Part 65: Mission 36 - Life's Destination - Part 1
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Location: MUs Tokyo Command Center
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Maya asks Miwa for an estimate on the progression of the outside worlds schedule Case S, it's called. Considering the time difference, she imagines theyre about at stage 13 BUT cant hazard a guess as to how the schedule was affected by this sides influence. Its possible things arent proceeding in order.
Maya ponders that stage 13 is an important factor in the development of their key. Should they send troops to disrupt it, then? No, Maya says its not necessary.
More importantly, didnt someone leave here with Ayato before? Mamoru slowly confirms and Maya decides to said person to use. Mamoru is bothered but wont argue with her.
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Location: GEAR HQ
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Elvy and, especially, Haruka arent happy to find out that even our folks have lost sight of the RahXephon. Vega relates that it went south after leaving Tokyo Jupiter but it vanished after being engulfed in a magnetic storm.
Megumi wants to know what happened inside Tokyo and why Ayato hasnt come back to us but Haruka cant really answer that. Bright says the Federations got some AWACS trying to ping the RahXephon but, for now, well be reorganizing ourselves at GEAR.
If anything, Vega is glad that the women made it back safely and tells Haruka to keep her chin up isnt she the one who said that Ayato would come back to us eventually? So we should continue to believe in him and be patient.
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Kouji is wondering where Ayato couldve run off to and Hayato posits that he must have a reason for not coming back. Or maybe he figures he, a Mulian, has no place with us? Benkei vehemently rejects that idea, as no one here would care about that sort of us.
When Domon asks, Akira says he has no idea what to do about this the Raideen hasnt reacted in any way, either. Rom says that theres a moment in every persons life where they must face and rise above the harshness of reality and he wants to believe Ayato has the strength to do so.
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NERV HQ
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Misato is aghast to learn that the boot-up test for EVA-03 has been moved up two days at Gendou's orders. She doesnt think the pilots ready for this. Ritsuko says hes already begun taking the necessary lectures and, furthermore, Misato ought to know that they havent the wiggle room to take things slowly.
Things are only going to get worse from here on out, so they need as many combat-ready EVAs as possible even one more will help tremendously and thats why theyre doing all this. Is that why things are proceeding so quickly, Misato wonders?
The speed with which the #03 is being brought over and the selection of the Fourth Children its all incomparably faster than with the EVA-02. Further proof of how important this is, Ritsuko says. Theres no hidden agenda here.
Misato doesnt look convinced.
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Later, Misato goes visit Kaji in hopes that he has some idea what's going on. He observes that it's not like her to depend on others, and she responds that she's got no time to keep up appearances these days.
She asks him to tell her what's really going on with the Marduk Institute - how was Fourth Children found so fast? Kaji seem hesitant to speak but eventually tells her to check up on Code 707 - the number of Shinji's school. Marduk does not in fact exist at all - it's just a front for NERV itself... meaning for Gendou.
Thats all hes going to say but, in return, would she hear a small request from him? Hed like her to forward the data she has on the Tsentr Project prototype, the Medius Locus. Why? Well, the other day, he was poking around a list detailing those involved in the development for the MAGI supercomputers and a name stood out Elde Mitte.
Misatos surprised Kaji knows about Eldes involvement in the Medius project but thats kind of his job. He doesnt figure Elde as someone directly connected to NERV, rather, she was likely hired as a third-party staff. But, again, hes not telling any more.
Misato agrees to send him a copy of the data IF he lets her pass this bit of info along to Hugo and Aqua. Thats fine with him, so long as she keeps it limited to those two.
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Location: Neo Tokyo 3
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The EVA kids are having a regular school day, with class having just ended. Kensukes raring to leave, even though Shinji points out he slept through the whole thing. Well, he got back home late yesterday, having gone to Yokosuka to check out some Dragoons stationed there.
Of course, those units arent anything impressive to Shinji and Kensuke is green with envy over how he gets to hang out with rare bots like the Dragonars, Gundams, Mazingers, Aestivalis Shinji never really thought of it like that but, yeah, its a positive of the job.
Reis already taking off and tells that Asukas off with Hikari. As she leaves, Shinji realizes that Touji wasnt around today. Maybe hes visiting his sister at the hospital? Hmm
But that doesnt matter, Kensuke has more important stuff on his mind: like confidential NERV intel he (again) hacked from his fathers computer. Hes particularly curious about the newly completed EVA-03 and rumors that NERVll be running a boot-up test tomorrow. Sadly, Shinji hasnt heard anything about it.
Does he know if theyve picked a pilot yet? Nope. Kensuke sighs wistfully, wishing Misato would give him an EVA of his own. Can Shinji make that happen? Nope. And, for that matter, Shinji also hasnt been told zip about the vanishing NERV second branch and EVA-04. Must be one of those need-to-know things, Kensuke figures.
Shinji gets deep in thought and Kensuke apologizes for all the questions. Will Shinji be attending school for a bit again? Yes, though hes on call if the order comes, its back to the Magnate Ten. Thats better than nothing, so Kensuke gives him a see you tomorrow.
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Shinjis left to ponder the lack of information regarding the EVA-03 or its chosen pilot. Hes got a bad feeling but is interrupted the Touji shows up. Hes got something to talk with him.
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Over by Hikaris place, Asuka finds her making a box lunch for her sisters and, more important to Asuka, Touji. She already cooks three of these a day, so a fourth wasnt any problem.
Thats obviously not the whole of it and asks if Hikaris that taken with Touji. The girl stutters a confirmation, somewhat surprised that Asuka noticed of course she did, shes not dense like the Three Stooges.
Hikari argues that Shinjis just innocent but, no, Asuka says hes thick and stupid and hes got no idea how to interact with people. Hikari confesses she took him as someone like that when he first transferred over. Nowadays, not so much: hes still a quiet kid but hes now willing to actively start talking with folks.
Asuka allows that he's got plenty of influences like that around him, and asks Hikari what she sees in the hot-headed Touji. She says softly that hes got a gentler side and Asuka certainly didnt expect that answer. Hikari figures she simply hasnt gotten a chance to see it but swears its true.
Well, Asuka wont call her assessment into question but she suggests she just go and tell the guy how she feels: this world is too crazy to dilly-dally. Hikaris a bit ill at ease at the thought but Asuka says theres no telling what tomorrow might bring. She doubts Hikari wants to regret it later.
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We find Ayato and Hiroko holed up in a hotel room in the outskirts of Neo Tokyo 3. Hes about to head out for a part-time job and leaving her with the spare key the plan is to get enough cash saved to pay for a ticket out of Neo Tokyo 3.
Hiroko ponders the name, a Tokyo she had no idea existed, and Ayato says hell be back by dinnertime. Until then, itd be safer if she didnt go outside by herself. Hiroko seems a bit bothered and asks Ayato if hes doing this out of some sense of responsibility.
He denies this, saying that he knows very well that they can't go on doing this forever. He just wants time to think, believing that he'll figure out what to do next. He promises her that one day he'll use RahXephon to get Mamoru and her family out of Tokyo, and leaves.
I cant picture my mom and dad I cant even remember them Hiroko thinks. Who am I ? Am I not human? Is that why my blood is blue ? Ayato If I told you the truth, would you still look at me the same way ?
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The afternoon of the next day, the EVA-03s just been unloaded at NERVs test site. Ritsuko has Maya already start things set up if all goes according to plan, theyll be doing the boot-up test in two and a half hours. Misato pokes at the according to plan bit, considering this was SUPPOSED to be done at Matsushiro in case anything went wrong.
Ritsuko says the decisions already been made, so bellyaching wont change anything. She suggests Misato go pick up the Fourth Children but she says Shinjis bringing him over. Ritsuko figures Misato told him but, no, it was all Touji. At least Misato hopes thisll help ease Shinjis worries. A convenient way to look at things, Ritsuko notes, and Misato grimly agrees.
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Back to Neo Tokyo 3, schools just ended so Touji and Shinji are about to leave when Hikari comes over. Touji greets her and asks if she needs anything hes got something to do soon, though. Hikari doesnt say anything, probably due to a clueless Shinji being right there, and Asuka steps over to ask him to go to the mart with her.
Then they should bring Touji alo- Is he stupid? No! Hurry up! As Shinjis hauled away, he says hell be waiting for Touji over at said mart. Now that theyre alone, Hikari slowly says that shes got two sisters she makes lunch boxes for Kodama and Nozomi; she may not look it, but she's a pretty good cook.
So, she had the ingredients to spare and saw fit to make him something. Touji sighs that shed do this for him but is grateful he can always help her get rid of whatever ingredients are left.
Still, he needs to take off now. When Hikari asks, he says he cant tell her where hes going yet once hes back, though, hell explain it all. He wants to make up for all the fights they've had until now...
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Back to NERVs test area, weve one minute left to go! Mayas running her checks on the EVA-03s and everythings going well surprisingly so, Misato thinks. Ritsuko figures the unitll likely be ready for live combat as soon as this is over, though Misato doesnt seem too enthused about it. Why the attitude? The #03 will very likely be deployed to the Magnate Ten, even.
Misato muses that between all the Super Robots and four EVAs, our squad could well destroy the world if it wanted. Ritsuko agrees, musing further that maybe that's what our group was established for.
Well, its time to start the experiment: Ritsuko commands the Entry Plug inserted and things are off. Pulse is fine, graphs are looking normal, initial contact is A-OK. Absolute borderline is reached, A10 neural connection is good, bidirectional circuit is open and the harmonics are looking well. So far, the test is going swimmingly.
But theres trouble on the horizon: the alarm sounds and we get a transmission from the governments tactical command saying unidentified objects are headed right this way!
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Makotos pinged the objects as D1 and D2 Dolems, though the D1 is a new model. Fuyutsuki figures their timing is too strange could they be here after the #03? Or, Gendou ponders, they could be looking for clues to the missing RahXephon. Regardless, the Federation wont arrive in due time, so Gendou sounds the red alert.
Misato runs in and Makoto relates the situation: the Dolems are currently over Odawara. Thats very close to Neo Tokyo 3 and Misato wonders what the hell the Feds are doing, considering they were supposed to have AWACS out looking for the RahXephon.
Makoto says they do but the detection was hampered due to the sudden outbreak of magnetic storms and cumulonimbus clouds thatd been happening around the area. Shigeru gets an update, saying the Dolems have shifted their vectors and are headed for Lake Ashi seems NERV really isnt their target.
Gendou tell Misato to send all EVAs over to intercept the things and she scrambles to get Shinji, Asuka and Rei out there Didnt she hear her orders? Gendou wants all EVAs deployed and that means the #03 as well. The boot-up test was a success, no? Misato argues the pilot hasnt even finished his training yet but Gendou says its a direct order. Get to it.
Fuyutsuki tells Gendou that allowing the EVAs and Dolems to interact is very risky business remember what happened last time and doing it with the EVA-03 is far more so. Gendou isnt worried, more interested in using this as a chance to check if the MUs influence will cause anything to change.
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Back at the hotel, Ayatos just arrived from another day at work and hes managed to scrounge up enough money for them to leave Neo Tokyo 3 tomorrow. Hirokos not looking to spritely and, when asked, lets Ayato choose what theyll have for dinner.
As he ponders what to get, Hiroko just sits there quiet. At length, Ayato asks if shes not feeling well. With an uneasy smile, she slowly says shes got something to tell him. Ayato wonders whats gotten to her and, well, lately she has felt like eating some spaghetti alle vongole. Yeah, thats it.
Well, Ayato offers to get some of that for dinner but, right then, the towns sirens start blaring.
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Mission 36 Lifes Destination
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*Looks at the EVA-03*
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Evangelion Unit #03 (Touji Suzuhara)
Pilot Skills:
- Sword Cut L3
- Support Attack L3
- Support Defense L3
- Counter L4
- Guts (25)
- Alert (10)
- Strike (20)
- Valor (30)
- Faith (40)
- Iron Wall (15)
Toujis another one of those good characters that cant make it among our top guys. The #03, being a more recent model, packs naturally a naturally stronger Battle Rifle, Progressive Knif and Positron Rifle than our other EVAs but hes got no way of catching up to stuff like the Magoroku Sword or the Unison Kick.
Stat-wise, hes pretty much as good as Shinji and Asuka but where he excels is in his defenses: hes got the highest defensive stat of all EVA pilots and, with that dirt cheap Iron Wall, hell be very hard to kill.
Not the strongest but you can definitely field him if you want.
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Make sure you take advantage of the good terrain around.
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The D2 Dotems are once again piss weak; I guess thats in case you havent been upgrading the EVAs as I have.
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Asuka and Rei also oneshot their targets.
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The #03s still factory specd but it should be fine.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNSfo_QgRiI
Thats actually 150-ish more damage than Shinjis upgraded weapon.
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Enemy Phase!
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The Dotems gang up on Shinji and are swatted aside, teaching him Zeal.
The Metronomes are hanging back, though one trades blows with the #01.
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Player Phase!
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Touji and Rei each kill one of the remaining Dotems.
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Lets take these out. Dont worry about using SP here.
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Add an assist from Shinji and down it goes.
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Enemy Phase!
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Almost there.
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Player Phase!
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Take it away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H94ieDyFstc
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* *
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*Shinji walks over the #03.*
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* *
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*Alarm!*
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*Ping!*
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For those curious, since the game doesnt exactly spell it out: remember those cumulonimbus clouds which were part of the reason why the Dolems werent detected earlier? Turns out the Angel was hiding inside it and once the EVA-03s plane passed through them en route to NERV, the thing infected it like a parasite. And now its taken over.
Thats the only explanation the show gives you and, yes, the transformation is just as abrupt in there.
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*The #03 charges after Asuka.*
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_czNR-VITds
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*Asuka retreats as the #03 goes after Rei.*
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*The #00s disabled, vanishing from the map.*
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Something curious I failed to point out before.
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All of the EVAs weapons (except the Sniper Rifle) DO carry the A.T. Field Neutralization debuff! We havent been fighting many Angels in this game but its something to keep in mind.
To progress, you must reduce Bardiel below 70% (do note that if you actually manage to destroy it, its a game over).