Tokyo-3 is indeed worthy of being the fortress city for intercepting Angels; the entire city instantly turned into an incomparably massive and efficiently operating giant machine.
Following the orders issued by the command room, those buildings originally standing on the ground were covered by layers of metal plates and retracted deep underground at an astonishing speed.
And at the same time, armored combat building complexes armed to the teeth rose from the ground; these combat buildings were weapon platforms and fortresses.
Huge, plate-like armor plates rose from underground, forming temporary defense lines and passages.
They themselves were also huge launch bases, equipped with countless large linear cannons and missile array towers.
“Central district and the first to seventh management districts, containment completed.”
“Notifications have been issued to the government and relevant departments.”
“Target is still advancing.
Currently, the operation rate of the anti-air interception system is 48%.”
“What about non-combatants and civilians?” Katsuragi Misato asked.
“Report received, evacuation operations have concluded.” Communications and Intelligence Officer Aoba Shigeru answered immediately.
Perhaps the victory in the battle against the Fourth Angel a few days ago inspired everyone’s confidence; the NERV staff were all in high spirits.
But for Katsuragi Misato and Akagi Ritsuko, they had long recognized reality.
Even if this city was equipped with the most powerful weapons humanity currently possessed, this exciting opening was nothing but a gorgeous and illusory performance show.
Just like on the screen right now—
Round after round of dense artillery fire and whistling missiles shot at the target, but could not even slow down Shamshel’s advance, only kicking up a cloud of dust.
“Truly a waste of tax money.” Akagi Ritsuko said regretfully, hands in her pockets.
“It cannot be helped, there are some people in this world who will not feel comfortable in their hearts unless they waste bullets.” Katsuragi Misato frowned.
They had just chatted about funding issues a couple of days ago; both the Operations Department and the Technology Department lacked funding.
How much does an artillery piece cost?
How much does a missile cost?
Bathing the Angel with these meaningless weapons would be worse than giving the Technology Department money to develop new equipment for the EVA.
Fortunately, they still had a trump card that money could not buy.
“The government requests the deployment of the EVA.” Aoba Shigeru hung up the communicator and said.
“Those people are truly long-winded, we would deploy the EVA even if they did not say so.”
“What about Shinji-kun, where is he now?” Akagi Ritsuko turned her head to look at Katsuragi Misato and asked.
Facing Akagi Ritsuko’s question, Katsuragi Misato answered calmly: “Shinji has already arrived at the first hangar, and Rei has also made combat preparations, ready to enter battle at any time.”
Akagi Ritsuko frowned slightly: “Rei’s physical condition is already very strained to support synchronization tests, and the second synchronization test with Unit-00 has not even started yet, can she launch?”
“She is a substitute, if an accident happens to Shinji, she will take his place.” Katsuragi Misato said, “This is a war that determines the survival of humanity, even preparations with risks cannot be left undone.”
Akagi Ritsuko, standing to the side, silently stared at this good friend in front of her who seemed somewhat unfamiliar, and suddenly felt that compared to her, she herself seemed very childish.
…
First Hangar.
“Entry Plug, activated.”
“Adding LCL.”
“Departure module released.”
Ikari Shinji in the cockpit was staring across space at Ayanami Rei outside the pod, who was ready to take his place at any time.
He truly did not understand why this girl liked looking at him so much.
Just as he was pondering, a neat and crisp female voice came from the communicator, echoing leisurely in the cockpit.
“Shinji, are you ready to launch?” Katsuragi Misato asked.
“No problem, ready to launch at any time.” Ikari Shinji answered casually.
Ikari Shinji felt very comfortable at this time, but he could not tell the reason either.
Obviously situated in the closed and narrow cockpit, he could always feel a peace of mind like being freed from confinement, and the echoes from his soul seemed to reverberate in his ears.
Just like the day he came to the world, when he was held in the arms of that woman.
Ikari Shinji suddenly realized as he raised his head: it must be because the girl in front of me looks like mom, and I have seen the girl every time I board Unit-01!
Girl, you have caught the attention of a god…
Ikari Shinji’s interest in Ayanami Rei grew stronger and stronger.
“Launch.”
Hearing Ikari Shinji’s confident and indifferent voice from the earphones, Katsuragi Misato’s originally somewhat nervous mood before the battle was also soothed.
Following the launch order, Unit-01 was familiarly sent out by the underground transmission device, rising to the surface together with the lifting platform.
On the surface of Tokyo-3, on Mount Takao in the suburbs of the city, two boys were running anxiously towards the summit along the long stairs.
The portable TV was still broadcasting news of the state of emergency warning, but the screen only had a few simple lines of text explanation and no other pictures.
They did not know where this unknown creature came from, nor did they know what He looked like, only knowing that someone would pilot a giant mech to fight.
“Before I die, I want to see it at least once.”
“Do you really have to?”
“Can you help me?”
His good friend’s words echoed in Suzuhara Touji’s ears; he looked at Aida Kensuke charging in front, his gauze-wrapped face full of worry.
“I really cannot do anything about you, you really are a person completely at the mercy of your own desires.”
“Because missing this opportunity might be a lifelong regret.” Aida Kensuke, whose head was also wrapped in gauze, said while holding a video camera.
When they spoke, their mouths seemed somewhat disobedient and leaked air, and faint stinging pains also came from their faces.
At first, the anger towards Ikari Shinji in Suzuhara Touji’s heart still could not be extinguished, and even while on the hospital bed, he threatened to definitely teach the new transfer student a lesson.
As a result, as more and more classmates came to visit the sick, they were all inexplicably talking about Shinji-sama.
After being baptized by the god full of love for humanity, the two suddenly felt that the world seemed to have become unrecognizable to them.
They even had the illusion that Ikari Shinji might be very great because of the classmates’ tireless spiritual brainwashing like a cult over the past few days.
Although it was very strange, out of respect for the surrounding classmates and consideration for their own safety, no matter how dissatisfied they were with Ikari Shinji, it was difficult for them to show it.
Otherwise, they might turn into lost lambs bewitched by demons like the other classmates who were sent to the hospital.
Of course, the most important point was that Suzuhara Touji heard his sister had gotten better medical conditions…
Perhaps the god is indeed merciful.
Suzuhara Touji had a complex expression.
Aida Kensuke quickly found an excellent shooting spot with a wide field of vision at the summit.
They saw the huge crimson Angel in the distance entering Tokyo-3.
“So amazing, the opportunity to sneak out was not wasted, you cannot see this kind of grand scene on the news.”
Aida Kensuke excitedly held up the camera, exclamations constantly coming out of his mouth, while only Suzuhara Touji stared blankly at the huge crimson unknown lifeform in the city.
Amidst the roar of artillery fire, that Fifth Angel, which looked like a giant flying cockroach, was originally lying flat and floating in the air, and gradually stood up at this time.