GREY 
It was ritually cutting itself. 
Blood is the best ink of all. God, 
that sounds like a schlock horror 
movie, doesn't it? Good that those 
Sarkic rituals drag out forever. 
Could have been a lot worse. 
(pause) Could have been better, 
too. 


DR. MAHTO 
(subdued) That's what | saw. Nil's 
blood... 


GREY 
Yeah. | 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 
(recovering) Yes, from what | have 
read, the Daevas sound 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," | think he said. 
But yeah, that plus the cannibalism 
and ritual sacrifices sounds pretty 
bad. 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 them, even if it's a war 

they lose. 


DR. MAHTO 
(realizing) So every time it 
happens, a 140 breach, the Daevas 
live for longer. Prior military 
defeats become setbacks, and 
eventually victories. 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 
amazing | get to know. 


Dr. Mahto sits down in a conference chair, a bit calmer. 


DR. MAHTO 
Simon, is everything done for now? 
Until the next breach, that is? 


Grey sits next to Dr. Mahto. 


GREY 
No, it's not. (pause) | don't know 
if you read this far, but 
sometimes, (pause) 140 expands on 
its own. No blood, no ink, no 
nothing. It just gets longer. 
That's why it's Keter. If it always 
required ink to expand, it might be 
classified Safe. 


DR. MAHTO 
(with some horror) Then...we are 
not safe at all. (pause) 140 is not 
actually contained! It is only a 
matter of time. 


GREY 

And once it expands enough, we get 

a CK-Class Reality Restructuring 

scenario. We all bow down to the 

Daevas and their witch-king, or 
whatever it is. 
And the worst part is that the 

Foundation is exposed to the world. 


DR. MAHTO 
(disbelief) How can that be the 
worst part, Simon? What about all 
the lives that would be lost? The 
horrible impact on humanity? 


GREY 

(serious, slowly) Doctor, nothing, 

and | mean nothing, is worse than 
an LV-Class Lifted Veil scenario. 

The world can't function unless the 

Foundation remains a secret. You 

have to believe that if you want to 

work here. 


DR. MAHTO 
(resigned) It seems hopeless, 
Simon. | had no idea what the 
Foundation was doing. | did not 

understand at all. 


GREY 
Doctor. Someday, you might figure 
out why the expansions happen. 
Maybe you'll figure out how to stop 
them entirely. 


DR. MAHTO 
How would | ever do that, Simon? 


GREY 
(pause) Beats me, Doc. | don't 
understand anything about your 
work. But | 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 
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 
and empty. But today, the Daevas 
have lived for longer. 
And so the Foundation is going to 
have to look at those sites again. 
And when they do... 


DR. MAHTO 
Oh my Lord, Simon, you mean, those 
sites will have...new artifacts in 
them again? 


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 


« SCP-933 | SCP-934 | SCP-935 » 


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 

which 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 momert... 


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 approached the Comm Operator. ANGLE ON 
both. 


GUARD #5 
(in Urdu) Yasir, what do you think 
that was about? 


COMM OPERATOR 
(in Urdu) | 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 in 
her 40s. 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 
| 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 | 
may? 


CAPTAIN GOOD 
Negative, Doctor. You know what 


happened last time. 


DR. JAFARI 
Yes, but we learned from that 
event. | can learn more. | have to 
risk it. 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 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 in his 50s, 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 soon? 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, | am the lead researcher 
here. | would like to observe the 
containment. 


MAJOR STANTON 
(laughs) What's that, Doctor? You 
say you want to watch your ass turn 
to grass? 


DR. JAFARI 
(not quite understanding) I'm, I'm 
sorry, but | need to stay. Please 
understand- 


MAJOR STANTON 
I'm sorry you don't understand my 
colorful expressions, Doctor. Let 
me be plain. Some of my Diggers are 
going to die today. They know tt, | 
know it. No way we get out 
unscathed. Why will you? 


DR. JAFARI 
There is no guarantee that 
something dangerous happens this 
time. 


MAJOR STANTON 
Then why do you want to stay, 
Doctor? Isn't that what you want to 
see? Anyway, | don't have the 
luxury to contemplate that 
possibility. More people could die 
if did. 


DR. JAFARI 
(pause) | still need to try. To see 
something living from the past, if 
it happens...it is worth the risk. 


MAJOR STANTON 


(impressed) Very well, Doctor. You 
can sit up front of the troop 
transport with Jacobs. Give you a 
nice view. Hope we meet again on 
the other side. 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 
It will make me feel better. 


DR. JAFARI 
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, | feel worse than usual. 


CORPORAL 
Good instincts, Private. This is 
going to be bad. If we're lucky. 


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 aren't in 
Zeta-9 because you play it safe. 
(CUT) You knew this day would come. 
(CUT) And you're ready to do what 
you trained to do. (CUT) Get hot, 
prepare 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 (CONT'D) 
Six, five, four... 


Various CUTS TO Commandos readying their positions. 


ANGLE ON Dr. Jafari through the windscreen, making notes and 
watching intently. 


GUNSHIP (CONT'D) 
Three... 


ANGLE ON Captain Good looking pensive as her vehicle speeds 
away. 


GUNSHIP (CONT'D) 
Two... 


CLOSE SHOT of Major Stanton. 


GUNSHIP (CONT'D) 
One... 


WIDE SHOT of entire scene. 


GUNSHIP (CONT'D) 
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. 


What follows is a firefight where more and more Commandos are 


pulled into the mass. 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 
Shit! 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 


SCP-935: Ancient Playing Cards 


Item #: SCP-935 
Object Class: Euclid 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-935 is kept within a 
standard containment chamber, located in Site 19. It is to be 
monitored at all times, and in the event of a demanifestation agents 
are to begin monitoring all subjects known to carry Genetic Marker 
Bowe-1A. Genetic testing is to be done on all personnel applying for 
positions in the Foundation, and those who test positive for Genetic 
Marker Bowe-1A are to be placed under supervision by Foundation 
agents. If SCP-935 de-materializes, agents are instructed first to 
begin surveillance of all subjects carrying Genetic Marker Bowe-1A. 
Agents will be briefed on how to identify these individuals prior to 
being assigned to SCP-935's containment. When SCP-935 
reappears, it is to be retrieved and returned to containment, with 
containment procedures being updated.