The Trash Returned from Warhammer

[Directive A-17 has concluded with the annihilation of the Eighth Angel. From the start of combat to the moment Unit-01 achieved total destruction, total elapsed time: 1 minute and 12 seconds.]

[Battle footage playback initiated.]

The holographic projection flickered to life. It displayed the nimble, human-like movements of Unit-01, the seamless coordination of the three EVAs, and, of course, the unhesitating execution of orders by the NERV staff. These elements combined had led to the bewilderingly swift death of Sandalphon.

Every detail was flawless; every step was as precise as clockwork. Even as the Angel continued to evolve, it was firmly suppressed by that young boy.

The video played repeatedly. It was finally paused on the third viewing, at the moment the AT Field tore through the magma and Unit-01 performed its ”flying swallow” kick against the spear to finish the Angel.

”Unit-01’s combat capability is... excessively exaggerated.”

”That Shinji-kun is simply non-human. Scientific theory no longer applies to him.”

”How exactly did he accurately lock onto the Angel’s core in that environment?”

”Unknown. The Shanghai Research Institute has conducted repeated checks; to this day, they don’t understand how he knew the Angel was laying an ambush when the data showed no anomalies whatsoever.”

”Heh, could this Shinji-kun be an esper?”

Today’s gathering of SEELE was not in a boardroom, nor were there any human figures visible. There were only black monoliths, numbered 1 through 15 with electronic lights.

The old men seemed conflicted. Defeating all the Angels was a necessary step to fulfill the ”Script,” yet Unit-01’s absurd performance left them deeply worried. The reason was simple: the Third Child was Gendo Ikari’s son, and Gendo’s loyalty was questionable.

They needed Gendo, and they believed they could control him. However, they were gradually realizing that if Gendo Ikari and Shinji Ikari stood as one, it would be very difficult to suppress them with force.

Much like the philosophy of certain radical factions within the Inquisition: when someone’s loyalty is not absolute, any action they take can be evidence of treachery.

”NERV changed the mission objective without a moment’s hesitation. This must have been Gendo Ikari’s instruction—at the very least, he adopted a stance of tacit approval,” Chairman Keel, designated as 01, said in a low voice.

If Gendo heard this, he would likely have a total breakdown.

’I didn’t know! I really didn’t know!’

”Yes. No matter how well he fights, Shinji Ikari is merely an EVA pilot. He does not have the authority to change mission objectives. This was definitely Gendo’s doing.”

”Hmph. Gendo was the one who came begging us to execute Directive A-17. To change it arbitrarily without a prior heads-up...”

The members of SEELE were extremely dissatisfied. Before the operation began, Gendo had talked their ears off about how this was a unique opportunity. Yet, before they even made contact with the Angel, it was switched to an extermination mission. So what did you come to us for in the first place? To play us for fools?

Of course, looking at the result, the task was handled well. But one crucial matter remained unexplained.

Where on earth did the Adam embryo go?

”The audit of the Pacific Fleet is complete, and the salvage operations in the relevant waters have turned up every stone. That vital item remains missing.”

The old men became as silent as the monoliths representing them. The Adam embryo had effectively evaporated into thin air. That case was equipped with a tracker; it should have been impossible to steal.

They did have a ”trump card” in their hands that could find the embryo, but they could absolutely never tell the truth to that ”Angel of Freedom.”

”The situation is obvious. Someone took the embryo before the transport ship sank. The question is: who?”

”Multi-layered password protection... only the most professional of thieves could steal the embryo right under the noses of our people.”

Monolith 02 chuckled softly, speaking with pointed intent: ”Since it wasn’t the Pacific Fleet, who else could have dispatched such a professional?”

MI6, the CIA, Mossad—every organization with the relevant capability had been cleared. By process of elimination, only NERV remained.

”You mean Gendo Ikari saw through our plan and played along, intentionally fishing in troubled waters?”

”What else? Ryoji Kaji is our man. We gave the Adam embryo to Gendo specifically to see what he intended to do with it. Now, he is hiding the fact that he received it.”

”If we follow that logic, we can already confirm Gendo’s disloyalty. We can put his removal on the agenda.”

”But the ’eyes’ we’ve infiltrated haven’t found any anomalies.”

”It’s possible he found a way to win the ’eyes’ over.”

”Impossible. Mark and the others were heavily vetted. Unless Gendo Ikari is a psychic.”

The old men bickered. Each monolith represented a massive power controlling a nation. Even with a shared goal, their mutual interests often clashed.

Replacing Gendo wasn’t hard; the difficulty lay in who to appoint as his successor. Aside from his competence, Gendo had been chosen primarily because he was ”clean.”

The man had been just a researcher before. He only became connected to SEELE by marrying into the Ikari family. And then, the ”little brother” had actually proven his worth.

From the Antarctic expedition to the Second Impact, to personally founding the Gehirn Research Institute, and finally reorganizing it into NERV—he had performed meritorious service at every step. The old men of SEELE had merely supervised from the shadows and provided resources.

The discussion was drifting.

Chairman Keel understood exactly what his colleagues were thinking. Currently, the Angels couldn’t even break into Tokyo-3; every one that showed up was destroyed by Unit-01. The situation was excellent, and now the people looking to ”pick the fruit” were coming out of the woodwork.

Everyone wanted to place the Human Instrumentality Project under their own control. Gendo Ikari had been chosen to execute it precisely because he belonged to no one.

”We must not assume guilt without proof.”

Chairman Keel spoke, and all discussion stopped instantly. He controlled the most powerful nation in the world and possessed the authority to make everyone listen to reason.

”As of now, there is no evidence that Gendo Ikari obtained the Adam embryo. We cannot treat the Commander of NERV with such a casual attitude. You all should know that we belong to the shadows; Gendo Ikari is the one who truly controls NERV. Forcing our hand now would cause chaos.”

The group fell silent. They weren’t being appeasers; it was just that they were only at the eighth Angel. It was far too early to ”kill the donkey once the grinding is done.” If they pushed Gendo too far and he decided to self-destruct NERV, how would they clean up the mess?

”But we cannot remain unprepared.”

”Response plans are already in preparation. Or do you distrust the Committee’s capabilities?”

Monolith 12 shut up immediately. There was a hierarchy even within SEELE. The core five formed the Human Instrumentality Committee. If things got too out of hand—forget American aircraft carriers sailing by—cutting off food supplies alone would be unbearable.

The Second Impact had completely reshaped the world order. Every additional budget line for NERV represented tens of thousands of people starving to death elsewhere.

”I am making the following arrangements,” Keel said after a moment’s thought.

”First: The Second Division of the Strategic Self-Defense Force is to be stationed on the outskirts of Tokyo-3. If Gendo Ikari makes a move, they can initiate a military suppression at any time.

Second: Accelerate the development of the Dummy System and the Mass Production Units. We must ensure the Script can be executed even without Units 00, 01, and 02.

Third: Dispatch an ’Owl’ to infiltrate NERV. While monitoring Gendo, give him a warning. Let the man understand that everything is within our grasp.”

Plan after plan was proposed. There were no fools in this room; or rather, a fool could not sit in this position. SEELE had prepared two sets of plans from the very beginning. Every tool had a backup; every accident had a response.

If Gendo acted according to the Script, they could save some effort. If not, SEELE could ”correct” him.

”I agree.”

”I agree as well.”

The monoliths voiced their assent one by one, much to Keel’s satisfaction. This organization had taken its rudimentary form in the 18th century; how could fifteen years of Gendo Ikari’s work stand against centuries of accumulation?

”As for the Third Child... from the intelligence we’ve received, he is merely a sharp blade. It is not yet clear how much he knows. Continue monitoring him.”

No one looked down on Shinji, but neither did they consider him an equal. A fourteen-year-old boy whose combat power was already unfathomable was one thing—but if he were also a master strategist, he would have to be a 140-year-old schemer.

Thus, SEELE could not summon him for questioning; otherwise, all their secrets would be exposed.

”How should we handle the request from the ’Angel of Freedom’? He seems very interested in this Shinji-kun and wants to initiate contact.”

”Denied. If he leaves this place, he leaves our control. The instinct of an Angel would lead him toward Terminal Dogma.”

Chairman Keel pondered for a moment, thinking of the Angel named Kaworu Nagisa.

”Now is not yet the time for his entrance.”

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