" Aa... How do you do." says Shinji. "My name is Shinji."

"I'm Dr. Ritsuko Akagi in charge of the E project Technology Section 1." says Ritsuko in an introduction. "Pleased to meet you. Welcome to NERV Shinji. Come with me and we'll go see what your Father has to show you."

"Something to show me ... ?" Shinji wonders aloud.

On the surface above the situation grow desperate for the UN Forces futile attempts to halt the advance of the Angel toward New Tokyo 3. What interests the Angel? Why New Tokyo 3? It's movements, actions are purposeful, knowledgeable.

"Commander!!" the 1st Ofc call out. "The Angel is still advancing! The final defense perimeter has been broken through."

"Our tactics are ineffective." reports the 2nd Ofc. " `Baker 5' fall back and regroup."

"New Tokyo 3." says the 3rd Ofc. "Take immediate necessary ground measures!"

"All right!" Ikari Gendo calls everyone's attention. "All hands. Battle mode, action station."

"Yes Sir!" the Staff reply.

"Fuyuzuki ..." says Ikari Gendo. "You have the command."

"Sir." says Fuyuzuki. Then to himself the thinks ... "I wonder if he'll recognize his own son after three years."

Ritsuko, Misato, and Shinji enter the core of NERV. From dock platform C-2 they board a small boat. The core of NERV is an enormous cavern of steel shielding, pumps, conduits, and permanently flooded. The lake water above is used for various operations functions of NERV. However, its main function is to act as a neutral buoyancy mechanism for the EVA units.

A voice on the intercom booms and echoes through the tunnel punctuated by electromechanical beeps.

"All hands. Battle mode action station. Repeat. All hands. Battle mode action station."echo's the ANC.

"Start Battle mode. Cycle up machine-brain processes." says the ANC.

"Wait .." says Misato. "Do they know what their doing?"

"The mecha start-up procedures will be from B equipment settings instead of a cold start." explains Ritsuko. "When necessary they can do recovery work."

"That's not what I mean!" says Misato. "Rei's not capable to do this is she? No one else is trained as pilot. What is the Commander thinking that this will accomplish ..." she says not finishing the sentence. " So." she continues. "The GDF's NN device had no affect on the Angel?"

"Yes." explains Ritsuko. "Only the head unit suffered damage; which it quickly regenerated to continue the advance. I hope EVA-01's AT field is strong enough to hold up. In any case EVA has a special learning capability that is reciprocal with the children. The exterior is controlled by a profound program. According to design specs. the type 01's mental capacity and character are controlled by MAG-Shisutemo - a supercomputer onboard so that thought processes of the pilot are instantaneously transmitted to the mecha."

"That so." says Misato.

"Yes!!" says Ritsuko. "Together with EVA ..." she ends the statement unfinished. A glance toward Shinji, and nothing else is spoken.