Chapter 511: Virus Code
Holding the newly acquired temporary pass, Ryo, "accompanied" by two expressionless security personnel, stepped into the massive, geometry-filled underground space that was the iconic hallmark of NERV Headquarters for the first time.
The colossal hollow structure, crisscrossing corridors, cold metal walls, and omnipresent red warning lights all highlighted the oppressive and heavily guarded nature of this place, distinctly different from the outside world.
He acted perfectly in line with the image of a researcher entering such a high-tech sanctuary for the first time, completely devoted to his research. His eyes held a suitable amount of curiosity, but more so a focused and eager anticipation to use the advanced equipment.
He didn't look around or attempt to head toward any unauthorized areas. He strictly followed the approved route, guided by the security personnel, until he arrived at the laboratory assigned for his use within the headquarters.
This laboratory was several generations more advanced than his "Experimental Station No. 9" by the sea, with various pieces of equipment he had "dreamed of" flashing their standby indicator lights.
Ryo immediately plunged into "work."
He directed the technical personnel sent by Headquarters to assist (and monitor) him, beginning to set up the equipment and prepare materials according to the experimental plan he had submitted.
Throughout the entire process, he acted like a standard, perhaps even somewhat rigid, scientific researcher. All his operations complied with safety protocols, and all his conversations revolved around experimental details.
However, just as he appeared completely engrossed in the "catalytic particle" synthesis attempts, frequently inputting data and adjusting parameters at the computer terminal connected to NERV's internal network, the true operation had quietly begun.
His fingers typing on the keyboard were fast and precise, inputting more than just experimental data.
Amidst a series of seemingly ordinary parameter codes and commands, a highly disguised, structurally precise virus code was ingeniously woven in by him. Like a drop of water merging into a river, it silently uploaded through the data port and lay dormant within NERV's central computer system.
The injected code itself was completely inconspicuous within NERV's massive system; one could even say it posed zero threat.
It was like an ordinary grain of sand scattered on a beach, lying quietly at the system's foundational layer, mixed among countless similar log files and low-level process codes.
Its structure was deliberately fragmented and obfuscated. Any conventional security scan would judge it as meaningless or a residual fragment of an abandoned script.
It performed no malicious operations, stole no data, and did not attempt to spread; it simply lay dormant as if in a deep slumber.
However, this grain of "sand" was the first fragment of a meticulously designed "combination lock."
Its true danger did not come from itself, but from its potential attribute as a "key."
Ryo's design was exceedingly ingenious: he had disassembled a fully functional and highly aggressive advanced AI virus into nine independent and harmless code fragments.
What was implanted at this moment was merely one of them.
The sole purpose of this code was to reserve an extremely hidden "hook point" or "assembly address" for itself and its eight "brothers" within the system, maintaining a minimum state of dormancy while waiting to be awakened.
Only when Ryo, during subsequent visits, utilized different timings and methods to successively implant the remaining eight specific codes into the system, and ultimately combined them with this first code at the predetermined location, would these nine seemingly harmless codes piece together flawlessly like a jigsaw puzzle. They would instantly activate, forming a complete AI virus possessing high intelligence, destructive power, and extreme stealth.
Only then would this "assembled" phantom truly begin executing its tasks of stealing clearance, establishing communication channels, and even more dangerous directives.
Before then, it was merely a dormant string of seemingly chaotic characters.
Even if accidentally spotted by the strictest security expert, it would be almost impossible to deduce any malicious intent from the code itself, much less foresee its true role as an "activation switch."
Ryo had dispersed the risk, delayed the threat, and hidden his actions beneath countless seemingly routine, harmless data operations.
He calmly concluded his "work" in the Headquarters laboratory, recorded some inconsequential "experimental data," and then left under the escort of the security personnel.
No one knew that he had just buried the first and most inconspicuous keyhole of a bomb that required eight different keys to unlock, deep within the very core of NERV's systems.
On his next visit, he would bring the second fragment.
The entire process did not trigger any obvious alarms.
NERV's MAGI system was undoubtedly powerful, but its primary design objective was to combat Angels and conduct global-level strategic calculations and simulations.
Against this kind of digital infiltration—coming from the inside, exploiting human network social engineering vulnerabilities, possessing extremely specific targeting, and being entirely non-destructive—its defenses were not impregnable, especially when the infiltrator possessed a technological level far exceeding the conventional understanding of this era.
Ryo's expression remained as usual as he continued his "experiments," occasionally frowning in thought over an "unexpected" experimental phenomenon, or nodding slightly at a "successful" data point.
He played his role perfectly, as if that thrilling digital invasion just now was nothing more than the most ordinary data entry in his daily scientific research.
He knew the seed had been sown.
Next was simply waiting for this digital phantom to quietly grow in the shadows of NERV's system and, when he needed it, open the window for him to peek into the core secrets.
And the starting point for all this was merely his seemingly casual few keystrokes on the keyboard just now. The true contest had already begun in another, invisible dimension.
In the following period, strictly adhering to the application process, Ryo entered NERV Headquarters eight more times successively to conduct "catalytic particle synthesis experiments."
Each time, he acted like a rigorous and focused scholar, throwing himself entirely into equipment operation and data analysis.
He successfully synthesized nine batches of the new "catalytic particles," varying in quantity but all extremely minute. Following standard procedures, he sealed them in specially made storage units and applied to take them out of Headquarters for "subsequent environmental verification" at the seaside experimental station.
The entire process was open, transparent, and flawless.
He never attempted to head to unauthorized areas, never inquired about any information related to EVAs or the pilots, and his communication with Headquarters staff was strictly limited to technical aspects.
What he took away were merely the strictly documented "experimental samples" belonging to his research project.
This continuous, rule-abiding behavior, like water constantly dripping on stone, gradually wore away the initial doubts within NERV, especially among the security and technical evaluation departments directly responsible for monitoring him.
Evaluations such as "Stable behavioral pattern, focused on authorized research fields" and "No anomalous activities detected" began appearing on the reports.
Although necessary surveillance measures still existed, that prickling sense of urgency had indeed lessened somewhat.
(End of Chapter)