Chapter 529: Key of Nebuchadnezzar
Beneath this seemingly peaceful daily life, Chen Yu, relying on his indispensable contributions in the fields of technological research and ecological restoration, finally obtained a higher level of security clearance and a certain degree of internal freedom of movement at NERV Headquarters.
This opened a new breakthrough for the plans he had been secretly conducting.
Using his newly acquired clearance, on an encrypted, independent terminal, he began to receive and decipher the intelligence collected by the AI virus he had long ago planted deep within the MAGI system.
Amidst the massive data stream, a highly classified project codenamed the "Key of Nebuchadnezzar" immediately drew his intense attention.
The fragments of records provided by the virus showed that this item was secretly brought into Japan by Ryoji Kaji, who arrived with Asuka, and during its handover to Gendo Ikari, an extremely crucial conversation was captured by hidden surveillance equipment:
Kaji: "This is the promised item. The lost number that was kept in reserve."
(A brief pause; the record shows Kaji lowered his voice)
Kaji: "The guidepost for the union of God and soul."
Gendo Ikari: (Through voiceprint analysis and emotion simulation, confirmed as a calm, stating tone) "Yes, the Key of Nebuchadnezzar... that will open the door to Human Instrumentality."
This brief dialogue revealed the direct connection between this item and NERV and SEELE's most core secret—the "Human Instrumentality Project."
What piqued Chen Yu's interest even more was the description of its appearance.
According to the model reconstructed from sporadic engineering scan data, the "Key of Nebuchadnezzar" was not a key in the traditional sense. Its main structure resembled a highly condensed human nervous system emitting a faint biological luminescence, and at its "neck" position, a complex, key-like device of unknown purpose was attached.
This design, integrating biological tissue with mechanical structure, contained a technological path far exceeding NERV's current conventional tech tree.
"The guidepost for the union of God and soul..." Chen Yu repeated Kaji's words softly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the data pad, a sharp glint flashing in his deep eyes.
He leaned back in his chair, his brain working at lightning speed, connecting these fragmented pieces of information with the core NERV secrets he already knew.
The technological principles pointed to by this item seemed to touch upon the underlying mysteries of consciousness and life forms in this universe. Its value far exceeded any EVA or Angel technology he had previously encountered.
He stood up, walked to the observation window, and cast his gaze toward NERV Headquarters in the distance.
The complex of buildings in the night looked like a dormant behemoth, and the answers he sought were hidden in its deepest corners.
"It is time." Chen Yu turned back to the console, his slender fingers typing rapidly on the keyboard. "Lock onto the precise coordinates of the 'Key of Nebuchadnezzar' in Central Dogma."
He pulled up all the security patrol schedules, energy barrier frequencies, and physical lock structures of the area it was located in, and began planning the optimal infiltration route.
The screen quickly displayed a complex 3D structure map and security coverage network. A secret room isolated by multiple layers of protection was clearly marked deep within Central Dogma.
The corners of Chen Yu's mouth curled up slightly, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.
The operation to steal the "Key of Nebuchadnezzar" was officially placed on the agenda.
Now, he only needed to wait for the most opportune moment—a perfect window when all eyes were drawn to another major event.
The opportunity arrived soon enough.
The Eighth Angel—the "Sahaquiel"—appeared above Tokyo-3 in a posture that defied common sense.
It did not approach from afar, but rather, like a meteorite controlled by an invisible hand, fell straight down from outside the atmosphere.
As that massive geometric body rubbed against the air during its descent, a dark red halo appeared on its surface, dragging a long plasma trail behind it. Like a spear of judgment hurled by a god, its target clearly pointed to the deepest core of NERV Headquarters.
Ear-piercing alarms instantly tore through the city's tranquility.
Inside NERV Headquarters, red warning lights dyed every corridor an ominous hue.
Staff members jogged through the passageways to their posts. The automated defense systems activated one after another, and layers of armored plates closed across the city.
"Target confirmed as the Eighth Angel, codename Sahaquiel!" The tense voice of an operator came through the comms channel. "Predicted point of impact is directly above Central Command!"
Misato Katsuragi walked briskly into the command center, her gaze quickly sweeping over the trajectory prediction data on the main screen. "All units, maximum combat readiness! Unit-01, Unit-00, Unit-02, enter launch positions immediately!"
In the underground launch shafts, the restraints of the three EVAs were released in sequence.
Unit-01 leaned forward slightly, its hydraulic systems emitting a faint hiss; Unit-00 silently adjusted its balance, a mist of coolant seeping from its armor joints; Unit-02 had already assumed a combat-ready stance, the power cores in its joints beginning to pre-rotate.
The three pilots felt the surge of the LCL fluid inside their Entry Plugs.
Shinji took a deep breath, the corners of Asuka's mouth curled up into a battle-hungry arc, while Rei Ayanami calmly confirmed her equipment status.
The entirety of NERV functioned like a precision instrument, operating at full capacity the moment the crisis descended. And on the surface, the approaching shadow was swallowing the sky at a terrifying speed.
Amidst these tense pre-battle deployments, Misato Katsuragi stood before the command console, placing special emphasis on the combat orders: "Listen up. For this operation, prioritize the use of the 'Sword of Cherubim' grenades.
Under the premise of ensuring the core is destroyed, utilize the grenade's properties as much as possible to break down the Angel from the inside, significantly reducing the volume of LCL blood generated upon its disintegration.
We must prevent a repeat of the accident at the marine restoration zone, understood?"
Her tone was stern. Evidently, the ecological disaster previously caused by the Seventh Angel had taught her and the entire NERV a lesson.
In the past, they had no choice but to let the LCL blood from a disintegrating Angel flood the city and the land, but now that they had a way to solve this problem, they naturally had to try and resolve it.
After all, a simple flood was much easier to deal with than LCL blood.
Incorporating environmental damage into tactical considerations signified that the "Sword of Cherubim" was no longer merely viewed as a new weapon, but was endowed with the strategic significance of controlling combat damage.
Inside Unit-01, Shinji tightly gripped the control sticks, subconsciously touching the grenade hanging on his waist restraint.
Rei Ayanami silently checked Unit-00's equipment.
Asuka snorted softly inside Unit-02. Although she was somewhat dismissive of using this "auxiliary" weapon, remembering the tragic sight she had witnessed at the Ninth Research Institute, she pouted and did not argue back.
Meanwhile, at the Ninth Research Institute, Chen Yu also synchronously received the combat alert.
He looked at the massive threat falling from the sky on the screen, his eyes exceptionally calm.
His focus was not on the Angel itself. Rather, as Headquarters' attention was completely drawn away, the defensive strength of Central Dogma would inevitably experience corresponding weak points.
"The time has come," he murmured in his heart.
The shadow of the Eighth Angel was like a curtain drawn open for his operation.
On one side was the frontline battlefield concerning the city's survival; on the other was a covert operation sneaking through the shadows.
Both were about to unfold simultaneously.