The Council gathered once more in our thought-projection chamber at Site 01, each of us standing—or projecting, in my case—around the vast circular table. The air hummed with tension as we deliberated the next moves for our upcoming involvement in the American Civil War. The stakes were monumental: territory, influence, money, and, most importantly, recruitment of historically significant individuals. Our primary target was George Washington—brought forward through Foundation intervention, subtly guided into this era through temporal adjustments and anomalous preservation. If we could secure him, he could serve either as a powerful operative or even as a potential 05 Council member in the future.
The discussion opened with the logistics of deploying our agents. Julius, the Sentinel, argued for a dual-front strategy: positioning loyal operatives within both Union and Confederate operations to maximize influence. "We need eyes everywhere," he said, projecting a map of America across the table. Tiny glowing points represented our agents: some disguised as politicians, others embedded in military units, and a few more hidden as civilians with enhanced abilities. "Our advantage is that the War is still decades away from reaching peak industrialization. We can manipulate supply lines, strategic positions, and even public perception with minimal risk of detection."
I leaned forward, thinking through the calculations. "We already know the outcome," I reminded the Council. "America wins. The key isn't changing history but positioning ourselves to gain maximum advantage—both material and personnel-wise. George Washington's involvement is crucial. Convincing him of our objectives ensures loyalty and future integration into the Foundation's hierarchy."
Darius, the Watcher, the master of intelligence and espionage, projected his own network of information overlays. "Washington is cautious," he said. "He understands military strategy instinctively and will not commit without seeing the evidence of power and competence. We need to demonstrate the capability of the Foundation subtly—show him control of logistics, technology, and even anomalous assets without revealing our full hand." His eyes glimmered with calculation. "I recommend we place him in scenarios where his decisions align with ours organically. Influence without overt coercion."
Cleopatra, now "The Accountant," adjusted her projections, highlighting economic leverage. "Financial incentives will work better than raw power demonstrations alone. We can position assets to appear as patriotic American industrialists offering aid to Washington. Loans, arms, ammunition—all subtly enhanced or supplied by Foundation resources. If we secure his loyalty, we gain not just a figurehead but a strategic mind with historical influence." Her calculations included projected budgets, supply chain optimizations, and potential political reforms we could slip into the Reconstruction Amendments later.
Victor von Doom, our new O5-6, leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable behind his mask. "Manipulating time and history is a delicate operation," he said. "Even with our Reality Stone, our actions must appear natural. Washington must see us as allies in the war, not overlords pulling strings. A direct approach could trigger suspicion or outright resistance." His tone carried the quiet confidence of someone who had mastered both science and magic. "We need precision. Every decision, every movement, must reinforce the narrative that Washington is acting of his own volition, while we remain the invisible architects."
Lincoln, our O5-10 Ambassador, nodded. "I can handle diplomacy," he said. "Subtly inserting agents posing as trusted advisors, offering guidance, reinforcing loyalty. My aura ensures trust, and my forgettable face prevents any interference from external authorities." He smirked, almost casually. "Washington will believe he is surrounded by patriots loyal to the American cause, while in reality, our network controls every critical variable."
Sun Tzu, O5-4, the Factorum, leaned forward. "Our military advantage comes not just from manpower but precision operations. We have D-class personnel, Death Troopers, and Red Hand units trained to be super soldiers. Coordinated correctly, we can guide troop deployments, sabotage Confederate initiatives, and supply advanced weaponry. All while ensuring history remains largely intact." His cold, calculating tone cut through the room. "We will appear to be philanthropists and strategists to Washington, but in reality, we are engineering the war to maximize benefits for the Foundation."
I considered each proposal. Combining all these approaches gave us an unprecedented edge: a mix of technology, anomalous power, financial leverage, and tactical genius. "Here's the plan," I said, activating my projection of a detailed timeline. "Lincoln and Julius take lead in field operations and direct interactions with Washington. Sun Tzu coordinates all military deployments of our units to maximize impact while appearing organic. Cleopatra ensures financial incentives are structured to favor loyalty and long-term compliance. Darius monitors all intelligence, intercepting threats or anomalies before they can alter the timeline. Victor and I will work behind the scenes on magical and anomalous enhancements to our agents, providing tools and contingencies. We will maintain a minimal but effective interference footprint."
The discussion shifted to recruitment of anomalies and enhanced personnel. "We should bring in additional talents," I continued. "Agents with abilities similar to ours, but loyal to the Foundation. Historical figures, anomaly-enhanced operatives, and clones trained under our Red Hand protocols. Each will be embedded as advisors or strategists within Washington's command." The Council nodded, fully aware that securing Washington was not just about manpower but psychological and tactical manipulation.
As we debated finer points, the conversation inevitably turned to contingencies. "If Washington resists?" Darius asked, eyes narrowed. "We have options," I replied. "Subtle mind-enhancing techniques, anomalous persuasion, or carefully staged demonstrations of power. The goal is loyalty, not coercion. He must feel agency in his actions, even if guided entirely by us." Julius added, "And if the Confederacy deviates from expected strategies?" I smiled, calculating in my mind the countless permutations of war, logistics, and resource distribution. "Our Red Hand and Death Trooper units will intervene subtly, redirecting forces and ensuring history aligns with our projections."
Victor added a final note. "We will also incorporate magical enhancements where necessary. Minor illusions, enhanced communication devices, and defensive wards. Washington should never feel threatened or manipulated beyond normal military planning. Everything must appear natural, reinforcing our long-term goal of loyalty and integration."
By the end of the meeting, we had constructed a layered strategy: diplomacy, finance, tactical placement, anomaly utilization, and magical enhancements. The plan was almost surgical in precision, leaving the American Civil War largely intact in appearance while ensuring the Foundation gained maximum advantage. Most importantly, George Washington was positioned to become an active participant in the Foundation's network—either as a future 05 member or a highly loyal strategic asset.
As the thought projections dispersed, each of us returned to our respective duties, preparing for the subtle orchestration of one of the most pivotal wars in human history. The stage was set, the agents deployed, and George Washington—reborn or brought forward through temporal anomalies—was about to be guided, subtly and perfectly, to serve the Foundation's interests.