I step through the polished obsidian doors of Site‑01's main conference chamber, my boots echoing against metal that hasn't aged in nearly two thousand years. The air hums with holographic energy—blue-white projectors flickering into existence as each O5 connects from their respective sites.
The circular table materializes around me, projected light forming perfect geometry. Only two of us sit physically in the room: me, O5‑1, and Julius, O5‑2 Sentinel, who leans back casually with his arms crossed, as if security itself is taking a coffee break.
Then the holograms solidify:
O5‑3 The Watcher appears first, sharpening into the silhouette of Darius—hooded, calm, and analyzing me the way only a former FBI master spy can.
O5‑4 Factorum, Sun Tzu himself, forms next—arms behind his back, posture regal, eyes calculating military outcomes I haven't even mentioned yet.
O5‑5 The Accountant, Cleopatra, manifests with an impatient elegance, tapping a finger against transparent data charts.
O5‑6 The Sorcerer, Victor von Doom, gleams into view clad in a fusion of Latverian armor and Foundation tech. His gaze is unreadable, as always.
O5‑7 The Brain appears last in full resolution—a floating jar of nutrient gel wired into five supercomputers, voice synthesized but sharp enough to cut diamonds.
Then:
O5‑8 The Archivist flickers in, arms full of floating runic files only they understand.
O5‑9 The Blackbird, Isaac Newton, taps electricity between his fingers like idle static.
O5‑10 The Ambassador, Lincoln, appears with that eerie charisma aura already making the room feel strangely calm.
O5‑11 The Executioner, Thomas Hobbes, materializes with the cold presence of someone who can tell your fate just by brushing your skin.
All eyes turn to me.
Perfect.
I clear my throat and begin.
"Let's begin. This meeting will cover my newest large‑scale project: the Genius Project."
A soft ripple echoes through the holograms.
Julius raises an eyebrow.Cleopatra lifts her stylus.Sun Tzu folds his hands.Doom's visor glows slightly brighter.
Good. I have their attention.
I project a massive holographic diagram above the table—schematics of buildings, training schedules, mental conditioning matrices, neural scans, and talent-division charts.
"Site‑999 is the beating heart of our scientific and strategic future," I say.
"But we lack one thing: geniuses. True, sustainable, Foundation‑level minds."
Darius nods slightly. Of course he'd be the first to understand the need for long-term intelligence assets.
"World War I is approaching," I continue.
"There will be war orphans. Thousands. Children with nothing… meaning children who can become anything."
Cleopatra freezes mid‑tap, eyes narrowing with interest.
Sun Tzu speaks first."A recruitment force built from the chaos of war."
"Exactly," I reply. "We will build a school—no, a factory—for brilliance. A place where orphans are tested, trained, reshaped, honed into specialists the world has never seen."
My eyes sweep the room.
"Scientists, strategists, doctors, engineers, spies, tacticians… and if applicable, combat prodigies."
Julius smirks."So you're building me better soldiers."
"Among other things," I say. "The Foundation thrives on intelligence, not numbers. Quality over quantity."
Then I add, cold and simple:
**"The useful will join our departments.
The moderately useful will go to standard sites.The useless will be mind‑wiped or sent to D‑Class."**
Several holograms shift. The air grows heavier, but no one argues. This is the SCP Foundation, not a charity.
Then Doom speaks, voice deep and resonant:
"What of indoctrination, Administrator? A genius without loyalty is a future threat."
I smile thinly.
**"Brainwashing. Conditioning. Loyalty implants.
No student leaves the program without absolute psychological obedience."**
O5‑7 The Brain's jar lights up.
"Acceptable. Intelligence levels across the Foundation will rise an average predicted seventy‑three percent over the next century."
Cleopatra finally speaks, voice smooth and calculating:
"I can allocate funds. But I want progress reports. Monthly."
"You'll have them," I reply.
Sun Tzu nods.
"I can integrate the combat-capable into our military divisions once they graduate."
Darius speaks next.
"And I'll take any with espionage potential. Early training will make them perfect for infiltration."
Electric sparks dance between Newton's fingers.
"Gifted children exposed to advanced physics early may reach breakthroughs we cannot."
"And," Doom adds, "those capable of sorcery will be sent to my division for magical evaluation."
The Archivist slowly nods."I will ensure their records are sealed from all timelines. The program will not exist historically."
Lincoln smiles warmly—almost unnervingly."I can secure international agreements to relocate orphans quietly. Governments will hand them over without a whisper."
Hobbes's eyes glow faintly."And the failures… I will handle."
Silence fills the room.The plan is monstrous, efficient, perfectly Foundation.
Finally, Julius looks at me.
"So, O5‑1… when do we begin?"
I smile.
"Now."
The hologram of the Genius Project expands—to scale, detailed, flawless.
**"This is the program that will shape the next millennium.
And with it, we'll build a Foundation that even gods will fear."**
The room is silent.Then each O5 gives their confirmation.
The Genius Project is approved.