Just as morale was wavering, encouraging news arrived almost simultaneously from the Hangar and the Technology Department.
According to the program preset and debugged by Osiris before his departure, the initial live-machine startup test of evangelion unit-01's "Autonomous Defense Mode" was declared complete.
Data analysis showed that in a combat environment simulating specific threat patterns, the purple giant could rely on its internal mechanisms to effectively perform tactical evasion and field blocking, and could even launch threatening basic counterattacks based on the threat level.
Its reaction speed and power utilization efficiency had reached practical levels beyond expectations; although far from the agility of Shinji's piloting, as an automated defense system, its performance was sufficient to assume the base's basic defensive duties.
At the same time, the Technology Department also sent another piece of good news: the modification of the pilot adaptation protocol for the white has been confirmed successful.
Preliminary synchronization rate tests on several reserve candidate pilots showed that two had reached the minimum standard for starting and basically controlling the unit.
This meant that this powerful machine, deeply modified by Osiris, had not completely lost its combat capability due to Asuka's departure; it could still be piloted to fight for WILLE.
These two practical technical safeguards acted like a timely adrenaline shot, effectively dispelling some of the gloom and unease hanging over WILLE due to the departure of core personnel.
Practical solutions are often more effective at stabilizing morale than any empty encouragement.
On the command platform, Misato Katsuragi took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions of parting, and her gaze became sharp and determined again. She looked around at the many eyes focused on her in the command center, raised her volume, and clearly issued orders: "It seems our 'ally' indeed left behind a parting gift of sufficient sincerity."
But this is only the beginning! Notify all department heads and combat sequence leaders: an emergency strategic meeting will be held in Conference Room One in one hour!
We must make full use of everything we have and formulate a comprehensive plan as quickly as possible to deal with SEELE's next counterattack!"
Her voice carried an unquestionable decisiveness, sending a clear signal—WILLE would never sink or retreat.
New challenges and threats still hung overhead, and unknown crises could strike from any direction.
But this time, those who remained had to wipe away their tears, grip the weapons and technology they already possessed, and rely on their own strength and will to continue forward in this perilous world, fighting for that slim but vital dawn of the future for human civilization.
Warhammer Universe, Death Planet Base.
Within the Dimensional Reception Zone, the faint blue spatial gate operated stably.
First to appear was the Life Support Pod containing Rei Ayanami, followed closely by a nervous and expectant Shinji Ikari.
The unfamiliar environment, the cold metallic architectural style, and the peculiar scent of machine oil and energy mixing in the air all made Shinji feel a bit uneasy, but his gaze never left the Life Support Pod.
Next, Asuka's figure appeared.
She curiously observed her surroundings; the technological style here was completely different from that of NERV or SEELE, being more rugged, heavy, and filled with a sense of pragmatism above all else.
Although she had left her familiar world, a sense of relief from escaping a heavy past, along with a hint of longing for the future, allowed her to temporarily suppress the sadness of parting.
Finally, accompanied by massive spatial fluctuations and a low roar, the massive dark grey body of the eva-titan slowly "squeezed" out of the spatial gate, its heavy feet stepping onto the specially reinforced metal floor with a dull thud.
Its arrival made the entire reception zone seem somewhat crowded.
Osiris was the last to walk out of the spatial gate, taking a deep breath of the familiar and "pure" air of his home.
The receiving team, composed of Tech-Priests and apprentices who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stepped forward and began systematically processing the transported materials and personnel.
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, beginning a comprehensive assessment of her and starting research on using Warhammer World's genetic engineering, psionic medical treatment, and even Stasis Field technology to attempt to repair her damaged body and mind.
Shinji Ikari was arranged to stay in a fully equipped guest cabin and was told that he could move freely within restricted areas of the base until there was clear progress in Rei Ayanami's treatment.
The base's coldness and discipline made him feel a bit out of place, but he still chose to spend most of his time waiting silently outside the medical area.
Asuka was taken to a pilot preparation cabin specially prepared for her, as well as the dedicated Hangar for the eva-titan.
Looking at the grey giant before her—larger, more majestic, and filled with an exotic aesthetic style compared to the unit-03 she was familiar with—Asuka's heart was filled with indescribable excitement and a hint of trepidation.
A Tech-Priest in red robes introduced her to the basic operational interface and subsequent training schedule of the eva-titan in a cold, mechanical voice.
The atmosphere here was serious and efficient, completely different from NERV's style of somewhat humanized management.
Osiris, after making preliminary arrangements for everything, arrived at the base's core control room.
Here, his consciousness achieved a new deep fusion and information synchronization with the Main Body.
All the experiences from the EVA world, the collected data, the agreements reached, the samples and personnel brought back—all the information streams flowed like a hundred rivers into the sea, pouring into the Main Body's massive database for organization, analysis,
and deduction.
"The sample value is extremely high. The potential connection between EVA Biotechnica and the Warp (observed through A.T. Fields and Angel phenomena) is worth exploring in depth. Cooperation with the local resistance organization can be maintained as a long-term observation window and technical testbed."
"As for those three guests—" the Main Body's consciousness flowed, "The girl (Asuka) possesses excellent combat talent and plasticity; she can be trained as a reserve pilot for the Titan.
The boy (Shinji)—the resonance mechanism between his emotional fluctuations and the special soul fragments inside evangelion unit-01 might be applied to the optimization of certain Psionic Sensors.
And that special clone (Rei Ayanami)—the connection between her soul structure and the origin of Lilith is a precious case for studying the life forms and essence of consciousness in parallel universes."
Cold logic and a thirst for knowledge formed the basis of the decision.
"Give them time to adapt. Then, based on their characteristics and wishes, assign them to appropriate research or combat sequences. New research projects can be launched."
The order was issued, and the entire Death Planet Base, like a precision instrument, began to operate efficiently around the new research targets and "guests."
For Shinji Ikari and Asuka, a new world filled with the unknown and strict discipline, but also potentially containing healing and rebirth, had unfolded.
And for Osiris's Main Body, the mysteries from another universe were waiting for him to uncover.
Their story turned a new page on a grander and more cruel stage.