"The city is gone," Burke paused to look at the crews of both NewCon and the Wunder who were sitting around a circular table. To him, both groups appeared exhausted, even after thirty-six hours since the battle ended. He sure as hell was feeling it. "The degree of destruction is such that nor only we now lack the resources for a full reconstruction, it is not longer in are strategic interests to rebuild." He then began to read a list from off his tablet.

"Rings three through ten have been obliterated. Seventy percent of the main wall has been destroyed, and forty percent of the power reactors are either destroyed or otherwise nonfunctional along with significant damage to the power distribution network. The real kicker is that several of the hex pillars that prevent this city from turning into core have been destroyed. Estimates are that this city will succumb to coreification in about three weeks to a month and a half."

"Thank you," Kaji sighed before continuing. "Captain, could you give us an update on the Wunder?"

"Repairs are proceeding on schedule," Misato replied. "While damage was extensive, nothing vital was harmed. We expect to be airborne within three days."

"That's excellent," Kaji said.

"I want to ask now about the base itself. Certainly this facility is salvageable even if the rest if the city is not," she then added.

"There is severe damage to the base as well," Aida replied. "We must also take into consideration that having a base here means also having support facilities; living quarters, food production and storage, amenities to make living here less burdensome. While we have some of these facilities already, more would have to be constructed. Not only would the materials needed to do so have to be shipped in, if it was available in the first place. It also comes back to the hex pillars problem. You can't make those anymore. This means that there is a significant gap in our protection with no means to fill it."

"Couldn't you do something?" Misato then asked. "At Paris, we-"

"That system was destroyed not long after your mission there was completed," Hood interrupted her. "Most of the city has returned to core by now."

"It's a moot point now," Kaji said. "Clayton told me before he left yesterday that it had been already decided by the higher ups when they read our initial damage reports that this base is to be decommissioned and abandoned in the next week. Personnel will be reassigned to different facilities that will be determined before that week is up."

"What will happen to Units 10 and 11?" Ritsuko then asked. "Will they be reassigned to other bases or could they be assigned to us?"

"Well, that depends on how you want to use the information we are about to give to both of you." Kaji replied.

"Information?" Both Misato and Ritsuko glanced at each other, each hoping the other would be able to clarify his statement.

"Just before the battle, our systems determined the origin point for the enemy Eva army." Burke brought up a holographic model of the Earth display above the table. A bright dot then appeared where New Constantinople was located,

"From NewCon, we can follow the path that the enemy Evas took." A line then extended from the dot tracing the path the enemy force took backwards into the Pacific.

"Here is where the earliest readings of the enemy force," Burke continued as the line went past New Palmyra to a point 350 miles south of where that city was.

"There's nothing there," Ritsuko said. "Did they come from the deep and ascended to the surface?"

"Unlikely," Burke replied. "All penetrative scans from the area revealed no evidence that this is the case. The readings at the time suggest that they stayed close to the surface. So they had to come from somewhere else."

"And you know where that somewhere else is," Misato said.

"There was one other thing near this position at the time." Burke tapped a couple more buttons, and within seconds, an image of the moon presented itself above the last known location.

"They came from the moon?" Misato said.

"It was the most plausible theory," Hood replied. "Whatever readings we had at the time correlate with the moon's presence."

"We investigated it further and managed to make an interesting discovery," Aida added. The room's monitor came to life showing an image of the moon's surface. Though the image was grainy, everyone in the room could see the pyramid of Nerv headquarters.

"So that's where they were," Ritsuko said.

"How long have they been there?" Misato asked. "Why haven't we've been able to detect then there before?"

"We can't determine that, but it could easily be since Fourth Impact. You know how difficult it can be to scan the moon," Aida replied. "We were about to give up when we caught this image at the last second. Keep in mind that the focus on previous searches was focused in the area around Seele's Tabgha base. Nerv headquarters is located on the other side."

"One more interesting fact for you," Hood then said. The holographic image changed to show the moon in its revolution around the Earth. "Guess where the moon will be in about a week?" Everyone saw the moon travel along until it stopped above Japan, in the area above Mount Fuji.

"The Black Moon," Ritsuko said.

"Exactly," Burke replied. "We believe the Eva army was going there to secure it until the White Moon was over it, and possibly assist in an Impact event."

"So what do you plan to do?" Misato asked.

"If it was up to me, I'd take a little trip there, and see if we can't settle this matter once and for all," Kaji replied.

"That's why your giving us this info," Ritsuko said. "You want us to take the Wunder and all four Evas and head over to the moon."

"If I remember right, you did propose such a plan when you were given command of the Wunder in the first place," Kaji said.

"They dismissed our plan saying it was unfeasible, that we couldn't risk the resources, even though I know this ship could pierce the AT Field surrounding it." She sounded bitter at those last words.

"And those resources are now gone," Burke said. "We can barely defend ourselves. Our best option is to go on the offensive."

"If you do this, we'll assign Units 10 and 11 to you," Kaji added. "We can even modify our energy emitters so they can be installed on the ship for them to use."

"How long would that take?" Misato asked.

"Several hours and that is in addition to installing other important equipment along with them. It won't interfere with the repair timetable you presented to us," Hood replied. Misato glanced over to Ritsuko, who nodded her concurrence.

"You know what my answer is," Misato then said. "However, I want to know if the brass is okay with this."

"They have been informed of our findings and our recommendation. I cannot see any serious opposition," Kaji replied.

"Wouldn't they be concerned about those who want other measures?" Ritsuko asked.

"I've already told them that if we failed in this mission, we should initiate Arbiter," Kaji said. "You will be allowed to do whatever in your power to complete the mission before they move on that."

"In that case, we'll take on the mission," Misato said. "We'll leave as soon as all preparations are made."

"Thank you," Burke said. "One more thing though. In addition to the pilots, we want you to take aboard some other personnel as well."

Shinji laid his school blazer in a box on top of several articles of clothing before moving it off his bed in order to put another empty box in its place. He then began to pack more of his belongings into it. He planned to wait until the last minute to pack the clothes he would need to take with him on the Wunder as that would only take minutes. He was about to finish the second box when he heard a knock at the door behind him. Shinji turned around to find Burke standing in the doorway.

"How are you getting along?" He asked Shinji.

"Almost done," he replied. "It won't be long."

"That's all right," Burke then said. "As long as you get it done in the next few hours." He paused for a few seconds before he spoke again. "How…are you doing?"

"Uh, okay I guess," Shinji looked at him with a look of confusion on his face. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Well, I was thinking that you might be upset over having to leave your home,"Burke told him.

"It not just me," Shinji said as he finished filling up the box. "You and everyone else will have to leave too."

"That's true," Burke said as he walked into the bedroom and sat on the bed. "I just wanted to make sure, that's all."

"Where will you go once we're gone?" Shinji then asked him.

"Where ever they want to send me," Burke replied. "I'm willing to hold your stuff for you until you get back."

"Thanks, but I'm not too worried about that," Shinji said.

"Also, if you want to live with me after it's all over, I'd be more than happy to have you," Burke added.

"Sure, but what do you mean 'if I want to?'" Shinji said.

"Well, you know that we succeed in this, the war will be over," Burke said. "You're practically an adult now, so you don't have to if you don't want to."

"R-Really?" Shinji said. "I thought that Wille would want me to-"

"When we finally win, all of that would end," Burke said. "If you put some thought into it, you realize you don't need me anymore. You deserve to live your life they way you want to live it. From what I've seen, you've lived it pretty well. I'm...I'm proud of you." Shinji stood silent for several seconds taking in all that Burke said, the last part in particular.

"No one ever said that to me," he whispered to himself.

"What was that?" Burke asked. It was another couple of seconds before Shinji realized that Burke was talking to him.

"Oh, uh, nothing. Sorry," Shinji blurted out. "I-I understand what you're saying, but I'll need to think about it."

"Of course," Burke said.

"Besides," Shinji then said. "Where else would I live?"

"Well, you could live with your girlfriend," Burke then said.

"Wait, you too?" Shinji sunk on his bed.

"I mean, everyone else could tell that there is something between you two," Burke said.

"Oh," Shinji said. "I thought that Mari-"

"That too," Burke said." She's not saying anything, but since the battle, you can read on her face every time she was around you two." Shinji flopped on his bed and groaned in reply. After a few seconds he sat back up.

"Even living with Sakura or with you or even alone, what do I do with the rest of my life?" he then asked.

"I suppose anything you want to do," Burke replied. "Wille's goal when the fighting is over would be to restore Earth to as much of a pre-Impact state as we can get it. There'll be plenty of things you can do, both as a part of, and outside of the restoration process."

"Yeah, but its not like I have some special skills or something," Shinji said. "For example, someone who runs the computer systems on base would have the skills to run the computers at some company. I only know how to pilot Eva. What good is that skill in the world if there is no more fighting?"

"It's not the only skill you have," Burke countered. "There are plenty of things that you know how to do. What about that astronomy club that you were part of in school? You can pursue something like that or a field related to it."

"But I was only in that club for a few months," Shinji replied. "That can't count."

"What about your cooking then?" Burke said. "I've heard people compare some of your dishes to restaurants. That's impressive."

"That can't count either," Shinji replied. "I started because I didn't want to eat junk food for the rest of my life. Besides, both that and the astronomy thing are just hobbies. I can't make a living from them."

"Who says you can't?" Burke said. "It takes a lot of work, but people have done it before."

"Really?" Shinji asked.

"Sure," Burke replied. "Besides, there are all sorts or careers out there. You'll have time to learn and study and see what you want to do. Understand?"

"I think so," Shinji answered.

"Good, but I think we might be getting a little ahead of ourselves," Burke then said. "We got to win this thing first."

The embarkation area was crowded with people from both the base and the Wunder, though it would be very few people from the base that would be boarding the ship. Most who were there were saying goodbye to the friends and acquaintances on the ship along with people from both places standing in the background observing all that was going on. Within that crowd, Shinji with his bag in hand passed through the crowd, looking around for anyone familiar to him. After a few minutes, he found Hood ahead of him, and got his attention.

"Glad I found you," Shinji said as he approached him. He then noticed that Hood was carrying a bag as well. "You're coming too?"

"That's right," Hood replied. "I'm supposed to be responsible for Units 10 and 11."

"That makes sense. Do you know Joanna where is?" Shinji said. "I haven't seen her anywhere."

"She's already aboard," Hood answered. "There are only three hangers in which to store an Eva, so one has to be on the top deck at all times in the event of attack. There'll be four shifts and Joanna is going first. You and the other pilots will be briefed on the shift schedule as soon as all of you are aboard."

"Okay," Shinji said. "Who else from the base is coming?"

"The technical crews for our Evas are going to be there for one thing. Lieutennant Bertain is coming on board as my adjunct, you know her. And there'll be one other person will be joining us for-wait just a sec. Hood then began to wave to his left. Several seconds later, Shinji saw Burke walk towards them, followed by Ayanami right behind him. Shinji then noticed that she was carrying a small bag with her in one hand and some of her art supplies in the other.

"Wait, she is coming too?" he asked as the two arrived.

"Yep," Burke replied.

"Because of both you and Ayanami's unique ability to have somewhat, we thought it best to bring her as well," Hood said.

"I see," Shinji said as he turned to Ayanami. "I'm glad you are coming with us," he said to her.

"Thank you," Ayanami replied.

"So when do we leave?" Shinji asked Hood.

"ETA is supposed to be thirty minutes from now." Hood looked at Burke.

"Still on schedule as far as I know," Burke said. At that moment, both Asuka and Mari showed up where they were.

"Shinji, we're supposed to be at the wardroom in fifteen minutes for a briefing before we launch," Asuka said.

"Right," Shinji replied. Asuka was about to say something else when she noticed Ayanami standing there.

"What! Is she coming with us?" she yelled.

"I just found out about it myself," Shinji replied.

"It is a pleasure to work with you," Ayanami said to her." Asuka stood there dumbstruck for several seconds while Mari struggled to keep from breaking into laughter.

"Glad to work with you too," she then said once she got control of herself. As Shinji, Asuka and Ayanami began to talk of other things. Burke had stepped back and signaled for both Hood and Mari to join him.

"What's up?" Mari asked.

"Oh, I just wanted to have a better look at the sight there." He pointed to the three talking.

"What do you mean?" Hood asked.

"When you think about it this way, you could say that in a sense, the band is back together." Mari looked again at the group for a few seconds.

"I can see where you're coming from,"she replied. "Well, I have to say you did a good job of seeing Shinji through."

"Did I do anything?" he asked in reply. "From where I'm standing, all that came from Shinji himself."

"Bullshit," she countered with a laugh. "You kept everything stable for him. I think that allowed him to draw those things from himself."

"You think so?" Burke said. At that moment, they saw Asuka leave. A couple of seconds later, Shinji went over to Burke.

"Well, I guess this is it," he told Burke.

"Yeah, I guess it is," Burke said. "Well, you and Makinami better get going to your briefing. You don't want to get on Katsuragi's bad side." Shinji chuckled in reply.

"Right," he added. "I…well…"

"How about this," Burke then said. "See you on the other side of things. How about that?"

"Yeah," Shinji replied. There was several seconds of silence before he then hugged Burke in turn, stood frozen for a second. He noticed Mari motioning to him to return the hug, which he did.

"Ready?" Burke said after both of them let go of each other.

"Yeah," Shinji replied. Both he and Mari turning around for a split second to give him a thumbs up. As they walked away, Burke couldn't help but smile.

"Well Captain, I wish you the best of luck on your mission," Kaji said from his desk in the Command Center. On the main monitor, Misato sat in her chair on the Wunder.

"Thank you Commander," she said. "I wish you and your crew good luck as well. How about after all this is over, we all get together and celebrate, wherever we are."

"You got a deal," Kaji replied.

"Roger that. Katsuragi out." The main monitor then showed the Wunder along with Unit 10 kneeling on the top deck ascending in the air for several seconds before flying away. For a half an hour, they watched on the monitor as the ship faded further from view until it was out of visual range and even on radar.

"Well," Kaji said after several seconds of silence. "I guess that's it."

"I guess so," Burke replied before turning to the rest of the Command Center staff.

"The mission of this particular base is complete," he then said to them. "On behalf of the Commander and myself, it has been an honor and a privilege serving with all of you. Personally, I can say in all of my years serving with this organization, I have never have been with a more able crew." He then took a breath before continuing.

"Shut it down." The crew powered down their stations and left the Command Center. Kaji and Burke were the last to leave standing there at the entrance taking in the sight of the now empty chamber, all the memories of their years in this place washing over them.

"Do you think we did anything?" Kaji asked.

"What do you mean?" Burke replied.

"The base's mission," Kaji said. "Do you think we completed the primary mission of this base?" Burke thought about it for a minute before he answered.

"I would say that with who we have on the Wunder right now, we completed it beyond all expectations," he said. "If you don't mind my saying Commander, we and the rest of the crew have transport planes waiting for us." The two then left the room. While there would be support crews dedicated to salvaging viable equipment over the coming days and weeks, the tower of Belisarius, and the city of New Constantinople, had for all intents or purposes ceased to exist.