Long-term salvation

Note ①: From the movie "The Black Hole"

Chapter 269: Present and Future: Man and God (2/3, 4K)

"Kojito Foundation, board meeting begins now."

Jonathan Irons, the resident director and vice-chairman of the Cogito Foundation, spoke out. He stood up, his elegant black suit absorbing all light and gazes like a black hole. Only the Cogito Foundation logo badge on his left chest gleamed slightly in the sunlight coming in from the window.

"This time, we will discuss the future development of the council and...vote on it."

The directors chatted softly, and then the sound of pages turning could be heard - but only the directors were looking at the materials, and the audience attending the meeting were not qualified to do so.

“To you, the Resident Directors, my colleagues, and those who may be sitting in the front row of the roundtable in the future.”

Irons turned on the projector and projected the video photo onto the screen wall. His expression became uncertain due to the changes in light and shadow, but his tough and solemn face did not tremble at all.

"Since its founding on December 24, 1970, the Cogito Foundation has waged a twenty-year war against the calamities of the Otherworld and the human traitors lurking in the shadows. We have triumphed and succeeded, but most of the time, we have been forced to allow those disasters and hidden knowledge to slip through our fingers... This is because we lack the ability."

Lack of ability, this is obviously a cruel but true evaluation.

The oldest directors and audience members sighed faintly. They had witnessed the history of the foundation before its establishment, hiding from the world's ridicule and neglect, and McCarthy's persecution, just to preserve that tiny spark of fire.

"To be fair, our losses in these twenty years have not been great."

As Irons spoke, his voice trembled slightly, thinking of his son who had died on the foolish battlefield - he should have been sitting in this conference room, inheriting everything of Atlas Corporation after his death, and continuing to fight for the ambition of protecting mankind - it should have been so.

But... Irons's gaze fell on Rhodes, who was wearing the same suit as him, sitting upright in his seat, looking down at the information in his hand, while listening quietly to the discussions and speeches of others.

In the sunlight, the silver hair no longer had the sickly paleness it had when they first met. It was as if its owner had completely recovered from "near death," as if he had completely adapted to everything in this world, become the ultimate life form, and raised his loincloth in the sun... Wait, why did I think of this? It must be because I've been hanging around this little bastard for so long that I've become out of touch with myself.

Taking a deep breath, Irons expelled all distracting thoughts and continued to speak coldly about the facts that everyone knew:

"But this is simply our good luck. The tides of the other world haven't risen sharply yet, and those enemies who began researching the other world early on haven't been successful... We don't have the upper hand against them, because we still maintain the morals of rational humans. Morality is the ultimate criterion, but it's also a shackle and a bondage."

"However, things are different now! The prophecies in the Tesla Manuscript have been confirmed - the appearance of an unknown benevolent being, the coming of the savior - so we need to make changes, even if we have already changed a lot before."

Irons exhaled slowly, picked up the manual on the table, tapped it a few times, and continued:

"As Vice Chairman of the Cogito Foundation, I now announce the restructuring of the Foundation's subordinate institutions. We will restructure them within a year to ensure their smooth integration into the Army Without Borders framework. The Otherworld Research Department and the External Liaison Department within the Secretariat will be completely merged, and the Asset Management Department will be split up, retaining only assets necessary to support the Foundation's daily operations. At the same time, secret funds will be transferred from the Army Without Borders."

"The Cogito Foundation will be completely hidden beneath the glare of the Army Without Borders, serving as its supreme command body behind the scenes. Furthermore, the directors will have the authority to overturn the chairman's orders by collective vote... just as they do now."

"Wait, I have a question," Director Hannibal Lecter said, his hands folded under his chin, a hint of doubt in his words. "Actually, I'm confused about whether the Cogito Foundation should continue to exist, especially after the establishment of the Army Without Borders."

"It sounds like the Foundation is parasitizing the Army Without Borders. I think this is completely unnecessary and meaningless. We can serve as Rhodes's think tank, not his restriction. The only advantage we old guys have over the young ones is that we have more knowledge and experience, but this is not absolute."

Such words caused a bit of a commotion, but judging from the flashes of approval on some directors' faces, Director Hannibal's proposal still had some supporters, and those who did not support it also believed that Rhodes' actions should not be restricted.

Meeting Ains's gaze, Hannibal continued calmly:

"Knowledge can be learned, and experience can be summarized. Perhaps within two years, we will completely lose our latest understanding of the front lines of disaster response in the outer world... I think you can all imagine the disastrous consequences of such a decision."

"The times are changing rapidly, and we're already feeling overwhelmed and will soon be eliminated. Based on this premise, are the 'resident directors' on the board of directors necessary? If there's no need for 'resident directors', then there's obviously no need for the Cogito Foundation."

"Maybe we can teach at Miskatonic University someday."

Director Crystal Armitage agreed with a smile. He was now in charge of all university affairs and seemed much happier than before... At least competing with professors in those departments was more interesting than staying in the library reading books.

"Leading students to participate in some kind of expedition, and then dying in the right place, at the right time, and in the right way, that would be our best ending."

"...I don't agree with the disbanding of the Foundation, but there's no need for it to become a hindrance to Rhode."

"I second the motion."

The noise in the conference room suddenly grew louder, but Irons did not let the noise continue for too long. Instead, he knocked on the table and waited for his colleagues to stop talking before slowly saying:

"This wasn't my decision—it was Rod's suggestion."

At that moment, Rhode felt everyone's gaze focused on him. He sighed, capped his pen, and closed the notebook with the scribbled images of several Space Marines. He said aloud:

"Two reasons. First, I need someone to limit me, remind me, encourage me, and help me, to anchor my existence in this world... Even if I become incredibly powerful in the future, able to incinerate the galaxy with flames, I am still fundamentally a 'human'. I can cry, laugh, get angry, be lazy, and want to give up. When I'm about to embark on that path, I hope someone can tell me, 'You're not a god, you're just a human.'

This is something that Marianne and the others could not do… They would approve of all my ideas and decisions and tolerate all my willfulness, whether it was in line with their own wishes or not—I was the one who anchored them, not them the one who anchored me.”

Rhode stood up and cast a sincere and fervent gaze at the directors, scanning each of their faces, taking in the expressions that were moved by his words. After ignoring Randolph Carter, who began to secretly wipe away tears, Rhode continued:

"I can't imagine myself becoming a cold, decaying corpse. What would be the point of me sitting on the throne of the galaxy? Without emotion, indifferent to warmth and cold, oblivious to the beauty of the world, saving for the sake of saving, what's the point? I might as well be replaced by a machine, an emotionless artificial intelligence!

Save humanity? That's easy—stuff you all into nutrient tanks and project your consciousness into a virtual world. Do you think I can't do it now?"

"But, but... My Lord!" Bishop Raphael stood up suddenly, clutching his clothes tightly, his heart screaming in pain from the chaotic emotions. "If a person possesses divinity, performs miracles, and saves the world, then what is the difference between him and 'God'?"

"Then your 'God' claims to be a 'human' and tells you not to believe in him. What should you do?"

"I……"

Looking at the bishop's puzzled and painful face, Rhodes didn't say much, but said to Constantine sitting in the last row:

"Constantine, what is your answer?"

"Whatever you say is true. If you think you're human, then you're human," Constantine said calmly, his expression unwavering. "We are 'justified by works'—if we carefully observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, then this is our righteousness (Deuteronomy 6:25)."

"Did you hear that? Bishop Raphael, this is the weakness and stupidity of believers like you."

Rhodes spoke calmly, but his eyes were full of indifference and disdain. An invisible pressure enveloped the bishop, forcing his body to tremble and almost fall to the ground.

"If God says he is not God, then he is not God. If God says he wants to destroy the Vatican, then you must surrender the Vatican and its hundreds of millions of believers! Take off your vestments, tear down churches, burn Bibles, and ban missionary work!"

"...You will eventually be willing to become a 'god,'" Bishop Raphael took a deep breath, calming his restless heart. His enthusiasm returned to his words—he believed he had survived the test—and so, through gritted teeth, he spoke his mind. "You will eventually realize this one day in the future, for you are merciful and will never abandon the 'weak' like us. The lambs still need a shepherd, and the shepherd still needs a long staff to guide them."

"This is the battle I fight with myself, the tragic future I want to avoid. And future humans will never become 'weak.' I have infinite faith and hope in the human species."

Rhode turned his head and looked at the directors again, a more relaxed smile on his face:

"The youngest of my friends can still live for at least another forty years. I have made many friends in this long life, and I may forget my past friends, but now I can tell you without a doubt that this will never happen."

Then again, the two evil offspring at home were sharpening their knives, obviously not intending to let me escape from their clutches - Abigail and Nayako, they would not let me get to that point either.

Ignoring Bishop Raphael, who was slumped in his chair, Rhodes let out a long sigh, put his hands on his hips and said unhappily to the others:

"You all heard that, didn't you? Work hard, give me a hand from time to time, and don't let me really go that far... So, who else wants to disband the Cogito Foundation?"

"Although the first reason is enough to convince us, please tell us the second reason. It's not good to keep it to yourself."

Hannibal spread his hands, an expression that said he really couldn't do anything to you, which made the other directors chuckle.

"The second reason is more realistic and is about the Army Without Borders."

Rhodes beckoned Mary to check on Bishop Raphael to prevent him from dying on the spot. Then, while sipping the black tea brought by Marianne, he said:

"The Army Without Borders is still in its infancy, and many problems have yet to be exposed. However, after victory in the war, or even a temporary victory, that may not be the case."

"By then, I no longer wish to be the supreme commander of the Army Without Borders. Instead, I intend to reorganize it and retreat behind the scenes. I will continue to serve as the chairman of the Cogito Foundation, selecting and evaluating a new generation of directors and overseeing the operations of the Army Without Borders. I do not want to see the Army Without Borders descend into corruption and depravity. Therefore, the Cogito Foundation, hidden behind the scenes, will be my best means of control. I will have the ability to interfere but only make decisions at critical moments."

"You're thinking too far ahead... Most people here won't see that day, Rhodes." Director Argos Panoptos shook his head. The oldest man present had seen too much. "We can take it one step at a time and move forward along the established route."

"Don't leave problems for future generations to clean up, old man. 'Trusting in the wisdom of future generations' is quite irresponsible."

"Well, I'm sure I won't see that day," the old man shook his head, a hint of regret in his words, "Well, I think we can move on to the next step... Irons?"

Hearing what Director Argos Panoptos said, Irons nodded slightly. He held his breath and spoke slowly and seriously:

"Since the directors have no objection to the proposal just now, let us begin the last item of this meeting—"

"Rod, can you serve as the chairman of the Kojito Foundation? Those who agree, please raise your hands."

[Side Quest: Twelve Trials: Voting]

[Mission Description: Gain recognition from the Cogito Foundation directors, pass the vote, become the chairman, and complete the main mission]

A ray of sunlight leaked into the conference room through the curtains lifted by the breeze, brushing against Rhodes' cheek, bringing some warmth and some dazzling glow, making the world in front of him almost filled with light - this was the light from the most real world, the light of the sun.

“It’s so warm.”

Chapter 270: Rod, Chairman of the Kojito Foundation (3/3·5K)

"Rod, can you serve as the chairman of the Kojito Foundation? Those who agree, please raise your hands."

As soon as the words fell, the first director raised his hand.

"I agree."

Gomez Alonzo Addams raised his hand and smiled. He twisted his body restlessly, winked at Rhodes, and made a face. "See, I knew you could do it. Remember to come over to my house when you have time. Wednesday and Pasley will talk about you often! Also, there are a lot of good things at the underground auction house. Remember to let that little girl with wolf ears grab them."

"I agree."

Sawai Soichiro raised his hand, looking helpless. It seemed this Japanese extraterrestrial civilization scholar had been incredibly busy lately. "You and Irons' idea of ​​me becoming UN Secretary-General has really put me off. And even the Japanese government wants to get involved... I'm being pushed around by so many people! By the way, that Yoshioka guy asked me to ask if you've prepared a submarine for him!"

"I agree."

Hannibal Lecter raised his hand. The cannibal doctor had become much more reserved recently, often spending time at Arkham Asylum studying the psychological changes of victims contaminated by the Otherworld. One could almost imagine him daydreaming of tasting the creatures of the Otherworld. "Come back to my place sometime, Rod. I'll prepare another meticulous meal for you. Your last meal wasn't a pleasant one... Ha, it would be even better if you were willing to contribute a little flesh and blood. After all, I'm curious about your taste, too."

"I agree."

Alan Grant raised his hand. He was the hottest tempered man in the room, and his background as an archaeologist and paleontologist didn't seem to change his temper at all. Instead, it seemed to make it worse. "Wait until I get you a Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil—oh, you really have to see how beautiful it is—how about we come with me to visit that billionaire's park?"

"I agree."

Timothy Flyte raised his hand. A proud smile crossed his face, as if he was proud of having such a good student. He carefully pulled a book from his handbag and handed it to her, saying with a smile, "I have to thank you for taking care of Laura. Also, you can take a look at this book, 'Ancient Enemies.' It contains some of my understanding of the other world, and I have a feeling it will come in handy someday."

"I agree."

Randolph Carter raised his hand. This author, who loved writing but could never produce a bestseller, was furiously scribbling. Noticing the others' gazes, he said sheepishly, "Sorry, I just had a sudden inspiration. By the way, Rhode, if you have time, you can take me on an adventure, to the seaside or the bottom of the ocean. I'm very interested in those ancient evil gods you mentioned!"

"I agree."

Kristol Armitage raised his hand. As the ruler of Miskatonic University, he was pouring unprecedented enthusiasm into making this institution, which held the promise of the future, even less so than his hometown in South America. "Don't forget to allocate more funding to the university! Those research projects and expeditions are spending money like water. Oh, and you should also visit Arkham Asylum again, to prevent those guys from causing trouble again."

"I agree."

Argos Panoptes XVI raised his hand. As the oldest member of the Cogito Foundation, he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and opened them again three times before slowly speaking, "Darkness has arrived, and we will inevitably face turbulent times. However, the Argos Castle Library is ready to accommodate all knowledge... Rhodes, remember to visit me."

"I agree."

Charles Jean Plessis raised his hand, a cheerful expression on his face, eager to try something new. He seemed to be obsessed with his previous experience in Paris, which made people worry that he might be shot dead by his father-in-law, the general, in the future. "Hey, Rod, I modified another sports car. The appearance is still licensed from Mercedes-Benz. It's a Mercedes-Benz SSK, pure white!"

"I agree."

Perseus raised his hand, his face expressing a sense of complacency about the outcome. However, his worry for his country's future was hidden beneath his white brows. Fortunately, there was still hope. The savior of humanity offered a helping hand, willing to carry on the fading spark. "Rhodes, if I don't attend the meeting one day, and Ling comes instead, it means I'm already dead, and he will be my successor."

"I agree."

Peng Jiamu raised his hand. This biochemist, born in the Aurora Republic, sat there with both anxiety and anticipation for the future. He nodded slightly to his colleagues and then expressed sincere gratitude to the man who was leading all this. "Investment has flowed in, workers have regained their jobs, and those parasites have been sent back home. This is all thanks to your help, Rod. Likewise, in return, the central government has approved cooperation at the highest level."

"……I agree."

Jonathan Irons raised his hand and faced Rhodes, wanting to say something but swallowing it back into his chest, swallowing it back into the depths of his memory. Just like when they first met, the two of them stared at each other without saying a word, letting the silence grow wildly in every gap. But in the end, he still spoke out:

"The voting is over. Rhodes, you will serve as the chairman of the Cogito Foundation, officially gaining control of the Atlas Corporation and officially taking charge of the world-wide steel power."

[Side Quest: Twelve Trials·Voting (Completed)]

[Main Quest: Wield Power (Completed)]

【Task rewards have been issued】

Hearing the notification sound and feeling the item falling into his pocket, Rhode sighed and said with a hint of helplessness:

"You guys are so formal, it made me really nervous before."

"Ahem, you should say I'll take on this important task," Randolph reminded quietly from the side. "Hurry up, we're all waiting to take pictures!"

"How embarrassing! Should I also say something like 'The King acknowledges, the King allows, the King carries the world on his shoulders'?"

"It doesn't matter if the King of Kings says that."

"That's almost enough! All right then... I will take on this important responsibility and become the chairman of the Kogito Foundation."

When Rhodes finished speaking, the directors laughed and the attendees at the back cheered. Everyone was excitedly talking about the possibilities of the future. However, Bishop Raphael's expression was still a little forced. But he finally put aside those troubles for the time being and vented the joy in his heart... He began to sing Gregorian chant.

The excitement on people's faces had not yet faded, but Ains patted the curtain wall, attracting everyone's attention. He looked at Rhodes and said:

"Give a speech, as I told you before, to everyone—Atlas Corporation, Aperture Technologies, Miskatonic University, the Cogito Foundation, the Army Without Borders... Your followers are waiting for your voice. You lead the world, and we will be your anchor in the world."

Hearing this, Rhodes nodded slightly and walked to the center of the conference room. He watched Captain Krauser and General Hammer, who had been waiting for a long time, push the live broadcast equipment into the conference room. When the latter raised his thumb and the signal light turned from red to green.

Rhodes began to speak, and his voice and image would be transmitted through cables and radio waves to every waiting person in the world -

The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men had built. The Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, with all the same language; and now they begin to do this; now nothing they intend to do will be impossible for them. Let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another's speech." (Genesis 11:5, 6, 7)

However, at this moment, with the help of that invisible power, Rhode's voice will resound in their minds, becoming a language they are familiar with -

At that time, the whole earth had one language and one speech. They said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered abroad on the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:1.4)