If you're reading this, Hi!
I'm not looking for line by line crit, just general opinions on what I have.
There will be chronological issues. They will be fixed later.
This is a block of marble. I've gotta finish building it before I can carve it down.
NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Due to complications following the destruction of Site-20, this file is incomplete. Some documentation may be lost or missing. Several additional files are currently being processed by surviving members of the SCP-XXXX-2 team, with other files awaiting verification.
— Maria Jones, Director, RAISA
Warning!
This component was migrated to the main wiki.
see: http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:cd-ver2
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX-2 is to be contained within a standard humanoid containment cell with its furnishings modified to be permanently affixed to the floor and walls.
SCP-XXXX-2 must be escorted to the Site-20 Medical wing at 7:00 every morning for Procedure-XXXX. SCP-XXXX-2's first daily meal should be given after this procedure takes place.
SCP-XXXX-2 is not permitted contact with the following:
- Any materials used in the construction of modern or historical armor or weapons.1
- Any form of weapons, including items that could conceivably be used as improvised weapons such as the leg of desk or bed.
Under no circumstances is SCP-XXXX-2 to be made aware of the inscription on SCP-XXXX-1. Any materials given to SCP-XXXX-2 should be censored to remove any mention of Greek history during the time period of 1000 - 300 B.C.E, as well as mentions of Greek mythology.
A Foundation agent posing as a shepherd is required to remain within 1 kilometer of SCP-XXXX-1 at all times to prevent discovery.
Description: SCP-XXXX is the collective term for SCP-XXXX-1 and SCP-XXXX-2
SCP-XXXX-1 is a statue located inside of a cave formation within a mountain in southern Greece. Although it displays no anomalous properties, it is marked as the origin site of SCP-XXXX-2 and has thus been temporarily sealed to prevent interference from any members of the public. The pillar previously showed a relief carving of a man wearing the traditional armor of Spartan Warriors in the Golden Age of Greece. (Approximately 500 - 300 B.C.E) On the opposite side of the pillar is an inscription of an ancient Greek tale previously unknown to the modern historical world.
SCP-XXXX-2 is the anomaly that emerged from the relief carving on SCP-XXXX-1. SCP-XXXX-2 is a male human that stands exactly 2 meters tall. Hair is curly and black, subject appears to be in their late twenties, eyes gray. The subject has been confirmed to be of Greek descent by genetic testing. However, blood samples also showed traces of an unknown DNA sample that is only 95% similar to humans.
SCP-XXXX-2 has demonstrated heightened cellular reproduction within their body. If injured, SCP-XXXX-2 will enter and exit the hemostasis phase of healing within five seconds, bypass the inflammatory stage and move directly to the proliferation stage. The fibroblasts present within SCP-XXXX-2 will then create collagen at an extremely accelerated rate, usually closing the wound within two minutes. Within the next twenty-four hours, the damaged tissue will completely heal, with the resultant cells being four percent more durable than the originals. However, the cytokine2 that manages the healing process fails to end the process. As a result, unless damage is received in a different part of the body, these parts of SCP-XXXX's body will rapidly begin to generate tumorous growths at the site, which slowly spread through the body over the next week.
To prevent this, SCP-XXXX-2 must be injured by Site-20 medical staff3 every twenty-four hours. Additionally, they require a higher level of nutrient intake to facilitate the reconstruction of damaged tissue. It should be noted that SCP-XXXX-2 does not require a 1:1 ratio, as this process is 70% more efficient than the healing process of nonanomalous humans. Currently, this process is being studied to see if it can be replicated and refined for medical applications.
Testing has concluded that SCP-XXXX-2 is capable of feats of strength and endurance in the higher threshold of what is accepted as human limitations, with a physicality similar to top athletes. Additionally, they possess advanced combat capabilities, mostly pertaining to physical combat. It is unknown if this is anomalous in nature, or related to SCP-XXXX-2 past.
SCP-XXXX-2 also exhibits a minor reality bending property: Any material that could reasonably constitute a weapon or a form of armor will undergo a series of near-instant transmutations upon contact with SCP-XXXX-2 into something that fits the formal definition of weaponry or armor. No material is gained or lost during this transformation. This process has proven incapable of generating complex weapons like firearms or integrating electronics into created armor.
SCP-XXXX-2 maintains that this effect is completely involuntary. In all instances where this effect was triggered, accidentally or by Foundation interference, SCP-XXXX-2 has immediately attempted to remove the object from their person.
SCP-XXXX-2 has displayed reluctance to engage in any form of combat, touch weapons or armor, or harm another person in any way, often going to extremes to avoid conflict. They can only be persuaded to participate in tests involving firearms, mock combat simulations, or sparring if a member of staff with whom they are familiar is present.
Exploration Video Log Transcript
Date: March 1st, 2002
Exploration Team: MTF Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake")
Location: A Mountain Cave in the South of Greece
Objective: The termination of a team of mercenaries employed by the Chaos Insurgency and seizure of any anomalous items possessed by said operatives.
Team Lead: Captain Holly Shore
Team Members: Warrant Officer Robert Jenkins, Lieutenant Commander Ashley Crowley, Warrant Officer Jake McCalloway, Chief Warrant Officer Seigfried "Ace" Zimmerman
[BEGIN LOG]
Camera opens across a mountainous vista. The wearer adjusts the camera fitting slightly. A small team of MTF operatives are gathered outside the mouth of a cave. The corpse of a Chaos Insurgency member is seen leaning against a crate.
Jenkins: Dipshit didn't even see us coming. I guess that's karma huh, Captain?
Shore: Don't jinx us. Intel says there's at least five hostiles ahead of us.
Crowley: What do you think they're looking for out here? According to the records, we swept these mountains after that bit with the Church back in 98'.
Shore: Who knows. We're just here to clean it out so the science team can document whatever we find. [ Turns to face the camera ] Ace, you're on point for this. Ready to clear out some CI?
Zimmerman: It's what gets me outta bed.
The camera abruptly turns and Zimmerman enters the cave. After a few seconds, the camera switches to low light imaging. The path is barely large enough for any of the operatives to pass through. After five minutes of traversal, the passage opens to a massive cave. The ledge that they arrived on rings a pit that descends three stories down. A natural slope leads around the edge of the pit, connecting the ledge to the floor. A waterfall flows in through the ceiling and large stalagmites dot the ledge. Zimmerman quickly makes his way to one, followed by Shore and Crowley. Jenkins and McCalloway are seen hiding behind one on the opposite side of the opening.
Jenkins: Holy shit, did you see what's up ahead?
McCalloway: I guess the CIs were onto something.
Shore: Report. What did you see?
Jenkins: I.. don't know what to call it.
Zimmerman leans out from behind his cover. Below lies a stone pillar bearing a raised carving of a Greek Soldier wearing the traditional armor of a Spartan warrior. Surrounding it is a makeshift camp, with several fluorescent floodlights pointed at the pillar. Several Chaos Insurgents are seen milling about.
Shore: That's one hell of a… monument? Wait, look at that. Something's happening. Hold tight.
Two Chaos Insurgency members are seen using pickaxes to unearth more of the pillar as music plays nearby on a speaker. One man stops abruptly and lets out a scream. The other man stops digging and walks up to him.
CI-2: Damn it, Jackson. How did you cut yourself again? Fucking hell, be more careful.
CI-1: I'm s-s-sorry Chris. I just got distracted. It's bleeding an awful lot.
CI-2: Then wipe it on something. [ Pause. ] NOT THE PILLAR. Are you fucking insane? We don't even know what this does. Christ, you're useless. [ Pause. ] Stand by, team, Jackson just introduced this thing to human blood, so be ready for anything.
McCalloway: There goes the element of surprise. Shit.
Jenkins: What are your orders, Captain? We've got the high ground and they're just a bunch of civvies playing dress-up.
Shore: Stand by. They're afraid of that pillar and we don't want to rush into…
Captain Shore is cut short by a flash of light from the pillar. Yells of surprise can be heard from the insurgents below. A human wearing the same armor as the soldier depicted on the carving falls to the ground, landing on its greaves. It is quickly surrounded by seven insurgents, who all point automatic weapons at it. The presumed leader moves closer to it.
CI-3: Stand the fuck up. If you make so much as a move towards me or any of my men, we'll fill you with holes.
Unknown Entity: [ Moves a hand covered with blood to its mouth, tastes it, and coughs for several seconds. ] You… speak… Greek?
CI-3: What? We're using English. Now stand. Up.
Unknown Entity: I… don't know where I am. W-who are you?
CI-3: Welcome to your new family. I promise if you're good for business, you'll always have a place here. Otherwise, you're getting shipped to MC&D. I'm sure some rich fuck would love a little Greek action figure. [ Pause ] Now I'm sure you need some motivation.
CI-3 fires a low caliber sidearm into the back of the Unknown Entity's exposed leg, to the cheers and laughs of the assembled insurgents. The Entity cries out in pain and collapses as CI-3 turns away.
CI-3: Pack him up, boys.
Unknown Entity: [ Pushes itself up and looks at CI-3.] Please just let me go. I don't want to fight you. Don't make me.
CI-3: [ Turning back. ] I changed my mind. Rough him up, boys. Hate to have him making a fuss on the ride back.
Two members of the Chaos Insurgency move into assault the entity.
Unknown Entity: I'm sorry, Arabel.
The Unknown Entity rolls into a combat stance and sweeps the leg of the closest combatant and drives its fist upward into their jaw, presumably shattering it. It then kicks out at the closest person and a crack is heard as its greaves make contact with their spine.
CI-3: Jesus fuck! Open fire!
Five bullets harmlessly deflect off the Entity's armor as it closes the distance between itself and the remainder of the squad, cutting itself out of the line of fire.
Zimmerman: What the fuck did they just let out?
The Unknown Entity begins to work its way through the line of soldiers. Grabbing CI-4 by the throat and the groin, it slams him against the wall. The Kevlar vest on CI-4 slides off like a liquid and wraps around the chest of the Entity, intermingling with the bronze chest plate.
CI-3: Can you fucks not kill this bitch!
Rolling backward and propelling itself with its hands, it lands a two-footed kick to the solar plexus of CI-5 and launches him 2 meters vertically. Regaining its footing, the Entity grabs CI-1 by the collar of his vest and pulls him into an embrace. CI-3 levels her machine gun to fire and the Entity turns abruptly, taking 13 shots to its exposed back.
CI-1: S-s-she was gonna shoot me.
Grimacing, the Entity renders CI-1 unconscious with a headbutt. CI-2 charges the Entity with a pickaxe.
CI-2: [ Swinging. ] Just die already!
The pickaxe embeds itself in the Entity's side and staggers it. Looking up at CI-2, it punches him directly in the face. A loud crunch is heard, suggesting the fracture of the facial skeleton, and CI-2 is sent 1 meter backward. CI-3 steps back and levels her gun again. The Entity pulls the pickaxe from its side and stands up with some effort.
CI-3: What… are you?
The wound on the Entity's side has begun to close and the spray of blood has begun to slow.
Unknown Entity: Tired of… Fighting.
The Entity throws the pickaxe, which pierces CI-3's firearm and pins it to the wall of the cave and knocks her to the ground.
CI-3: [ Crawling backwards towards the pillar. ] Please. This is a misunderstanding. Do you want money? Power? I can give you both of those. I can give you anything you want. Please don't-
The Entity swiftly brings both its hands together and strikes her temples. The only sounds in the cavern are the moans of wounded personnel and the bullet-ridden speaker that continues to loop "Don't Fear the Reaper."
Zimmerman: Hey Captain. What's your call?
Jenkins: We can't take this thing. Look what it did to those guys. They didn't stand a chance.
Shore: Alright, I'm making the call. Weapons down. Leave them behind. We're gonna talk this out.
McCalloway: Fuck. That's insane.
Crowley: Do you got a better plan, Jake?
Shore: Shut up and move out. All of you.
MTF Upsilon-11 remove their weapons and make their way to the slope leading to the bottom of the pit. As soon as they reach the bottom, the Entity assumes a fighting stance after scooping a knife off the ground. Captain Shore motions for the team to remain behind her.
Shore: Hey hey hey there. [ Raises her hands to show she's unarmed. ] We're not here to hurt you. We're all unarmed.
Unknown Entity: Who are y-you? Where a-am I?
Shore: We're the Foundation. We keep people safe. [ Moving closer ] You're under a mountain in Greece. [ Pause ] Are… you crying?
Unknown Entity: I t-told her I w-w-wouldn't. Do t-this. I-I-I-
Shore: Hey, it's okay. [ Turning over her shoulder. ] Crowley. Call for extraction. We've got something.
Crowley: Already on its way.
Shore: What's your name?
Unknown Entity: A-A-Androcles.
Shore: Androcles, we're gonna take you someplace safe. We'll get everything else sorted out then.
[END LOG]
Mission Report: The Unknown Entity, later reclassified as SCP-XXXX-2 was transported back to Site-20. Analysis of the cave and pillar are available in Research Log XX. Of the eight Chaos Insurgency targets at this location, one was terminated by MTF Upsilon-11 and seven were incapacitated by SCP-XXXX. All surviving Insurgents were stabilized and transported to [DATA EXPUNGED].
SCP-XXXX-2 Test Logs - Various Dates:
Base Material | Contact Length | Output Item |
---|---|---|
A roll of US quarters | 2.2 seconds | A single set of brass knuckles |
10 square meters of leather | 3.5 seconds | A set of Cuir boulli leather armor, French Manufacture |
3 kilograms of steel | 2.5 seconds | A German Broadsword, 15th century |
50 kilograms of Kevlar | 3.7 seconds | One EOD4 suit, nonfunctional |
Interviewed: SCP-XXXX-2
Interviewer: Doctor Eleanor Fitz-Patrick
Foreword: Initial Interview with SCP-XXXX-2 after recovery.
<Begin Log>
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Hello, my name is Doctor Eleanor Fitz-Patrick and I will be conducting this interview with SCP-XXXX-2. Today is March 28th, 2002 and it is currently [ Pause. ] 11 am.
SCP-XXXX-2: Hello. [ Leans in close to the microphone on the desk. ] Do I uh, have to be this close for it to hear me? The people I came here with had theirs really close to their faces.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Oh no. It'll pick up your voice just fine if you sit back and relax, SCP-XXXX-2
SCP-XXXX-2: Who's that?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: It's just the number we've assigned you, just to make sure all the paperwork ends up in the right place.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Visibly Confused ] Okay!
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: I've got a couple of questions for you. Just some little things to get out of the way.
SCP-XXXX-2: I'll answer to the best of my abilities. So you know, I don't know much about where… or when I am.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Well, that actually leads to my first question. How did you learn to speak English?
SCP-XXXX-2: English? We're speaking Greek.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: So, everything I say, you hear in Greek?
SCP-XXXX-2: Yes. It's all Greek to me.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: I'll make a note of that. Thank you. Now. How did you end up within that statue?
SCP-XXXX-2: I don't know. I don't remember much before you guys showed up. Flashes of things, emotions, important things like oaths. But nothing- [ Grabs edges of the desk and squeezes. ] solid. Does that make sense?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: It does. Traumatic events can often seal away memories. While I've never had anyone like you, I don't think it's permanent. You spent a long time under that mountain, didn't you?
SCP-XXXX-2: I think. Everything is so… different now. I mean, how could I even learn about everything I've missed? Metal birds. Horseless chariots.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Well, if you're compliant, we'd be more than happy to provide you with books and other media. But, as I said. You'll have to follow the rules.
SCP-XXXX-2: Is this an exception? Or do you do this for everybody you dig out from under mountains?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: We try to provide certain amenities for sapient anomalies. Ethical treatment. If only everyone we brought here had your sense of humor. [ Pauses. ] I saw the tape of your recovery. And after that, I'm having issues connecting this humor with the man I saw in the video.
SCP-XXXX-2: Oh… You saw that?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: I did. You showed incredible restraint. Taking fourteen shots across your body and a pickaxe to the abdomen and you incapacitated all of them with non-lethal attacks. Why? Why would you do that to men who only wanted to hurt you?
SCP-XXXX-2: [ SCP-XXXX-2 is silent for several moments ] I-I'm better than them. Not as a person. I mean at fighting. If I killed them, it would be like an owl and a mouse. They didn't deserve to die. Even though they hurt me.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: You could have done that right away. But you waited until after you'd gotten shot. Until they were going to beat you.
SCP-XXXX-2: I don't fight anymore. I know I used to. And I know I was good at it. But that's not who I am anymore.
[ SCP-XXXX-2 is silent for several minutes. ]
SCP-XXXX-2: Do you have any other questions?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Not right now, but I will talk with you again soon.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Smiling weakly ] I look forward to it.
<End Log>
Closing Statement: SCP-XXXX-2 was provided with several books on history and the modern era due to its compliance with all instructions prior to this point. As of March 29th, 2002, there is no update on the transcript on SCP-XXXX-1.
Archived Correspondence in Regards to SCP-XXXX-2:
From: Jack Hargraves <pcs.02S|sevarGJ#pcs.02S|sevarGJ>
To: Eleanor Fitz-Patrick <pcs.02S|ztiFalE#pcs.02S|ztiFalE>
Subject: Combat Testing - SCP-XXXX-2
Message:
Dear Doctor Fitz-Patrick,
I recently came across the report from the Greece mission, mislabeled and sitting at the bottom of my inbox. If I didn't know any better, I would think you were hiding things from me again. We've argued at length about the ethics of using SCPs for defensive or offensive purposes, but at the end of the day, I'm still the Site Director. I've scheduled testing on SCP-XXXX-2's combat skills for April 15th and you are more than welcome to attend. However, if I find out you've attempted to deceive me in regards to any SCP contained at Site-20, consider your position terminated. This will be your only warning.
Regards,
Director Jack Hargraves
From: Eleanor Fitz-Patrick <pcs.02S|ztiFalE#pcs.02S|ztiFalE>
To: Jack Hargraves <pcs.02S|sevarGJ#pcs.02S|sevarGJ>
Subject: Re:Combat Testing - SCP-XXXX-2
Message:
Director,
While I may not have all the knowledge that a Site Director might, I can not begin to stress how bad of an idea I believe this is. Just because SCP-XXXX-2 was able to perform as they did in the footage, this does not mean we will be able to replicate it here or anywhere else. It is my professional opinion that exposing SCP-XXXX-2 to a simulated combat situation will be detrimental to their mental health.
I know you're set on it, but this mission you're on? Trying to remake Omega-7? Add somebody to Alpha-9? It's like catching lightning in a bottle. Perhaps we should let old ghosts lie and old dreams die.
Sincerely,
Dr. E. Fitz-Patrick
Testing Video Log Transcript
Date: April 15th, 2002
Observation Team: Site Director Jack Hargraves, Project Lead Eleanor Fitz-Patrick
Subject: SCP-XXXX-2
Objective: Determine SCP-XXXX-2's combat capabilities in a controlled environment.
The tests will include:
- Melee weapons
- Unarmed melee combat
Safety measures include the presence of MTF Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake"), as well as several remotely activated explosives attached to SCP-XXXX-2's neck and wrists. Observers will be separated from the subject in an attached room.
[BEGIN LOG]
Suveriallence footage from a camera within Site-20's indoor firing range. A door opens and Captain Holly Shore enters with SCP-XXXX-2, who is wearing explosive restraints.
Shore: Alright Andr-, SCP-XXXX-2, these things on your wrists? If you step out of line or present a danger, they're gonna go off. Do you understand?
SCP-XXXX-2: Yeah, but… Isn't this just more physical tests? Like before?
The glass between the range and the observation room is illuminated from behind. Dr. Hargraves and Dr. Fitz-Patrick can be seen.
Director Hargraves: Over Intercom Ah! Here's the man of the hour. SCP-XXXX-2, Mr. Androcles himself. Do you mind if I call you Androcles?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Sir, that's against protocol.
Director Hargraves: Doctor, I am the protocol in Site-20. Plus, it helps warm them up to you.
SCP-XXXX-2: I'd… like that. It's been a little while.
Director Hargraves: Over Intercom That's the spirit. Now we've got a couple of tests we're gonna run through today. I was just recently made aware of your, how would I say, peculiar abilities. I'd like to see what you're capable of.
SCP-XXXX-2: Like more running? Or lifting?
Director Hargraves: Oh no. Laughing. No, we're gonna be testing your combat abilities. Look at the table on your left. You'll find a padded baton. Pick it up.
SCP-XXXX-2: Um.. Doctor? I don't want to fight. Please.
Director Hargraves: You don't get a choice here. Pick up the baton, Androcles. Holly has volunteered to be your sparring partner. I hope you'll find her skills… challenging.
Captain Shore picks up the baton and places it in SCP-XXXX-2's hand.
Shore: There's no way around this. [ Whispered ] Just give him a show.
Captain Shore pulls out her baton and steps back several meters.
Shore: Bring it on. Afraid of dancing with a girl? Afraid I'll hurt you?
SCP-XXXX-2: Please. I don't want to do this.
Director Hargraves: SCP-XXXX-2, if I have to tell you again, you're gonna be stuck in an empty room for the next two months. I know that Dr. Fitz-Patrick got some books for you. Don't you want to keep those?
SCP-XXXX-2 grimaces, and puts their arms into a fighting position.
Director Hargraves: Perfect. Now, let the games begin.
Captain Shore and SCP-XXXX-2 begin to circle each other. Captain Shore lashes out with her baton in an attempt to test their defenses. SCP-XXXX-2 weakly deflects the blow and retorts with a slow attack on her left flank.
Dr. Hargraves: You're not even trying, aren't you?
SCP-XXXX-2 thrusts towards Captain Shore's chest. Circling their guard, Shore breaks their grip and disarms them.
Director Hargraves: [ Over Intercom ] For fuck's sake. You aren't gonna make a fool out of me like this, SCP-XXXX-2. Put a little effort in or I'm gonna detonate those bracelets of yours. I know you probably won't mind too much, but Miss Shore is very much in harm's way.
Captain Shore's face shows visible worry.
Shore: Look, if you don't try a little, I'm gonna end up with five doctors picking metal out of my chest. Don't fuck this up, okay?
SCP-XXXX-2: What if I hurt you? I don't want-
Shore: This isn't about what you want anymore. If you don't fight, I'm gonna get hurt worse. So think about somebody other than yourself and pick up your baton.
Captain Shore lunges towards SCP-XXXX-2, who rolls out of the way and retrieves their baton. Shore strikes at their chest, which is deflected towards the ground. SCP-XXXX-2 responds with a flurry of blows across Shore's right side.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: You aren't actually gonna put Holly in danger, right?
Director Hargraves: Of course not. But he doesn't know that. He needed motivation.
Ten minutes pass. Both participants are sweating and Captain Shore is breathing heavily. No definitive blow has been struck. SCP-XXXX-2 swings at Shore, locking their batons together.
SCP-XXXX-2: You're good. Who was your master?
Shore: Grunts with exertion. I've had a couple. Did a lot of martial arts and [ Disengages and swings at SCP-XXXX-2's head. ] fencing before joining the military.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Relocking batons and pressing Captain Shore against the wall. ] You're a better fighter than I thought.
Shore: It's because you're underestimating me.
Captain Shore slides her left foot behind SCP-XXXX-2 and grabs their left shoulder. Twisting her body, she slams them into the ground.
SCP-XXXX-2: Blinking. I… You're right.
Director Hargraves: Congratulations Androcles. You're the first person I've ever seen put Holly on her backfoot, let alone against the wall. That's enough for the day.
[END LOG]
Summary: SCP-XXXX-2 was able to perform exceedingly well against Captain Holly Shore. While initially needing motivation, SCP-XXXX-2 became engaged when presented with a threat to Captain Shore's life. Director Jack Hargraves has assigned Captain Shore to work with SCP-XXXX-2 on a weekly basis to establish a connection that can be used if needed.
SCP-XXXX-2 Requests:
Request | Date | Status | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Books on World History | 03/06/02 | Approved | Sections on Greek History selectively removed or altered. |
A small television and DVD player | 21/12/02 | Approved | All titles subject to review. |
Interviewed: SCP-XXXX-2
Interviewer: Doctor Eleanor Fitz-Patrick
Foreword: Weekly interview with SCP-XXXX-2
<Begin Log>
Dr. Fitz-Patrick:I'm Doctor Eleanor Fitz-Patrick, conducting the weekly interview with SCP-XXXX-2. How are you feeling today?
SCP-XXXX-2: Good, Dr. Fitz-Patrick. It's finally starting to feel like home. Curled up with my books and these "movies", I'm starting to feel like a philosopher.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Oh, what I wouldn't give to just curl up all day with a book for once.
SCP-XXXX-2: I'd offer to trade with you, but I don't think you'd like the daily trips to the medical wing, or sparring with Holly. I mean, Captain Shore.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: How's that going? Any changes?
SCP-XXXX-2: I trust Captain Shore. She's not gonna hurt me and I can't seem to hurt her. But Dr. Hargraves has started switching things around. He adds somebody new or changes something and I freeze up.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Freeze up? Like a nervous reaction? Does this change make you anxious or scared?
SCP-XXXX-2: No. I'm not scared. I just feel this rush. Almost like an instinct and it scares me.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: I don't understand.
SCP-XXXX-2: So you know- What is it called? I just read about it. Your brain makes it… I think something about life or death-
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Cortisal? Adrenaline?
SCP-XXXX-2: Yes! Adrenaline. So you know that rush? Imagine if there was like a real power behind it. Like if I let it run its course, I might hurt somebody.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Are you sure it's just a rush of adrenaline?
SCP-XXXX-2: Well, what else would it be?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Perhaps it's your memories. I know we haven't made much progress with those but-
SCP-XXXX-2: If that's the case, I don't want them.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: You don't want to remember? All you know, all we know, is that you were good at fighting and you fought in several wars. Don't you want to know more?
SCP-XXXX-2: Is it worth it? If the only time I can feel them is when I'm fighting, perhaps the me I was isn't a good person.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: I understand, but-
SCP-XXXX-2: I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I like this version of me. The me that reads books and watches television. The me that tells jokes to you and can barely hold his own against Holly. I wouldn't want to be anyone else, even if that's the "real" me.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Okay. I respect that. And nobody can fault you for that.
SCP-XXXX-2: I'm sorry. Could we talk about this later? I'm too… overwhelmed by it? Let me give it some distance and we can talk about it later.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: That will probably be good. I'll do some reading on this and you can collect your thoughts. Now, what have you been reading?
SCP-XXXX-2: Well, I've been reading a textbook on World History. Again. I could probably teach the class by now. Is it possible to get any fiction? Something light-hearted.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Oh I can think of a whole host of books. And my son's been reading something called "Jojo's." I'll run them by censors.
SCP-XXXX-2: Thank you so much.
<End Log>
Closing Statement: SCP-XXXX-2 displayed reluctance to attempts to restore their memories. Following this interview, SCP-XXXX-2 was provided with twelve new books.
Archived Correspondence in Regards to SCP-XXXX-2:
From: Jack Hargraves <pcs.02S|sevarGJ#pcs.02S|sevarGJ>
To: Eleanor Fitz-Patrick <pcs.02S|ztiFalE#pcs.02S|ztiFalE>
Subject: SCP-XXXX-2
Message:
Dear Doctor Fitz-Patrick,
You'll be happy to hear I'll be taking a more off-handed approach to SCP-XXXX-2's training. Project-X05 is taking up more of my time as it gets closer to completion. Good thing I could multitask my weapons programs, given how poorly SCP-XXXX-2 has turned out. Having to keep a familiar person near to them is too much of a hazard.
But by all means, keep me informed.
Regards,
Director Hargraves
From: Micheal from Translations <pcs.tod|ynaGhciM#pcs.tod|ynaGhciM>
To: Eleanor Fitz-Patrick <pcs.02S|ztiFalE#pcs.02S|ztiFalE>
Subject: That thing in Greece
Message:
I'm sorry this isn't more clear. I was only able to transcribe maybe a third of it and I'm not even sure it's written text. I could have sworn I saw sentences change when I looked away but my photographs don't lie. There are some parts I put together through context clues, but a lot of this is something older than Greek. Maybe anomalous itself so I'm forwarding this to the AnomaLinguistics Department at Site-37.
Gather around me [Children], I will tell you the story of sweet Androcles. Fierce as a pride of lions and as cunning as a pack of wolves, he lived for nothing but battle. He was beloved by his countrymen and feared by his enemies, so much so that Ares Himself strode down from Olympus to challenge him to single combat. For ten days they fought a terrible [Duel], their blades cutting earth into islands and the sparks turning mountains into forges for Hephaestus. Impressed, he granted Androcles a boon: So long as he fought, he would never know defeat or age and by mixing his [Ichor] with Androcles' blood, Ares declared him kin to the Gods themselves.
Combat Log Transcript
Date:
Subject: SCP-XXXX-2
Objective: Continue to explore SCP-XXXX-2's martial abilities.
[BEGIN LOG]
Video feed shows SCP-XXXX-2 and Captain Holly Shore wrapping their hands with tape and checking the padding on their batons.
SCP-XXXX-2: Ooh, Holly, you missed a finger. [ SCP-XXXX-2 taps Captain Shore's index finger. Captain Shore recoils slightly. ]
SCP-XXXX-2: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-
Shore: You've never called me Holly before. Usually, it's Captain Shore or just Captain. Why the change?
SCP-XXXX-2: It's just… You and Dr. Fitz-Patrick? You're probably the closest thing I have to friends. I'm sorry if I've overstepped.
Shore: I really don't care. I mean, I'd call you Androcles, but that's too much of a mouthful. [ Smiling. ] Does Andy work?
SCP-XXXX-2: Feels a little short, but I'll take it. Will Dr. Hargraves care?
Shore: He's too busy with other projects to review every log. Unless I tell him to. Now are we gonna just talk or are we gonna dance?
Captain Shore and SCP-XXXX-2 begin to move around a circle in the middle of the floor.
SCP-XXXX-2: What do you mean by "projects?" [ SCP-XXXX-2 lunges at Captain Shore with an upper left feint into a strike to her left leg. ]
Shore: [ Sidestepping the blow and retorting with a jab. ] Long as I worked here, Hargraves' been trying to "weaponize" an SCP. Don't know if it's for brownie points or for thrills, but everything and everyone that comes here gets tested. [ Deflects a blow and kicks out with her left leg. ]
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Dances backwards. ] But why weaponize? Isn't locked up better?
Shore: If you saw some of the stuff out there, a magic soldier is a pretty good idea. [ Paces around SCP-XXXX-2 ] Do the Greeks have an apocalypse? A "Ragnarok"?
SCP-XXXX-2: Not really. But I did read about the Christian Apocalypse last night. The Rapture. The Horsemen.
[ SCP-XXXX-2 swings their leg and pivots abruptly. ]
Shore: Stuff like that? The Foundation gotta stop that every day. That's why the O5's wants to even the odds with scips they can control. [ Closes the distances and launches a series of attacks on SCP-XXXX-2 ]
SCP-XXXX-2: Why haven't they done that? [ Counters Captain Shore's blows ]
Shore: [ Breathing heavily. ] They did. An MTF called Omega-7. Had a scip that was more animal than man.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Going on the offensive. ] What happened?
Shore: [ Locking batons. ] They fucked up. He killed his team… You remind me of him sometimes.
SCP-XXXX-2: How? Wait… you knew him?
Shore: I fought beside him. If you could call it that. I was gone before he snapped.
SCP-XXXX-2: You didn't answer me, Holly. [ Breaks the lock and stands still. ]
Shore: [ Leaning back and breathing heavily ] You're both perfect soldiers, Andy. Capable of shit the rest of us can't even dream of. but you have morals. Some unknown code that keeps that animal in. Able was less human and more a force of fucking nature.
SCP-XXXX-2: What makes you think that?
Shore: You've been toying with me this whole practice. You could have ended the fight on the first move but you didn't. You're not trying.
SCP-XXXX-2: Doesn't mean I'm-
Shore: Don't challenge me on this. I know it when I see it. You're fighting because it means you get time out of your room. And you get to see me.
[ Captain Shore swings at SCP-XXXX-2. SCP-XXXX-2 dodges without looking. ]
SCP-XXXX-2: Shouldn't you be more scared? With the things you've seen?
Shore: No. I trust you. You have honor.
[ SCP-XXXX-2 launches into a pattern of increasingly faster attacks. Captain Shore is barely able to avoid them and ends up against a wall, barely able to counter the last blow by locking it at the hilt. SCP-XXXX-2 presses their advantage, leaning into Captain Shore until their faces are inches apart. ]
Shore: You're a good man and a good soldier, Androcles.
[ SCP-XXXX-2's arms suddenly go limp, causing Captain Shore to fall forward and land on the ground. ]
SCP-XXXX-2: Arabel…
Shore: [ Getting up. ] Hey, Andy? Are you okay? Androcles?
[END LOG]
Summary: After several minutes, SCP-XXXX-2 returned to a stable state of consciousness. Examination by a medical team yielded no information and an interview with Dr. Fitz-Patrick was arranged.
Interviewed: SCP-XXXX-2
Interviewer: Doctor Eleanor Fitz-Patrick
Foreword: Interview conducted following an incident during combat training.
<Begin Log>
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: What happened out there, SCP-XXXX-2? Are you okay?
SCP-XXXX-2: Yeah, I think so. I… remembered something.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: What was it? Do you remember your past now?
SCP-XXXX-2: No. it was just one person. Her name was Arabel. She… was my wife, I think.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Is that everything? What triggered this?
SCP-XXXX-2: Please don't rush me. I'm still processing this all myself.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: I'm sorry, [ Pauses. ] I'm just worried about you. Holly's worried too.
SCP-XXXX-2: Really?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Yes. You just froze and nobody could could get you to move or react.
SCP-XXXX-2: Well. Thank you for your concern. I'm sorry.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: It's not your fault. But I am here to discuss what happened with you when you're ready.
[ Several minutes pass. ]
SCP-XXXX-2: There was a women. Her name was Arabel and I loved her.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: From your past?
SCP-XXXX-2: Yes. We fought together.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Like marital squabbles?
SCP-XXXX-2: No. Like battle. That's where we met.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: I met my husband at a bar, but your first date sounds much more interesting.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Small laugh. ] I guess.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Well, what triggered this? Was it sparring?
SCP-XXXX-2: I think it was what Captain Shore said. "You're a good man and a good soldier, Androcles."
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Just that phrase?
SCP-XXXX-2: No, it was more complex than that. The way we were standing or how she said it.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: How do you feel about Holly Shore?
SCP-XXXX-2: I don't know. Please, can I get some rest?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: We'll pick this up next time we talk, okay?
<End Log>
Closing Statement: Due to SCP-XXXX-2's confusion, they were placed under surveillance for the following week.
Archived Correspondence in Regards to SCP-XXXX-2:
From: Jaqueline in AnomaLinguistic <pcs.LA73S|efinKqaJ#pcs.LA73S|efinKqaJ>
To: Eleanor Fitz-Patrick <pcs.02S|ztiFalE#pcs.02S|ztiFalE>
Subject: The thing micheal sent me
Message:
Hey. finally got around to this. they unearthed a ton of old texts and we've been kinda busy. sorry.
As he came to bear on the world, he met his match in a woman from a distant land. With skin of whitest sand, covered in blues from the ocean, she blazed in his eyes like Helios' chariot. Together, the mountains bowed before them. But even as Eros' arrow brought them together, an arrow split them apart, for Jealous Ares saw his favored love something other than Himself. With his guiding star gone, Androcles tore the bones of the Earth itself. With his rage and lust for battle extinguished, he turned the battlefield into twin mountains. With his purpose lost, he entombed himself forevermore.
Not to do your job for you, but it sounds like this woman was a Pict. don't know if that helps :| Whatever you're doing is above my clearance level, but good luck.
From: Jack Hargraves <pcs.02S|sevarGJ#pcs.02S|sevarGJ>
To: Eleanor Fitz-Patrick <pcs.02S|ztiFalE#pcs.02S|ztiFalE>
Subject: Project-X05
Message:
Dear Doctor Fitz-Patrick,
Success! I have fostered the creation of a new lifeform. It's a bit rugged right now but with the right influences, I should have a viable candidate for Alpha-9 soon. Right now, all it needs is a mother. As such, I'm pulling you off the SCP-XXXX-2 project and moving you to X05. Effective Immediately.
The staff already assigned to the project will brief you more on this but don't touch anything. We still don't know the extent of its abilities.
Regards,
Director Hargraves
NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
The following logs were recorded during the incident at Site-20 and recovered prior to the Site's destruction. Several additional files are currently being restored and will be available within the next two weeks.
— Maria Jones, Director, RAISA
Combat Log Transcript
Date:
Subject: SCP-XXXX-2
Objective: Continue to explore SCP-XXXX-2's martial abilities.
[BEGIN LOG]
The door to Site-20's indoor firing range opens. Captain Holly Shore enters. SCP-XXXX-2 is already inside, leaning against the divider between shooting stalls.
Shore: There's my favorite scip! It's been too long.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Jolting up. ] Oh! Hey Holly. Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.
Shore: You've got a few more seconds to think. Then we'll start.
SCP-XXXX-2: And what are we doing today? More sparring?
Shore: Not today. You probably won't like this, but we're gonna take another look at firearms.
Captain Shore moves to unlock a large cabinet set into the wall. She pulls two revolvers out of the drawer.
SCP-XXXX-2: .44 caliber? I couldn't hear for a day after we shot those last time.
Shore: Well, you'll still be able to hear if you actually put your ear protection in right this time.
SCP-XXXX-2: How about we just spar? That's always easy, right?
Shore: I know you're stalling, Androcles. Once this is done, we can spar. 18 shots. That isn't that hard, right?
SCP-XXXX-2: Okay.
Shore: Good.
Captain Shore hands SCP-XXXX-2 a revolver. Taking their positions in the stalls, both level their firearms.
SCP-XXXX-2: Ready?
Shore: Weapons hot.
SCP-XXXX-2 fires off all six rounds in rapid succession. All the bullets pass through the center of the target. Captain Shore has fired four rounds in the same time span, with her shots falling within half an inch of each other and the bulls-eye.
SCP-XXXX-2: Your stance is off.
Shore: What do you mean?
SCP-XXXX-2 slides in behind Captain Shore. Reaching forward, they wrap their hands around hers.
SCP-XXXX-2: Feel where my foot is? On the outside of yours?
Shore: Yeah…
SCP-XXXX-2: It's too far out. A wide stance is good, but you're a little overextended. [ Taps her foot gently. ] Just a touch.
SCP-XXXX-2 disengages and steps back as Captain Shore levels her pistol and fires. The shot passes through the center of the target.
Shore: Hell. You were right.
SCP-XXXX-2: Just trying to be helpful, Holly.
Shore: Yeah, but you could have just tapped my foot. You went the extra mile.
SCP-XXXX-2: Huh. How about that.
Shore: You got something you wanna sa-
A portion of the ventilation falls to the floor. From the gap in the ceiling, a dark form emerges and then jumps to the ground. Both Captain Shore and SCP-XXXX-1 recoil in shock. The creature tackles Captain Shore, causing the stall to collapse on top of her. A gunshot is heard. Turning back towards SCP-XXXX-2, it starts to emit a series of inhumane laughs.
SCP-XXXX-2: What the fuck is that.
Shore: [ Grunting. ] I… don't know. My gun. It's by the wall.
Captain Shore points to the opposite wall, where her firearm is laying.
SCP-XXXX-2: Got it.
SCP-XXXX-2 dives towards the gun. They wrap their fingers around it before being knocked back by the monster. SCP-XXXX-2 rolls into a combat stance and points it at the creature.
Shore: Pull the trigger!
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Grimacing ] Okay-
SCP-XXXX-2 pulls the trigger and the hollow click of an empty chamber fills the room.
Shore: Fuck.
The creature presses the attack, bludgeoning SCP-XXXX-2 with its wings and scratching with claws. After kicking it off of them, SCP-XXXX-2 pulls the leg off of a metal table. Within a few seconds, it has morphed into a short sword.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Pointing the weapon at the creature. ] Stop. I don't want to hurt you.
Shore: The fuck are you doing?
SCP-XXXX-2: It's intelligent. I think it's scared.
The creature cocks its head at SCP-XXXX-2 and turns to face Captain Shore, exposing a mouth full of crooked and sharp teeth.
Shore: Andy, I don't think it's friendly.
The creature lunges at Captain Shore, but SCP-XXXX-2 manages to intercept it. The creature is impaled on the end of the short sword and SCP-XXXX-2 exhales deeply.
Shore: What was that?
SCP-XXXX-2 tosses the sword and body aside and begins to move the remnants of the stall off of Captain Shore.
SCP-XXXX-2: I don't know. Some kind of nightmare?
Shore: No, I mean what you just did. I've never seen anything move that fast.
SCP-XXXX-2: I… listened to my instincts.
Shore: Does that mean your memory…
SCP-XXXX-2: Yeah, it's all coming back. Slowly. But we've got bigger problems…
Shore: Shit! [ Removes her radio from her belt ] Hailing all channels, this is Captain Holly Shore of Mobile Task Force Upsilon-11. We have a containment breach in progress. Hostile entities in unknown numbers. Please respond. Over
Radio: Roger that. This is Warrant Officer Ashley Crowley. Code Red going up. Over.
Several seconds later, klaxons begin sounding.
Shore: Attention, Upsilon-11. Rendezvous the armory on Level 3.
SCP-XXXX-2: Armory?
Shore: A precaution. We don't know what we're up against.
SCP-XXXX-2: Understood.
Shore: Are you okay with this? Protocol says-
SCP-XXXX-2: Forget protocol. You could have died. I can't let that happen.
Shore: Alright. Let's move.
[END LOG]
Surveillance Log Transcript
Date:
Subject: Holding and Observation Chambers, Floor 25.
[BEGIN LOG]
Doctor Eleanor Fitz-Patrick is seen observing a single instance of Project X05 through a reinforced window. The creature is black, bipedal, and appears to be watching Dr. Fitz-Patrick.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: What in God's name did he do here…
The door to the chamber opens, startling Dr. Fitz-Patrick. Site Director Jack Hargraves enters.
Director Hargraves: Ah. Eleanor. Glad you could make it.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Don't you call me Eleanor. This isn't a casual meeting. We're not friends.
Director Hargraves: Who's saying we can't be?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Everything that I stand for? All my moral and ethical codes? You've built a monument to your folly and gave it life.
Director Hargraves: Don't get self-righteous. All those pretty words don't make me care any more about the meaning. As for what I've done here, I've created life.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Like hell you have.
Director Hargraves: What's your problem, Eleanor? I may have created something that could save the world! An intelligent lifeform, capable of reproducing asexually and speaking.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: You're kidding me right? You took Alien and mashed in Jurassic Park. Then you had the audacity to give it near-Human level intelligence? Who gave you the right?
Director Hargraves: Well, who could stop me? You?
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Yes me. That monstrosity in there? I was sent here to-
Director Hargraves turns his head towards the enclosure. All color drains from his face.
Director Hargraves: We need to go. Now.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: [ Flustered ] What? What do you mean?
Director Hargraves: There were two X05s in that enclosure.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Oh fuck.
Director Hargraves: We need to contact Site Sec-
A ventilation shaft falls to the ground behind them. Falling from above, the X05 spreads its wings and screams at the pair.
X05-1: H-h-hungry. H-h-hungry.
Dr Fitz-Patrick and Director Hargraves sprint towards the door and begin to fumble with the handle.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Open the goddamn door, Jack!
Director Hargraves: I'm trying!
X05-1 moves slowly closer, observing them.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Fuck fuck fuck.
Moving forward, X05-1 slams a chair into the air.
[END LOG - CAMERA DESTROYED]
Surveillance Log Transcript
Date:
Subject: Level 10 Armory
[BEGIN LOG]
MTF Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake") is seen surrounding the central table of the armory, along with SCP-XXXX-2. Warrant Officer Ashley Crowley is using a Foundation issue laptop.
Crowley: I've got a lot of heat sigs from the basement and moving up, quick.
Zimmerman: How long till they hit the D-Block and Gen-Pop?
Crowley: Not long. I'm getting new hits every minute.
McCalloway: I'm calling Security. Maybe they can lock those sectors down.
Crowley: Not sure that'll help. These things seem to be moving through the vents too.
Shore: Yeah the one we dropped was in the vents too. Crowley, find out what this thing is.
Crowley: Already on it.
Shore: Everybody, I want full tactical gear.
Jenkins: Weapons?
Shore: Pick your favorite but grab a CQC piece too. It's gonna be tight once we hit Maintenance.
The group disperses, except for Crowley and SCP-XXXX-2. Captain Shore turns and pulls them aside.
Shore: You need to grab a weapon if you're coming with us.
SCP-XXXX-2: I-I know.
Shore: It's not too late to back out. But once we leave this room-
SCP-XXXX-2: I know. But I'm coming with you. I've lost too many people in battle. I can't let it happen to you.
Shore: Which is why you have to pull it together. If you freeze up, it's gonna get me or somebody on my team killed.
SCP-XXXX-2 nods and walks towards a bin filled with broken ceramic plates and damaged Kevlar vests. After 5 seconds of contact with the container, the materials reconfigure themselves into a set of armor consisting of a chest piece, gauntlets, and greaves. Several minutes pass as the rest of the team dons their gear.
Shore: Crowley, got anything yet?
Crowley: Not yet. It doesn't seem to match anything on file.
McCalloway: How far's the spread?
Crowley: Can't do everything at once.
Shore: Check the Project-X files. I don't think this is something we found.
Crowley: Got something. Project-X05. This doesn't look good, Captain.
Shore: What's wrong?
Crowley: Whatever Hargraves was trying to do, I don't think it worked. These things… It's like they were made to kill Task Forces.
Shore: Explain.
Crowley: We're looking at hardened skin, advanced reflexes, and intelligence comparable to humans.
Jenkins: Can't be that tough. Androcles killed one.
Zimmerman: He also picked up a grown man like they were a doll and threw them into a wall.
SCP-XXXX-2 winces.
McCalloway: How are there so many of them? We would have heard if they had this many.
Crowley: One sec. [ Pause. ] Okay, it looks like they're capable of reproducing after one feeding. Whatever there is on what a feeding means is covered in black ink. But they grow fast. According to this, that one you fought? That couldn't have been more than an hour old. [ Pause. ] That's weird…
Shore: What's wrong? Something else?
Crowley: Yeah. I tried to send this file to Overwatch Command so they could inform our backup on the threat. But this file doesn't exist on the network. [ Rapid typing. ] Nothing exists on the network.
Shore: Like the system is down?
Crowley: No. Hargraves must have moved all our documents to offline, local servers. According to this, the only things we've logged in the last nine years are a handful of SCPs, all high profile incidents. 4451, the monster in Kansas City and that thing in Dallas. Basically anything with a PoI or a GoI involved.
Jenkins: We must have recovered over 100 items in that time.
Shore: His weapons program… He wanted to keep it off the O5's radar. Bastard. Okay, what's the most dangerous thing still on SCIP.net? What's our backup expecting?
[ Rapid typing. ]
Crowley: A girl who makes your blood boil if she touches you. I'm gonna try to get the Site AI to move the X05 file to the main network and flag it as an active breach, but there are no guarantees. I have no idea what else Hargraves did to the site.
Shore: Christ. Alright, gear up Crowley.
Crowley closes the laptop and opens her locker. SCP-XXXX-2 pulls Captain Shore aside.
SCP-XXXX-2: Holly, this is a suicide mission.
Shore: Yeah… I know. But we're the only ones who can do this.
SCP-XXXX-2: Then I have to come with you.
Shore: Why?
SCP-XXXX-2: It's like you said, one magic soldier.
Shore: But what if you lose control? What if you leave here as the old you?
SCP-XXXX-2: If you survive, it'll be worth it. If the world survives, it'll be worth it. I should have died three thousand years ago, everything now is bonus.
Jenkins: Hey Androcles, you gonna grab a weapon or…?
SCP-XXXX-2 grimaces, then tears the door off of a locker, which turns in a small, circular shield. They then pull the metal legs off a chair, transforming them into a kopis.
Shore: This isn't gonna be easy. We've got a lot of ground to cover. Our backup is coming in blind. These monsters are smart and tough. But if it was easy…
All MTF Members: It wouldn't be an Avalon mission!
Shore: Fuck yeah! Alright, body cams on. We're rolling out.
[END LOG]
Body Camera Transcript
Date:
User: Warrant Officer Jake McCalloway
Team: Mobile Task Force Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake")
Event: Containment Breach - Multiple Hostile Entities - Risk Level: Danger
Location: Site-20, a remote Foundation Facility in New Mexico.
[BEGIN LOG]
MTF Upsilon is in an express elevator bound for Floor Ten.
Zimmerman: Been awhile since I fought beside a scip… Not since, well, him.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Softly. ] Able?
Zimmerman: Yeah…
McCalloway: Captain, how do we know he's not gonna flip his shit and go all Omega-7 on us?
Shore: Androcles is not now, nor will he ever be, anything like 076. You've been there for every single thing we've run with him.
McCalloway: Yeah, but if he chickens out, we're still all dead. Not much difference.
Jenkins: Will you just shut up? We don't need to think about this right now.
Elevator: Welcome to Floor Ten, General Housing.
The MTF departs. There are papers and the bodies of security personnel scattered around the hallway. Most of the lighting fixtures have been damaged and several are hanging from their sockets and flickering. Captain Shore touches her earpiece.
Shore: Holiday. Bring up emergency lighting on floor ten.
The corridor is flooded with soft red lighting from several backup units. An X05 is seen running in a far off cross hallway.
Crowley: It's heading to the dorms.
The MTF gives chase, heading for the dormitory. The door to the sector has been sealed and the body of a staff member is leaning against it, with an X05 latched onto it.
Jenkins: Christ! [ Jenkins opens fire. ]
The sound of the rifle reverberates off the walls. Three bullets strike the X05 in the head, chest, and stomach. It emits a screech and falls to the ground. A pool of blood is rapidly spreading out from the hole in its stomach. Zimmerman leans down and checks the body.
Zimmerman: He's gone. Judging by these holes, I'm guessing it was exsanguination.
Jenkins: Care to say that simpler?
Crowley: Bloodless. That thing drained him. That's why there's so much blood coming from it.
SCP-XXXX-2: It's a blood meal.
Jenkins: What?
SCP-XXXX-2: Um. Mosquitos usually just eat pollen. But the females need a "blood meal" to actually make the casing for their eggs. I was reading about it last week.
Shore: So that's what feeding is. Crowley, how long till you can get this open?
Crowley: Few seconds. It's just in lockdown.
Crowley pops the cover of the panel off with a knife. After examining it for several seconds, she lets out a sigh of disgust.
Crowley: Scratch that. They must have shot the lock on the other side. This thing's got more shrapnel than circuits.
Shore: How long?
Crowley: No promises, but maybe, five minutes?
Inhuman laughing is heard from several directions around the team.
Zimmerman: Company incoming.
Shore: Weapons hot. Jenkins, watch Crowley. Ace and I'll take left. Andy and McCalloway take right.
SCP-XXXX-2 and McCalloway take a defensive position. McCalloway shoulders his automatic shotgun and looks at SCP-XXXX-2.
McCalloway: I don't know why Holly brought you along, but I trust her. Don't let her down. And don't get me killed.
SCP-XXXX-2: I-I won't.
McCalloway: Sound more sure about it. Look alive. I've got shadows ahead.
The sounds of gunfire is heard from behind the camera. A small pack of seven X05's begin to move slowly down the hallway towards McCalloway and SCP-XXXX-2.
McCalloway: Contacts!
McCalloway fires, the slug hitting the leader in the head. The pack breaks formation. He fires two more shots, striking one in the chest and another in the throat. SCP-XXXX-2 moves forward and uses their shield to catch one in mid-lunge, slamming it with enough force to crush it against the concrete wall. They pull their shield out and manages to cover themself before another X05 collides with them. Without looking, McCalloway draws his pistol and shoots the X05 twice.
SCP-XXXX-2: Thanks.
McCalloway: [ Downs another X05 and turns his head. ] Not now.
The last X05 lunges at McCalloway. Pushing him aside, SCP-XXXX-2 brings their kopis down and decapitates it.
McCalloway: How's it going over there, Captain?
Shore: [ Off Camera. ] Engaged 6 hostiles. All downed. You?
McCalloway: Seven.
Shore: [ Off Camera. ] How's that door coming, Crowley?
Crowley: [ Off Camera. ] Almost… [ A hissing sound is heard. ] Got it!
The camera turns, and the MTF enters the sector. The hallways are clear but empty. McCalloway punches the button on the inside of the doorframe and the door slams shut.
Jenkins: Doesn't look like they made it in here yet.
Shore: But where is everyone?
Zimmerman: Hiding. I wouldn't want to have to fight any of those creatures unarmed.
McCalloway: Those dogs weren't so bad.
A person's head appears in the doorway of a room. He soon emerges.
Staff Member 1: Oh thank God. It's not those… things.
Twenty-five people emerge from the rooms into the hallway.
Staff Member 2: Is that Upsilon-11?
Staff Member 3: Wait? Is that XXXX-2?
Shore: We're here to pull you out. Is this everyone?
Staff Member 2: Everyone that made it here… before we had to close the doors.
Zimmerman pulls Captain Shore aside.
Zimmerman: Look, if the whole facility is like the hallway out there, this is probably everyone still alive.
Shore: I'm afraid you're-
SCP-XXXX-2: Is Doctor Fitz-Patrick here? Eleanor Fitz-Patrick?
Staff Member 1: No. She got transferred to the X05 Project so she's probably…
SCP-XXXX-2's shoulders fall.
Shore: Hey, we don't know if she was able to make it to the D-Block.
Zimmerman: Captain, we need to move. This is spreading fast.
Shore: Roger that, Ace. People, we need to move. There's a freight elevator at the other entrance. Leads right up to the-
The sounds of grinding metal is heard.
Crowley: Jake! Behind you!
[END LOG - CAMERA DESTROYED]
Body Camera Transcript
Date:
User: Chief Warrant Officer Siegfried "Ace" Zimmerman
Team: Mobile Task Force Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake")
Event: Containment Breach - Multiple Hostile Entities - Risk Level: Danger
Location: Site-20, a remote Foundation Facility in New Mexico.
[BEGIN LOG]
Camera shows the hallway of the Living Quarters within Site-20. There are twenty-five staff members assembled in front of the MTF.
Zimmerman: Captain, we need to move. This is spreading fast.
Shore: Roger that, Ace. People, we need to move. There's a freight elevator at the other entrance. Leads right up to the-
The sounds of grinding metal is heard.
Crowley: Jake! Behind you!
Camera sharply turns to Warrant Officer McCalloway. The door behind him has been torn open and a large creature5 appears in the hole. It reaches in and grabs McCalloway, slamming his head off the top of the frame and pulling him into the darkness.
Shore: Fuck! Crowley, Jenkins, Andy, get these people to the surface! Now!
SCP-XXXX-2: But-
Shore: That's an order! Ace, with me!
Zimmerman vaults the door and fires off a few shots at the fleeing creature.
Zimmerman: It's headed for the elevator!
Shore: We need to get him back!
Both Shore and Zimmerman take off down the hallway. They reach an elevator shaft. Zimmerman shines his flashlight down the hole. It gleans off the creature, which shoots him a snarl before exiting the shaft.
Zimmerman: That's D-Block. There's no straight path down there. We'll have to go through Floor Eleven.
Shore: Fuck.
The pair move into the stairwell.
Zimmerman: Did you see the size of that thing?
Shore: Yeah. What was that? Everything else here was like a dog with wings.
Zimmerman: That was like one of those raptors from Jurassic Park but bigger.
They reach the bottom and take a second to catch their breath.
Zimmerman: We going in loud?
Captain Shore doesn't respond. Bracing herself, she kicks the doorknob out and knocks the door wide open. Several X05s are in the room and look at the source of the noise.
Zimmerman: Loud it is.
He levels his light machine gun and starts firing into the room. Captain Shore joins him. Slowly, they begin to make progress across the floor.
Shore: Halfway.
Zimmerman: Copy that.
From behind them comes the sound of laughter as X05s begin to emerge from rooms they'd passed by. More begin to fill out the way ahead.
Shore: It's a trap.
Zimmerman: That big thing wanted us to come down here. Is there a way out behind us?
Shore: No, but we won't survive in the open. Move!
The pair begin to run towards a laboratory. Zimmerman slams the door as the first X05 catches up with them.
Shore: Hold the door! I'll find something!
Captain Shore begins moving a large bookcase in front of the door.
Zimmerman: That's not gonna hold them.
Shore: Help me flip these tables. We need a barricade.
Several moments pass as they place tables on their side. The banging on the door gets louder and louder and the bookcase begins to slide along the floor.
Shore: What's your ammo look like?
Zimmerman: Bout 75 in the LMG. Full up on my rifle and pistol.
Shore: Got two full mags for my rifle. Full shotgun and pistol.
Zimmerman: Let's give em hell.
The door stops banging and the sounds of screams can be heard outside.
Zimmerman: What the fuck was that.
Over the next 30 minutes, the screams slowly fade to nothing. Another minute passes and the door is kicked open. Zimmerman and Captain Shore fire off several shots, knocking the figure backward.
Shore: Do you think that's-
A figure flies into the room, kicking the table and sending the pair several meters back. Captain Shore rolls into a firing position and the camera pans to reveal a humanoid, covered in blood and deep cuts, standing over them.
Shore: Androcles?
SCP-XXXX-2 looks at Captain Shore with no sign of recognition. They lift their kopis and raise their shield into a defensive position.
Shore: Wait, it's us. It's Holly!
SCP-XXXX-2 blinks for several moments and falls to their knees.
SCP-XXXX-2: Did… I hurt you? I'm so sorry.
Shore: No, we shot you. [ Pauses. ] How are you still walking? You should be dead.
Zimmerman: Where are the others?
SCP-XXXX-2: It was a trap. They wanted to split us up. As soon as we stepped out on the other side, we got hit by one of those big guys and a swarm of the dogs. We only lost two of the doctors. I think. But Crowley got hurt really bad. She and Jenkins are up top right now. They said they were gonna guard the elevators.
Shore: Why aren't you with them?
SCP-XXXX-2: If they set a trap for us, it meant you two were walking into an ambush. I-I had to.
Zimmerman: What about Ashley? What happened?
SCP-XXXX-2: One of the big ones nearly took her arm off. The dogs are dangerous in numbers but those things are just. I don't know.
Zimmerman stands up and starts walking over to the door.
Shore: You didn't even recognize me when you came in. I'm worried about you. You need to go back up.
SCP-XXXX-2: No. I need to find Doctor Fitz-Patrick. Even if she's… [ Pause. ] And I need to keep you safe.
Shore: I don't need to be kept safe.
Zimmerman: Hey Holly? You should come see this.
Zimmerman turns and steps into the hallway as Captain Shore walks over to him. The hallway is filled with dead or dying X05s and X05-2s in an unbroken line that leads into the open area where they had came from. Chunks of flesh and bone are sticking to the walls and a thin layer of blood covers the floor everywhere.
Shore: Did… you do this?
SCP-XXXX-2 remains silent.
Zimmerman: Look, Holly, you know what this reminds of?
Shore: Yeah. I know.
Zimmerman: He's extremely dangerous. If he can do this to a room full of monsters, do you think we'd be able to stop him if he lost it like a few seconds ago? I don't want him to come with us…
Shore: I agree. [ Pauses. ] There's a 'but' at the end of the sentence. Spill it.
Zimmerman: He's our only chance of getting to D-Block. Hell, we probably couldn't even make it topside. He is the only reason we're alive right now.
Shore: Okay.
SCP-XXXX-2 walks towards them.
SCP-XXXX-2: We… should move.
They step past Captain Shore and Zimmerman, keeping their head looking at the ceiling. Their breath gets more rapid. The MTFs follows and they reach the other staircase in three minutes.
Zimmerman: Ready for another adventure?
SCP-XXXX-2: No.
Zimmerman: Too bad. You picked one hell of a day-
[END LOG]
Body Camera Transcript
Date:
User: Captain Holly Shore
Team: Mobile Task Force Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake")
Event: Containment Breach - Multiple Hostile Entities - Risk Level: Danger
Location: Site-20, a remote Foundation Facility in New Mexico.
[BEGIN LOG]
Captain Shore descends the staircase and pauses briefly at the door before opening it. The hallway is clear, but a barricade made of chairs and tables sits at the end. The bodies of several X05s are lying front of it, as well as several corpses clad in orange jumpsuits.
Zimmerman: Damn, I think I turned my body cam off.
Shore: Looks like the D-Class put up a fight.
SCP-XXXX-2: If they didn't block the elevator, they only boxed themselves in. I hope we can find somebody.
The trio climb the barricade. As they turn the corner, they see the open elevator shaft and an X05-2 lying motionless on the floor in a pool of blood.
Shore: That's the one that grabbed McCalloway. But where is he?
Zimmerman: Better question is, what killed it?
Unknown Voice: Who the fucks there? We're armed!
Captain Shore and Zimmerman shoulder their weapons and move towards the opening to the D-Class containment block. Hiding behind makeshift barriers, a mixture of D-Class and Security Officers can be seen. At the sight of the MTF, they lower their weapons, which are mostly knives and sharpened broom handles.
D-1825: Oh shit. A fucking MTF? Never thought I'd be happy to see you fucks. You here to spring us from this death trap?
Shore: Are you guys… [ Gestures to the Security Officers and the D-Class. ] working together?
Security Officer Jones: Well, yeah. We're mostly all friends here.
D-1736: None of the doctors really use human test subjects, so we mostly just play cards down here and shoot the shit.
D-2398: Yeah! Jones over here's wife is pregnant [ Gestures to Security Officer Jones. ] and he says once I get out, he's gonna make me their godparent!
Several moments of silence follow.
D-1916: Nah, we're just fucking with you. Gallows humor. [ Nervous Chuckle. ]
D-3497: It's man versus fucking Predator down here. Shit like D-Class and Guard don't mean shit now.
Shore: Um… Okay. But yes, we are here to pull you out of here. First, that thing in the elevator, where's the man it was carrying?
Security Officer Jones: Oh. He's one of you? Follow me.
Officer Jones moves to one of the cells and Captain Shore follows. Warrant Officer McCalloway is laying on a cot with bedsheets wrapped around his sternum. A large bloodstain is leaking through the cloth. A D-Class is taking his vitals and is about to administer an unknown medication with a syringe.
McCalloway: Well Hell. If it isn't my buddies.
Shore: What happened to you?
McCalloway: Well that thing grabbed me. You know that. Knocked me out for a little bit. Woke up when it hit the floor of that elevator. Next thing I know, damn thing gets swarmed. Left me a little parting gift though. [ Gestures at the wound, pauses and coughs heavily into his hand. When he pulls it away, it's covered in blood. ]
The D-Class puts Captain Shore aside.
D-4534: Your friend's injuries are… severe. That monster's claw caught him in the chest and almost certainly punctured a lung. I've done all I can, but I'm a veterinarian. If he doesn't get to a real doctor soon, he's gonna die.
Zimmerman: What were you about to give him?
D-4534: Morphine. We pulled it, as well as some other things, from a surgery suite upstairs before they overran this sector.
Shore: Ace, can you help this man with McCalloway? I'm gonna see if there's a way out.
Captain Shore turns and exits the cell. Pausing for a moment, she begins to walk towards SCP-XXXX-2.
Shore: A word, please.
SCP-XXXX-2: Hey.
Shore: You're not okay, are you?
SCP-XXXX-2: No. I'm not. Did you see what I did back there? What I'm capable of? I don't want to be that person.
Shore: Nobody wants to be that person. When we send the D-Class up, you're going with them. That's final.
SCP-XXXX-2: What about you and Ace? Shouldn't you wait for back up?
Shore: What back up? By the time an MTF capable of clearing this Site shows up, it'll be too late. We need to blow the reactor.
SCP-XXXX-2: But that's suicide.
Shore: This isn't about what I want anymore. If I don't fight, a lot more people are gonna get killed.
SCP-XXXX-2: Then I'm coming with you.
Shore: No. Dying, I can deal with. Watching you lose yourself, I can't.
Captain Shore turns away and walks towards Security Officer Jones.
Shore: What's the fastest way out of here?
Security Officer Jones: The freight elevator. [ Jones points to the elevator doors in the back of the Guards' Office. ]
Shore: Well, why haven't you used it?
Security Officer Jones: We don't have cards for it. If a D-Class got one-
Shore: Yeah I get it. But my card works. So we're getting out of here right now.
A cheer goes up from the assembled personnel. A metallic twang is heard and the lookout comes running back into the room.
D-1825: Guys! I think something is trying to cut the cord thing in the elevator.
Captain Shore removes her keycard from her belt and hands it to Jones.
Shore: Get everyone in the elevator. We'll hold em off.
[END LOG]
Body Camera Transcript
Date:
User: Captain Holly Shore
Team: Mobile Task Force Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake")
Event: Containment Breach - Multiple Hostile Entities - Risk Level: Danger
Location: Site-20, a remote Foundation Facility in New Mexico.
[BEGIN LOG]
Camera opens to a series of barricades constructed out of cots and cell furniture and six D-Class personnel are standing behind them, armed with standard-issue handguns and shotguns. Turning, the camera shows a Security Officer standing in the Guard's Office, surrounded by D-Class. A man in a torn and bloodstained Euclid uniform and a set of unknown armor is standing near the entrance to the office.
Shore: Jones. Is that thing running?
Jones: Yeah, weight sensors said it's empty. But it was at the surface so it might take a little running on emergency power.
Shore: Copy that. [ Turns to the D-Class at the barricades. ] Alright, thanks for volunteering. It's about to get bloody in here.
Zimmerman: But we're gonna hold the line until that elevator gets to the surface.
Shore: Is that understood?
D-1825: Hell yeah!
D-3497: This shit's like Alien but Ripley's got fucking Seal Team Six backing her up. Can't wait to drop some Xenos.
Shore: You are… really gung-ho about this.
D-2319: We were all Marines before this. Same squad and everything. Defensive measures are kinda second nature to us.
Shore: If we get out of this alive, I'm gonna recommend a transfer to Task Force for all of you.
D-1736: What's it like?
McCalloway: [ From the adjacent cell. ] The benefits are okay, the grind sucks, but the job security? [ Coughing. ] Incredible.
Zimmerman: That's the first joke you've ever told, Jake.
McCalloway: Maybe if you shove it up your ass, Ace, it'll last longer.
A metallic twange is heard.
Shore: They're almost through the cable.
Zimmerman: Once that's open, they'll probably push from the other sides.
A ding is heard and the camera pans to see the freight elevator doors open. The crowd of D-Class pushes inside, accompanied by several Security Officers.
Shore: Jones! Get as far from this site as you can. We might need to activate emergency protocols if this shit goes south.
A murmur goes up from the eight D-Class who are outside the elevator. SCP-XXXX-2 grimaces.
Jones: But Site-20 doesn't have a nuke.
Shore: We're gonna improvise.
The door close, leaving only the MTF, fifteen D-Class, and SCP-XXXX-2 in the block. Several minutes pass as the cable continues to reverberate. Several of the D-Class begin to fidget. The cable snaps and the elevator plummet down the shaft. After a few seconds, the hand of an X05 grabs the edge and begins to pull itself up.
Shore: Here we go!
D-2319: MTF Chain Gang6! Fuck em up!
X05s begin to flood the room, attack from the elevator shaft and the sides. The D-Class and MTF members open fire. The first waves are killed or pushed back.
Shore: Doctor! Move McCalloway to the elevator! Everyone else! Start falling back!
Captain Shore fires at several X05s and turns on another when her gun emits a click. She draws her handgun and starts moving back towards the door to the office. Four X05 crawlers begin to move towards her and Captain Shore terminates two of them before tripping on an unknown obstacle.
SCP-XXXX-2: Holly!
An X05 jumps on Captain Shore. She pushes her arm into its throat as it starts to claw at her. She pulls a knife from her belt and stabs it three times in the neck before shoving it off of her.
X05: H-H-Holly…
An unknown force drags Captain Shore backward. The camera shows the battle is going poorly: Two of the D-Class have left their positions, one is lying motionless on the floor, and Zimmerman has switched to his shotgun. The camera begins to swing wildly as Captain Shore is pulled closer to the office door.
SCP-XXXX-2: It's me! Stop fighting.
Captain Shore stands up. She looks at her arm; the sleeve is torn and it's bleeding.
Shore: Get back! The lift should be here soon!
The five remaining D-Class and Zimmerman sprint to the final barricade while Captain Shore lays down suppressing fire. All seven begin to fire at the oncoming X05s
Shore: Where's McCalloway? Where's the vet?
D-4534 stumbles out of a cell as an X05-2 lunges into the room. He vaults the barricade and collapses on the ground.
D-4534: [ Breathing heavily ] Gave… Morphine.. He… wouldn't… He grabbed… the
A gunshot is heard and the X05-2's arm falls out of the room as Warrant Officer McCalloway emerges from the cell, wielding his automatic shotgun in one hand and his sidearm in the other.
McCalloway: Who's next?! Come and fucking get some!
D-4534: Adrenaline…
Three X05-2s and seven X05s converge on McCalloway, who begins to move towards the elevator shaft. The freight elevator dings and the camera pans to see Warrant Officer Jenkins step out and fire through the glass window at the X05-2s.
McCalloway: Get the fuck outta here!
The waiting D-Class rush into the elevator, while the five surviving D-Class combatants move to provide fire support beside Jenkins.
Zimmerman: Jake!
Zimmerman begins to move across the cellblock towards McCalloway.
Jenkins: We need to go!
Shore: Ace and I are gonna blow the reactor!
SCP-XXXX-2: You won't survive long enough to make it there!
Zimmerman has passed the doorway leading into the cell block and is only a few meters from McCalloway, who has sustained several severe injuries. An X05 lunges at Zimmerman, who hits it in the chest with a blast from his shotgun. McCalloway discards his firearms and draws a large combat knife from his belt as an X05-2 slashes him down his back. He turns and stabs upward into its skull.
McCalloway: I'm ready! How 'bout you! [ Gesturing to an X05. ]
The hand of an X05-2 reaches up and grabs McCalloway's leg. He looks down at it, swears, and is pulled off his feet and into the elevator shaft. Zimmerman dives and grabs his hand. He manages to hold McCalloway for a few seconds before being dragged into the shaft himself.
Shore: Ace!
SCP-XXXX-2 grabs Captain Shore and pulls her into the office, slamming the door behind them.
Jenkins: Fucking Hell!
SCP-XXXX-2: You can't save them. You won't make it one floor.
Shore: I have to kill all these damn things!
SCP-XXXX-2: You need to get a fucking grip, Holly. Remember the first thing you said to me?
Jenkins: Hurry up! We can't hold them for much longer!
Jenkins and the D-Class Combatants begin to back up towards the elevator.
Shore: What?!
SCP-XXXX-2: "We're the Foundation. We keep people safe." Here's people. Keep them safe. [ Pause. ] I'm sorry…
Jenkins is inside, still firing into the X05s as they move closer. SCP-XXXX-2 pushes Holly and she stumbles into the elevator.
SCP-XXXX-2: Hold her! Don't let her out!
They turn away and raise their sword and shield as the X05s pass the final barricade before the office. Several D-Class grab Captain Shore and hold her. SCP-XXXX-2 turns back to look at Captain Shore as the elevator doors close.
Shore: Androcles!
SCP-XXXX-2: I love you.
[END LOG]
NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
All information presented after this point is unedited. Due to the complications following the destruction of Site-20, this SCP file has not received the necessary updates.
— Maria Jones, Director, RAISA
Body Camera Transcript
Date:
User: Cheif Warrant Officer Seigfried "Ace" Zimmerman
Team: Mobile Task Force Upsilon-11 ("Avalon's Wake")
Event: Containment Breach - Multiple Hostile Entities - Risk Level: Danger
Location: Site-20, a remote Foundation Facility in New Mexico.
<Impact Detected.>
<Powering On.>
Camera shows the interior of an elevator. The walls are covered with blood and the ceiling is completely absent. The Site-20 Storage Depot can be seen and a small fire is burning in a trash can. Several bodies are sprawled on the ground. An hour and thirteen minutes pass.
Zimmerman: [ Coughing ] Wha… What happ..
Twelve minutes pass. Footsteps can be heard. A man in a bloodstained and torn Euclid uniform wearing unknown armor and a helmet of unknown manufacture appears in the frame.
SCP-XXXX-2: Oh… They're… I don't know what I was hoping for…
Zimmerman: [ Cough. ] Not.. [ Cough. ] Yet.
SCP-XXXX-2: Ace? Sweet Hephaestus… You fell like fourteen floors.
Zimmerman: And I'm feeling every foot. [ Cough. ] What did you call me?
SCP-XXXX-2: Hephaestus. God of Fire and Metalworking.
Zimmerman: Why? [ Cough. ]
SCP-XXXX-2: He was thrown off a mountain by his mother for being ugly and survived.
Zimmerman: I'd laugh if I was in any shape.
SCP-XXXX-2: Is McCalloway… ?
Zimmerman: No chance. But the bastard died as he lived. Stupid as hell and running straight into danger.
SCP-XXXX-2: Ares would have liked him. He always liked a warrior.
Zimmerman: Is Holly safe? She's not with you?
SCP-XXXX-2: I pushed her into the elevator. Told the D-Class not to let her out.
Zimmerman: So what's the plan?
SCP-XXXX-2: I don't have one. Getting down here was pure luck. Finding you alive was a miracle. [ Pause. ] Can you walk?
Zimmerman leans forward and then falls back.
Zimmerman: I can feel my legs… [ Cough. ] Just can't move em.
SCP-XXXX-2: Okay. I'm gonna grab one of the carts and put you on it. And McCalloway. Then I'll get you to the freight elevator.
SCP-XXXX-2 turns to walk away.
Zimmerman: That's not what I meant. The X05s.
SCP-XXXX-2: I'm gonna blow up the reactor.
Zimmerman: Yeah, but how?
SCP-XXXX-2: I… don't know. But I have to.
Several minutes pass before SCP-XXXX-2 returns with a depot cart. They pick McCalloway up first, then help Zimmerman to his feet and walk him over.
SCP-XXXX-1: There we go.
Zimmerman: Why did you come back? [ Cough. ] For all you knew, I was dead.
SCP-XXXX-2: You weren't gonna leave McCalloway behind when that big thing grabbed him. We're a team. We stick together.
SCP-XXXX-2 begins to push the cart. Zimmerman draws his sidearm and checks the magazine.
Zimmerman: Where'd you get the helmet? Looks sick.
SCP-XXXX-2: R&D. It's a prototype for some kinda space program. Space combat. [ Laughing. ] I still can't believe humans went to space. Now, we're getting ready to fight there?
Zimmerman: Yeah, I guess that's pretty crazy. [ Cough. ] Guess since you made it down here, you had to kill a lot of X05s.
SCP-XXXX-2 is silent for several moments.
SCP-XXXX-2: Yeah. I didn't want to. Every time I do, it feels like more of me is slipping away.
Zimmerman: Nobody ever said this job was good for your soul. [ Cough. ] Hell, I've been fighting for damn near twenty-five years. Helps when the thing on the other side of the gun isn't human, [ Cough. ] but it never gets easier.
SCP-XXXX-2: What drives you on? How do you sleep at night? All the things you've seen, everything you've done?
Zimmerman: I don't. Toss and turn every night. See a lot of faces, people I've killed, [ Cough. ]people who've died. But it gets easier when you realize you're suffering [ Cough. ] so billions of others can sleep without thinking about anything but their boring lives.
Silence.
Zimmerman: We die in the dark, so they can live in the light.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Quietly. ] Nobody here died for a reason.
Zimmerman: And Hargraves'll rot in Hell for it.
The sound of twisting metal can be heard. Zimmerman pivots to look at SCP-XXXX-2. The metal bar used to push the trolley is completely bent.
Zimmerman: Hey. Don't lose your soul. [ Cough. ] You're a good man, Androcles. Maybe under different circumstances, we'd be friends.
SCP-XXXX-2: Maybe if I manage to get out of here, we could be.
Zimmerman turns back. The frieght elevator doors are open and an X05 with red markings is sniffing around in the inside. Zimmerman levels his handgun, but SCP-XXXX-2 pushes it down with a hand.
Zimmerman: What?
SCP-XXXX-2: He's not gonna hurt you. He's different.
Zimmerman: But-
SCP-XXXX-2: I don't know how to explain it. [ SCP-XXXX-2 lets out a short whistle. ] But let's get you on that lift.
The X05 walks over to SCP-XXXX-2 as he pushes the cart into the elevator.
Zimmerman: Is there anything I can…?
SCP-XXXX-2: Um… yeah. Do the body cam batteries look like [ Gestures with their hands. ]
Zimmerman leans over and removes the battery from McCalloway's body camera.
Zimmerman: One size fits all. [ Cough. ] Good luck out there.
SCP-XXXX-2: If I don't… come back. Take care of Holly. And don't let anyone come in here.
Zimmerman: What do you mean?
SCP-XXXX-2: Goodbye, Ace. Give him a warrior's funeral.
[END LOG]
Camera Transcript
Date:
User: <Unregistered User>
Team: <N/A>
[BEGIN LOG]
SCP-XXXX-2: And… there we go! Hey look at that Argos! I think it's recording again.
Camera shows an upside down empty hallway. The camera is suddenly flipped and moved side to side. SCP-XXXX-2 moves their hand back and forth in front of the camera. Looking to the side, the view changes to an X05 with red markings7. It sticks its tongue out and flaps its wings briefly.
SCP-XXXX-2: Hello. Whoever finds this. My name is Androcles. Or SCP-XXXX-2. This is Argos. He's… are you a … Nevermind, Argos is a friendly X05. I don't know why, every single one up till now has tried to kill me, but he just… trotted over to me with this helmet. Snapped me out of my…
SCP-XXXX-2 goes silent.
SCP-XXXX-2: We're on floor twenty-four. One below this, then two maintenance floors and then the reactor.
SCP-XXXX-2 begins walking towards a staircase. Entering the stairwell, he begins to descend the stairs.
SCP-XXXX-2: We die in the dark… [ Pause. ] Why? Why do you need to? Why can't we live in the light? Nobody here needed to die. There was no justice, not glory. Just…
SCP-XXXX-2 exits the stairwell. The hallway is filled with the bodies of researchers, as well as several X05s, who scatter after seeing them.
SCP-XXXX-2: Huh… That's… Nevermind. Let's go, Argos.
SCP-XXXX-2 begins walking towards a lab with the door ajar. Looking in, a broken security camera is lying on top of a set of monitors and a ventilation shaft lays on the floor. They keep walking.
SCP-XXXX-2: This place looks beat up.
SCP-XXXX-2 looks down to see a security officer with several grenades laid out around them.
SCP-XXXX-2: That's why.
SCP-XXXX-2 looks around the labs for several minutes before the sound of scratching can be heard. They turn and head towards the source. A minute later, they come across an X05 scratching at a pile of rubble. SCP-XXXX-2 bangs their sword against their shield and it runs off down a side passage.
Unknown Voice: Hello? Is… somebody there? I'm behind this pile. My legs… I think they're broken. Please.
SCP-XXXX-2: Hold on, I'll dig you out!
SCP-XXXX-2 begins moving the steel and concrete chunks with their hands. Grabbing an I-Beam, they prop up the collapsing ceiling and move the final pieces out of the way.
SCP-XXXX-2: You…
Director Hargraves: Oh thank God. Androcles, you came to save me.
SCP-XXXX-2: I'm not here for you.
Director Hargraves: What else could you possibly be doing down here?
SCP-XXXX-2: Walking through a graveyard. Watching my friends get hurt. Die. Losing a piece of my soul every time I kill something.
Director Hargraves: And what? This kind of thing happens. We just rebuild.
SCP-XXXX-2: It's. All. Your. Fault.
Director Hargraves: We die in the dar-
SCP-XXXX-2: Don't you dare fucking say that! Nobody here died for any reason other than your arrogance and ignorance!
Silence.
Director Hargraves: I see that blood. The notched blade. If you're going to kill me, don't wait. Go ahead, prove me right. You're a perfect killer. You just need motivation.
SCP-XXXX-2 is silent.
Director Hargraves: What? Did your precious Holly die?
SCP-XXXX-2 lunges towards Director Hargraves, but stops short.
Director Hargraves: Oh?
SCP-XXXX-2: You aren't worth my soul. As much joy as it would bring me. As much relief as it would bring me, killing you won't bring anyone back.
SCP-XXXX-2 reaches in, grabs Director Hargraves by the collar of the lab coat, and begins pulling him away from the rubble.
Director Hargraves: Wait. What are you?
SCP-XXXX-2: And letting you die down here would be the same as killing you myself.
SCP-XXXX-2 drags Director Hargraves to the freight elevator and lets him go. They swipe a keycard and the machine begins to whir. Pulling a knife from their belt, they toss it to Hargraves.
SCP-XXXX-2: Use this to defend yourself against your pets.
They turn and walk away.
Director Hargraves: Wait you can't… just leave me. If the Foundation finds out I'm responsible…
SCP-XXXX-2: Then use the knife to kill yourself. Your life is in your own hands.
Five minutes pass. After turning a corner, the camera shows X05-A scratching at a door. SCP-XXXX-2 starts jogging towards it.
SCP-XXXX-2: What is it, Argos?
SCP-XXXX-2 grabs the doorknob. It refuses to turn, so they punch it and knock it through the door. X05-A pushes through the door and enunciates a short phrase.
X05-A: Here… to… help!
SCP-XXXX-2: Wow. Good job, Argos.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Andr… Androcles?
SCP-XXXX-2 looks into the corner of the room.
SCP-XXXX-2: Dr. Fitz-Patrick? Are you?
Pushing the door open, the light reveals two Juinor Researchers and two Doctors hiding in the back of the closet.
Junior Researcher 1: How did you find us?
Dr. Alexandra Virgil: Ah fuck, it's another one of those things.
Dr. Virgil pulls out a handgun.
SCP-XXXX-2: Woah, Woah, Woah. This is Argos. He's nice. Actually the reason I found you.
The survivors get up and start to walk towards SCP-XXXX-2.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Oh my god, you're covered in blood.
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Short laugh. ] Yeah. But we gotta move. The elevator should be here any second. And Hargraves probably won't wait
Dr. Fitz-Patrick's eyes narrow.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: He survived?
SCP-XXXX-2 begins to move towards the elevator.
SCP-XXXX-2: He wasn't worth losing another piece of me.
The group walks in silence, reaching the elevator. Director Hargraves looks up at them.
Director Hargraves: Oh Eleanor! You survived!
Doctor Fitz-Patrick kicks out, striking him in the head and knocking him to the ground.
Dr Fitz-Patrick: The O5's sent me here to watch your pompous ass, and by God, you will answer for this. Every single death.
Director Hargraves: It was… for the…
Doctor Virgil kicks him in the head.
Dr. Virgil: Fuck off.
The doors open and the Junior Researchers drag the unconscious director into the elevator, followed by the doctors. Dr. Fitz-Patrick looks back at SCP-XXXX-2.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Are you…
SCP-XXXX-2: I'm not coming. I've gotta finish this. Somehow.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick steps out and embraces SCP-XXXX-2.
SCP-XXXX-2: Could you… [ Removes helmet. ] Take this with you? There's a message on it.
Dr. Fitz-Patrick: Of course. For Captain Shore?
SCP-XXXX-2: Yes. [ Pause. ] For Holly.
[END LOG]
Floor Surveillance Log Transcript
Date:
Subject: Reactor
[BEGIN LOG]
Camera shows SCP-XXXX-2 and X05-A exit a stairwell and head to a terminal. SCP-XXXX-2 hesitates briefly and presses a button.
Holiday: Hello, I am Holiday. Site-20's Maintenence and Facilities AI. How may I help you?
SCP-XXXX-2: Hi, Holiday. Can you do a sweep for life signs?
Holiday: Sweep complete. I found 752 life signs.
SCP-XXXX-2: How many humans?
Holiday: One.
SCP-XXXX-2: Thank you, Holiday.
SCP-XXXX-2 and X05-A exit the room.
<Powering On: Hallway Camera>
Outside of the room is a cart with 47 cardboard boxes. SCP-XXXX-2 leans down and takes the file out of the hand of the guard who is lying by the cart. They flick through it and set it on top of the boxes.
SCP-XXXX-2: He's arrogant, but that probably could have worked.
SCP-XXXX-2 continues towards the vaulted doorway to the reactor room and slips inside.
SCP-XXXX-2: What the…
<Powering On: Reactor Room Camera>
The room is filled with clusters of black, ovular objects and on top of the reactor sits a massive X058. It is covered in a scaly armor and has short legs and arm. As SCP-XXXX-2 enters, it slithers down and stands before them, its head brushing against the fifteen meter tall ceiling.
X05-3: Welcome, Androcles.
SCP-XXXX-2: How… do you know my name?
X05-3: My father spoke of you often. You did him such a kindness.
SCP-XXXX-2: Your fathe… Hargraves.
X05-3: Did you know there's another Androcles. A Roman, but I digress. He plucked the thorn out of a lion's paw. Years later, when he was thrown into the arena by a cruel Caeser, the lion recognized him and spared his life.
SCP-XXXX-2: Why are you telling me this?
X05-3 laughs.
X05-3: I am the lion. You saved my father, so I will grant you this boon: Leave now, and none of us will harm you. I know you have a loved one up above.
SCP-XXXX-2: What, so you can spread across the Earth and kill everyone?
X05-3: Kill? My short-sighted brother, we don't wish to kill anyone. As our father proclaimed, we will roam the Earth, seeking and capturing the anomalous.
SCP-XXXX-2: Liar! What about everyone here? I've walked through a graveyard to get to you.
X05-3: A necessary evil, I'm afraid.
SCP-XXXX-2: How could you possibly justify this… this carnage?
X05-3: We need numbers. The forces arrayed against us? Too many for one or two or a dozen of us to take alone.
SCP-XXXX-2: So you just killed with abandon? Like the things you said you want to protect against?
X05-3: No death here brought us joy. But every man and woman in this building swore they would lay down their lives to protect the world.
SCP-XXXX-2: So you made the choice for them?
X05-3: They will live on as martyrs. Heroes who died to bring the world safety.
Silence.
SCP-XXXX-2: Why did you call me 'brother'?
X05-3: Our father used your blood to create us. Your blood holds the power that allows us to multiply with such ease, to grow as fast as we do. We are brothers in everything but name.
Silence.
SCP-XXXX-2: I can't let you leave here. How could I trust you? You killed so many people needlessly.
X05-3: How will you stop me? By sacrificing yourself? By losing yourself bit by bit as you track us all down?
SCP-XXXX-2 backs out of the room.
X05-3: Oh, by running?
Several minutes pass. X05-3 climbs back onto the reactor. The breaking of concrete is heard outside the room and X05-3 lifts its head slightly. Suddenly, a whirling sound is heard and SCP-XXXX-2 reenters the room, carrying a sledgehammer and a small black disc.
SCP-XXXX-2: I know who I am. I am Androcles. Beloved of Ares. Warrior of Greece. [ Pause. ] But I am also Androcles, the Protector, and Friend.
SCP-XXXX-2 tosses the disc onto the ground, where it slowly moves in a circle.
SCP-XXXX-2: I know who I am, and nothing will change this. And I will die in the dark. [ Raises sledgehammer above their head. ]
X05-3: What are you doing?
SCP-XXXX-2: [ Bring the sledgehammer down. ] So they can live in the light.
[END LOG]
Addendum -19
On [Month] [Day], [Year], Site-20 was destroyed in an explosion of unknown magnitude, causing the loss of two kilometers9 the campus. All surviving personnel were treated for their injuries and transferred to Site-12, a facility in Central Pennsylvania.
All SCPs contained at Site-20 are presumed neutralized. SCP-XXXX-2 was not recovered.
Addendum - 20
The following message was found within a prototype MK II Orbital Combat Helmet in the days following the destruction of Site-20.
Camera Transcript
Date:
User: <Unregistered User>
Team: <N/A>
[BEGIN LOG]
Camera opens to SCP-XXXX-2 sitting against a wall, their sword and shield sitting to the side.
SCP-XXXX-2: Hey Holly. I hope this message gets to you. Somehow. It's been about two hours since I last saw you. I hope it isn't the last…
SCP-XXXX-2 smiles weakly.
SCP-XXXX-2: I… don't know what to say. So much to say, so little time.
SCP-XXXX-2 shifts position and reaches for the helmet. Tears can be seen running down their face.
SCP-XXXX-2: I love you.
[END LOG]
crit + ideas:
2:24 AM <CalibriBold> He does, and I can see a lead-up to a climactic moment where he has to fight against his nature, and it's a terrifying choice between two paths. Maybe he has the opportunity to kill Hargraves as vengeance for all the abuse he went through, but doing so would mean he falls permanently down the "Able" path, and he has to choose between vengeance and forgiveness.
2:14 AM <CalibriBold> Oh, definitely. I really feel for the guy, and there's also an interesting power dynamic between Hargraves and Fitz-Patrick that I hope you explore. I could even see something between Androcles and Shore, like a budding friendship, maybe even a romance if you have the right setup. Speaking of romance, I notice that a lot of romantic SCPs deal with romance either in the past (memories, motivation, etc.), or as a continuation from the past (marriages, long-standing relationships, etc.). I'd actually like to see an SCP that shows the romance developing throughout the article.
6:35 AM <IronDruid> He's a reluctant soldier yet he take sjoy at fighting with Holly
6:36 AM <+Dyslexion> He takes joy because it's human interaction.
6:36 AM <IronDruid> Granted Holly's life is supposedly in danger
6:36 AM <IronDruid> Yet its not the human interaction he desires
6:37 AM <IronDruid> He knows that he hates fighting, and human interaction wouldn't suddenly make him leap for if
6:37 AM <IronDruid> If anything, he's also shown that he'd rather be alone through the interview logs
6:37 AM <+Dyslexion> it's a complex dynamic I want to explore a little more. He hates fighting after his wife was killed by Ares, but he still has that lust for it in him, even if he surpresses it
10:31 AM <@TheFrightyMcB> send but man thats a heckin chonker
10:32 AM <Dyslexion> it's about half done right now :3
10:33 AM <@TheFrightyMcB> …half
10:33 AM <@TheFrightyMcB> breh you may wanna bust up into a 3 part series or something
10:57 AM <@TheFrightyMcB> Dyslexion: this is trying to do a lot
10:57 AM <@TheFrightyMcB> like a lot
10:57 AM <@TheFrightyMcB> but dude hell if it kept me reading
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