The semicircular tiered hall was packed to capacity, buzzing with clamorous voices. Leaders from more than two hundred nations had gathered here, taking their designated seats.
They represented the apex of power on Earth, and the consensus they ultimately reached would decisively shape the world's trajectory.
At the central seats sat the five major powers comprising the World Security Council, while below them sat representatives of smaller nations and factions. Among them were unmistakably Magneto, Erik Lehnsherr, serving as Wakanda's foreign minister, and Victor von Doom, representing Latveria.
One stood for Africa, the other for Eastern Europe, both qualified for attendance.
All this resulted from Sean's meticulous planning years ago when he laid out the world's future blueprint. He had dispatched Magneto and his Brotherhood to the vast African continent, while sending Doctor Doom back to his homeland of Latveria.
Today, the former had united much of East Africa with Wakanda as the nucleus, especially after mutants gained widespread societal recognition and were even hailed as 'Homo novus', which is to say, 'new humans'. This leader of the Brotherhood had subtly begun entertaining notions of nation-building, cautiously probing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s stance on multiple occasions.
Meanwhile, Victor von Doom's Latveria had evolved into a theocratic state where only one voice reigned supreme: that of Doctor Doom himself.
He had aggressively consolidated Eastern Europe's dark underbelly, incorporating monstrous beings as his enforcers. This elevated Latveria to become the de facto representative of Eastern European interests.
Sean sat in an adjacent lounge, rhythmically tapping his fingers. He didn't need to speculate about the outcome, it had long been predetermined, leaving little room for worry.
This Global Summit was merely theater staged for public consumption. When great powers sat down to negotiate, smaller nations held no real voice. The only entities capable of influencing this conference were the five seats of the World Security Council, alongside S.H.I.E.L.D. and a handful of national representatives.
Yet the truly decisive figure was a young man absent from the proceedings, seated quietly in the lounge...
"History has always been prewritten." Sean said, clasping Wanda's hand, the warmth of his palm causing a faint blush to rise on her cheeks.
He was the founder of Umbrella Corporation, supreme consultant of S.H.I.E.L.D., secret leader of mutants, wielder of the Infinity Gauntlet, supreme commander of the First Fleet…
This cascade of dazzling titles had already proven that Sean had ascended to the pinnacle of the power pyramid. Precisely because of this, he could remain comfortably settled behind the scenes, steering events with quiet assurance...
Within the elegantly appointed lounge, live footage from the tiered hall was projected onto the wall. National leaders engaged in heated exchanges, their lengthy speeches translated and echoing through the spacious room.
A careful observer would notice that those first to voice opinions were mostly presidents or leaders of smaller nations. The major powers remained silent, and S.H.I.E.L.D. maintained similar reserve.
"The truly influential figures made their decisions long ago. The five major powers aim to seize first-mover advantage like trading companies during the Age of Exploration, securing immense benefits for themselves. As for smaller nations, they possess no voice... or more accurately, no one cares about their opinions. Feeble whispers hold no weight against the tide of history. Even after the united government forms, many problems will remain to be solved," Wanda murmured softly beside Sean.
Their hands intertwined, broad palm against slender fingers, knuckles brushing gently as an intimate atmosphere gradually intensified.
"Ultimately, it all comes down to distribution of benefits, how much each party receives. There's this saying: people rarely fret over getting too little; they care more about whether the shares are evenly distributed..." Sean said, pulling Wanda into his embrace.
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, casting the moment in tranquil beauty.
As for the crisp projection of the Global Summit on the wall, he paid it no mind. His eyes held only the vibrant Scarlet Witch in his arms.
The early stages of the united government would inevitably encounter resistance, discontent, and endless complications. Yet humanity's adaptability had always proven remarkably resilient.
Once they personally witness the boundless cosmos and gain access to greater resources, these discordant murmurs would naturally fade away.
Moreover, this world had never truly operated according to the will of the majority.
Sean said no more. He leaned down slightly, savoring the softness of Wanda's lips. A delicate, alluring moan escaped her, like the stirring of a primal melody.
Compared to the fervent debates in the tiered hall, the battle unfolding within this room burned far more intensely...
....
Three hours later, after prolonged arguments and hard-fought bargaining, Earth was reconfigured into five major regions. The new united government would be formed by them, creating an unprecedented political behemoth.
First was the Western Civilization Union, encompassing both sides of the Atlantic and the European continent.
This region boasted high cultural interoperability, now comprising over fifty allied nations. The coalition led by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France maintained the strongest competitive edge.
Yet internal contradictions persisted, potentially splitting into two subgroups: the coastal alliance led by the U.S. and the United Kingdom versus the continental European bloc spearheaded by Germany and France.
The second representative force was the Eurasian Civilization Union, covering northern Asia and the Eurasian borderlands.
This region possessed foundational cultural affinity, with fifteen nations forming the alliance. It was destined to play a pivotal role in the future global order.
The third was the Arabic Civilization Union, spanning West Asia, North Africa, and parts of the Indian Ocean rim.
Shared cultural roots encouraged integration among smaller states. Though numerous nations joined the alliance, most remained underdeveloped. Leadership contention fell primarily between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Their sole advantage lay in abundant natural resources; the petroleum industry remained a key economic pillar. Even in the age of emerging new energy sources, they retained considerable developmental potential.
The fourth and fifth were the Chinese Civilization Union and the Latin American Civilization Union.
These major power groupings formed primarily through cultural integration and geographical proximity.
Together, the five unions constituted Earth's sole government. Nations would gradually transform into federated regions with autonomous powers, though the transfer of administrative functions would prove a long and arduous process.
As for the complete dissolution of national boundaries and the grand fusion of ethnicities and faiths, that would undoubtedly require generations to achieve.
With the broad framework established, attention turned to intricate details and negotiations. S.H.I.E.L.D. played an exceptionally crucial role throughout. Once the united government formally took shape, this vast organization's authority and responsibilities would undergo comprehensive expansion once more...
Sean stayed only one day. That evening, he attended the Western Civilization Union's celebratory banquet in his capacity as Umbrella's founder, he then slipped away quietly.
Compared to these political maneuverings, he cared far more about the two cities under construction in Antarctica and Africa. Like Australia's Federal New City, they would serve as transit hubs to outer space and vital logistical bases.
Sean planned to install an interstellar Stargate in each of these three cities, recording Knowhere's spatial coordinates within them. Thus they would become beacons for the First Fleet, ensuring those brave pioneers venturing into the dark cosmos would never lose their way amid the boundless stellar sea...
...
{T/N: Is anyone here a fan of 'The Irregular at Magic High School', and happens to be looking for a good fanfic of the franchise to read?
Well, look no further. I happen to have taken up one such fic as my next project. Just click on my profile and look for 'The Mob at Magic High School'... That one will definitely get you hooked!}