Chapter 575: Invitation for Joint Training
Finally, the reply arrived: "Emotion is a complex trait bestowed upon humanity by the Emperor during their creation; it is both a source of strength and the root of vulnerability. I understand its existence, but find it difficult to fully empathize with it anymore. Since you have assumed this 'responsibility' and deem it necessary for maintaining unit stability, then proceed according to your judgment. Just ensure the final outcome aligns with our grander objectives."
"Understood." The second avatar severed the connection.
He stood at the end of the corridor, looking down at the bustling base below. Was emotion a tool or a burden? He himself wasn't always clear on this. But he knew that since he possessed these emotions, he could not turn a blind eye to the struggles of Asuka and the others. Taking them out of a hell was not for the purpose of turning them into pure war machines. At the very least, he hoped to preserve a little bit of what belonged to a "human" for them in this cruel universe, even if this appeared highly inefficient.
At the same time, in the hangar, Asuka was the first to board the entry plug of the red Unit-01.
After a moment of hesitation, Shinji also gathered his courage and walked toward the purple Unit-02. Rei Ayanami silently followed the guidance and entered the blue Unit-03.
The LCL liquid filled the plugs, and the neural connections were established. The sensors of the three EVA-Titans lit up in sequence.
"Hey, idiot Shinji, can you hear me?" Asuka's voice rang out through the internal communication channel, carrying a trace of deliberately crafted casualness.
"...L-loud and clear," Shinji's timid response came through.
"...Yes," Rei Ayanami's response was as concise as ever.
Three voices completed their first connection inside the bodies of these cold steel giants. Outside the window was the desolation of the Death World; inside the window were three souls forced to grow rapidly, alongside a guardian who harbored a complex sense of "responsibility" toward them.
Their story in this new world full of longing and pressure had just written its prologue.
Over the next several standard weeks, inside the newly built large-scale training ground at the Death World base, the three distinctively colored EVA-Titans underwent high-intensity adaptability training.
The red Unit-01, the purple Unit-02, and the blue Unit-03—these three eighty-meter-tall giants—conducted a series of drills ranging from basic maneuvers to complex tactical coordination in simulated complex battlefield environments.
Just as Ryo had anticipated, Shinji Ikari, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami—these three youths from an alternate universe—inherently possessed extremely rich practical combat experience and a profound understanding of giant humanoid weapons.
The speed at which they adapted to the EVA-Titan's operating systems far exceeded the expectations of the base's Tech-Priests. Although the machines differed from their familiar EVAs in terms of scale, power, and certain operational logic, the core neural connection and feedback mechanisms were cut from the exact same cloth.
The training data indicated that the synchronization rates of all three individuals were stable at excellent levels.
Shinji displayed astonishing talent in defensive operations with the purple Unit-02, always able to prop up a reliable barrier for the squad using the most minuscule energy consumption and maneuvers.
Rei Ayanami's energy coordination efficiency with the blue Unit-03 was extremely high, capable of precisely regulating output to accomplish various tasks ranging from subtle perceptions to powerful bursts.
Meanwhile, Asuka unleashed her usual tactical style to the absolute fullest; under her control, the red Unit-01 was like a frenzied crimson lightning bolt, recklessly brandishing its destructive power across the training ground.
The coordination between them also matured day by day. Even though their daily interactions still carried shadows of the past—Asuka's occasional mockery, Shinji's habitual withdrawal, and Rei Ayanami's eternal peace—once they entered a combat state, an invisible tacit understanding would be naturally established.
Without the need for excessive words, a subtle maneuver or a fluctuation in energy could be accurately captured and understood by each other, thereby evolving into exquisite tactical coordination.
Ryo (second avatar) monitored the training process entirely, synchronizing all the data in real-time to his main body on Mars. He expressed satisfaction with the training results; these three pilots and their EVA-Titans were rapidly growing into a formidable combat force.
It was exactly at this time when the training results initially manifested that the formal joint training invitation from the Steel Hound Legion arrived in Ryo's hands via an encrypted communication link.
The person issuing the invitation was Princeps Olaf himself. His image appeared on the communication screen, his face still bearing un-repressible excitement.
"Lord Astartes! I have heard that your... 'God-Machines' have completed their preliminary adaptability training. With the utmost sincerity, our Steel Hound Legion formally invites you and your pilots to participate in a small-scale, closed joint tactical drill. We firmly believe this will be highly beneficial to both parties!"
Ryo (second avatar) did not reply immediately; he first forwarded the invitation alongside the complete analytical reports of the recent training data to his main body.
Far away on Necromunda, the main body was on a break during a conference regarding resource allocation for the gene-seed optimization project.
He quickly browsed through the information transmitted by the avatar. The training data met and even slightly exceeded expectations, proving the massive potential of the combination between the EVA-Titans and the otherworldly pilots.
And the invitation from the Steel Hound Legion was a thoroughly anticipated opportunity.
"Approval granted for participation in the joint training," the main body's reply was concise and definitive. "This is an excellent platform to showcase value and garner attention. The Steel Hound Legion holds a degree of influence within the Collegia Titanica, and their evaluation is of utmost importance. Ensure the performance of the EVA-Titans is fully displayed, but pay attention to risk control to avoid unnecessary damage to the machines or personnel casualties."
"Understood," the second avatar responded. He comprehended the main body's intentions.
Although they currently possessed the backing of the Primarch Rogal Dorn and certain high-ranking officials at the Martian Mechanicum Headquarters, this support was far from absolutely stable within the faction-riddled Adeptus Mechanicus, nor did it cover all sectors.
As the powerful faction controlling the Imperium's most devastating ground forces—the Titan Legions—the attitude and inclinations of the Collegia Titanica carried decisive weight.
If they could use this joint training to demonstrate the irreplaceable, unique value of the EVA-Titans to the Steel Hound Legion and the Collegia Titanica standing behind them, their voice on Mars and the resources they could mobilize would experience a significant elevation.
One could never have too many bargaining chips.
Thus, Ryo (second avatar) gave Princeps Olaf an affirmative reply.
The joint training was scheduled for one week later, with the location situated in another vast desert on the Death World designated as a high-tier live-fire testing zone.
When the news was transmitted back to the three pilots, their reactions varied.
"Finally, a somewhat decent opponent?" Fighting spirit ignited in Asuka's eyes as the corners of her mouth curled into a confident arc. "Let's make those lumps of iron take a good look at what true combat is!"
Shinji, on the other hand, appeared somewhat uneasy: "Training... with the Imperium's Titans? What if... what if we end up breaking their mechs?"
"Simply act according to orders." Rei Ayanami's answer was as flat as always, as if this was merely a routine daily training exercise.
Ryo (second avatar) looked at them and issued his directive: "This training will primarily focus on demonstrating the machines' performance and tactical coordination. There is no need to hold back; display the level of skill you ought to have."
His words carried a trace of imperceptible, profound meaning. The three nodded in compliance, returning to their respective stations to make their final preparations.