Admiral's Audio log 1, 9th of December, 2029

"...Where do I begin? Do I even bother? It's not like it will do anything good. Talking about everything that's happened isn't going to magically fix the world... damn it Rits-chan...how is this meant to help my mental stability? Alcohol does that just fine...

Gah, I suppose I shouldn't stall. I guess it would be nice to leave something behind for anyone still alive once this mess is over. If it's ever over...that's a big if.

My name is Misato Katsuragi, and I am Rear Admiral of the Phoenix fleet, which is part of a paramilitary organization called WILLE, supposedly under the command of the Perstoan Republic. My sole superior officer is Admiral Ryoji Kaji and I operate with a great deal of freedom. For a decade, we have been fighting what many see as a hopeless battle.

Our name, however, should be a good indication of why we continue to fight. It is Man's will to survive that may be what saves him in the end, not the Empire's mindless, zealous dogma, nor the Confederacy's naïve devotion to liberty.

Damn it I need to get to the point, I'm dawdling on the details. And considering that I hate being bored and being boring...

There have already been time capsules made about Second Impact and what followed. Some of the more studious among you may recognize me as the commanding officer of the Evangelion units. A role...I failed horrendously at.

Oh there I go again, wallowing in self-pity over my mistakes. As if that would make anything better.

It is Third Impact which I'm going to try and document for your convenience. It is only through WILLE after all, that mankind has even pieced together just what the hell was done to it, so I might as well add my worth.

It was November the 18th, 2015. Through a series of events, too convoluted and numerous to describe all at once, an insane group called SEELE, and their at the time pawn Gendo Ikari, triggered the most disastrous event in our history. Through the use of Evangelion Unit 01 interacting with the core of an Angel, they erased near two and half billion people from the face of the Earth, and rendered much of our once beautiful planet sterile.

I myself was at ground zero for both Impacts...Damn, I hope that doesn't become a running trend with my life.

As a former pawn of NERV, myself and a few dozen others escaped the grasp of Gendo Ikari and made our way to the mainland. In the years to come, I would only see Japan, my birth place, once again and that is an occasion I really want to forget. Un-fucking fortunately, no amount of drink seems capable for that job.

Be quiet, Commander Ibuki. This is my log, I swear if I want to.

We and the other survivors managed to live a few years of peaceful scrounging and scavenging, all the while new governments came about. We tried to rebuild our world, only for a new horror to come and tear everything down, one that was legion and nigh unstoppable in its tyrannical ferocity.

Not more Angels, or anything of SEELE's grotesque designs, but the beginning of the NERV Empire's nightmarish reign.

After ten years of war, stalling or bringing them to a draw is the best we've been able to do. The one time we went on the offensive...(ahem) sorry, off track again.

As it was in 2015, Man stands on the brink of oblivion. What we need is a game changer, and it seems against all hope we might have it.

After all these years...we've found Unit 01. It's been kept in some strange sarcophagus for who knows how long, in constant orbit. In a few days it'll come close enough for low atmospheric intercept. With the power of an Eva, we might just be able to get this creaking tub to fly if Rits-chan's calculations are right.

I'm sending Pilots Shikinami and Makinami up to get it. We're prepared to face whatever escorts it has, but against two Evas not even an Abaddon stands a chance. I know Asuka-chan will be conflicted about it, as the last time she saw that thing...damn it, why didn't I screen it more? There were so many other scans we could have done...no...I can't keep doing that to myself.

The Republic wants control over this operation, but I can't let that happen; WILLE and only WILLE, can be trusted with this sort of power. NERV shall be brought down by our hand and when this war is done, we will destroy all Evangelion technology. There will be no risk to future generations.

Also...I have to see it.

Evangelion Unit 01 may be the key to victory in this war, but I hate the idea of pulling

his tomb down. Heh, a little part of me is glad he's dead. He won't have to see any of this, what we've become because of him and his father. I don't know what he'd make of me, and I sure as hell don't know what I'd make of him...wouldn't that be awkward, seeing him again after fourteen years, after everything that's happened...oh there I go again. I'm only forty-three, I shouldn't be going senile just yet.

It just…it all seems so long ago. And still, I remember the smile of that boy who shared my home, clear as day. It's on the behalf of that smile, and a whole load other things, that I'll never give in to the megalomania of Gendo Ikari, his tyranny, and whatever he and his buddies are planning.

I will fight, I will win, and then I'll probably have to take a boring desk job after that...ugh, as if I need to feel more depressed.

Is that enough, Commander Ibuki? Good...how do I turn this stupid thing off-"

XXX

25th of December 2029 AD, NERV Empire, Malkuth, formerly known as NERV Central...

The red ground shook. Mighty footsteps, hundreds of them, made it seem as if the world were being split apart. A gargantuan, black armoured hand reached down and with surprising tenderness, picked up a battered entry plug. A finger pulled upon the top of it, only to find the plug vacant.

"No sign of her, sir." The pilot of the Imperial Canan Series Evangelion, a sergeant, reported to his commander. His voice was etched with worry.

"Damn it…keep looking." His commander responded.

"Yes, sir." The sergeant nodded then gestured for the other four Evas under his command. "All of you, sweep the area. No weapons fire."

"Yes, sir!"

XXX

A VTOL streaked through the illuminated by starlight skyline of what was once known as Tokyo-3. Soon enough, it was joined by an escort of six of its kind, all bearing red leaf symbols on a black background.

Ahead of them was a vast construct of some black material, seemingly shrouding the world in darkness. From this shadow emerged dagger like flying vessels coated in battleship grey paint, the hum of their positron engines making it feel as if the air itself was vibrating.

Eight of these vast battlecruisers and their compliment of fighters, along with dozens of smaller, similarly designed destroyers, Kentrons, maintained a defensive ring of iron around the recently uncovered weapon with which they would cast down WILLE, the so-called "Perstoan Republic" it supported, and the foolish "European Confederacy," who valued their petty freedoms too much to survive.

There had been a battle here, nothing compared to the one four years ago, but brutal enough, the ruined remains of multiple Evangelions being a testament to that. In fact, the VIP residing upon the VTOL was metaphorically scratching his head as to why they had scarcely been involved in so important an operation, one which had claimed Units 06, 09, and 13.

The Emperor's orders, however, were absolute and it was not the place of his soldiers to disobey. They were not to make their presence felt.

The Jericho class fighter/bomber docked with the fleet's flagship, a five-hundred-metre-long Abaddon class battleship, designated by purple stripes. It gently folded in its wings and set itself down in the hanger, security clamps activating immediately after landing. The rear ramp slid down, and a dozen individuals coated in black armour and capes issued forth.

Said armour was fully enclosing, generating a weak energy shield so as to provide extra protection. Tubes within them would connect to the wearer's veins, pumping them full of adrenaline and, when necessary, morphine.

The men who bore this armour were enhanced super soldiers some seven feet tall, so one could be forgiven for shivering upon seeing them.

The leading one, however, the one with white stripes so as to designate his importance, put the fear of Mother Lilith in the hearts of NERV marines, technicians, seamen, and officers alike.

Chancellor Fuyutsuki may have been the Emperor's right hand as the man who made the state function, but he, Saleos, Lord General of the Imperial Nephilim Shock Legions, was the mailed fist which pounded the Empire's enemies into an unrecognizable paste.

An officer, whose stripes designated him as a Lieutenant, saluted the Lord General with a form that was on the verge of shaking.

"My Lord, the Emperor awaits you on the bridge." The man's face was ashen with fear.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Be about your business," Saleos did not say, but commanded, brushing the man out of the way as if he were a feather.

The various servicemen of the Navy respectfully stood aside as he strode through the various corridors that would lead him to the command deck. There was nothing aesthetically pleasing about the interior of these vessels. In fact, the same could be said of NERV architecture in general. Utilitarianism was their watchword; anything more would be seen as extravagant, hence why the corridors were grey, with harsh and artificial lighting.

Passing through the final set of electric sliding doors, at which he left his guards, Saleos found himself on the battleship's bridge, surrounded by beeping computers and various grey uniformed officers chattering away.

Standing above them all, with even the Admiral respectfully staying below him, gloved hands pocketed and visor fixed upon his 62-year-old eyes, was the Emperor of NERV himself, his faithful Chancellor by his side.

The Lord General dropped to one knee before his overlord, but even then his size was imposing. As was to be expected of a Nephilim, a human unnaturally enhanced for one thing: war.

"My Emperor. I came as swiftly as I could." He said.

"I would expect nothing less from you, Lord Saleos." Gendo Ikari's posture was totally relaxed, not facing one of his most favoured instruments so as to preserve his air of superiority. He let the silence hang for a few moments, before speaking again.

"You question my deployment orders?"

"Yes, my Emperor. I hear the Wunder itself participated in the previous battle. Had any elements of the Navy or my Legions been there, I would have served Katsuragi's head to you-" Saleos fell silent as the Emperor raised his hand.

"No. It was imperative that the trigger remained unaware of current events. I had thought WILLE would have filled him in on some facts...but I overestimated their intelligence. Oh, Captain Katsuragi...how you have aided me on this day." Gendo's mouth twisted into a microscopic smile.

Gesturing with his gloved hand at the recently uncovered Black Moon, he couldn't help but feel something akin to enthusiasm. All was falling into place.

"This is a triumph that shall see the Empire take dominion over the Earth and save all Mankind. I assure you, Lord Saleos...the risk was necessary."

"I do not doubt you, my Emperor. I just feared for your safety and that of the capital. Allowing WILLE forces through our lines, to come this far into our territory...to Malkuth itself...I wouldn't want the populace to worry." The Lord General felt his stomach churn, thinking of those that were most precious to him being left undefended.

"Your family was perfectly safe. The citizenry was never in danger, I assure you." Chancellor Fuyutsuki gently offered, somewhat soothing the fears of the enhanced human, gaining a grateful, "thank you, Chancellor."

After a long pause, Saleos licked his alabaster lips, thinking through what he would say next. Clearly, the Emperor was waiting for him.

"I presume however, that I was not simply called here to be filled in?"

Gendo nodded, pleased as ever with the intelligence of his finest tool.

"WILLE deployed all their active Evas in the previous battle. Whilst they recovered one of their Pilots and the wrecks of Units 02 and 08, Shikinami was left behind. Considering that the trigger and Rei were not found in their respective plugs...I have little doubt she is trying to escort them back to enemy lines." His words caused some of the men on the bridge to snap their gaze upwards, eyebrows drawing together.

"They have her Highness?" Saleos's mouth started to feel very dry as his stomach churned.

"Indeed. They will most likely be heading for WILLE Outpost Alpha. Take Maveth Squadronand find them. Recover Rei if you can, but terminate the rest and annihilate any remaining enemy forces on the Fatherland's soil." If Gendo was troubled by the absence of his "heir", then he didn't show it.

"As you wish…but…what of your son-"

"He is of no further use to the Empire. Do not allow the enemy to utilize him."

"It shall be done, my Emperor. Rest assured, I will return your daughter to you unharmed." The Nephilim bowed his head, blinking in disbelief for a few moments, before swiftly marching off the bridge and back to his VTOL. A little part of him feeling uncomfortable with the task he was assigned. Destroying the outpost was necessary to be sure, as was disposing of Shikinami, but to murder the Emperor's own flesh and blood?

My life is service, but if he's willing to kill his own son...sacrifice his own daughter...then what isn't too much for him?

As that billowing black cape disappeared through the electronic sliding doors, Gendo kept his enhanced vision fixed on the unearthed Black Moon, the ark which carried Mother Lilith to this world so long ago. His mind methodically went over all that was yet to transpire, and the ultimate result of his decades old plan.

His Grand Scenario.

"Does it not trouble you? Signing the death warrant for your only child?" Chancellor Fuyutsuki quietly chastised his former student.

"His purpose has been served." Gendo responded, icily.

"What of Rei then? She means a great deal to the populace..."

"I humour them at my own pleasure, but I will not allow their personal desires to interfere with the scenario. If she has betrayed me...she will be punished. A daughter should not disobey her father after all."

Kozo Fuyutsuki bowed his head in resignation, the other NERV officers within earshot casting unnerved looks over their shoulders.

Ikari...she is their Princess. As far as they are concerned, she is the future of the Empire. Not just some doll to be discarded...

"Very well, my Emperor."

The Emperor looked his political right hand in the eye, a privilege very few got in the Empire.

"Worry not. The end of the war draws near, Sensei. Only a few more pieces need fall into place..." Gendo produced one of his unsettling smiles as he watched his engineers begin landing on the Black Moon, to prepare it for the purpose he envisaged.

Soon Yui...soon we shall be together again. Just wait a little longer...

XXX

It is the cusp of the year 2030, and Humanity is in more peril than it's ever been before. The ruined remnants of planet Earth have been fought over constantly in an unending and nightmarish struggle for survival. Now, after Fourth Impact, the NERV Empire stands poised to sweep aside the European Confederacy and the old implacable enemy, the Perstoan Republic, to bring "order" to the defiled world.

At least...that is what Emperor Ikari states his goal to be.

It is into this world marred by tragedy, death, and misery, that a young boy who'd only sought to save the girl he loved, and put right what once went wrong, must not only find the will to live, but simply survive.