Link to article: SCP TV Pilot: Into the Deep End.
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[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] SCP: INTO THE DEEP END (PILOT) Written by trb456 Inspired by the SCP-Wiki: http://www.scp-wiki.net/ SCP-140 is by AssertiveRoland: http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-140 Sarkic Cults are influenced by the Sarkicism Hub by Metaphysician: http://www.scp-wiki.net/sarkicism-hub Plus many other SCP influences: thanks to sirpudding, Humanmale, and Zyn This derivative work is licensed under the Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode [[/=]] ---- = TEASER BLACK SCREEN: [[=]] VOICEOVER We will bring them forth, with blood and pestilence and fury. It cannot be stopped. It is only a matter of time. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. BIG RIG ON A US HIGHWAY ANGLE ON big rig heading down a US highway at dawn. We hear a tinny radio version of "Fast Freight" by The Kingston Trio. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CAB OF BIG RIG CLOSE SHOT on cab radio, then ANGLE ON DRIVER listening to music. (S)he notices something in the distance, and as we cut, the music becomes higher fidelity. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. POV FROM CAB We see a sign for a weigh station, whose light switches from "Closed" to "Open." Below the main sign is another reading: "Mile sponsored by: Society for Cetacean Protection". [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CAB OF BIG RIG Driver is noticeably perturbed. (S)he starts to turn the truck into the weigh station, as we... [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. WEIGH STATION WIDE SHOT of truck pulling in as an ATTENDANT waves the truck into a lane near a series of bays. The truck comes to a stop timed with the end of the musical phrase "If you go, you can't come back," around 1:15. Radio ends here (series background music may commence here). WIDE SHOT of Attendant near cab driver door. Door opens, then ANGLE ON each speaker in turn. Driver does not leave cab. [[=]] DRIVER What the hell? ATTENDANT New state regs. Random survey crap. 15 minutes, 20 tops. Over here. [[/=]] WIDE SHOT as Attendant points towards one of the bays. Driver closes door and maneuvers the big rig into the bay, which Attendant accompanies and SHOT FOLLOWS. CLOSE IN on door as it opens, driver exits cab, ANGLE ON each speaker in turn. [[=]] DRIVER Anywhere to get a cup of coffee at least? Long way to Fall River. ATTENDANT (takes notice, then smiling) Sure, I can put on a fresh pot. This way. [[/=]] WIDE SHOT as the two exit the bay heading towards the weigh station office, with SHOT remaining centered on the bay. CLOSE IN on Attendant's hand pushing a button on a device on his/er belt. Resume WIDE SHOT as they leave the area, as we see the bay doors closing, and the truck descending into the bay floor. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. TRUCK IN BAY OVERHEAD SHOT of truck descending down a large shaft. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. FOUNDATION SITE-76 LOADING BAY WIDE SHOT on a large industrial loading bay in Foundation Site-76, as the truck descends onto a loading pad. We see numerous personnel in various states of work. As the truck reaches the bottom, several Foundation GUARDS in hardshell carapace armor, armed with automatic rifles, converge towards the back of the trailer. CLOSE IN on the rear trailer door, as it springs open. We see a troop transport exit, rolling down a waiting ramp. SHOT FOLLOWS the transport as it maneuvers into a parking space, Guards following. ANGLE IN on transport door, surrounded by Guards. Door opens, and we see a succession of D-CLASS and Guards, alternating, exiting the transport. The D-Class (imprisoned Foundation test subjects) are garbed in orange jumpsuits and have a black bag completely enveloping their heads. Their hands are manacled behind their backs, and legs are also manacled but allow walking. One of the D-Class has black gloves covering their hands and wrists (GLOVED D-CLASS). The accompanying Guards are similarly equipped as their Site-76 counterparts. SHOT WIDENS as the Guards group the D-Class into rows. There are 12 D-Class in all, each with a Guard on their right. During this scene, the transport goes back to the truck and re-enters the cab. The cab rear door closes, and the truck ascends back up the shaft. This all happens in the background, suggesting a fast transfer, triggered by the Attendant above. Another group of 12 Guards from Site-76 joins the D-Class group, each Guard moving to the left of each D-Class. They now move forward, each pair of Guards ferrying their D-Class to a variety of holding cells, shown in a series of CUTS (groups splitting up at corridor junctions, marching down corridors, ferrying D-Class into cells). While this is happening, we hear the following over a site-wide intercom: [[=]] INTERCOM Alert. (CUT) Site-76 D-Class Loading Protocol is in effect. (CUT) Condition Yellow. (CUT) All Foundation personnel not involved in the Loading Protocol (CUT) are asked to clear corridors until the All Clear is sound. (CUT) Alert (repeats as needed) [[/=]] INT. OUTSIDE SITE-76 "CELL" DOOR At the final CUT, the two Guards ferrying the Gloved D-Class (OUTSIDE/INSIDE GUARD, corresponding to From Bus/From Site 76) stop in front of an apparent cell door. CLOSE IN on Inside Guard applying key card to door mechanism, which clicks open. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. SITE-76 DECOMMISSIONED LAB ANGLE IN on inside of door as the Inside Guard, Gloved D Class, and Outside Guard enter in that order. Inside Guard continues in, but Outside Guard stops short with Gloved D Class and expresses surprise. REVERSE ANGLE on Inside Guard, as we see what looks like a derelict lab (not a holding cell). He approaches a lab bench. Outside Guard begins speaking in this view, then immediately CUT BACK to ANGLE ON Outside Guard and Gloved D-Class. [[=]] OUTSIDE GUARD Hey, what's this? (CUT) Are you sure this is the right- [[/=]] Outside Guard is cut short by Gloved D-Class (still hooded), who swings its arms completely over its head as though its shoulders are on a ball joint, encircling Outside Guard's head and putting him/her into a chokehold with the manacles. CLOSE IN as Outside Guard struggles and loses consciousness. CUT BACK to Inside Guard, who places a small metal disk on the lab bench, as we hear (but do not see) the Outside Guard's body collapse and hit the floor. CLOSE IN on disk as Inside Guard touches the top, which causes the disk to glow deep blue and infuse the room with a dim blue hue. PROFILE SHOT as Inside Guard walks back to Gloved D-Class. Inside Guard bends over to undo the Gloved D-Class' leg manacles and speaks in a hushed tone. [[=]] INSIDE GUARD The jammer shuts off in 60 seconds, that's all we get. [[/=]] CLOSE IN on Gloved D-Class' hands. While Inside Guard keeps talking, Gloved D-Class squirms out of its arm manacles in an anomalous & unsettling fashion, tossing them aside. [[=]] INSIDE GUARD I've already logged you into your cell, no one should notice. [[/=]] WIDEN SHOT back to PROFILE. Inside Guard hands Gloved D-Class a key card. [[=]] INSIDE GUARD This gets you into the Keter Wing and the containment cell. (more slowly) Once you breach, you'll have a minute at most. (faster) That's it, I can't- [[/=]] Gloved D-Class suddenly grabs Inside Guard's head and snaps his/her neck instantly, letting him/her fall to the ground. WIDE ANGLED SHOT of Gloved D-Class with dead bodies on either side of it. ANGLE IN on Gloved D-Class so that torso and hands are in view, then slowly PAN DOWN to hands as it removes and drops gloves. Hands are anomalous humanoid hands and are covered in tattoos. PAN UP as hands remove head bag. As the bag comes off, we CUT TO BLACK, then... INT. CORRIDOR TO KETER WING TWO BLACK DISSOLVES as a figure walks into corridor from front of camera (like uncovering the camera lens). We gradually see the back of a Guard (the Gloved D-Class in stolen armor) approaching a corridor arch guarded by two GUARDS. REVERSE ANGLE to show approaching Gloved D-Class in full Foundation armor, wearing sunglasses and a very blank expression. It holds the key card in its (Foundation gloved) hand, and continues walking forward. CLOSE IN on wall panel showing a blue Foundation trefoil (a circle in circle with three inward pointing arrows at equal angles around the circle). Hand with card moves into frame and touches panel turning the trefoil green and sounding an acknowledgement chime. PAN UP to the back of the Gloved D Class, who continues walking through the arch. SHOT WIDENS as Gloved D-Class continues its walk, showing Guards oblivious to anything unusual... [[>]] CUT TO BLACK [[/>]] = ACT 1 INT. SECURITY HALL FOUNDATION SITE-76 HIGH SHOT of an enormous hall, with many types of personnel busily navigating the hall and adjacent corridors. The feel is one of a modern high-tech military research complex. We see the following text overlaid on the scene, in two lines: "Foundation Site-76";"Somewhere in the United States Midwest". In upper right corner of the shot we see 3 figures (among others) entering the scene, and we... [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] WIDE SHOT of Foundation AGENT SIMON GREY, flanked by 2 Foundation GUARDS, walking forward as the SHOT TRACKS BACK. As we shall learn over the course of the series, the Foundation is a global clandestine organization dedicated to securing and containing anomalous objects, beings, and phenomena, thereby protecting humanity and the world at large against a breach of "normalcy" (defined by the Foundation). Agent Grey is a Containment Specialist and Junior Agent for the Foundation. He is 54, wearing an ill-fitting jacket and fedora, carrying a messenger bag. He is a lifer, and works at Site-19, the Foundation's largest containment site. He is short on formal education, which makes him unusual compared to most expert Foundation personnel. But Grey makes up for this with experience and a gut instinct about anomalies. He seems more comfortable with the anomalous world than most people. Both these facts put some distance between Grey and many of his colleagues. CLOSE IN on Grey's face, looking distracted. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. AGENT KLIKS' OFFICE SITE-76 (FLASHBACK) In a flashback, we see Agent Grey in the Site-76 office of AGENT THEO KLIKSOFAKUS ("KLIKS"). Flashbacks all have slightly hazy borders in the overall shot. Kliks is a Senior Field Agent for the Foundation. He is 36, and is nattily dressed in a tailored suit and expensive shoes. Under his jacket is a shimmering waistcoat tailored from Foundation ballistic chainmail. Kliks carries a concealed sidearm and blade. Kliks is sophisticated, well traveled, and cynical. He is well-connected to rival Groups of Interest, rendering his methods questionable even by Foundation standards. Kliks' office is a mix of Euro taste and tackiness. Behind his chair is a grid of 9 computer monitors, with one a 3D heads-up display, currently showing a hideous lizard-like creature suspended in an aqueous medium, captioned SCP-682. His fixtures include both spare and ornate pieces which somehow seem to go together, just barely. Off in a corner, we see a small display of trophies, and if we could see the details, we would see various 2nd and 3rd place finishes (or lower) in chess, squash, bridge, golf, and the like. OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT of Grey sitting across Kliks' conference table, looking at the table's embedded Foundation data station. We will see this object frequently: a monitor and flush keyboard, with a glass panel to the left of the keyboard. On the monitor we see the headshot of a young woman, with underlying text reading: "Mahto, Jagruti (JR Cand.)", plus other surrounding text in much smaller font. Grey pushes away from the table and stands. WIDE SHOT of Grey standing and Kliks sitting in his chair, feet up on the table, not looking up from his phone. [[=]] GREY Dr. Soren, sure. Mahto...I dunno. Not seeing it, Kliks. [[/=]] ANGLE ON Kliks, still not looking up. [[=]] KLIKS Not very woke, Special Agent. White boy over the brown girl... [[/=]] ANGLE ON Grey, who furiously gazes at Kliks. ANGLE ON Kliks, who now looks up, and alternate in turn. [[=]] KLIKS Relax. Mahto's university advisors were the same as you, Grey. All to the Foundation's benefit. GREY (disgusted) Your slimy insinuations aside, isn't 10 years a long time to get a PhD? KLIKS (unfazed) Exactly why we want her. She has skills beyond that one degree. Another "disappointment" that the Foundation recruits with none the wiser. GREY (resigned) OK, OK, Kliks. Just tell me when they're ready for the talk. KLIKS Two weeks, mark me. They'll love it here. [[/=]] Kliks reaches into a desk drawer and draws out an object. CLOSE IN as he brings the object to the table top. It is a metal disk identical to the communications jammer used by the traitorous Inside Guard. He touches the top and the blue glow infuses the room. ANGLE ON Kliks as he speaks to Grey. [[=]] KLIKS And now, on to the next order of business... [[/=]] ANGLE IN and then PAN IN CLOSE on Grey looking uncomfortable. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. SECURITY HALL SITE-76 CLOSE IN on Grey (matching prior flashback scene) as he continues walking with Guards. REVERSE WIDE ANGLE as the group approaches the main security desk. INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76 WIDE SHOT of the desk, staffed by 4 receptionists interacting with various Foundation personnel. Grey's group reaches the desk. LOW SHOT looking up at Grey retrieving his phone, then OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT as Grey touches his phone to the glass panel of a desk data station. CLOSE IN on data station monitor as it shows a headshot of Grey, with the text "Agent Grey, Simon, Site-19" below, and a Foundation trefoil switching from blue to green. ANGLE ON the nearest RECEPTIONIST. [[=]] RECEPTIONIST Welcome back to Site-76, Agent Grey. [[/=]] ANGLE IN on Grey, and we then flash back to... INT. AGENT GREY'S OFFICE SITE-19 (FLASHBACK) Grey's office is the antithesis of Kliks' office. It is spare, messy, piled with papers and files, and reflects someone who is rarely there and does not care. First ANGLE IN on Grey looking down, then WIDE SHOT of Grey packing his messenger bag with some papers and personal items. His desk computer terminal (the only object on his desk apart from stacks of papers, and he has no conference table) sounds a notification, and he turns to address it. OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT of Grey answering the call. His monitor shows a live feed of COMMANDER YOO YOON-HEE (CMDR YOO), headshot only. Below the headshot is the text: "Cmdr. Yoo, Yoon-Hee, Site-76". Cmdr Yoo is 47 and is Chief of Security for Site-76. Starting from the bottom, she has only accepted promotion as long as she could stay "in the action," and routinely leads the fight alongside her troops. She is brave to the point of foolhardiness, much to the consternation of her superiors. But as a result, she inspires great loyalty in her troops. She is simultaneously charismatic and enigmatic, a source of much knowledge that goes nowhere. We see various Guard activity behind Cmdr Yoo, suggesting she is at work making this call. ANGLE IN on Cmdr Yoo and Grey in turn. [[=]] CMDR YOO Hello Agent Grey. GREY (surprised) Commander! I'm, I'm fine, but...why the call? CMDR YOO (formally) We look forward to seeing you as usual when you pick up our new Junior Researchers. GREY Oh. I was just going to pick them up early tomorrow and go. Isn't our scheduled teleconference next week? CMDR YOO (insistent) Whatever your plans, Agent, I need to see you before you depart. Please contact me. GREY (subdued) Of course, Commander. Is there anything I should know? CMDR YOO Just make sure to contact me before you leave. And safe travels, Agent. [[/=]] Monitor restores to its neutral state, and we pan back to CLOSE IN on a confused Grey, and then... INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76 CLOSE IN on Grey back at the security desk. ANGLE IN on Receptionist, then Grey. [[=]] RECEPTIONIST Drs. Soren and Mahto are waiting for you in Conference Room 23. Your escort will take you there. (pause) Agent Grey? GREY (noticing) Ah, thank you. Guards, let's go. [[/=]] WIDE SHOT FROM REAR as Grey and Guards head towards one of the many corridors. FIX SHOT as they leave, and then... [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CONFERENCE ROOM 23 Room is small and sterile with a table, a few chairs, and a few fixtures for running meetings. The desk contains a standard Foundation data station. On the wall is a touchscreen, with a predominant red eye optical interface. This screen displays the Foundation trefoil in blue along with some text. We see four travel bags against the wall. ANGLE ON door opening. Grey enters holding a Foundation touchpad, with GUARD #1 holding door, then closing it behind Grey. [[=]] GREY (to room) Doctors? I'm Agent Simon Grey, from Site-19. [[/=]] Shot CUTS TO DR. NILS SOREN and DR. JAGRUTI MAHTO, standing behind the table. Dr. Soren is 29, a surgeon and biochemist of great promise. His residency completed, he had a pick of plum surgical posts, but has been recruited to join the Foundation's Xenobiology Division, with the goal of advancing anomalous autopsy and exploratory surgery. He has had several meetings with the Foundation and is confident as to what he is signing on for. He had the steadiest hands and most precise technique of his class. He is wearing a conservative bespoke suit. Dr. Mahto is 26, fresh out of university after 10 years, having entered as an age 16 prodigy. She is wearing a Foundation issue lab coat (black trefoil on the left breast), covering a colorful shalwar kameez. Dr. Mahto is a brilliant researcher and scientist across multiple disciplines, but has only recently been recruited to the Foundation and does not fully understand what she has signed on for. ANGLE ON Grey, Soren, and Mahto in turn. Grey approaches the table on the other side. [[=]] DR. SOREN Dr. Nils Soren, pleasure to meet you, Agent Grey. (extends hand, Grey shakes) DR. MAHTO I also, Agent, but please, call me Jagruti. (extends hand, Grey shakes) GREY (flatly) I call all researchers Doctor. Easier that way. DR. MAHTO (assertive) Well, in that case, Agent Grey, I would like to call you Simon, if I may. I hate all that macho surname bullshit. GREY (grins) Fine with me, Doc, though the Foundation IS a macho surname kind of place. (beat) I blame the O's. DR. SOREN (glances at Mahto) Doctor is fine with me, Agent. GREY I also! Please, sit. [[/=]] They all sit at the table. [[=]] DR. MAHTO Simon, (beat) Theo refers to you as "Special" Agent Grey. Why is that? GREY (chuckling) Kliks, Agent Kliks. Maybe his mum calls him Theo. (looks down at pad) Anyway, it's a joke, a dumb one at my expense. DR. MAHTO (flatly) I see. (Dr. Soren looks bemused) GREY (looks up one more item on touchpad, then settles in) OK. (beat) I'm here to make sure you're both making the right decision. Frankly, the Foundation is a roach motel: once you join, it's hard to get out. And the amnestics are unpleasant if you do get out. [[/=]] CUT TO Soren and Mahto glancing at one another with trepidation, then back to Grey [[=]] GREY So I have just one question for you, same one I have for all new researchers: Why? Why the Foundation? I mean, both of you must have had other options. DR. SOREN That's right, Agent. I still have a position available at Mayo if I want it. But I've always wanted to be the first, and the opportunity to pioneer anomalous surgical techniques is hard to pass up. (glances at Mahto) And, the Foundation tells me they have some great perks. DR. MAHTO (pause) This is not so true for me, Simon. The usual academic positions I would pursue require that I specialize. Publish or perish. My Foundation recruiter said that I would be able to pursue all of my areas of interest. That the Foundation has ongoing research in both Hyperdimensional Quantum Mechanics AND Computational Linguistics is a dream come true. GREY Ah, yeah. I can imagine. (he cannot imagine) But it's all in the service of the Foundation. You both get that, right? [[/=]] Mahto starts to answer, but Soren interrupts. [[=]] DR. SOREN Yes, of course, Agent. We're securing and containing anomalous phenomenon. Our research should further that effort and aid in the protection of humanity. GREY (pause, suddenly distracted) Right, but are you sure you get what that means? (beat, pained) The anomalous world is not just some book of monsters and magic items from a role-playing game. (beat, wincing) [[/=]] Soren and Mahto notice Grey's distress. [[=]] GREY It's...much weirder than that. You need to- (stops from the pain) [[/=]] A loud klaxon sounds. CLOSE SHOT on wall touchscreen that is now flashing red, and the words "Containment Breach" surround the trefoil. Inside the center of the trefoil is a letter K, indicating that the breach is a Keter class anomaly, the most severe class, above both Safe and Euclid (medium risk). A Keter breach is both rare and extremely dangerous. WIDE SHOT of Grey, Soren, and Mahto reacting. [[=]] GREY (snapping to, no more pain) Containment breach...a Keter! DR. MAHTO Keter? (stands) Are we in danger? DR. SOREN (stands, intrigued) A Keter class anomaly is breaching containment? GREY (stands) Don't know. (thinking) God, what's Keter in this place? (to Soren and Mahto) We have to get you both to a safe room. (takes Dr. Mahto's arm) Leave your things, and do exactly what I say. Let's go! [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. OUTSIDE OF CONFERENCE ROOM 23-DOOR Door opens, and Grey cautiously looks both directions before helping Drs. Soren and Mahto out. All then head left down the corridor. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CORRIDOR MOVING SHOT of front of Grey, Soren, and Mahto making their way down the corridor. Some other personnel pass in both directions. REVERSE ANGLE shot shows 3 GUARDS approaching. They signal for the trio to stop. ANGLE ON Guards and Grey alternately. [[=]] GUARD #2 Sir, are you Agent Grey? GREY (surprised) Yes? GUARD #2 Sir, Agent Kliksofakus needs you at the breach site ASAP. GREY What? Why, what breached? GUARD #2 SCP-140, sir, Keter Wing 2. (NOTE: 140 is always pronounced "one-four oh" whenever it occurs) GREY (ashen, with horror) How (inhales), how did 140 breach? GUARD #2 I don't even know what it is, sir, just need to get you there. GREY (wipes brow) OK, one of you must get these two to a safe location. GUARD #2 No time, sir, you all need to come with us now! GREY Guard, no, they're green hires. They can't be exposed to a Keter breach! DR. SOREN (excited) Agent, let's go! DR. MAHTO (concerned) We will be fine, Simon. GUARD #2 Now! Move it, please! [[/=]] The Guards escort the trio back in the direction from whence they came, shot FOLLOWING FROM THE REAR. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. NEAR SCP-140 CONTAINMENT CELL MOVING SHOT of Grey, Soren, Mahto, and Guards approaching. They then stop short. REVERSE ANGLE shows 2 Guards positioned around a containment cell door to the left. Two Guards are prone on the floor nearby, apparently dead. In front of door, but with some space, Kliks and Cmdr Yoo are flanked by 4 Guards. Cmdr Yoo wears a Foundation ballistic martial arts suit, similar to a ninja's garment. She is armed with a holstered machine pistol, a long blade strapped to her leg, and a short riot baton dangling from her belt. Kliks wears a different suit from the flashback but is otherwise similarly attired. ANGLE IN on Kliks and Cmdr Yoo as they draw their sidearms. CUT BACK to Grey's group, ANGLE ON Grey but WIDE SHOT. [[=]] GREY Kliks! No weapons! No bloodshed! [[/=]] ANGLE ON Kliks and Cmdr Yoo, who both hand their sidearms to nearby Guards. [[=]] KLIKS Way ahead of you, Grey. CMDR YOO Everything's under control, Agent. [[/=]] Kliks and Cmdr Yoo hand off their blades next. We also see Guards slinging rifles. Two of the 3 Guards minding Grey's group enter the room with the other Guards. Grey's group is, from left to right, Mahto, Grey, Guard, and Soren. ANGLE ON Cmdr Yoo as she removes her riot stick from her belt, which immediately extends to a full jo stick. Cmdr Yoo twirls the jo stick in her hands, suggesting great expertise. [[=]] CMDR YOO Guards, prepare for assault! [[/=]] WIDER SHOT on Guards establishing perimeter, readying combat positions. ANGLE ON two Guards flanking containment door, as GUARD #3 prepares to bypass the lock. To the right of door is another touchscreen, but this one is more elaborate as is required for Keter containment. Guard #3 is working this set of controls. [[=]] GUARD #3 Ready to bypass lock, sir! [[/=]] ANGLE ON Kliks and Cmdr Yoo, in combat stance. [[=]] CMDR YOO (beat) Now! [[/=]] ANGLE ON door as Guard #3 keys in sequence. SOUND of a latch opening as the door swings inward into the cell. ANGLE ON Kliks, Cmdr Yoo, and flanking Guards leaning in to see what is in the cell. SHOT PANS to door and MOVES INTO cell to focus on an anomalous humanoid holding a curved knife... [[>]] CUT TO BLACK [[/>]] = ACT 2 INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 ANGLE ON the inside of the cell through the door. The anomalous humanoid holding the curved knife, our former Gloved D-Class, is a SARKITE, a member of the Sarkic Cults, one of many Groups of Interest (GoI) that compete/cooperate with the Foundation as they navigate the anomalous world. The Sarkic Cults are characterized by worship of power over ethics, and strength through adversity, amongst other, stranger things. The Sarkite is of ambiguous sex, wears minimal clothing, and is covered in tattoos. It also appears to have several pustules and lesions, as Sarkites venerate disease. It is this Sarkite that caused the breach of SCP-140. It may be possible to see the Sarkite's discarded armor, as well as a mask resembling a mannequin's face, on the floor. Almost immediately, the Sarkite crouches and then leaps out of the chamber in the manner of a large cat. INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 CUT TO CMDR YOO, who collapses her jo stick back to a baton. SHOT TRACKS as she then executes a cartwheel and backflip towards the Sarkite so as to leap facing up. SLOW MOTION PROFILE SHOT of the Sarkite hovering face down over Cmdr Yoo mid-air, with Cmdr Yoo facing up. Cmdr Yoo extends her jo stick again, and twists her body to bring it in contact with the Sarkite's knife just before it strikes her. SHOT TO REALTIME FOLLOWING as the knife hurls towards KLIKS, who catches the knife and guides it into the wall. CUT BACK to Sarkite and Cmdr Yoo, who each land on their feet, but interchanged relative to their starting positions. ANGLE ON Sarkite who leaps into the air again. CUT TO Dr. Soren, as the Sarkite lands behind him. Sarkite reaches across Soren's chest with left arm and grabs Soren's upper right arm with its right hand. As the Sarkite hisses in Soren's face, it breaks Soren's arm viciously, as a jagged bone pierces the skin just below Soren's right shoulder. CLOSE SHOT of blood oozing from the wound and falling to the floor. Soren screams in pain and terror. Mahto lets out a brief shriek but maintains her composure better than Soren. Grey instinctively pushes Mahto away from the Sarkite. Quick CUT TO Kliks, then Cmdr Yoo reacting with great concern. ANGLE ON Cmdr Yoo, as she begins running towards Soren and the Sarkite. [[=]] CMDR YOO Code Triad! I'll get him out! Guard, follow me! [[/=]] FAST CUT TO Kliks as he reaches into his breast pocket. TRACKING SHOT as Cmdr Yoo leaps at Soren, literally forcing him out of the Sarkite's grasp as they both tumble to the floor some meters away. The attending Guard sprints towards them. Soren shrieks even louder. Cmdr Yoo continues to move Soren further down the hall, helped by Guard. The knocked-down Sarkite quickly recovers. ANGLE ON 3 Guards converging on Sarkite, who simultaneously fire Tasers at the Sarkite. ANGLE ON Sarkite experiencing some pain, but not enough to incapacitate it. Sarkite grabs one of the Taser lines and pulls the Guard in. Once Guard is close enough, the Sarkite snaps his neck. ANGLE ON Grey and Mahto huddling in a corner, then CLOSE IN on Mahto as she notices something. CUT TO spot on floor where Soren's blood fell, as we see it vaporize rapidly, seemingly wafting towards SCP-140's containment cell. CUT BACK TO Grey and Mahto observing in bewilderment. Grey is frustrated. [[=]] GREY God dammit! [[/=]] ANGLE ON 2 more Guards who converge on Sarkite and Taser it. Sarkite is weakening but still active. CLOSE IN on Kliks, who is now wearing a compact face mask, and converges on the Sarkite. Sarkite sees Kliks and staggers to its feet, as the Guards attempt to keep their feet with varying degrees of success. Sarkite lunges at Kliks, but Kliks is ready. Kliks spins around and leg sweeps the Sarkite, sending it sprawling. Kliks becomes entangled in the Taser lines, and is just barely able to activate the tranquilizer grenade he throws in the Sarkite's face. Sarkite falls unconscious, but Kliks is still entangled. Two of the Guards fall unconscious from the grenade. ANGLE ON Grey as he assesses the situation, then ANGLE ON main area as Grey and other Guards free Guards and Kliks from the Taser lines, turning them off and dispersing gas in the process. One of the Guards that fell unconscious is dead from head trauma. Kliks looks up at Grey ambiguously. [[>]] FADE TO: [[/>]] VARIOUS SHOTS of the Guards (7 left) mopping up: helping comrades and Soren, securing the Sarkite, piling bodies (4 total) on a removal cart, etc. WIDE SHOT on Cmdr Yoo in the midst of the activity, nursing her left arm, ZOOM IN as she speaks. [[=]] CMDR YOO OK, people, I have to monitor the lockdown. Lt. Quinn, you have the duty. And kill the alarm. LT. QUINN Yes, sir! Let's move it, everyone! Corporal, call in the 2nd Team to secure the area. CMDR YOO (sternly) Agent Kliks. Do you have the situation under control? All the way under control? KLIKS (seriously) No question, Commander. [[/=]] ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto as she walks towards Cmdr Yoo. [[=]] DR. MAHTO Yoon-hee, what about Nils? CMDR YOO (honestly) He's hurt, Jagruti. We're doing what we can. But containing the breach is the priority right now. Guards, attend. [[/=]] Cmdr Yoo leaves with 2 Guards. After a moment, the klaxon ceases in the immediate area, though it is still heard off in the distance. Six (6) more Guards (2nd Team) enter. CUT TO Kliks approaching the Guards securing the Sarkite. [[=]] KLIKS Get the Sarkite on its feet. [[/=]] Four Guards heave the unconscious Sarkite to its feet, two each grabbing arms/legs. Kliks picks up one of the Sarkite's hands (CLOSE SHOT), and notices a long knife cut across the palm which is already in the early stages of forming a scar. He glances back at the knife in the wall (CLOSE SHOT) and we see no trace of blood. Where did the blood go? Kliks removes a small metal cylinder from his breast pocket (CLOSE SHOT), and (OVER SHOULDER) uses it to spray something in the Sarkite's face. The Sarkite immediately comes to, coughing and sputtering, and still weak. The Guards straighten up the Sarkite as Kliks moves closer. ANGLE ON each in turn. [[=]] SARKITE (Teaser voice) You cannot stop it. We will remake the world. KLIKS You couldn't remake my bed. (beat) Why do you even want them here? They'd exterminate you without a thought. SARKITE They're a worthy enemy. The battles would be epic. Unlike you pathetic weaklings. That world is preferred to this one. KLIKS You mean the pathetic weaklings who just owned you? Who else is here? SARKITE Fourteen to one. (sarcastic) I'm SO impressed by you healthy ones. And we have what we wanted. You know you will get nothing from me. KLIKS Not now, perhaps. But it's another story once the Church of the Broken God sinks their hooks into you. (menacing) I can't wait to make that trade. I'll be there personally. (whispering) All that metal on flesh... [[/=]] The Sarkite looks noticeably less cocky, but not afraid. [[=]] KLIKS Guards, get this thing out of my sight. (beat) Toss it into the cesspool next to 682. (grins) That ought to concentrate the mind. [[/=]] Two more Guards join the four holding the Sarkite and all begin leaving the area. ANGLE ON Kliks as he watches them leave. CUT TO Grey and Mahto, who converse quietly. Mahto is clearly shaken. [[=]] DR. MAHTO Simon, the Church of the Broken God? What is all this? Is the Foundation in some kind of conflict? GREY Groups of Interest. Can't go into it right now. DR. MAHTO So the...Sarkite, that wasn't the Keter SCP? GREY What? No, the Sarkite caused the breach. 140 is in that cell. DR. MAHTO (confused) But why would it want to free the SCP? Aren't we protecting humanity by containing SCPs? GREY Competition, Doctor. We're not the only game in town. You may be a recruiting target some day. [[/=]] ANGLE ON Lt. Quinn and Kliks approaching Grey and Mahto. [[=]] LT. QUINN I have to continue mopping up and securing the perimeter. Kliks, you'll keep us apprised? KLIKS Yes, Lieutenant. [[/=]] Lt. Quinn and 3 Guards leave, leaving 8 Guards in the area outside the cell. 2 of these Guards flank the cell door, and 2 are attending Grey and Mahto. ANGLE ON Kliks who joins Grey and Mahto. [[=]] KLIKS Grey, I've got to start working my network. (beat) I...I need you to re-contain 140. GREY (disbelieving) You need? I don't work here, Kliks. Where's Dr. Killman, or the junior on 140? KLIKS (pause) Both Killman and Rodriguez are offsite today. (snide) And once again, you show up as the backup on yet another "skip" you shouldn't be anywhere near. You're top of the roster. It's the only reason I'm asking. GREY BOTH of them are away? Kliks... KLIKS (angrily) Yes, it's sabotage, I know! That's why I have to start making calls. GREY This is your fault, isn't it! You- DR. MAHTO (before Kliks can respond) Stop it! Both of you. Clearly there is work to be done. GREY (regains composure) You're right, Doc. (beat) And we're going to need your help. [[/=]] MOVING SHOT of Grey walking to a wall touchscreen, similar to the others. The Foundation trefoil continues to flash red. Mahto and Kliks follow along with one Guard. Grey touches the eye, and the trefoil is replaced with the word "Ready". [[=]] KLIKS What are you doing? GREY (to Mahto) Doctor, I know we're way in the deep end, but please, stay with us. (to Kliks) Kliks, we need to give Dr. Mahto documentation rights for 140. You can second, yes? KLIKS Of course I can, it's you who shouldn't have access. GREY Not now. Let's just get this done. (touches the eye again, speaking to panel) Recognize Agent Grey, Simon. (name appears on screen and an acknowledgement chime sounds). KLIKS (to panel) Recognize Agent Kliksofakus, Theo. (similar) GREY (to Mahto) Now you, Doc. DR. MAHTO (hesitating, to panel) Recognize...Dr. Mahto...Jagruti. (similar) GREY (to panel) Request documentation access to SCP-140 for Dr. Mahto, Jagruti, authorization Gamma-4. KLIKS (to panel) Concur, authorization Omicron-7. TOUCHSCREEN Documentation access to SCP-140 granted to Dr. Mahto, Jagruti, effective immediately. (flashing trefoil returns) GREY (to Guard) Guard, escort Dr. Mahto to the Archives. (to Mahto) Doc, you need to ask the Librarian for the last known good hardcopy backup of SCP-140. You got that? DR. MAHTO Last known good hardcopy backup, yes, Simon. GREY (smiling) You're in, Doc. Guard, on the double. GUARD #4 Yes, Agent. Let's go, Doctor. [[/=]] ANGLE ON Grey and Kliks as they watch Dr. Mahto and Guard depart. Grey turns back to Kliks. [[=]] GREY So, what did you fuck up this time? [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CORRIDOR HEADING TO ARCHIVES Mahto and Guard are walking briskly. SHOT FOLLOWS them as they navigate towards the Archives. [[=]] DR. MAHTO Is there always so much excitement around here? GUARD #4 No, ma'am, we haven't had a breach in months, and I can't remember the last time a Keter breached. [[/=]] NEW SHOT rounding a corner. [[=]] DR. MAHTO But what is SCP-140? Do you know? GUARD #4 Above my pay grade, ma'am. Cliche, I know. [[/=]] INT. SITE-76 ARCHIVES The Archives are an opening in the wall with a counter. Rows and rows of shelves are visible through the opening, containing many files and objects. A bored looking LIBRARIAN is reading a book behind the counter. Mahto and Guard reach the counter. [[=]] DR. MAHTO I need the last known good hardcopy backup for SCP-140. LIBRARIAN (flatly) Authorization? DR. MAHTO I, I don't know what to do. GUARD #4 Your smartwatch, ma'am, touch it to that panel. [[/=]] Guard gestures to a touch panel on the counter. Dr. Mahto touches her wrist to the panel. Some text appears, and is then replaced with the green trefoil. [[=]] TOUCHSCREEN (voice only) Authorized. LIBRARIAN Was wondering when someone was going to pick this up. [[/=]] Librarian reaches under counter with no sense of urgency, and retrieves a large hardback book, dropping it on the counter. CUT TO CLOSE SHOT of book on the counter. It is a modern book, and engraved on the cover is the title "A Chronicle of the Daevas". CLOSE UP on Mahto, then ANGLE ON speaker in turn. [[=]] DR. MAHTO (confused) Is this a copy of 140's documentation? LIBRARIAN (flatly) That's the partial backup of SCP-140 that you asked for. DR. MAHTO SCP-140...is a book? A Keter book? GUARD #4 We have to get this back, Doctor. On the double, please! [[/=]] Dr. Mahto picks up the book and the Guard gently but firmly urges her into the corridor, SHOT FOLLOWS them down the hall as they round a corner. INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 Slow ARC SHOT FULL CIRCLE around Grey and Kliks as they speak, getting increasingly agitated. Kliks screwed up this containment somehow, and Grey knows it. [[=]] KLIKS What are you insinuating? I have no idea how this happened, but I'll get it sorted. GREY Sorted? Did one of your double agents turn triple? Like before? KLIKS Sod off, Special Agent. We've already found two traitors that helped the Sarkite. Two DEAD traitors, so not even clear they turned. Dupes, perhaps. GREY Right, of course we get breaches with you in charge. KLIKS Please. You have no clue about actual field work. There are tradeoffs. GREY MY field work's had zero deaths, Kliks! KLIKS Oh really! Just wait until you have to kill a few civilians to clinch a mission. Then lecture me about your field record. [[/=]] CLOSE IN on Grey's face, then FLASHBACK TO an unknown older Agent being shot while a younger Agent Grey looks on in horror. FADE TO CLOSE IN on Agent Grey's face, and then resume ARC SHOT. [[=]] KLIKS And this is just you changing the subject! I want to know why you're on this "skip" at all. There's no reason you should have any clearance on 140, let alone be a backup containment specialist. GREY You want me to save your ass, and you're complaining? You want to waste time finding someone else? KLIKS Do not tempt me. Using you is pure expediency. Anyone else would be preferable right now. GREY Really? Maybe I'm better at my job than you think? KLIKS Keep telling yourself that, "Special" Agent! Without that anomaly detector in your head, you couldn't shine my shoes. GREY (penny drops, slowly) I know what this is. (faster) Our project's gone pear-shaped, hasn't it? (furiously) I knew it was a bad idea! KLIKS (coldly) Without admitting anything, what's our alternative? You KNOW we need access. You KNOW there's no hope otherwise. That Sarkite was right...it's only a matter of time. GREY (beat) No, it's not worth it. What about... [[/=]] ARC SHOT ends on Dr. Mahto and Guard as they enter, interrupting this fight. ANGLE ON speaker in turn. [[=]] DR. MAHTO (handing over book to Grey) Here you are, Simon. But, is this a copy of a Keter book? What can that possibly be? And the Daevas are? What does- GREY Not now, Doctor, it has to wait. Guard, escort Dr. Mahto to the nearest safe room. DR. MAHTO (furious) No, Simon, I deserve- KLIKS Doctor, Grey's right for once. We have a lot to do, and we still don't know if this breach is locked down. Please, go. GREY I'll get you up to speed when it's over, I promise. Guard? GUARD #4 Let's go, Doctor. [[/=]] Dr. Mahto scowls, then leaves with the Guard. [[=]] KLIKS (to Grey, calmer) How many guards do you want? GREY Leave four. (beat) When do we call in the Diggers? KLIKS Depends upon what you find. I'll at least notify the dig sites. GREY Geezus, what did it do this time? KLIKS Well, the Foundation is still here, yes? I think we're still a secret. It can't be that bad yet. GREY Maybe, but Zeta-9? KLIKS The Diggers know the score. We all do. (beat) I need to get to work. Guards, attend. [[/=]] 3 of the 7 remaining Guards stand by Kliks' side. They start to leave, then Kliks turns to Grey. [[=]] KLIKS Seal it up, Special Agent. And watch yourself. [[/=]] Kliks and Guards leave, SHOT OVER SHOULDER of Grey Grey looks around the room, then to the Guards. [[=]] GREY Two of you, mind the corridors. (they move immediately) You two, attend the cell door. Close it behind me after I enter. [[/=]] CLOSE SHOT as Grey steels himself. Then SHOT ON cell door as Grey turns and slowly enters the chamber. Shot CUTS AWAY just as Grey crosses the threshold. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM Room has a number of tables, chairs, and amusements. Two dozen or so Foundation personnel are chatting, standing, sitting, waiting out the lockdown. There are a few Guards watching the crowd. Dr. Mahto is wandering around the room surveying the scene. She notices some side booths labeled "Research Pod", and she enters an empty one. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM POV Dr. Mahto. The pod has a small desk and computer terminal, a standard Foundation data station. The terminal screen shows the ubiquitous trefoil. ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto as she sits down in the desk chair. [[=]] DR. MAHTO Fine, I'll figure this out myself. Thanks for the documentation access, (beat) Special Agent. [[/=]] CLOSE SHOT on panel to the left of the keyboard as Dr. Mahto touches her smartwatch to it. CLOSE SHOT on computer screen as trefoil disappears and a Foundation data menu appears, along with the words "Good Morning, Dr. Mahto". CLOSE SHOT on Dr. Mahto looking over the screen, then CLOSE SHOT on screen as Dr. Mahto works the keyboard through some menu options until she pulls up SCP-140's entry screen. She requests the Special Containment Procedures for SCP-140. Screen clears and is replaced with the title page for SCP-140. A photo of SCP 140 is in the upper right corner of the screen. Camera ZOOMS IN slowly on photo... [[>]] CUT TO BLACK [[/>]] = ACT 3 INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 The cell is a small room, like a very spare office. It contains only a single desk with a standard Foundation data terminal. On a shelf on the desk is the book, SCP-140. ANGLE ON open door, as GREY enters the room carrying the SCP 140 copy. The copy is twice as thick as the real book. Grey briefly glances back as the door closes behind him. CLOSE SHOT of SCP-140, then CLOSE SHOT of Grey, who winces in pain. An electrical effect is seen around Grey's head, and unintelligible murmuring is heard. Grey shakes his head clear, and speaks to the desk. [[=]] GREY You're not getting in my head. You never have. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO examining the documentation of SCP-140. REVERSE ANGLE on the TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing, then back to Dr. Mahto (Dr. Mahto voices all Terminal quotes): [[=]] TERMINAL SCP-140 must never be brought closer than 15m to any source of standard ink, human blood, or other fluids suitable for writing. DR. MAHTO (disbelieving) What the hell... [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 ANGLE ON desk as Grey walks to it and sits down, setting the copy next to the keyboard on the right. Grey pulls out his phone and touches it to panel to the keyboard's left (Grey does not use a smartwatch, unlike the majority of Foundation personnel). The welcome screen comes up as it did for Mahto. [[=]] GREY Enable voice interface. COMPUTER Voice interface enabled. GREY Begin log. [[/=]] The screen clears and "<BEGIN LOG>" is seen at the top. From this point on, the computer records the conversation in text, which we will cut to occasionally during the scene. [[=]] GREY Recognize Agent Grey, Simon, ready to commence re-containment of SCP 140. [[/=]] After a beat, a different female voice responds. This is a human, not a computer. [[=]] CONTROL Roger, Grey, this is your Control. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO continuing to examine the documentation of SCP-140. REVERSE ANGLE on the TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing: [[=]] TERMINAL The book jacket is missing, but the title, "A Chronicle of the Daevas", is clearly legible. The inside cover is signed by the author, whose name is indecipherable. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 [[=]] CONTROL How's the cleanup going? GREY Could be better. Damn Sarkite let some blood. Need to see how much damage it did. CONTROL Roger that, Grey. Prepare for two step identification of SCP-140. GREY Ready to begin identification, Control. CONTROL Begin step 1: verify anomalous signature. GREY Roger, Control. [[/=]] Grey takes SCP-140 from the shelf, and opens the front cover. On the inside front cover is a bizarre, twisting signature, almost serpentine in nature. It seems to shimmer, even change shape slightly, as if alive. Again Grey winces in pain, sees the electrical crackle, hears the murmurs, and sees a shadowy image of an elderly man. He slams the cover shut, shakes his head clear, and places SCP-140 back on the shelf. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO continuing to examine the documentation of SCP-140, fascinated. REVERSE ANGLE on the TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing: [[=]] TERMINAL SCP-140 is a detailed account of an ancient civilization originating in what is now south-central Siberia, identified as the Daevites. DR. MAHTO The Daevites? What is this... [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 [[=]] GREY Check, Control. Signature is anomalous. CONTROL Roger, Grey. Begin step 2: verify anomalous page count. GREY Roger, Control. Set timer for 10 seconds. [[/=]] A stopwatch graphic appears onscreen. Grey again takes SCP 140 and holds it in both hands. [[=]] CONTROL Begin. [[/=]] As the stopwatch ticks down, Grey rifles the pages of SCP 140. It becomes quickly apparent that SCP-140 has far too many pages to fit inside a book of its size. Numerous JUMP CUTS between the book, stopwatch, and Grey's face. Grey whistles at one point while he flips. Finally, the stopwatch reads zero and a chime sounds. Grey is still rifling pages with no end in sight. He again slams the book closed, replaces it on the shelf, and wipes his brow with his sleeve. [[=]] GREY Check, Control. Page count is very anomalous. CONTROL Roger, Grey. Control is satisfied that you possess the genuine SCP 140. Do you concur? GREY Affirmative, Control. This is the genuinely horrible SCP-140. CONTROL Keep it professional, Agent. GREY Sorry, Control. It's been a long morning. CONTROL Understood. Prepare to re-contain SCP-140. GREY Roger, Control, ready to begin re containment procedure. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM ANGLE ON TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing: [[=]] TERMINAL If SCP-140 comes into contact with any fluid suitable for writing, including human blood, the account of the Daevite civilization's history expands. [[/=]] ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto, utterly unprepared [[=]] DR. MAHTO I, I cannot believe this... [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 [[=]] CONTROL Verify last known good page count. GREY Roger that. [[/=]] Grey picks up the archive copy this time, turns the book over so its back faces up, and opens the back cover, flipping to the last numbered page. This is not visible to the viewer. [[=]] GREY Verifying last known good page count as- [[/=]] A black bar blocks out Grey's mouth, and a low buzz cuts out his voice. This is the Foundation AutoDact System, which automatically censors spoken information based upon clearance levels. The audience is not cleared on SCP-140 but Control hears Grey just fine. Grey finishes his sentence: [[=]] GREY Checksum A-4-6-J. CONTROL Check, Grey, page count and checksum are valid. Verify new preliminary page count. GREY Roger, Control. Drumroll please... [[/=]] Grey puts down the copy and takes SCP-140 from the shelf. He again flips the book over, opens the back cover, and flips to last page. [[=]] GREY Verifying new preliminary page count as (beat) SHIT! CONTROL Mind yourself, Agent! GREY Sorry, Control. (slower, a bit sing song) New preliminary page count is- [[/=]] Count is again censored as before, but Control hears fine. [[=]] CONTROL SHIT! GREY See, I was right the first time. CONTROL (pause) Agent Grey, please await additional instructions. GREY (concerned) Ah, roger, Control. Awaiting instructions. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM ANGLE ON TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing: [[=]] TERMINAL Readers admit to feelings of paranoia, unease, and occasional nausea while reading SCP-140, although this may be related to the subject material. DR. MAHTO No, it's not what they promised... [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 Grey hears some cross-talk, occasionally sounding heated. [[=]] GREY Is everything OK, Control? CONTROL Please hold, Agent! [[/=]] Grey squirms a bit in his chair as he waits. [[=]] CONTROL Agent Grey, (pause) the O5 Council requests additional verification. GREY (freezes, eyes widen, then slowly) Well, Control, we better provide that, pronto. What do the O's want? CONTROL (pause) Please attempt to verify new preliminary extinction date. GREY (freaked) Are you joking, Control? Have you read this thing? I don't know what half the words mean! CONTROL Understood, Grey, but we must try. GREY Of course, the O's have spoken. But it won't be quick. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH POD IN SITE-76 RECREATION ROOM ANGLE ON DR. MAHTO continuing to examine the documentation of SCP-140 with increasing distress. REVERSE ANGLE on the TERMINAL that Dr. Mahto is viewing: [[=]] TERMINAL Through study of SCP-140 and other contained objects related to the Daevite civilization, Foundation researchers have concluded that, transposed to the modern era, the resurgence of a hostile Daevite civilization in history more recent than [REDACTED] would constitute a grave and even possibly retroactive threat to the Foundation and modern civilization as we know it. [[/=]] ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto, furious [[=]] DR. MAHTO No! NO! It was all lies... [[/=]] Dr. Mahto hears an All Clear signal. She logs off the terminal, leaves the pod, and makes her way back to SCP-140's containment chamber, to angerly confront Agent Grey. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 Frustrated, Grey snatches SCP-140 off the shelf, turns to the back page. Montage of CLOSE SHOTS as Grey pours over pages, attempting to find the requested information. Because Grey must read more, there are more instances of SCP-140 trying to get into Grey's head. We see shadowy images of battles, of hideous riders on monstrous horses, of mages conducting terrible rituals, and the elderly figure from before. Grey becomes noticeably fatigued. Finally, Grey examines a passage more intently, and seems to calm down a bit. [[=]] GREY Grey here, Control. I think I found the information. And it's not so bad. I think the new preliminary extinction date is-(AutoDacted) CONTROL (pause) Roger, Grey, that does sound like good news. Relatively. GREY Yeah, looks like most of the new pages are rituals and stuff. The Daevas didn't live much longer. CONTROL Roger, Grey. (pause) But we still can't stop it from happening again. GREY No, not yet. CONTROL (pause) Agent Grey, Control agrees that SCP-140 is back in preliminary containment. Do you concur? GREY (pause, quietly) Yeah, I guess so. (pause, normally) I concur that SCP 140 is back in preliminary containment. (pause) Recommend we activate Mobile Task Force Zeta-9. CONTROL They've already been notified. GREY (pause) God help the Grave Diggers. Or anyone else who can help. (pause) Requesting permission to close log on SCP-140. CONTROL Permission granted. Be safe, Grey. GREY Great advice for us all, Control. End log. [[/=]] The screen dictation finishes with "<END LOG>", and the trefoil returns, now in green. The breach is closed. Grey puts SCP-140 back on the shelf, pushes back his chair, rubs his eyes, and inhales deeply. He rises, picking up the now obsolete backup copy. ANGLE ON door as Grey approaches, and keys in a code on the panel to the right. The door clicks open a crack. Grey pulls the door open, and leaves the cell. INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 CLOSE SHOT of Grey emerging from doorway. He stops with an expression of surprise. REVERSE POV Grey reveals DR. MAHTO standing outside the doorway, with a very angry look. [[=]] GREY Doc! How long have you been here? DR. MAHTO Not long, the lockdown ended 5 minutes ago. I came here straight away. (step towards Grey) Simon, I have been studying SCP-140 on my own. My God, Simon, I had no idea.. GREY Not in front of the guards. Let's find a conference room. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. NEARBY SITE-76 CONFERENCE ROOM ANGLE ON Dr. Mahto bursting through the door, followed more slowly by Grey. Dr. Mahto is very agitated and paces throughout most of the scene. [[=]] DR. MAHTO Simon, you said that the anomalous world was not a collection of monsters and magic items from a role playing game. But I realize now that I had no idea what else there could be. I had no idea that anything like SCP-140 was possible. GREY Well, technically, 140 is one hell of a magic item that can bring forth one hell of a monster horde. DR. MAHTO Yes! SCP-140 is re-writing history! GREY No, trying to rewrite history. I don't fully understand it. DR. MAHTO But I do. It's retrocausality: as the book is rewritten, history follows suit, and the Daevas live for longer as their failures are re written as successes. And all this happens whenever SCP-140 is in proximity to any sort of ink. (beat) So that Sarkite...was it... GREY It was ritually cutting itself. Blood is the best ink of all. God, it's like some schlock horror film. Good thing those Sarkic rituals drag out forever. Could have been a lot worse. (beat) Could have been better, too. DR. MAHTO So that's what I saw. Nil's blood. GREY Yeah. I saw that, too. DR. MAHTO (indignant) His life is over, Simon. The Foundation have all but killed him! GREY Dr. Soren isn't dead. The Foundation will take care of him. (pause) But he'll get the unpleasant amnestics. I'm sorry. DR. MAHTO (holding back tears) Just don't. (long pause) Why would that Sarkite want to activate 140? Doesn't it realize what would happen? GREY They're counting on it! The Sarkic Cults would like nothing better than to bring the Daevas into today. Better than a world of us weak normals. In a fair fight, my money's on the Daevas, that's how crazy the Sarkites are. DR. MAHTO Yes, the Daevas seem like Aztecs or Mongols with magical powers! It is madness that anyone would want such a race to exist today. GREY Now, Dr. Killman was very clear that...thaumaturgy?...is not magic. "Miracle working," I think he said. But yeah, that plus the cannibalism and ritual sacrifices sounds pretty awful. Except to the Sarkites. They would love that shit. "Will to power," they call it. The Daevas alive today would be heaven on earth for the Sarkites, even if it's a war they lose. DR. MAHTO (beat) You were closing the breach, Simon. So you know. How far have they advanced this time? GREY Sorry, Doc, you may have documentation access, but those details are top secret. As Kliks never gets tired of saying, it's bizarre I get to know. [[/=]] Dr. Mahto sits down in a conference chair. [[=]] DR. MAHTO Simon, I'm so angry and disgusted that I can barely speak. But is this breach closed at least? [[/=]] Grey sits next to Dr. Mahto. [[=]] GREY No, it's not. (beat) I don't know how much you read, but sometimes, (beat) 140 expands on its own. No blood, no ink, nothing. It just gets longer. That's why it's Keter. If it always required ink, it might be classified Safe. DR. MAHTO (with horror) No, I didn't know that. Then...we are not safe at all. (beat) 140 is not actually contained! Just another lie. It is only a matter of time. GREY Bingo. And once it expands enough, we get a CK-Class Reality Restructuring scenario. Game Over. We all bow down to the Daevas and their witch-king, or whatever it is. Even worse, the Foundation is exposed to the world. DR. MAHTO (disbelief) Even worse, Simon? Compared to the lives lost? The unfathomable impact on humanity? GREY (serious, slowly) Doctor, nothing is worse than an LV, a Lifted Veil scenario. The world can't function unless the Foundation remains a secret. You have to accept that if you want to work here. DR. MAHTO (long pause) My God. The nihilism, Simon. The lies. The deception. I had no idea what the Foundation was doing, and they and you were concealing everything. GREY Doctor, no. Someday, you might figure out why the expansions happen. Maybe you'll figure out how to stop them entirely. DR. MAHTO (unbelieving) What? How, Simon? GREY (pause) Beats me, Doc. I don't understand your work. But I know it's why you're here. Why we're all here. (long pause) There's one other thing about this breach that's not done. DR. MAHTO (weary) What is that? GREY When the Daevas live for longer, they leave behind more artifacts. Graves. The Foundation has archeologists onsite at Daeva digs. Yesterday, those sites were dug up, empty. But today, the Daevas have lived for longer. And so the Foundation needs to look at those sites again. And when they do... DR. MAHTO Oh my Lord, Simon, you mean a complete rewrite of those sites? GREY And don't forget: thaumaturgy! Cannibalism! You can't just start digging wherever. DR. MAHTO So what does the Foundation do? [[/=]] CLOSE SHOT on Grey. [[=]] GREY (beat) We send in the Grave Diggers. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO BLACK [[/>]] = ACT 4 EXT. FOUNDATION ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, SOMEWHERE IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN--DUSK The entirety of this act is shot with a handheld camera. SHOT on an expansive, modern archeological site. The site is peopled with workers, guards, and researchers. As it is evening, activity is light. A few vehicles are seen entering and leaving. The land is both mountainous and green. The site itself is near the bottom of a valley with a small lake. Screen shows two-line caption: "Foundation Archeological Site"; "Somewhere in Northern Pakistan" Camera PANS IN towards a research tent, then: [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. RESEARCH TENT ON ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE Tent is supplied with a variety of high-tech equipment. A few GUARDS are present. DR. JAFARI oversees 3 ASSISTANTS, one of whom is operating communications equipment. This COMM OPERATOR looks rather bored as he listens with earphones. ANGLE ON Comm Operator as a red light flashes on his console. The setup is a field version of the Foundation workstation we have now seen many times. He noticeably perks up. The following conversation is in Urdu with English subtitles. [[=]] COMM OPERATOR (in Urdu) Doctor, incoming coded message. Foundation priority one. [[/=]] Dr. Jafari comes to stand behind Comm Operator [[=]] DR. JAFARI (in Urdu) Priority one? Something system-wide? COMM OPERATOR (in Urdu) Nothing else, Doctor. They are requesting credentials. DR. JAFARI (in Urdu) One moment... [[/=]] ANGLE ON Dr. Jafari tapping on his smartwatch, then CLOSE SHOT of smartwatch touching the panel to the left of Comm Operator's keyboard. The green trefoil appears surrounded by Urdu text. [[=]] COMM OPERATOR (in Urdu) (pause) Acknowledged, receiving message. (pause) Doctor, message is eyes-only, at your panel. DR. JAFARI (in Urdu, concerned) Eyes-only? What is this? [[/=]] MOVING SHOT as Dr. Jafari moves to another station. SHOT over back of station to look at Dr. Jafari's face. As Dr. Jafari completes the login, a red light from his screen flashes, reflecting off his face. Dr. Jafari's eyes widen, and he abruptly shuts off the console. Dr. Jafari gets up and hurriedly exits the tent. SHOT TRACKS until exit, ends on WIDE SHOT of personnel in tent. Tensions are higher. A Guard approaches Comm Operator. ANGLE ON both. [[=]] GUARD #5 (in Urdu) Yasir, what do you think that was about? COMM OPERATOR (in Urdu) I don't know. It was a priority one message, and (pause) oh...oh no! GUARD #5 (in Urdu) What? Tell me! COMM OPERATOR (in Urdu) No, no not again! [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. FOUNDATION ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE WIDE SHOT of Dr. Jafari running towards another tent, then TIGHTEN SHOT on Dr. Jafari, FOLLOWING as Dr. Jafari enters... INT. COMMAND TENT OF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE ANGLE ON Dr. Jafari as he enters the tent. Conversation is now in English. [[=]] DR. JAFARI Captain Good! [[/=]] WIDE SHOT on tent interior, which is similar to the research tent, except it has more personnel, all of whom are military. CAPTAIN GOOD is the site security commander, an Australian aged 42. She is talking to 2 Guards. The atmosphere is very tense. She turns to Dr. Jafari. ANGLE ON Captain Good. [[=]] CAPTAIN GOOD Good evening, Ibrahim. It looks like you got the word. DR. JAFARI I cannot believe it! A breach at Site-76? SCP-140? CAPTAIN GOOD Those bloody Sarkites never stop, do they? You and your team need to bug out to the emergency camp, at least until we get this thing buttoned up. DR. JAFARI Captain, I'd like to observe, if I may? CAPTAIN GOOD Negative, Doctor. You know what happened last time. DR. JAFARI Yes, but we learned from that event. I can learn more. Please grant this request. [[/=]] OVER SHOULDER of Dr. Jafari as Captain Good approaches. [[=]] CAPTAIN GOOD To be frank, it's not up to me, Ibrahim. My company is day-to-day security. Zeta-9 should be here imminently. It's their call. [[/=]] ANGLE ON COMM OPERATOR #2 behind Captain Good towards rear of tent. [[=]] COMM OPERATOR #2 Captain, Zeta-9 is reporting one minute. CAPTAIN GOOD Acknowledged. Doctor, come with me. Guards, attend us! [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. OUTSIDE COMMAND TENT WIDE SHOT on Captain Good, Dr. Jafari, and 4 Guards exiting the tent. Activity has noticeably picked up, with personnel boarding vehicles to depart. There is still some sunlight. ANGLE ON Captain Good as she scans Western horizon with field glasses. She stops and points. [[=]] CAPTAIN GOOD Here they come! Guards, escort us to the landing pad! [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. WESTERN HORIZON Against the setting sun and a riot of colors, we see three helicopters approaching the site. Two are gunships, and one is a large troop transport. Across the screen we see the following two lines of text: "Foundation Mobile Task Force Zeta-9, C Troop"; "aka 'The Grave Diggers'". [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. LANDING PAD WIDE SHOT of Captain Good's party (including 4 Guards) reaching the edge of the landing pad as the Zeta-9 copters land. ANGLE ON troop transport as its main hatch opens. Zeta 9 COMMANDOS pour out. Last to exit is MAJOR STANTON, a brash American aged 57, who walks towards Captain Good. Salutes are exchanged. ANGLE ON speakers in turn. [[=]] MAJOR STANTON How goes the evac, Good? CAPTAIN GOOD Should be done in 10, sir. MAJOR STANTON Too slow, Captain. My Diggers will be in position in 5. CAPTAIN GOOD So quick? Don't you need more time to prepare? MAJOR STANTON This is a breach, Captain. Threatens a CK. Got to seal up these ugly sorcerers. (notices Dr. Jafari) Why is this civilian still here, Captain Good? DR. JAFARI Major, I am the lead researcher here. I would like to observe the containment. MAJOR STANTON Observe, Doctor? You have no idea. Some of my Diggers are going to die today. They know it, I know it. No way we get out unscathed. Why will you? DR. JAFARI There is no guarantee that something deadly happens this time. MAJOR STANTON Then why stay, Doctor? Isn't that what you want to see? Get a Keter notch in your belt? Anyway, I don't have the luxury to contemplate that. More people will die if did. DR. JAFARI (pause) I still need to try. To see something living from the past, if it happens...it is worth the risk. MAJOR STANTON (disgusted, ironic) I guess that's fine, Doctor. You can sit up front in the troop transport with Jacobs. That should give you a nice view. We'll see how you fare. (to Good, seriously) Good, clear the rest of your team out in 5. [[/=]] Salutes, then Major Stanton leaves to join his Commandos. ANGLE ON Captain Good and Dr. Jafari talking. [[=]] CAPTAIN GOOD I'll send two guards with you. DR. JAFARI Is there any point to that? CAPTAIN GOOD (beat) No, there isn't. Just ignore the Major, Ibrahim. DR. JAFARI (beat) Thank you, Captain. CAPTAIN GOOD (pause, in Urdu) Until we meet again. DR. JAFARI (in Urdu) Yes, until we meet again. [[/=]] WIDE SHOT of Dr. Jafari being escorted to troop transport with 2 Guards, while Commandos get into position around one of the main digs. Captain Good's vehicle is the last to leave. WIDE SHOT on landing pad, as the two gunships take off again. Camera TRACKS them as they maneuver into position over the dig on either side. Commandos have set up 2 heavy machinegun stands, and the remaining solders are dispersed around the perimeter. ANGLE ON two Commandos in position. [[=]] PRIVATE Corporal, sir, this is messed up. Sorry, but something's wrong here. CORPORAL No, good instincts, Private. This is going to be bad. If we're lucky. Hold your position. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER CLOSE SHOT of Dr. Jafari in the helicopter, with lights dancing on his face. REVERSE OVER SHOULDER shot looking out at the dig as the Commandos ready their positions. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. COMMAND GUNSHIP ANGLE ON Major Stanton and his PILOT, overseeing the action. As he speaks, various CUTS TO Commandos listening over their headsets and reacting. [[=]] MAJOR STANTON OK you ghouls! (CUT) You knew about Zeta-9, our mission, and you signed on anyway. (CUT) And now it's clear that you fucked up. (CUT) But you also know what you need to do. (CUT) Get hot, ready assault positions. (CUT back to CLOSE SHOT of Major Stanton). Prepare to blow in 10. [[/=]] [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] EXT. DIG SITE ANGLE ON 2 ENGINEERS setting detonation charges at the bottom of the dig. From the non-command gunship we hear a countdown over a megaphone: [[=]] GUNSHIP Nine, eight, seven... [[/=]] Engineers clear out of the dig and take positions at the perimeter. [[=]] GUNSHIP Six, five, four... [[/=]] Various CUTS TO Commandos readying their positions. ANGLE ON Dr. Jafari through the windscreen, making notes and watching intently. [[=]] GUNSHIP Three... [[/=]] ANGLE ON Captain Good looking pensive as her vehicle speeds away. [[=]] GUNSHIP Two... [[/=]] CLOSE SHOT of Major Stanton. [[=]] GUNSHIP One... [[/=]] WIDE SHOT of entire scene. [[=]] GUNSHIP Mark. [[/=]] ANGLE ON explosion at the center of the dig. Several CUTS TO Commandos cautiously straining to look at the aftermath. In the last of these, a Commando is suddenly grabbed by an enormous pseudopod and dragged offscreen. WIDE SHOT of explosion site, where we now seen a large amoeboid creature, shimmering with many colors, reaching out with multiple tentacles. Covering the mass, we see what look like smaller protrusions that are roughly shaped like human appendages, including heads, that only last for a moment before collapsing back into the mass and then regenerating, which happens continuously. What follows is a firefight where more and more Commandos are pulled into the mass, with some deserting. At the climax, a very large appendage flings itself towards the command gunship. CLOSE SHOT of Major Stanton [[=]] MAJOR STANTON Code Red, repeat, Code Red! Fire the- [[/=]] EXT. COMMAND GUNSHIP Appendage envelopes command gunship and begins pulling it into the central mass. INT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER OVER SHOULDER shot of Dr. Jafari watching this attack, then REVERSE SHOT on Dr. Jafari and JACOBS in cockpit. [[=]] JACOBS Fuck! Major called Code Red! We have to get out of here! DR. JAFARI What's Code Red? JACOBS We're blasting the site! DR. JAFARI What? No! Why would they- JACOBS It's gone, Doc, they're gone, and no guarantees for us! [[/=]] EXT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER Helicopter starts to take off, but as it starts to turn away, we CUT TO: EXT. COMMANDO POSITION Two Commandos with a large backpack run towards the center of the dig. As a tentacle lunges for them, they trigger the backpack, an SADM explosive. As the explosion begins, CUT BACK TO: EXT. TROOP TRANSPORT HELICOPTER Where we see the explosion rapidly overtake the troop transport. Dr. Jafari bows his head and rocks back and forth. The explosion envelopes the transport. CUT BACK TO: EXT. DIG SITE WIDE SHOT of the site, where the explosion rises into the air. As the scene starts to fade out, we hear Captain Good in voiceover: [[=]] CAPTAIN GOOD (V.O.) (in Urdu) Until we meet again. [[/=]] [[>]] FADE TO BLACK. [[/>]] = ACT 5 INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76 This act opens with several shots and a voiceover by AGENT KLIKS, who is conversing with an unknown party on his phone. Focus on Security Desk engaged in normal activity. [[=]] KLIKS (V.O.) No, that was never the deal. The arrangements got fucked up somehow. [[/=]] INT. SITE-76 ARCHIVES Focus on that bored Librarian reading her book. [[=]] KLIKS (V.O.) An information swap is nothing like allowing a containment breach. [[/=]] INT. OUTSIDE CONTAINMENT CELL OF SCP-140 Focus on the cell door and its two Guards, standing at attention. [[=]] KLIKS (V.O.) I never said that! (pause) Where are you getting your information? [[/=]] INT. AGENT'S KLIKS' OFFICE SITE-76 The once ornate office is now nearly empty of lived-in furnishings. Instead, we see bare Foundation fixtures, and two large taped-up boxes on the floor. Next to these are two expensive-looking overnight bags. Kliks is pacing the office, talking on a cheap cellphone that looks like a "burner". He is wearing a summer scarf in the European style, as well as a hat. He looks ready to travel. [[=]] KLIKS Of course I want access to the Library. The whole Foundation does. But your price is too high. (extended pause) I'll have to think about that. (extended pause) Yes, that sounds much better. But I have to leave you now. I'm on the move. (pause) To my new roost. Finally, I'm getting the respect I deserve. (pause) I'll be in touch. Ciao. [[/=]] Kliks shuts off the phone, grins at it, then tosses it into a heavy duty shredder attached to a bare desk. He picks up the two overnight bags, and walks to the door. Looking around one more time, he smiles and leaves the office, whose lights shut off automatically when he leaves. [[>]] FADE TO: [[/>]] INT. CORRIDOR LEADING TO SECURITY DESK-AFTERNOON FRONT SHOT of GREY, DR. MAHTO, and 2 GUARD escorts, slowly walking to the Security Desk. Grey has his messenger bag, and each Guard is carrying a travel bag belonging to Dr. Mahto. [[=]] DR. MAHTO (furious) It was all a lie, Simon. This is nothing like what the Foundation said I would be doing. GREY I don't know what to tell you. Today was extreme, but not unexpected. Your orientation- DR. MAHTO 43 people died today! That's not unexpected? That much daily death? GREY Look, Zeta-9 knew the score. Mobile Task Forces are our best, but that means they get the tough jobs. Sometimes they're impossible. DR. MAHTO How can you tolerate that, Simon? It's...it's monstrous. Unthinkable. [[/=]] CLOSE SHOT on Dr. Mahto [[=]] DR. MAHTO (sincere) I have always envisioned my research helping people, serving humanity. But now I realize I've signed on to just holding back cosmic monsters and keeping the body count to a minimum! [[/=]] WIDEN SHOT to Group. Grey stops and turns to Dr. Mahto, then to the Guards. [[=]] GREY Guards, give us a moment. [[/=]] The Guards step to the side. FRONT SHOT on Grey and Dr. Mahto in PROFILE. [[=]] GREY Doctor. (pause) Jagruti. Today, (pause) today you saw more than most new researchers see in 3 years. It's awful on the best days. You just saw the worst. But that's it, you have to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get on with it. DR. MAHTO (furious) How dare you, Simon! I am not feeling sorry for myself! The Foundation lied to me. I was tricked into making the wrong decision. GREY (thinking) I guess that old saying is right, then. DR. MAHTO What old saying? GREY The truth hurts. DR. MAHTO (exasperated) How does that even apply here, Simon? GREY I don't know! (pause) I'm just... (long pause) You saw the truth, Doctor. More than most people ever will. And yeah, most people don't want the truth, because it hurts to know. (pause) But you're a scientist. I mean, I'm not one, but I thought that the truth was everything to scientists. When you do an experiment, or whatever, do you give up if it doesn't work the way you wanted? DR. MAHTO (disarmed) No, not if you are a good scientist. Sometimes, the failures provide the most information. GREY Then you're in the right place, Doctor. Lotta failure here. DR. MAHTO But how do I get past all the deception, Simon? How do I ever trust the Foundation again? GREY (beat) You don't. Ever. You just get used to it. You figure out how to contribute while maintaining whatever morals you think you have. Your first meeting with the Ethics Committee will clarify a lot. DR. MAHTO (beat) And that's it? GREY (long pause) That's it. DR. MAHTO (long pause) I see. (beat, change in demeaner) Well, I do think that I trust YOU, Simon. Maybe that's enough for me to continue. GREY (stunned) I hope so, Jagruti. DR. MAHTO So back to your proposal. (beat) If I could figure out the mechanism for SCP-140 expansion, it would be more meaningful than anything I have worked on to date. GREY Yes, it would. DR. MAHTO 140 seems able to convert a certain form of matter to retrocausal energy. If we could monitor local quantum entanglement during an expansion event- GREY Doctor- DR. MAHTO -we could measure the changes in entanglement correlation, and see how it applies to the local quantum field! Then- GREY DOCTOR. I. Have. No. Idea what you're talking about. (beat) But it's good you do. Let's get to Site 19. Look up Dr. Xyanks when you get there. (to Guards) Guards, we're ready. [[/=]] REVERSE SHOT as Grey, Mahto, and Guard walk away, continuing towards the Security Desk. Mahto continues to formulate, while Grey just nods. [[>]] CUT TO: [[/>]] INT. SECURITY DESK SITE-76 ANGLE ON Grey and Mahto as they come up behind main desk and stop short. Camera continues forward to reveal a large contingent of Guards, researchers, and staff milling about and talking to each other. CMDR YOO and LT. QUINN seem to be a particular focus of attention, while Agent Kliks stand near the desk, observing the proceedings. The mood is festive. Cmdr Yoo's left forearm has a cast with many signatures and doodles. [[=]] GREY Geezus, did we miss something? KLIKS In fact, you missed several somethings. DR. MAHTO Oh, I'm sorry we missed it! Some good news is welcome. GREY What? What happened? [[/=]] ANGLE ON Cmdr Yoo and Lt. Quinn approaching. [[=]] KLIKS Special Agent, you are now speaking to Captain Jesse Quinn. Show some respect. GREY Wow, that's great news, ah, Captain. DR. MAHTO Jesse, I am so proud of you. I wish we had more time to work together. CAPTAIN QUINN Thanks, Doctor. But I can tell, you're needed at Site-19. I'll hold down the fort here. GREY Hold down the-- CMDR YOO Captain Quinn is the new Chief of Security for 76. (to Quinn, in jest) Don't botch this, Jess. I'll have lots of eyes watching you. GREY (realizing) OK, catching up slowly. Does that mean (smiles all about) Commander, are you moving to Site 19? Yoon-hee, that's incredible! (calmer) I mean, Commander. CMDR YOO Yes, Agent Grey. As long as they keep telling me it doesn't have to be a desk job, I'll keep saying yes. Plus, who's going to keep you and Kliks from driving each other to drink? GREY (sickly) Oh, no, no really? KLIKS The powers that be have come to their senses, and are moving me to my rightful domain. I've been given an "at large" portfolio: dabbling in whatever I deem most important across the entire grid. Don't worry, Grey, I'll give you a taste now and then. GREY (looking at the group) Well, two out of three isn't bad. CMDR YOO If it's any consolation, Agent, we get to take the jet back. GREY Nice perk, Commander. Well, then, I guess we're ready. Guard, please arrange an escort and take everyone's luggage. DR. MAHTO Simon, I want to say goodbye to a few people here. It will just take a moment. GREY I think the jet has to wait for us. [[/=]] Dr. Mahto steps into the crowd. Kliks moves closer to Grey and they have a quiet conversation. [[=]] KLIKS A quick chat, not in front of the others. GREY Well, Yoon-hee must know. KLIKS No, the Commander has no official knowledge. Remember that. GREY (beat) Sure. So you have some new insult you want to spring on me? KLIKS In good time. But right now, I need to apologize. Something did go wrong with 140. GREY Christ, Kliks, you think? A Top 20 Keter breached! What possible- KLIKS It has to do with...our project. GREY (silent, then) Like I said. How? KLIKS Let's say that we may have an 'in' now with someone who knows...a Way. GREY (pause) I don't know, Kliks. We've been lied to again and again. Seems like you're moving too fast. And I don't have any control. KLIKS With us both at Site-19 it will be easier to coordinate. And for you to be more informed. GREY (distressed) So this may have all been worth it. All these deaths. What the hell's wrong with me? KLIKS The Foundation does it to us all. Might as well put it to the best possible use. [[/=]] Dr. Mahto approaches with Cmdr Yoo and 3 Guard escorts. Also entering the scene is the PILOT taking our crew to Site-19. (S)he is a less armored guard, wearing a visored helmet obscuring his/er eyes. (S)he also wears gloves...similar to the Sarkite (recall none of our main cast saw this). PAN IN on the gloves. Then CUT TO WIDE SHOT on Dr. Mahto. [[=]] DR. MAHTO All right, Simon, I'm ready. CMDR YOO Do you know your first assignment, Jagruti? DR. MAHTO I am part of Dr. Gears' research group. I don't know much more than that right now. GREY (knowingly) Oh, man, Gears! DR. MAHTO What does THAT mean? GREY (pause) I can tell you some stories on the plane. KLIKS (acknowledging Pilot) Pilot, we're ready to depart. Off to the mothership, everyone! [[/=]] Grey suddenly looks distracted, and is looking at the Pilot. The group begins to depart. Grey turns to Dr. Mahto. [[=]] GREY (distracted) Oh, almost forgot. Never had a chance this morning. [[/=]] Grey steps back and formally extends a hand to Dr. Mahto. [[=]] GREY (ambivalent, serious) Welcome to the Foundation, Doctor. [[/=]] Dr. Mahto shakes Grey's hand once. The group turns towards a corridor and heads towards it. Grey taps Kliks on the shoulder and says something unheard. Both briefly stop, look at the Pilot, then continue walking. SHOT PULLS BACK to show the entire hall as the group departs. SHOT DISSOLVES up to the weigh station bay, then WIDENS to show the whole weigh station. Continues to PULL BACK to show a construction dig next to the weigh station hidden from the highway. Across the screen we see the text "Solaris Construction & Planning." We hover over this scene as the text and scene begin to fade, apart from the leading letters "S-C-P", as we... [[>]] CUT TO BLACK [[/>]] = THE END [[include :scp-wiki:component:license-box]] [[include :scp-wiki:component:license-box-end]]