Wells was now calling the task force to order. Before he joined his 
comrades, Candle closed his eyes. He remembered something 
Blaire had said about him long ago. 


“Remember, if anyone gets hurt, crawl to Candle. He'll get you back 
in one piece.” 


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Razumite Games 


A xenobiologist and a botanist sat beneath the shade of a tree in the 
forest outside Site-93. The latter rested her head on the former's 
shoulder and softly hummed. After several moments, she brushed 
her short blond hair behind her ear, and reached into her jacket 
pocket where she pulled out a thin chain. A small silver carving of a 
tulip dangled from its end. 


The xenobiologist delicately held the metal flower and looked it over, 
one eyebrow raised. 


“So you'll come back...” the botanist clarified. “Tulips are perennials. 
They always come back.” 


The botanist tightly squeezed her companion’s hand. 
“Promise me you'll come back...” 


The xenobiologist ran a thumb over the pendant. A small heart was 
engraved on the center of the stem. 


“It will be a routine mission,” the xenobiologist replied with a 
reassuring smile. “What's the worst that could happen?” 


Dr. Sandra Gonzalez sat at the foot of a tall pine tree beneath a 
violet sky. All over her uniform, several small cuts could be seen 
where a horde of mechanical spiders had attempted to grab her, tan 
skin visible through the holes in the jet black fabric. Her neck length 
black hair was let down as she quietly hummed to herself, running 
the thin fingers of her right hand over the cool metal of the tulip 
pendant that she kept in her pocket. 


Around her the surviving members of Eta-13 quietly chattered 
among themselves, having just escaped one danger and possibly 
setting themselves up for another. They had started the day twenty 


strong. Now they were diminished to thirteen. 


“Okay.” Well’s deep voice broke her concentration. She looked over 
to see the battle torn sergeant motioning toward a spot at the center 
of the clearing. “Gather round people, we have some things to 
discuss.” 


Dr. Gonzalez sighed and tied her hair back before she joined the 

small semicircle that had formed in front of Wells and Dr. Baldric. 

When all hands were accounted for, Baldric drew a small schema 
into the dirt. 


“Alright,” Wells began, pointing at the X. “This is where we are. For 
obvious reasons we can’t go back the way we came." Wells pointed 
towards the doodle of an angry spider next to the X. "Lucky for us, 
this particular part of The Gate has another means of accessing 
SCP-2344 not too far from here.” 


“This second Gate is located at a former Foundation outpost,” 
Baldric spoke as he began to add onto the schema. 


“It was called Cronos Outpost. Since we all still have our keys, we 
should be able to use this as a means of getting back into 
SCP-2344. Not only would that place us in a separate part of the 
passage than the one we were just in, but that section of the Gate 
Passage is also close to Armstrong Outpost." 


"For those of you who don't know, that falls within the territory of 
2344-1-Alpha. Or as they would prefer to be called, the 
Oldomerites,” Baldric continued. 


“This particular group is highly cooperative with Foundation 
expeditions," Wells added. "They'll be sure to help us get home, or 
at least to Armstrong Outpost. No fuss, no muss.” 


Baldric added a small smiley face in the dirt, grinning as he looked 
up at Wells. The sergeant rolled his eyes. The rest of the task force 
murmured with the sounds of approval, save for Gonzalez. 


“No fuss?” Gonzalez asked. “Before we all jump on board with this 
plan, | think you should key everyone else into a small detail about 
Cronos Outpost.” 


Gonzalez turned to Candle. 
“James, remind me again. Why was Cronos Outpost abandoned?” 
The medic sighed and closed his eyes. 


“The natives there slaughtered the personnel and razed most of the 
outpost to the ground.” 


“Our crew currently consists of a handful of scientists and seven 
security agents.” Gonzalez continued. “That’s hardly a fighting force 
capable of raiding an occupied ruin.” 


“And what would you suggest we do, Sandra?” Baldric inquired. “Do 
you expect us to just wait around here?” 


“Why not?” Gonzalez shrugged. “Wait a day for those spiders to 
clear out, and then we go back the way we came.” 


“Whatever sent those spiders is going to know they didn’t finish the 
job,” Wells chimed in. “If you think so little of us against the natives, 
how well do you think we’d do against a force of radical Hand 
agents?” 


“We're going for a ‘lesser of two evils’ approach,” Baldric added. 
“Trust me, if there was a third, less dangerous option, we wouldn't 
even have considered this scheme. We’re just out of luck.” 


“You're leading us to our deaths.” Gonzalez shook her head. 


“Better to meet it head on than waiting around here for it to find us,” 
Agent Turner piped up, her monotone voice sounding from the back 
of the cluster. Gonzalez turned to face the slender Asian woman. As 


she prepared to respond, whispers of agreement could be heard 
among the rest of the task force. Gonzalez threw up her hands in 
frustration. 


“Well, alright then,” she conceded. 
Wells and Baldric both gave satisfied nods. 


“Get ready for travel.” Wells ordered. “We have a fair amount of 
ground to cover.” 


After several hours of travel the sun began to set, causing the violet 
sky to change to a deep merlot. Eventually, the light began to die, 
forcing Eta-13 to make camp at the top of a hill. While the rest of the 
task force drifted to sleep, Gonzalez chose to remain awake. Her 
eyes were plastered to the sky. While this world had no moon to 
illuminate the horizon, the darkness was pierced with the faint glow 
of countless stars. 


“Why did you find it necessary to argue with Wells?” 


Gonzalez jumped at the sound of a monotone voice beside her. 
Sitting on a stump just a few feet away was Jia Turner. 


“Because | didn’t want Wells to get the rest of us killed,” Gonzalez 
replied flatly. 


"Don't we all..." Turner grinned. "This is, what, your third trip through 
the Gate? Fourth?" 


"Fourth..." 
"Thought so. Scared?" 
"... terrified." 


"Me too." Turner nodded. "This is my fourteenth. Not quite Candle's 
record, but close. Each of those missions was lead by Baldric and 
Wells. Lots of close calls." 


Gonzalez gave an exhausted sigh. 


weeks, SCP-758 was given increasingly advanced material, 
including magazines, essays written for the classes the subject's 
mother taught, and eventually graduate level college text books and 
encyclopedia volumes. 


Upon learning of what they believed to be a savant talent, 
SCP-758's Dr. advised limiting the subject to a single language 
so as not to over-stimulate him. At the age of , the subject founda 
pamphlet written in Mandarin on the ground outside a store. 
SCP-758 picked it up and after staring at the page for a few 
moments, began correcting the pamphlet in the same manner as he 
had done with the previous materials. Dr. began giving him 
materials in every language they could find. 


Discovery 


Agent , while on psych leave (see Med 861379), overheard 
SCP-758's parents discussing his talents and reported what he 
heard to the Foundation immediately. Upon performing a CT scan 
and an MRI, it was discovered by Dr. Bright and Dr. English that the 
language center of the subject's brain was non-existent. This led to 
the conclusion that the subject was an SCP, as he should not be 
capable of any amount of linguistic processing, much less to the 
degree his ability allowed him. SCP-758 was immediately brought to 
Site for study where he remains in containment. See Research 
Log 758 for records of progress. 


-Dr. English 


Addendum: 758-2 Effective immediately, SCP-758 is being 
reclassified as Safe and his containment procedures are being 
changed accordingly. He does not understand the Foundation's 
number designation system, so any personnel speaking to him 
directly should address him as Vasili if they wish to receive any kind 
of response. - Dr. English 


Addendum: 758-3 It has been determined that SCP-758 is 
speaking truthfully when he claims that he does not understand the 
languages he is reading. As such, any personnel wishing to utilize 
SCP-758's ability for proofreading official documents may submit a 
request to Dr. Bright for access to the subject before or after his 


“What’s your point?” she asked. 


“’ve worked with Baldric and Wells for a long time," Turner 
explained. "They argue about everything. | once saw them get into a 
heated debate about whether toilet paper goes over or under. So, 
when they agree on something, there is a very good chance that it’s 
the best option." 


She then chuckled briefly, as she looked up to the sky. 


“You promised Dr. Hayes that you would return to her, right?” She 
asked. “She’s the one that gave you that tulip pendant, isn't she? 
I’ve seen you fiddling with it whenever you can. ” 


"What? How did you even come to that..." Gonzalez returned, 
stopping when Turner held up her hand with a sly smile. 


"| spend a lot of my free time in the woods near Site-93, too. My 
point is that Baldric and Wells know what they are doing. They'll get 
you back to Cameron in one piece. You just have to give them the 
benefit of the doubt." 


Gonzalez fell silent. She starred at up at the sky for several 
moments before she pulled out the tulip pendant, rubbing her thumb 
over the etching of the heart. 


"Before we left, | told Cameron that this was going to be a routine 
mission," Gonzalez said with a sad smile. "What could go wrong..." | 
asked." 


"Irony sure is a bitch," Turner said as she stifled a laugh. She 
lingered for a few more moments before finally standing up, 
returning her gaze to the sky. 


“Anyway,” she added. “It sure is a beautiful night out. You take 
care.” 


Gonzalez held the tulip pendant tightly as Turner silently walked 
away. 


Eta-13 continued their trek at first light. The hills and trees of the 


forests slowly descended into meadows and scrublands. The longer 
the party marched onward, the more tightly everyone held their 
weapons. While there had still been no signs of the natives, there 
was always the potential for a crossbow bolt to fly out of the tall 
grass. 


Gonzalez marched near the center of the party, behind Candle and 
a young engineer who never seemed to leave the medic's side. The 
edges of the tulip pendant began to cut into her palm as she 
continuously squeezed the metal token, her eyes darting rapidly in 
search of light reflecting in the grass. After another hour of walking, 
Wells eventually had the team stop for a short rest. Gonzalez sat 
down, and closed her eyes, humming to herself as she attempted to 
calm her fluttering heart. 


My, my, my. So many humans so far from home. 


A faint, familiar, feminine voice sounded in the back of Gonzalez’s 
mind. Gonzalez’s eyes snapped open. The rest of the task force was 
equally shocked, suggesting they had heard the voice as well. 
Hands dashed for weapons as a small orb of glowing pink light 
manifested itself at the center of the group. 


| thought you had abandoned your little fort here. 


The voice came through much clearer this time. Gonzalez 
recognized it as the same voice that belonged to a certain botanist 
she knew. 


“What are you?” Bell asked in amazement, his mouth slightly open 
as he looked on in wonder. 


“That is a 2344-1-Theta,” Baldric answered. “Also known as a 
Razumite. They can communicate directly with the consciousness 
of most beings.” 


“That also means that they can read minds to certain degree,” Wells 
added. 


Quite. The entity spoke. The humans who lived at that base you had 
here called me Lilith. You humans truly know how to flatter. But 


enough about me, what brings you all so deep into this dull land? 
Returning to reclaim your castle? 


“Our business is our own,” Wells replied. 


Oh no. Not anymore. Lilith replied, floating towards Wells. You're the 
king here, aren’t you? Or at least the lead fool. Trying to get back 
home? Perhaps | can help you? 


“Help us how?” Baldric asked. 


Well... Lilith lazily floated towards Baldric. Someone has to make 
sure | don’t tell the Camdorians that you're here. After all, they sure 
do hate the “beings of the three arrows.” Goodness knows what they 
might do to you if they caught you. 


The ball of light then flung itself towards Candle. 
Oh, silly me, you already do know, don’t you? Even better. 
Candle looked down at the ground. 


“What are your demands?” Wells asked. The orb's attention 
returned to him. 


Nothing too outlandish. | need a key to the Planestrider’s Path. You 
all seem to have plenty. 


"Why?" Baldric's eyebrows rose. "Razumites can apparate into and 
out of the Gate Passage at will. You don't need one." 


My business is my own. Lilith gleefully chirped. Do we have a deal? 


“Can't do it.” Wells replied sharply. The pink orb seemed to rapidly 
bob up and down, as if it were laughing. 


And why is that? 


“You’re asking us to voluntarily leave one of our members behind,” 
said Baldric. “That's just not something we’re going to do. We 
haven’t seen any sign of these ‘Camdorians’ during our entire time 
here. For all we know you’re just another con artist.” 


But do you really want to take that chance, scholar? Lilith rapidly 
closed the distance between it and Baldric. Are you going to risk 
thirteen lives to save one? 


The pink orb then zipped over to Wells. 


Your poor leadership already cost you seven people’s lives. Do you 
want more blood on your hands? 


Lilith then disappeared, and reappeared next to Candle. 


You've already left one person behind. You should easily be able to 
do it again. 


Candle immediately tightened his fists as he silently stared at the 
Razumite. 


Or perhaps you'd rather volunteer to stay behind yourself? Ease that 
heavy conscience? 


Lilith then turned its attention to Gonzalez. 


Ooooooooh... The orb slowly floated towards her. You have 
someone waiting for you. Isn’t one of their lives worth seeing 
Cameron again? Help me and I'll help you. My way is that third path 
that Baldric talked about earlier. Isn’t funny how he’s still considering 
that scheme? Go ahead and grab your pistol. Pick one. | won't 
judge. 


Gonzalez looked to Wells and Baldric. 
"Are you insane?" Gonzalez asked. "I'm not doing that." 


Then I'll kill you. Lilith hissed. And after that I'll kill her too. It will be 
simple. Easy as 1, 2, 3. 


The orb disappeared and Gonzalez felt a hum in the back of her 
mind. Low at first, but then growing to a loud roar. 


"It can't hurt you Dr. Gonzalez," Baldric shouted through the din 
"They can't physically interact with corporeal creatures! Don't be 
fooled!" 


Gonzalez eyes were wide. She felt her arms go numb, as she 
clawed at her skull. The roar in her head felt like it was coating her 
brain in a thick syrup. She quickly glanced over to Wells who simply 
shook his head, then to Candle, who mouthed, /ts going to be okay. 
Finally her vision fell back on Baldric. 


“Sandra,” he said, “Razumites are Loki, Coyote, and every other 
trickster archetype rolled into one. It's putting on an act. Don’t listen.” 


Last chance... Kill Baldric, you know you want to... Lilith's snarled. 


Gonzalez felt her hands violently shake as one quickly reached 
towards her hips. She closed her eyes and let out a wail. 


SHOOT HIM! 
“Get Down!” 


Lilith and Turner’s voices sounded at the same time. Gonzalez felt 
herself get knocked down, hitting the grass with a dull thud. Upon 
opening her eyes, she found Turner on top of her. Gonzalez’s hand 
rested firmly in her pocket, the tiny silver tulip sending searing pain 
up her arm as she grabbed it as hard as she could. Gonzalez shook 
her head violently.