Chapter 509: Experimental Station No. 9
Ryo smoothly passed NERV's preliminary screening.
Just as he anticipated, an independent scholar capable of proposing a theoretical framework to reverse the "red ocean" pollution held sufficient value for NERV to invest resources into "incubating" him.
Soon, a research funding agreement with attached conditions was delivered. His project was formally placed under the jurisdiction of an environmental research department affiliated with NERV, although this department itself occupied a peripheral position within NERV's massive system.
He understood that for SEELE, who controlled everything from behind the scenes, and for Gendo Ikari, whose core objective was the "Human Instrumentality Project," purifying the ocean was meaningless; it might even run contrary to the script of the "Third Impact."
However, for NERV—which needed to maintain a public image of "protecting humanity"—and for SEELE behind them, who consolidated global resources by manipulating crises, supporting an environmental restoration project with immense potential public relations value aligned with their surface logic.
It could pacify the public, demonstrate NERV's "responsible" side, and provide a more rational footnote for their massive budget and special powers.
Thus, "Dr. Ryo" transformed from a down-and-out researcher in a warehouse to the head of "Experimental Station No. 9," subordinate to the "Special Marine Environment Countermeasures Section" under NERV.
The title sounded impressive, but the actual setup revealed NERV's true attitude toward the project—limited resources and strict surveillance.
He was assigned two researchers as subordinates: one was a young man wearing thick glasses who seemed somewhat timid, having recently graduated, named Shigeo Tanaka; the other was an older female researcher named Miyuki Suzuki, who clearly lacked ambition and only sought to live a stable life.
Both were fringe figures within the organization—mediocre in ability and lacking background—making them perfectly suited to be assigned to this new project with a seemingly "uncertain future."
Ryo was not at all surprised by this, and was even quite satisfied. Mediocre subordinates meant fewer questions and less unnecessary attention, making them easier for him to control.
The experimental site was designated as an isolated area near the coastline of Tokyo-3.
This was originally a small port facility that was abandoned after being partially destroyed during an Angel attack. Now, it was enclosed by simple fences and surveillance cameras, bearing a sign that read "Under NERV Jurisdiction - Unauthorized Entry Prohibited."
A reinforced old warehouse was converted into a temporary laboratory and office. Although slightly more formal than the warehouse he had found himself, it still exuded a temporary, makeshift feel.
Standing by the laboratory window, Ryo (maintaining his psychically disguised "scholar" persona) gazed at the murky, ominously red seawater outside.
Tanaka and Suzuki were behind him, somewhat awkwardly organizing the basic equipment and documents that had just arrived.
They held both awe and a trace of skepticism toward this parachuted-in supervisor, who was said to possess "impressive theories" but whose background was a mystery.
"Doctor," Tanaka began cautiously, handing over a list, "this is the first batch of equipment and reagents allocated by Headquarters. Would you like to look it over?"
Ryo took the list and quickly scanned it.
Most of it was standard marine water quality analysis equipment and basic chemical reagents, fitting the standard configuration of an environmental monitoring station without anything exceeding its scope.
NERV's surveillance had undoubtedly already infiltrated, whether through backdoors built into the equipment or the potential regular reporting obligations of his two subordinates.
"It's fine. Begin the baseline investigation of the basic water quality according to plan," Ryo handed the list back, his tone calm and focused. "We need to establish a long-term data comparison sequence. Suzuki, you are in charge of coordinating the installation and calibration of the equipment. Tanaka, you're with me; we'll start the preliminary sampling of the coastal sediments first."
His directives were clear and aligned with the project's logic, perfectly embodying how a responsible project supervisor should act.
The two researchers acknowledged the orders and began to busy themselves.
Ryo knew that he currently stood on the most insignificant, visible tip of the massive iceberg that was NERV.
He had gained an initial foothold, a legal identity, and a platform from which he could openly access a portion of NERV's resources and non-core information.
Using this "marine purification" project as cover, he could gradually expand his area of activity and collect more intelligence regarding EVAs, the pilots, and especially Rei Ayanami.
The true hunt had only just silently begun now.
He needed patience. Just like maintaining those delicate psychic disguises, he needed to cautiously weave his presence within NERV until he touched the core secrets hidden in the deepest depths.
Ryo did not treat his identity as "Head of Experimental Station No. 9" merely as an empty disguise.
He knew well that to gain a firm footing in an organization full of skeptics and gradually earn higher clearance and trust, he had to produce tangible results consistent with his "persona."
Therefore, while directing Tanaka and Suzuki to conduct routine marine environmental monitoring and data recording, he also commenced a "private" research endeavor within the laboratory's independent isolation zone.
The reports he submitted to his superiors claimed he was attempting a new water purification method based on "High-Activity Environmental Catalytic Particle Theory."
Under the conditions of limited resources and basic equipment provided by NERV, he "struggled" to conduct synthesis experiments.
Records showed he experienced multiple "failures," and his experimental logs were filled with various parameter adjustments and seemingly logical analyses of setbacks.
All of this was to lay the groundwork for that final "accidental" success.
Finally, after an "unexpected" event recorded as "a power fluctuation causing reaction parameters to accidentally fall into the effective range," Ryo announced that he had successfully synthesized a trace amount of the target catalytic particles.
In reality, he had utilized his own knowledge, combined with the limited materials on hand, to specially create a degraded version of the Genesis Particles.
It retained the Genesis Particles' basic characteristic of conducting orderly restructuring and "purification" at the material level, effectively breaking down the anomalous active components in LCL fluid and reversing the "red pollution." However, its core, miraculous ability to "guide the origin and evolution of life" had been neutered.
It acted more like an extremely highly efficient "antidote" and "order restoration agent" targeting specific pollutants, rather than the "fire of life."
With caution and anticipation, Ryo deployed this batch of trace-synthesized, degraded Genesis Particles into a strictly isolated section of the port waters heavily polluted with red LCL.
The effect was instantaneous and shocking.
Under the disbelieving gazes of Tanaka and Suzuki, and faithfully recorded by the surveillance equipment, the isolated area of water—resembling a sea of blood—began to change at a visible rate.
The murky red rapidly faded, as if filtered through an invisible mesh. The watercolor gradually became clear, restoring the azure blue the ocean ought to possess.
Subsequent water quality analysis reports indicated that not only had the visual pollution disappeared, but the anomalous active components of LCL in the water had also dropped significantly. Various ecological indicators had markedly improved, and trace amounts of local phytoplankton had even begun to reappear.
(End of Chapter)