Chapter 534: Titanification of EVA
Under Ryo's highly efficient and goal-oriented advancement, the research and development progress of the "Cherubim-Type II" project far exceeded the conventional expectations within NERV.
This highly effective contribution earned him a much more valuable reward: he was granted limited clearance to conduct non-invasive observations of the EVA main bodies and review certain non-core blueprints.
Although his access was still strictly confined within the framework of "maintenance" and "adaptive improvement," far from touching upon absolute secrets such as the core biological structures, the S2 Engine, and the soul-infusion mechanisms, this was already a qualitative leap.
He was finally able to stand in person before the massive and silent bodies of Unit-01, Unit-00, and even Unit-02, feeling the oppressive aura of these giant humanoid weapons up close.
The cold metallic armor and the faintly perceptible biological activity formed a bizarre contradictory unity.
As he reviewed the approved structural blueprints, external armor connection point designs, and some non-core transmission system schematics, combined with his close-range physical observations, his cognition of the EVA as a "weapon" rapidly became clear and multi-dimensional in his mind.
These contacts greatly enriched his understanding of the EVA technological system. It also gave him a more concrete and comprehensive conception of how to conduct adaptive modifications and applications if he ever had the opportunity to bring such technology or samples back to the Warhammer universe.
He clearly recognized that NERV's current method of utilizing EVAs, when examined from a purely military perspective, was highly inefficient and possessed severe flaws.
This was not due to the incompetence of NERV's technicians, but stemmed from a vast difference in their fundamental goals. To them, EVAs were not ultimate weapons forged to win a conventional war, but rather crucial props for executing the "Human Instrumentality Project." They were "Deification" vessels used to trigger the "Third Impact" and allow human consciousness to fuse and sublimate into a single entity.
Combat, especially highly efficient and sustained combat, had never been their primary design objective.
However, in Ryo's blueprint, the positioning of the EVA (or its derivative technological products) was as a strategic-level weapon capable of being deployed in the cruel, enduring, and ever-changing battlefield environments of the Warhammer universe. They were to be a reliable combat force capable of benchmarking against, or even surpassing, certain models of War Titans.
To achieve this goal, NERV's existing operational model had to be thoroughly reconstructed.
Bearing the brunt of this was the fatal energy supply issue.
Relying on external cables to transmit power, with operational time strictly limited to a few minutes—this design would be suicidal in any medium-scale or larger conflict within the Warhammer world.
The moment the energy lines were cut or the base's power supply system was damaged, the EVA would instantly be reduced to a clumsy target.
The "berserk" state Unit-01 displayed after losing power indeed revealed its unfathomable biological potential, but Ryo clearly knew that this was a special case based on the soul of Yui Ikari residing within it. It could not be replicated in other EVAs manufactured from Lilith's cells or potential mass-produced models.
In his conception, equipping the EVA with an independent, enduring internal energy core was an absolute prerequisite.
Whether it was simulating an Angel's S2 Engine (assuming it could be safely reproduced and controlled) or drawing inspiration from other high-energy technologies in the Warhammer universe, such as plasma reactors, something had to replace that fragile "umbilical cord."
Only by untying the shackles of energy could the EVA truly gain battlefield mobility and sustained combat capability.
Furthermore, the armor materials needed to be optimized and reinforced against energy weapons, ballistic weapons, and even psionic attacks common in the Warhammer universe. Weapon interfaces needed to be standardized and modularized to quickly adapt to various heavy weapons of the Imperium or the Adeptus Mechanicus. Perhaps more powerful environmental sensing and fire control systems also needed to be installed to cope with complex electromagnetic environments and Warp interference.
It was even necessary to consider the pilot selection and training system. Would it still rely on specific "Children," or could gene-seed modifications or neural link technologies be used to create more stable and professional "EVA Knights"?
These thoughts circulated, collided, and combined rapidly in his mind, gradually sketching out a weapon development roadmap that was far more radical and militarily efficient than NERV's current applications.
Standing on the observation platform, he looked at Unit-01 undergoing routine inspections below. His gaze seemed to pierce through its current bindings, visualizing a scene on a future battlefield where it broke free from its cables, equipped with a brand-new power core and weapon systems, charging and slaughtering like a true giant of the gods.
On the surface, Ryo perfectly maintained the persona he had meticulously constructed.
At NERV Headquarters, he was the dedicated, highly capable Chief Designer of the "Cherubim-Type II" project, chairing technical meetings, reviewing experimental data, and pushing the various tests of the special warhead steadily forward.
At the Ninth Research Institute, he was the gentle scholar who cared about environmental restoration and was dedicated to returning the world's blue skies and oceans. He regularly listened to reports from Researcher Tanaka and Miyuki Suzuki, guiding the next steps of the ecological recovery.
After over a month of continuous effort, the severe pollution and ecological trauma caused by the Seventh Angel's disintegration had been significantly repaired. This was thanks to the continuous effects of the "Seed of Metatron" and the diligent cleanup by the staff (including the physical labor contributed by a certain ace pilot).
Although the lost marine populations were far from fully recovered, the tragic sight of floating corpses was no longer visible, replaced by gradually clearing seawater and revitalized coastal areas.
Visually, that glaring scarlet of death had been replaced by a more vital azure blue and the tenacious fresh green along the shore.
During this relatively peaceful period, Asuka had unexpectedly stuck with it.
She was no longer dealing with the work out of resentment and awkwardness as she did in the beginning; instead, she truly threw herself into the restoration work. She would even voluntarily look up materials on marine ecology during her breaks.
Her relationship with Shinji Ikari quietly transformed amidst their shared labor and daily bickering.
Arguments still occurred, but they felt more like a mode of interaction unique to teenagers. The underlying tone was no longer the sharp opposition of the beginning, but rather carried an indescribable trace of tacit understanding.
Even the usually aloof Rei Ayanami had begun silently learning cooking skills. Her clumsy yet earnest posture seemed to harbor a faint hope of thawing the frozen relationship between Shinji Ikari and Gendo Ikari.
Ryo did not directly intervene in the complex emotional entanglements and growth processes of these three youths.
He was more like a detached observer, only giving a gentle push with casual words or arrangements at certain subtle junctures, allowing the bonds forged through shared experiences to brand themselves a little deeper.
This subtle guidance, coupled with the authoritative yet gentle qualities he displayed—vastly different from Gendo Ikari's absolute coldness—caused the three pilots, all lacking familial warmth, to subconsciously develop an increasing reliance and respect for him.
He invisibly filled the void of a certain paternal role, becoming a rare and stable coordinate in their chaotic youth.
However, beneath this increasingly eased facade that occasionally even revealed hints of warmth, Ryo never forgot his true goal.
His consciousness constantly maintained a connection with his main body far away, analyzing the data of the "Key of Nebuchadnezzar" and monitoring the information flow within NERV through the dormant AI virus.
The opportunity he was waiting for soon presented itself.