Ultimately, under Osiris's persistent insistence and reasoned arguments, the NERV High Command adopted a compromise and relatively fair plan: a standardized combat assessment for Asuka and Makoto Hyuga.
The assessment results, particularly the comprehensive score and the stability of the synchronization rate, would serve as the key basis for determining the final ownership of evangelion unit-02's piloting rights.
Since Asuka was a returning member and her previous main piloting experience was concentrated on evangelion unit-02, according to the test procedure, she needed to pilot the newly repaired unit-03, whose performance parameters were not yet fully clear, for the assessment.
Makoto Hyuga, on the other hand, would continue to pilot the evangelion unit-02, which she had already become somewhat familiar with.
This arrangement made Asuka feel a strong sense of injustice and indignation.
In her view, it was tantamount to asking a swordsman accustomed to using their right hand to suddenly switch to their left hand to duel an opponent who was using their dominant hand.
She privately expressed strong dissatisfaction to Osiris, believing it severely impacted her performance.
After listening to her complaints, Osiris did not agree, but rather calmly and rationally appeased her: "This is a procedurally necessary step, aimed at evaluating your adaptability and fundamental qualities under non-ideal conditions.
We have already grasped the performance baseline of unit-03; it is not inferior.
The key is whether you can quickly establish a connection with an unfamiliar unit and perform steadily.
This itself is also a testament to your ability.
Focus on piloting, forget whether you are piloting unit-03 or evangelion unit-02, just treat it as an EVA."
His words carried a convincing calmness that dispelled some of Asuka's anxiety arising from the perceived unfairness of the external conditions.
Although she still felt indignant, she accepted this reality and shifted her attention to how to quickly familiarize herself with unit-03's operational characteristics.
On the day of the assessment, in the designated simulated combat area, the two EVAs stood opposite each other.
The black-painted unit-03, under Asuka's control, moved a bit stiffly, clearly indicating she was still adapting to the feedback of this new unit.
Meanwhile, the red-painted evangelion unit-02, piloted by Makoto Hyuga, appeared more agile and fluid.
Osiris, along with relevant personnel from NERV's Tactical Evaluation Department and Technical Development Department, observed the entire assessment process from the Observation Center.
Huge screens displayed real-time data for both units: energy output, maneuver trajectories, weapon response speed, and most crucially—the synchronization rate curve.
Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami also came to the observation area.
Shinji seemed a bit nervous, unconsciously clenching his hands, his gaze fixed on the data stream representing Asuka and unit-03.
Rei Ayanami stood quietly to the side, her red eyes calmly watching the screen, occasionally glancing at Shinji beside her.
"Asuka, you can do it!" Shinji couldn't help but whisper, his voice low but exceptionally clear in the relatively quiet observation area.
The assessment content included a series of standard tactical maneuver drills, simulated target shooting, and a final limited-condition combat exercise.
In the initial stages, unit-03, piloted by Asuka, indeed showed slightly lower movement efficiency and hit rate than evangelion unit-02, piloted by Makoto Hyuga, due to adaptation issues, and her synchronization rate curve also showed some subtle fluctuations.
However, as the assessment progressed, she gradually found her rhythm, and unit-03's movements became smoother, especially in close-quarters combat drills, where she displayed a fierce style no less than before.
However, Makoto Hyuga's performance remained consistently stable; her coordination with evangelion unit-02 appeared more seamless, her long-range shooting accuracy was extremely high, and her tactical choices were more flexible and varied.
Osiris silently recorded various data, not only focusing on Asuka's performance but also meticulously analyzing Makoto Hyuga's collaborative mode with evangelion unit-02.
For him, this assessment was also a valuable opportunity to collect data on different pilots' interactions with EVAs.
Finally, the assessment concluded after the simulated confrontation.
Data collection was complete; the final score evaluation and synchronization rate stability analysis would require time for calculation.
The two EVAs ceased their movements at the command, standing silently on the test field.
When Asuka emerged from unit-03's Entry Plug, her face showed a hint of fatigue, but her eyes held more unwillingness and dissatisfaction with her performance.
Shinji and Rei Ayanami went to meet her, Shinji quietly asking about the situation.
Osiris's gaze shifted from the data screen to Asuka, who had returned from the simulated battlefield.
Clearly, Asuka also knew that her performance in the assessment was not perfect.
The final results of the assessment, after data calculation and comprehensive deliberation by the Evaluation Committee, were officially announced: Makoto Hyuga won by a narrow margin in overall score and synchronization rate stability.
According to the pre-agreed rules, she would continue to serve as the official pilot of evangelion unit-02.
Asuka, on the other hand, was designated as the pilot of the repaired eva unit-03.
This outcome was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the proud Asuka, who had always regarded evangelion unit-02 as her symbol and glory.
Although Osiris had anticipated it beforehand through real-time data, the announcement of the official results still sent Asuka's emotions plummeting.
She felt an unprecedented sense of loss, frustration, and a strong unwillingness at being replaced and denied.
She locked herself in her room, refusing to communicate with anyone, even turning away Misato Katsuragi and Shinji Ikari's concerns.
After learning the results and Asuka's reaction, Osiris proactively sought her out.
He didn't choose a public area with many eyes, but rather a seemingly accidental encounter in the corridor leading to the simulated training ground.
Asuka instinctively tried to avoid him when she saw him, but Osiris blocked her path.
Her eyes were a bit red, but she still stubbornly refused to show weakness, turning her head to the side.
"I already know the results," Osiris said straightforwardly, his tone calm, without any pity or regret, more like stating an objective fact. "This isn't entirely your fault.
Piloting an unfamiliar unit naturally affects performance. Pilot Makoto Hyuga's compatibility with evangelion unit-02 indeed exceeded expectations."
"So what! evangelion unit-02 was originally mine!" Asuka suddenly turned her head back, her voice filled with suppressed anger and grievance.
"Regulations and assessment results need to be respected; this is the foundation of organizational operation," Osiris didn't refute her emotional remarks but followed her words, offering a new perspective. "But this doesn't mean you are without value, nor does it mean unit-03 can only be a second choice."
He looked into her eyes, his tone becoming more focused, as if explaining an important technical project: "In fact, the repair of unit-03 is only the first phase.
I have a series of deeper improvements and modification concepts for it, which could not all be implemented earlier due to time constraints.
These concepts include further enhancing its bio-coordination, optimizing energy utilization efficiency, and—adapting a more complete, truly full-system combat equipment that surpasses the current 'Cherubim' basic model."
He paused slightly to let Asuka digest this information, then continued: "These tests and improvements require a pilot familiar with EVA combat, and whom I can fully trust, to cooperate.
Pilot Makoto Hyuga is excellent, but she is new, after all, and I need absolutely reliable sources for many deep-level test data.
In this regard, you are more suitable than her. Having you assist me in completing unit-03's final upgrade is more significant than having you pilot an evangelion unit-02 that is already finalized and requires little debugging.
These words skillfully transformed Asuka's "disappointment" into an "exclusive mission" and a "crucial collaboration."
He didn't deny the assessment results; instead, he painted a more challenging and exclusive future for her—she would no longer be simply piloting a repaired machine, but participating in the creation of a unique, enhanced EVA equipped with more advanced systems.
Asuka stared blankly at Osiris, the anger and grievance in her eyes gradually replaced by a complex emotion.
Dr. Osiris didn't just offer empty comfort like others; he gave her a tangible goal to look forward to and explicitly expressed his "trust" and "need" for her.
This feeling of being valued and entrusted with a heavy responsibility diluted the loss of evangelion unit-02 to some extent.
She lowered her head, her voice softening slightly, yet still carrying a hint of stubbornness: "—Is what you said true? unit-03—"
"Can it really become stronger than evangelion unit-02?"
"In my plan, yes," Osiris replied decisively. "But this requires the joint effort of both you and me. Are you willing to accept this challenge?"
Asuka remained silent for a few seconds before finally giving a slight nod. Although she didn't speak, her attitude was clear.
Despite still feeling a deep sense of loss over evangelion unit-02, the new path Osiris had laid out for her, along with the trust and expectations it held, was like a glimmer of light illuminating her currently gloomy state of mind.
Her sense of dependence on Osiris involuntarily deepened as she was given guidance and hope in this moment of vulnerability.
In her heart, Dr. Osiris had already become an indispensable presence—someone who could understand her, support her, and bring about opportunities and recognition of her value.
Meanwhile, Osiris had successfully brought a significant combat asset more firmly into his sphere of influence, paving the way for further modifications to unit-03.
Perhaps as an implicit compensation for Asuka's loss of evangelion unit-02, or based on the reliability Osiris demonstrated in the technical field and the tactical value proven by the "Cherubim" system itself.
NERV's high-ranking officials approved the plan relatively smoothly after reviewing the detailed proposal Osiris submitted regarding the comprehensive improvement of unit-03's performance and weapon integration.
This meant that the subsequent deep modification and system integration authority for eva unit-03—a machine that had undergone Angel parasitism, forced extraction, and large-scale repairs—had largely fallen into Osiris' control.
He gained the opportunity to further shape it according to his own technical vision, effectively beginning to leave more of his personal mark on it.
The first step of the modification plan was the change of external markings.
Osiris proposed changing unit-03's paint scheme to clearly distinguish it from its previous state of being parasitized by the Ninth Angel and to fit the visual identification of the new equipment system.
This proposal was approved.
Thus, in the hangar, unit-03's originally dark-colored armor was dismantled piece by piece, treated, and repainted.
The new paint scheme used white as the primary color, replacing the original dark hue, and added vivid, high-tech red stripes to the shoulders, chest plate, and key leg areas.
When the painting was complete, the entire machine looked brand new; the white body appeared cold and solemn, while the vibrant red stripes hinted at the powerful strength and aggression contained within.
This new unit-03 was visually distinct from its past self, possessing greater recognizability and clearly announcing its entry into a new phase led by Osiris.
Of course, the modifications went far beyond just the paint.
Osiris systematically advanced the full integration of his "Cherubim" system.
Multi-functional grenade launcher modules with standard interfaces were added to the shoulders, and quick-release devices for carrying "gelb—type i" grenades were reserved inside the arm and leg armor.
The back interface was redesigned to more efficiently connect to and provide power for the miniaturized Positron Cannon.
The fire control system and data links inside the machine were also comprehensively upgraded to be compatible with the aiming and firing requirements of the equipped "beelzebub type i" special warheads.
Additionally, Osiris "optimized" some of unit-03's internal systems under the pretext of "improving control efficiency and pilot safety."
Naturally, this included his in-depth research and covert modification of the Dummy System.
In official records, this was an enhancement of system stability and the improvement of redundant backups.
In reality, based on the underlying logic he had thoroughly analyzed, Osiris implanted a series of extremely covert control protocols and priority override commands.
He ensured that, when necessary, he held final veto power and control over the system, transforming it from a shackle that could threaten the pilot into a potential tool.
Or rather, when Osiris truly needed it, unit-03 would still be a puppet—only this time, a marionette in his hands.
Regarding the power system, he also proposed some "theoretical validation" adjustments aimed at improving unit-03's internal energy efficiency after disconnecting from external power. Although the scope was limited, it was indeed technical groundwork for potential fully independent operation in the future.
As each modification measure was implemented, the white unit-03 stood silently in its exclusive hangar, its interior already vastly different from when repairs first began.
It was no longer just a NERV-standard EVA, but was gradually evolving into a testbed for Osiris' technical concepts and an exclusive weapon.
In NERV's records, this was a deep modernization overhaul of unit-03.
But in Osiris' plans, this was the first ultimate weapon entity he truly possessed in this world that could, to some extent, respond to his will.
When Osiris showed the redesigned unit-03 paint scheme concept art to Asuka, she was initially a bit stunned.
In the concept art, the machine—originally deep in tone—was covered in large areas of white, complemented by sharp and powerful red stripes. Its overall aura was completely different from the evangelion unit-02 she was familiar with, carrying instead a cold and precise high-tech feel.
She looked at it silently for a few seconds; the expected rejection or nitpicking did not occur.
On the contrary, a complex emotion quietly sprouted in her heart. This white machine was no longer a substitute she was forced to accept,
a replacement carrying the shadow of failure.
Its unique appearance seemed to clearly declare a complete break from the past, symbolizing a brand-new beginning.
More importantly, this was a paint scheme Dr. Osiris had designed specifically for her—or rather, for the collaboration between her and him.
This sense of "exclusivity" subtly touched the part of her heart that yearned to be valued and recognized.
"—It's not bad," she finally spoke, her tone attempting to remain flat, but a barely perceptible softening in her voice betrayed her true feelings.
She couldn't help but glance again at the striking red-and-white color scheme in the concept art. The more she looked, the more she felt that this machine seemed—to have developed a strange connection with her.
It was no longer the cold "unit-03," but a new machine that she and Dr. Osiris were about to shape together, belonging only to them.
A subtle sense of belonging, like tiny vines, began to entwine in her heart.
She looked up at Osiris, a brilliance more complex than ever before shimmering in her red eyes—a mixture of gratitude, trust, and a deepening sense of admiration.
"Doctor, thank you—for securing all this for me, and for this design." Her voice was much softer than usual, less sharp and more sincere. "I know that if it weren't for you, even the chance to pilot an EVA might have become slim—let alone having such a special machine."
In her eyes, Dr. Osiris had not only given her direction and hope at her most dejected moment but was now using his actions to create a unique platform for her.
His technical prowess, his persistence, and his protection of her made her feel that being able to follow in his footsteps and participate in this challenging modification plan was, in itself, a stroke of luck and an honor.
This admiration, woven from rational judgment and emotional dependence, quietly took root in her heart and continued to grow as Osiris repeatedly demonstrated his ability and responsibility.
She began to firmly believe that under Dr. Osiris' guidance, this white unit-03 would surely manifest a power far beyond anything before.
And she herself would rediscover her own value on this path.
While Osiris focused on the deep modification of unit-03 and established an increasingly close working relationship and personal trust with Asuka, Ryoji Kaji "happened" to encounter Osiris one evening as he was just coming out of the hangar.
With his usual, slightly teasing smile on his face, he spoke in a relaxed tone, though his words were pointed: "Dr. Osiris, you've been quite devoted to your time with unit-03 and our proud little princess lately."
"Don't get so caught up in playing grooming games with the little girl that you forget the—serious business—we were focused on before."
His gaze carried a trace of subtle scrutiny, also hinting at a concern for Asuka, a junior he had once looked after quite a bit.
Osiris stopped in his tracks. Facing Kaji's half-joking probe, his face remained impassive as he responded calmly, "Devotion is necessary. The pilot and unit-03 are not insignificant pastimes."
"In my view, they are likely to become one of the key variables in stopping SEELE, or rather Gendo Ikari, from triggering the Third Impact in the future."
"Oh?" Kaji's smile faded slightly, and he leaned forward a bit, showing genuine interest. "That's an interesting way to put it. Did you discover something, Doctor?"
Osiris didn't answer directly but instead threw out an even more impactful inference: "Based on my analysis of integrated information from various sources, SEELE's fundamental goal is very likely to use the most special evangelion unit-01 as a key to actively trigger the Third Impact, forcibly opening the Door of Guf to enter the so-called Anti-Universe, thereby completing the Human Instrumentality Project as they define it."
"And as for the uniqueness of evangelion unit-01," Osiris paused, his gaze sharp as he looked at Kaji, "I suspect that what is imprisoned at its core is not the officially claimed biological clone derived from Lilith, but—Adam."
"Adam?" Kaji's brow truly furrowed. "The First Angel, Adam? This—"
"I believe there isn't just one Adam," Osiris continued with his deduction. "According to metaphors in some ancient documents and analogies of energy signatures, Adam likely exists as multiple individuals, or rather, core fragments."
"evangelion unit-01 is just one of them. As for where the other cores are, I don't have definitive clues yet."
A brief silence enveloped the space between the two.
The relaxed expression on Kaji's face vanished completely, replaced by a deep solemnity.
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "If—if your speculation about the existence of multiple Adams holds true, then I might know the whereabouts of one of them."
Osiris' gaze instantly focused on him.
"The Moon," Kaji's voice dropped even lower. "EVA Unit-06, which is being secretly constructed by a branch directly under SEELE—"
"Its core, it is said, does not originate from the Lilith system."
This information was like the final puzzle piece, snapping perfectly into place with Osiris' inference.
The mask of casualness they both used for disguise was completely stripped away, and the atmosphere became serious and urgent.
"Unit-06—Adam's Core—" Osiris repeated in a low voice, the clues in his mind rapidly connecting. "If Unit-06 has Adam as its core, then its completion likely means SEELE has gathered the key conditions to initiate the final ritual."
"The Door of Guf—the Third Impact—" Kaji picked up his words, his expression more severe than ever before. "In other words, the moment Unit-06 on the Moon is declared finished will likely be the moment SEELE believes the time is ripe to open the door and execute the Instrumentality."
This wasn't a guess, but a conclusion that best fit SEELE's behavioral patterns after logical deduction based on the core intelligence held by both parties.
A clear and urgent point in time, like a massive shadow, suddenly cast itself over both their hearts.
All their previous investigations and preparations seemed to point toward this approaching critical point that would decide the fate of the world.
"Time is running out, Doctor," Kaji's voice carried a heavy weight.
"I know," Osiris' reply was equally brief.
Time had indeed become pressing.
There was no clear countdown clock, nor any public emergency announcement, but Osiris could clearly perceive that an unspeakable, fundamental change was occurring in the "atmosphere" within NERV Headquarters.
This didn't mean the staff had become busier or more nervous, nor did it mean visible disruptions had appeared in daily procedures.
In fact, on the surface, everything was still running as usual: daily EVA maintenance, pilot training, and coordination meetings between departments—all parts maintained their customary, efficient, and cold rhythm.
This change was a more subtle, deeper shift in "rhythm" captured by Osiris' psionic talent, which had been enhanced by the gene-seed.
It was like a silent background noise; the originally stable and regular frequency was now starting to be mixed with a barely perceptible, persistent, and sharp harmonic.
As he walked through the deep corridors of the headquarters, the ubiquitous energy field composed of the operation of massive machinery, biological activity, and the LCL
liquid circulation that together formed the energy field, it seemed to become more "viscous" and "scorching."
The invisible pressure permeating the air was quietly increasing—not physically, but as a kind of tension originating from the level of will.
Occasionally, at non-specific moments, his psionic tendrils would catch a fleeting, non-human, vast, and silent ripple of consciousness from deep underground—that fluctuation belonging to Lilith's Main Body seemed more "active" than before, or rather, closer to some kind of critical state.
He noticed that Ritsuko Akagi was spending significantly more time in the Central Control Room and her personal laboratory, her eyes often carrying a trace of exhaustion masked by precise calculations.
Misato Katsuragi's tone in tactical briefings, while still decisive, would occasionally have a nearly imperceptible pause of a few tenths of a second between issuing commands.
Even Gendo Ikari, the man forever hidden behind orange lenses and interlaced fingers, whose very existence radiated an absolute, abyss-like silence, seemed to become even deeper and more—purposeful.
None of these were concrete pieces of evidence, but rather an intuition beyond common sense granted to him by his psionic perception.
It told him that some massive gears were accelerating in unseen places, and an irresistible torrent was gathering deep underground, rushing toward a predetermined end.
Combined with the intelligence shared with Ryoji Kaji—regarding the EVA Unit-06 on the Moon, which used Adam as its core and whose construction was nearing its end—EVA
Unit-06—Osiris was almost certain that the opening curtain of SEELE's final script was being silently pulled up.
The so-called "time is running out" was no longer a vague concept but had become an increasingly clear sense of oppression in his psionic senses, like the receding tide before a tsunami.
He stood on the observation platform of unit-03's hangar, looking down at the white machine that had finished its painting and was undergoing final system debugging.
Modification work had to be accelerated again; all pre-installed backdoors and protocols needed to complete final testing as soon as possible.
With Asuka's Collaboration training also needed to increase in intensity to ensure she could become a reliable executor at the critical moment, rather than an uncertain factor.
At the same time, he also had to start preparing for the worst-case scenario—if all conditions could not be met before Unit-06 was completed, or if SEELE's actions were even faster than he anticipated, then that ancient relic from the Main Body might have to be put to use ahead of schedule.
An invisible clock was ticking; although he couldn't hear the sound, the psionic ripples brought by the movement of the hands were striking his perception without pause.
The final gambit was drawing near.
As the intangible pressure in his perception grew daily, Dr. Osiris began a planned and extremely cautious campaign to drip-feed Asuka fragments of information about the truth hidden behind NERV.
He did not directly point out the existence of SEELE or the specific details of the "Human Instrumentality Project," as that would be too shocking and difficult for the current Asuka to believe.
Instead, during casual intervals in daily technical discussions or tactical analyses, he would seemingly offhandedly insert some ambiguous yet thought-provoking remarks.
He would mention that "the organization's ultimate goal might not be as simple as what's publicly declared," or comment that "the Angels' attack patterns bear inexplicable similarities to certain rituals recorded in history," or hint that "the significance of the EVAs' existence perhaps far exceeds that of mere weapons."
These words were like stones cast into a calm lake, sending ripples of doubt spreading through Asuka's heart.
Asuka was not obtuse; she keenly grasped the underlying meaning in Dr. Osiris' words, but limited by information and understanding, she could not fully piece together the complete picture.
What she could comprehend and believe was that Dr. Osiris was revealing a terrifying fact to her: NERV, the organization she had fought for, harbored a deep-seated conspiracy far beyond its publicly stated purpose of "protecting humanity from the Angels."
This realization made her uneasy, even stirring a hint of betrayed anger, but more than that, it was a concern for the one revealing it.
After a technical debriefing session where only the two of them were present, Asuka did not leave immediately as usual but somewhat hesitantly called out to Dr. Osiris.
"Doctor... what you said before... is it about NERV?" Her red eyes held confusion and a trace of barely perceptible concern.
Dr. Osiris did not deny it, merely looking at her calmly. "You've sensed it, haven't you? Undercurrents swirl beneath the surface calm."
Asuka pursed her lips. She had indeed felt that indescribable sense of oppression at headquarters lately, along with the warning tone in Dr. Osiris' words.
She didn't quite understand the specifics of the conspiracy, nor did she fully grasp why Dr. Osiris was telling her these things, but one thing she was absolutely certain of.
She raised her head, the confusion in her eyes replaced by a rare, almost stubborn resolve. Her voice was clear and forceful: "I don't really understand those complicated things... but, Doctor, if anyone tries to hurt you, I won't allow it!"
She took a small step forward, as if to lend weight to her words. "I will protect you! I won't let you come to any harm!"
These words, spoken from the mouth of a young girl, carried a decisiveness that belied her age, even a touch of naivety.
But Dr. Osiris did not dismiss them as a frivolous jest or a childish promise.
He clearly saw the unquestionable seriousness in Asuka's eyes, and that protective will stemming from the depths of her heart—a mix of dependence, gratitude, and even more complex emotions.
This power, though pure, contained energy not to be underestimated.
He gazed at Asuka, the usual calm expression on his face softening slightly.
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Asuka's head. The action was natural and without a hint of impropriety, like an elder brother treating an important junior.
His fingertips felt the softness of her hair.
Then, he smiled faintly. This smile was different from the polite or detached ones during technical discussions; it held a trace of genuine warmth and an ineffable complexity.
"Is that so?" His voice was gentle, carrying a solemnity that lightly accepted the weighty vow. "Then, I'll leave my back to you."
These words were both an acceptance of her promise and a silent entrustment.
They were like an invisible contract, binding the connection between the two even tighter.
Asuka was slightly taken aback by his rare intimate gesture and his response of complete trust. Immediately, a surge of warmth—a mix of the joy of being acknowledged, a sense of responsibility, and deeper emotions—flooded her heart, causing a faint blush to rise on her pale cheeks.
She nodded firmly, saying nothing more, but her eyes, burning with unwavering fire, said it all.
For Dr. Osiris, Asuka's pure vow of protection was an unexpected but immensely valuable asset.
It would provide him with a relatively stable and powerful fulcrum amidst the potential chaos and betrayals of the future.
And his words, "I'll leave my back to you," were both a genuine expectation and a far-reaching move in his gambit.
He was gradually transforming this powerful EVA pilot into a protective blade loyal solely to him.
While forging a deeper connection with Asuka, Dr. Osiris did not neglect another key figure: Shinji Ikari.
Through the covert intelligence channel of Ryoji Kaji, he accessed and filtered some dusty archival materials concerning Gendo Ikari and Yui Ikari's past.
After sorting through them, he chose an opportune moment to present some of the verified, relatively less core information—information sufficient to overturn Shinji's understanding—before this sensitive boy.
The materials included old photographs and research records, clearly indicating that Shinji Ikari's parents, Gendo Ikari and Yui Ikari, were once brilliant students under Vice-Commander Kozou Fuyutsuki, and had participated together in pioneering research concerning "EVA" and related fields from an early stage.
The records stopped at an EVA activation experiment marked as an "accident." The details of the experiment were erased, leaving only the cold conclusion that Yui Ikari had "disappeared" during this experiment.
Dr. Osiris did not offer a definitive conclusion. Instead, in a guiding tone, he combined the inexplicably high sync rates between evangelion unit-01 and Shinji that defied conventional theory, and the irrational protective behavior evangelion unit-01 displayed during berserk episodes, to propose a hypothesis: "Based on existing data and principles of biological affinity, there is a possibility... your mother, Ms. Yui Ikari, may not have completely vanished."
"It is highly likely her existence, in some form, has fused with evangelion unit-01."
"This might explain why evangelion unit-01 is so special to you."
These lightly spoken words fell on Shinji Ikari's ears like a thunderclap.
He had always been perplexed about why he could pilot evangelion unit-01, about the occasional, almost maternal protection the purple giant showed, and had always felt an emptiness and sorrow over his mother's "departure."
Now, Dr. Osiris' hypothesis provided a startling yet—as if it had been lurking deep in his subconscious—answer to all his confusion.
Mother hadn't completely vanished? She was inside evangelion unit-01, always accompanying him, protecting him?
The sheer volume of information assaulted Shinji's fragile emotional defenses. His face instantly turned pale, his body trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with disbelief and violent turmoil.