The Savior of American Comics? I'm the Subspace Evil God!

Chapters 516, 948, and 949: The Hydra's Scheme (Part 1)

Steker Pantecost didn't reply, but his burly body trembled slightly, and his previously angry face immediately showed a hint of dejection and compromise.

Seeing this, a smug glint flashed in Alexander Pierce's eyes. He leaned back in his chair, his tone becoming as if stating an undeniable fact, and with his hands slightly outstretched, he said calmly:

“That’s right, it seems you’ve remembered… it was to deal with the imminent, global existential threat posed by the Kaiju invasion.”

"Therefore, from a certain perspective, the PPDC organization is a special product of that special period."

Alexander Pierce pointed out the window, as if pointing to the area where the wormhole was located tens of thousands of kilometers away, in the abyss tens of thousands of meters deep in the ocean, and continued, "But what about now?"

"That wormhole rift at the bottom of the Challenger Abyss, connecting to the Pioneer Civilization, has been completely closed and erased by the Subspace Corporation... well, physically ended!"

"Based on repeated confirmations by our top-notch team of scientists who were dispatched there afterward, the spatial structure there has become completely stable and will not reopen the wormhole. I think you should know what that means, right?!"

Before Strick Pentecost could speak, he answered his own question, his voice carrying a chilling rationality and detachment, "It means the source of the Kaiju has been completely severed!"

"From this day forward, there will never be another Kaiju invasion of Earth, never again!!"

"As for those remaining Titans?"

"Not to mention that their numbers are pitifully small now, even those that are still alive have mostly disappeared, returning to the deep sea or wild lands far from human civilization."

"Even if a few are detected, their activity patterns have stabilized and they no longer pose a systemic threat to humans."

"They are now more like a natural wonder than the 'Sword of Damocles' hanging over humanity's heads, ready to fall at any moment, so..."

Alexander Pierce didn't continue, but simply shrugged again, his encouraging smile becoming increasingly formulaic, only his eyes revealing a calculating and cunning glint that was difficult for outsiders to detect.

However, although Alexander Pierce did not say the most hurtful words aloud, the unspoken subtext struck Steker Pantecost's heart like a heavy hammer.

He knew exactly what the other person wanted to tell him.

It simply means: Sorry, Stark, your mission with the PPDC organization has ended, so this organization naturally has no value in continuing to exist.

That's right, the PPDC organization...it's time to exit!
Steker Pantecost's dark face froze instantly, and the muscles in his cheeks twitched uncontrollably.

He wanted to retort, to question the meaning of the innocent civilians who had sacrificed themselves in the battles against the Kaiju, the Titan Hunter mechs that had been built with countless hours of effort and enormous sums of money, and the still-operating Shattered Dome Base!
But when the words reached my lips, I felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

As Alexander Pierce just stated, the PPDC was established solely to address the immense threat posed by the Kaiju invasion.

However, the threat of the Kaiju invasion has now been ended with the closure of the wormhole opened by the Pioneer Civilization at the bottom of the Challenger Abyss.

The PPDC organization naturally no longer needed to exist.

While this approach may seem somewhat like "discarding a useful tool after it has served its purpose," from the perspective of Alexander Pierce, the chairman of the UN Security Council, and from the perspective of global resource allocation, dismantling a massive military organization that has lost its core objective, saving astronomical sums of money, and investing resources in other more threatening matters is clearly the most reasonable choice.

This was something that Steck Pantecost, who was also in a position of power, was naturally aware of.

Therefore, he wouldn't cry out and complain like those naive idealists, saying things like 'this practice is too unfair'.

Because if he were in Alexander Pierce's position, he would probably make the same decision.

This has nothing to do with fairness; it's a stark reality of governance and the logic of resources.

However, this does not mean that Steker Pantecost would accept it willingly!

The PPDC organization, which he built single-handedly and struggled to survive amidst repeated exclusion and suppression from external forces, and the Titan Hunter Mech Squad, which he poured all his heart and soul into and integrated with the power of the Titan Beast, have only just begun to show their brilliance to the world amidst the turbulent waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Given a little more time, resources, and a platform... he can absolutely prove that the PPDC can grow into a solid pillar protecting human civilization, no less powerful than S.H.I.E.L.D., and even capable of directly confronting the Subspace Corporation.

Instead of being a disposable tool!

Therefore, Steker Pantecost was unwilling to simply exit the stage of history.

"Chairman..."

Steker Pantecost forcibly suppressed the grief and anger in his heart, sorted out his chaotic thoughts, pulled out a chair and sat down, his hands clenched tightly on his knees, his knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.

He had no choice but to lower his stance, but his voice was hoarse from trying so hard to suppress his emotions, "I... I beg you, please give the [PPDC Organization] one last chance?!"

He looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Pierce, trying to find a glimmer of hope in the other's unfathomable eyes.

"If we disband like this... the sacrifices of those soldiers, the sweat of the engineers working day and night, and the huge resources invested in the early stages... all of this will be in vain."

"This is not merely a simple waste, but the greatest desecration of loyalty and sacrifice!!"

He took a deep breath and threw out a more 'strategic' bargaining chip.

"Furthermore... Mr. Chairman, we cannot place all our hopes on others!"

"What if... I mean, what if John Jameson's big mouth is wrong?"

"What if the [Pioneer Civilization]'s [wormhole] technology can be reactivated? What if, one day in the future, the [Kaiju] invade Earth again through other unknown portals?" "Do we have to, every time disaster strikes, humbly and obsequiously approach the [Subspace Corporation]... to proactively request that expensive [Didi Chuxing service]?!"

Seeing that Alexander Pierce did not interrupt, Steker Pantecost raised his voice slightly, his face displaying a pained and urgent expression, and continued righteously:
"A service fee of at least $350 billion is not just an astronomical sum of money; it's raising a tiger to threaten us... handing over the lifeline of global security to a private group that is not bound by any international organization!!"

“If this continues, won’t we be forever at the mercy of others? Will we have to do everything according to Karl Mara’s wishes?”

Does this align with the UN Security Council's mission of maintaining global security and balance?!

As he got into the conversation, he leaned forward slightly, almost clenching his teeth, and squeezed out his final, and what he considered to be the most 'sincere' concession.

"Chairman, if you're willing to give the PPDC organization one last chance... I, I'm willing to voluntarily apply to cut the PPDC organization's operating budget for next year... in half!!"

As he uttered those last words, Steker Pantecost felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Cutting funding in half means that many Shattered Dome Bases will be forced to close, a large number of talented personnel will be lost, research projects will be shelved, and maintenance levels will decline...

This approach is tantamount to cutting off one's own arm.

But to secure a final chance for his career and the PPDC organization, he now... has no other choice!!
However, all his efforts were destined to be in vain, as Alexander Pierce remained completely unmoved.

After listening to his heartfelt words, Alexander Pierce, sitting opposite him, showed no appreciation or relief whatsoever. In fact, even the hint of pity and encouragement he had shown earlier vanished from his face.

Instead, a cold, businesslike, and serious attitude prevailed.

"General Pantecost..."

Alexander Pierce's voice turned cold, sounding like a judge reading a verdict to a prisoner, and he refused with a stern expression:

“I understand your deep affection for the PPDC organization, and I also understand your concerns.”

"However, the decision to dismantle the PPDC was not my personal unilateral decision... It was a resolution made after careful consideration by a group of senior members of the Security Council, who comprehensively assessed the current international security situation, resource allocation priorities, and organizational effectiveness."

"It represents the collective will of the Security Council!!"

He paused deliberately, leaned forward slightly, and stared coldly at Steker Pentecost. He tapped the table lightly a few times with the second knuckle of his index finger, continuing in a menacing tone:

"Furthermore, I think you've probably noticed that recently, there have been some major questions from the outside world... especially from certain media outlets, regarding the performance of the PPDC organization in the 'Pacific Campaign'."

"Why didn't you use your five Titan Hunter mechs immediately, given that you possessed strategic-level technology like Pym Particles, which can instantly enlarge the mech's size and theoretically crush Kaijus?"

"You're questioning why you chose to engage the Kaiju in shallow waters near the coastline, instead of using your amplified advantage to launch a devastating attack from the deep sea?!"

“These voices of doubt are creating tremendous public pressure… Currently, the public generally believes that your [PPDC organization] is suspected of ‘fixing matches’ and delaying the game to gain attention.”

“General Pantecost, I think you should understand one thing: prejudice in people's hearts is like a mountain. Once it's formed, no matter what you do next, you can't change it…”

"Therefore, as the head of the [PPDC Organization], I hope that you can take the initiative to step forward and quell the public's anger during this crisis..."

"Humph!!"

Before Alexander Pierce could finish speaking, Steker Pentecost, who was furious to the extreme, could no longer suppress his anger and stood up abruptly from his chair like a powder keg that had been lit.

His tall frame trembled slightly with anger, his dark face was now flushed red, and the veins on his forehead were bulging!
"To say we 'fixed the match'? Ridiculous! Utterly absurd!!"

Steker Pantecost roared in a low voice, his voice echoing through the spacious office and instantly casting a shadow of grief over the atmosphere.

"The public doesn't understand tactical arrangements at all... Even if the public's doubts are true, I had no choice but to make those arrangements..."

"The deep sea is the Kaiju's home turf. Even with the Titan Hunter Mech enlarged, fighting in the complex terrain of a ten-thousand-meter-deep abyss and under terrifying water pressure presents multiple risks... Communication, mobility, energy consumption... there are unpredictable and unknown risks everywhere, and the success rate will be greatly reduced!!"

"Operating in shallow waters is to leverage our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, to let the world see the warriors of the PPDC organization fighting valiantly, to secure the future survival of the PPDC organization! And even more so, to..."

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed out the window, towards the bustling street with its heavy traffic.

"To prove that humans can also defeat these monsters using their own strength!!"

"Instead of always having to helplessly wait for the [Subspace Group] to send those [Titan Beasts] to the rescue!"

"Besides, didn't the Titan Hunter Mech Squad ultimately defeat those Kaiju? We are heroes! We are guardians! Not criminals who need to be judged!!"

Steker Pentecost's voice was hoarse with excitement as he made his final cry: "I! Do! Not! Believe! I! Need! To! Bear! Any! Negative! Consequences! For! A! Victory... Nor should I, for anyone, become a sacrifice to quell the rumors!!"

Steker Pantecost stared intently at Alexander Pierce across the desk, his chest heaving.

He finally realized that the so-called "questioning" that the old fox on the other side was talking about was just an excuse.

A perfect excuse to force him to comply, to stand up and take all the blame, and to pave the way for dismantling the PPDC organization.

The Security Council leadership clearly wanted him, as the person in charge, to become the last "buffer" and "scapegoat" before the organization was dissolved!
But how could he possibly let the other party have their way so easily?
However, just as he was mentally organizing his thoughts, wanting to righteously and firmly refuse Alexander Pierce's unreasonable demands, the other man seemed to have already guessed his intentions, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face...

(End of this chapter)