Chapter 555: The Script Out of Control
The chaos inside NERV Headquarters continued to escalate.
The deification energy shockwaves triggered by Unit-01 acted like continuous earthquake waves, repeatedly battering and grinding down this massive subterranean structure. In multiple sectors, the lighting systems completely failed, plunging them into absolute darkness save for the flickering emergency lights and fires. The air was thick with the sharp scent of ozone, the burnt smell of metal friction, and a faint metallic trace of blood.
Panic-stricken staff members ran and shrieked through the corridors, attempting to find safe shelters or rush to critical stations, but many pathways had already been completely sealed by falling structural components or twisted metal beams.
The anomalous rumbles echoing from the direction of Central Dogma grew increasingly frequent, as if something was awakening and struggling within those deepest layers. A vast, oppressive spiritual pressure originating from Lilith's main body diffused outward wave after wave like a rising tide, colliding and intertwining with the divine energy radiating from Unit-01. This caused the very space throughout Headquarters to manifest an unstable sense of distortion.
Although the command center was severely damaged, the core systems were barely functioning under the frantic maintenance efforts of Ritsuko Akagi and her team.
The main screens were split into several panels, respectively displaying Unit-01 radiating a golden light with a halo above its head; the dark Unit-06 struggling to stand up from the ruins; and the white Unit-03, which still maintained its combat posture but appeared isolated and helpless. Unit-02's signal remained exceptionally weak; it was clear that Mari and the chassis had yet to recover from the prior severe trauma.
"Unit-03, report status!" Misato Katsuragi forcefully suppressed the raging waves in her heart, attempting to re-establish control over the situation.
"Unit-01... is completely impossible to approach! The field strength is too high! As for Unit-06... it looks like it has locked its target onto Unit-01 again!" Asuka's voice carried breathlessness and tension.
Piloting Unit-03, she struggled to maintain balance amidst the violent energy turbulence. She had to dodge the crushing force of the field unconsciously radiated by Unit-01 while simultaneously staying vigilant of Unit-06's movements.
The command issued by Gendo Ikari to "stop Unit-06 and control Unit-01" was virtually impossible to execute under the current circumstances. Unit-01 was like a continuously expanding energy vortex, making even approaching it extremely difficult, let alone controlling it. Meanwhile, after standing up from the ruins, Unit-06's dark optical sensors locked onto the deified Unit-01 once more, seemingly viewing it as a new, mandatory target to eliminate.
Inside SEELE's monitoring chamber, on those massive monolith screens, the phantom-like silhouettes of the elders seemed to fluctuate slightly due to this sudden turn of events.
Keel Lorenz's processed, non-human voice echoed through the encrypted channel, carrying a trace of unnoticeable displeasure: "Deviation... an unacceptable deviation has surfaced in the script. Gendo Ikari, you need to explain."
Gendo Ikari responded through an independent communication line, his voice still devoid of emotion: "The premature intervention of Unit-06 and the overreaction of Unit-01 are unexpected variables. However, the core elements have already converged, and the opening of the Doors of Guf is irreversible. NERV will execute the established contingency plans to ensure the result conforms to the 'ritual' requirements."
He skillfully evaded personal responsibility and steered the focus toward the "result." For SEELE, as long as the Impact occurred and Human Instrumentality could proceed, some twists and turns in the process were acceptable. Gendo Ikari was exploiting precisely this point to secure operational space for his personal objectives.
Concurrently, at the entrance of a hidden corridor leading toward the deepest part of Central Dogma, Ryoji Kaji initiated his move. Utilizing his high-level clearance and pre-arranged backdoor programs, he silently deactivated several critical physical locks and energy barriers.
A few squad members who were absolutely loyal to him as an individual—rather than NERV or the Japanese government—followed beside him. Carrying heavy equipment, they swiftly occupied advantageous positions at the corridor entrance, establishing a temporary defensive line.
"The corridor has been cleared. Maintain radio silence and await further directives," Kaji reported in a low voice through the encrypted communication, his vigilant gaze sweeping across the surroundings. He knew this corridor was one of the shortcuts to the restricted zone where Lilith's main body and the Lance of Longinus resided. In the oncoming chaos, this location would become a highly contested ground.
Meanwhile, inside the safehouse deep in the subterranean layers of the Ninth Research Institute, Ryo's preparations had entered their final stage.
The deep blue aura radiating from the dimensional communicator had turned exceptionally bright, illuminating the entire room like the deep sea. Complex energy lines rotated and re-assembled at high speeds in the air, forming a stable spatial coordinate beacon.
Ryo closed his eyes and focused his mind, plunging his entire awareness into the connection established with his main body, feeling that vast, cold power crossing endless dimensions being guided and focused. His psionic energy acted like the most precise probe, scanning the spatial architecture surrounding the arrival point to ensure it could withstand the massive structural stress generated when a creation of the EVA-Titan's caliber crossed the boundary.
Concurrently, he adjusted his own psionic frequency to synchronize with the refined "Dummy System" integrated inside the oncoming EVA-Titan, establishing the foundation for the imminent remote piloting.
"Spatial coordinates stable, receiving array prepared. Psionic interfacing protocol loading complete," Ryo transmitted the final confirmation data back to his main body.
"Deployment entering final countdown. Sixty seconds," the main body's response was succinct and powerful.
Ryo opened his eyes, his gaze landing on the metallic wall on one side of the safehouse, as if he could pierce through the thick barriers to see the apocalyptic spectacle of the outside world. The deification light of Unit-01 could be clearly captured via energy sensors even from here. The spatial distortion triggered by the opening of the Doors of Guf filled his psionic perception with chaotic ripples.
Time ticked away, second by second.
Inside the safehouse, there was only the low hum of energy operations and the steady rhythm of Ryo's breathing. He adjusted his state to the absolute peak, much like a chief surgeon about to step onto the highest-difficulty operating table—calm, focused, and discarding all superfluous thoughts. He knew clearly that the descent of the EVA-Titan was not merely to deal with the crisis before his eyes, but to seize his own share of authority and knowledge amidst the oncoming wave of "Instrumentality" jointly unleashed by SEELE and Gendo Ikari.
"Thirty seconds."
The main body's countdown resonated within his consciousness. Ryo slowly raised both hands, psionic energy condensing at his fingertips, leaping like substantial blue electrical arcs. The moment the Titan descended, he would complete the final psionic link, transforming this war giant from an alternate world into an extension of his own will.
"Ten, nine, eight..."
The main body's countdown struck like a cold pendulum inside Ryo's awareness. The energy fluctuations inside the safehouse reached their absolute peak, the deep blue light turning near-pure white, and the hum of space became sharp and ear-piercing, as if under an unbearable load.
"Three, two..."
"Deployment initiated!"