Chapter 515: Attack of the Fifth Angel
Just as this hard-won azure blue gradually became a symbolic landscape of hope for Tokyo-3, the ear-piercing air raid sirens tore through the city's tranquility without warning once again.
The Fifth Angel, with its massive and oppressive giant form, advanced unwaveringly towards NERV Headquarters.
Orders were issued, and Shinji Ikari was once again requested to enter Unit-01.
Unlike his previous state of almost dragging his feet toward the Entry Plug, this time, although still silent, his movements lacked some of their obvious resistance and carried a trace of almost numb, obedient efficiency.
Unit-01 activated, and the synchronization ratio readings rose steadily, even surpassing his previous average levels by a margin, displaying an indescribable, tighter connection between the pilot and the unit.
The battle unfolded among the city ruins.
Unit-01 fiercely clashed with the Angel, explosions and shockwaves continuously shaking the surrounding buildings.
However, when the analysts in the command center urgently reported that the Angel's corrected trajectory would inevitably pass through that recovering bay—the marine ecological restoration zone where the Ninth Research Institute was located—the persistently silent Shinji Ikari suddenly spoke up in the communication channel.
His voice was no longer his usual mosquito-like, uncertain tone, but carried a clear, almost instinctive urgency: "No! It can't go there!"
Almost simultaneously as his words fell, Unit-01's movements abruptly became intense.
It was no longer passively countering the Angel's attacks, but proactively, even somewhat recklessly, intensifying its offense, using its body and armor to forcefully block the path, attempting to force the Fifth Angel away from that direction.
He muttered unconsciously and repeatedly, as if cheering himself on, or as if explaining to some unseen entity: "Over there... is the sea that turned blue only because of everyone's efforts..."
"Tanaka-san, Miss Suzuki... they are recording data there every day..."
"And those fish and corals that just came back to life... I can't... I can't let them turn red again!"
"I have to protect it... I must protect it..."
This unprecedented will to fight, carrying a clear goal of protection, was distinctly reflected in Unit-01's movements and the soaring synchronization ratio data.
He was no longer fighting merely out of orders or fear, but for a "thing" he could see, understand, and genuinely feel was precious.
That azure sea and the slow but firm effort to "restore" the world represented by Dr. Ryo had, at this moment, become a concrete and small reason for him to grip the controls tightly and face the Angel.
Meanwhile, inside the Ninth Research Institute, the emergency evacuation order had already been issued.
Most of the staff, led by Shigeo Tanaka and Miyuki Suzuki, were orderly evacuating to the underground shelter.
However, Ryo remained in his core laboratory.
He wasn't trying to play the hero, but had captured a once-in-a-lifetime experimental opportunity.
Through the sensors spread across the restoration zone, he rapidly analyzed the biological signals and energy signatures emanating from the Angel.
A bold deduction based on current technological pathways quickly took shape:
Since the core principle of the "catalytic particles" he developed was to urge abnormally active LCL substances to return to a stable, orderly ground state, effectively breaking down and purifying the LCL-polluted blood water generated by a deceased Angel's disintegration.
Then, logically deducing, this "purification" effect should theoretically also be able to act upon the biomass possessing similar anomalous activity that constituted the living tissues of an Angel.
The key lay in "specificity."
Ordinary catalytic particles were like broad-spectrum disinfectants. To make them highly effective against a living Angel, they needed to be "formulated" into a "specialized antidote" targeting the specific biological structure of the Angel.
He swiftly rushed to the main console, his hands operating rapidly on the interface.
He retrieved the stockpiled basic catalytic particles, mixed them with several high-energy catalysts capable of temporarily enhancing particle activity and targeting at a specific ratio, and simultaneously tapped into the unique biological signals and energy spectrum emanating from the Fifth Angel just captured by the environmental sensors across the restoration zone.
Based on this real-time data, he made precise parameter adjustments to the mixed particles, aiming to allow them to more effectively identify and act upon the biological makeup of the Fifth Angel.
In his eyes, this wasn't designing and manufacturing a weapon; it was more like executing an emergency on-site environmental treatment protocol verification targeting an extremely high concentration of a special "pollutant."
He was attempting to use a potent "cleanser" to neutralize an active, massive pollution source.
Ultimately, a batch of specialized catalytic particles with extremely unstable properties, faintly glowing with a ghostly blue light internally, was generated in the reaction vessel.
They contained purification energy far exceeding the conventional version, but they were also extremely dangerous; the slightest violent impact could cause an uncontrollable release.
Time was tight. Ryo didn't hesitate to channel all these high-risk particles into a reinforced pressure-resistant container, attaching a simple remote-controlled detonation device.
A "purification bomb" with a rough exterior but containing an extremely destructive effect against a specific target within was thus completed.
Outside the institute, the collision between Unit-01 and the Fifth Angel had reached a white-hot stage.
The A.T. Fields crushed against each other, erupting with ear-splitting sharp resonances and continuously flashing blinding light. The shockwaves swept across the ruins time and time again like solid walls, kicking up clouds of dust and smoke.
Ryo secured the "purification bomb" emitting that ominous ghostly light onto the passenger seat and jumped into the institute's military jeep.
The engine roared as he rushed out of the garage, but he didn't charge directly into the central battlefield resembling a clash between gods and demons—that would be tantamount to suicide.
He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the map, choosing to advance via a detour along a predetermined, relatively concealed supply route.
"Dr. Ryo! Cease your advance immediately! Return to the shelter! I repeat, return immediately!" The urgent, even somewhat exasperated voice of a communications officer from the tactical command center came through the vehicle's communicator. "You are not authorized to enter the combat zone! This is an order!"
Ryo steadied the steering wheel with one hand and grabbed the communicator amidst the violent bumps. His tone, however, was unexpectedly calm, even carrying the rigidity of a research log: "Authorization code Delta-Nine-Niner. Target determined to be an extremely high concentration of active pollutants. I am executing an emergency environmental intervention protocol! The efficacy of the purification plan must be verified!"
"What environmental intervention?! That is suicide! We cannot guarantee your safety!"
"My safety," Ryo's voice abruptly turned cold. Through the communicator, the increasingly close roars of explosions and the Angel's inhuman, heart-palpitating screeches coming from his side could be heard, "is inconsequential compared to letting that thing completely pollute and destroy the ecological samples we worked so hard to rebuild."
He directly cut off the communication and floored the gas pedal.
The jeep wove perilously between gravel and twisted rebars. Stray fire and A.T. Field fragments occasionally exploded nearby. The vehicle shook violently, and the windshield was smashed into spiderweb-like cracks by flying stones.
His eyes were locked tightly onto the center of the battlefield.
Right there, Unit-01 let out a muffled roar, extending both arms forward. Its orange A.T. Field was fully deployed, pressed tightly against the Angel's mottled and twisted barrier. Energy surged, reaching a fragile point of equilibrium—this was the moment when both defensive fields neutralized each other and were at their weakest!
Now!