�Worried?� a new voice asked quietly from her own right and slightly behind her.

�You could say that, yeah,� Misato answered calmly.

Cirus stepped up to her side and looked out calmly with his hands in the pockets of his coat. �You�re a very caring person, Major,� he said in the same tone as before.

Misato half-smiled and looked down at her feet, her hand remaining on the window. �Thanks, but what good will caring do if I can�t even help stop this Angel?�

�Your emotions give you strength beyond normal means, Major. If you care enough, you�ll succeed at whatever you strive for,� Cirus answered calmly.

�Then maybe I�m not so caring after all?� Misato asked, though Cirus could tell it was not really him she was addressing as she looked back up at the view of the Geo-front.

Cirus turned around so that his back was to the window she was facing. �The decision is yours,� he said cryptically before calmly starting to walk off down the hall.

Misato looked after him with a creased brow. Decision? What�? But as she asked herself the question the answer came to her mind. She could hear Cirus� voice say, �It�s your decision whether you care enough or not,� in her mind. Misato thoughtfully looked back out at the Geo-front before her face set itself firmly and she turned away from the window and walked down the hall. She would not be the reason Tokyo-3 was destroyed.

As Cirus walked down the hall he silently hoped Misato would understand what he�d said. She was a very intelligent woman, but he may not have made it clear enough for her. Well it was too late now so he simply continued on, looking down at the ground ahead of him.

As he rounded a turn he almost walked straight into Asuka. She stopped short and then started to walk around him quickly, but Cirus� hand came out and touched her shoulder. She stopped and turned back around to him with a firm glare. �What? Was I rude again? Or maybe just ungraceful?� she asked heatedly.

Cirus faintly winced at her tone, but calmly tilted his head to one side before addressing her. �Asuka, though I still believe you were out of line, so was I for insulting you. Revenge never gets anything done, it just keeps the cycle repeating. For what its worth I do apologize,� he reemphasized with a respectful bow of his head before turning and starting back on his way.

Asuka brow was furrowed as she debated inside herself what to do. She finally set her feet and called after him. �Cirus! I�m sorry, too,� she said once she�d gotten his attention calmly before turning and going on her own way.

Cirus turned back around, but Asuka had already left. �Shinji.

Ritsuko sighed as she watched the screen continue to scroll through the results the Magi were getting from their tests. So far nothing had come up, it was like the Angel was just moving the Evas of its will-power.

The thought suddenly got her attention and she leaned forward in the chair. She quickly typed in a set of commands into the Magi�s controls and waited as they computed the results.

They came back and basked Ritsuko�s face in pale green light as her eyes widened. She leapt up from the chair and ran out of the lab and down the hall. �That�s it� that�s it!� she said to herself firmly as she ran.

The command staff was gathered once again, having been summoned by Ritsuko�s rather urgent request for a meeting. Maya typed in something into a keyboard she was holding in one arm and was plugged into the display table. �Initially the Magi were told to scan the energy fields around the Evas to gather what was affecting them,� she explained calmly as freeze-frames of the Evas being thrown about appeared periodically on the table.

Ritsuko stepped forward. �After scanning through ninety-five percent of all known spectrums and still finding nothing abnormal about the energy fields around the Evas I tested a theory.�

�What grounds did you base this theory on?� Ikari asked calmly.

Ritsuko looked up at him calmly. �Intuition,� she answered in a matching tone.

Ikari looked back down at the table as Maya punched in another set of commands into her keyboard. A freeze-frame of the Angel appeared on the table as it was holding Unit 02 in the air.

�An electro magnetic spectrum analysis of the Angel showed very abnormal electrical patterns in its neurological matrix,� she explained.

Misato looked up at Ritsuko with a quizzical expression. �What does that mean?�

Ritsuko smiled slightly. �The Angel is using a technique thought to be impossible by the laws of physics. Its� �brain� is actually causing objects to move with thought patterns. The spikes on its head act as radio-transmitters and broadcast its thoughts out for an indefinable range and allow it to manipulate objects without touching them,� she explained in a tone that resembled an excited child�s.

Maya nodded. �Yes, the target is utilizing telekinesis.�

�So that�s why it got weaker with more Evas. It could only concentrate so much at one time,� Kaji commented thoughtfully.

Misato smiled slyly. �Which means we have a weak point we can strike at.�

�Well done, Dr. Akagi. When the target appears again use whatever means necessary to destroy it,� Ikari ordered calmly before leaving with Fuyutsuki.

�So what�s your plan?� Hyuga asked Misato with concern on his face.

Misato smiled again. �We�re going to test its multi-tasking abilities.�

Rei pressed the button for the elevator to go down three levels. There was going to be a briefing on the upcoming mission in the council room and all four pilots had been requested present.

The doors split apart and Rei looked up. She stopped short when she saw Command Ikari standing there calmly at the door. He stepped back and motioned into the elevator. �Join me, Rei.�

Rei slowly stepped past the threshold of the doorway and turned back around as they closed, putting her directly beside Ikari.

�I am glad I found you before the briefing,� Ikari said calmly. �With the failure of our initial attempt, we have devised a new purpose for you Rei. When this Angel is destroyed we will implement it,� he explained and then stopped the elevator at the second floor down. The doors opened and he stepped off, the doors closing again behind him.

Rei stood there calmly, none of her sudden shock apparent visibly. She put her hand out and leaned against the side of the elevator as it started to spin under her. The doors opened and she stepped out slowly before leaning against the wall on the far side of the walkway and sliding down to the ground. She pulled her knees up to her chest and curled her arms around them before resting her head against them.

Cirus walked around a bend about ten meters to Rei�s right and saw her curled up against the wall. His brow creased and he quickly ran up and got down beside her. �Rei?� he asked calmly.

He could see her shivering and then he heard her gasp quietly as she inhaled.

�What�s wrong?� he asked more concernedly. She didn�t respond again and so he reached toward her with his hand. �Rei, you�re cry-�

She cut him off by flinching away from him. �Don�t,� she said sharply as she pulled away with one arm on the ground and her head turned away from him.

Cirus froze his hand in place as his mouth opened slightly. �R-Rei, what happened to you?� he asked, not really sure how to react.

�Please� leave�� she pleaded quietly, still looking away from him as tears came from her closed eyes.

Cirus stood up slowly, his mind reeling. He calmed himself, realizing that if that was her choice it was her choice. ��A-as you wish, Miss Ayanami. I�m very sorry for disturbing you,� he said around a lump in his throat before slowly starting to back away, his hand tracing along the wall.

Rei curled herself back up as she let out a quivering gasp. I�m sorry, Cirus� I do not wish to hurt you�

Misato looked up at the opening doors and her expression immediately changed to a worried one as she saw Cirus enter. His demeanor was completely different as he walked in. His steps were short and unsure and his head darted around subtly instead of his eyes moving to see beneath his glasses.

Ritsuko, Asuka, and Shinji also noticed his odd behavior. Maya had also, but didn�t wish to involve herself in the young man�s personal affairs.

�Cirus, are you feeling alright?� Misato asked seriously as she stood up from her chair.

Cirus shook his head as if to clear it of fog before looking up at her. �Y-yes, Major. I�m fine, thank you.�

No one bought that for a second, but Misato didn�t comment further. �Did you see Rei on your way here?� The moment Misato said Rei�s name she saw Cirus react physically with a wave of stiffness passing through his body.

��No, Major,� he said quietly.

The door opened behind him and Rei stepped through. Cirus had turned around to see who it was and his reaction to her entrance was noticed quite easily as he quickly moved across to the other side of the room and leaned against the wall. Misato noticed that Rei refused to look in his direction and her own demeanor was different, more like her old self again.

Ritsuko stepped forward and activated the display table. They didn�t have time to deal with a lover�s quarrel. �The Evas will be dispersed in a typical holding pattern around the Angel wherever it appears,� as she spoke the display table lit up with four dots and a central red square. �There, wherever it appears, we will launch a simultaneous assault with all four Evas. Depending on how powerful the Angel is, we may have to use missile and other solid ammunition to distract it further. The orders are to destroy the target upon first opening,� she explained finally and then stepped back to answer any questions that the pilots might have.

�Dr. Akagi, what if we are still not able to overload the Angel�s abilities?� Cirus asked, his tone back to normal and his demeanor business-like. Misato realized he must have just received a massive emotional shock from Rei and it had taken even him some time to regain his composure.

�Then we�ll have a problem,� Ritsuko answered candidly.

Misato watched Rei and though the girl�s demeanor was cold and calm as it had been in the past, she could see pain in the girl�s eyes. She told him something she wishes she hadn�t� Though either way, Misato couldn�t worry about it at the time. An Angel was still on the loose somewhere.

�We have sensors scanning for build-ups of neuro-kinetic forces,� Maya reported. �You four will be notified the moment the Angel shows up.�

The four pilots responded in varying forms of acknowledgement before Misato dismissed them. Cirus waited until Rei had fully left before even walking toward the doors. When they closed Misato looked at Ritsuko.

�What do you think happened?� she asked.

�Whatever it was, it hurt them both a great deal, but I have no idea,� Ritsuko answered.

Misato looked at the door worriedly. But they were so happy�

Hyuga was watching the sensors quite closely in the command center, his eyes glancing from screen to screen. He was looking for anything, even the minutest difference. If he�d known ahead of time how massive the difference would be, he wouldn�t have worked himself so hard. All of his screens instantly flashed with warnings and Hyuga slammed his hand down on the communication system. �This is Hyuga; the target has been sighted!� he reported urgently.

It didn�t take long for the command staff to return and for the pilots to get down to their Evas.

Misato looked up at the main screen with a sinking expression on her face. �Why does that worry me so much?� she asked slowly.

�What�s the matter, Major?� Cirus� voice came back lightly as his Eva appeared on the surface. �Don�t like clouds?�

The sky above Tokyo-3 had filled with thick, pitch-black clouds. They were unnaturally dark in fact.

�Are the clouds the Angel?� Shinji asked back over the comm. Out of context the question was laughable, but considering that Araphiel had been a cloud the question was warranted.

�The energy readings are located in one concentrated area of the clouds,� Maya reported.

Ritsuko shook her head. �Then the clouds aren�t the Angel itself.�

�Cover?� Kaji suggested.

�Fire at the concentration,� Commander Ikari ordered calmly.

Misato nodded and relayed the order to the Evas. Units 00 through 02 opened fire, since Unit 14 had no projectile weaponry, on one part of the clouds over the northern part of Tokyo-3. Unit 00�s proton cannon, which it was using instead of its normal cannon, dispersed the clouds in that area with its spherical blasts, but nothing could be seen.

�The target has moved!� Ayobi reported quickly. �Its now over the southern portion of the city and the cloud pattern is changing,� he continued.

That placed the Angel above and directly behind Unit 14. The four Evas spun toward that direction and the other three closed in, trying to reform their holding pattern. The clouds were swirling around the point of the energy concentration and were building speed. A funnel appeared and spun down to touch the ground. It suddenly expanded and dispersed, revealing the Angel once more.

Cirus� brow creased as he looked at the Angel. Its appearance had changed. Its skin was now black and looked much stronger than before, more filled out.

�Continue as planned,� Ritsuko�s voice came over the comm in response to the unasked question.

Before the Evas could act, however, the Angel spun around to face Unit 01 and swung its arm up. Shinji let out a surprised yelp as his Eva spun into the air feet first and then flew back before slamming into a hillside with shattering ferocity.

�Shinji?!� Misato shouted.

�The pilot is alive, but unconscious,� Hyuga reported.

�Target is moving toward Unit 01!� Ayobi reported quickly.

�All Units, protect Unit 01!� Misato ordered firmly.

Unit 14 ran up to the Angel and let out a punch, but its arm froze in mid-air and then the Eva flew back. Unit�s 02 and 00 opened fire, but their shots either exploded prematurely or flowed around the Angel instead of hitting it.

Suddenly Unit 02�s right arm was wrenched to the side and twisted before being shoved down along its body. Asuka clenched her teeth against the searing pain and clutched her wounded arm with her good hand, forcing her to drop her gun. Then Unit 02 rose into the air. Asuka choked and tried to breathe, but her throat was being squeezed powerfully and no air could get through. Her eyes widened as she reached up to her neck and tried to pull off whatever was gripping her, but there was nothing there. She started to panic, her and the Eva�s hands feeling about their necks wildly.

Unit 00 stopped firing with its cannon, realizing it was having no effect at all, and ran toward the Angel with her knife drawn. The Eva froze and the cannon was torn from its arm. Rei strained against the controls, but they wouldn�t respond, and suddenly her Eva flew into the air. Rei found her control had returned and she started to correct herself so she could land, but when she saw how high she was falling from she realized the Eva�s legs would be shattered by the impact.

As her Eva came to about a thousand meters something crashed into it. Rei quickly looked down and saw Unit 14 holding her Eva. It landed with a crash before letting Unit 00 down and rushing back toward the Angel and Unit 02.

But before Unit 14 could get to the Angel, Unit 01 rushed forward, the pilot screaming.

�Shinji?� Cirus asked quietly as the other Eva grabbed Unit 02 and fled from the Angel.

Cirus knew that wouldn�t be enough to break the Angel�s grip so he charged with Unit 14. The Angel spun around to meet him before its eyes flashed and a mouth tore open with razor sharp teeth in it. Unit 14 froze, but Cirus continued to strain as powerfully as he could. The more the Angel had to focus on him, the better Asuka�s chances were. He forced forward with a punch, but his Eva�s hand, of course, froze in place.

The sound of Asuka�s cough and gasping for air over the comm relieved Cirus, but he continued to force himself toward the Angel, he couldn�t let it grab her again.

�Shinji, Rei, help Cirus!� Misato ordered.

Unit 01 rose up from having rested Unit 02 on the ground, and charged back toward the Angel, Unit 00 doing the same from behind Unit 14.

The Angel looked to the side and saw Unit 01. Its eyes flashed back at Unit 14 and the Eva flew back, slamming into a building violently.

�Is he alive?� Misato asked quickly.

�Yes,� Maya answered briefly. �The Angel appears to be focused on Unit 01. It ignores or forcibly removes any obstructions between itself and the Eva.�

�Rei stop!� Misato shouted into the comm system.

Unit 00 came to a halt.

�Shinji, fall back and keep doing so. Buy us some time,� she continued.

�Yes, ma�am,� Shinji replied quickly and Unit 01 spun around, retreating in the other direction.

Suddenly Unit 01 was yanked back toward the Angel, flying back and slamming into the ground before rolling to a stop at the Angel�s feet.

�Ikari?!� Rei gasped and rushed forward, pulling Unit 00�s knife out again and charging.

The Angel turned to her with a growl and raised its hand. Unit 00 gawked and froze in place. Then the Angel raised its other hand and metal tore up out of the ground. It wrapped itself into a long, tight pole with a very sharp end. It rushed toward Unit 00. Rei closed her eyes and looked away, bracing herself for the pain, but it never struck. She opened her eyes and saw Unit 14 standing between her and the Angel, the spear through its mid-section so far that it was resting against Unit 00�s side. Rei�s eyes widened. Cirus?

Unit 14 was facing her, its head bowed down and its hands holding Unit 00�s shoulders. Unit 00 reached down to grip the spear, but Rei looked up and saw the Angel rise up behind Unit 14. �Dodge!� she shouted, but Unit 14 shoved her back instead of dodging itself.

The spear rotated around in the wound and Unit 14 fell to its knees, one arm curled down near the wound, but not able to touch it. Then the Eva gripped both ends of the spear, the section out in front of it and the section out of its back before wrenching both to the side and snapping the metal off. It then reached it and pulled the remaining portion out of its mid-section before standing up and turning around to face the Angel.

Misato closed her eyes and looked away from the screen. Maya did the same, but in a noticeably more sickened manner. �How painful was that?� Misato asked slowly.

Hyuga shook his head. �Not very painful, but it would have felt sickening.�

Blood poured down from the two holes in the Evas body as it faced the Angel. Cirus had clamped his mouth shut to avoid throwing up as he�d yanked the last portion out and he�d succeeded.

The Angel roared, and Unit 14�s left arm raised up in front of him, then twisted around with several thick snaps. The Eva rose into the air as its arm was wrenched out to the side and the other yanked up into a matching position. The Angel�s eyes flashed brightly again, and the air distorted around the Eva as the sound of crushing metal filled the air.

The chest area of the Eva cracked all over and the arms made horrendous screams of protest as the Eva�s entire body was slowly crushed.

Unit 00 surged up and lashed out with its blade at the Angel, but it froze in place and its arm was twisted around, forcing it to drop the knife. Rei inhaled sharply with the pain, but threw out a punch at the Angel with her good arm. Rei�s throat suddenly shut and her eyes widened in shock for a moment as she couldn�t breathe. She choked and tried to inhale but it wouldn�t get through. Unit 00 was forced to its knees with a crash by the same force holding its neck. I�m sorry, Cirus� I didn�t want to hurt you any more� Unit 00 reached up with its good hand toward the Angel, trying in a pathetically weak attempt to make it let go.

Unit 14�s eyes flashed brightly and the crushed arms suddenly surged forward, forcing the Angel a step back as it tried to force them back.

�Eject both plugs, do it now,� Misato ordered finally.

�Belay that order,� Ikari ordered calmly.

Misato whirled around and looked up at him in wide-eyed shock.

�Eject Unit 00�s plug only,� Ikari continued.

Hyuga glanced from Ikari to Misato before turning back to his console. ��Yes, sir,� he said quietly and started to type in the command.

Rei saw the command uploading into her Eva. She reached out with her shivering arm toward the Angel. Let go of him�

Then the nerve connection died and her plug shot out of the Eva. She gasped and inhaled deeply for several breaths before calming back down to her normal breathing rate. She felt the hollow thud of the plug landing and then the LCL drained through the emergency vents. She coughed out the last bit of it in her lungs and crawled out to the hatch, opening it and falling out onto the ground weakly. She pushed herself back up, noticing she�d landed on a rooftop and looked back out. She saw the Angel, still holding her Eva and Unit 14 in its invisible grip. Then she saw that Unit 14�s plug housing was still intact. �Cirus?!�

The blood rushed from her head and her knees weakened as she realized what Commander Ikari had done. She fell back down to her knees and tears poured out of her eyes. �No� please� do not do this�� she pleaded desperately.