Reason Things Out

The conference room was hidden in the deepest part of the base, surrounded by walls of solid steel. All entrances were sealed once the leaders entered, and no one could come or go during the meeting.

The ceiling had a hemispherical design, with an enormous relief of a nine-headed sea serpent at its apex.

The legendary Hydra was a sea monster that hid amid vast oceans and storms, using its thick tentacles to attack ships passing through its waters. Its powerful tentacles cracked open cargo vessels, while fishermen and sailors were dragged to the seabed to serve as food.

Richard was nearly the last to enter. The other leaders had already taken their seats around the conference table.

Seated nearest the entrance was Sunil Bakshi, who had just taken over from Dr. Whitehall. The Italian young man wore a sharply pressed suit, his hair slicked down with pomade. He smiled and winked as Richard entered, looking like a seasoned lackey.

Baron Strucker had not attended, but no one found that surprising.

Baron Strucker no longer had the standing to sit as an equal with those present. His military forces and wealth had both suffered devastating losses. Anyone in his position would have lowered their head and found somewhere to hide first.

Protect his own interests? Fight for power?

Even having such thoughts would have been utterly foolish.

If the Baron had really been foolish enough to show up at this meeting, whether he could leave alive would have been uncertain.

A massive Hydra emblem was printed on the floor at the center of the room. The green Hydra had six tentacles and a single head.

For now, the few people present had all taken seats corresponding to the tentacles. It was unclear whether none of them were interested in the