On the day the investigation officially began, NERV's agents kept watch over the city's cigarette vending machines.
During class, Shinji distractedly asked Zero a question.
"Big Brother Zero, why do the Metron still choose to invade after you've been fighting them for so many years?"
Zero sighed.
"In my universe and this one, human desire alone drove people to hurt one another for profit before the age of crises. Nations waged wars to get what they wanted."
"In my world, when humanity faced the threat of monsters and aliens, they finally chose to set aside their prejudices and unite against them."
"But out in space, many races have desires even greater than humanity's. Some deserve sympathy because their homes were destroyed, but they've gone astray and started invading other planets. Others invade simply for the sake of invading. We in the Space Garrison can't wipe them all out."
"The universe really is cruel..."
"But you have to believe that not all aliens are like that."
"For example, when I went to help another universe, I formed the Ultimate Force Zero."
"Besides Jean-bot and Jean-nine, two robots that evolved from spaceships, there's Mirror Knight from Mirror Star and the Flame Warrior, Glenfire."
"And the Space Garrison doesn't consist solely of Ultra Warriors from M78, either."
"As for those stubborn aliens who refuse to change, if they try to hurt this beautiful planet, I won't show them any mercy."
When school let out, Shinji received a message from Misato saying they had found the alien's hideout.
Since they might have to fight that afternoon, Asuka and Rei had returned after attending only half a day of school.
As they said goodbye, Rei said worriedly, "Come back safely this time too, big brother." Then she hugged Shinji.
Asuka was still her usual self...