Chapter 34 The Foundation Is Moving

Watching the mushroom cloud slowly dissipate on the screen while SCP-096 continued advancing without slowing down, everyone observing the operation understood one thing.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

had failed to stop it.

Ethan put down his Coke and said calmly, “S.H.I.E.L.D.’s defensive line has been broken.” “2B, tell the task forces to prepare.” “They can move now.” 2B, diligently fulfilling her temporary role as Ethan’s adjutant, immediately answered, “Understood, Commander.

I’ll transmit your orders at once.” Whether it was Nick Fury or Coulson, both now had an entirely new understanding of anomalies.

It was almost unbelievable.

A biological entity roughly the size of a human being could not only run at speeds comparable to a supercar— Even humanity’s proudest weapon, the nuclear bomb, had failed to slow it down in the slightest.

Could humanity really defeat something like this?

Everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D.

began falling into deep self-doubt.

HYDRA, on the other hand, was thrilled.

Such a powerful anomaly…

Such an overwhelmingly terrifying SCP-096…

If someone could somehow control it, wouldn’t that be equivalent to possessing an unstoppable superweapon?

Who could possibly stand against them then?

Meanwhile, at the Foundation Paradise Island Base, warning lights flashed throughout the enormous underground hangar.

This was the air base attached to the Foundation’s A-Class headquarters on Paradise Island.

A Mobile Task Force had already assembled and was awaiting deployment.

Under the dim red warning lights, rows of soldiers dressed in black combat uniforms stood in formation.

They were armed from head to toe.

Ten orderly formations filled the hangar.

They were one of the Foundation’s cornerstones— The Mobile Task Force.

MTF Nu-7, “Hammer Down.” Hammer Down was a heavily armed Mobile Task Force organized at approximately brigade strength.

Its formation included three battalion-sized special infantry units.

A mechanized armored battalion.

A heavy tank company.

A helicopter group.

A Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Company.

A combat engineer battalion.

A Nuclear Weapons Specialist Team.

And numerous additional combat specialists and support personnel.

Around them stood rows of infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, armored vehicles, and logistics trucks.

Behind them were— Forty-eight V-44X Blackfish transports.

Eight AH-99 heavy attack helicopters.

And an almost endless array of equipment crates, ammunition, weapons, and support systems.

If any S.H.I.E.L.D.

agent had been present, they would’ve been stunned.

The equipment carried by these soldiers and the vehicles stationed throughout the hangar were at least twenty years ahead of what S.H.I.E.L.D.

currently possessed.

The entire force was ready.

Morale was high.

The commander of MTF Nu-7 was currently briefing the unit’s senior officers.

“By direct order from the Foundation Commander, Hammer Down is being deployed to contain SCP-096 at a farm outside New York.” “Confirming the mission structure once more.” “This operation consists of two primary elements.” “First, a specialized containment operation.” “Second, perimeter security and hostile intervention.” “The containment element will secure SCP-096.” “All other forces will establish the perimeter and prevent hostile interference.” The commander continued, “According to reliable intelligence, the Chaos Insurgency may already be operating in the area and waiting for an opportunity.” “To prevent a large-scale civilian casualty event, we’ll deploy immediately.” “Commander Ethan has also ordered the Helljumpers Mobile Task Force to serve as our backup.” The commander smiled faintly.

“But as far as I’m concerned…” “Let them remain backup.” “This mission should require nothing more than Hammer Down.” He swept his gaze across the assembled officers.

“Mission briefing complete.” “MTF commanding officers, any questions?” “No questions, sir!” “Then return to your units and deliver the briefing.” “We’re deploying immediately.” “Confirmed!” At that moment, the hangar lights switched to green.

The base was ready for launch.

The task force commander wasted no time.

“Green signal!” “Advance containment element, move out!” “Go, go, go!” “Board the aircraft!” “We are cleared for departure!” Ground crews in yellow reflective vests waved their signal flags.

Then one of them gave the transport pilots a thumbs-up.

A moment later— The engines of twelve V-44X Blackfish transports thundered to life.

These aircraft carried Hammer Down’s specialized advance containment force.

They would depart first and begin the SCP-096 containment operation ahead of the main body.

Along one section of Paradise Island’s coastline, concealed platforms opened.

One after another, V-44X Blackfish transports accelerated along underground launch routes and lifted into the sky.

Approximately twenty minutes later, the second wave followed.

The remaining thirty-six V-44X Blackfish transports—loaded with armored vehicles, tanks, and heavier equipment—began taking off in succession.

This time, the Foundation deliberately left its radar signatures exposed.

A massive aerial formation appeared in the airspace near Los Angeles.

Then it accelerated eastward toward New York.

Not long afterward, in New York, Coulson received an urgent report from one of his subordinates.

“What?” “A large number of unidentified aircraft?” He immediately reacted.

“Is it the Foundation?” Coulson grabbed his phone and called Nick Fury.

“Director Fury, a large Foundation air formation appears to have deployed!” Fury immediately answered.

“The Foundation is moving?” After a moment, he released a long breath.

“At this point…” “We can only leave it to them.” His gaze returned to the surveillance footage of SCP-096.

“That monster…” “It isn’t something ordinary humans can defeat.” Fury’s voice became quieter.

“Can something like that really be contained?”