Osiris successfully passed NERV's initial review.
As he expected, an independent scholar capable of proposing a theoretical framework to reverse the pollution of the "red ocean" is valuable enough for NERV to invest resources in "incubating" him.
Soon, a conditional research grant agreement was delivered, and his project was officially placed under the jurisdiction of an environmental research department within NERV, even though this department itself was on the periphery of NERV's vast system.
He understood that for SEELE, who controlled everything behind the scenes, and Gendo Ikari, whose core goal was "Human Instrumentality," purifying the ocean was meaningless and might even contradict the script of the "Third Impact."
However, for NERV, which needs to maintain a public image of "protecting humanity," and for SEELE, which manipulates crises to integrate global resources, supporting an environmental remediation project with huge potential public relations value is consistent with their superficial logic.
This would appease the public, demonstrate NERV's "responsible" side, and provide more justification for its massive budget and special powers.
Thus, "Dr. Osiris" transformed from a down-on-his-luck researcher in the warehouse into the head of "Experimental Station No. 9" under the "Special Marine Environment Countermeasures Section" of NERV.
The title sounds impressive, but the actual configuration reveals NERV's true attitude towards the project—limited resources and strict monitoring.
He was assigned two researchers as his subordinates: one was Tanaka, a young man who had recently graduated, wore thick glasses, and seemed somewhat timid; the other was Suzuki Miyuki, a middle-aged female researcher who was a little older but clearly lacked ambition and only wanted a stable life.
Both were marginal figures within the organization, with mediocre abilities and a lack of background, and were conveniently assigned to this seemingly "uncertain" new project.
Osiris was not surprised at all, 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 in a segregated area near the coastline in Tokyo-3.
This place was originally a small port facility, which was partially damaged and abandoned during the Angel attack. Now it is surrounded by a simple fence and surveillance cameras, with a sign that reads "NERV Jurisdiction, Unauthorized Entry Prohibited".
A reinforced old warehouse was converted into a temporary laboratory and office. Although it was more formal than the warehouse he had found, it still felt temporary and makeshift.
Standing by the laboratory window, Osiris (disguised) gazed at the murky, ominous red seawater outside.
Tanaka and Suzuki Miyuki were behind him, somewhat at a loss as they sorted through the basic equipment and documents that had just been delivered.
They held both awe and a degree of observation towards this newly appointed leader, who was said to be "theoretically brilliant" but whose background was shrouded in mystery.
"Doctor," Tanaka said cautiously, handing over a list, "this is the first batch of equipment and reagents allocated by headquarters. Would you like to take a look?"
Osiris took the list and quickly scanned it.
Most of it consists of standard marine water quality analysis equipment and some basic chemical reagents, which meet the standard configuration of an environmental monitoring station and do not contain anything beyond the scope of the equipment.
NERV's surveillance has undoubtedly infiltrated, whether through the backdoors built into the devices or the possible regular reporting obligations of his two subordinates.
"Okay, let's begin the baseline water quality survey as planned." Osiris handed the list back, her tone calm and focused. "We need to establish a long-term data comparison series."
Suzuki, you're in charge of coordinating the equipment installation and calibration. Tanaka, you and I will begin the initial sampling of sediments along the coast.
His instructions were clear and logical, befitting a responsible project manager.
The two researchers responded and got to work.
Osiris knew that he was currently standing on the most insignificant part of the massive iceberg that was above water, NERV.
He gained an initial foothold, a legitimate identity, and a platform that allowed him to openly access some of NERV's resources and non-core information.
Using this "ocean purification" project as cover, he can gradually expand his activities and gather more information about EVA, the pilots, and especially Rei Ayanami.
The real hunt has now begun, albeit quietly.
He needed patience, and he needed to carefully weave his presence within NERV, just as he would with those intricate psionic disguises, until he could touch the core secret hidden deep within.
Osiris did not regard the identity of "person in charge of Experiment Station No. 9" as merely an empty disguise.
He knew that in order to gain a foothold in this skeptical organization and gradually gain more authority and trust, he had to produce tangible results that matched his "persona".
Therefore, while directing Tanaka and Miyuki Suzuki to conduct routine marine environmental monitoring and data recording, he also began another "private" research project in a separate isolation area of the laboratory.
His report to his superiors claimed that he was trying a new water purification method based on the "theory of highly active environmental catalytic particles".
He was "laboriously" carrying out synthesis experiments under the limited resources and basic equipment provided by NERV.
Records show that he experienced numerous "failures," and his experimental log was filled with various parameter adjustments and seemingly reasonable analyses of his setbacks.
All of this was to pave the way for that eventual "accidental" success.
Finally, after an "accident" recorded as "the reaction parameters unexpectedly fell into the effective range due to power supply fluctuations," Osiris announced that he had successfully synthesized a trace amount of the target catalytic particles.
In fact, this was a degraded version of the Genesis Particle that he specially made using his own knowledge and the limited materials at hand.
It retains the basic characteristics of the primordial particles in orderly recombination and "purification" at the material level, and can effectively decompose abnormal active components in LCL liquid and reverse its "red pollution," but its core miraculous ability to "guide the origin and evolution of life" has been emasculated.
It is more like an extremely efficient "antidote" and "restorative agent" for specific pollutants than a "fire of life".
With caution and anticipation, Osiris released this batch of trace amounts of synthesized, degraded Genesis Particles into the port waters, which he had strictly isolated and which were filled with red LCL pollutants.
The effect was immediate and stunning.
Under the incredulous gazes of Tanaka and Suzuki Miyuki, and faithfully recorded by the surveillance equipment, the isolated, blood-red body of water began to change at a visible speed.
The murky red color quickly faded, as if filtered by an invisible screen, and the water gradually became clear, restoring the ocean's true azure blue.
Subsequent water quality analysis reports showed that not only did the visual pollution disappear, but the abnormal LCL active components in the water also decreased significantly, various ecological indicators improved significantly, and even trace amounts of local plankton began to reappear.