Operation Clementine

3 0 0
                                    

Last Chapter in The Foundation:

The conference hall in Pyongyang was filled with tension as the narrator faced Kim Jong Un across a polished table, negotiating the delicate balance of trust and power. With carefully chosen words and a sleek data drive containing critical access codes, the narrator offered advanced surveillance technology while ensuring North Korea's sovereignty remained untouched. Kim, cautious but intrigued, accepted the proposal under conditions that included personnel training and technical oversight. As the sun dipped low on their final day, the team prepared to leave, with Hoya exchanging a quiet but heartfelt farewell with her partner, Morrigan. Onboard the quinjet, the team settled in for the flight while Meda coordinated with Jocasta, an AI responsible for managing the Regeneration Cradle—a machine vital to stabilizing Clementine's volatile magic. Veers, the technical lead, prepared for the delicate operation, knowing that even the smallest misstep could mean catastrophic failure. As the quinjet soared through the skies, Jocasta's wit and unwavering focus reassured the Meda that Clementine was in capable hands. Somewhere between hope and uncertainty, the team pressed forward, carrying the weight of a fragile future on their shoulders.








========================

I adjusted the flight controls one last time, glancing back at the softly glowing cabin behind me

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

I adjusted the flight controls one last time, glancing back at the softly glowing cabin behind me. The hum of the quinjet's engines was steady, a white noise that had lulled the rest of the team to sleep an hour into our return trip. Clementine was curled up against Hoya's side, her fox tail twitching even in her dreams. Alexei was slumped over his harness, arms crossed, and what I can only describe as snoring, albeit in his own way. Radio snoring. Iris had her head tilted back, mouth slightly open, while Ji-Hu—ever the light sleeper—sat half-awake, her tablet dim against her chest.

But now, the city lights stretched across the horizon like a galaxy scattered on Earth, and the faint outline of the Alpha-9 Tower loomed in the distance. It was time. "Alright, everyone," I said, my voice cutting through the cabin speakers. "Wake up. We're home." Clementine's ears twitched, her tail giving a sharp flick before her eyes blinked open. She sat up immediately, her bright golden gaze fixing on the view outside the window. Her tail started wagging, thumping softly against Hoya's side as she leaned forward, pressing her tiny hands against the reinforced glass.

"Is that...is that New York?" she asked breathlessly, her voice trembling with excitement. I chuckled softly. "That, little fox, is the City that Never Sleeps. And you're about to see it up close." The quinjet began its descent, skimming over the city skyline. The lights below reflected in Clementine's wide eyes, and she let out an excited squeak as we passed by towering skyscrapers. Ji-Hu, now fully awake, leaned forward to join her by the window. "Look over there," I said, pointing toward a massive structure on the city's outskirts. A sleek, futuristic tower rose from the ground, its glass walls glinting under the moonlight. The iconic Avengers 'A' logo was emblazoned across one side, now encased within the unmistakable SCP Foundation emblem.

The FoundationWhere stories live. Discover now