The Monster's Room - Chapter 16
Incident 1: SCP-▉▉▉2 had erased only the ▉ of individuals. This led to Incident 2, in which the ▉▉▉ of ▉▉ field agents were entirely erased… (Access to information is restricted).
For example, if D-1705 were to view this information that had been previously redacted.
Incident 1: SCP-▉▉▉2 had erased only the brains of individuals. This led to Incident 2, in which the aortas of 26 field agents were entirely erased, leading to immediate death….
Such truths could be revealed.
Anomalous entities were often like this—unfathomable and operating outside human standards. If one could control them at will, there would be no need for containment.
Thus, D-1705 was extremely interesting. It seemed like a monstrous entity that randomly erased eyeballs or completely removed the outer skin layer now sucked out bodily fluids of a cheap human being?
“We need to determine if D-1705 is unique or if there’s a variable affecting the anomalous entities.”
“Well, sorry to dampen the enthusiasm of the newcomer, but it’s probably pointless. Our senior, the unidentified corpse, doesn’t authorize individual experiments. Our team follows his directives strictly.”
“What if a senior researcher like him approves it?”
“…Seriously?”
“Yes.”
At Amelia’s astonished gaze, Connor confessed to his actions.
“I’ve requested cooperation from the E-Section senior researcher.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Approval came through 30 minutes ago, and D-1705 will be temporarily transferred to E-Section. We’ve signed a contract agreeing not to conduct any inhumane experiments or tests, so you can rest easy. We’ll just need to insert another death row inmate in the meantime.”
“How do you plan to handle John Doe’s hysteria?”
“At least we won’t be killing him. Besides, I heard he’s been away recently. Long-term business trip, wasn’t it?”
“This is insane.”
“But didn’t you want to find out if D-1705 is truly special or not?”
“…”
“It’s just for one day. Whether good or bad, we’ll gather data, which will be crucial for the Foundation.”
“It better yield meaningful results.”
“Of course.”
While the schedule was being set arbitrarily in the absence of the concerned parties.
– We’ll meet again, won’t we?
“…”
Marie placed her forehead against the bathroom mirror, watching the letters being inscribed with a squeak.
“Weren’t they supposed to be contained…”
Foundation bastards.
Marie’s distrust towards the Foundation deepened.
Case 5: D-911 Kevin
Suddenly assigned a new mission, Marie stared intently at the image that appeared on her tablet. The face of the researcher she had seen yesterday replaced the ever-irritating John Doe.
“I was only contracted to manage the F-49 sector.”
<Indeed.>
The researcher’s manipulation of the tablet displayed the contract Marie had signed. Beep. With a simple sound, a particularly small-font section of the document was enlarged.
<It is stated in the contract that you may be assigned to other tasks upon the Foundation’s request.>
“…I should have hired a lawyer.”
<You haven’t forgotten that the Foundation is an entity beyond the jurisdiction of all national legal systems, have you?>
“…”
Marie struggled to maintain her composure as she looked at the image with a sour expression. The researcher, as if accustomed to such reactions, merely shrugged his shoulders.
<It’s not a bad thing for you. You’ll be assigned to the E-Section, which handles only Safe-class matters.>
“Is that a good thing?”
<Yes. The mortality rate in the E-Section is only 27%.>
When did the term ‘only’ come to be associated with a 27% mortality rate? Sighing through her nose, Marie suddenly wondered:
So, what is the mortality rate for the F-49 sector I manage?
<That information is inaccessible with your security clearance, D-1705.>
Of course.
Marie was increasingly disillusioned with the constant restrictions of her security clearance.
The researcher, showing a face of understanding, revealed his own clearance level was C. It seemed there was quite a bit of information even he couldn’t access. She realized that there weren’t as many B-level personnel as she’d thought, and the irritating figure she knew was indeed a high-ranking official.
This realization brought her a secondary wave of disillusionment.
“Just a moment.”
<Yes.>
“Who will manage the SCPs while I’m away?”
This was an important question.
While other SCPs might be less concerning, the Transparent Jelly Eraser and the Cotton Doll needed daily management.
<We plan to assign other test subjects.>
“Oh…”
<Why do you ask?>
Marie thought of the tentacles that had long since ceased to pay attention to the bottled water and the cotton doll that had started to wait in front of the door and cling to her legs instead of the pile of plush dolls.
Reluctantly, she realized that she was forming an attachment, of sorts, to the SCPs.
“Is it going to be okay?”
But what if another manager was suddenly assigned?
Researcher Connor shrugged his shoulders at Marie’s concern.
<That’s a matter for the test subject.>
A cold, unfeeling response, typical of someone from the Foundation.
* * *
The path to the E-Section was not difficult. The waiting room took care of everything. In fact, it was more accurate to say she was simply transported, not knowing the way.
On her first day, Marie donned the protective suit provided in the waiting room and shuffled toward the door that opened in sync with the announcement.
<<E-19>>
