"Ultraman Zero was..." The NERV technicians watched what Gomess had done in terror.
Ibuki said numbly, "Another Ultraman will come to help soon, right? They have to..."
Those in the command room, however, knew all too well that it would take at least a day for the Land of Light to send reinforcements after receiving Zero's distress call. By absorbing that energy, Zero had been risking his life to buy this planet a chance.
Yui Ikari was beside herself with worry, constantly asking where Shinji was.
"Have they found Shinji yet...?"
At first, Asuka pretended not to care. "Who cares about that idiot? He was the one who insisted on playing the hero."
With a trace of anger, Rei Ayanami challenged her. "You don't really mean that, do you...?"
Unable to control her emotions, Asuka covered her face and burst into tears.
Rei Ayanami was briefly bewildered, then understood and hugged Asuka, gently patting her back.
"Big Brother and Zero will both be fine. Wasn't it like this before, too? They'll be fine. They really will."
After all, she had complete faith that Zero would protect her big brother.
Kaworu Nagisa was trying to use his abilities to establish telepathic contact with Zero and find out what was happening.
But this time, he could not reach Zero at all, and his heart tightened with worry.
Gendo Ikari sat beside the telephone in his usual pose, waiting for news.
Misato felt they could not simply sit and wait. They had to do whatever they could, so she went to the scene with Kaji to direct operations and obtain the latest information.
Ritsuko waited for the cells being sent for analysis. The Self-Defense Forces at the scene had risked their lives to obtain some.
At last, the telephone rang, and Gendo Ikari