Site-19 had seen containment breaches before. It was practically inevitable when housing some of the most dangerous anomalies on the planet. Most breaches were contained within minutes by security teams, Mobile Task Forces, and automated lockdown systems. This one was different.
SCP-682 had escaped.
The massive containment alarms still echoed throughout the facility while emergency lights painted the corridors in crimson. Bodies of researchers and security personnel were already being removed from the devastated containment wing as damage assessment teams documented the destruction. Entire sections of reinforced concrete had been ripped apart as though they were paper. Fifty Foundation personnel had already been confirmed dead, with dozens more injured.
Inside the Site Director's conference room, Julius, Darius, and one of my Herta puppets stood around a large holographic table displaying Site-19 and the surrounding region. My real body remained aboard my orbital research station, but my consciousness was fully linked to the puppet, allowing me to direct operations as though I were physically present.
Dr. Tilda David Moose, the current Site Director, finished her report before placing several classified documents onto the table.
"All available information has been transferred to Overseer Darius," she said. "Containment teams attempted pursuit, but SCP-682 breached the outer perimeter approximately eight minutes ago. Casualties currently stand at fifty confirmed personnel."
She gave a respectful nod before quietly leaving the room, allowing the Overseers to deliberate.
Silence settled over the chamber.
Julius folded his arms.
"Who approved the testing proposal?"
I let out a slow sigh.
"The researcher who decided testing SCP-682 against SCP-239."
Even Julius winced.
"That may be the single stupidest proposal I've heard this year."
"It succeeded only in creating a containment breach," I replied coldly. "The researcher responsible is being stripped of all clearance immediately. Effective today, they're reassigned as D-Class personnel. If they want to test dangerous SCPs so badly, they can volunteer personally."
Darius simply nodded.
"A reasonable punishment."
Fortunately, the situation with SCP-239 had been stabilized before it escalated further. Charles Xavier had used his telepathic abilities to gently convince the Witch Child that the entire event had merely been a nightmare. She had peacefully returned to containment without realizing what had actually happened. Meanwhile, another of my Herta puppets remained with her, comforting the child like an older sister. It was part of a long-term psychological project I had been carefully developing. If SCP-239 viewed my puppet as family, future containment would become considerably safer.
Unfortunately, that was no longer our primary concern.
I enlarged the regional map.
"SCP-682's psychology is well documented. It despises intelligent life. Given its current location, it's almost certainly moving toward the nearest populated area."
Several nearby towns lit up across the holographic display.
"If it reaches civilians..." Julius muttered.
"It becomes a massacre," I finished.
Darius studied the projected terrain for several moments before speaking.
"There's another complication."
I looked toward him.
"SHIELD."
He nodded.
"A creature of this size causing destruction across the Midwest will inevitably attract satellites, military reconnaissance, and SHIELD intervention. If Fury discovers Site-19 or realizes the Foundation has been concealing something like SCP-682, we'll have a political disaster alongside a containment disaster."
Julius sighed.
"As if today wasn't already difficult enough."
I looked directly at Darius.
"You're taking command of this operation."
He didn't hesitate.
"Understood."
"You'll have authority over all Foundation assets in the region. Deploy Mobile Task Forces, Red Right Hand detachments, air support, satellite surveillance, whatever you require. Priority One is preventing civilian casualties. Priority Two is re-establishing containment. Priority Three is ensuring SHIELD learns absolutely nothing."
Darius gave a single nod.
"I'll bring it back."
"I know you will."
Without another word, Darius turned and left the conference room, already issuing orders through his communicator before the doors had fully closed.
Julius watched him leave before looking back at me.
"You know..."
"What?"
"If anyone besides Darius had been available, I would've volunteered."
"I know."
"But Darius is the better choice."
"He is."
Julius smiled faintly.
"I hate it when you're right."
"I know."
The room fell silent once more as the holographic map continued tracking SCP-682's projected movement. Somewhere beyond the walls of Site-19, the Foundation's most dangerous reptile was heading toward civilization, and thousands of lives depended on stopping it before it reached them.