"Prepare for aerial interception!! The Evangelion Unit-00 and Unit-02 pilots are to deploy immediately!! The Unit-01 pilot is to stand by inside Gate Three!! Special Unit pilot, prepare!!"
The announcement crackled through every department of NERV, stopping Shinji and Kaworu Nagisa just as they were about to leave.
Kaworu Nagisa asked Shinji in confusion, "Why are you the only one on standby? All the other EVA pilots can deploy, so why leave only you behind?"
"I don't know, and I don't want to ask!" Shinji snapped, frowning.
"What should I do? Going outside now would be dangerous!" Kaworu Nagisa asked with a mischievous look.
Shinji felt helpless too. They had run into this before even getting out the door, so he could only let Kaworu Nagisa stay for now. "Fine, you'll just have to stick with me. What else can we do? Just please don't wander around anymore."
Unit-02 Hangar
Asuka climbed into Unit-02's Entry Plug. A giant mechanical claw inserted it, preparing to send the unit to the launch platform and up to the surface to fight the Angel.
"EVA Unit-02's signals are normal. VA integration is also normal, proceeding as scheduled."
Unit-02 had been fully repaired, but now that Asuka was piloting it again, something about it felt distinctly out of sync with her.
Asuka thought, Why does a weapon need a heart? It only gets in the way! You're my doll. Just behave and do what I tell you. As long as you don't disobey my orders, that's enough. Why am I thinking like this? I'm such an idiot. This only gives me more things to worry about! Just go back to the way you were!
Just then, Misato's video feed connected to Asuka's Soul Seat, and she asked again, "Asuka, are you sure you're physically all