章節 110: Testing Natasha -106
Natasha sat out to begin her task. She carefully read through the information available to her, which was a considerable amount.
She knew that this test was important and had a personal curiosity about these SCP cases, which meant she worked seriously and enjoyed her work, a good combination indeed.
After reading what she could about the containment protocol, she began inspecting the work being done. She was fairly confident that there had been some traps for her somewhere in this assignment. Now, her task was to find out what their traits were so she could point them out at the end.
This meant that she had to ensure that their work was up to standard and also determine whether something was missing or wrong overall. She had to make her own judgment based on the information given.
She personally inspected the work being done around the beached vessel, ensuring that it was built high and sturdy enough. Then, she had to consider whether it was, in fact, high enough or even too high.
She doubted they would truly break protocol just to test her, but it was entirely possible that the protocol she had been given was filled with inconsistencies compared to the real work being done.
As she interviewed the people working on setting up the perimeter and the surveillance, she found nothing out of the ordinary. Everything seemed to fit as it should, and nothing seemed lacking.
Yet Graves kept following her around like a shadow in a way that clearly told her she was still missing something. Yet she couldn't figure out what it was. After a few more rounds and a few extra looks at the SCP object itself, she returned to the command center.
She looked around for clues—anything at all that could help her figure out what she was missing. She then noticed some maps on a table—nothing special, just showing the area, including a red ring showing what area they were closing off.
Nothing special at all, yet Natasha couldn't help but go closer and study the map in detail. She then quickly looked back at the file she had been given and compared some data.
"I'm ready to give my report." She said to Graves, who stood right behind her.
"Is that so? Then why don't you go ahead?"
"The containment protocol isn't designed for this area. It's clearly designed with another geographic area in mind. Therefore, the new area needs to be assessed for risks, and the protocol and procedure needs to be amended for the local area."
As she made her report she knew she was correct from the smile on Graves' face. As she continued on and came up with her suggestions, he also nodded along as she spoke.
"You are indeed correct; now, can you tell me why this is the case?" Graves asked yet another question, this one a far easier one.
"That is due to the CK-class scenario, which caused the Foundation to lose control of many of the SCP objects in containment; this protocol is from before that event."
"Can you tell me what a CK-class event is, Romanoff?"
Natasha adjusted her stance slightly, her eyes locking with Graves as she responded to his question. "A CK-class scenario refers to a restructuring event where the fundamental nature of reality or its laws are altered in a manner that affects global consensus."
Graves, for one, just nodded while remaining silent while she spoke. "very good. Do you have any questions or comments, or are you ready to finish your report?"
"Yes, this new addendum mentions the 169 exclusionary zone. Am I allowed to know about this 169?"
"SCP-169 is a Keter class object with level five on the disruption scale and level five on the risk call scale as well. Normally, you wouldn't be allowed to know about this object, but I have been given permission to give you access to the file only if you request that."
Hearing Graves's answer, Natasha was in a bind. Should she ask? Was this another test? However, she had to admit that hearing about how dangerous this SCP is, she really did want to know more.
Natasha knew that the Foundation didn't like people asking questions, but this didn't feel like one of the situations where she would be forbidden from asking. Yet, given that this was a test, anything could go.
"I would like to access the file on SCP-169," she decided, her tone resolute. She decided to take the risk and ask, figuring that more information would only serve to enhance her ability to judge the containment protocol for this object.
Graves nodded in response to Natasha's request, his expression unreadable as he accessed the secure database on his tablet. After a few taps, he handed the device to her. "Go on, take your time; it is both an interesting and scary read."
Taking the tablet with a nod, Natasha sat down and started to read, her expression changing a few times to that of shocked and horrified as she read more about this object.
As Natasha delved deeper into the file on SCP-169, known as 'The Leviathan,' she discovered harrowing details about the entity's scale and potential impact. The creature, residing deep within the Earth's crust under the ocean, was of such immense size that it could cause truly horrific amounts of damage should it move.
The Foundation's containment efforts primarily focused on monitoring seismic activities and maintaining a strict no-go zone to prevent any unauthorized access or information leaks.
She realized just how an impossible mission it is to keep something like this contained. After all, how does one contain something the size of a continent? Reading about 169 truly did put things into a whole new perspective.
She had always known that human life was fragile, but now she was starting to understand how fragile humanity as a whole was.
The Foundation had shown her that there were great dangers out there, but it also made her feel that someone was in control of things and that as long as they worked hard, they would be able to protect the world.
Now, however, she was starting to realize that even the Foundation itself could be powerless against some of these anomalies.
The file also contained more than just information about SCP-169. It also had a list of items, events, people, or organizations that were considered to pose the biggest risk to the safe containment of the object.
This part of the briefing underscored a complex web of geopolitical and paranormal threats that made the Foundation's job not just a matter of containment, but also a constant battle of wits and influence against those who would seek to destabilize the precarious balance.
She had to admit that she didn't think it wrong to see Shield, Hydra or even the US government on the list. She could easily imagine that should they learn of the threat, they would try to get rid of it. Which would likely cause the creature to wake up and, therefore, cause the very XK-class event they wanted to prevent.
She understood why they needed this 169 exclusionary zone to keep people from finding out about it, but she still didn't understand how they could keep it secret. "Should it be possible to see outlines of this from space?"
"A good question; there are two reasons that haven't happened yet. The first is due to the depth and placement of the entity, making its shadow hard to make out from that of the continent itself. The other reason is that we have a back door into every satellite currently in orbit."
Graves' explanation added another layer of complexity to the situation, revealing the extent of the Foundation's influence and operational capabilities. "We can manipulate satellite feeds when necessary, we can make them see what we want to avoid capturing anything that might expose SCP-169 or other sensitive objects."
The more she learned, the more impressed she became with the Foundation's abilities and reach; something like piggybacking every satellite couldn't be easy. Even more so since Shield has its own.
Shaking her head she returned her focus back to the file, taking the opportunity to absorb as much data as possible. Learning as much as she could given this rare chance to look at high level files.
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[Secret S.H.I.E.L.D facility]
[With Phil Coulson]
When Director Fury first assigned him this mission, he didn't know what to expect, but it hadn't been this. He had seen his fair share of 084 cases, but this thing was in a league of its own.
It was by all accounts a room made of flesh. It was also as dangerous as it was strange. So far they had lost a good two dozen people to this item.
They had quickly realized that going inside meant death, but it hadn't stopped people from dying; it just slowed it down a little.
People had been sucked into the damn item for a week straight until someone finally had the bright idea to connect the thing to an electrical socket. Which had indeed stopped it from acting out.
Now it just stood there, begging to be entered, yet thankfully, everyone was now smart enough to stay far away from it.
As Phil Coulson stood in the stark, dimly lit control room, his gaze fixed on the peculiar object contained behind the reinforced glass. The room made of flesh, as it had been described in the brief, lay dormant yet menacing—a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of object 084 cases.
The room buzzed softly with the hum of machinery and the occasional murmur of agents and scientists discussing their findings. The atmosphere was tense, heavy with the weight of uncertainty and the losses already endured. Coulson, with his usual calm demeanor, reviewed the latest reports. Despite the eerie quietude of the flesh roll since its electrification, the memory of the lost agents haunted everyone present.
"Have we made any progress on understanding its origin or purpose?" Coulson asked, turning to a nearby scientist who clutched a tablet filled with data graphs and historical comparisons.
"Not much, sir," the scientist replied, adjusting his glasses. "Its properties don't match any known extraterrestrial or mystical artifacts cataloged by S.H.I.E.L.D. or our allies. Electrification stopped its active phase, but we're still clueless about what triggered its dormant state."
Coulson nodded, his mind racing through potential implications. "And the fatalities? Any pattern or explanation in the way it... absorbed them?"
"It seems random, sir. No specific age, no commonality in genetic makeup or psychic potential. It just... took them. We're hypothesizing it could be a living trap, possibly a sentry or guardian, but without knowing who or what it's guarding against, we're shooting in the dark."
Coulson's eyes hardened as he considered the implications. The object wasn't just a danger; it was a mystery with no leads, a puzzle box that lured in the curious only to consume them. He turned to the observation window, his reflection faint against the glass that separated him from the flesh room.
"We need to keep this under wraps," he finally said, his voice low. "If word gets out about its existence or capabilities, there could be panic, or worse, attempts to use it from external entities."
The scientist nodded, marking down the order. "We'll continue with the current containment protocols and increase surveillance. Should we attempt another active phase analysis?"
Coulson considered this for a moment. "Prepare the proposal and the risk assessment. I want every possible outcome mapped out before we proceed. We can't afford more losses."
As the scientist left and he was once again on his own, he let out a deep sigh. This assignment was proving to be far more stressful than expected.
And that was even while there hadn't been any movements from this secret organization they were trying to bait. Maybe Fury had overestimated their ability. Because surely they wouldn't be able to find this place or know what they were keeping here.
'I almost want them to come, just so I can get rid of this damn death trap.' He thought to himself as he went back to his office, which was located as far away from the item as possible.
A/N
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