A/N: Okay people here's the deal: i'm gonna be out of my house for almost a week and a half, so make sure you enjoy this chapter. Sorry, but I seriously have to leave for a while. Plus, I pomise to get a chapter ready first thing when I get back.

BTW: WHAT THE HELL DIFFERENCES MEN FROM ANGELS AND BEASTS?

In the Dark of the Night.

"Attention, Assembly Area 3 will start reassembly operations at 0100 hours"

The mechanic voice of the MAGI alert system startles Doctor Ritsuko Akagi, who, in the dark of her own office, has fallen asleep. Slowly, she stands up and walks towards the mentioned Assembly Area. As head of project E, she must supervise the work on all Evas, including those sent to her by Jeyn Lentai.

She walks to the Assembly Area to be greeted by a familiar face, or better said, a familiar Eva: It's Unit 03, reconstructed by the so called "miracle" of Doctor Jeyn Lentai. Truthfully, Lentai had only developed the cells; the rest of the work was up to her. As she was head of Project E, she was the one to manage the final stages of putting the Eva back into operations. Right now, the entry plug was being reconstructed, along with the weapons accommodations and the optical systems: the most detailed parts of the Eva hadn't been reconstructed, as there was a chance that the cells might rebuild those areas incorrectly. Ritsuko laughed a little at the idea of rebuilding the entry plug area: it was of little use, as the entry plug would only be used for the pilot to activate the Unit, but then they would use Judas's interface, the other so called "miracle" of Doctor Lentai.

It's almost stupid to call it a miracle, as when dealing with Evas we have seen all kinds of things, starting with the little "doings" of Unit 01, passing by Unit 00's attempt at killing Ikari, next to Unit 02 being controlled by an Angel and finally Unit 04 and the "little accident" that vanished the Second Branch.

Yep, Evas were pretty complex to deal with. That's why she had asked Ikari to reassign Unit 03 to project E instead of the Unit staying in Lentai's area: Lentai hadn't seen the destruction created by the thirteenth using Unit 03, so she had to make sure everything would be fine with the Unit before connecting it to the MAGI: they didn't want another problem like that with the eleventh…

"Attention, Assembly area 3 has started operations. Estimated time of conclusion: 0900 hours"

She made her way to the Control Room, expecting to find her staff working, but then she noticed the hour: it was 1 in the morning, so everyone would be at home, but instead she found one silent Maya Ibuki working on her terminal.

"Doctor Akagi! I didn't think you would be working today at this hour! Well, Doctor, I have some news for you. Doctor Lentai declared it was safe for me to inform you of her work, so…"

"Relax Maya. She herself told me of her work, so there's no need to bother. But then again I would like your view in the matter"

Maya's face turned darker, as she evidently didn't think good of the project.

"I think it's very risky, considering that Unit 03 was possessed by Bardiel, it might still be dangerous to work with. Also, I was told that the super computer named Judas has experienced… problems, at the time of uploading a pilot's data"

"Problems?"

"Pilot Demian Kazegawa, who was set to be the Eighth Child once Unit 07 was completed in Germany, died during the uploading test, and Project Judas had to be put on standby. It restarted once the Sixth and Seventh Child agreed to go on with their pilots duties."

"So Demian Kazegawa died during the first test on Judas. I assume this Demian was relatives with Dorian"

"As the name and surname suggest, they are brothers"

"The project was halted until the sixth and seventh chose to continue" Of course it was, Demian's death must have altered Kazegawa and Lentai's daughter.

"So Maya, anything else?"

"I would say I'm worried about the presence of the Angel's influence inside the Eva. Plus, to accept the assigned pilot's data and Judas is probably impossible for the Unit."

"But can't Judas recreate the patterns of the originally assigned pilot? It's not like it owns a soul of its own"

"That's why I told you about the accident with the Eighth: Demian Kazegawa died inside of Judas's interface, so there is a chance…"

"Demian Kazegawa's soul is already trapped inside an Evangelion, Unit 06, so, as it is impossible for a soul to dwell on two places at the same time, Judas is safe" The cold, hard voice of Jeyn Lentai interrupted Maya's suggestion as she entered the room.

"Doctor Lentai! I'm sorry if my suggestion is wrong, but I didn't know…"

"Don't apologize girl, apologize when you do something wrong that actually makes a damage. No, Demian's soul isn't trapped inside the computer; it's currently inside Evangelion Unit 06."

"Unit 06? But how would you know?"

"Easy, Dorian talked to him during his capture by the eighteenth"

"Might have been his own mind playing tricks on him"

"I happen to have read the files on the incident with the fourteenth angel Rits, so don't try to hide the fact that Evas own a soul." Ritsuko's face looses all of its color: if Lentai knows the nature of the Evas, who else knew about it?

"So you found out? Guess I can't do anything about it: so, you say Kazegawa's brother inhabits Unit 06. It sounds plausible. According to Shinji's sayings, Yui resides inside Unit 01. Shinji also told me that the one time he piloted Unit 00; he found some of Ayanami's own memories inside the Eva. About Unit 02, I don't really know"

"My guess is on Sohryu's mother, Kyoko Zeppelin Sohryu"

"So, all Evas own a soul. Then please tell me, my dear friend. Whose soul inhabits Unit 03? Judas owns no soul, but on the other matter. I think Unit 03 won't respond to Judas or the pilot, as the Unit probably still owns the soul of the angel or perhaps a part of the pilot's one"

"Considering that the thirteenth angel used the unit without altering the patrons in the Unit's bio-computer, I would say that currently there's no soul inside Unit 03"

"So whoever gets inside that thing first is destined to loose his soul?" Ritsuko made an attempt to bring Lentai to guilt.

"No. As long as we make sure that the pilot only activates the Unit, there's no need for a person to die"

Ritsuko gave her a look that said "It won't work", and walked out of the room, intend in getting some sleep.

"Maya, please make sure the MAGI prepares Unit 03 and its bio-computer for the activation"

"Yes sir"

The door closed, leaving Lentai to freely question Ibuki.

"Now, Lieutenant, I would like to know why you doubt of Judas's efficacy"

"Do you really believe Sohryu's soul inhabits Unit 02, Doctor Lentai?"

"I can give you all guarantees in my power that Kyoko's soul is inside that Eva"

"So, that would mean a part of her soul escaped from the whole she was, and the remains went…somewhere else?"

"Ibuki, I think you are trying to compromise through my own words, so let's just skip that and listen to your thinking"

"I think that, just as Doctor Sohryu's soul divided and went into different places, Demian's might have too."

"You say he might be both in Judas as in Unit 06?"

"Yes"

"Now, Ibuki, I have been very patient with Ritsuko and her little plots against me, but this is enough. For you to just side with her and try to sabotage Project Judas…"

"It's not for sabotage, Doctor!"

"Then, tell me, aren't you afraid of blood? If you are, then you should understand Judas will stop the unnecessary spilling of human blood, so, why ruin the salvation of humans?"

"I…"

No more words came from Ibuki, as she had been cornered: she hated seeing people suffer, or blood being spilled and it was true that Judas would put an end to these troubles, but… what if Judas just spills more blood?

"What if this just makes more people die? What if it doesn't work and more people have to suffer and loose?"

"I can only give you my promise that it won't happen, but my promising it's truly worth nothing: for as much science we apply in this, the nature of the Evas lies in humans, so you can't truly predict what will happen"

"Can we at least make sure we cover all possible disasters?"

"No. I would if the time was enough, but orders say I have to get Eva Unit 03 working today before midnight. I'm sorry Ibuki, but the only one who could stop this is Commander Ikari, and I doubt he would"

"Then what do we do?"

"We work, and make sure we cover as much possible failures as possible. So Ibuki, stop whining and complaining, and get back to work. The more we work on this, the less chance of something going wrong"

Maybe it was her naïve nature, but Lentai chose to comfort Ibuki, against her own cold nature. It hadn't been all-motherly: she had satisfied with a "the faith is in your hands" sort of answer. But it was true: the more possible outcomes they covered, the more chances of working the Eva had.

Misato's Apartment

Hour, 6 in the morning, a figure walks through the house, making the less possible noise. It's Asuka's figure, trying to make her way back to her room after spending the night in Shinji's bed, comforted by the boy's presence. She opens her room's door and enters it, closing it silently as she slides into her bed and simulates being asleep.

Bad thing is, although she didn't make any noise, Japanese doors are very thin, so Misato saw her passing by the hallway, coming from Shinji's room.

Hour, 7 in the morning. Misato, walking to the kitchen, images of beer going through her mind, tries to gain some stability in her walking, as the alcohol already inside of her creates trouble. She is almost there when the phone rings, and she picks up quickly. Asuka and Shinji go to the living room, trying to find out who the hell calls so damn early in the morning.

"Yes... No, you didn't girl, relax… What is it...? Is this about the tap...? Oh, then I think I can help you, yeah, you see, just this morning…" The rest was inaudible as she was too close to the phone and whispered. Shinji and Asuka chose to do their thing and get ready for school. Once Misato finished she sat down on her usual chair and drank her usual beer, and gave her usual happy yell

"Misato, when will you get that coffee is better than beer for breakfast. I mean, every day you sit down here and drink more beer, so why not just wait till noon?"

"Why to do later if I can do now?"

"Never mind"

Giving up, Shinji continued to make the rest of their breakfast, as Asuka sat down in the table and started eating

"So, who called? It's too damn early in the morning"

I happen to know you were already up by then… "It was Cremina, she wanted to know if we had any test of sorts today, and also told me to tell you two that she will be going to school today"

"She's been locked up in that apartment for four days now, just because she's embarrassed about the video tape. I mean, even that English idiot went to school and he was half of the tape"

"Maybe it's about female pride: she wants to tease someone, but not be teased about teasing that someone"

"Or maybe she's just plain afraid of being bothered"

"Perhaps"

They ate the rest of their breakfast and leaved for their respective directions. Misato got out immediately as she remembered she had to at NERV by eight. Asuka and Shinji were still early, so they calmly left for school.

"Good thing we won't be late today idiot"

"Thank God, I was tired of running every morning"

As they got out of the elevator, they saw the figure of Cremina walking towards the school. Asuka made Shinji hurry up so she could bother Cremina all the way to school.

"So, what's up British? Too busy making out with your British idiot like to go to school?"

A grin crossed Cremina's face: it was time to counter attack…

"Funny you mention it, but first, no, I haven't been making out with him, thank you for asking. But the thing is, I was told by someone you were the one making out with your respective idiot this morning, or better said, all night long"

Asuka's face went pale: how the hell did she know? It didn't make any freaking sense.

"Why you…"

She didn't notice Cremina was no longer there, as she had taken advantage of the moment and made a run for school.

"Hey, get back here! What is it with you English people always walking out?"

"It's not walking out; we just leave once we have won!" Cremina's answer came in a yell, but it was a pretty good answer.

Shinji was left alone to wonder for himself.

What did she mean by "making out with your idiot"?

Asuka, on her own side, was pretty aware of the meaning behind her words. But at least, she still had one little comfort.

By using Asuka's words and calling Shinji Asuka's respective idiot, she had implicitly called Dorian hers.

NERV HQ, Control Room

Lentai and Ritsuko, both holding heavy cups with coffee, examine the image in front of them, that of Unit 03. The reconstruction and reassembly have been finished, and now only one thing is left: to get the pilot inside the Unit and activate it, Judas will do the rest. But as they put their intentions clear, doubt attacks them: what if it doesn't work? What if, alongside the Unit, Bardiel came back to life? It would be a catastrophe if such thing happened, but there wasn't much of a choice: it was this or having their jobs taken. Risking humans, once a sacrifice none of the two women would have done, seems irrelevant at the chance of loosing everything they have created: Evangelions and their complements are their creation, and being ripped apart from them would be plain unbearable.

"So, all we have to do is get the Unit activated"

"Sounds tougher in doing than saying"

"Yeah, but it's the only chance: we have to risk a human for us t continue working. I believe myself capable of doing so, but I would have never expected it from you, Jeyn"

Accepting the moment of truth between them, Jeyn decides to give the woman an honest answer.

"Well, I think that, if my goal is always to separate men and Eva, then sacrifices could be made: but not willingly, as it would cruel to kill for my project. I would rather spend years creating safety precautions than create a device which kills people who try it"

"Literally, the cause justifies the means"

"Exactly"

They both continue to watch the screen, both thinking of the poor kid who will pilot the Eva: he might be destined to die, but at least they will have the right to say: we did everything possible to save him.

They both snap out of their thinking as the door slides open, revealing a escort of two guards, and the person they escort: the Fourth Child, Toji Suzuhara.

Lentai sends the two guards back to their positions, as it is her duty to show him around from now on.

School, Lunch Time.

Cremina sits in the roof top eating her lunch as usual. Next to her sits Dorian, another usual fact. But here's something different about the situation: Cremina's face no longer bears her smile, she looks frustrated. And who wouldn't. she has spent half of the day being mocked about Kensuke's video tape, and the other half yelling at those who mock her. Yep, it had been a good day.

"Damn, I thought I would get some mercy for being the new girl around, but no, I'm a person to be mocked, just like anyone else."

"Personally, I think I'm grateful to them" Dorian's comment was greeted by Cremina's hands trying to strangle him.

"Hey, wait! I didn't say that I approve of them, but I mean… maybe it's time for you to stop flirting with me just for the sake of embarrassing me" She let go off his neck, but remained pissed.

"No way! It's too damn funny!"

"Then next time make sure nobody is tapping you!"

She stands up, hands on her hips, and gives him a mean look

"That's it! What side are you on? Mine or theirs!"

He frowns, understanding he won't get out alive of this one. If he says no, she will strangle him, no stops or complains. If he says yes, not only will he sink on the same ships as she, but it would also look like if they were a couple. As he opened his mouth, a reflected ray of light fell on his eye, making him notice something behind the half-closed door of the roof top… a camera?

He walked to the door and opened it, finding Kensuke, Asuka, Shinji and even Hikari!

"What the hell are you doing here!"

"Ummm, just passing by, you know?" No, he didn't.

"OKAY, THAT'S IT, YOU ARE ALL DEAD!" He ran after them, but they had already taken advantage of his fraise and run before him.

"So, perhaps he's on my side. Lucky me" Cremina resumes her lunch, as Dorian will do the work of destroying that tape for her.

NERV HQ. Locker Room

"So, this is your assigned locker, your plug suit and your id card. Don't even think about losing your card, or damaging the suit. Now, let me show you the cockpit"

"I… I have already seen it"

"Some modifications have been done since your test, so I will have to teach you how to use it"

"Ok"

Jeyn Lentai walks towards Unit 03, the assigned pilot and once again Fourth Child, Toji Suzuhara, following behind her. She is wearing her usual face of coldness, but inside of her mind doubts are attacking.

He is pretty much death already, so why risk him and try? It would be better to just postpone the test…

No. It is impossible to delay the test. If I do so, I will be sent out of here. If I'm sent out, then Eva and men will remain together. And if they do…

That was perhaps her darkest nature: to use the cause of avenging her husband to justify everything. It wasn't that avenging him was unimportant, the entire contrary, but sacrifices had to be made for Evas and men to finally be free of one another.

"So, you already know the interior of the cockpit, but the handles are different this time. They own several more buttons: weapon targeting, command interfacing, self ejection…"

"Why would I need to eject myself? Last time you told me I would only have to activate the Unit"

"Yes, but… In case any sort of thing goes wrong, we will be given very few options, and if these ran out, we will have to eject your entry plug. If our command fails due to any sort of interference, you have the capacity to eject the plug yourself."

"So that means the Eva is not entirely… safe?"

"Relax kid; our mechanisms are foolproof this time, there is no chance of you actually having any trouble activating it"

Such a liar I am…

"Ok. Then I guess I should get ready, right?"

"Yes"

Lentai leaves the room, leaving the boy to prepare himself. From now on, it will all depend on him and Ritsuko, for they are the ones who will truly control the Eva.

She enters the Control Room, to find once again the screens covered with the data of the activation test, only this time the energy readings are fewer, and the few noises in the room are only those of tipping, no chat of sorts.

"Evangelion Unit 03 has been deployed in containment cage 4. All systems are said to be ready by the Assembly Area personnel"

The massive figure of the Eva stands in the containment cage in front of them. The platting has changed: although still dark, the shade of blue is undeniably lighter then before. The entry plug is connected with the Eva, and the order to start is given by Ritsuko

"First stage initiation starting, energy need are being supplied."

"Energy deployment is of 60 megawatts, 30 percent of power needs are satisfied, internal batteries are being charged up to 10 percent."

"The Unit's internal systems are receiving the power, all electrical connections are ready"

"Initiate the Second Stage"

"Neural link being initiated."

"Neural functions connected. No feedback is being received"

"Emotional and motion neural links established at 100. Beginning A-10 nerve connection"

"Nerve connected. Second stage has been completed"

"Well…then let's begin with the Third Stage"

"Neural Links are transmitting information the Eva, no response yet. Synchronization process is starting"

"Synchronization process is filling up quickly. Only 10 points till absolute borderline"

"Up to 2700 neural links satisfied"

The kid has already done this, it's merely re-activation, and it's not as hard as the first time.

"Only 3 points until absolute borderline"

"Up to 2900 neural links satisfied"

"Only two points, one point five, one point one, point nine, point five, point three, point one, absolute borderline!"

The room falls into silence, the marker dancing around the borderline for a while. Bu truthfully, no worries run into Ritsuko's mind.

What's important is what is to come

The marker jumps suddenly, sending the room into a common cheer.

"Absolute Borderline cleared!"

"No need to cheer, it was pretty obvious"

"Of course we should cheer, Doctor Lentai, any achievement should be recognized, given the capacity of humans to ruin everything" Gendo Ikari's voice sends everyone in the room into a deep thinking: it wasn't that they didn't have a reason to cheer, but he just had to put it that way?

"Commander Ikari… didn't know you would be here for the activation" Fuck, I thought he would have something better to do than interrupting me…

"Any important activity should be overseen by one of the Commanders, so I don't see the surprise. Doctor Lentai, could you please tell me how are the repairs on Unit 06?"

"Unit 06? Commander, the current tests are…"

"Refrain from doubting of me and answer the question, Doctor."

"Unit 06's repairs are currently halted, as the main effort had to be redirected towards Unit 03"

"So, when can we expect to get Unit 06 back into work?"

"I would say about a week, but as we now have the cells from Project Restoration, I would say it would only take about three days with some effort"

"So, what about pilot Kazegawa?"

"His injuries already have healed I think, so tomorrow he will have the bandages removed"

"Okay. Doctor Akagi, prepare a training session right away. Doctor Lentai, get Unit 06 into repairing immediately, and activate in four days, no more"

Apparently, their work would never stop. They would always be fighting against the time, undergoing personal privation and testing unsafe devices. It was only a matter of time before another project appeared from God-knows-where and they would have to work on it.

"Yes sir"

"Immediately sir"

"Now, Doctor Akagi, get me in contact with the pilot"

"Yes sir"

The screen opened a new window, this time revealing the interior of the entry plug, and the pilot inside it.

"Pilot Suzuhara, I understand your deal with Doctor Lentai was set for only the activation of Unit 03, correct?"

"Ye…yes sir"

"So, then, I have an offering for you. As the especial plug system for Unit 03 won't be deployed until a week from now, and Evangelion Unit 06 is currently out of service, I would like to offer you a chance at actual piloting, considering our current situation"

Gendo Ikari showing off NERV's current state to a kid? What the hell was going on? Ikari was suddenly interested in the kid, as he was concerned about NERV's security, but to actually let him know of their situation without him even being a regular member?

"I know it may seem like a big task, but it's in the name of NERV's and the country's interests" What Suzuhara didn't know was that, in Gendo's mind, there was no other interest besides his, so the truth was he was needed for Gendo's plans.

It's all the better for my scenario, if any of the pilots is killed, and Judas fails, he will be our last safeguard.

"I... I don't know what to say, sir"

"Personally, I must say that I expected to immediately say yes, but I guess you have your reasons to hold back. I guess I could offer you more little aids like that of Doctor Lentai, but I think you don't need them anymore. No, what I offer you, personally assure you, is the satisfaction to know that those who left you in your current state will not only find you in your best possible state, but also that they will pay for doing such a thing to you"

Toji goes silent, his mind processing the words of Ikari. Lentai had told him Ikari was interested in acquiring more permanent pilots, so what was he supposed to do? Say yes? Say no? But… he had promised him not only his limbs back, but also the satisfaction of knowing the Angels would be destroyed: he would be on of the pilots assigned to destroy them. Just like Sohryu or Kazegawa, he would receive the praises for a good work, and the pleasure of knowing he got his revenge.

"All right, Mister Ikari, I accept"

A smile of unknown nature crosses Ikari's face. Everyone in the Control Room looks at the kid with one single look: "you don't know what you are getting into"

Their looks couldn't be any righter.

About a week later. NERV HQ, Room housing the MAGI's (Don't know the name of it)

Despite the current hour (about midnight), a sound of construction can be heard, a massive noise of something being installed. The room is strangely noisy, as that sort of noise hasn't been heard for years: since the installation of all three MAGI's in the room. The noise is a notice of what is to come: it's the noise of the arrival of the last part of Lentai's plan: Judas. The super computer has joined the other three MAGI's, now forming part of their mutualism. But Judas posses a different nature: Judas is a computer designed for one, single purpose: combat. Within him lay massive amounts of combat information, from the days Genghis Khan to the Post-Second Impact wars, but the most valuable part of it lies in the computer's most recent knowledge: it is the data of the battles with the Angels, one by one, all of them have been recorded, analyzed, and criticized by Judas. It is the knowledge of Evas, of the Eva's capabilities, tactics and limitations. Literally Judas owns only one purpose: to be the perfect remote control for an Evangelion.

"Installation of Super Computer Judas has finished, all connections with the MAGI have been established."

Judas now owns an icon next to the other three MAGIs, connected to work with them. His work is suggestions: he will be the one to suggest useful battle moves for the control of an Eva, and the other MAGIs will analyze and decide: they are the perfect control.

"Test with Judas's connection will start in 1 minute"

"Damn, Rits, it would seem we have been stuck down here for years now."

"Don't know why you are complaining Jeyn. You are the one who proposed all of this projects, so now be a scientist and deal with them" Ritsuko was not in the mood for useless complaining

"Oh, come on! You know I didn't expect us to be locked down here for weeks."

"You didn't even expect to have to work with me, so why should I think you were thinking in "us"?"

"Ummm, because you are my friend?"

"No. You and I ended that relationship long time ago. Don't even try to make up everything now"

"All right"

They enter their common work place the Control Room, and start the last part of their work: getting Judas working. If they managed, Eva and men could officially operate without the other one. If they didn't, the stakes were the same as always: loosing everything they had worked for.

"Test will start in 10 seconds"

Damn countdown

"Nine seconds"

If anything, Judas would be the answer to all of their troubles.

"Eight seconds"

But what about Kazegawa?

"Seven Seconds"

What about Demian?

"Six Seconds"

Could Ibuki be right?

"Five"

Could Demian interfere with the process?

"Four "

Could those who were already gone alter the world of the living?

"Three"

Apparently, the proofs of it were already there, and so were the counter proofs. So who had the answer?

"Two"

Yui Ikari, Rei I, Kyoko Sohryu, Demian Kazegawa and perhaps many others to come had the answer.

"One"

Yes.

"Test on Evangelion Unit 03 will start. Judas's especial Entry Plug is being inserted in Unit 03"

"Entry Plug entered"

"Okay. Start from the second phase" Lentai was the one in command this time: Judas was her creation.

"Second has automatically completed. Judas has uploaded all of it's data in the Unit's bio-computer, all of the computer's neural links are ready to start operating"

"No feedback is being received"

"Judas is self-initiating the Third Stage!"

"No worries, he is programmed to do so"

"Judas has already reached the absolute borderline!"

No doubts dwelled in Lentai's mind, as she knew that Judas was her own creation, so it wouldn't fail… it could not fail. Her own daughter was watching the test; she couldn't allow anything to go wrong. The other pilots (currently: Rei, Asuka, Shinji and Demian) were also watching. So there was no margin to fail: it had to work.

"Absolute Borderline cleared! Judas is synchronizing with Unit 03!"

"Great. My friends, we have officially made an Eva work without a pilot." Lentai's voice showed clear relief.

"Doctor Lentai, get Unit 03 up into the test area. I want to see what this computer is capable of" Ikari's voice made her chill. Not that her own voice didn't, but it was her own voice, come on…

"Get unit 03 up there, now!" The tipping is massive, but the Unit slowly slices towards the launching area, ad leaves the HQ. It's now time to see Judas's own capability.

"Unit 03 has reached destination. Holographic targets are being deployed. A modified rifle will be sent for the shooting test. Judas is activating Shooting protocol number 003."

"Shooting protocol established, visual scan connected to the computer. Shooting will begin once the targets appear"

An image appeared out of nowhere, clearly resembling the Third Angel: Sachiel. In a fraction of a second, Unit 03 moved the rifle, aimed and shot the target. The MAGI analyzed the accuracy: 95.89 percent of shots damaged critical parts of the Angel.

"Damn, that thing is a real killer. Makes it easy to believe you invented it, Jeyn"

"Stop joking and start the next test, Rits"

A new image appeared: that of the eighteenth angel, and immediately attacked Unit 03. Although it was a hologram, the Unit counter attacked, taking only a few seconds to eradicate the Angel.

"So, Doctor Lentai, I would say you have created a real pilot. Looks like all that time inside the Geofront has finally rendered" Fuyutski's praises were definitely worth listening for Jeyn

"I think so, professor." Lentai leaned back into the control console, tipping something with her back. She didn't notice it was the intercom: they were now in direct communication with Judas.

"So this is the almighty creation of Jeyn Lentai, a computer capable of piloting"

GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!

The sound of a roar could be heard all over Tokyo-3 and deep inside the Geofront. The origin: Unit 03. The Unit's eyes suddenly sprung into life, and the mouth opened to allow another unholy roar terrorize the city. In the darkness that covered Tokyo-3, the shinning red eyes of Unit 03 could be seen miles away, filled with anger.

"Get a reading on the Unit's state!"

"Judas's connection is currently up. No signs of other signals or contamination. Wait! I have readings of contamination, it's coming from… Judas!"

"Judas is contaminating Unit 03!"

"WHAT! That's impossible!" Lentai's voice was filled with disbelief: Judas contaminating Unit 03? No computer could imprint itself inside an Eva, only humans.

"Demian's soul might be inside Judas and Unit 06"

Ibuki was right. Demian was the human contaminating Unit 03 through Judas.

"Unit 03 is moving towards the transporting tunnel! It's trying to enter it!"

"Close all enter methods to the Geofront! Get Units 00, 01 and 06 up there! Cut Unit's 03 power supply! Now!" Gendo's commands can be heard over the sounds of terror. All entrances to the Geofront are closed, massive steel platting covering them, and the sound of a cable being ejected can be heard from Unit 03, it's lost its power source, leaving it with five minutes of power.

But another noise can be heard before the pilots are sent up the elevators.

Unit 03 makes a massive jump from the ground, joins both of its fists, and crashes against the ground, a massive pulse breaking through the armored platting beneath it.

"Armor Plates 1 through 7 have been destroyed! The shock wave has damaged power generators 1 through 5! The Geofront has been left with only 15 percent of its power needs! Unit 03 is trying to reach the Geofront!" Hyuga's voice is filled with terror as he realizes the immense power on the Eva.

"The elevators aren't working! Unit 00 has been stopped in the way!"

"What about Units 01 and 06?"

"They have reached destination! Four minutes, twenty seconds of power remaining on Unit 03!"

"Send a rifle up there!"

"Unadvisable, Unit 03 is too close by!" Misato took control of the situation: she had to stop Unit 03 from reaching the Geofront

"Shinji, Dorian! You have to contain the Unit from reaching the Geofront! There is no pilot inside it! Do any damage you must, but stop it!"

Shinji opens a communication window, speaking directly to Dorian

"You ready?"

"Loosing on purpose isn't my thing, but… well, if it's for us pilots"

"Relax, knowing Asuka, she blow that thing before we even know it"

"Ok"

"Plus, It's too dark out here. I can barely see the damn thing"

Both Evas make their way towards the berserk Unit, currently on the task of crashing the armor platting. The shine of its eyes seem like those of a terrible beast, as the night has fallen over the city.

"Unit 03 has destroyed armor platting 1 through 13! One minute until all armor is destroyed!"

"Shinji, Dorian, stop it!"

Both Evas reach their target, positioning themselves in both sides of Unit 03

"NOW!"

Units 01 and 06 launch themselves to attack. As they near Unit 03, the Unit uses the full extent of its arms, grabbing each Eva by the head

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" the Unit gives another unholy roar and crashes the head of both Evas against each other.

"SHINJI! DORIAN!"

The massacre doesn't stop: Unit 03 continues to use of all its strength crashing the Evas against one another. It is a terrible spectacle: a demon of the night destroying both Evas.

"Shinji, how much of this do we have to take!" Dorian's voice was filled with pain as he talked directly to Shinji

"Just hold on! We have to get that thing down there!" Shinji's plan was a real madness.

Unit 03 stops it's attacks suddenly and takes out its prog knife, sinking in one blow inside Unit 01, and throwing Unit 06 far away.

"SHINJI! DEFEND YOURSELF GOD DAMN IT!"

But Shinji didn't, Unit 03 stabbed Unit 01 over and over, until it reached its goal: readings inside Unit 03 declared the pilot on Unit 01 was unconscious.

"SCREW YOU!" Unit 06, in a miraculous massive jump, stabs Unit 03 in the back, sinking the prog knife deep inside the Unit. Unit 03 seems defeated, but another shine of its eyes declares the contrary

"GRAAAAAAAARGH!" the Unit counter attacks, turning on its heels and facing Unit 06.

What happens next seems surreal.

In one perfect move, lasting no more than a second, Unit 03 out turns Unit 06, positions itself behind Unit 06, in one single, clean blow, it sinks it's hand inside the back of the Unit, retrieving the Entry plug. Unit 03 leaves the Plug carefully in the ground before continuing. Blood emanates form the wound in Unit 06, shinning with the light coming from the moon.

"What the hell? It just eviscerated Unit 01 but allowed Unit 06 to go in peace!"

Misato's questions were quickly answered by the woman who originated the disaster.

"Judas… Judas has been possessed. By Dorian's own brother, Demian. It's easy to understand Demian wouldn't hurt his own brother" Jeyn Lentai was looking towards the screen, her face of pure concern: Why would Unit 03 try to access the Geofront? It wasn't an Angel, so why?

"Unit 03 has destroyed all armored platting! The Geofront has been exposed!"

"Judas is requesting information from the MAGIs!"

"What sort of info?"

"Design and structure of the Geofront!"

It's looking for something down here

Unit 03 stopped once it reached the ground, causing a severe earthquake underneath it. The Eva looked around, looking for something. Once its eyes fell on the pyramid known as Central Dogma, it moved, intend on attacking. In the darkness of the Geofront, it was like a beast trying to attack them.

"Unauthorized launch inside the Geofront! Unit 02 is launching on its own!"

"Asuka! You have to stop Unit 03 from reaching the pyramid!"

"I already know Misato!"

"THEN DO IT!"

Unit 02 appeared through the ground of the Geofront, took out its prog knife and attacked Unit 03. Using its massive strength, Unit gave a single punch to the attacking Unit. Unit Two dodged it and used the prog knife against the Unit's torso, sending into deep pain

"Unit 03 has 20 seconds of remaining power!"

"Asuka, attack the Units Entry Plug, neutralize Judas!" Misato's order was carried right away

"You bet Misato!" In one single move, Asuka removed her knife from the torso and stabbed the back of the Unit, intend on reaching the Entry Plug.

"Unit 03, synch ratio has dropped to 18 percent, no longer functional!"

"Asuka, you did it!"

"What else did you expect?"

Suddenly, another inhuman roar crossed the Geofront, and Unit 03 sprung back to life. In one single run, it attacked Central Dogma, penetrating it and accessing the containment cage in front of the Control Room.

"ASUKA, STOP THAT THING!"

Unit Two made another run towards the pyramid, capturing the berserk Eva with her own arms.

"FILL THE ROOM WITH BAKELITE, SEAL IT!"

After some furious tipping, the bakelite started filling the room. The room was filled up to Unit 03 chest when Unit Two liberated the Unit from its attack. In one last, desperate movement, Unit 03 removed its arm from the bakelite and threw a massive punch towards the Control Room. But it didn't attack the whole room, it evidently had a target.

The intended target could be easily recognized as the side where Lentai was standing.

One last reading entered the screen that of an AT field being deployed. It was Unit 03's AT field. A quick analyze revealed some interesting news.

The field's waveform patter owned a 92.5 percent of similarity with that of Unit 06, or better said that of Dorian Kazegawa.

The massive holes made by Unit 03 allow a shine of moonlight to cross the Geofront and enter Central Dogma. The light of the moon shows the disaster made by Judas.

Gendo's Office, NERV HQ.

"Doctor Lentai, do you understand the massive implications of this?"

"Yes, sir"

"No, I happen to believe you don't. This implicates sending massive sums of money only to reconstruction. Not only that, but Judas has proved to be a total failure"

"I may not understand the monetary implications of this. But I can offer you some relief: Evangelion Units damaged during the attack can be repaired using the cells from the restoration, and Judas is still in conditions to be used"

"You are telling me you found how to take away personalities?"

"Exactly. Inside of Judas, a pilot's personality is merely numbers in spaces that were previously empty, so all we have to do is isolate those numbers and separate them from the main code"

"Literally, extirpate Demian Kazegawa out of Judas"

"Yes sir"

"Doctor Lentai, this is your first error here in NERV, but you will get one more chance. No more errors, no more mistakes, no more delays. And also, about your intentions on getting another Eva for Judas, I would prefer if you would please prove me that Judas actually works before asking for more" Gendo's threat made itself pretty clear.

"Yes sir"

"Doctor Akagi, any other explanation on the incident?"

"No sir. The only plausible explaining lies in the infection from Kazegawa's soul. There is no other answer"

"Where, may I ask, lays the kid's soul right now?"

Lentai took out a little disk from her pocket

"Here"

"So you already isolated the numbers?"

"I thought it would be better to start cleaning Judas immediately"

"Perfect. Doctor Lentai, you must clean Judas from any possible infection and get it ready to work. Doctor Akagi, I will need all Evas operational as soon as possible. You have six days."

Once again, Ikari was pushing science into a rush.

"Yes sir" The answer was simultaneous.

Both women left the room, this time in different conditions. Lentai was once again filled with determination and Ritsuko with a massive smile.

"You must be very happy it didn't work"

"Not happy, just content. Plus, you knew it would probably fail."

"Yes, but I thought I would get lucky like last two times"

"Guess you can't rely on luck"

Infirmary

Shinji and Dorian sat in different beds in the same room, accompanied by Misato. Their wounds weren't anything really important, just a few bruises here and there. But they knew that, truthfully, they had won: Shinji's plan had worked, Asuka ha effectively stopped Unit 03, regaining her position as a pilot. Plus, Lentai's little toy had failed, so the more reason to smile.

"Guess I'm not the only glad that thing didn't work, hu?"

Ritsuko entered the room, her face with the same smile.

"Definitively"

"I must say, it was quite a spectacle seeing you two lose on purpose: very funny"

Both kids blushed at the mention, it wasn't loosing; it was part of a tactic!

"It was all planned"

"I know, but it's still funny"

"Doctor Akagi?"

"Yes Dorian?"

"Why… why Unit 03 only got me out of the Eva? It doesn't make sense, I was the Unit's enemy, and it should have destroyed me"

"I think the logical answer is: it didn't recognize you as an enemy"

"Sure, but why?"

Ritsuko knew the answer, but chose to remain quiet.

"I don't know"

Once she bandaged both kids, Ritsuko left the room, with one last saying.

"Perhaps Doctor Lentai knows about it, after all, she designed Judas"

Oh, Doctor Lentai definitively knew about it, but asking her was out of question…

Misato's Apartment

Shinji is sprawled over his bed, with his respective wounds bandaged, as he thinks about his plan: it worked out perfectly; Ritsuko said his father had put Lentai on a deadline, and Asuka had the chance to show off her skills, everything was just plain fine. A few little arrangements here and there and they would be safe again. Plus, he might even get Lentai out of NERV.

"Shinji, can I come in?" Asuka's voice could be heard behind the door. Shinji only nodded, and the door opened to reveal the girl. Her face carried a smile Shinji barely knew: it was a sort of….gratitude.

"What is it?"

"I… I was thinking that perhaps, you plan wasn't as stupid as I thought it would be, seeing that it actually worked, so I thought it would be good if I…

"…"

"If I…"

"Asuka, are you trying to thank me?" Shinji allowed a soft laugh to escape his mouth.

"Well, I thought that if you did something good for me it would be logical that I thanked you for that. I'm merely doing what I must do, it's not like I truly mean it"

Shinji doesn't let her façade fool him: she is glad, content, hell, perhaps even happy. And he is the cause of it. He allows a huge grin cross his face, enjoying knowing he has done something good for her.

"I mean, if you actually got that English idiot to fake being defeated just for me to crush Unit 03, I guess you must have done a good work"

"Well, thank you for recognizing it at least"

The y both stand there, each with a smile: it is an unusual moment of truce and peace between them. Seeing her chance, Asuka nears Shinji, sitting on his bed, and slowly brings her face close to his. In a second, Shinji closes the distance between, their lips making contact.

It is a short, brief moment their lips play with each other, enjoying the kiss. It last only a few seconds, as Asuka breaks the kiss.

"That's for helping me out idiot"

She leaves the room, clearly cheerful, having left Shinji to wonder about what happened.

Perhaps romantic teasing is funnier than yelling at him. I think I understand Cremina little better now.

Yep, Shinji is left in more wonder than ever in his life.

Apartment 702, Misato's Building.

Jeyn Lentai sprawls over the bed of her room, her mind deeply troubled, Getting Judas to work is something she can do in a couple of hours, but making sure that Demian won't interfere any longer is the hard part. How do you get rid of a soul and make sure you have? It would be her own personal sacrifice to make sure that Demian rested only in Unit 06.

Outside of her room, a sacrifice of another nature is happening. Dorian stands outside the room, gathering courage to open the door. He is giving up his own pride here: asking Lentai for answers. But if he wants the truth, she is probably the only one who can give it to him.

Lentai hears a soft, almost inaudible knock in her door. She calls out to enter, whoever it is

"Mrs. Lentai"

"Dorian? What is it? Why up so late?"

"I... was having some doubts, and I need you to answer them"

"Doubts? Well, I guess I can help you"

"I need to know…what happened with my brother's soul"

Lentai goes silent at the kid's request: somehow, he has made the exact questions se doesn't want to answer him. But something else crosses her mind before saying no, a thought that isn't common on her.

You have done too much to him; it's your duty to tell him.

She silently analyzes the thought: she has done too much to the kid, yes, but telling him might hurt him even more.

The truth hurts, but it is always welcomed.

She gives in to her thought.

"About Demian's soul… well, I think currently it inhabits two specific places: one, inside Unit 06, which explains why you were able to talk to him during your capture, but it seems to also dwell inside of Judas, as he died while piloting through Judas's system"

"So… he used Unit 03 to access the Geofront?"

"Exactly. I have understood that in this case Judas acted independently and ordered Unit 03 to attack the Geofront. In another interesting note: I found that the Unit went out of control once it heard my name through the intercom, so probably it was trying to kill me"

"Which would explain why it punched the Control Room?"

"Yes. Dorian, I'm sure that Demian's soul used Unit 03 and tried to kill me"

"So… he is sort of alive?"

"Don't get your hopes up: it is only in especial cases that a pilot talks to the resident soul of an Eva. Also, Judas seems to automatically hide the personality of Demian when it's not controlling an Eva"

"So.. what are you going to do with Demian's soul?"

"I have already isolated his soul: inside of Judas his soul is represented as a combination of numbers that introduced themselves into the computer. So now I plan to upload all of that data into Unit 06. Only if it's okay with you, though."

"…Yes, go ahead"

"I guess that would be it"

Dorian walks out of the room, intend on reaching his room. Jeyn's voice catches halfway there.

"Kid, I wanted to tell you I'm sorry for what I told you when I asked you to back off."

"I can forgive you for that, Mrs. Lentai. But I can't forgive for Demian's death"

"Kid, we have already talked about his. He knew the risks, and he still offered. There was a chance of something going wrong, and it did so. I'm deeply sorry, but I won't allow you to call it my fault"

"It's not about if I think you are guilty anymore, Mrs. Lentai. It's about what Demian thinks. He is the one who died, but even id death he clearly blames you"

"How can you say that!"

"Unit 03 didn't just choose to you randomly when it attacked the Control Room; it was looking for you since the beginning. You even told me so: you think Demian was trying to kill you"

"I…"

"I'm sorry Mrs. Lentai, but he is my brother. If he thinks you are guilty, I have to stand on his side. Perhaps, eventually, I could forgive you, but not now"

Lentai goes silent at the statement: Demian tried to kill her, which means he thinks she killed him in the first place, so now he was trying to get revenge. And now, Dorian had to stand in his brother's side. It was plain logical.

What is not plain logical is that I still have to deal with the troubles made by a dead person.

It can't be denied, the dark of the night makes people change. Some show their true feelings, others reveal their own truths, and others show their own thinking.

But the dark of the night undeniably changes people.

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Sorry for having to cut the story for a week and a half, but this trip is pretty damn important to me. Plus, I will get a ton of chapters done if I have a week and a half to think of what to write.

BTW: Does anyone want Lentai dead? I seriously intend to kill her in the end much like Ritsuko in EoE, but you guys think I should?