Chapter 513: Further Expansion
The marine purification project had achieved phased results far exceeding expectations.
Following the continuous and precise deployment of "catalytic particles," the designated bay area had completely transformed. The unsettling, blood-like crimson of the past had thoroughly faded, replaced by a vast, clear azure.
Although the complex marine food web was far from being rebuilt and the biodiversity in the water remained scarce, this visually shocking reversal—from the "red" symbolizing death and pollution back to the "blue" representing life and hope—held incalculable political and promotional value for NERV.
NERV's higher-ups acutely captured this opportunity.
A positive image actively dedicated to "healing the Earth's wounds" and reversing part of the Second Impact's effects was crucial for maintaining its special status within the United Nations framework and securing continuous political and financial support.
Therefore, more resources were tilted toward the Ninth Research Institute at an unprecedented speed.
Soon, along the coast of the bay purified under Ryo's leadership, a sizable and technologically advanced comprehensive marine ecological restoration facility rose from the ground.
Several massive closed-loop breeding farms made of high-strength transparent polymers lined the coastline like giant crystal palaces. The interiors were equipped with the most advanced water quality regulation, environmental simulation, and life support systems.
A team comprising more technicians and biologists was brought in, and various specialized scientific research vessels and automated monitoring platforms successively arrived. The scale and strength of the Ninth Research Institute were completely different from the past.
"It is truly unbelievable, Senior Suzuki!" The young researcher Shigeo Tanaka stood in the central control room, looking through the massive observation window at the azure bay and the brand-new facilities outside, his face brimming with irrepressible excitement. "Look at this new equipment, and the sea outside! We... we are really bringing this sea back to life!"
The more senior Miyuki Suzuki beside him operated the control console, pulling up real-time surveillance footage from inside the newly built breeding farms.
In the footage, within the clear artificial seawater, the first batch of introduced coral seedlings was slowly unfurling, and some highly adaptable schools of fish were cruising among the reefs.
A rare, genuine smile touched the corners of her mouth as she responded, "Yes, this is not just purifying the water quality; we are now attempting to re-sow the seeds of life. Although the road ahead is long, with these resources, and with this already blue seawater as a foundation... Perhaps we really can take the lead in rebuilding a miniature, healthy marine ecosystem right in this bay. This will be the seed of hope leading to the future."
From a few of the world's hardly preserved "clean zone" sanctuaries, as well as NERV's own massive biological sample database, batches of extremely precious marine biological seedlings, coral germplasm, and algae samples were carefully transported here, beginning a systematic attempt at conservation and propagation.
The entire Ninth Research Institute was permeated with an unprecedented atmosphere full of confidence. Everyone seemed to see a tangible, feasible path that could gradually heal the Earth's scars.
Although everyone knew that completely restoring the global marine ecology was an almost unreachable dream, at least here, in this bay, hope had been ignited, and it was receiving more and more resources to nourish it into a brighter flame.
Ryo displayed a moderate amount of interest in this new phase of the project.
He participated in some of the planning discussions and offered quite constructive technical suggestions regarding the circulatory purification of the breeding water, the simulation of natural lighting cycles, and how to utilize the residual effects of the "catalytic particles" to maintain a low pollution level in the water.
His participation made the initial operation of the breeding farms much smoother.
However, everyone was well aware that against the backdrop of the Second Impact severely destroying the foundation of the global marine ecology, the difficulty of truly restoring a self-sustaining ecosystem far exceeded simple water purification.
This required long-term, massive, and unrewarded investments, as well as global collaborative efforts—and NERV, along with SEELE behind it, whose true focus remained the Human Instrumentality Project, lacked the fundamental driving force for this kind of lengthy ecological engineering that was unrelated to their core objective.
But at least on the surface, the investment had been made.
Inside the giant breeding farms, various fish, shellfish, and algae slowly grew in controlled environments.
The institute's plan was that once the populations of these organisms reached a certain scale, a portion of them would be released in batches into the purified bay to observe their adaptation and survival, symbolically taking the first step in "rebuilding the ocean."
Ryo walked through the observation corridors of the breeding farm, watching the schools of fish cruising in the azure seawater.
He knew that this was largely a performance, a part of NERV's grand narrative.
But on the other hand, these living organisms, and this attempt to reverse the process of extinction, inherently constituted an interesting large-scale experiment itself.
He recorded the data and evaluated the process, not only to maintain his disguise but perhaps also, subconsciously, harboring a sliver of scrutiny toward "creation" and "resurrection" that transcended the mission itself.
The success of the marine ecological restoration zone was not only a scientific achievement but also became a model of NERV's meticulously orchestrated political propaganda.
This sea area, returning to azure vitality from a crimson dead silence, was shaped into a symbol of humanity's unyielding struggle to repair their homeland after the Second Impact.
To maximize its promotional effect, NERV decided to open certain areas to the public on a limited basis, organizing specific groups for tours.
On this day, students from Tokyo-3 First Municipal Middle School became the lucky first batch invited to visit.
In the crowd, two key figures Ryo was already familiar with through the data—Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami—followed their class line into this bay facility surrounded by glass corridors and observation windows.
Wearing the institute's white uniform, Ryo, in his capacity as the project head, personally participated in the reception and presentation.
His explanation was professional and approachable, introducing the principles of water purification as well as showcasing the various marine organisms bred inside the farms.
His gaze would occasionally sweep over the crowd, seemingly casual, but accurately focusing on the reactions of those two teenagers.
Shinji Ikari appeared somewhat restrained and curious, his eyes frequently drawn to the cruising schools of fish and colorful corals. However, when his line of sight accidentally met Ryo's, he would quickly lower his head, carrying his usual shyness.
Rei Ayanami remained as calm as ever. Following at the back of the line, her red eyes swept over everything around her like a sensor recording information, showing neither joy nor anger.
During a relatively relaxed break in the tour, Ryo seemingly inadvertently walked over near Shinji Ikari.
He didn't show excessive attention, but rather spoke in a gentle tone, like a friendly elder, "The scenery here isn't bad, right? Although it's primarily a place for research, we don't completely forbid outsiders from visiting. If you have free time later and are interested in marine life, you can come take a look. Just think of it as... a large aquarium that requires a bit more paperwork to get into."
His tone was relaxed, carrying a touch of humor, aimed at dispelling the boy's nervousness.
These words sounded like the ordinary encouragement of an enthusiastic scientist to a young junior. It expressed a moderate amount of goodwill and openness, laying a seemingly natural foreshadowing for potential future contact, without appearing overly eager or special, perfectly fitting his current identity.
Shinji Ikari was somewhat surprised, froze for a moment, and then responded in a quiet voice, "Th... Thank you."
And all of this was quietly observed by Rei Ayanami not far away, her expression still remaining completely unchanged.
(End of Chapter)