Aozaki Aoko [636-637] (Patreon)

Chapter 636: Unit-05 Enhancement Plan

While Aoko was working up a storm at NERV HQ, both Touko and Asuka were likewise busy at the Bethany Base and the French Branch, respectively.

There was tons of work at Bethany. With Touko included, the staff were extremely busy, leaving no chance for the kind of ridiculous drama seen at NERV HQ—like a chief scientist committing suicide over a love affair.

A batch of new goods had arrived recently: the ADAMS base bodies Aoko and Touko had long been waiting for.

They were called base bodies, but in Touko's eyes these things were already dead. They wouldn't rot, but most of their electrochemical activity had already ceased; otherwise you wouldn't have those four black crosses at the South Pole.

"We only got assigned a single ADAMS at this base?" Touko glanced at the three-eyed white giant and quietly asked the base director.

"Getting even this one is already thanks to our excellent efficiency, Dr. Aozaki," the director replied, looking with surprise at Bethany's decorated scientist. "You should know the other three ADAMS are still dumped in Antarctica. The one we have is the very first!"

"Alright, I was just asking." Touko shrugged. "So what projects are we running on this ADAMS?"

"Two topics from upstairs for now," the director said, tossing two paper folders down in front of the assembled researchers. "This one… and this one."

Touko looked down and saw the first folder was labeled "Projekt Nebuchadnezzar," while the second read "Projekt Opfer."

"What's this…?" Touko hesitated slightly, then opened the first folder to find it filled with religiously tinged language and a great deal of metaphysical biology.

Meanwhile, the colleagues flipping through the second folder froze, seemingly not quite understanding what they were seeing.

"Opfer-type… are you telling me a thing that's nothing but a core can still count as an EVA?" one researcher muttered.

"This is nothing like our Unit-05 at all!" another researcher griped. "Can we really manufacture this so-called 'Opfer-type'? Haven't all core-replication attempts failed so far?"

As for Unit-05's situation, SEELE's instruction at present was: "As long as it can be used within Bethany Base to ensure the 'safety' of the Third Angel."

Which meant there were no adequate resources for Unit-05; even the budget was meager. The director racked his brain and finally got a portion of technical support from a "JA Project" via a contact in the French Branch, barely piecing together a construction plan.

Touko neither endorsed nor opposed that, but she firmly opposed installing a self-destruct module on Unit-05. She suggested reallocating part of the Third Angel's research funds into JA equipment for Unit-05 to ensure overall security at Bethany.

In the original budget, Unit-05 would have all-terrain rollers mounted on its lower body and two pantographs on its back for power—basically looking like a streetcar with two arms and a head.

But such a shabby look was clearly not what Touko and Aoko wanted. So, in her proposal, rather than pouring more resources into the Third Angel with no visible return, better to feed Unit-05.

Use extensive mechanical components to complete Unit-05's missing humanoid limbs, and outfit it with an internal N2 reactor for power. That way the Styx system becomes safer, and our Bethany Branch gains more clout within the Organization. Isn't that a win-win?

The higher-ups exchanged glances after hearing Touko, then all looked to the branch director, signaling a series of "you know what I mean" hints that made the director's Mediterranean hairline creep back another millimeter.

"As for Dr. Touko Aozaki's proposal, we'll put it to a vote at the end-of-month review," the director said stiffly. "But let me remind you: the Third Angel project is under top-level scrutiny. If you unilaterally reduce its resource allocation and something goes wrong…"

"We're not saying we won't study the Third Angel," Touko reassured him. "It's just that everyone here is very doubtful we can continue containing it safely. If anything goes wrong, that original Unit-05 won't be able to bail us out…"

The director gritted his teeth and didn't refute her. Everyone present understood: even the Bethany director didn't want to stake his personal safety on SEELE's orders. A month's budget is that little, and they can't go out freely—why risk their lives?

This near-neutral statement effectively meant he was leaning toward Touko's proposal. The rest could be left to democratic procedure. SEELE wouldn't fire them all… right?

——— Split line ———

Lately, Asuka felt her physical condition surging abnormally—her thinking and reaction speed faster, her energy greater.

It came out of nowhere, so she went to Land of Sapphire Flowers to ask Aoko.

Aoko brought Asuka to her workshop and ran a full-body check. Conclusion: Asuka's soul was gradually strengthening.

There was only one possible reason: the Shikinami Series Battle Royale plan had begun.

Hearing this, Asuka felt awful. She knew those other Asukas were part of herself, but the thought of innocent children being eliminated for underperforming made her skin crawl.

What if she hadn't met Aoko? Would she have ended up like those Shikinami Series rejects—chopped up like rotten meat and washed down some laboratory drain?

"Don't overthink it," Aoko said, ruffling Asuka's pleasantly soft head. "Just remember: to us, you are the one and only Asuka. What happened to your sisters isn't your fault."

"But…" Asuka bit her lip, still torn.

"Then let me ask you," Aoko's expression cooled a bit as she posed the question. "If you found your sisters, what would you do?"

Asuka froze. She hadn't thought that far ahead.

"When it comes to this, we leave evil deeds to evil people," Aoko said. "What we do is erase the evil people at the right moment."

Chapter 637: Undercurrents Stirring

"Fuyutsuki, what do you think about the new AI we've rolled out across HQ recently—'DeepThought'?"

Gendo, now sporting mutton chops and tea-colored glasses, asked in a voice devoid of extra emotion.

"Its performance is extremely strong," Fuyutsuki assessed objectively. "It's permeated every aspect of NERV's work. Aside from tasks requiring absolute secrecy, it can assist our staff with essentially anything."

"It… seems to be constantly evolving," Gendo said. "Based on Aoko Aozaki's deep neural network tech, the MAGI system's performance has been further unleashed. Maybe one day NERV won't need so many people working here."

"Humanity abusing its own Fruit of Wisdom, hm…" Fuyutsuki sighed. "But that's assuming we live to see the day. In our current situation, can we really afford the risks of this near-self-organizing, self-adaptive, self-aware, self-programming—4S class AI?"

"At least for now it's under our control and advancing our cause. That's enough," Gendo replied. "Until we defeat all the Angels, we'll use every power at our disposal. Otherwise, humanity has no future."

"Dr. Aozaki truly is a prodigy…" Fuyutsuki remarked. "I thought Dr. Naoko's MAGI was the temporary pinnacle of AI, but someone managed to push it further from another direction and create what is now 'the true DeepThought.'"

"Different directions, but both sisters are formidable researchers," Gendo said. "SEELE's elders recently provided extra funding to Bethany, approving their Unit-05 build proposal. Meanwhile, the Third Angel's core research is progressing rapidly. Behind all this is the other Aozaki—Touko Aozaki."

"…You're worried the Aozaki sisters are backed by SEELE?" Fuyutsuki asked. "That is, admittedly, hard to pin down."

"It doesn't matter," Gendo said expressionlessly. "We don't know Touko Aozaki's true motives, but Dr. Aoko has moved to Tokyo-3. I don't think Aoko will act against NERV. As long as she keeps working diligently, it's fine. With DeepThought assisting, Unit-00 and Unit-01 build schedules have improved by nearly 40%—definitely good for our plans."

"Family, huh…" Fuyutsuki froze for a moment, then sighed. "A distant concept, for me…"

Gendo didn't respond, though a fleeting memory surfaced of the son he'd sent to country relatives. It lasted only an instant before he forced his attention back to the Unit-01 build progress report on his desk.

——— Split line ———

With Asuka's rise—or rather return to rightful form—SEELE ordered her out of that small simulated habitat to begin participating in Unit-02 testing, which had been transferred from the German Branch to continue at the French Branch.

Unlike staff under Aoko's magical influence, the French Branch personnel treated Asuka coldly, always scrutinizing her as if she weren't human but a repeatedly tuned machine.

Asuka didn't mind; Aoko had warned her. Those who had arbitrarily taken Asuka Shikinami Langley apart and then arbitrarily pieced her back together would never be as warm as people brainwashed by Aoko.

It was nauseating to behold, but at least it was honest. Asuka stayed calm, without emotional turbulence.

As Shikinami Series No. 2, Asuka crushed every synchronization test. Knowing the truth, whenever she entered the Entry Plug of Unit-02, she could sense her mother's love.

She didn't know how her mother's soul had been implanted into Unit-02, and even someone seemingly omniscient like Aoko didn't know. But Asuka had long decided: when the time is right, she will rescue her mother. Until then she will fight alongside Unit-02—and the mother within it.

["Shikinami Asuka Langley, designation: type-002,"] the cold electronic voice announced. ["Sync rate 79.23%. Series ranking: first place."]

"Number Two's performance is outstanding," said a Paris Branch executive to another. "Did someone run any special adjustments on her?"

"No," the other executive said after checking her file. "The cultivation process was exactly per plan; only the cultivation site changed from Berlin to Paris."

"Hmph, those Germans are unreliable," the first executive sneered. "Even with a pilot bearing their own bloodline, only the one raised here outperforms!"

"Looks like the final candidate for Unit-02's pilot is decided," the second executive said, watching Asuka maintain synchronization in the plug. "In any case, that's an exceptionally high sync number."

"Indeed," the first executive conceded. "But given the prototype of the Shikinami Series had records of emotional instability under extreme conditions, we'll need to wait a bit longer."

"Fourteen, hm?" the second said slowly. "You can't rush the best-qualified pilots. HQ's case is the negative example."

"Hmph, the impatient Japanese!" the first executive said with a frown. "That Ayanami Series No. 1 was actually killed by their own chief science officer over a romantic spat—what is this, a soap opera?"

"Still, it's an opportunity," the second perked up. "Let the Committee see our results. Maybe one day we can replace that Gendo!"

"Let's hope," the first sighed. "By the way, the JA Project team's results were sent to Bethany. Is there some extra plan for Unit-05 over there?"

"Impossible!" the second denied flatly. "Unit-05's duty is guarding the Styx. That's entirely different from Unit-02. Until the Third Angel project is complete, it won't be sent outside. If anything, we're happy they've taken on JA-series equipment. There aren't many patsies in this business anymore."