Chapter 538: Chen Yu's Plan
Relying on his NERV-authorized damage assessment clearance, Chen Yu was able to conduct an extremely in-depth and systematic dissection of the heavily battered EVA Unit-03.
This process went far beyond simply recording the extent of armor damage or structural stress fracture points; it became a comprehensive decoding of EVA—the ultimate weapon—from the inside out, from its mechanical to its biological essence.
He personally confirmed and meticulously recorded the massive, silent giant body beneath the thick composite armor, which contained astonishing biological activity. Through high-precision scans and limited biological tissue sampling (conducted under the pretext of assessing damage), he furthered his understanding of the basic construction of the EVA as a "cloned giant."
The interface mechanism of the Entry Plug, the principle of LCL neural conduction and life support, and the synchronization mechanism between the "Children" and the EVA core based on soul wavelength or special genetic markers—these key pieces of information, originally shrouded in mist, were gradually pieced together into a clearer picture in his mind through his hands-on contact, measurements, and combination with fragmented data stealthily snatched from the deep layers of NERV's database by the AI virus.
Most importantly, he encountered a special system installed within Unit-01 that remained inactive but fully configured—the Dummy System.
According to the technical documentation fragments and system logs he acquired, the original design intent of this system was to take over control of the machine when the pilot lost the will to fight or was unable to operate the EVA. By inserting a "Dummy Plug" loaded with a copy of the pilot's personality, it would continue executing the mission of annihilating Angels with absolute rationality, or even what could be called ruthless efficiency.
Chen Yu quickly cross-referenced this system's operating principles with the "original trajectory" of the event in his main body's memories.
In that un-interfered version, it was precisely this system that took over Unit-01 after Shinji Ikari refused to fight, tearing the parasitized Unit-03 and its pilot into pieces in an extremely cruel and violent manner, inflicting massive psychological trauma on Shinji.
Now, due to his intervention and the successful application of the "Sword of Cherubim," this system, which should have brought about tragedy, had not been activated. It remained silently dormant within Unit-01's control core, becoming another physical sample for his research into NERV's backup control schemes.
He carefully analyzed its interfacing method with the EVA's biological neurons and the control logic based on personality copies. This provided crucial references for his future research into EVA control technology independent of NERV's official systems.
All this first-hand contact data, physical observation results, and the classified technical parameters, experimental records, and even portions of forbidden research reports continuously stolen and transmitted from the depths of the MAGI system by the AI virus, gathered here with Chen Yu like countless streams.
After being refined and integrated by his unique thinking mode—which fused the logic of the Adeptus Mechanicus with his own psionic perception—they formed an EVA technical knowledge system far more multi-dimensional and profound than what most NERV technicians could master.
He not only knew "what" the EVA was but also began to understand "why" and speculate on "what else it could be."
This informational advantage, gained through deep dissection, laid a solid and irreplaceable foundation for his next step.
The disaster that befell Unit-03 was a significant loss and a security warning for NERV, but for Chen Yu, it was a feast of information and knowledge. Standing on the observation platform in the hangar, he looked at the broken giant being repaired by the engineering team below, his gaze deep, as if he had already seen a future where its technological potential was thoroughly unleashed, applied to another battlefield-strewn universe.
Through the dimensional communicator, Chen Yu transmitted all the deep analysis data he had recently obtained regarding EVA Unit-03—especially the detailed scan and analysis reports on its biological structure, Entry Plug interfaces, synchronization feedback mechanisms, and the crucial Dummy System—to his main body at the base on the Death World in the Warhammer universe.
The main body's feedback was swift and definitive, the information flow within the consciousness link carrying rare praise and extremely high expectations: "The data is immensely valuable, far exceeding expectations. The understanding of the EVA's bio-mechanical fusion principle has reached the core level. The current technological reserve only lacks the most critical active higher-order biological samples (specifically Lilith/Adam-derived cells) and some core design blueprints. Once obtained, the modulation program for a dedicated EVA can be initiated on this end."
The main body then issued clear instructions: Advance the next step of the plan as quickly as possible. Do not hesitate to use latent resources and hidden means to try and obtain more critical biological samples and design blueprints. Sufficient power must be accumulated before "that event" occurs to gain the ability to intervene in or even dominate the progress of "that event."
The so-called "that event" was crystal clear within the memory information shared between Chen Yu and his main body.
It was the apex of a series of tragedies and turning points on the original destiny trajectory: Asuka dying (though later proven otherwise) during this Unit-03 incident, leading Shinji Ikari to fall into complete despair and refuse to pilot Unit-01 again. Subsequently, the Tenth Angel would arrive, and Rei Ayanami, in an attempt to create a "world where Shinji no longer had to fight," would attempt to take the Angel with her using an N2 bomb, only to be devoured. Under extreme sorrow and fury, Shinji would desperately pilot Unit-01 to save her, accidentally triggering Unit-01's "Deification" process and causing the "Third Impact," which would affect the entire globe.
Regardless of whether the main body's ultimate goal was to achieve some objective using the energy tides of the Third Impact, prevent it to maintain a certain "stability" in this world, or simply to snatch valuable data during the "Deification" process, Chen Yu had to obtain leverage capable of influencing the situation before then.
The foundation of this leverage was the initial construction of their own EVA.
Obtaining the biological samples and core blueprints of an EVA had been upgraded from a "long-term goal" to an "urgent mission."
Chen Yu closed the dimensional communication, his gaze falling on the preliminary report regarding the Unit-03 repair plan before him.
The repair process, especially one involving core biological tissue, would inevitably require the use of NERV's most core biotechnologies and might even necessitate calling upon cell tissue from Lilith's main body in Central Dogma for catalysis or patching.
This was an excellent opportunity.
He swiftly adjusted his strategy.
On one hand, citing the need to optimize the assessment of potential impact from the "Cherubim" weapons on EVAs, he requested deeper involvement in the repair of Unit-03, especially in the activity monitoring of biological tissues.
On the other hand, he instructed the AI virus lurking in the MAGI system to raise its level of monitoring on biological sample repository access records, material requisition lists, and relevant core blueprint call logs, seeking any opening.
At the same time, he began to closely monitor the mental states of the pilots.
Asuka's recovery progress, Shinji Ikari's psychological changes following this event, and the subtle, dangerous connection between Rei Ayanami and Gendo Ikari all became important parameters for his assessment of the probability of "that event" occurring.
He knew that the time window left to him was constantly narrowing.
He had to operate like the most precise instrument, finding and seizing that fleeting moment to obtain critical samples amidst the complex repair process of Unit-03, all while under NERV's strict monitoring system.
All the paving, all the disguises, would be tested at that moment.
For the sake of his main body's plan, and to seize the initiative in the coming storm, he had to succeed.