Osiris pulled up a virtual screen, displaying the structural diagrams of Unit-01 and Unit-03.
"I have adjusted Unit-01's Dummy System. Based on a deep understanding of the... 'special entity' within it (referring to Yui Ikari's soul) and by guiding its biological instincts, I have programmed a 'Self-Defense Mode' that activates when specific threat patterns are detected. While it lacks the flexibility of a human pilot, it is sufficient to handle most conventional threats and can maximize the unit's latent potential."
Next, he pointed to the data for Unit-03. "Unit-03's Dummy System has also undergone deep optimization. Furthermore, I have unlocked its pilot adaptation protocols; as long as the synchronization rate meets the standard, any trained candidate can pilot it. As far as I know, you should already have a reserve list of potential pilots, right?"
Finally, he mentioned the damaged Unit-00. "As for the damaged Unit-00, its repairs can be accelerated with the technical support we provide. Once completed, it can be piloted by a new 'Rei-type' clone... though, of course, that depends on your future ethical choices and tactical needs."
Hearing these arrangements, Misato's furrowed brow finally relaxed slightly. While losing two ace pilots was a massive blow, if Unit-01 could fight autonomously, Unit-03 could be handed to a new pilot, and Unit-00 could be restored, WILLE's core combat strength would be preserved—and perhaps even enhanced by the technical optimizations.
"...I understand." Misato let out a long sigh, her tone softening. "We'll do as you say. I hope that in your world, they can find the peace they're looking for."
On the other side, as Asuka made her final preparations, she looked at the pure white Unit-03—a machine that had received so much of the Doctor's effort and her own sweat—and her eyes were filled with a complex sense of reluctance. This machine had witnessed her lowest points and accompanied her toward a new beginning; it was the symbol of her special connection with Dr. Osiris. Giving it up felt like cutting away a part of her past self.
"Can't let go?" Osiris' voice sounded behind her.
Asuka didn't deny it, whispering, "Mm. This is the machine you prepared for me... the one and only."
"A machine is just a tool, after all," Osiris looked at her. "Besides, who says you won't be able to pilot an EVA anymore?"
Asuka paused and looked at him in confusion. Osiris raised his hand and pointed out the window of the hangar at the gray titan standing silent like a mountain—the EVA-Titan.
"It belongs to you now."
That simple sentence made Asuka freeze in place. She widened her eyes in disbelief, looking at Osiris, then at the gargantuan object radiating cold majesty outside the window. Her mind nearly stopped functioning.
The EVA-Titan? That otherworldly god-machine powerful enough to interrupt Unit-01's apotheosis and easily annihilate the Mass-Production units? It belonged... to her?
The massive impact, the unbelievable surprise, and the accumulated grievances, pain, and confusion of the past few days suddenly burst through her final psychological defenses like a flood.
"Waaaah... Doctor...!"
Asuka could no longer control herself. She spun around and threw herself into Osiris' arms, her hands clutching his white lab coat, her face buried in his chest as she wailed aloud. Her cries were no longer suppressed; they were a catharsis of liberation. She cried like a child who had been lost for a long time and finally found her way home.
Osiris didn't speak. He simply stood there, letting her tears soak his clothes, one hand gently patting her back. He knew these tears were not just from the excitement of receiving a powerful machine, but a farewell to the past and a release of hope for an uncertain yet promising future.
The preparations for departure proceeded in an orderly fashion. For Shinji and the unconscious Rei, the transfer was relatively simple—it was mostly a matter of ensuring the stability of the life-support pod during the cross-dimensional transit. The real difficulty lay with Asuka and Osiris himself, specifically how to take the massive war machine, the EVA-Titan, with them.
In the depths of Research Institute No. 9, Osiris—having regained his Astartes physique and donned his Tartaros-pattern Terminator armor—activated the expanded and reinforced dimensional teleporter.
A ghostly blue light flared up again. Complex energy ley-lines formed a spatial gate far larger and more stable than the one used to transport the Mass-Production wreckage.
The first to be sent were the life-support pod containing Rei Ayanami and the core research data and samples Osiris had deemed valuable. Shinji followed closely beside the pod, vanishing into the spatial gate as the light flickered.
Next was Asuka. She had changed out of her plugsuit and into simple civilian clothes. Standing at the edge of the teleportation zone, she took one last look back at this world filled with memories of pain and battle. A complex look flashed in her eyes, but it was ultimately replaced by resolve. She took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped into the blue glow, her figure disappearing.
Finally, it was the EVA-Titan. This gargantuan machine entered the teleportation zone with heavy, rhythmic steps. Its massive bulk nearly filled the entire space. The hum of the teleporter reached its peak, and the energy fluctuations were so violent that the entire underground facility vibrated.
With a blinding flash of light, the mountain of steel that was the EVA-Titan vanished completely from this world.
Osiris was the last. His task here was not entirely finished; a cooperative relationship with WILLE had been established, and his main body would continue to monitor and provide limited support. But for him, the business here was concluded. It was time to return and begin processing the "samples" and personnel he was bringing back.
Blue light swallowed him once more.
In the WILLE Command Center, the signals representing Osiris and all the transfer targets vanished completely from the main screen.
"They... really left," Misato murmured to herself, a hollow feeling in her chest. Suddenly losing two key pilots and a powerful otherworldly ally felt like having her backbone removed. Other staff in the center also showed varying degrees of unease and confusion.
"But the channel for cooperation still exists," Ritsuko reminded her, pulling up a new technical optimization plan just received from Osiris' main entity. "His promised support hasn't stopped. Moreover, we need to test and adapt to the 'solutions' he left behind as soon as possible."
Kaji Ryoji rubbed his temples and added, "SEELE won't stop their actions just because of one failure. We must use the technology we've gained to strengthen ourselves as quickly as possible and actively contact potential allies. The road ahead is one we must walk on our own."
Katsuragi Misato, Akagi Ritsuko, and Kaji Ryoji stood there for a long time in silence. The entire teleportation process had lasted only minutes, and when everything returned to calm, all that remained was the empty teleportation zone and the fading afterglow of energy.
Just as uncertainty began to brew among the ranks, the hangar and the technical department delivered heartening news almost simultaneously.
According to the programs preset and debugged by Osiris before his departure, the "Autonomous Defense Mode" of Unit-01 had successfully completed its first live-machine activation test. Data analysis showed that in a simulated combat environment with specific threat patterns, the purple giant could rely on internal mechanisms to effectively perform tactical evasions, A.T. Field blocks, and even launch threatening basic counterattacks based on the threat level. Its reaction speed and power efficiency reached practical levels that exceeded expectations; while far from the fluidity of Ikari Shinji's piloting, it was more than capable of handling basic base defense duties as an automated system.
At the same time, the technical department sent another piece of good news: the modification of the pilot adaptation protocol for the white Unit-03 was confirmed successful. Preliminary synchronization tests on several backup candidates showed that two individuals met the minimum standards for activating and controlling the machine. This meant that the powerful unit, deeply modified by Osiris, had not lost its combat value due to Asuka's departure; it could still be mastered to fight for WILLE.
These two practical technical safeguards acted like a timely shot of adrenaline, effectively dispelling the gloom and unease hanging over WILLE caused by the departure of core personnel. Realistic solutions are often more effective at stabilizing morale than empty encouragement.
On the command platform, Katsuragi Misato took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions of parting, and her gaze became sharp and resolute once more. She looked around at the many eyes fixed on her in the command center and raised her voice, clearly issuing orders: "It seems our 'ally' has indeed left a parting gift of great sincerity. But this is only the beginning! Notify all department heads and combat sequence leaders: an emergency strategic meeting will be held in Briefing Room 1 in one hour! We must make full use of everything we have and formulate a comprehensive plan to counter SEELE's next move as quickly as possible!"
Her voice carried an unquestionable decisiveness, sending a clear signal: WILLE would never sink into despair or retreat.
Warhammer Universe, Death World Base.
Inside the dimensional receiving zone, the ghostly blue spatial gate operated steadily. A receiving team composed of Tech-Priests and acolytes, who had been waiting for some time, immediately stepped forward to handle the incoming materials and personnel in an orderly fashion.
First to emerge was the life-support pod containing Rei Ayanami, followed closely by a nervous and expectant Ikari Shinji. He looked at the unfamiliar environment—the cold, metallic architectural style and the strange smell of machine oil and energy in the air—with a sense of unease, but his gaze never left the life-support pod.
Next, Asuka appeared. She looked around curiously; the technological style here was entirely different from NERV or SEELE—it was rougher, heavier, and permeated with a sense of extreme utilitarianism. Although she had left her familiar world, a sense of lightness from escaping her heavy past and a flicker of anticipation for the future temporarily suppressed the sadness of parting.
Finally, accompanied by massive spatial fluctuations and a low roar, the dark-grey, colossal form of the EVA-Titan slowly "squeezed" out of the spatial gate. Its heavy feet stepped onto the specially reinforced metal floor with a dull, thunderous thud. Its arrival made the entire receiving area feel cramped.
Osiris was the last to step out of the spatial gate. He took a deep breath of the familiar and "pure" air of his homeland. Here, his consciousness achieved a deep re-integration and information synchronization with his primary entity. Everything he had experienced in the EVA world—the data collected, the agreements reached, the samples and personnel brought back—flowed like a hundred rivers into the sea, pouring into the primary entity's massive database for organization, analysis, and simulation.
"The sample value is extremely high. The potential connection between EVA biotechnology and the Warp (observed through A.T. Fields and Angel phenomena) is worth exploring in depth. Cooperation with the local resistance can be maintained as a long-term observation window and technical testbed."
Cold logic and a thirst for knowledge formed the basis of the decision.
"As for the three 'guests'..." the primary entity's consciousness flowed, "The girl (Asuka) possesses excellent combat talent and plasticity; she can be trained as a reserve pilot for the Titans. The boy (Shinji)... the resonance mechanism between his emotional fluctuations and the special soul fragments within Unit-01 may be applicable to the optimization of certain psionic sensors. And that unique duplicate (Rei Ayanami)... the connection between her soul structure and the source of Lilith is a precious case for studying life forms and the essence of consciousness in parallel universes."
"Give them time to adapt. Then, based on their traits and wishes, assign them to appropriate research or combat sequences. The new research projects can begin."
The order was issued, and the entire base began to operate with high efficiency around the new research goals and "guests," like a precision instrument.
Rei Ayanami's life-support pod was quickly transferred to the base's highest-level medical and biological research facility. A biological team took over to begin a full evaluation and research into using the Warhammer world's genetic engineering, psychic healing, and stasis field technologies to attempt to repair her damaged mind and body.
Ikari Shinji was settled into a fully equipped guest cabin and informed that he could move freely within designated areas of the base until there was clear progress in Rei's treatment. The base's indifference and discipline made him feel somewhat out of place, but he chose to spend most of his time waiting silently outside the medical area.
Asuka was taken to a pilot preparation cabin designed specifically for her, as well as the exclusive hangar for the EVA-Titan. A Tech-Priest in red robes introduced her to the basic operational interface of the EVA-Titan and the subsequent training schedule in a cold, mechanical voice. Looking at the grey colossus before her—larger, more majestic, and filled with an alien aesthetic compared to the Unit-03 she knew—Asuka's heart was filled with indescribable excitement and a hint of trepidation.
For Ikari Shinji and Asuka, a new world filled with unknowns and strict discipline, but also potentially containing healing and rebirth, had unfolded. Their story had turned a new page on a grander and more brutal stage.
And for Osiris' primary entity, the mysteries from another universe were waiting for him to uncover.