Alexander Pirce was once again reading the message Strucker had sent him. He could hardly believe what he was reading.
Back when Strucker had first decided to go fully underground, Alexander had felt it was a rather extreme measure, though it could also just say something about the pressure Stucker and Hydra as a whole were under.
And while the pressure had somewhat eased up, it wasn't without cost; Hydra had lost much of its global reach, and even his part of Hydra, the division inside SHIELD, wasn't doing too well; SHIELD itself was under massive pressure.
Still, as long as he remained, then so would Hydra; he was Hydra. Still, he had expected Stucker to stay hidden for a while, not to already pop back up again.
More so, the tone he used when talking about cooperating wasn't at all what one would expect from someone down on their luck. If anything, Pirce got the feeling that Stucker might think he was superior to himself.
Now, that was curious. After all, Strucker wasn't a fool. So if he was suddenly this confidant, then it must mean he had some reason to be so.
So the question was whether or not it was worth it to believe that Strucker could deliver on his side of the deal. Pirce had plenty of weapons, more than enough to give Stucker what he wanted without much cost to Alexander himself.
Still, he didn't want to just throw them away, even less if Strucker did something stupid, then it might be possible those weapons might get traced back, not to him, but to some of his people, which would be problematic.
However, the possible information about Bulwark and other organizations like that was tempting, but how could Strucker suddenly have such information? Even SHIELD only had so much, and that was already the limit.
In the end, Pirce decided that it would be fine. He would have to make a few moves to free up that many weapons and deliver them without drawing any attention. He also ensured that he was ready to benefit from whatever Strucker was trying to do.
After all, one didn't just need enough weapons to arm an army and fight a war for no reason, and whoever was going to be Strucker's target, the chaos from that might be something he could use. After all, Pirce was certain that he wasn't the target; if not for that assurance, he would never allow this.
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[Airstrip]
The Airstrip was one of the Foundation SITEs under O5-2's personal control. There, he held a large fleet of aircraft, which now included many advanced stealth jets based on the quinjet design.
While O5-1 and the others mostly built crafts for transportation of themselves or their operatives, O5-2 built a fleet able to rule the skies. Bombers, fighters, and more were made one by one, a fleet of aircraft able to rival even the greatest of nations.
It was even possible to test out these new designs in real combat within the special world of SCP-7995; invisible bombers rained death onto sentinels and their drones while fighters engaged in large aerial battles.
All around the Airstrip Foundation, personnel were running about. Planes were getting upgraded, and nearby, they kept landing and taking off as people were training in their use outside of simulations.
The entire place looked like it was getting ready for war. There, in the middle of everything, stood a control tower, and within that stood two figures watching out on the organized chaos outside.
"Impressive as always, Lord Caesar. You are never behind when it comes to tools of war." Sounded a clearly disguised voice coming from a hazy figure.
"Well, a good defense needs an equally good offense, and given that Alexander has entrusted you with taking on the most technologically advanced civilization on the planet, well, you will need the best for such a thing." O5-2, the Sentinel responded with a light smile on his face.
"Please, Lord Caesar, I'm only able to do that, thanks to your support of our efforts." Ghost spoke in a light tone. "Had it only been Alexander supporting this, It would be far more difficult to take on a nation such as Wakanda."
"Indeed, who would have expected someone so far from Rome and the heartlands of civilization to be so advanced? We really can't allow someone like that to remain standing. None may stand against the Foundation."
"Indeed, the Foundation is what keeps this world safe, and to do that we must be ready to make certain… sacrifices, which includes a small hidden nation or two, would hardly be the first time something like this has been done." Ghost replied.
"Not since we allowed Hitler to lose. He really was a fool; so many capable men under his command, and he wasted their skills like that." O5-2 said, remembering the last time the Foundation was involved with the rise and fall of nations.
Ghost's hazy figure shifted slightly, the air between them thick with the weight of their conversation. The mention of Hitler made both men pause for a moment, reflecting on the history that had shaped their present. The Foundation, after all, had been involved in some of the most significant and shadowy events throughout history, always operating behind the scenes, guiding humanity's course without ever showing its hand.
Ghost chuckled lightly, breaking the silence. "A waste, indeed. Hitler had the ambition but lacked the vision. His obsession with the abnormal and his unwillingness to bow to the Foundation sealed his fate."
O5-2 nodded, his gaze distant as he looked out over the airstrip. "Precisely. Men like Hitler were useful pawns, but pawns nonetheless. They never understood the broader picture, the true balance of power. The Foundation has always known when to pull the strings and when to cut them."
Ghost's voice, though disguised, carried an edge of satisfaction. "Wakanda, on the other hand, presents a unique challenge. They're not just a hidden nation; they're an advanced civilization sitting on the most valuable resource on Earth. And unlike the rest of the world, they've kept to themselves, avoiding our influence."
"Their isolationism is exactly why they must fall," O5-2 said, his tone hardening. "They have remained outside the reach of the Foundation for too long, and their vibranium has the potential to upset the balance of power. We cannot allow them to continue unchecked."
Ghost's form shimmered slightly, as if amused by the thought. "their secrecy have kept them safe for a long time, yet it is our secrecy that will bring them down, they can't possibly be prepared for us, and that will be why we will win."
O5-2's lips curled into a faint, calculating smile. "Precisely. Their hubris, believing they can remain hidden from the world and untouched by its conflicts, will be their downfall. The Foundation's reach extends far beyond what even they can comprehend."
Ghost nodded. "Our preparations are almost complete. The Foundation's assets are in place, and the plan is set in motion. When the time comes, Wakanda won't stand a chance. Their technology will be ours, their secrets exposed, and their precious vibranium will finally serve the greater good."
O5-2 turned his gaze back to the airstrip, watching as more planes took off, their sleek forms vanishing into the horizon. "It's not just about the vibranium; the very fact that there is somewhere on this planet we can't reach is the real problem, a place where dangerous SCP objects can hide, it's unforgivable!"
Ghost nodded in agreement. "Indeed. They are a risk to the entire world and humanity. Speaking of risks, anything new about those Skrulls?"
O5-2 paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Ghost's question. "The Skrulls…" he muttered. "They're still an unknown, they are hidden well, Few clues, but in time I will find them, and once I do, they will all die. Maybe you can join me for that? I always thought it was a shame you ended up working for Alexander."
"Ghost laughed it off. "I would gladly join you in ridding the world of these aliens though, surely containment should be considered? Many members of the council wouldn't like starting with murdering them like that, O-13 in particular is too kind for such."
O5-2's smile faltered for a moment, a flash of annoyance crossing his face at the mention of O5-13. "Kindness has no place in matters of survival, especially when dealing with creatures that can mimic our very existence. We've seen what they can do, Ghost. They're infiltrators, parasites. If even one Skrull slips through our grasp, they could unravel everything."
Ghost's form flickered slightly, as if in contemplation. "You're not wrong, Lord Caesar. Still, O5-13's influence can't be ignored. She's always advocated for control over destruction. Containment over elimination. And while I understand the sentiment, these Skrulls… they represent a risk too great to simply lock away."
O5-2 crossed his arms, his gaze hardening. "Which is why we must deal with them before she reappears, if she isn't here, she can't complain now can she? But first, we need to deal with Wakanda, then the Skrulls, so I entrust this fleet of aircrafts to you Napoleon, try to bring them back as they are, replacing them will be expensive."
Ghost—or as O5-2 called him, Napoleon—nodded with a ghostly smile, his form flickering in the dim light of the control room. "Wakanda won't know what hit them. The aircraft will be used with precision, no unnecessary risks, no unnecessary destruction. Their vibranium will soon be in our hands, and the world will be one step closer to being under the Foundation's full control."
O5-2 allowed himself a satisfied nod, looking out over the airstrip one last time. "Good. I trust you won't disappoint. The next phase of our operation hinges on this success. Wakanda is our proving ground, a test of our readiness for larger confrontations."