"Check the equipment."
"Check complete. The previous abnormality was traced to Main Line 1; the cause is unknown."
Yui Ikari spoke up, "Main Line 1 connects to the frontal lobe area, right?"
"Correct."
Ikari Fumihiko pondered for a moment before adding, "The abnormality was likely caused by the awakening of the test subject's consciousness."
It was only then that Yui understood why Fumihiko had been so adamant about issuing the termination command earlier.
"It's resisting."
"Yes, continuing the experiment would only damage the equipment and cause irreversible harm to the test subject."
"What do you plan to do?"
What do I plan to do? Don't just throw questions at me! Do you think I'm a great scientist?
Noticing that everyone's eyes were on him, he felt immense pressure. Fumihiko recalled the original story and had an idea of a solution, but ultimately decided to let Yui handle this issue. After all, his job was to create the brain-link device designed by Ishida U, and now that it was done, he only needed to assist other teams in related experiments.
This way, he would have ample time to digest the knowledge stored in the original's mind and... more energy for gaming.
Moreover, all the solutions seemed too cruel for him to accept.
After some hesitation, he said, "This is beyond what our team can handle."
Yui nodded and, after a moment's thought, said, "Then your team should test the stability and limit values of the device in a silent startup state. Come to the minister's office tomorrow morning to discuss the solution."
Developing a fantastical bio-weapon like Eva with 2000-level technology was a scientific fantasy that naturally wouldn't go smoothly. The current issues were already better than expected. At least the crucial test subject sample cultivation technology was a thousand times lower than anticipated. It only took a hundred attempts to create an ideal test subject sample.
Having received the desired answer, Fumihiko readily agreed, "Alright."
After Yui left, Fumihiko addressed the team members, "We'll now start working in five-person groups, rotating four shifts for 24-hour continuous silent state stress testing. If any abnormalities occur during the stress test, the observers don't need to report them; they should immediately initiate the emergency termination protocol. Got it?"
"Got it!"
After organizing the groups, he announced, "Everyone except the first group can go rest now." He then left the control room and went to his office to get some sleep. However, he had barely laid down when he was woken up by a phone call. Irritated, he answered the phone, and Yui's voice came through.
"Dr. Ibuki has proposed a solution that requires your cooperation to modify the equipment."
"What about the stress test?"
"It won't interfere. Her proposal adds an external device to the existing setup. By the time the device is ready, the stress test should be nearly complete."
"Alright, I understand. Do we still have the meeting tomorrow morning?"
"No, but you can come over to see your adorable nephew, little Shinji. I promise it will keep you energized all day."
Heh—
Woman, you won't trick me into babysitting!
Shortly after hanging up, someone walked in. Unlike Yui, who dressed simply and practically, this woman was dressed more provocatively, with black stockings, a skirt, and a blouse that accentuated her figure. If not for the secret research facility setting, he might have mistaken her for a cosplay enthusiast.
"Are you Dr. Ibuki?"
"Not Dr. Ibuki, call me Sister Emi. I'm your cousin's only friend." Before Fumihiko could respond, Ibuki Emi continued teasingly, "Your cousin used to have many close friends, you know... Can you guess why I'm the only one left? There's a mysterious reward if you guess correctly—"
A mysterious reward? Heh— This trick is getting old.
"Did they all die in the Second Impact?"
"You're smart. They were crushed by collapsing buildings right in front of me. Blood splattered on my face, and even a piece of meat landed in my mouth..."
Wait! What are you trying to pull?
Looking at Emi, who seemed on the verge of a mental breakdown, Fumihiko felt scared. Seeing his frightened expression, Emi put away her dangerous smile and laughed happily, "Just kidding! I didn't experience anything that terrifying. Yui has always had only one friend—me. Given the current situation, we're still friends, I guess! We probably won't fall out in the future."
What do you mean "still friends," and "probably won't fall out"? What kind of secrets are you hiding with Yui?
"There's no big grudge between us. She just silently stole the guy I had a crush on in college, Rokubungi Gendo."
Wait a minute— You're still using Gendo's original surname? Do you still have feelings for him? No way... Is Gendo that popular, even after marriage?
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he realized this had nothing to do with him. "I'm not interested in personal matters. Let's focus on business."
"If you keep up that attitude, you'll have a hard time finding a girlfriend."
"What do you need me to do?"
"I plan to add a cockpit to the neural link device and establish a direct connection with the test subject to find answers through practice."
What the heck— Are you planning to conduct human experiments directly, risking lives to validate your design ideas?
As if reading his thoughts, Emi spoke again, "This is the best way to quickly achieve results. Don't worry! Although the UN announced that half of the world's population has died, this is just an estimate. The exact number won't be known until order is fully restored, so no one will know if a few more were added."
What I care about is not this! It's your... disregard for human life!
"No one is an exception. Even you and I could be added to the disaster death toll."
Fumihiko felt a chill run down his spine. This woman must have experienced something traumatic during the Second Impact, leading to mental instability. As the thought of half the world's population dying flashed through his mind, he realized that Emi had likely lost all her loved ones in that catastrophe.