaps he was tired of the meaningless arguments and orders with Katsuragi Misato... Ikari Gendo didn't give Katsuragi Misato room to argue again and hung up the phone directly.

In the branch headquarters room in Matsushiro, after hanging up the phone... Ikari Gendo looked up at the cloudy night sky and fell into a long silence.

"What's wrong? Is there anything inconvenient, Commander Ikari?"

The man, whose figure and features were completely hidden in the darkness, with only the pupil of his right eye faintly emitting an unclean red halo in the chaos, spoke with a disrespectful tone.

"Nothing, it's just that the headquarters of Tokyo-3 was attacked by the Eighth Angel... Rei successfully activated Unit-00."

"Eh—I see. Then…do you want to cancel our deal?"

"No need—there are still plenty of replacement parts available, no need to change plans... The day after tomorrow, Akagi Ritsuko will be here with "that" Rei, and it will be handed over to you then. I hope you can complete the installation of the D4 before then, Dr. Kaburagi."

Hearing this, Kaburagi… no, more accurately… the alien parasitic life form Cerebro, who was using the body of a man named Kaburagi… smiled with satisfaction.

After completing the annihilation of the previous planet in the universe and thinking about the next goal... he was suddenly attracted by a dazzling light... and witnessed the moment when Tiga destroyed the Seventh Angel in the universe...

Cerebro chose his next target and parasitized the remains of the Seventh Angel... and landed on Earth together. He then transferred to the human Kabuki and secretly planned his own game.

"Don't worry, Commander Ikari... As long as you are willing to cooperate, you will soon get what you want..."

Yes, soon... foolish and ignorant humans... will get what they themselves destroyed. Meanwhile—inside the hangar at NERV's Matsushiro base... Suzuhara Touji, dressed in his pilot's uniform, gazed with a touch of uneasiness at the dark brown EVA before him... EVA Unit 03, entrusted to him for piloting.

The technicians in the engineering department are equipping Unit 03 with a strange device that exudes an unsettling aura... Suzuhara Touji heard that this device is a new weapon specially sent from abroad to Japan by a doctor named Kaburagi for EVA.

It seems to be called D4... or something. With this thing... even without that giant called Tiga, we can defeat the apostles with our own hands and weapons.

That being said, but...

"well…………"

When he thought of this, Suzuhara Touji sighed deeply... Let alone new weapons... he might not even understand the most basic performance of EVA.

In the past few days, Makiba's Unit 8, who came with him... and Nagisa Kaworu's Unit 6... have completed everything from simulation experiments to the start-up experiments of the machines. Makiba has even been decided to be transferred to the headquarters to participate in actual combat because of his outstanding performance.

Only I... Not only did I perform mediocrely in the simulation tests, but sometimes I couldn't even reach the standard line for activating the EVA synchronization rate... Could it be that I really don't even have the qualifications to fight alongside Mr. Shinji?

The day after tomorrow, I'll be boarding an EVA for the first time to conduct a physical body startup experiment... It seems Commander Ikari has decided to let Ayanami-san come here...

Although there is no evidence, Suzuhara Touji guessed that...she was here to replace him. If he failed in the actual machine startup experiment again, Ayanami-san would replace him.

"I don't want to... just end it like this without doing anything... Mom... please bless me—"

Biting his lips, Suzuhara Touji prayed silently... and then, as if his prayers were answered...

"Oh... you're that, um... Suzuhara-san? Right?"

Hearing someone talking to him, Suzuhara Touji hurriedly wiped away the tears that were flowing down his face.

"Hi! I'm Suzuhara...ah, Dr. Kaburagi."

The person who came was Kaburagi, who had completed the negotiation with Ikari Gendō. He came to see the progress of the workers installing the D4, and then saw Suzuhara Touji who was dejected in front of Unit 03.

"What's wrong? During construction... no one is allowed in. Even drivers are not exempted."

As he spoke, Kaburagi patted Suzuhara Touji's shoulder, motioning him to leave with him... and walked towards the elevator.

"Dr. Kabaki…I'm…terrified."

Suzuhara Touji looked at Kaburagi's face, which was much friendlier than Ikari Gendo's, and the immature Suzuhara couldn't help but confide his inner anxiety...

"Hmm? What's wrong, Suzuhara-san?"

Kaburagi asked kindly, surrounding Suzuhara and walking into the elevator.

"I'm... afraid that the day after tomorrow, I won't be able to activate Unit 03..."

"Ah. Speaking of which, don't worry, don't worry... After all, your mother's spirit is still inside Unit 03, so there's no reason you can't operate it."

"Eh…?"

What did he just say?

Is there a mother's soul inside Unit 03?
Suzuhara Touji knew every word individually, but when put together, they seemed so strange... Suzuhara Touji's body stiffened with confusion and astonishment, and in this defenseless moment -

“Ooooo…!”

Kaburagi… no, Cerebro's hand, with a speed beyond human reach, grabbed Suzuhara Touji's face.

“Wuwuwuwu…!!!”

In his futile struggle, something disgusting violently invaded his body from his mouth... Suzuhara Touji's consciousness sank into a bottomless darkness.

(End of this chapter)