"Toji's in the Entry Plug in the back..." Shinji considered his options.
Zero quickly scanned Unit-03 with Ultra Vision.
"Shinji, Toji's still alive, but something's blocking his Entry Plug. It won't eject."
Shinji's expression grew grave. "Looks like we'll have to destroy the structure at the back of its neck."
The two shoulder plates on Unit-01's back opened, and Shinji drew a Head Blade from each, holding one in either hand.
Meanwhile, NERV headquarters received word of the explosion at the test site, throwing everyone into a panic.
"There's been an explosion at Matsushiro!"
"Extent of damage unknown!"
Fuyutsuki said, "Dispatch rescue teams and the Third Division immediately. Make sure we handle this before the Strategic Self-Defense Force intervenes!"
Gendo Ikari remained in his trademark pose. "Can we contact the site?"
Though he had known something like this might happen, it still irritated him.
If only Zero and Shinji could leave Unit-03 a little more intact... That was what he was thinking. He still had King Joe on his mind.
Hyuga received a transmission from Misato. "We've established contact with the site."
Misato immediately reported, "An Angel has invaded Unit-03! It's already been transformed. Unit-01 is engaging it. Requesting reinforcements!"
Aoba said, "Understood. Unit-00 and Unit-02 are ready to launch. We're just waiting for the pilots!"
After learning that Unit-03 had been corrupted, Gendo Ikari still decided to try conventional measures, though he knew they probably wouldn't work.
"Transmit the shutdown signal. Forcibly eject the Entry Plug."
Bang! With a deafening crash, white smoke rose from Unit-03's Entry Plug socket.
But the Entry Plug only ejected a short way before a mass of webbed flesh blocked it.
Ibuki said, "No good! It won't recognize the shutdown signal or the Entry Plug ejection command!"
Light glinted off Gendo Ikari's glasses. "Abandon