"Can we find some way to support them?!" Yui Ikari watched the deadlocked battle, frantic with worry.
The technician said, "No. Nearly all our outer attack and defense installations have been destroyed. The black fog damaged the electronic equipment in the perimeter defense system."
Yui Ikari looked at the five-minute countdown on the main screen. More than a minute had already passed.
With every second that slipped away, so did their hope.
Even with the Lance of Longinus, Unit-02 still could not break through the Mass Production Models' blockade.
Pedanium Unit-03 and Unit-00 were also struggling to support Unit-02. The Puppet Mass Production Models' regenerative abilities far exceeded anything they had imagined.
Pedanium Unit-03 and Unit-00 were each held back by two Puppet Mass Production Models. The constant harassment gave them no time to fire the Pedanium Particle Cannon or the Spacium Cannon. Whenever Pedanium Unit-03's head-mounted lasers hit a Mass Production Model, it quickly healed, while Unit-00's Laser Beam could barely penetrate the Mass Production Models' AT Fields.
Unit-02's situation grew increasingly dire. It had no choice but to sling the rifle loaded with Magnalium Energy onto its back and grip the Lance of Longinus in both hands, fighting desperately to clear a path.
"Come on, Asuka..." Misato once again clutched the cross at her chest, and Kaji laid his hand over hers.
"Please, let me pilot Unit-01!" a shout rang out.
Everyone turned in surprise, and Yui Ikari turned on the platform to look toward the voice.
Shinji, who had changed back into his white shirt, stood resolutely before them and asked to pilot Unit-01.
Ritsuko said bluntly, "But you can't pilot Unit-01 anymore, either."
"Besides, that deadly black fog is everywhere outside. We don't have time to equip Unit-01 now."
"My body should be able to withstand