Chapter 78: Fucking Diplomacy

Chapter 78: Fucking Diplomacy

Warning: the upcoming chapters will include topics and conversations related to several real-world conflicts, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I want to clarify that I will only be writing about these topics in connection with the story to enhance the desired effect of realism in this narrative, which mixes with the Foundation universe and nothing more. Moreover, peace to the souls of the innocent who have died in this horrific war.

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Leonard said, "Ok, system, please don't give me something lame." Then he added, "Spin the Wheel of Fortune."

[Ding! Spinning the Wheel of Fortune...]

After waiting for 5 seconds, Leonard received the following notification:

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring the hero unit "Agent Lucretia Popescu"]

He was presented with more information:

[Information:  

Name: Lucretia Popescu  

Rank: Special Asset/MTF Operator  

History: Formerly known as "POI-2408-351". Romanian victim of human trafficking by The Hunter's Black Lodge, a neo-Sarkic cult/organized crime ring. Fought in their fighting pits for more than 15 years, learning to perform carnomantic transformations to enhance strength and alter her physical form. Contained by a Foundation raid and then recruited as a new member of MTF Alpha-9. Has been deployed on multiple assignments. Romantically involved with Agent Deneb, a former UIU agent recruited into Alpha-9 as a containment specialist.  

Skills:  

- Carnomancy: Sarkic ability to manipulate and transform her flesh at will.  

- Enhanced Physique: Physical capabilities five times above the human limit.  

- Veteran Combatant: Spent 15 years of her life fighting to the death in an arena.]

After reading this, Leonard exclaimed, "Mmmmh, wait, but I might finally have a proper tutor for Lina?!" He opened the system menu, checked Lucretia's position, and saw that she was waiting at Site-Aleph. He selected her, pressed the ["Transfer"] button, and chose Site-17.

[Travel time: 5 hours].

Leonard said: "ok good. Next, system, open the 'Di-' but was interrupted by a notification: 

[Ding! You've been pinged in the global chat by 'Global Occult Coalition': "Hey @SCP Foundation, I need your help…". Would you like to access the chat?]

Leonard furrowed his brows and checked his watch—25 minutes remained before the scheduled treaty meeting. He thought: 'Access the chat,' and suddenly, he could visualize it:

GOC: Hey, @SCP Foundation, I need your help because two organizations from the Hope System are about to go at each other's throats.

SCP Foundation: What?

Yeda' Zoher: Hey @ORIA, if I catch you in Palestine or Israel, I swear I'll kill you.

ORIA: Shut up, you son of a bitch. I caught you capturing Palestinians to use as test subjects.

Yeda' Zoher: I swear, if you set foot in Israel, I'll destroy you and all of Iran.

ORIA: If you conduct another test, I swear I'll invade all of Israel.

SCP Foundation: -confused-

GOC: @SCP Foundation, to keep it simple, @Yeda' Zoher is Israel's anomalous organization, and ORIA is Iran's anomalous organization. I'll let you guess how much they love each other.

SCP Foundation: Oh.

Yeda' Zoher: @SCP:F, @GOC, for my defense, I had no choice. He was threatening to attack me and I dont have access to prisons.

ORIA: Screw you, we don't harm innocent civilians.

GOC: Maybe we could all calm down and talk rationally?

Yeda' Zoher: NO!

ORIA: NO!

GOC: Okay…

Pentagram: @Yeda' Zoher, for reasons related to the well-being of my own country… I will stand by your side.

FBI Unusual Incidents Units: Same here.

Central Paranormal Intelligence Agency: Same for me.

Yeda' Zoher: Thanks, guys.

GRU-P: Cowards. Even in the Hope System, you remain filthy American scum. @ORIA, if they touch you, call me, and I'll wreck them.

Yedinci Ok: I forbid any of you from setting foot in the Middle East. @ORIA, I will fight by your side until death.

Horizon Initiative: I cannot stand by and watch you attack our Muslim brothers for unfounded and corrupt reasons. If you touch them, you're dead.

ORIA: Thank you, my brothers.

SCP Foundation: Uh, @Mages Academy, I think we might have a slight problem with your treaty proposal.

Mages Academy: I just noticed that…

The Wandsmen: OH?! A CIVIL WAR? IT'S TIME TO BROADCAST AN INTER-GROUP WAR!

ORIA: @SCP Foundation, you're supposed to protect humanity. Help us take down the Israeli.

Yeda' Zoher: @SCP Foundation, don't listen to his lies. He's the real threat to humanity. Help us defend ourselves.

SCP Foundation: Uuuuuh, @GOC, what do you think?

GOC: Personally, we're allied with @Serpent Hand and @Three Moons Initiative as the biggest armed forces. So, for now, I think we should stay neutral and observe.

Serpent Hand: @Yeda' Zoher and @ORIA. I have a proposition for both of you. You want us to help you, don't you?

Yeda' Zoher: Yes.

ORIA: If you stay out of it, that's more than enough.

Serpent Hand: In that case, I propose this: myself, the GOC, and SCP will each send a joint team of observers to act as investigators and keep us updated on the real issue. Based on what they report, we will decide whether to help one of you or not. Of course, we'd prefer to resolve this peacefully. Do you agree?

ORIA: If you are not corrupt, then yes, I accept.

Yeda' Zoher: Save me from this terrorist.

Serpent Hand: Good, in that case, the matter is temporarily settled. If you want to wage your war shenanigans, take it to private messages.

Upon seeing this, Leonard was stunned. A notification popped up:

[Ding! "Serpent Hand" has invited you to the group chat "Treaty". Do you accept the invitation?]

Leonard selected "Yes" and navigated to the Global Chat section. Underneath the Global Chat option, he saw the newly created "Treaty" Group Chat. He entered, observing the GOC, Mages Academy, and Serpent Hand engaged in a heated debate:

GOC: "We can't let this situation escalate further. ORIA and Yeda' Zoher are on the brink of full-scale conflict, and their actions could destabilize the entire region, not to mention the anomalous implications. We propose a military intervention—not to pick sides, but to enforce a ceasefire. Both parties need to stand down, and the only way they'll listen is if we apply pressure from a position of strength."

Serpent Hand: "Military intervention will only escalate this into an even bigger disaster. You're suggesting we come in like occupiers. What do you think that will signal to the rest of the world? We need a more diplomatic approach. We should send in neutral observers, gather intelligence, and figure out the root cause before making any rash decisions. Both sides are tense, and adding armed forces will push them over the edge."

Mages Academy: "We can't stand idly by while ORIA, an organization that has already suffered numerous threats, is under pressure. Yeda' Zoher has crossed multiple lines, including using civilians in their operations. If we let them continue unchecked, we risk emboldening them to commit further atrocities. ORIA has every right to defend its people, and we should support them. This isn't just about peace—it's about justice."

GOC: "We're not denying ORIA's grievances, but siding with them directly is a step toward open warfare. Right now, we need to force both sides to the table, not empower one over the other. Our resources allow us to deploy a peacekeeping force capable of neutralizing immediate threats while maintaining enough leverage to negotiate a long-term solution."

Serpent Hand: "Leverage through force sounds noble, but it's a blunt instrument in a fragile situation. We can't ignore the human factor here—both ORIA and Yeda' Zoher will see foreign troops as aggressors, not peacemakers. An observer team, with transparent objectives, has a far better chance of keeping tensions from boiling over. We can mediate without picking up a gun."

Mages Academy: "You're overlooking one crucial aspect—Yeda' Zoher has already militarized their response. They're using force as a primary tool, and ORIA is at the receiving end. Simply observing while one side gains the upper hand is passive negligence. If the situation continues, we're going to be facing a humanitarian crisis. ORIA is justified in defending its people."

GOC: "No one is saying ORIA doesn't have a right to defense, but empowering their military wing will shift this conflict to something far more catastrophic. You're advocating intervention without a broader understanding of the consequences."

Serpent Hand: "Exactly. We've seen time and time again how military interventions blow back. You put soldiers in, and suddenly both sides start amassing more arms. Civilians get caught in the crossfire. ORIA and Yeda' Zoher are already on high alert—sending armed forces will convince them that peace is off the table."

Mages Academy: "What's the alternative? Sitting back and watching Yeda' Zoher conduct experiments on civilians? You're asking ORIA to sit on their hands while their people are captured and used like lab rats. That's not peace. That's moral cowardice."

GOC: "We're not advocating for inaction—we're advocating for controlled action. Yes, Yeda' Zoher's actions are questionable, but rushing in with guns blazing will just destabilize the region. We need a united front—one that both parties will respect. Let's keep this military intervention minimal and focused on enforcing peace, not taking sides."

Serpent Hand: "Minimal or not, a military presence will escalate things. We propose sending neutral, multidisciplinary observers—people who understand the anomalous world and can diplomatically engage both ORIA and Yeda' Zoher. This way, we gather the necessary information without worsening the conflict."

Mages Academy: "I hear you, but if ORIA perceives that Yeda' Zoher is getting away with violations, they'll retaliate. We can't take a neutral stance when one side is actively committing atrocities. We have to choose, and ORIA has legitimate claims."

The tense debate had reached a turning point, and Leonard could sense the strategic undertones in each faction's words as the discussion unfolded. Now, it was his time to add his voice to the chaotic chorus of organizations.

GOC: @SCP Foundation, hey, we haven't heard from you yet. Help me out here and convince these guys.

SCP Foundation: "If I understand correctly, GOC is pushing for military intervention against both parties, Serpent Hand wants to send observers before making any decisions, and Mages Academy is looking to side with ORIA, right?"

Serpent Hand: "That's correct."

Mages Academy: "Yes."

GOC: "That's pretty much the gist of it."

SCP Foundation: "Then I have a suggestion. We could officially send observers, but at the same time, we deploy covert agents and spies to investigate the truth of the matter. As for military presence, we can station troops at a nearby base—not too close to the conflict zone, but not too far either. I have a Site in Lebanon that could serve that purpose. And frankly, we don't have to get our hands dirty. We could hire mercenary groups to handle the more… delicate tasks."

Mages Academy: "Mercenaries?"

SCP Foundation: "Yes. If I recall correctly from the SCP Wiki, we could potentially reach out to Valravn Corporation. They're based in Northern Europe and have experience with these kinds of operations."

Serpent Hand: "Wait, I've had contact with them before. I can send you one of their base locations, and you can negotiate a contract from there."

SCP Foundation: "Let's be real here. Even if we all publicly agree not to directly support any side, we know that each of us will be doing it secretly. So why not be upfront and organize this properly?"

Mages Academy: "You're not wrong…"

SCP Foundation: "So, what do you think of my plan?"

Serpent Hand: "You know, you're a sneaky bastard… and I like it. Count me in."

GOC: "I'm in, too."

Mages Academy: "Same here."

The factions, each with their own agenda, had found common ground—for now. As Leonard closed the chat, he prepared for the next phase, knowing that things were about to get much more complicated.

Leonard closed the chat, his frustration palpable as he muttered, "Damn it, they're utterly reckless," thinking about the factions embroiled in the upcoming conflict. With a sigh, he shifted his focus and said, "Alright, System, open the 'Diplomacy' pack."

[Ding! You have opened the 'Diplomacy' pack. You receive:

GoI Research Department

Site-55 (Bedford, Massachusetts, USA)

Department of Anomalous Communications and Relations

Department of External Affairs and Intelligence Agency

Department of Inter-Organizational Diplomacy

Department of Spectral Affairs

Department of Applied Influence

Department of Advanced Diplomacy

Leonard smirked. "This… this is how you win wars without ever firing a bullet," he thought to himself. 

Leonard checked the location of Site-55, confirming it was in Massachusetts, USA. After a moment, he pulled up the details for the seven new departments, all based at Site-55. Without wasting time, he dialed Frantz's number.

After a few rings, Frantz picked up, "Boss? How can I help?"

Leonard replied, "We've just acquired Site-55 along with seven new departments. They'll be under your direct management. I think you'll find them useful in the U.S."

Frantz responded, "Understood. I'll get in touch with the site director immediately."

With that settled, Leonard lay back on his bed, closing his eyes, muttering, "What a shitty day."