Chapter 1705
Cooperation, Change!
Chapter 1705 Cooperation, Change!
A towering pillar of fire shot into the sky, dimming the sun and bringing nightfall. The valley where the Punishment Force and the Earth Federation Forces were hiding was also hit by the terrifying impact of the N2 mine explosion.
However, due to the terrain and distance, the impact was greatly weakened by the time it reached us.
But the power and commotion it generated were enough to shock the humans hiding in the valley.
"A nuclear bomb?"
Amuro, sitting in the cockpit, stared intently at the constantly shaking screen before him.
"No. It's a conventional weapon comparable to a nuclear bomb, but without causing any pollution after detonation, called the N2 mine. It's also the last resort the Defense Force uses to stop the Fourth Angel's advance."
He Ming's voice rang out in the communication, and at the same time, everyone learned about the existence of the N2 landmine.
"But even with such power, I'm afraid it won't be able to stop the Fourth Apostle from advancing, will it?"
Hassawi's expression was also very solemn.
Although he and Amuro did not climb the mountain to watch the battle, they were still able to clearly see the Fourth Apostle's every move through the cameras set up on the surrounding hills.
"Alright. Next, it's our turn. Ladies and gentlemen, I will now officially reveal the information about the Fourth Angel to you! I believe you all witnessed the battle just now. Conventional weapons were unable to stop the Fourth Angel's advance. This is because the opponent possesses a strange ability called the AT Field, which can greatly reduce the power of conventional weapons."
"Furthermore, the Fourth Apostle we are now seeing possesses the ability to regenerate infinitely."
"Therefore, the opponent we are facing is very difficult and extremely powerful."
"In the upcoming battle, I will lead the attack, and all of you will be responsible for restraining the Fourth Apostle's actions."
He Ming's words immediately drew objections from Cun Yufeng.
"Colonel! The Psycho Gundam possesses an I-Field; I'll be in charge of the attack!"
"No! Whether the I-Field can resonate with the AT Field is still unknown. Phoenix, the Psycho Gundam will handle the situation. Understand?"
He Ming refused Cun Yufeng's request without hesitation.
"Rosamia, you too."
"Understood, Colonel!"
"Amuro, Mafti, I don't need to worry about you two! Keep an eye on your surroundings and the safety of your teammates! This isn't an annihilation operation, but a training exercise! I don't want any casualties!"
Amuro was taken aback by He Ming's words.
"Colonel Ming, isn't this request a bit too difficult? That's a behemoth even larger than a psycho-Gundam!"
"That's why I put you in charge of keeping things in check! Retreat immediately if things go wrong."
"Yes! Colonel!"
Just as He Ming was making arrangements for the next operation, the commander of the defense force, who thought that the N2 mines would be able to eliminate the Fourth Apostle, received unbelievable news.
The Fourth Apostle is still alive, and it seems that something has changed because of the explosion of the N2 mine.
In the scalding magma, the wounds on the Fourth Apostle were rapidly growing with tumor-like flesh and blood tissue, and then healing again.
This situation forced the confident defense commander to accept the status quo.
They called Gendo Ikari to their side, preparing to hand over command of the operation to NERV, but were interrupted by a sudden message.
"Report! Communication received from the Earth Federation Forces! Identification confirmed as Colonel Ming of the Punishment Squad!"
Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of surprise.
"Oh? Colonel Ming from the Punishment Force? Recently, this Colonel Ming has been riding high, unmatched in his field! What do you think we should do?"
The three defense commanders exchanged glances and then looked at Gendo Ikari.
"I think it wouldn't hurt to negotiate appropriately."
Gendo Ikari said slowly.
"Alright then! Ikari, you'll handle the negotiations."
"Understood!"
Gendo Ikari turned to look at Yukizo Fuyutsuki, who immediately instructed the communications officer to connect the communication.
The next second, He Ming, sitting in the cockpit of the Banshee, appeared on the screen.
"Nice to meet you! I am Gendo Ikari."
"I am Ming. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The fact that He Ming's face was concealed by a mask disappointed the three defense commanders who were looking to see who this legendary Colonel Ming really was. Gendo Ikari, however, calmly asked...
"Colonel Ming, has the Punishment Force decided to participate in the upcoming defensive battle?"
He Ming was slightly surprised by Ikogendo's straightforward approach.
"Commander Ikari seems to be a straightforward person! Yes. Until you are ready, the next blocking battle can be handled by us, but if there are any losses, we will retreat immediately."
"what?!"
He Ming's response angered the commander of the defense force.
"Colonel Ming! You are a soldier too! You should know that war is never without casualties!"
"This war is not what we wanted. It was caused by your unauthorized experiment without our knowledge. The Fourth Apostle, Sakir, that name, I didn't mispronounce it, did I, Commander Ikari?"
He Ming's words left the three defense commanders speechless.
If we really investigate, it is indeed their responsibility for acting without authorization.
"Colonel Ming, your intelligence network surprises me. That's right! This is the Fourth Apostle, Sakir. It seems you know something about him, which is why you've taken such a bold step."
Gendo Ikari wanted to observe He Ming's subtle movements in order to find a breakthrough, but the mask on He Ming's face became an obstacle to his observation.
"So, Commander Ikari, will you accept our proposal?"
"Understood! We are willing to cooperate with the Punishment Force in the interception operation. In addition, our pilots are in position and can launch an attack after the Fourth Angel arrives at the Third Tokyo metropolitan area."
Gendo Ikari quickly accepted He Ming's arrangement.
After the negotiation, Gendo Ikari clearly understood that Heming did not intend to do everything in his power to stop the Fourth Angel, but rather to gather as much information as possible about the Fourth Angel's abilities as the situation allowed.
This point overlaps to some extent with Gendo Ikari's own plans.
Thus, the two parties reached a mutually agreeable cooperation agreement.
On the other side, in a room containing a giant humanoid weapon stained with red liquid, Shinji Ikari stood before the giant alongside Misato Katsuragi, who had brought him there, and Ritsuko Akagi from the technology development department.
"Is this the machine I'll be piloting later?"
The former fragility seems to have disappeared from Shinji Ikari, replaced by fortitude and the dashing decisiveness unique to soldiers.
This surprised Misato Katsuragi.
"Yes. But it would be inaccurate to call it a machine. This is the ultimate general-purpose humanoid weapon created by mankind, an artificial human, Evangelion Unit-01."
Ritsuko Akagi, standing nearby, didn't think too much about it and instead quickly explained.
"Also, we just received a report. The Punishment Force has arrived on the battlefield and is stopping the Fourth Angel. Shinji Ikari, you will now cooperate with the Punishment Force to annihilate the Fourth Angel. Can you do that?"
"The Punishment Force? Is that Colonel Ming?"
A glint flashed in Shinji Ikari's eyes, startling Misato Katsuragi, who was watching his every move.
It seems that Shinji Ikari's change was probably due to that Colonel Akira.
That makes sense. If it weren't for the personal attention of important figures, how could Shinji Ikari, an ordinary person, have stayed in the Earth Federation Forces' garrison base for so long and personally operate mobile suits for piloting training every day?
Such treatment, aside from the fact that their identity ID remained unchanged and they were not allowed to participate in actual combat, was almost equivalent to that of an active-duty pilot in the Earth Federation Forces.
"Yes. It's Colonel Ming!"
Misato Katsuragi confirmed.
"Okay! What do I need to do? After changing into the pilot's suit, how do I get inside... Unit-01?"
"Come with me! I'll take you there!"
Misato Katsuragi patted Shinji Ikari on the shoulder and pointed to the gate behind Ritsuko Akagi.
"Okay! Let's go!"
As Shinji Ikari, who had accepted his fate without hesitation and voluntarily boarded Unit-01, disappeared behind the gate with Misato Katsuragi, Ritsuko Akagi couldn't help but frown.
"How come this child has changed so much? I heard he used to be very introverted?"
Puzzled, Ritsuko Akagi subconsciously looked up at the small room above Unit-01 and found Gendo Ikari standing there, also looking deep in thought.
They must have been surprised by Shinji Ikari's transformation.
I feel terrible all day! I don't know if it's because of the heavy rain for the past few days, but I feel so sleepy! I'll rest for the night!
(End of this chapter)