EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 5 AT Force Field
Driving EVA Unit-01, it moved along the tactical barrier prepared by NERV along the coastline.

"Huh, it really can't be penetrated?"

Through continuous tactical evasion, Unit-01 repeatedly circled around the blind spot of the Fifth Angel's whip and launched a saturation fire attack on its core.

But even the armor-piercing bullets specially designed for Apostles were blocked by a translucent barrier visible to the naked eye the moment they came into contact with the core shell.

The barrier seemed to ignore the laws of physics. The moment it appeared out of thin air, it absorbed all the kinetic energy of the warhead, causing it to lose its potential energy and fall powerlessly into the blood-red sea.

Then it immediately disappeared without affecting the apostle's movement and continuous whip attacks at all.

"Shinji-kun! We must destroy the Angel's AT field to damage the Core... Otherwise, we can't win with the weapons we have now! We must use Unit-01's AT field to counter it..."

Unit 01 narrowly avoided the incoming whip, and the whip of light fell into the blood-red sea, instantly causing a large amount of steam to surge... Tsk, is it a thermal weapon?... I really don't want to be hit by it.

"Tsk, you've said the same thing several times, Misato! Calm down! If I could neutralize it, I would have done it a long time ago! It's because you can't that you're putting so much effort into it!"

Starting to repeat the same words meaninglessly over and over again is a sign that the commander has lost his composure.

Shinji Ikari called out Misato Katsuragi's name in a harsh voice, forcing her to calm down.

"That kid is right. I've said the same thing once. If Unit-01 could successfully deploy its AT field, that kid wouldn't be jumping around like a monkey right now. As a commander, you have to face reality and not waste your energy on things you can't achieve."

"Ritsuko! It's already this late! And you're still leisurely blaming me! Why can't Unit-01 activate its AT field? Is there something wrong with the settings?"

Although she was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, Ritsuko Akagi was able to remain calm. She even drank coffee while analyzing the rapidly jumping data on the screen.

"Theoretically, this shouldn't happen. The current synchronization rate of his A10 nerves... Unit-01's data is even higher than Unit-00 and Unit-02. Judging solely by the degree, Unit-01 should possess an AT field that's no weaker than the Fifth Angel's."

"Then why?"

"Who knows? After all, the AT field, like the Apostles, is a super-scientific observable energy field...it's not something human civilization can understand. Humans simply can't grasp its laws. The A10 neural synchronization rate index is just a reference value."

Now what you should think about is not why Unit-01 can't deploy the AT field, but how to make Unit-01 win without being able to use the AT field... Here's a hint: Unit-02 is almost reaching Tokyo-3."

Ritsuko Akagi smiled slightly and handed the report she had just received to Misato Katsuragi.

"Unit 2!? It's German, to think it was so easy..."

Misato Katsuragi flipped through the document in a panic, confirmed the transport plane's route, and immediately thought of her next plan.

"Shinji-kun! How are you doing now... Can you still hold on?"

This massive ghost-catching incident has lasted for more than twenty minutes. More than 40% of the buildings on the coastline... have been reduced to rubble by the apostles' whip of light.

And Unit-01 was still clinging to the few remaining covers in a desperate situation, fighting back with the weapons in its hands...even if it couldn't cause any damage, even if it could only cause a little stiffness and slow down the progress of the apostle.

"Fortunately, while I was dodging... I was protecting my cables. As long as the power supply is continuous, I can fight it all day. However, this kind of unwinnable maneuvering is just a mere stopgap measure. Can you provide me with weapons that can penetrate AT fields?"

Shinji Ikari weighed the opponent's movements and speed. To be honest, if the opponent didn't have a stronger special move or something like that, there was no way he could be knocked down by him with just these two whips.

"Well done, Shinji-kun. Even without the AT field, your synchronization rate allows you to operate Unit-01 very precisely, stranding the Angel on the coastline! Unit-02 will arrive at the battlefield in about an hour! You will be responsible for providing cover, while Unit-02 will be responsible for breaking through the AT field and killing the Angel!"

Seeing that Misato already had a plan to win, Shinji Ikari put the spark prism he was about to take out back into the depths of his sleeve.

I originally thought that if NERV really couldn't prepare enough weapons to kill the apostles, I would find a suitable opportunity to pretend to be knocked down, and then quietly transform.

Now that he has received the reinforcement of the Unit 2 that Misato mentioned, he can also drive the EVA to fight as a human.

After all, the last transformation was already very forced, and the remaining light in his body was almost gone. Since there were other ways to win, he shouldn't fight as Tiga. And...

Unit-01 tilted its head slightly, dodging the laser aimed at the center of its skull.

The next moment, as if he had anticipated the apostle's move, he squatted down before the apostle made a move and dodged the subsequent sweep.

Moreover, actual combat is the best training.

I have become more and more proficient in operating Unit-01. This thing is much more flexible than Feiyan-1. I don’t know why... It is obviously a huge robot, but it drives as smoothly as my own blood-connected limbs.

He drew a high-frequency particle dagger from his shoulder, and before the sweeping whip of light could be retracted, he thrust it swiftly and rapidly towards the apostle's core.

"Tsk, as expected I can't get it in."

It was clearly the only weapon at hand that had an anti-AT force field effect... but the particle dagger, spinning at a speed invisible to the naked eye, could only collide with the AT force field at a distance close to the core, causing a torrential rain of sparks to burst out.

"Shinji-kun! Hide..."

“…I know! Stop yelling! You’re interfering with my operations!”

You don't even need to look to know that the apostle's whip has been pulled back.

After all, since he hadn't succeeded in his first move, it was natural for him to be counterattacked... He simply threw away the dagger and nimbly did a series of somersaults behind him to create distance.

The location where Unit-01 was located a moment ago... including the surrounding buildings, had now been melted into a pool of molten iron by the two beam whips.

"Link cable, voltage abnormality! External power outage! Unit-01 switching to internal power! Remaining activity time: five minutes!"

"what?!"

Shinji Ikari was confused. He was careful to make sure his "tail" was not cut, so why did it happen...ah.

Later, it was noticed that although the wires were still connected, all the auxiliary buildings responsible for the voltage transformation had been cut down.

After all, it was being used as a tactical cover by Unit-01 to fight against the Angels, so being able to protect the body and the cables was already the limit. Saving even the building was simply a fantasy.

"Miss Misato. Please make your own judgment—"

Before Misato could speak, Shinji Ikari took the initiative to ask.

"Please confirm Unit 2's deployment time and whether there's a possibility of restoring power to the surrounding area. If neither is possible, I'll..."

Shinji Ikari's hand reached out for the Spark Prism.

…I’m about to start the show and then find a place to transform.

If I retreat now, my heartless father will definitely let Rei Ayanami take over in Unit-00. And my promise not to lose will be ruined... How could I let that happen, jerk!
But Misato Katsuragi obviously misunderstood Shinji Ikari's intention, thinking that he was talking about retreat.

"That's right. Unit 02's transport plane has just arrived over Tokyo-3. It will take at least thirty minutes from receiving it to deploying it. I'll have the UNMC ground forces buy them half an hour! Shinji-kun! After you get rid of the Angel, evacuate via Recovery Route 23. Wait until Unit 02 is deployed before you..."

But before Katsuragi Misato could finish her words, a strong female voice that Shinji Ikari felt was unfamiliar forced its way into the communication channel.

"That's not necessary--!! Unit 2! Intervene on the battlefield!!"

(End of this chapter)