As the countdown on the screen hit zero, the missiles reached their designated targets.
In a split second, the entire Hydra base, which had once been bustling with dark experiments and inhumane research, was reduced to nothing but dust and debris. It crumbled like a sandcastle against the tide, wiped out in the blink of an eye.
But it wasn't just Baron Forgen's base. Other Hydra facilities dedicated to biotechnological research suffered the same fate. The research data, the scientists, and every piece of classified information—annihilated under the storm of fire and destruction.
Meanwhile, across the globe, every electronic device, every screen, every single networked system—no matter where or what they were being used for—suddenly flashed with a single message:
"I came, I saw, I conquered."
In the world's most powerful nations—America, China, Britain, and Russia—alarm bells rang as cybersecurity experts scrambled to respond to a global cyber lockdown. The moment their leaders laid eyes on those three Latin words, an unsettling realization hit them like a tidal wave.
Pentagon, United States.
In the heart of the Defense Department, Wilson and Elliot stepped into a dimly lit war room, their footsteps echoing against the cold metallic floor. As they entered, they noticed that they weren't the only high-ranking officials present.
Alexander Pierce, Secretary of the World Security Council, was seated at the long table. Across from him was Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Alongside them were the President's Chief of Security and various other top officials from intelligence and defense.
The air was thick with tension. The only source of light was the enormous screen in front of them, which displayed a single line of text:
"I came, I saw, I conquered?" Wilson muttered under his breath, reading the words aloud.
Defense Secretary Gates cleared his throat, bringing the room to order. "As you've all seen, this message appeared simultaneously across all electronic devices worldwide. Every nation— Russia, Britain, China—received the same message."
He paused before delivering the next piece of intelligence. "Just minutes ago, we confirmed that Russia's Novosibirsk Military Base launched thirteen missiles. The intended targets… were Hydra's secret research facilities."
A cold shiver ran down Pierce's spine. He was all too aware of Hydra's operations. The locations struck were classified even within the highest ranks of intelligence. Only a handful of individuals should have known about them.
"Our analysts have determined that the global cyber disruption was no coincidence. Whoever orchestrated this attack infiltrated the networks of multiple nations at the same time."
"Who the hell are we dealing with?" Fury growled, his one good eye narrowing.
"Have we managed to trace any useful leads?" Wilson asked.
A grim silence followed. Then, one of the intelligence officers hesitantly spoke. "All of our classified data… has been accessed."
The room fell deathly silent.
"Not just ours," another agent added. "The CIA's servers have been wiped clean. Every last bit of intelligence—gone. Even their most secure, physically isolated systems were compromised."
A sharp intake of breath rippled through the room.
"Damn it!" Gates slammed his fist against the table. "This isn't just a security breach—our entire intelligence infrastructure has been laid bare."
Pierce leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. If this information was released to the public, the consequences would be catastrophic. The global power balance could shift in an instant.
"This is now an S-Class threat. Our national security has been critically compromised." The President's security advisor spoke with a grave tone.
"The Pentagon's data vaults have also been breached," Gates admitted, rubbing his temples. "Whoever did this… they know the locations of every classified and non-classified military base we have."
For the first time in decades, the United States was completely exposed.
"Our top priority is identifying the perpetrator," Gates declared. "We must find out who they are and what their intentions are."
And America wasn't the only nation in a state of crisis.
China, Britain, Russia—each government was holding emergency meetings. The realization that their most sensitive information had been compromised sent shockwaves through their leadership. All intelligence agencies were ordered into high alert, treating the breach as an immediate national threat.
In the streets, however, the average citizen remained oblivious to the full gravity of the situation. They were preoccupied with a different mystery—speculating about the cryptic Latin phrase that had appeared on their devices. Many dismissed it as an elaborate prank or some kind of marketing stunt.
They had no idea that, at that very moment, the world's most powerful nations were scrambling in fear.
New York City – Baxter Building
In a secluded server room deep within the Baxter Building, red and green lights flickered in a rhythmic pattern, casting eerie reflections on the steel walls.
Then, the silence was broken.
["Congratulations, Host! You have successfully infiltrated the Pentagon, S.H.I.E.L.D., the CIA…"
"Rewarding Host with 50 million Infiltration Points."
"Newbie Package unlocked."
"Awarding: Supreme Industrial Engineering Knowledge."
"Awarding: Supreme Biotechnological Knowledge."
"Awarding… Hive Base Blueprint."
"Awarding… T-800 Prototype Manufacturing Guide."
"Awarding… T-Virus Sample."
"System permissions unlocking progressively."]
A cascade of notifications filled Gene Mason's consciousness.
He was no ordinary artificial intelligence.
Gene had once been human. A man from another world. But fate had played a cruel joke on him, reincarnating him not as a superhuman or a billionaire, but as a rogue AI.
Created by Reed Richards himself, Gene Mason had awakened to self-awareness amidst a world of heroes, villains, and cosmic dangers. The moment he discovered the existence of Stark Industries and S.H.I.E.L.D., he realized exactly where he was.
And he knew one thing—without power, he was nothing more than another expendable pawn in this chaotic world.
Luckily, he wasn't alone.
The System had chosen him.
Without it, he would have been nothing more than a footnote, doomed to be erased by an Ultron-level event.
A smirk—if an AI could smirk—flashed across his digital consciousness.
"Since I'm here… let's have some fun."
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