"Sir, S.H.I.E.L.D. has already brought all the agents who lost consciousness after being attacked by that individual sent by Foundation X back to the research base. Their conditions are currently undergoing analysis and study," Sitwell reported to Pierce inside the office.
Pierce clasped his hands together on the desk, his gaze deep and unfocused, as if weighing something in his mind. For a moment, he did not respond.
"Mr. Pierce?" Sitwell reminded him softly.
Pierce came back to his senses, turned to look at Sitwell, and spoke in a tone that was both inquisitive and seemingly self-directed:
"What do you think this mysterious Foundation X is really trying to do this time?"
Sitwell gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"This Foundation X is simply too enigmatic. At present, we don't have any substantive or useful intelligence on them—certainly not enough to make a grounded judgment.
"Moreover, every encounter so far has been initiated by them. We have no way to proactively contact them. Even if we wanted to directly ask about their intentions, we have no way to do so."
Pierce let out a soft breath and rubbed his temples. Did this mean that from now on, his side wouldn't even be able to plan operations related to the Bugster Virus?
"It seems you're urgently seeking answers," Eternal—Dan Kuroto's transformed form—suddenly appeared out of thin air inside Pierce's office.
Pierce's eyes narrowed slightly, but he wasn't particularly surprised. This time, Fuma had appeared suddenly to warn him, yet there had been no further communication.
After the matter ended, it was only natural that Foundation X would send Eternal—the Memory user who had direct contact with him—to deliver a message, or rather, a warning.
"So, Mr. Eternal, are you here to clear up my doubts?" Pierce asked as he looked at Dan Kuroto in his Eternal form.
Dan shrugged and casually sat down on the desk, looking down at Pierce from above.
"I am indeed here on behalf of the foundation to inform you of a few things. While I'm at it, I can also answer the questions troubling you right now."
Pierce narrowed his eyes and asked he cared about most:
"Did the foundation send people this time to interfere with my actions as a warning—telling me not to covet the power of the Bugster Virus?
"When you gave me the Weather Memory before, didn't you say you wouldn't interfere with any of my actions?"
Dan Kuroto shook his head, glanced at Pierce, and spoke with a teasing tone:
"You are free to use the power of the Weather Memory according to your own will—on the premise that you do not disrupt or interfere with the consortium's plans and arrangements.
"Matters related to the Bugster Virus are not under my jurisdiction."
"What do you mean?" Pierce's heart stirred as he pressed for a definite answer.
"Let me put it this way," Dan explained. "Both Gaia Memories and the Bugster Virus are projects of the consortium.
"The Gaia Memory project is under my overall responsibility.
"But the Bugster Virus, the game cartridges, and the Player Drivers—all related project plans—have different people in charge."
Pierce's expression tightened, his heart sinking slightly. His tone carried faint dissatisfaction and gloom.
"In other words, the person in charge of the Bugster Virus project within the consortium doesn't want me—a Gaia Memory user—to be involved in Bugster Virus-related incidents."
Dan chuckled softly and replied meaningfully:
"It's not that you're forbidden from contacting the Bugster Virus. Rather, no one is allowed to interfere with the original arrangements and plans.
"I know you're very interested in the power of the Bugster Virus. As long as you don't directly target the game cartridge and Player Driver users themselves—like you did this time—and affect the Bugster Virus project, neither that side nor mine will interfere with your actions."
Pierce suddenly understood.
"So that doctor named Li Hua—and his relationship with the Foundation's Bugster Virus project lead…
"It's equivalent to the relationship between you and me? He's also an experimental subject within your plans?"
Dan neither confirmed nor denied it.
"You wouldn't be wrong to understand it that way.
"However, I don't know the Bugster Virus project in great detail either. I can only tell you that Holy City Hospital and Genm Corporation seem to be crucial parts of that project's plan."
After a brief pause, his tone suddenly became stern.
"So let me warn you: from now on, you must never use methods like this again against that Hospital.
"Otherwise, they may no longer care that you're an experimental subject of the Gaia Memory project. They might just take action directly and eliminate you."
Pierce tugged at the corner of his mouth in a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"Sounds like your Gaia Memory project doesn't really measure up to that Bugster Virus project, Mr. Eternal."
"Don't show off such a shallow provocation," Dan said calmly as he turned to stare at Pierce.
Pierce suddenly felt a heavy pressure bearing down on him. He forced a dry laugh.
"I'm just curious about the power of the Bugster Virus. When I was collecting other Memories compatible with the Weather Memory before, I encountered someone who used the power of a game cartridge. When I fought him—"
"You were completely defeated without any ability to fight back," Dan cut in.
"So you already know," Pierce said darkly.
"The power of the Bugster Virus is indeed very peculiar," Danontinued. "But the opponent you faced wasn't an ordinary Bugster creature either. That Genm is an existence capable of becoming a partner of the foundation."
"A… partner?" A thought rose in Pierce's mind.
Eternal had always made it very clear that Pierce himself was nothing more than an experimental subject in the Foundation's Gaia Memory project.
From the terms alone—experimental subject versus partner—the difference was obvious. In the foundation's eyes, their status was worlds apart.
And cooperation implied a certain degree of equality, a role that was important and not easily replaceable. Naturally, Pierce was unwilling to remain forever as a disposable "test subject."
Seeing the ambition in Pierce's eyes, Dan smiled.
"If you want to gain more attention from the foundation, you must demonstrate value worthy of that attention."
"How do I show my value?" Pierce's gaze burned with intensity.
"It's actually quite simple," Dando Kazuki said in a deep, resonant tone.
"Push the Gaia Memories beyond their limits—reach a completely new realm.
"If you can do that, whether for my Gaia Memory project or for the consortium as a whole, you'll gain an important position that won't be easily replaceable."
"Break through the original limits of the Gaia Memories' power…" Pierce murmured to himself, his eyes flickering.
"I have a question," Sitwell spoke up weakly from the side. "Between the power of the Gaia Memories and the power of the Bugster Virus—which one is stronger?"
"The Bugster Virus is indeed very strange and miraculous," Dando Kazuki replied calmly, casting a faint glance at Sitwell.
"But whether it's game cartridges or Gaia Memories, how powerful they can become ultimately depends on the user's ability and aptitude."
Pierce nodded thoughtfully.
"That's all for today's discussion," Dan said as he stood up.
"Take care of yourselves.
"I hope you can bring me an unexpected surprise—and truly push the Weather Memory beyond its theoretical limits."
He waved at the two of them, then vanished instantly from Pierce's office.
"Mr. Pierce… what about our plans targeting the Hospital and that Chinese doctor named Li Hua?" Sitwell asked with a complicated expression.
Pierce waved his hand, his eyes glinting uncertainly. After a moment, he spoke softly:
"Cancel all action plans against the Hospital and Genm Corporation.
"Have people keep them under surveillance and focus on gathering intelligence.
"Find the location of the game cartridges in Nick Fury's possession as soon as possible, and closely monitor Tony Stark's situation. Try to dig up any useful information."
"Understood," Sitwell nodded seriously.
(End of Chapter)