Aozaki Aoko [674-675] (Patreon)

Chapter 674: Shooting the Sun

"We can't pin our hopes on 'other people,' Misato," Ritsuko reminded her.

As NERV HQ's operations commander, Misato Katsuragi's final decision was to have Unit-00 and Unit-01 spread out to cover as much area as possible. If either Unit-05's aerial engagement or Unit-02's sniping failed, Unit-00 and Unit-01 were to use their AT Fields to forcibly catch the falling Angel and prevent a direct impact on HQ's surface.

In truth, this plan was rather unreliable—especially since the two EVAs from the European branches weren't following HQ's orders.

After learning HQ's battle plan, the French Branch and Bethany Base simply replied: Understood. We'll act according to our own plan.

They showed zero intention of active cooperation. Even HQ staff themselves weren't keen on Misato's "catch it with our hands" approach.

Ritsuko Akagi openly opposed it, harshly condemning Misato's plan and accusing her of acting out of personal grudges.

But since Misato currently held supreme operational authority at HQ, Ritsuko's objections wouldn't stop the plan from proceeding.

"Think this through, Misato," Ritsuko said gravely. "'DeepThought' calculates only a 0.01% chance of success. This is a suicide mission. It seems we can only pin our hopes of survival on the European branches' operation."

Misato didn't answer Ritsuko's challenge. In truth, she wasn't all that confident herself. But the resources at hand left her feeling painfully constrained. If those two European units would obey her direction, the plan's success rate would be much higher. Reality, however, rarely bends to one's will.

From the shadows, Aoko watched the old friends quarrel and quietly chuckled. In the original timeline, catching the Eighth Angel barehanded was almost entirely thanks to Unit-01's uniquely powerful AT Field.

Compared to other Angels, the Eighth inflicted damage on Unit-01 comparable to the Tenth Angel, the Angel of Strength. The eventual victory was basically a lucky fluke. If they'd missed the catch, or if Unit-00 or Unit-02 had been the first to make contact, it would have been game over.

Still, she wouldn't fault Misato. Misato had done everything possible within her power. Daring to stake your life beats running away or lying down to wait for death, doesn't it?

Even attempting a retreat—having Unit-00 or Unit-01 carry the sealed Lilith out of Tokyo-3—would be extremely dangerous. The Black Moon's cavity has immense defensive capability. Exposing Lilith on the surface could trigger all the Angels. That would be a disaster.

Since we're here anyway, let's make this battle a beautiful win!

Brimming with confidence, Aoko quietly tapped into MAGI's compute power to refine the Eighth Angel's trajectory prediction and AT Field variation model for Unit-05, already airborne. That way, when it "lands," the "drilling" will be easier.

— — — dividing line — — —

"Unit-05 approaching target," came Gray's calm report over comms. "Requesting authorization to initiate separation sequence."

"Ground Command acknowledges. Separation authorized. Operation start, Gray Pendragon—good luck!"

At fifteen thousand meters, with a series of explosive jolts, EVA Unit-05 separated from the giant bomber, and its Type-A dorsal equipment deployed smoothly.

Under the protection of its AT Field, the howling cold air couldn't so much as disturb its flight attitude. Human-made machinery and the flesh of the Angels fused perfectly, soaring through the sky. Gray cautiously guided Unit-05 toward the Eighth Angel, which was correcting its descent trajectory. It didn't take long for her to be detected.

"Eighth Angel's surface AT Field distribution changing!" Hyuga Makoto reported loudly from NERV HQ. "It's spotted Unit-05 approaching from above!"

"These Europeans are too hasty!" Misato said tensely, eyes locked on the monitor. "Are Shinji and Rei in position?"

"Unit-00 still en route!" Hyuga reported. "Unit-01 has reached its designated position!"

"Tell Ayanami to pick up the pace!" Misato said. "We must be ready before Unit-05 makes contact with the Angel!"

Though Misato and HQ were anxious, Unit-05 was already in combat. The AT Fields' interference also caused signal delay.

With a cry like a bird, layers upon layers of AT Fields suddenly unfolded on the Eighth Angel's side facing Unit-05. Like compressed springs, they snapped forward, launching at the flying Unit-05.

Gray's eyes widened as she focused completely, adjusting Unit-05's flight vector. At just the right moment, she generated a massive reverse thrust with her own AT Field, letting Unit-05 narrowly evade the Eighth Angel's compressed-field attack and continue closing on the main body.

The Angel's compressed AT thrust bored through the higher cloud layers. A gaping hole opened in the sky behind Unit-05, like a giant beast peering through an eye—ghastly and menacing.

After that first exchange, Gray seized the opportunity to move into closer range—within "firing distance." She didn't hesitate, drawing a mock Longinus Spear from the dorsal bay, ready to launch at the Eighth Angel.

"'DeepThought' calibration complete. AT Field spatial calibration at 45%. Firing solution set. Mock Longinus Spear cleared to launch."

Sensing the threat of Unit-05's weapon, the Eighth Angel immediately changed tactics. Its outer black L-Field barrier shattered, exposing its bizarre flesh.

It was a strange creature, balled up—like two palms joined at the base, or a colorful sea anemone.

The Eighth Angel rapidly pulsed its body and generated numerous sail-like AT Fields at the "palms," quickly altering its descent to evade Unit-05's pursuit.

"Eighth Angel, trajectory altered; AT Field distribution changed," Gray reported on comms, while silently relaying the intel to Asuka first via their magical link.

But Asuka, long prepared on the ground, wasn't about to give it that chance. Before the operation began, Touko had prepared contingencies for various scenarios. With Unit-05 and the Angel now below one thousand meters altitude, the G-Type equipment could absolutely reach it.

Chapter 675: All Tactics, Jump and Grapple

Unit-02 was like a hunter lying in wait in the dark, biding time for the killing shot, eyes locked on the Angel's shifted vector.

"N2 Reactor No. 15 output stable at 97%. Superconducting power storage coil at 86.6% charge. Positron acceleration track is open. Ready to fire."

"Copy!" Asuka answered after a deep breath. "Unit-02, G-Type equipment, prototype positron cannon—First trajectory-correction shot on the Angel. Fire!"

With the thunder of machinery and the crackle of current, a beam of azure high-energy particles lanced from the ground to the sky. While Unit-05 had the Eighth Angel's full attention, the shot punched through its AT Field and struck one side of its massive body!

The annihilation event from electron-positron contact unleashed energy far beyond an N2 reactor or conventional thermonuclear reactions. In an instant, fierce light and heat consumed roughly one-sixth of the Angel's flesh—even with its core still intact and the body regenerating.

"Target hit. Partial bodily damage. Optical scope cannot spot the core. Swap the fuse and prepare for the next shot."

Calmly, Asuka yanked the "bolt." A truck-sized fuse was ejected, thudding into a nearby street and cracking the concrete with a spiderweb of fissures.

Bethany Base and the French Branch's strategy was: if you can't destroy the core from long range on the ground, use Unit-05's aerial mobility to harass the Angel aloft. The closer an EVA gets, the more it can neutralize an Angel's AT Field.

Once the enemy's AT Field shows a disruption, the positron cannon can lock on and snipe.

The recent shot was exactly that: Unit-05's close approach created a fleeting opening, nudging the region of worst AT spatial distortion off Unit-02's firing line for an instant—just enough to fire.

Although the shot only blew out one side of the Angel's body—and it was already rapidly regenerating—it forced a trajectory change, nudging it slightly off a direct course for NERV HQ and creating an opening for Unit-05's next move.

"Impressive!" Misato exclaimed. "They created an instant attack window by direct interference and exploited the gap. The coordination between Units 02 and 05 is perfect!"

"These two European pilots have definitely practiced this before," Ritsuko said, pushing up her glasses. "They must've trained for this for a long time. Looks like both sides have a score to settle with HQ."

"Compared to our pilots... those two are more like professional soldiers," Misato sighed, then addressed everyone. "But the battle isn't over. Stay sharp—anything can happen against an Angel!"

Misato wasn't wrong. Asuka had received top-tier EVA pilot training and education from NERV for years. Gray had been raised as a Gravekeeper and a vessel for King Arthur's body; after Artoria adopted her, she routinely trained in combat and magecraft. She was arguably even better at fighting than Asuka. Rei Ayanami and Shinji couldn't compare to the two of them.

Cut back to Unit-05.

After Asuka's shot vaporized part of the Eighth Angel, Gray noticed a further drop in its overall AT Field strength and a loss of precision in its distribution.

She seized the chance. The Type-A dorsal wings folded inward; the unit accelerated, and she launched a mock Longinus Spear.

This "missile" had already built up speed from Unit-05's acceleration and, with its rocket booster ignited, overtook Unit-05 as it streaked toward the Angel.

The Angel strained to alter its trajectory with AT recoil to evade the spear, but due to its prior injury, it couldn't maneuver exactly as it wished—giving Gray her opening.

This spear also differed slightly from the first. Around it were elements transplanted by Touko from the NHG starship development project: AT Field fibers.

These semi-transparent, slender strands made of specialized AT Fields are semi-corporeal "ropes." Within the provider's AT Field range (the starship), they're exceedingly hard to break and can have nearly arbitrary force vectors assigned.

Originally intended for NHG starships to tow large objects and carry escorts, Touko had a sudden inspiration for this operation: integrate them into the mock spear to create an improvised "grappling hook."

As the spear neared the Eighth Angel, it spun rapidly. With human-guided corrections from Unit-05, the spear threaded through the distortions in the field—

At first the Angel tried its old trick of stacking AT Fields to counter the spear, but a spear is a spear. The snarling twin prongs revealed their primal power: piercing the walls of the mind.

In one go, the mock spear punched through six stacked AT Field layers, slammed into the Angel's massive body near the center, bored through its flesh like a bunker-buster, then deployed inside and locked firmly in place.

Confirming the hit, Gray yanked the control stick. The AT Field fibers linking the spear to Unit-05 began to "contract," hauling Unit-05 forward and accelerating it toward the Angel.

In a flash, Unit-05 completed "landing."

Yes—Unit-05 had forcibly breached the AT Field with a mock Longinus Spear, then reeled itself in along its own AT Field filaments to execute an aerial grappling jump!

The Eighth Angel's "back" resembled some ocean creature covered in "fuzz," but those "hairs" weren't feeding appendages—they were its flight accelerators.

Look closely, and each "hair" is a tiny humanoid structure bearing an eye-like mark on the abdomen, continuously venting pink "steam."

Upon landing on the Angel's flesh, Gray immediately detected extremely high-intensity L-Field emissions. An ordinary human in such an environment would likely lose their AT Field in an instant and dissolve into LCL.