The meeting did not end with the Infinity Stones. No—once that topic was exhausted, we drifted naturally into the next set of concerns. Matters just as important in shaping the future of the Foundation.
The holographic chamber flickered softly as Sun Tzu brought up the first subject: new Sites.
"We have Site-17, Site-24, Site-27, and of course Site-01," he began, his voice calm, measured. "But our expansion cannot remain limited. The Foundation must spread across continents. Europe, Africa, Asia—every region must contain at least one primary base."
Cleopatra nodded, tapping her fingers gracefully. "Egypt, naturally, belongs under my management. With SCP-4001 beneath the growing city of Alexandria, it is only logical I oversee North Africa and the surrounding region."
Darius, The Watcher, leaned back in his projection, eyes narrowing. "I want East Asia. Too many future threats appear there. If we do not prepare… we will pay the price centuries later."
Julius, stoic as always, placed both hands on the table. "I propose full global unification. Complete control. The Foundation should rule the world beneath one single banner. Our banner."
Silence filled the chamber.
A quiet, heavy silence.
Even for us, the idea was… bold.
Sun Tzu stroked his chin. Cleopatra raised an eyebrow. Darius's eyes flickered. I watched them all weigh the suggestion.
But I spoke first.
"It's too early."
Cleopatra nodded. "Far too early. We lack manpower. Technology. Influence. Conquering the world right now would expose us before we have the power to defend ourselves."
"And we are not conquerors," Sun Tzu added. "We are shadows. We manipulate and safeguard. If the Foundation takes the world by force… we become a threat to the very stability we seek to uphold."
Julius held our gazes for several seconds. Then he sighed, slowly lowering his head.
"Very well. The idea will be shelved for now."
Darius smirked. "For now, he says. Julius will bring it up again."
"Of course he will," Cleopatra replied calmly. "He's the only one among us who thinks 'global domination' is simply a bigger version of filing paperwork."
A faint ripple of laughter moved through the chamber—even through a projection, it felt strangely human.
But the mood shifted when we moved to the next topic:
Doctor Bright's anomalous weapon program.
Sun Tzu brought up the holographic list. Blades, firearms, armor, grenades, capsules, liquids, and even conceptual devices that altered physics on a local scale. All created using SCP-914's Very Fine setting.
Cleopatra whistled under her breath. "Bright has outdone himself. Some of these weapons could destroy armies."
Darius scrolled through a file, expression unreadable. "Others could wipe out entire civilizations. Or SCPs far beyond what we are currently able to contain."
Then Julius turned toward me.
"We should determine who receives what equipment," he said. "Not every Site should wield these weapons. Certain items should be reserved only for O5-authorized forces."
"We all know how this goes," Darius muttered. "Bright works under Administrator. Administrator always gets first pick."
I folded my arms. "He's my researcher. I assign his projects. It makes sense that I receive first access to his results."
Sun Tzu gave me a sideways look. "Yes, but you also have Orochimaru, Doctor Bright, SCP-914, multiple facilities, and the majority of the original rare SCP items. Your pool of talent is growing disproportionately."
Cleopatra nodded. "You're consolidating power. Whether intentionally or not."
I narrowed my eyes. "And you're implying what?"
"That you're becoming strong enough to overshadow the other O5 members," Julius said plainly.
A moment of tension settled.
Not hostility.
But power does not exist without weight.
I exhaled, slow and controlled. "If all of you want to recruit your own talents, do so. We have the power to summon individuals from other worlds now. But talent without longevity is wasted."
Then Julius raised the most inconvenient point of the day:
"SCP-006."
Even the hologram's temperature seemed to drop.
"The Fountain of Youth," Julius continued. "We have a limited amount. And it is divided between the five of us. We cannot waste it. We cannot use it casually. Even for talented recruits."
Sun Tzu nodded. "We should not prolong the lives of every scientist or soldier. That would be reckless."
Cleopatra leaned forward. "Each drop is worth more than gold. More than any anomalous weapon. More than any SCP we've obtained this decade."
Darius clasped his hands. "We must agree—together—on exactly who receives SCP-006 water. Talents are valuable, but we cannot grant immortality to everyone the Administrator recruits."
Their eyes turned toward me.
And I understood the pressure they were applying.
I sighed. "Fine. SCP-006 usage will require unanimous approval from the O5 Council. Not just mine."
Julius nodded once. "Acceptable."
"And Doctor Bright's weapons?" Sun Tzu asked.
I gave my answer clearly:
"I still get first pick. But afterward, each of you will receive access to selections appropriate to your divisions. And we will create special strike teams that answer directly to the entire Council—not just me."
They exchanged looks.
The tension eased.
Cleopatra smiled. "Good. That is… reasonable."
Darius nodded. "Balance is restored."
Sun Tzu folded his hands. "Then we continue."
And so the meeting lasted hours more.
Discussing logistics. Diplomatic infiltration. Recruitment strategies. Base expansion. Technological distribution. Resource rationing. SCP integration.
We argued.
We negotiated.
We planned.
Because this was the O5 Council—the five minds that would shape the future of the Marvel-SCP world.
And even in the ancient era,we were already preparing for the threats no civilization had ever faced.