The American Eva transport plane flew slowly through the sky. The torrential rain had given way to blue skies, white clouds, and sunshine.
A red cross carrying Unit-03 hung beneath the Eva transport. From a distance, it looked like the crucifixion of Jesus, with Unit-03's head hanging down.
NERV wasn't transporting a weapon. It was escorting...
A condemned prisoner.
The two pilots aboard the transport reported their progress to both NERV Headquarters and the branch.
"This is Aiketa 64, calling Ni Aofan 400."
"Cumulonimbus clouds spotted along the route ahead, over."
"This is Ni Aofan 400. Atmospheric pressure in the cumulonimbus clouds is normal. Please maintain your route and arrive on schedule."
"This is Ecta 64, understood."
Their exchange made it clear that SEELE wanted to carry out the events required by the Script according to the prophecies in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
After hearing that the clouds wouldn't affect their flight, the transport pilots abandoned any thought of a detour.
They flew the Eva transport straight into the cumulonimbus clouds.
Soon after the transport entered, faint flashes of lightning flickered within the clouds.
They died down moments later, as though everything that had just happened had been nothing more than an insignificant interruption.
The transport continued toward Japan. Unit-03...
Had already become the Thirteenth Angel-Shamshiel.
Misato's apartment.
Asuka hadn't waited for Huang Zhetian and Shinji that morning. She had left early for school on her own.
Shinji finished tying his shoelaces and turned to Misato. "Um... where's Asuka?"
Misato was dressed formally that day. Instead of a fitted skirt, she wore loose, pale-yellow NERV uniform trousers and a little red felt hat.
It gave her the air of a military officer.
Misato feigned a casual tone as she told Shinji, "She left already. Looks like she doesn't want to