Two years had passed since the establishment of the Chaos Insurgency. Within the confines of Site-999, the hum of advanced machinery, the soft whirring of data processors, and the occasional low rumble of distant experiments set the background for what had become an empire of hidden ambition. The corridors were quiet, but the minds working within them were anything but. I sat in my office, reviewing reports from our agents embedded in every corner of the globe and across multiple realities. The progress of Lelouch Lamperouge and his subordinates was nothing short of astounding.
Julius, Darius, Sun Tzu, Cleopatra, and I had all watched him grow from a prodigious tactical mind into a figure whose influence spanned continents. Zero—his chosen codename—was cautious, calculating, and relentless. He had no friends or loyalties outside of his mission; everything he did was for the expansion and efficiency of the Chaos Insurgency, and through it, the Foundation.
I received a knock at my office door. "Enter," I called.
Julius and Darius stepped in, both looking as composed as ever. Julius' blonde hair shimmered under the overhead lights, and his Kokugan glinted faintly, a subtle reminder of the immense power he now possessed. Darius, as always, was a shadow of quiet menace, his mind constantly calculating and strategizing even in the most casual movements.
"Reports from Zero," Darius began, sliding a thick data pad across the desk. "He has fully established control over three regions. Estimated personnel count is now at ten thousand. Political influence is significant—he has embedded operatives in multiple governments and corporate structures. Recruitment continues at a rate faster than projected. This includes scientists, combat personnel, and operatives capable of handling anomalous threats."
Julius leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "He's been efficient. Faster than any of our simulations suggested. The way he integrated our resources with local power structures—brilliant. Even the SCPs we provided him have been optimized for security and operational efficiency. No losses beyond initial acclimatization."
I nodded, thinking through the implications. "And the criminal enterprises? The fronts he uses to manipulate local governments and obtain resources?"
"Completely under our control," Julius confirmed. "We've given him autonomy over the organization. He runs it efficiently, but all major decisions pass through oversight channels that only I and a few trusted council members can access. Essentially, we've created a puppet master with the ability to act independently while remaining tethered to our objectives."
I tapped the data pad, reviewing detailed schematics of his operations. Every facility, every safe house, every network node was mapped, monitored, and occasionally manipulated by our Foundation resources. "Good," I said. "We cannot risk any of our assets operating outside a framework we cannot control. But Zero has proven himself trustworthy so far. This is the kind of initiative and capability we need. The Chaos Insurgency is no longer a small operation—it's a scalable force that can operate in ways we cannot directly, without drawing attention to the Foundation."
Darius smirked slightly, leaning back in his chair. "And he has done it without unnecessary casualties beyond those expected in the field. He's cautious, precise, and he trusts logic over ego. We gave him everything he needed—scientists, combat personnel, technology, SCP assets—and he's made the most of it. I would not have expected anyone, even with his intellect, to reach this level in two years."
Julius' expression softened slightly, a rare break from his usual stoicism. "We made the right call giving him SCP-006. The longevity it provides, combined with his strategic genius, ensures that the Chaos Insurgency can outlast and outmaneuver any opposition we may encounter during the next decades. He has the foresight to plan beyond immediate threats."
Cleopatra, who had just entered the room with a stack of encrypted reports, spoke up. "We need to be careful about the public perception. Even though Zero operates in shadows, the political power he wields could cause complications. If governments suspect the level of influence he has, they may act preemptively."
I leaned back, considering this. "He's cautious enough that we can mitigate exposure, but we must maintain contingency plans. Julius, ensure that all operatives embedded in governments have fail-safes. Darius, continue monitoring his expansions with predictive simulations. If Zero missteps—highly unlikely as that is—we need to be able to intervene instantly."
Julius nodded, the Kokugan briefly glowing as he processed multiple strategic scenarios. "Already in motion. I have agents in place to counter any unexpected political or operational variables. Zero's network is strong, but we're building redundancy to ensure nothing gets out of hand."
I turned my attention back to the reports. "Let's discuss the next phase of expansion. The Chaos Insurgency is strong in three major regions, but there are still key areas where our influence is lacking—areas with either volatile governments or high concentrations of anomalous threats. If we want to maintain control during the next world war, these zones need to be stabilized or, where necessary, dominated by our operatives."
Darius' eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I suggest prioritizing regions that will become strategic supply routes during wartime. Ports, rail networks, and resource centers. We embed our operatives there first, establish logistical dominance, and then reinforce with combat personnel if necessary. By the time the war begins, our influence will be entrenched."
Julius interjected, "And our SCP assets. We have to determine which anomalies can be safely deployed in these areas to assist Zero's operatives without drawing unnecessary attention. The less the public knows, the better."
I nodded. "Exactly. Our goal is subtle dominance, not open warfare. We manipulate outcomes from the shadows. Zero is our instrument, but the instruments must be sharpened and precise. Any deviation could alert others to the Foundation's involvement."
Cleopatra added, "We also need to consider the recruitment pipeline. Ten thousand personnel are impressive, but as operations expand, we'll need more specialists. Scientists, combatants, tacticians. Zero can manage growth, but we must ensure quality control. The wrong recruitment could jeopardize everything he's built."
I tapped my fingers on the desk, thinking. "We provide him guidance, but minimal interference. He must operate with autonomy. Our only role is oversight and strategic alignment. As long as his operations further our goals, we leave him to manage the Chaos Insurgency."
Darius chuckled quietly. "It's fascinating, isn't it? We've essentially created a shadow empire within the world, but no one outside our circle even knows it exists. And it's all run by someone we brought in, someone whose only loyalty is to the goals we set. A perfect symbiosis of strategy, intelligence, and operational execution."
Julius smiled faintly, a rare moment of approval. "And it is our strength that makes it possible. Between the five of us, the Foundation's reach, and the systems we've implemented, we've engineered a future no one else could predict. Zero is just the beginning. There will be others, and each will operate in ways that align with our vision."
I leaned back in my chair, satisfied. "Two years in, and the Chaos Insurgency is thriving. Our influence is growing, and Zero has proven to be the perfect leader for this initiative. Continue monitoring, refining, and expanding where necessary. The world is a chessboard, and we are the players moving pieces in shadows. If executed correctly, by the time World War One begins, the Chaos Insurgency will be an unstoppable force under our control, able to manipulate outcomes, secure resources, and expand our influence without exposing the Foundation."
Darius nodded. "Agreed. And with our foresight and preparations, the Chaos Insurgency will act as both shield and sword. Our enemies will never see us coming."
Julius leaned back, his hands steepled. "Then it is settled. We continue to empower Zero, expand our reach, and maintain oversight. The game is long, but we are patient, precise, and inexorable. In the end, every move we make will shape the future exactly as we intend."
I smiled faintly, a sense of calm satisfaction settling over me. "Then let the next two decades pass. The world will change around us, and when the time comes, we will already be ready. Zero and the Chaos Insurgency are just the beginning. And when World War One erupts, we will already hold the hidden power no one else can hope to challenge."
The meeting ended with silent agreement. Each of us returned to our respective workstations, minds buzzing with strategies, contingencies, and calculations. Outside the reinforced walls of Site-999, the world moved unaware of the empire growing in the shadows—an empire built, nurtured, and directed by the Foundation's hidden architects. And at the heart of it all, Zero continued to expand, his vision aligned perfectly with ours, every move a step toward global dominance under the silent, invisible hand of the O5 Council.