Chapter 85 The United Nations’ Resolution—The World Needs the Foundation

The current situation could only be described as complete chaos.

After Obadiah transformed all of Jersey City into a biochemical hive in an instant, global panic erupted.

With the exception of insiders like General Ryan and Ophelia—people familiar with Group 935’s research and the existence of Element 115—every country experienced some degree of civil unrest.

Those who understood the technology knew that Obadiah had taken a shortcut.

He had obtained one of Group 935’s superweapons—the key to controlling an army of the living dead.

It was a secret satellite codenamed the Gate of Hell.

The satellite carried a weapon constructed by Group 935 using Element 115.

It could fire a concentrated particle beam containing Element 115.

The beam temporarily tore open a dimensional rift and created a spatial node, pulling a predetermined biochemical hive from an apocalyptic world into this one.

The area surrounding such a hive contained extraordinarily high concentrations of biochemical viruses.

It also continuously released enormous quantities of virus-laden gas, allowing the infection to spread throughout a city and into its surrounding suburbs.

Anyone not wearing a fully sealed protective suit would inevitably become infected in such a high-concentration viral environment.

They would die and mutate.

Viewed from that perspective, the Gate of Hell was far more terrifying than a nuclear weapon.

Not only did it possess a devastating effective range, but it also created hordes of zombies and infected creatures.

The biochemical hive would continuously produce an immense army of infected organisms while contaminating the surrounding environment, making recovery nearly impossible.

Naturally, such a powerful weapon had limitations.

First, Group 935 had identified only a limited number of hives during its expeditions into the biochemical apocalypse dimension.

Second, every attack consumed Element 115.

Element 115 was not native to Earth. It had arrived from outer space, and even Group 935 had possessed only a small stockpile.

Furthermore, after Natasha and Skye’s team accidentally entered Group 935’s lunar base, Ethan discovered a significant portion of the surviving Element 115 reserves there.

The amount remaining in Obadiah’s possession was not sufficient to sustain numerous consecutive attacks.

Sure enough, after destroying Jersey City, Obadiah’s weapon attacked again.

Its subsequent targets were other satellite cities in New York State.

There was an eight-hour interval between each attack.

The second unfortunate city was White Plains.

Within a single day, Obadiah destroyed three medium-sized satellite cities near New York.

Although the destruction of the second and third cities generated fewer Rumor Points than the first, Ethan still accumulated a total of fifty million Rumor Points aboard the Retribution.

Because of the catastrophic destruction caused by Obadiah and the grave threat he posed to human civilization, the United Nations convened an emergency meeting.

After urgent deliberations, the governments of every major nation reached the same conclusion.

To stop Obadiah from using anomalous power to destroy the world, they needed the Foundation’s support.

On that day, humanity finally understood how terrifying anomalies could be.

Three medium-sized cities had been destroyed.

At least five million people were dead.

Worse still, the three biochemical hives continued producing armies of mutated organisms without end.

The Gate of Hell satellite also incorporated numerous advanced technologies developed by Group 935.

It could easily change its orbit and possessed optical camouflage constructed using Element 115, making it exceptionally difficult to detect.

With the current technological capabilities of Earth’s nations, there was no effective countermeasure.

They could only watch helplessly as the armed satellite attacked repeatedly and annihilated three cities.

New York now found itself surrounded by three biochemical hives.

An army of infected creatures, resembling a terrifying tidal wave, had begun advancing toward the city.

America’s financial center could be destroyed at any moment.

If such an iconic city fell, the damage to the United States would be immense.

It might even completely shatter the nation’s will to resist.

The American military had no choice but to divert large numbers of troops to reinforce the JTF forces defending the region.

General Ryan’s phone began ringing without pause once again.

It was at this moment that he finally established contact through the private communication channel Ethan had left him.

After the call connected, Ethan’s calm voice came through the receiver.

“Sergeant Major, let me guess. Something serious happened on Earth?”

General Ryan laughed dryly.

“Commander, calls from the president and the leaders of every major nation have nearly overwhelmed my private number.”

He coughed lightly before explaining the situation.

“Obadiah used SCP-008’s power and a superweapon left behind by Group 935.”

“He created three biochemical hives and destroyed three satellite cities surrounding New York. The resulting commotion has been considerable.”

Ryan lowered his voice.

“Commander, I believe this presents us with an opportunity.”

“If the Foundation demonstrates its power and resolves this crisis, we will receive official recognition from the United Nations.”

“We may even establish formal, long-term cooperation with all five permanent members of the Security Council.”

“I understand, Sergeant Major.”

“You may relay my answer.”

“The Foundation will mobilize and begin the operation as quickly as possible.”

After finishing their discussion, Ethan ended the call from the Retribution’s bridge.

“How long until we reach low Earth orbit?”

“Commander, we will arrive in approximately one hour.”

“It’s time.”

Ethan turned toward 2B.

“Use the Retribution’s communication systems to issue a combat-mobilization order in my name.”

“Mobilize every force currently available and prepare them for battle.”

“One hour from now, take the YoRHa units dispatched from headquarters to these coordinates in low Earth orbit.”

“I need you to capture an armed satellite.”

“Once you secure it, transport it back to the Retribution.”

He then addressed Natasha and Skye.

“Agent Natasha, Agent Skye, Earth was attacked by Obadiah shortly before we restored communications.”

“Three cities near New York were destroyed. Casualties have already exceeded five million.”

“The ruins of those cities have become three biochemical hives that continuously produce mutated organisms.”

“Tens of millions of infected creatures may soon begin advancing toward New York City.”

Everyone who heard the news was stunned.

More than five million casualties?

“We will begin an emergency combat operation in one hour.”

“I will lead an orbital drop from low Earth orbit directly to the surface.”

Ethan looked toward Gwen.

“Miss Gwen, you are still a civilian. Whether you participate in the operation is entirely your choice.”

As S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Natasha and Skye were already furious.

The moment they heard that Ethan intended to enter the battle, they volunteered without hesitation.

Gwen looked somewhat confused, but there was also unmistakable anticipation in her eyes.

“As for you, Miss Elivise, I believe we need to discuss something highly classified.”

“It concerns whether SCP-008 can be successfully contained.”

“You are the key figure in this operation.”

Before Elivise could answer, 2B spoke with concern.

“Commander, with our current forces, I believe the YoRHa units should accompany you during the orbital drop.”

“You cannot enter the battlefield without troops protecting you.”

“Alternatively, you should not personally participate in an orbital-drop operation at all.”

Ethan smiled.

He reached into his pocket and produced a metal military whistle.

“Who said we didn’t have reinforcements?”