They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 152 S2 Mechanism
Third Tokyo City Underground

Inside the cold, sterile laboratory, the air was filled with the strange smell of a mixture of formaldehyde and ozone.

The enormous glass container contained the relatively intact remains of the water angel. Although its crimson core had lost its pulsating light, it still exuded a chilling sense of oppression, like the eye of a sleeping giant.

Zhang Qi stood quietly in front of the container, his hands in the pockets of his white coat, his eyes calm and undisturbed.

His gaze pierced through the thick reinforced glass, scrutinizing the broken body of the apostle.

EVA Unit-01 and Unit-00, being replicas of Lilith, were fundamentally emasculated in their design.

They lack the S2 mechanism, which represents the infinite power source of the "Fruit of Life".

This is not a technical impossibility, but a deliberate constraint.

The purpose, of course, is to prevent the person executing the plan from holding both keys at the same time.

To ensure that the Human Instrumentality Project was carried out under its control, SEELE firmly held Adam's authority from the very beginning, and would never allow NERV to possess ultimate power that could escape its control.

In the initial ending, the mass-produced Evangelion manufactured by SEELE and equipped with the artificial S2 engine was used to suppress Unit-01 and complete the mission.

This isn't something that can be made in a short time, which means that SEELE was prepared to do this from the beginning when things got out of control.

Initially, Zhang Qi had considered whether to bypass NERV and directly contact SEELE, hoping that his advanced knowledge would allow him to lead the relevant research more quickly.

But he quickly abandoned the idea.

Those old guys at SEELE are less human and more like a group of fanatics obsessed with ancient prophecies; cooperating with them is like asking a tiger for its skin.

Furthermore, joining NERV also provides opportunities to come into contact with the S2 organization...

Just like now.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhang Qi's lips.

SEELE seemed to have a certain arrogant confidence in NERV's technological capabilities, believing that even if they handed over some of the Angel's remains to NERV, it would be impossible to decipher the secrets of the S2 mechanism in a short time.

Therefore, they did not explicitly prohibit the study of the apostle's corpse.

This arrogance, which might be an insurmountable wall for others, was an open door for him.

After all, he possessed technology from another universe, and was an adventurous being with equally advanced biotechnology.

"incredible……"

A slightly trembling voice of praise rang out beside me.

Ritsuko Akagi was leaning over the bio-lens, her long golden hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes filled with shock.

"The cellular activity of all biological samples will rapidly decline after the death of the host and the disappearance of the AT field."

This is especially true for apostles, beings that rely on the AT position to maintain their enormous size.

Without the support of the force field, their bodies are like blue whales thrown onto land; their own weight becomes the final straw that breaks the camel's back.

"This is why the apostles liquefy quickly after their death, returning to the LCL Sea."

But these cells in front of me... they're still alive!

It maintains perfect activity even without any energy supply!
This is a characteristic that EVA cloned based on Lilith absolutely does not possess…

She looked up at Zhang Qi, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Perhaps this was a grand experiment conducted by the 'first progenitor civilization' that created Adam and Lilith."

Zhang Qi reached out and gently touched the glass container with his fingertips, remarking with emotion:
"Powerful and eternal life, and weak life that possesses infinite potential for reproduction and evolution..."

They scattered the 'Fruit of Life' and the 'Fruit of Knowledge' on the same planet, respectively.

Perhaps they just want to see where these two completely different evolutionary paths will ultimately lead. "To verify... who will be the ultimate victor, us or the Apostles?"

Ritsuko Akagi was taken aback; she had never considered this possibility before.

"Yes."

"It may not be a coincidence that Lilith and Adam arrived on this blue planet at the same time."

Zhang Qi turned to look at Ritsuko Akagi, for everything was recorded in the Dead Sea Scrolls, which SEELE regarded as sacred texts.

The impact mechanics, in particular, seem almost like they were specifically designed for the survival competition.

"Will we win?"

Ritsuko Akagi asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Zhang Qi did not answer immediately, but turned his head and looked into Ritsuko Akagi's eyes.

He then raised his hand, patted Ritsuko Akagi's head, and replied.

"Yes. As long as we want to live as 'human beings,' we will win."

A warm, soft touch suddenly came from her side, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, as if she had grabbed the only piece of driftwood.

She tilted her head back, her eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and fascination.

"In this world..."

Zhang Qi nodded and continued, "There is absolutely no such thing as eternal and perfect life in this world."

Or rather, a truly perfect life form is one that constantly evolves and changes itself; that is definitely not an apostle...

But before he could finish speaking, he felt something soft press against him.

Ritsuko Akagi tiptoed and pressed her soft lips to hers.

This was a pure and passionate kiss, free of any impurities.

Just as the air in the laboratory became somewhat thick and ambiguous due to this sudden intimacy, the heavy metal door slid open to both sides with a "whoosh".

Misato Katsuragi's tall figure appeared at the door. She was about to say something when she was stunned by the scene before her, her mouth forming an "O" shape.

"It seems my report will have to wait a bit? After all, this 'academic exchange' looks... quite in-depth."

Misato Katsuragi leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking at her friend with a half-smile, deliberately drawing out her words.

"It's just that some of the discoveries have stirred up some emotions..."

"Unlike some people who can only find solace in beer."

Upon seeing her friend arrive, Ritsuko Akagi was not embarrassed at all. She simply straightened her white coat and gave Misato Katsuragi a smile.

"You guy..."

Upon hearing this, Misato Katsuragi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she felt somewhat annoyed.

Her best friend actually exposed her past at this time, it's absolutely despicable!
"Alright, alright, Misato, is there something you need?"

Seeing the two people in front of him who seemed ready to start arguing at any moment, Zhang Qi stepped in to smooth things over, feeling both amused and exasperated.

At this time, Misato Katsuragi should be busy finishing up her work.

"Oh, I almost forgot about the important matter!"

Misato Katsuragi slapped her forehead, finally remembering the purpose of her visit, and her expression turned serious.
"Shinji, he's awake."

(End of this chapter)