Chapter 596: WILLE's Decision
WILLE, flagship AAA Wunder, high-level conference room.
The atmosphere was so heavy it felt as if one could wring water from it.
Seated around the oval conference table was WILLE's current decision-making echelon: Commander Misato Katsuragi, Chief Scientist Ritsuko Akagi, Security Chief Ryoji Kaji, along with several military officers and senior technical personnel from major departments.
The holographic projection in the center of the room displayed the cooperation framework, a summary of technical parameters, and the tempting resource exchange list sent by Ryo.
"To summarize, the other party requires us to provide ten 'blank' state EVA biological skeletons. In exchange, we will receive continuous technical support, as well as desperately needed energy, supplies, and medical equipment." Misato briefly outlined the situation once more, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. "This is the final deadline given by the other party. We need to make a decision."
Silence followed. Struggle and calculation were written on everyone's face.
The Debate
"I object!" An official in charge of logistics, formerly of the Japanese government, spoke up first, his face flushed. "EVA biotechnology is our last hope for fighting the Angels and protecting humanity! Handing over such core technology to an unknown entity from another world with unknown motives is simply... a betrayal! Who can guarantee he won't use these biological bodies to create even more terrifying monsters, or even turn around and threaten our world?"
His perspective represented the fears of a portion of the group; the unknown is always accompanied by fear.
"But look at the list they provided!" Another officer in charge of energy management pointed at the data on the projection, his tone agitated. "High-density energy units! Enough to keep the Wunder running at full power for three months without needing to search for geothermal resupply! And these alloy materials—if they can be used to repair Unit-03 or build new defensive fortifications... Do you all not realize the situation we are in? SEELE is lurking in the shadows like ghosts, the Angels could reappear at any time, and our supply reserves are nearing rock bottom!"
The pressure of reality was laid bare before them. Survival is the primary need of any civilization.
Ritsuko Akagi pushed up her glasses, calmly analyzing the technical aspect. "From a technical standpoint, the theory proposed by the other party—stripping the soul mark and creating a 'blank body'—sounds unimaginable, but it is not entirely unfounded. Gendo Ikari's previous 'mass production' of Rei Ayanami had already touched upon this field. If we can master this method, perhaps... perhaps we can also solve some of our own issues, such as the pilot compatibility problem with Unit-00."
Her gaze flickered toward Misato ever so slightly.
Misato knew what Ritsuko was referring to: cloning Rei Ayanami, or creating new compatible pilots. This involved even deeper ethical taboos.
Ryoji Kaji leaned back in his chair, his hands crossed on the table, his tone steady. "Risks certainly exist. Handing the EVA biological cores over to the other party means surrendering a portion of our strategic initiative. However, the opportunities are equally immense. The technological prowess the other party has demonstrated, particularly that completed unit named the 'EVA-Titan', possesses combat capabilities far exceeding our current EVAs."
"Establishing a stable cooperation with such a faction can not only solve our imminent survival issues, but it might also provide us with a new breakthrough point in our fight against SEELE. The key lies in whether we can maintain a degree of initiative in this cooperation and establish effective oversight and check-and-balance mechanisms."
He paused and looked at Misato. "Furthermore, do not forget... Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are still over there."
Those words made Misato's heart clench.
Those three children were one of the primary reasons they made the initial decision to cooperate. Now, it seemed they had found some sort of... value in that new world? If they rejected this cooperation, would it affect them? Although Ryo appeared highly rational, no one could guarantee what he might do if his interests were compromised.
The meeting devolved into a heated debate.
The opposition emphasized the security of core technologies and unknown risks. The supporters focused on survival supplies and potential technological advancements. The moderates worried about ethical issues and future uncontrollability.
Misato listened quietly without interrupting. As a commander, she had to synthesize all factors and make the decision most beneficial to WILLE's survival and development.
The Decision
The argument continued for several hours. Finally, after all viewpoints had been fully expressed, everyone's eyes gathered on Misato.
Misato took a deep breath and stood up. Her eyes had regained their usual decisiveness.
"Everyone, I understand your concerns. The risks are very real." Her voice was clear and firm. "However, WILLE's current situation does not allow us to reject an opportunity that could change our fate out of fear. Sitting around waiting to die might ultimately yield a worse result than taking a risk."
She pointed to the resource list. "These supplies will allow us to survive. They will give us the strength to continue fighting. The other party's technical support might help us patch our own shortcomings. As for the EVA biotechnology..."
She paused for a moment. "This is indeed our most important asset. But if an asset cannot be converted into the power to survive and develop, then it is meaningless. We can attempt to set boundaries in our cooperation. For example, we only provide basic biological skeletons, involving no top-secret elements like the S^2 Engine, and we require a commitment from the other party not to use the related technology against our world."
She looked around at the crowd. "This is a gamble. But I believe that for the future of WILLE, so that we can continue to protect this broken world, this is a risk worth taking."
She then issued her final directives:
Technical Validation: "Ritsuko, you are in charge of organizing the technical team. Immediately evaluate the technical feasibility of creating a 'blank body' based on the parameters provided by the other party, and attempt preliminary experiments. We need to produce a sample as soon as possible to prove our capability and sincerity."
Legal and Security Framework: "Kaji, you are responsible for drafting a detailed cooperation and non-disclosure agreement, clarifying the rights, obligations, and technical boundaries of both parties. We must secure as many guarantees for WILLE as possible."
Official Response: "I will reply to Dr. Ryo and agree to the cooperation in principle. But the specific details will need to be finalized after sample validation and treaty negotiations are complete."
This decision was fully in Misato's style: amidst tremendous risk, seizing that single thread of survival and doing everything in her power to control the situation.
The meeting concluded. Everyone left with complex emotions, beginning their respective tasks.
Misato stood alone by the window of the conference room, looking out at the broken, crimson-stained earth. She knew this decision might lead WILLE toward a completely unknown future. But just as she had said, they had no better choice.
At the very last moment of the deadline, the encrypted communication from WILLE connected to the Death World once again.