He nodded his head in goodbye and began mopping up the blood. 


*Why does everybody always go for the throat? Leaves such a 
mess,” Daumant said to the empty hallway. 


KKK 


William was placing the ledger back into the shelf when he heard the 
door creak. 


“To what do | owe the pleasure?” He turned around. 


The air shimmered for a moment as a man and a woman seemingly 
stepped out of nowhere. 


“Type Blue, right?” William walked towards the two.” Now whyever 
would you spend the time and energy to come get me? If you 
wanted to meet me so bad you could have ju-” Before Will could 


finish the sentence the man walked up to him and sprayed 
something smelling vaguely of lavneder in the accountant’s face. A 
bitter taste was all Will felt before the world plunged into darkness. 


KKK 


William was roused from his unconsciousness by a few slaps, his 
head feeling as if he had spent the last few hours trying to drink a 
brewery dry. A wave of nausea washed over him as he raised his 
head. What a pleasant day this was turning out to be. 


The face of a clean shaved man was inches away from his as he 
opened his eyes. The pair who had taken him from his office flanked 
the man who William assumed to be their leader. 


“Can you hear me, Mr. Cranford?” The man was squatting to get on 
William's eye level. 


“Loud and clear. Now if | may ask, what am | doing here and who 
might you be?” William squeezed his eyes shut for a few moments, 
waiting for the headache to subside. 


The man smiled. ”Of course. | Know of you from my previous 
employers. Apparently, you are the one who takes care of all the 
dirty deals of the Foundation. The name is Ludolf.” 


Will took a sidelong glance at his surroundings. “I wouldn't label it 
so, but for the sake of this conversation, yes | am. Now, why go 
through all this trouble to get me?” He seemed to be outside of the 
site. Not too far though, if the sirens were something to go by. 


“Oh, you are just a bonus. We are here to free our brothers.” Ludolf 
rose out of the squat. 


“Your brothers? And who would that be?” William was stalling and 
trying to get the man to spill everything he knew. 


“The Shapers, the Manipulators, the Evergrowing!” The leader of his 
captors spread his arms to the sides. 


“Type Green, Blue and Red | presume? And | am here why?” 


Subject: SCP-564 


A nail on the ring of SCP-564-1 was chosen at random. X-Ray 
Machine brought in, and wires extending from the ring of SCP-564-1 
were traced a short distance away to the right of the base of the 
neck. Forceps used to hold portion of SCP-564-1 held by the nail, 
and the nail was removed. 


Subject started moving erratically with available body parts. Internal 
liquids suddenly vomited, and subject lashed out at Dr. 

Attempts at communication with subject were met with silence. Due 
to the reaction of SCP-564 towards Dr. , portion of SCP-564-1 
being manipulated was lost to the central mass. 


Test was forcibly ended after SCP-564 refused to cooperate. Loss of 
speech was noted. 


Conversation Log 564-014 


Dr. : Please tell me anything you remember 
between now and [EXPUNGED]. 

SCP-564: | was returning home from [EXPUNGED]... A 
man approached me. He assaulted me, and covered my 
mouth with something until | fell unconcious... 


Dr. : Do you know who he was? 
SCP-564: No. 
Dr. : Continue. 


SCP-564: When | came to, | couldn't see or hear or feel 
anything except for a faint, throbbing pain all over my 
body... | don't know how long | remained like that. 
Eventually, | heard a terrible static noise that lasted 
minutes, until the sound became the voice of a man 
muttering to himself. | can't remember what he said... 
After that point, occasionally a point on my body would 
hurt intensely for a moment before returning to normal. 
Sometimes I'd be able to feel normally with a arm ora 
leg shortly afterwards, but most of the time it didn't last 
long. 

Eventually, my vision came back too... | was in the room 
that you people found me in. 


“Since you keep contact with all the big players, you have quite a bit 
of information on them stashed away in that head of yours. We’d like 
you to point us in the direction of the rest of our brothers.” Ludolf 
explained, the grin still adorning his features. 


“So you’re some kind of liberation force? Jesus Christ what a bunch 
of geniuses.” William spat out. 


“You disapprove of our vision?” This got to Ludolf, the smile 
beginning to fade. 


“| disapprove of idiots. You want to make a nice little army of 
Greens, Reds and Blues. Good idea in theory, but you think you can 
put a bunch of magic-using and reality-bending, psychologically 
unstable narcissists together and convince them to fight for a 
righteous cause? Not that I’m not impressed by what you have done 
here, but yeah, go ahead, make Chernoby! look like a goddamn 
joke.” William finished his tirade and promptly got punched in the 
nose. 


“Take him with us. We'll get what we need out of him back at base.” 
Ludolf ordered his subordinates. 


The two abductors flanking him moved to pick the swearing William 
up, but before they could reach him the sharp sound of an assault 
rifle pierced the air. Ludolf reacted near instantly, rushing up to 
William and pulling him to his feet. William found himself used as a 
human shield, a cold gun barrel pressed against his temple. 


“Are you really gonna try this, friend? I’m an accountant for the 
Foundation. They'll shoot with no hesitation. There are a hundred 
men and women working under me who could take this job within a 
heartbeat.” 


The eyes of Ludolf frantically looked around, trying to find an escape 
path. He pushed William to the ground and turned to run, only to find 
himself staring down the barrel of a gun. 


“Should |?” Dionne asked. 


“Go ahead. The guy told me everything.” Will got up. 


A single shot rang out and the man fell to the ground. Two guards 
arrived at the scene, both nodding to William and Dionne. The pair 
began walking back to the Site. 


“Shame.” William began brushing the dirt off his suit and wiping the 
bit of blood dripping from his nose. 


“How come?” Dionne looked at him. 

“They could have been a nice business partner, if not for the rather 
delusional goals, that is. Acquiring humanoids would've gotten a lot 
easier.” Will took out his notebook and scratched out a few lines of 
text and numbers. 


“Such is life? What are you gonna do now?” Dionne pulled her arm 
back and flung the gun still in her hand into the bushes. 


“If | recall correctly, once the breach is over, one has to get back 
their job.” 


“So you’re going back to sleep?” Dionne smirked. 


“Oh yes. Can't let them think I’m already done with my work. That 
would just mean more of the stuff. Does my tie look okay?” Will 
turned towards Dionne. 


“As if anyone in your department cares. I'll be heading to the 
cafeteria now. You want anything?” 


William thought for a moment. 
“Some tea would be nice.” 


“Good, then you can come and get it yourself.” She swiped her card 
on the Site entrance. 


“Why must you do this to me, Dionne?” William followed her through 
the door. 


“Because everybody in Accounting doesn’t so much as let out a 
peep against you since you shouted at that poor guy until he cried .” 


William scoffed. “Well, | had a good reason.” 


“He wrote the wrong year on one of the forms right after returning 
from his New Year vacation.” Dionne said in a deadpan tone. 


“Alright, alright, but it wasn’t that bad!” William tried to defend 
himself. 


“He trembles like a leaf everytime you so much as enter the same 
room as him.” 


“Okay, | get it. I’ll get my own tea.” Will raised his arms up in defeat. 
They walked in silence for a few moments. 


“The guy from Medical is going to defect, you know.” Dionne said as 
they walked past the infirmary 


Will furrowed his brow. “Anzo?” 

“Yeah, that’s him. What are we going to do?” 

“Well, since he’s going to MCD... | say let him. If he’s useful I'll bill 
them, if not, well, they’re going to do their usual thing. Win-win.” Will 


shrugged his shoulders. 


“God, you’re a soulless prick. How come you’re not Senior Staff 
yet?” Dionne rolled her eyes 


William let out a chuckle.” Oh, don’t get me started little miss “I 
spend more time with knives than people”. One would think you’d be 
quite high up on the list.” 


Dionne laughed for a moment as well, before hooking an arm 
underneath Wills. 


The two walked through gray hallways, the Spider and the Mantis. 


« Backstage | Above All, Stand I. | What a Pleasant Town » 


What a Pleasant Town 


Previously 


The elevator is silent except for the distant humming of the motor. | 
take one last look at myself in the mirror before the elevator stops 
and the steel doors slip open. There are no decorations in the light 
blue hallway that unfurls before me. | walk along the doors, 
occasionally looking back at the small piece of paper in my hand. 


Finally, an apartment bearing the correct number stands before me. 
| take a deep breath and knock. The door opens after a few seconds 
and | find myself standing before him. He is wearing a white shirt 
with a gray vest and slacks. 


A smile blooms on his face. “Ah, you must be Eldred. Please, come 
in.” 


“Good evening, Mr. Cranford. It is an honor to meet you.” | reach out 
and shake his hand. 


He returns it. "Oh, no need to flatter me. Come, make yourself at 
home.” 


| enter and hang my coat on the rack. The apartment is bathed in 
soft light and a gentle, warm aroma hangs in the air. | move deeper 
into the flat. Steel, stone, and glass seem to be the theme here. 
Before | can observe it further Mr. Cranford places his hand on my 
shoulder and leads me to an adjacent room. A large table awaits us 
there, with the source of the aroma sitting on it. A large bowl of rice, 
garnished with shrimp. Multiple smaller fragrances bloom as we 
move closer to it. Three plates with utensils sit on the table. 


“Is there anyone joining us this evening?” | look towards my host. 
“No need to worry. This person is a close colleague of mine.” 


| feel my muscles stiffen and my hand instinctively begin reaching 
for the inner pocket of my suit. 


William chuckles. “No need for that now. They are my colleague in 
my, how shall we say, secondary position as well.” 


“Oh, what a polite and tactful manner of explaining what you do 
Will.” A female voice comes from behind me. 


| turn around to see a woman in a simple, black dress. Her scarlet 
hair is cascading across her shoulders, but her eyes are sharp and 
focused, drilling into mine. 


“It's a pleasure meeting you Miss..?” | offer her my hand. 


She takes and shakes it. “Antje. And | already know who you are Mr. 
Jacinto.” | can feel old scars as my hand slides across smooth 
patches of skin. 


“Now that the introductions are done, shall we begin?” William 
motions towards the table. 

We sit down at the table and spend the following minutes in silence, 
enjoying the food. 


William is the first to interrupt the silence. ”! trust Mr. Dark is well?” 


| set down my utensils. “Oh, yes. He is deeply sorry that he could 
not make it, as urgent business in the Baltics demanded his 
immediate attention.” 


Ms. Antje snorts. “Oh, I’m sure he is absolutely anguished over 
missing out on our company.” 


William rolls his eyes and ignores the remark. “Baltics? | did hear 
something was beginning to stir up there. Wine?” 


| shake my head. ”No thank you. Now, if it would be fine, I'd like to 
discuss some matters that require your attention.” 


He sets down his utensils as well and picks up his glass. “Of course, 
of course. We can’t spend all evening just stuffing our faces, now 
can we?” 


| hand him a folder. “We have recently unearthed some items in the 
Nile delta. However multiple of these items are impossible to market 
to our clientele. We believe your organization would be interested.” 


William leafs through the folder. "That seems correct. And the real 
reason you are here is?” 


I’m briefly stunned. “I’m sorry Mr. Cranford?” 


He sighs. “Why are you here and Dark is in the Baltics? If you just 
wanted to notify me of some mildly interesting items there was an 
abundance of channels to inform me through.” 


| put the folder back in my bag and place a laptop on the table. “A 
group of independent individuals has chosen Marshall, Carter, and 
Dark to act as an intermediary between them and you, as well as 
vouching for their trustworthiness.” 


A disquieting coldness and a flash of hunger briefly appear in 
Williams’ eyes. ”| assume this group would like to open an account 
with me, correct?” 


“Indeed they do.” | nod, open the video call and push the laptop 
towards William, a notebook already in his hands. 


“Good evening Mr. Dark. And you, | believe are my future associate. 
Shall we go over the basic terms you desire to include in our 
agreement?” William smiles. 


The next hour is a mess of terms, agreements, limitations, 
assurances and so much more. The smile of Mr.Cranford does not 
waver for a second. As he passes my laptop back to me, a muffled 
crash is heard from outside the apartment. 


Ms.Antje pulls my attention away from it. “Don’t worry, someone 
probably dropped their groceries or something.” 


| gather up my belongings and say my goodbyes. The cool air in the 


hallway washes over my face and | feel a massive pressure, that | 
didn’t even know existed, lift from my chest. | met with the man 
himself. | still can’t quite believe he exists. | button up my coat and 
turn to walk back to the elevator. 


Two men stare back at me, a third one lying on the ground, his neck 
twisted. One of them raises a finger to his lips, a silent whirring of 
gears accompanying the gesture. Then he points at the apartment | 
just left. He and his partner lift up the body and quickly leave. 


| walk to the elevator, ride down and get back in my car. Within 20 
minutes the city is behind me. 


KKK 


| disassemble my rifle and close the blinds. | switch the light on and, 
as the brightness fills the room, squeeze my eyes shut. When they 
are finally adjusted | walk to the kitchen and throw some leftover 
soup on the stove. Every time the same thing. 


A highly important representative comes, they have dinner, they 
make whatever twisted deal they have and the representative leaves 
in peace. | know | should be happy never to have to take the shot, 
but one does start feeling useless after a while. The Tickers in the 
hallways have no problem dealing with whatever comes their way. If 
anything makes it that far. 


| finish my soup and go to sleep. Same old, same old. 


At least | can get up late in the mornings. But then it’s just a routine- 
eat, work out, clean weapons and go to the market. 


The plaza is quite full today, people flowing through it like a river. | 
greet some of the people running the stalls and begin my shopping. 
Carrots, meat, artichokes for that new dish. | hum underneath my 
breath while moving through the river of people. | hear the sound of 
clockwork as a man in a gray suit passes me. While | know there is 
no threat my body tenses up and my senses kick into gear. All of 
them are suddenly visible. 


A group of teens in baggy clothes just on the edge of the plaza. | 


know that underneath the fabric hides a thing that would send most 
people running in panic. A woman buys some potatoes and as she 
reaches for the bag handed to her by the vendor the sleeve of her 
jumper slides back just a bit and the top of a tattoo becomes visible. 
| see a glimpse of multiple snakes forming fingers. 


These are only the tip of the iceberg. Some of them never leave 
their homes, some of them aren’t even visible. Every single one 
dedicated to a united cause.