Pierce: My Powerful 096 Has Been Contained?

One minute later…

Ethan's face darkened as he severed his connection with 096.

In this world, nearly 400,000 people had seen 096's appearance.

What an absolute mess!

Luckily, he had a containment space. Otherwise, 096 would have definitely been classified as a completely uncontrollable entity by the Foundation.

The Foundation could manage 096 for a while, but there was no way they could control it forever.

Thinking about this, Ethan developed a newfound respect for the Foundation in the other world.

He couldn't even imagine how the Foundation in the other world successfully contained this thing.

After all, 096 wouldn't stop until it had killed every single person who had seen its face.

Originally, Ethan had planned to let 096 do some work outside.

But now, that idea was completely out of the question.

Ethan didn't consider himself a good person, but he certainly wasn't insane enough to use 400,000 lives as stepping stones for his own power.

"But then again," Ethan thought with sudden clarity, "no wonder the system's legendary value has been rising so quickly—over 400,000 people know about 096."

096 and SCP-173 were like polar opposites.

If you were to think of 096 and SCP-173 as two sales agents under Ethan's command, then 096 would be the kind of employee who brought in huge profits for the company but also came with immense risks.

Meanwhile, SCP-173 was more like a slacker—underperforming but at least quiet and obedient.

Out of the nearly 600,000 legendary value points Ethan had accumulated, 590,000 had likely been earned by 096. The remaining 10,000 could barely be attributed to SCP-173.

Thinking about this made Ethan's teeth ache.

What a situation!

One agent was too chaotic, and the other was too silent.

Feeling frustrated with SCP-173's lack of contribution, Ethan asked through his microphone, "Doctor, don't tell me SCP-173 hasn't left its containment area for the past few days?"

The doctor responded honestly, "No, SCP-173 has been under surveillance the entire time. It hasn't left the containment area and hasn't caused any disturbances outside."

Ethan: "..."

I knew it.

"Send someone to contain SCP-173 later. Have our agents do it, and let Coulson's team handle the cleanup."

Ethan decided to give up on SCP-173.

There was no point in hoping that this "quiet homebody" would earn him any legendary value.

Instead of letting it sit idle, he might as well contain it and have it contribute to his growth.

"173, you're such a disappointment! You could have gone anywhere, and you chose a remote underground warehouse? You're supposed to be an artwork, why not go to a museum?"

Ethan felt frustrated with SCP-173's lack of ambition.

Deciding to go back and digest his rewards, Ethan didn't linger any longer.

...

I am Dr. Zola, once a human, now an artificial intelligence.

Alexander Pierce was a brilliant successor—at least, that's what I thought until today.

Watching the overly enthusiastic Pierce, I tried to advise him in a calm and patient tone, "Pierce! Give it up, the 096 weapon project is simply not feasible."

He had gone mad. He wanted to abandon the Insight Project and fully commit to the 096 weapon project.

The so-called 096 weapon project revolved around using photos of 096 as a remote-controlled weapon, aimed at eliminating political opponents by having 096 hunt them down.

At first glance, it seemed like a solid plan.

But there were too many flaws.

"According to my calculations, over 400,000 people worldwide have seen 096's face. It can eliminate a maximum of 6,000 people per day. You…"

Before I could finish, Pierce cut me off, "We can wait! 10 days is 60,000 people, 100 days is 600,000. In just half a year, 096 will be our exclusive weapon."

"You're overlooking something important. Over the course of that half-year, more people will inevitably see 096. If every time it kills someone, two more witnesses appear, this cycle will continue endlessly. When will you be able to precisely control 096 to attack your designated targets?"

"That's not a big issue. Even if the number doubles, it's only a year. Besides, not every attack will have new witnesses. You're underestimating 096."

"Just develop an algorithm for me to accurately locate our Hydra enemies, then we'll selectively send 096's photo to them. Every few months, we'll eliminate a batch of enemies. Within a few years, there will be no one left to oppose Hydra!"

Pierce's eyes gleamed with fervor as he looked at Dr. Zola.

"Isn't this better than the Insight Project? Cheaper, simpler—this plan is flawless!"

Dr. Zola: "..."

Watching the silent Dr. Zola, Pierce pressed his advantage, "You don't seem to realize how powerful 096 is. According to S.H.I.E.L.D. intel, there's nothing on Earth that can stop 096's pursuit. It's the ultimate weapon!"

"I..."

Before Dr. Zola could respond, Pierce's satellite phone rang.

Pierce wasn't upset by the interruption and calmly answered the call.

"Sir! We've just received intelligence from Coulson regarding the Foundation. 096… was contained by the Foundation half an hour ago."

"What the f—"

Pierce cursed under his breath, then angrily questioned, "Didn't Coulson say nothing on Earth could stop 096? How did the Foundation manage to contain it?"