I have learned that the mushroom cloud nonsense in the last chapter was... well... nonsense. So, please disregard that nonsense as the nonsense it was.


Tokyo-3, NERV Geofront: EVA-01 hangar.

As Shinji stepped onto a bridge, somebody flipped the lights on. Just beyond the railing was a gigantic steel head. "What the-?!"

A man's voice echoed through the room, being broadcast from a PA system. "This... is Evangelion Unit-01! An artificial God, created by humankind to deliver us from extinction!"

Shinji took a step back in surprise. "Artificial... God?"

N3I lightly tugged at Shinji's waist, prompting him to look at the upper level. A blonde woman in a labcoat was standing there, holding a clipboard. Next to her, was an old man in a wheelchair.

The woman heaved a sigh, visible even from that distance, and said, "Chairman, would you please refrain from referring to EVA in that manner? It's an artificial humanoid created by the pinnacle of post-Impact science. There's nothing divine about it." No matter what that stupid messiah complex of yours might have to say about it...

The old man laughed, and began wheeling himself to an elevator. "Doctor Akagi, please, let an old man indulge his sense of theater from time to time, hm?" Oh, Doctor Akagi. You pride yourself on your brilliance, and yet you know so very little...

Speaking again to Shinji, the wheelchair-bound man continued, "I am Chairman Keel Lorenz, director and Commander of this organization."

Shinji paused for a moment, before slightly ducking his head. "Um... nice to meet you, sir. ...can I ask why a person like me is even in here? I mean, it looks like a pretty important facility..."

"Indeed it is, young man." Keel was now riding a small cargo elevator down to Shinji's level, yet his ability to project was sufficient that he could be well-heard without the aid of the PA system.

"In fact," he continued, "you might say that for mankind at present, it is the most important facility. This Geofront is the operational headquarters of NERV - a paramilitary organization created by the United Nations in order to protect humanity from an existential threat."

"...you did say something about extinction, didn't you."

[Now re-evaluating situation. Analyzing... analyzing... analyzing... analysis complete. Determining the correct advisement for mission control...]

"The giant life-form you observed out there - codenamed an Angel, due to its mysterious nature - was not of this world," Keel explained. "Though we have yet to determine its planet of origin, we do know that its intent is nothing less than the complete destruction of all Earth-based life as we understand it, right down to the very last amino acid chains. And we also know that if it fails, more will come in its place.

"And that is why," he said while grandly gesturing to the giant construct in the hangar, "we have created the Evangelions! A series of biomechanical weapons that can fight the Angels on their own terms.

"And you, Shinji Ikari," Keel said with a flourish, "are the Third Child! Chosen by fate as the pilot of Evangelion Unit-01! You are the last thing standing between humanity and oblivion!"

"...I'm what?!" Seriously, what the hell...? These people think I'm some kind of... of chosen one, meant to save the world?!

[...Operative Ikari is what?]

Shinji clenched a fist as his attempted to process everything that had just been put before him. "...I don't know if I can do this," he eventually said. "I mean, I believe what you're saying..." Because I did see that giant monster, and this is too elaborate to be anything but reality, no matter how crazy it is...

Keel sensed the young man's hesitation. "...but it doesn't seem to make much sense to you, does it. You find yourself bombarded with questions, and it's all you can do to try and grasp for some answers."

Shinji grimaced, while the old man grinned. "If you'd like some explanations, you're more than welcome to them. Just so long as you save the world, first."

I've spent thousands of hours training as a spy and an assassin... but a frontline soldier? Using hardware I've never heard of, much less trained with? There's no way I can...

And then Shinji realized. Everyone was looking at him as if he were their only hope.

If nothing else, all of them are sure of it, he thought to himself. If I don't fight, everyone's going to die.

The boy suddenly frowned. So then... why aren't I afraid? In fact... if anything, I feel more... excited?

"...okay, I'll do what I can to try and fight it. But I'd like to hold you to that promise about giving me some answer..."

As Shinji was directed away for launch preparation, Keel smirked. As it was written, so it shall be.


To make up for the shortness of this chapter, have yourself a preview of the next one!


BGM: Neon Genesis Evangelion OST: Next Episode Preview

"Hey there, Nanoha fans, it's your favorite sorta-redheaded cyborg, Wendi Nakajima!"

Ritsuko desperately worked at the main consoles, breaking out in a cold sweat. What the hell's happening here?!

"Takamachi's tragically twisted tyke travels towards trouble at top speed, trembling as he goes toe-to-toe against a towering titan of terror!"

Shinji's eyes widened with shock. No, stop... what the hell are you doing-?!

"And for the first time, our hero shows everyone the fruits of his training in the TSAB's Special Operations division!"

Heart and soul blind with rage, Shinji stopped thinking. "RRAAAAAAAAHHH!"

"Share what you liked or didn't like about the chapter with us, and we'll see if we can't throw in a little fanservice, too~"

NEXT EPISODE: THE COVERING OF GOD