Link to article: fragment:scp-8718-2.
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||~ **RAISA NOTICE:** You are currently reading the most up to date version of SCP-8718. All iterations have been codified and all staff are to study all iterations of SCP-8718 in detail prior to any operations on the African continent. Updates will be made in the case of further escalation.|| [[include :scp-wiki:component:anomaly-class-bar-source |item-number= scp-8718 |clearance= 1 |container-class= keter |disruption-class= ekhi |risk-class= danger ]] ------ **Special Containment Procedures:** All Foundation forces are to remain outside of the exclusion zone as dictated by the Southern African Anomalies Agency (S3A) until further notice. S3A disinformation campaigns are to be supported until further notice. MTF Theta-4 (“Gardeners”) are to begin research into the source of anomalous vines used in the manufacture of SCP-8718-1 and SCP-8718-2. Under no circumstances are Foundation personnel to attempt to approach SCP-8718 or any -1 or -2 instances. Further containment procedures to be decided on pending O5 Council review. **Description:** For the purpose of clarity, this version of SCP-8718 is designated SCP-8718-2. SCP-8718-2 is an eigenweapon of indeterminate size. While measuring both its size and range is possible, access to SCP-8718-2 is currently prohibited by the S3A. Due to its ambulatory nature, SCP-8718-2 is considered highly dangerous, and reliance on further covert operations will be necessary before engaging in further hostilities with the S3A. ------ +++ Addendum 102330CA At 06:00 EST, 23 October 2030 EST, a communication was received from the Southern African Anomalies Agency (S3A). Their communication made no attempt to establish diplomatic channels, nor to provide any updates regarding the wellbeing of the Foundation staff in their custody. The S3A had also ignored all communications since Provisional Site ZA1 was lost. The use of spy satellites was approved on 22 October 2030, and current imaging suggests the S3A is dismantling the site. Further meetings were scheduled for later in the day to further investigate the situation, but the nature of the S3A communication gave it priority. [[collapsible hideLocation="both" show="+ NOTE: Excerpt 102330CA-1" hide="- Close"]] > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **O5-5:** There is just no way we can allow this. Even if they weren't threatening to break the Masquerade, even if they didn't just show us they have superweapons, this escalation in their capabilities... We //can't// allow this. > > **O5-11:** That's true. They're brazen. Very brazen. Is that really the kind of attitude we want governing one of the most politically unstable regions in the world? > > **O5-7:** There's something to be said for self-determination. > > **O5-5:** Never at the cost of normalcy. And let's not start talking like they have anything to say about any part of this world just yet. They govern nothing. > > **O5-4:** They've taken //prisoners.// There's no way we can't respond now. And they've given us exactly the locations to look. Their capital cities. > > **O5-11:** A reductive argument, but not without merit. The truth right now remains that we don't actually know enough about what - or whom - is fueling them to make any educated decision. If they have the capacity to rollout forces, we're going to need to know more. > > **O5-7:** I agree. Self-determination or not, these people could actually be a second Insurgency like the GOC fears. Speaking of - what's al Fine got to say about all this? > > **O5-2:** She all but said "I told you so" and then told me they're moving a bunch of covert forces into the region. Tanks will follow soon. They're using a lot of African conflicts to mask things right now. Valravn is doing the same. Picking up contracts like crows. > > **O5-6:** Creating a crisis for our misinformation teams while profiting. Shocking. Are we going to try to talk to them again? > > **O5-2:** //Sighs.// I think that's for the best, to be honest. Even if it's at the end of a barrel, the S3A is going to break the Masquerade if we keep up with this approach. They let vine monsters loose on the facility in broad daylight when the nearest town isn't all that far away. > > **O5-11:** Well, the sooner we find the heads of this hydra the sooner we'll be able to get the threat of the -1 instances out of the way. Then we can go back to trying to steal the plant. > > **O5-4:** Search and destroy, rather than search and rescue, then? > > **O5-5:** Ideally, //both//. > > **O5-:6** And then what? The S3A isn't going away! > > **O5-11:** If the heads of the hydra are gone, we may just bring them to heel. > > **O5-1:** Enough. Let's get this vote out of the way before things escalate out there. > > **END LOG** > ------ > [[/collapsible]] ------ > **To:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **From:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **Subject:** > ------ > To the esteemed Administrator and O5 Council of the SCP Foundation, > > The Southern African Anomalies Authority (S3A) would like to extend to you a warm greeting and thanks for the hard work the SCP Foundation and all her affiliates have put in to ensuring the continued existence of peace and normalcy on a global scale. > > However, considering the current state of relations between our two organisations, we have determined that an early rollout of S3A operations across the Southern African continent is in order. To this end, we have identified a number of organisations that we do not feel match the spirit and intent of our mission of peace and cooperation between the anomalous and the mundane. As such, the S3A will no longer tolerate a Foundation, Global Occult Coalition or Valravn Corporation presence in regions under the protection of the S3A. > > We proudly extend our protection to South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi and Madagascar and all territories owned by these countries. > > The S3A would like to make it clear that we are aware of the ongoing operations of Foundation operatives on the Southern African continent, but we will be claiming the purview of managing anomalous activity in this region over the coming weeks. > > In our view, the Foundation's normalcy is restrictive and counter to both the progress of Africa and the human race. > > We thank you for your prior service, but we now humbly insist upon the removal of all your operatives before the end of the week or further action will be taken. We do hope for amiable relations in the future and we look forward to your positive returns. > > Kindest regards, > The S3A Custodial Council > > ------ ||||~ O5 Council Meeting Adjourned: 08:46, 23 October 2030, EST || ||~ Outcome || Threat Level Maintained. || ||||~ Action Points || ||~ MTF Command|| Establish Joint Task Force || ||~ MTF Command|| MTF Pi-1 (“City Slickers”) mobilized to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Gaborone, Windhoek, Lusaka, Bulawayo and Lilongwe. || ||~ MTF Command || Safe houses to be immediately restocked and covert supply lines into Southern Africa are to be secured for future use. Reconnaissance missions in Southern Africa authorized.|| ||~ Department of External Affairs || Response to ignore questions of jurisdiction and to maintain pressure regarding the prisoners.|| ------ +++ Addendum 102330CB The Southern African Anomalies Agency did not provide further information regarding any of the prisoners, but did assure the Foundation of their safety. They immediately reiterated their aforementioned demands and no further contact was received. On 24 October 2030, a delegation was formed from Foundation and GOC representatives and a request for diplomatic relations was once again made, but this request went unanswered. As a result, MTF Command authorized the deployment of reconnaissance units across the Southern African continent to search for S3A facilities and to deploy paratech scanning drones to search for thaumaturgic activity. The O5 Council placed further attempts at diplomacy on hold pending further information from MTF Pi-1. ------ > **To:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **From:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **Subject:** MTF Pi-1 ("City Slickers") Abridged Report - 25 October 2030. > > ------ > **ATTENTION:** Overwatch Command and MTF Command. > > Observations of S3A movements have confirmed a full deployment of Southern African Anomalies Agency vehicles in all capitals within their stated jurisdiction. **No public anomalous activity has been confirmed and the Masquerade remains intact.** > > However, the S3A has been publicly operating as the Southern African Aid Agency, with a humanitarian mission aimed at making a more prosperous future for Africa and its people. > > It is the assessment of Pi-1 Command that the following is true: > > * The S3A acts with clear acceptance of the anomalous and aims to integrate the anomalous into society under a veil of misdirection and disinformation. > * The S3A makes use of widespread disinformation campaigns to maintain the Masquerade. > * The S3A has multiple donors, predominantly from within governments and the corporate sector. > * No known anomalous GOI has confirmed that they are an S3A donor. > * No S3A offices accessible to the public have any known anomalous nature or intent. > * The location of the prisoners remains unknown. > * SCP-8718-1 instances have been spotted moving outside of cities, but no sightings by civilians have been confirmed. > > It is the belief of Pi-1 Command that the S3A intends to break to Masquerade through a slow eroding of society's understanding of normalcy. > > The S3A also stands to generate immense goodwill within the local public due to their stated goal to assist with affordable food cultivation through the use of technology and has signed an agreement with a local grocery store chain in South Africa. > > It is unknown how the S3A achieved such largescale advancement in such a short time, but the City Slickers continue to investigate. > > Regards, > Pi-1 Command > ------ > [[collapsible hideLocation="both" show="+ Attached Excerpt - Cape Town Herald, 25 October 2030, front page." hide="- Close"]] > > > = **SOUTHERN AFRICAN ALLIED AUTHORITY: READY TO SERVE!** > = Today, the Southern African Aid Agency (S3A) began deploying their services across the southern reaches of the African continent. While initial reactions from the public were wracked with confusion, it quickly became clear that this new security alliance of southern African nations was here for more than just external security as they deployed to Mozambique and Madagascar to assist with disaster relief in the wake of tropical cyclones devasting the East African coast. > > = S3A Representatives declined to comment on the extent of their services available currently, stating that they were not at liberty to speak on the matters, but they have reassured all nations that they have placed the safety and upliftment of the African people first and foremost on their agenda. > [[/collapsible]] > ------ ------ +++ Addendum 102330CC At 11:00, 23 October 2030, a briefing with the Department of External Affairs was held with Overwatch Command regarding the Global Occult Coalition's response. Despite GOC High Command's general candor with the O5 Council, individual members of the GOC had expressed extreme concern at the sudden advancement of the Southern African Anomalies Agency. When pressed, no African member organizations of the GOC were able to provide further insight, stating that all communications with the S3A prior to 1 August 2030 had been standard operations as usual -- rudimentary updates on occult drug running and requests for assistance for investigations. GOC High Command confirmed that the Council of 108 had called for sanctions on the S3A as multiple members had received communications expelling them from multiple Southern African countries. In order to maintain calm and prevent escalation by the member organizations, the GOC authorized multiple covert expeditions into the Southern African continent and requested direct assistance from the Foundation. Overwatch Command authorized the use of reconnaissance missions under a strict policy prohibiting hostile contact until further notice. MTF Command deployed vessels from MTF Theta-5 (“The Bigger Boat”) carrying reconnaissance aircraft from MTF Delta-45 (“Rolling Thunder”). Further calls to the S3A were made for diplomatic relations, but these went unanswered. By 12:30, 27 October 2030, the MTF joint task force arrived in Southern Africa and preliminary field reports were compiled. Below is a collection of notable findings from the days that followed with relevant excerpts attached. ------ > +++ Addendum 102730CC1 - Joint MTF Report - Abridged. > > **Date:** 29 October 2030 > **Location:** Over the Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia. > **Note:** Delta-45 recon flights identified a large number of distinct patterns similar to snake trails in the desert sand. These trails were determined to be fresh, but suggest anomalous movement of a large number of SCP-8718-1 units. No confirmed sightings of active SCP-8718-1 instances were made[[footnote]]The exact number of SCP-8718-1 instances in S3A control is currently unknown.[[/footnote]] and researchers speculate the pertinence of the images. > > **Date:** 31 October 2030 > **Location:** Krom River, Western Cape > **Note:** A group of seven students from the University of Cape Town were hiking along the Krom River as part of a Halloween themed getaway. All students were equipped with recording equipment and were able to capture an SCP-8718-1 instance on camera. These images surfaced on social media and Pi-1 was able to intercept and amnesticize all students. It is unconfirmed whether the S3A was aware of these posts. > > **Date:** 2 November 2030 > **Location:** Madagascar's southern coast. > **Note:** Theta-5 recon vessels noted multiple electrical arcs firing within the Madagascan jungle. No ships were able to determine the source of the electricity, but the S3A did issue a statement reassuring the public that the electrical storms in Madagascar had claimed no lives. > > **Date:** 7 November 2030 > **Location:** Lilongwe, Malawi. > **Note:** Pi-1 agents noted covert GOC operations targeting a local S3A safehouse on the outskirts of Lilongwe, Malawi. Pi-1 observed the assault from a safe distance and recorded their findings. GOC forces were forced to retreat. Both sides suffered heavy losses. > > **Date:** 8 November 2030 > **Location:** Northern Mozambique > **Note:** Images were received from a Delta-45 Recon unit, Sparrow 6, depicting wreckage within the Mozambican jungle. Further investigation confirmed the wreckage to be Valravn Corporation assets unassociated with the SCP-8718 mission. The battle site indicates the use of high voltage weaponry, with multiple trees having been damaged in the fight. Valravn did not confirm the purpose of these assets in Mozambique. > > **Date:** 11 November 2030 > **Location:** 228 miles west of Gaborone, Botswana. > **Note:** At 11:01 SAST, a Delta-45 recon mission deploying drones to the west of Gaborone, Botswana, came under attack by unknown forces. A blackbox emergency upload was initiated providing a detailed account of the attack. Further analysis of the footage is required, but transcripts have been recorded below. > > [[collapsible hideLocation="both" show="+ Incident Log 102730CC1C - Delta-45 Blackbox upload." hide="- Close"]] > **Note:** All three units are on a direct course for Gaborone with mobile hume readers tracking anomalous activity. Excerpt of transmission below. > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **Sparrow 2:** Sparrow Flight, check-in. Sound off. > > **Sparrow 3:** This is Sparrow 3. Greenlights across the board. Maintaining formation. > > **Sparrow 4:** Sparrow 4. All systems go. Maintaining formation. > > **Sparrow 2:** Copy 3. Copy 4. Maintain radio discip -- > > **Sparrow 3:** Sparrow 2, say again. We lost you there. > > **Sparrow 2:** I'm here. Just getting some strange hume readings off a drone. > > **Sparrow 4:** Copy 2. Confirmed. I've got them too. > > **Sparrow 3:** Copy. Do we need to investigate? > > **Sparrow 2:** I'm noting the direction it's coming from and forwarding it to command. They can decide. We've got our orders. > > **Sparrow 4:** Two, respectfully, I'm seeing these numbers and we should probably -- > > //Sparrow 3 explodes midflight. Shattered fuselage rains down on Sparrow 4 as they bank left to avoid debris.// > > **Sparrow 2:** BREAK! BREAK! EVASIVE MANEUVERS! > > **Sparrow 4:** Sparrow 3 is down! Repeat! Sparrow 3 is down! > > **Sparrow 2:** No visual on the bogey! > > **Sparrow 4:** Understood. Adjusting altitude. > > //Sparrow 4 begins to climb to regain altitude. Sparrow 2 is not visible on camera.// > > **Sparrow 4:** Hume levels dropping again! > > **Sparrow 2:** Copy! Same direction evasi-- > > **Sparrow 4:** Sparrow 2 say again! > > //Sparrow 4's camera picks up exploding wreckage. Sparrow 2's fuselage has been shattered into thousands of burning pieces.// > > **Sparrow 4:** Shit! SHIT! > > //Silence can be heard as Sparrow 4 begins working on the console in front of him, initiating the black box upload.// > > **Sparrow 4:** This is Sparrow 4 of Sparrow Flight. Beginning flight record upload. Sparrow 2 and 3 are down. No visuals on the bogey. Hume levels a-- > > //Contact is lost with Sparrow 4 and no further contact is received. Sparrow Flight is declared K.I.A.// > > **END LOG** > ------ > > [[/collapsible]] > > > ------ > Following the loss of Foundation forces, reconnaissance missions were placed on hold pending O5 Council deliberation. Escalation from the GOC proved a persistent problem, and it was noted by Pi-1 that the S3A's use of non-lethal force was declining. The attack in Lilongwe saw multiple casualties for the GOC, with an instance of SCP-8718-1 being confirmed on site. ------ ||||~ O5 Council Meeting Adjourned: 07:15, 12 November 2030, EST || ||~ Outcome || Clarification of Intent Necessary. || ||||~ Action Points || ||~ Department of External Affairs || Request PSYCHE assistance.|| ||~ Department of External Affairs || Request immediate clarification on the loss of Delta-45 units from S3A Custodial Council. || ||~ MTF Command || All major mounted operations to cease in S3A controlled territory till further notice.|| ||~ MTF Command || MTF Pi-1 (“City Slickers”) to continue covert operations in S3A controlled territory.|| ------ +++ Addendum 102330CD Following the loss of the Delta-45 reconnaissance units, the S3A responded to diplomatic calls from the Foundation for clarification on the event. The S3A agreed to send a delegation to Washington D.C. to meet with Foundation and GOC officials on the condition that GOC and Foundation operations in S3A controlled territories cease for 14 days to facilitate this roundtable meeting. The Global Occult Coaltion agreed with the blessing of the Council of 108 after multiple communications were dispatched from the Foundation to the Council of 108 member organizations. Despite this agreement, MTF Pi-1 continued to report GOC activity on S3A territory and ongoing aggressive ousting of GOC and Valravn controlled sites in Africa. Increased Chaos Insurgency activity was also noted throughout S3A controlled territory as well as along its borders, but the S3A denied any direct involvement and Pi-1 reports confirmed S3A strikes on known aggressive Chaos Insurgency cells in Mozambique. Upon arrival in Washington D.C., the S3A delegation was housed at the South African embassy. The South African ambassador did not involve himself in these negotiations, but noted to Foundation officials that the S3A were "welcome guests, doing Africa proud." Government support for S3A operations in S3A territory has been almost uniformly positive, with the few exceptions citing private investment as a threat to S3A neutrality. External Affairs agent Tucker Bates was assigned to assist GOC PSYCHE Division representative in negotiating the return of Foundation and GOC captives[[footnote]]The Valravn Corporation neglected to engage in these discussions citing the loss of personnel as predicted staff costs.[[/footnote]]. > +++ Interview Log 112030CD1 > ------ > **Time:** 11:30 EST, 20 November 2030 > **Location:** South African Embassy, Washington D.C. > **Foundation Delegate:** Tucker Bates, Department of External Affairs > **GOC Delegate:** Theresa Parsons, PSYCHE Division > **S3A Delegation Head:** Zama Msimango, Director of Communications > **S3A Delegation Assistant:** Wynand Malan, S3A Research and Development > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **Malan:** First of all, you pronounced my named wrong. It's pronounced Vay-nund, not Wine-and. And you can call me Mr. Malan. Zama, maybe you should lead? > > **Bates:** I'm sorr- > > **Msimango:** I am Zama Msimango, Head of S3A Public Relations. This is my colleague and representative from the R&D division, Wynand Malan. It's a pleasure to meet you. > > **Bates:** Uh, yes, well, I'm Tucker Bates, I'm from Foundation External Affairs. This is Theresa Parsons, representing the GOC from their PSYCHE Division. > > **Parsons:** A pleasure. > > **Malan:** I'm sure! Nice to meet you! I probably should have packed warmer, hey? > > **Msimango:** You knew it was going to be cold. You just wanted to shop more. But we can't digress already. We have business to attend to. Mr. Bates, are you alright? > > **Bates:** Yeah, yeah, I am. I'm just not used to such a bright personality in these kinds of situations. > > **Msimango:** I'm curious to know what kind of situation you think we're in here. > > **Malan:** Pretty interesting one, that's for sure. > > **Parsons:** I think we're in a situation //you// created. And frankly we'd like to know how. > > **Bates:** The sudden step the S3A has taken onto the world stage is a question on a lot of people's minds right now. The anomalous world is wondering where all this is coming from, but most importantly, we need hostilities to cease. Immediately. > > **Msimango:** I'm not sure either the Foundation or the GOC know what the word "immediately" means, Mr. Bates. We requested that all your forces be removed from our territory with immediate effect and what did you do? > > **Malan:** They gave me an excellent test run for the Impi[[footnote]]Zulu: a regiment, army, group of warriors.[[/footnote]] units. Thanks for that. Those ones weren't even fully grown! At least you know we've got the tech to take over your job here in Africa. > > **Bates:** Y- you attacked and kidnapped our operatives; the Foundation isn't handing over any operations until we at least know they're coming home. We're not handing over operations at all. > > **Parsons:** //Any// handover will be negotiated with the Global Occult Coalition's blessing and you can forget about it, honestly! The //Southern African Aid Agency// declared war on normalcy. > > **Msimango:** You have no idea who we are, what we stand for or what our methods are. You're making big accusations when this is supposed to be a delegation where we can find a mutual understanding. > > **Malan:** If we're going to be sharing space on, at least, the global scale, we may as well get along. > > **Parsons:** Sharing space? Mr. Malan, I don't think you understand why we're here. > > **Msimango:** You want us to sign away our rights to self-determination. Most likely, you two are hoping to fight over who //we// will end up working for. Isn't that right? > > **Malan:** Probably with some not-so-veiled threats of war. > > **Bates:** We're here to negotiate the safe return of our operatives. The sooner we get that out of the way the sooner we can sort this mess out. > > **Parsons:** And maybe we shouldn't be mentioning war. I don't think the S3A will enjoy that conversation. > > **Malan:** I mean wars are costly and we do prefer to do things a bit more above board, but I'm pretty sure we can give you a run for your money. The Mkhonto Wabantu project is already being field tested. By the way, have you tried one of the bagels? They're delicious! > > **Parsons:** Mkhon - > > **Msimango:** Spear of the People. Wynand here really is doing Africa proud with his work. > > **Bates:** That's what got our recon flights, wasn't it? > > **Parsons:** He's not just from R&D is he? > > **Msimango:** Project Lead on all this, actually. Grew the specimens, made the nanobots, did the thaumaturgy. > > **Malan:** Learned 3 languages... > > **Parsons:** That's very impressive, but you're going to start cooperating with GOC operations or consequences will follow. > > **Msimango:** No, you will leave immediately or we will remove you. After all, while you were dying in the dark, we were building. Mr. Bates, Miss Parsons, neither of you came here today in good faith. So, is there really anything more to speak about? When you want to take the S3A seriously and actually learn about us, contact us again; we will make sure your queries about your prisoners are raised with the Custodial Council. Now then, we're done here. > > **Bates:** I be- > > **Malan:** Let me show you the way. > > **END LOG** > ------ ------ +++ Addendum 112230CE After the failure of the delegation to secure information regarding the wellbeing of the captured Foundation operatives, further attempts at diplomacy were suspended. All Pi-1 operatives present in S3A territory noted a marked decline in S3A activity in the days leading up to and following the S3A roundtable meeting. Pi-1 operatives adhered to the temporary ceasefire, passively observing established channels to prevent any escalation in hostilities. Global Occult Coalition operatives were repeatedly observed violating the ceasefire, with increased strikes on S3A facilities following the meeting occurring in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Protests from the local African governments were met with reassurances from the GOC that the S3A was a terrorist, paramilitary organization and all support provided to them would be seen as a threat to normalcy on a global scale. The O5 Council issued a joint statement to the GOC High Command that further escalation by the GOC may result in a Broken Masquerade scenario. This statement received no response from any GOC member organization, but the S3A did send word to the Foundation that some captured Foundation operatives were to be released as a sign of good faith. The O5 Council immediately instructed these operatives to be collected, medically and psychologically assessed and appropriately debriefed. On 1 December 2030, these survivors reported in from the shores of Florida using Foundation issued equipment taken from Provisional Site ZA1. It was confirmed that these were the operatives from the missing teams dispatched to Johannesburg and Cape Town. All staff were in good health, with those that had been wounded in the exchanges with the S3A having been attended to. The staff reported that their treatment had been firm, but civil and the S3A did not exert undue means to extract information from them. All staff were medically and psychologically cleared for service, but all staff have been referred to the Amnestics Department to be assessed for memory tampering. ------ +++ Addendum 120530CE No further engagement with the S3A was reported until 5 December 2030, when a Theta-5 reconnaissance vessel, FS Hang Ten, was deployed into S3A territory with clearance from the O5 Council after picking up radio chatter from a GOC vessel off the coast of Namibia indicating hostile intent after the alleged discovery of an S3A facility. The Hang Ten was directed to the location and instructed to maintain widespread open comms to ensure early warning of S3A arrival. At 15:28 SAST, the Foundation confirmed sighting the GOC vessel, Reliant, heading due south. Early attempts to de-escalate the GOC vessel from its course of action were ignored and the Department of External Affairs attempted emergency intervention with GOC officials to prevent further hostile engagement. All calls for de-escalation were ignored, and the Hang Ten was instructed to follow at a safe distance until S3A submarine, Barracuda, intercepted their course. The following engagement was broadcast on open comms. ------ > +++ Incident Log: 120530CE1 > **Date:** 5 December 2030 > **Location:** Off the coast of Namibia. > **Note:** The exact location of the submarine was unable to be ascertained for targeting purposes due to thaumaturgic interference, but the Hang Ten was able to determine a rough location using standard scanning devices. Targeted combat was deemed infeasible by Foundation staff. > > ------ > > **Barracuda:** Barracuda to Reliant and Hang Ten, you are trespassing in restricted waters protected by the S3A. Please state your business immediately or standby for further action. > > **Hang Ten:** Hang Ten to Barracuda, we are maintaining a trailing course for research purposes. We request non-engagement, repeat, we request non-engagement. > > **Reliant:** Reliant to Barracuda, copy. > > **Barracuda:** Reliant, repeat, you are in -- > > **Reliant:** We heard you, Barracuda. Please, stand down and surface. You are under arrest by order of the Global Occult Coalition. > > **Barracuda:** Reliant, you are not taking us seriously. Please, stand down and relinquish your vessel. > > **Reliant:** Barracuda, if you are not willing to co-operate we will be forced to escalate. > > **Barracuda:** Reliant, please confirm, are you not leaving? > > **Reliant:** Repeat: you will surface and relinquish your vessel. > > //The Barracuda closes open communication and hails the Hang Ten directly. The Reliant also closes comms and crew deck activity increases in response to what is theorized was a red alert.// > > **Barracuda:** Barracuda to Hang Ten, your request for non-engagement is acknowledged. Please, make your way to the edge of the exclusion zone. > > //Movement can be seen on the coast, and what appears to be immense vines drag themselves over the sand dunes[[footnote]]Initial estimates place each vine at longer than 100m, suggesting this is the Mkhonto Wabantu project referred to by Mr. Malan.[[/footnote]] conglomerating into a large mass.// > > **Hang Ten:** Barracuda, please, do not fire. We are not here to -- > > **Barracuda:** Copy that, Hang Ten. We will escort you to the edge of the exclusion zone. Navigational vectors will be transmitted shortly. > > //The Reliant's main guns begin to take aim at the mass of vines on the shore as the vines begin to take shape. Large anchor vines entrench themselves in the earth, while others unravel above to form a long track unfurling with crackling electricity. SCP-8718-2 drones loudly as electricity builds within its core, super heating a projectile.// > > **Barracuda:** Coordinates transmitted. Please proceed immediately. > > //With an immense crack, SCP-8718-2 fires and the Reliant is struck at close range. The shot immediately breaches the hull, shattering the superstructure of the ship and igniting the fuel tanks. Fire erupts from the side of the Reliant and she begins to take on water. Sirens blare across the ocean and the Hang Ten receives distress calls from the Reliant.// > > **Barracuda:** Hang Ten, please proceed to the edge of the exclusion zone. The S3A has rescue vessels inbound. > > **Hang Ten:** C-Copy, Barracuda. > > ------ > After the destruction of the Reliant, the GOC ceased further mounted operations in S3A territory, but Foundation operatives confirmed a marked increase in covert operations. The events off the coast of Namibia raised no questions from the public and the Masquerade was determined to be intact. The O5 Council opted for further diplomatic options to prevent any further losses. The S3A agreed to a second roundtable to establish a clearer path forward for both organizations. ------ > +++ Interview Log 120530CF > > ------ > > **Time:** 11:30, 11 December 2030 > **Location:** South African Embassy, Washington D.C. > **Foundation Delegation Head:** Tucker Bates > **S3A Delegation Head:** Zama Msimango > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **Bates:** Not much of a roundtable if it's just the two of us, eh? Where's your ray of sunshine? > > **Msimango:** Wynand is hunting for a coat, I believe. Where's your attack dog? > > **Bates:** Wherever she is, she's not happy with you. I can say that much. > > **Msimango:** Let her be unhappy. I'm sure by now the African affiliates over at the GOC are sweating to give answers. > > **Bates:** I'm sure you'll have something to say about why they don't have any. > > **Msimango:** Because there are none to give. We started as nothing and grew in the shadows, slowly, so we could stand in the light, safely. Mr. Bates, you can dig as much as you want. You will find answers, but I assure you that the Foundation's hegemony over the anomalous has galvanized more people than you think. > > **Bates:** Yeah, well, I just wanna know how you did it, honestly. You couldn't have done it alone. We know that much. You hid in //someone's// shadow, that's for damn sure. The scale that you guys rolled out on... that's anomalous on its own. You didn't work alone. > > **Msimango:** Whatever act this is, it's not going to work. I'm not going to feed you information, Mr. Bates. The S3A asked you to leave, why is that not enough? > > **Bates:** The Foundation has always been the best suited to keeping anomalies contained and normalcy protected. We weren't going to risk something like an anomalous source of electricity falling into the wrong hands. > > **Msimango:** //Wrong// hands? Do you mean African hands? Or hands that will use it to solve problems and not make profits? > > **Bates:** We don't know anything about where this thing comes from. It's clearly dangerous and you have no proven track record of being able to deal with any of this. > > **Msimango:** //Laughing.// Mr. Bates, we grew a giant railgun with it. Do you think we don't know whether it's dangerous or not? Stop pretending like you care either way. I've seen the research that was going on at your //Provisional Site ZA1// and there wasn't even a footnote questioning where it came from or how it occurred. Someone scribbled "eco-gestalt event" in a margin and the rest just nodded and went back to finding out how to grow it or milk it for money. > > **Bates:** We are getting off track here. Let's try to cover the rest of the hostages before we kill each other. That and negotiations about that railgun of yours. We need to know more. > > **Msimango:** I believe that's what the previous meeting was supposed to be about, but fine. Your hostages will be returned to you and you will respect an exclusion zone as dictated by us. > > **Bates:** That's outside the range of that railgun of yours, right? > > **Msimango:** The range of the Spear of the People is not what we'd use to dictate the length of an exclusion zone. This isn't medieval times, Mr. Bates, please. > > **Bates:** I'm sure. Listen. You want to share space, but you're showing us you have a weapon that can attack at that much range, with that much accuracy; you're going to have to understand worries about your intent when we have concerns that you're not addressing. Are you going to put us outside of or inside of the range of that gun? > > **Msimango:** Upset us and find out, but just know that we aren't going to be playing by your rules moving forward. And when the commercial units of our invention hit the stores, it'll be a lot easier for us to fund resistance to whatever tantrum the O5s throw at us. So, inside or outside of the range of our weaponry won't matter all that much. > > **Bates:** Commercial units? You're just telling me you're going to sell paratech to the public? And you criticized us for whatever it was they were studying at our site. > > **Msimango:** Mr. Bates. I'm telling you that the S3A is going to make the anomalous so much a part of the day-to-day for the everyman that you'll be shifting your understanding of what anomalous even is. And when people have their own source of electricity just growing in their backyards they aren't going to ask too many questions when the occasional arc of electricity fires off into the ocean. > > **Bates:** And that thing destroying our ships is just going to be growing all around then? > > **Msimango:** Precisely. > > **Bates:** These are big statements you're making. The kinds of statements that start wars. > > **Msimango:** Except that's not why you're here. You're not here to speak to me because you're starting a war. You're here to, at the very least, start a //cold// war. > > **Bates:** ... > > **Msimango:** ... > > **Bates:** You know you're not too different from Valravn from what it sounds like to me. > > **Msimango:** We've been told that, except we are different from them. Aside from the obvious, we just choose to do better than them. To //be// better than them. Than you. > > **Bates:** So you're telling us that you won't be locking away anomalies? > > **Msimango:** Stop pretending that prisons don't exist. Every society has elements that need to be controlled. Harmless people minding their own business or who just need to learn how to control things, though? I feel like X-Men covered this. > > **Bates:** You know we can stop you, if we wanted to. > > **Msimango:** Anything you have that can stop us quickly risks breaking the Masquerade and you've already proven how good you are at the long game. Our weapon is already explained away in the public eye -- Africa has made some wonderful advances in nanotech don't you think? > > **Bates:** Paratech. > > **Msimango:** And some magic, too. > > **Bates:** So you're not even going to bother with classifications? You're just going to call it magic? > > **Msimango:** We're a young organization. We're working out the details. Now I believe we both have a lot more to discuss today, so let's save some bickering for later and get to actual work. The prisoners. > > **END LOG** > ------ > ------ +++ Addendum 121830CG Following the negotiations, the S3A set up a line of communication between the Foundation and the Foundation staff in S3A custody. All interactions were monitored by the S3A and no conversations were permitted to extend for longer than 30 minutes. Foundation staff were also instructed to engage with the families of the prisoners to ensure they remained calm. The families had been provided with cover stories involving an extended business trip and A.I. generated conversations with their family maintained calm. All imprisoned staff were instructed to peruse the transcripts of those conversations to bring themselves up to speed. If the cover story was not able to be maintained, the families would be amnesticized with false memories planted to maintain normalcy. On 18 December 2030, a number of distress beacons were activated along the eastern seaboard of the United States of America. When investigated, it was found that the S3A had covertly dropped off the captured agents. All agents were immediately collected and brought to Site 19 for medical examination and debriefing. Foundation agents that had been harmed in the attack on Provisional Site ZA1 had received medical treatment, and those whose hearing had been damaged by the sonic boom produced by the SCP-8718-1 instance had been implanted with experimental tympanic membrane implants. All staff reported that their hearing had returned, but the procedure they underwent was not consensual. These staff were remanded to medical care for further observation, and the implants are being studied. No agents have thus far exhibited negative side effects from undergoing this procedure. [[collapsible hideLocation="both" show="+ Excerpt 120530CG1 -- Excerpts of Debriefings" hide="- Close"]] > **Time:** 11:30, 20 December 2030 > **Location:** Site 19 > **Note:** Provisional Site ZA1's Command Team was debriefed by the Ethics Committee at the behest of Researcher Hollis. > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **Tran:** The reason we lost the site was because we were unprepared. It's that simple. > > **E-4:** You believe we underestimated them. > > **Tran:** I believe we were arrogant in our assumption that the S3A didn't have this in them. We even paid for assistance and then didn't listen to them. > > **E-4:** Are you referring to the Valkyrie unit, X62V? > > **Tran:** Yes. I sent a number of requests for reinforcements after the first time they attacked us, but Cull wouldn't hear about it. Sifvar advised him and he ignored her too. He called her a //thing// and told her things don't have opinions. When I pressed him on it he just said he wasn't going to waste money. > > **Morgan:** Cull was tight with the money from the start. > > **E-4:** How exactly? It's all good and well you say this, but how? A powerful anomaly has been lost and if there were any missteps that you know of you can't afford to be vague about it. > > **Morgan:** He was asking me to reverse engineer the S3A electrical weapons. Quickly, and with none of the equipment I needed. He asked if I wasn't smart enough for the job. I've got a PhD. Of course, I can draw up the designs, but I can't analyze the materials by staring at them. > > **E-4:** Fair enough. > > **Hollis:** I try not to whine, but it got in the way of quality controls at time. He wasn't letting us source nutrient mediums from anywhere other than the cheapest place we could find. That could affect the overall efficacy of the electrogenesis, making it weaker or erratic or whatever. > > **E-4:** Anything else? > > **Tran:** If we had the operatives we needed down there, we could have held them off or smuggled a cutting out. Instead, they closed the net on us so quickly we didn't even know we were trapped. I asked for a thaumaturge after the first attack, and Cull wouldn't even escalate the request. > > **Morgan:** Working for him wasn't easy, and I think I speak for all of us when we say we'd prefer a transfer than returning to this project with him. > > **E-4:** I see. Well, we'll need to have this assessed by the entire Ethics Committee. It sounds like we've got something like a case here. > > **END LOG** > ------ [[/collapsible]] At 06:00, 25 December 2030, EST, Overwatch Command declared the S3A territories to be a high threat to the Masquerade, but that cooperation with the S3A was to be maintained for the foreseeable future. All operations in S3A territories were declared highly dangerous and restricted purely to black ops. The Valravn Corporation was formally compensated for the loss of X62V to maintain relations, and Director Cull faces Ethics Committee investigation. [[collapsible hideLocation="both" show="+ Excerpt 120530CG2 - O5 Council Meeting." hide="- Close"]] > > ------ > **BEGIN LOG** > > **O5-6:** It's over, Two! > > **O5-2:** We can't leave this plant in their fucking hands. We need to get control of it! > > **O5-6:** And we can! Just let us talk to them. God! If we keep on trying to infiltrate their territory, we're going to end up breaking the Masquerade faster than if we didn't! > > **O5-5:** Six is right. The GOC's going too far. > > **O5-4:** I beg your pardon? You don't want to keep fighting? > > **O5-5:** The S3A disinformation campaigns are holding. People aren't really questioning it. And if they are, it's not vocal. Until we know more, we can't risk this. > > **O5-7:** Yes, the City Slickers are reporting it's basically a normal day in Africa for most places. Nobody is asking questions about the //electrical storms//, or any kind of large creatures moving around. It's like the African people couldn't care less if there's an anomalous world or not. > > **O5-6:** Bigger problems, probably. > > **O5-4:** More pressing concerns, I'd say. > > **O5-2:** I can't believe what I'm hearing. So we're just going to //let// them do this? Slowly erode the masquerade while profiting off it? > > **O5-5:** There's a new normal now, Two. They're here and we have to deal with them. > > **O5-4:** And it's a normal that's holding. For now. > > **O5-7:** For now, indeed. > > **O5-5:** But it's a normal that we don't have to break. The Masquerade //must// come first. And frankly, Two, if we let you and your buddies over at the GOC keep pushing like this, you're gonna break it. > > **O5-7:** The S3A will also be profiting off anomalies, which continues to place the Masquerade at risk. We can't just let them run wild. > > **O5-11:** We won't. A truce doesn't have to mean we play with an open hand. > > **O5-2:** Jesus! > > **O5-1:** Two! > > **O5-2:** I guess I'll make sure the GOC is updated. > > **O5-7:** Tell the 108 we'll do our best to -- > > **O5-6:** Four and I worked on some notes for a formal communication with the S3A Custodial Council. We'd like to lead the communications efforts from now on. > > **O5-1:** Thank you, Six. We'll need to address our staff about this as well. This has been dragging on for long enough, I think. It's time we introduce this new normal, I'd say. > > **END LOG** > ------ > [[/collapsible]] ------ > **To:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **From:** [[span class="black-bar"]]EMAIL ADDRESS REDACTED[[/span]] > **Subject:** Southern African Anomalies/Aid Agency > > ------ > **ATTENTION:** All staff. > > In recent months, many of you will have been made aware of a sudden upscaling in S3A activity across the southern portions of the African continent. Rumors have been circulating regarding the capabilities and the risk of an Eighth Occult War. Today, we shall address these rumors. > > In the past, the S3A has proven to be behind the times, lacking funding and expertise to manage their own anomalous affairs. That time has passed. It is unclear how the S3A has achieved the growth that they have, but further investigations into their origins are ongoing. > > The S3A is currently capable of anomalous warfare on par with our own capabilities, but lack the willingness to preserve the Masquerade at all costs. To that end, we do consider the S3A a high threat to the Masquerade, but we do not consider them a threat to Foundation operations at this time. Throughout our dealings, the S3A has remained cordial and professional, and we shall extend to them that same courtesy on all official matters until further notice. > > Make no mistake, the SCP Foundation's tolerance of the S3A in no way supports their directives, and preservation of the Masquerade remains our singular focus. S3A agents found to be in violation of or a threat to the Masquerade are to be detained. > > This new normal will be tenuous, but we will prevail. The S3A can be reasoned with, and they will join the fold or, like those that came before, they will be brought to heel. > > Be ever vigilant. > **O5-6 and the O5 Council.** > **Secure. Contain. Protect.** ------ ||||~ O5 Council Meeting Adjourned: 06:47, 25 December 2030, EST|| ||~ Outcome || Threat level reduced. || ||||~ Action Points || ||~ Department of External Affairs || Establish task force to begin negotiations with S3A in earnest. Priority: Peaceful integration with Foundation ideals.|| ||~ MTF Command || Establish long term surveillance plan for S3A territories. || ||~ MTF Command || Establish contingency plans in case of S3A aggression.|| ||~ MTF Command || Investigate Chaos Insurgency/S3A associations.|| ||~ MTF Command || Investigate S3A origins.|| ||~ MTF Command || Infiltrate S3A member nation governments.|| ||~ MTF Command || Begin monitoring all exports from S3A member nations for anomalous cargo and intercept accordingly.|| ------