Nosedive - SCP Foundation

You never had anyone but us. You never had anyone but the Foundation.

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AO-1434

Item Description: A 19-year-old man whose face cannot be captured photographically. All attempts to do so result in the digital or physical corruption of the image. A secondary anomaly garbles the subject's voice in all recordings.

Date of Recovery: 15-09-2017

Location of Recovery: LaGuardia Airport, New York

Current Status: Held in humanoid containment at Site-17.

vbsrecovered-1434-59.jpg

Date: 27/11/2019

To: Tabitha Ingram <ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat#ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat>

From: Ryland John Hart <tni.pcs|trahjr#tni.pcs|trahjr>

Subject: [IMPORTANT] New Assignment

Dr. Ingram,

The recent resignation of Dr. Juan Luna has left one of our patients without any psychological support. Therefore, I’m assigning you to work with AO-1434, full name Andrew Zhou. You should get the assignment packet and paperwork in your profile shortly. AO-1434 was recovered two years ago at age 17, and was continuously seen by Dr. Luna until now. The fact that we cannot tell AO-1434 anything about Dr. Luna's resignation is causing him some distress. Do what you can to mitigate this.

Your first session is on 03/12/2019.

Good luck,

Ryland Hart

Department of Anomalous Humanoid Psychology

Video Log AO-1434/BX492

Date: 03/12/2019

Dr. Ingram: So… what about any hobbies?

AO-1434: [garbled]

Dr. Ingram: Yes, but you know about Dr. Sophia Day, the new AEED liaison, right? Just for starters, she’s starting a D&D campaign in a couple of days.

AO-1434: [garbled]

Dr. Ingram: I know you miss them. I know it's not easy to have all these people in your life just… leave.

AO-1434: [garbled]

Dr. Ingram: I wish I could tell you. I really do.

Date: 07/12/2019

To: Eve Amber Patel <ten.pics|letap.aeve#ten.pics|letap.aeve>

From: Tabitha Ingram <ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat#ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat>

Subject: Calling in that favor

Eve,

I had my second session with Andrew today (notes attached). I want to highlight some things he asked me about.

Andrew kept pressing me on why Juan resigned suddenly. I know that even if I found out I can't disclose it to him, but for my own sake I wish to know as well.

How do I get in contact with Andrew's current case officer in Reintegration? He gave me the name "Hasan", but that refers to at least three different officers, and his file doesn’t have a corresponding link on Reintegration’s side.

Is there a lower clearance level version of SCP-6113 still available? Ever since the lockdown the file has been restricted to Level 4. Andrew misses Chloe dearly, and wants to know that she's at least safe.

Thanks for all your help,

Tabby

Department of Anomalous Humanoid Psychology

🖇️ notes-bc311.odt

MEMORANDUM REGARDING PROJECT RHIZOME

Dr. Ryan Murphy

Section 2.1: Rollout

The rollout period is traditionally the most volatile part of a new amnestic's lifespan. There was great controversy when the Foundation transitioned from opiates and chloroform to Y-909, and there will be controversy again when the Foundation inevitably moves past ATZAK-derived amnestics1. Already, senior researchers have begun voicing opposition to Rhizome Experimental Compound, basing their claims on unfounded hearsay. Therefore, in order to ensure that Project Rhizome has enough momentum to eventually become the basis of newer-generation amnestics, an altered and targeted rollout strategy must be utilized instead.

The first stage of this proposed rollout strategy is the implementation of Rhizome-based Class-A, -B, and -C amnestics on a per-project, per-SCP basis. Amnestics Department liaisons affiliated with Project Rhizome will attempt to persuade head researchers of the importance of using amnestics based on the Rhizome compound, and facilitate the development of new amnestic therapies dependent on Project Rhizome

Footnotes

1. For instance, see the 16/09/2019 Ethics Committee meeting on pausing auxiliary ATZAK PROTOCOL funding.

DEPARTMENT OF AMNESTICS | DRAFT DOCUMENT

Date: 08/12/2019

To: Tabitha Ingram <ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat#ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat>

From: Eve Amber Patel <ten.pics|letap.aeve#ten.pics|letap.aeve>

Subject: Re: Calling in that favor

Tabby,

Ethics has a copy of Juan's resignation letter stored locally, but it's above the clearance of mid-level liaisons like me. The only thing I could find is that he seemed to have been involved with the Site Director's office, and submitted the letter to Director Graham directly. Afterwards, someone on the committee stuck their neck out for Juan and spirited him away from Site-17 on short notice. I'd do more digging, but my superiors are probably keeping the whole thing under wraps for a good reason.

I had a bit more success with the Reintegration Committee records (attached). They're currently being reformatted by RAISA, so you’re not the only person who’s had problems with access. There hasn't been an update in nearly a year, so you should get in touch with Hasan Amir (ten.pics|rima.nasah#ten.pics|rima.nasah), because he's either not doing his job or he's giving a soft red light by not moving the case forward.

Finally, about SCP-6113. All I can tell you is that SCP-6113-3 (Chloe) was abducted during a containment breach. Everything else is above your clearance, unfortunately. I don't think I need to tell you that you shouldn't share this with Andrew.

All that said, I’ve read through your notes. The fact that Andrew lost both Chloe and Juan so recently seems to be affecting him greatly, and I encourage you to keep talking about those subjects, if only to find some sort of closure. Might I suggest you encourage Andrew to socialize in the common areas more? I know that he still has Anthony, but he really needs to make another friend.

Eve

she/they

Ethics Subcommittee for Humanoid Entities

🖇️ ao1434ReintCase2019.pdf

Chapter Five: Thought Patterns

It is common for patients in containment to feel decreased motivation for tasks and routines, even in the absence of depression. While prior sections of this worksheet focused on behavioral interventions, it is equally important to restructure our cognitive responses to containment, as we find that our thought patterns often precede and negatively influence our behaviors.

Consider the following question:

"Why should I bother doing anything when I’m going to be in containment for the rest of my life?"

When we’re faced with negative thoughts like the example above, we often attempt to respond combatively, which can result in a negative spiral. Instead, consider these responses:

"I am not going to be in containment for the rest of my life." – This is an ever-probable outcome as the Foundation continues to develop new pathways to reintegrate humanoid anomalies into public life. In fact, preparing oneself to be fit for reintegration provides a concrete and achievable goal for many patients in containment.

"I can still accomplish a lot even in containment." – It is true that your life circumstances are far from ideal, but remember that Foundation staff are trained to help you, even if your anomalous effects render you incompatible with outside society. Consider the case of SCP-5031, a formerly homicidal entity who was solely capable of sustained screaming and inflicting grievous injuries. After being mentored by one of our doctors, SCP-5031 is now a skilled chef renowned throughout the Foundation. Consider what resources you might require, and never hesitate to ask us for anything necessary for your wellbeing in containment.

Date: 16/12/2019

To: Tabitha Ingram <ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat#ten.pics|92margni.ahtibat>

From: Chaim Cannon <ten.pics|nonnacc#ten.pics|nonnacc>

CC: Ryland John Hart <tni.pcs|trahjr#tni.pcs|trahjr>, Su Bai <ten.pics|85iab.us#ten.pics|85iab.us>

Subject: Re: AO-1434 containment review notice

Dr. Ingram,

The Department of Humanoid Risk Assessment has reviewed your latest progress report regarding AO-1434. We note that since the most recent containment review with your predecessor on 16/11/2019, you have requested the following allowances:

1) Increased social privileges.

2) Recreational time in the Site-17 nature preserve.

3) Amenity budget increase ($100).

AO-1434 hasn't demonstrably improved psychologically after these increased allowances were granted. In fact, he hasn't greatly taken advantage of these privileges to begin with. Therefore, we cease authorization of these allowances effective tomorrow, unless it can be provably demonstrated that they are essential for continued good morale in containment.

I must also remind you that administering therapeutic modalities deviating from cognitive behavioral therapy must be per-approved by the Department of Humanoid Risk Assessment. As we have not received a request from the Department of Anomalous Humanoid Psychology, we ask that you return to the approved psychological curriculum.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chaim Cannon

Department of Humanoid Risk Assessment

Eve Amber Patel

Hey tabby

I bumped into Andrew at the D&D game today

He was pretty shy for much of the time, but I think he was having fun

Toward the end of the session Anthony's rogue rolled a 7 on his 1d6 sneak attack, and Dr. Day got a bit mad about the anomalous contraband and had rocks fall on Anthony's character 😆

Andrew's paladin tried to save him but rolled a nat 1 and died as well 🥲

Afterwards, I had a private talk with him as everyone was leaving. I asked him about you

And well

He said that he didn’t like how you were "gaslighting" him into trying to feel better. I tried to tell him that you’re only trying to keep him well until he could be reintegrated, but I don't think he bought it

I know you tried to do something different, like Juan, but then he said you stopped for no reason

He said he misses Juan and Chloe very much. Really doesn't like the "we can't tell you anything" stance

I'm glad that Andrew got to socialize

I know that he sometimes feels that I'm trying to manipulate him, but its

Just

Frankly, Hart and Cannon are breathing down my necks to get me to stick on program, but telling a prisoner to stay positive is never going to sound like anything but propaganda

I wish I could do something different

And I tried

But

Oh shit

Sorry

There's a new update from reintegration

You should really talk to Andrew about it

When's your last day before break?

Today

Then do it today

Video Log AO-1434/AE590

Date: 23/12/2019

Dr. Ingram: Yes, I talked about it with Hasan. He confirmed everything.

AO-1434: [garbled]

Dr. Ingram: Hey, you don’t- breathe. Just breathe.

AO-1434: [garbled]

Dr. Ingram: You’re fine. I got you. Just in… and out.

NOTICE FROM SITE-17 COMMAND

Site-17 Command is currently establishing full casualty counts for the recent containment breach of SCP-953. Listed below is the preliminary casualty list, based on information from MTF Delta-4.

NAME
CASUALTY TYPE
DESCRIPTION

Annalise Pham
Major Injury
Lacerations

Olly Collins
Minor Injury
Lacerations

Kieran Delacruz
Minor Injury
Self-inflicted wounds

Izan Rodriguez
Minor Injury
Self-inflicted wounds

Andrew Zhou (AO-1434)
Minor Injury
Self-inflicted wounds

Anthony Keller (SCP-6546)
Death
Friendly fire from MTF Delta-4

All personnel present at the Site-17 Christmas Banquet should seek psychological examination as soon as possible.

ISSUED 25/12/2019

Ellis Porter

Get over here now

Andrew tried to hang himself

He’s in the infirmary

Coming

Tell me he's not going to die

He's not seriously injured

He made a noose from rope

I think he smuggled it in

But I couldn't see it with the camera because of the anomaly

Why weren't you looking through the fucking windows????

I

I thought that was someone else's job

I'm sorry

Ethics Committee Memo

Date: 05/01/2020

To: Site-17 Director Thomas Graham

From: Ethics Committee Liaison Jeremiah Cimmerian

Subject: Notice regarding humanoid containment incidents

Graham,

We’ve seen an alarming rise in the number of self-harm incidents and suicide attempts among the humanoid anomalies in Site-17. In fact, just two days ago, AO-1434 attempted suicide via asphyxiation. It is evident that current methods of preventative psychological aid are far less than adequate. Therefore, alternative methods of support and prevention must be established in Site-17 as promptly as possible. The Ethics Committee is currently reviewing several experimental mental health treatments, and you are authorized to perform them with our approval and supervision.

Remember that you are ultimately responsible for the wellbeing of humanoid anomalies under your jurisdiction. Should you fail to stymie this current trend, you will answer to us regarding your dereliction of duty.

We will be monitoring your progress closely.

- Ethics Committee Liaison Jeremiah Cimmerian

Video Log NCE179054

Date: 13/01/2020

Dr. Ingram: Ethics would never approve this.

Dr. Cannon: Tell her, Patel.

Liaison Patel: (Pauses) The Subcommittee on Humanoid Entities narrowly voted for a limited trial, starting with AO-1434. Dr. Murphy of the Amnestics Department is to… is to test the efficacy of treating trauma, depression, and other mental health issues with Rhizome-based Class-C amnestics. If the results are sound, the subcommittee will consider broader authorization.

Researcher Bai: This is unprecedented. Amnestics are used for security, not for treating mental illness.

Dr. Ingram: I can't believe we're debating this.

Liaison Patel: I want it on record, I disagreed with the subcommittee's conclusions, and-

Dr. Hart: Enough! We are doctors, and we will act as such. Dr. Murphy, please explain your proposal.

Dr. Murphy: Certainly. Unlike prior amnestics, our Rhizome compound allows us to not only target specific memories, but also the emotions, reflexes, attitudes, and other associated baggage associated with those memories. Erase a targeted moment, say the death of a friend, and we also erase the depression, anxiety, and trauma resulting from it. In AO-1434's case, its suicidality comes entirely from several traumatic recent events. If AO-1434 ceases to recall these events, then its current symptoms will also cease. Of course, we'd most likely want to erase all memories of persons involved with these traumas, for example SCP-6113-3, SCP-6546, and Dr. Luna. Otherwise, the brain might find ways to… burrow through our suppression.

Dr. Cannon: I can see why Director Graham went to you, Dr. Murphy. This is excellent.

Dr. Ingram: You're actually serious… you're going to erase everything. Do you know what Andrew has left after you rob him of all his time with the only people he's ever cared about? He'll have nothing. Nothing!

Dr. Murphy: Dr. Ingram, the Foundation routinely erases larger periods of memory, and I can assure you that the Rhizome compound reduces the chances of full personality removal to near-zero.

Dr. Hart: Dr. Murphy, how completely does the Rhizome compound erase the memories themselves? Are they merely locked up, or do you scramble the neurons to destroy them altogether?

Dr. Murphy: I… will admit that there is a slight chance of recall. Which is why our amnestic therapy also injects heightened suggestibility into the subconscious, allowing a trained psychologist to easily make the patient doubt any memories that remain. In the case of AO-1434, we already have a perfect alibi in the form of SCP-953. It should be easy enough to convince it that all its memories of Dr. Luna and the others merely came from the anomaly, and its internalization of that fact will do the rest.

Liaison Patel: Murphy, I hope you've weighed the moral costs of wiping away years of Andrew's life.

Dr. Murphy: Liaison, if I may be candid, I see no reason why this treatment is immoral when the alternative is AO-1434's potential death, or at the very least its continued suffering.

Dr. Hart clears his throat.

Dr. Hart: Dr. Murphy, you know that I have my own reservations about this casual use of amnestics. But if what you propose is genuinely effective, then we have an obligation to Andrew to see it through. Tabitha, I'm assigning you to evaluate Andrew's post-amnestic state. You will catalog the effects of the procedure, and work on psychologically eliminating recall of any residual memories.

Silence.

Dr. Hart: Tabitha?

Dr. Ingram: I'm not gaslighting Andrew into believing that his best friend was the invention of a fucking fox.

Dr. Hart: I'm sorry Tabitha, but that's an order.

Dr. Ingram: I'd rather resign.

Dr. Cannon chuckles.

Dr. Cannon: Do it.

Dr. Ingram: (Pauses) What?

Dr. Cannon: Write your letter of resignation. Now, if you'd like.

Dr. Ingram: Doctor-

Dr. Cannon: No one's stopping you. You're not even important enough for Fire Suppression to bother with. So just leave.

Silence.

Dr. Cannon: Or are you reconsidering your words? Is it dawning on you what would happen to all the anomalies under your watch if you abandoned them the same way that Juan Luna did? Surely you must know how much pain he's caused by fleeing Site-17. Without even a farewell to 1434, no less. And all because of what? Because he saw something that hurt his feelings? Because he had to wade through the same shit as the rest of us?

Liaison Patel: Cannon, that's enough.

Dr. Cannon: I don't do my job because I enjoy it. Some days, I want to leave everything behind just as much as you do now. But I still show up and work my damnedest every day. Why? Because I- we have a responsibility. A responsibility to do what few can, and fewer will. To do what needs to be done. So I want to know, did you mean what you said? Are you going to run away from 1434 like everyone else in his life? Or are you going to stick with the rest of us, and do your job?

Dr. Ingram: I- I'll…

Dr. Ingram swallows, and then nods.

Dr. Cannon: That's what I thought.

AO-1434

Item Description: A 19-year-old man whose face cannot be captured photographically. All attempts to do so result in the digital or physical corruption of the image. A secondary anomaly garbles the subject's voice in all recordings. However, as neurological damage has rendered the subject mute, this property is considered effectively neutralized.

Date of Recovery: 15-09-2017

Location of Recovery: LaGuardia Airport, New York

Current Status: Held in humanoid containment at Site-17.

Video Log AO-1434/IF944

Date: 15/01/2020

Dr. Ingram: Okay, let's do another one. I've been your psychologist for the past two years. Real or not real?

AO-1434 writes on a notecard.

Dr. Ingram: Correct. I've been seeing you this whole time. Try to recall some of our earlier sessions. If you remember a different… a different man sitting here, just refocus and leave the memory.

Silence.

Dr. Ingram: Many victims of SCP-953 report false memories after contact. As easily as it takes away your memories and your voice, it inserts its own lies into your head.

Silence.

Dr. Ingram: Alright, last one before lunch. You had friends at Site-17 besides me. Real or not real?

AO-1434 writes on a notecard.

Dr. Ingram: That's right. Not real. You…

Dr. Ingram glances at the security camera.

Dr. Ingram: You've been a recluse. You never had anyone but us. You never had anyone but the Foundation.

Silence.

Dr. Ingram: But we can start anew. I can help you make new friends. Make new memories. You can be happy here.

An alarm clock rings.

Dr. Ingram: Oh, it's time for lunch. Try to eat something filling. I'll be here when you come back. And don't forget, you can always count on me, Andrew.

AO-1434 leaves the room.

Dr. Ingram: You can… you can always count on me.

Silence.

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