Transcript - "Discovery"

The following is the transcript of a mission log from a R.I.F.T-TG supply team [DESIGNATION: Mercy, 4 members]. The events which transpired there are considered a turning point in what we have come to understand and know about the Backrooms. Therefore, R.I.F.T-TG has left it declassified for everyone to view.
 [AUDIO LOG START]
Vendor: Ah, hello there! Come in, come in.
Mercy-1: Hello. We’re back for another load of supplies.
Vendor: Of course, so long as you have the necessary items to trade... Not that I think you don’t. You R.I.F.T-TG guys are always professional, never haggling over a decided price. I like that.
Mercy-1: Standard operating procedure. Our superiors handle negotiations, and we just carry out the agreement.
Vendor: Well, I still like it, nonetheless. So, do you have it?
Mercy-1: We do. The computer components you requested.
[Mercy-1 is heard unzipping her backpack and fumbling with undisclosed components.]
Mercy-1: Here you go.
Vendor: Ah, yes. Wonderful. My people will be out with the 6.1 food in a moment.
[Mercy-3 is faintly heard chuckling to himself.]
Mercy-3: Don’t you guys have enough computers around here?
Mercy-1: Three!
Mercy-3: Yeah, yeah, yeah...
[The Vendor laughs.]
Vendor: Lighten up, friend. I understand the need to run a tight ship, but a little fun never hurt anybody.
Mercy-2: Poor One’s just a little on edge is all. We had a bit of a messy encounter with a Nostalgia Child during the trip.
Vendor: Oh, my. Those are real? I thought it was just a story people to keep people away from places like Level 65.
Mercy-1: Oh, they’re real... And they go far beyond just 65.
Vendor: Well, then. I’ll have to let the others know that next time they – Wait, what?
Mercy-2: What?
Vendor: I didn’t know you were with R.I.F.T-TG.
Mercy-4: Uh... Me?
Vendor: Yes, you. We talked just yesterday, remember? You’ve been staying with us for the last few days.
Mercy-4: What...? No, I...?
Mercy-3: You sure you’re not confusing her with someone else? She was assigned to our team just before we left, and she hasn’t left our side since then.
Vendor: No, I assure you, I am quite good with faces, and I know she’s been here before.
Mercy-4: But I’ve never even met you.
[The Vendor is about to say something, but Mercy-2 cuts him off while unholstering his sidearm.]
Mercy-2: Just in case... Can you show us where you think Four is staying?
Vendor: Now, hold on. That weapon is hardly necessary–!
Mercy-2: I don’t intend to use it on you. It’s just a precaution. Now, show us this... “doppelganger” you think you know.
Vendor: “Doppelganger.” Of all the... Fine, this way.
[The footsteps of each individual sound off as the supply team follows the Vendor.]
Mercy-3: Uh, Two? What exactly do you think is going on here?
Mercy-2: No idea. Could be just a lookalike, but it could also be some sort of entity. Hell, maybe an evolved Skin Stealer, for all we know.
Mercy-1: The Backrooms does have a twisted sense of humor. Who knows what it is, at this point?
[The footsteps come to a stop.]
Vendor: Alright, here we are.
[The Vendor is heard knocking on a door before opening it. A moment of silence follows.]
Mercy-1: ... Is there a problem?
Vendor: Uh...
Mercy-2: What?
Vendor: Ma’am? There’s some people here to see you... Alright, you all can go on in, and see for yourself.
[The team is heard cautiously entering the room designated by the Vendor.]
Doppelganger: Yeah? What do you...?
Mercy-3: Woah... What the [EXPLETIVE]?
Mercy-4: What...? But how...?
Doppelganger: Wait a minute. Just who the hell are you?
Mercy-4: Who am I? No, who are YOU?
Mercy-1: Identify yourself.
Doppelganger: Now, why would I ever–?
[Mercy-1 and Mercy-2 are heard drawing their weapons.]
Doppelganger: Woah, woah! Alright, I’ll tell you! My name is [CLASSIFIED DATA]. I’m just your ordinary traveler in the Backrooms. Been stuck here for six months, I think.
Mercy-4: Oh, yeah? Well, I’ve been here for almost nine, so it looks like I’m the original one here!
Doppelganger: Wait just a second. What’s your name? Your full name, please.
Mercy-4: [CLASSIFIED DATA].
Doppelganger: Uh-huh... Okay, what were your parents’ names?
Mercy-4: [CLASSIFIED DATA] and [CLASSIFIED DATA]!
Doppelganger: H-Hold on, you’re not some sort of entity, are you? You’re not, like, reading my memories or something?
Mercy-3: She’s not an entity. We’ve confirmed that already.
Doppelganger: Oh, really? But how would you KNOW?
Mercy-1: The same question could be asked about you, you know.
Mercy-2: We need to bring her in. We need answers.
Doppelganger: Bring me in where? What if I don’t want to go?
Mercy-1: I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. You can either come willingly, or we’ll take you by force. But we’d prefer not to hurt you, if we can avoid it.
Mercy-4: Look, we just want answers. I want answers. If you really are... Well, ME, then we need to know how that’s possible.
[There is silence for a moment as the Doppelganger considers her options.]
Doppelganger: ... Okay, fine. I’ll go.
Mercy-1: Good. Two, Four, you both stay here until those supplies from 6.1 get out here. We’ll meet you at the exit.
Mercy-2: Got it.
[Mercy-1 and Mercy-3 are heard escorting the Doppelganger out of the room.]
Mercy-4: Two?
Mercy-2: Yeah?
Mercy-4: What do you think this means?
Mercy-2: Impossible to say. We won’t know anything until we get her to a R.I.F.T-TG base for study.
Mercy-4: What do you mean by “study,” exactly?
Mercy-2: Come on, Four. We’re not unethical. The science teams aren’t going to just open her up or anything like that. They’ll probably interview her, see what she knows. They’ll probably do something similar with you, as well. One way or another, we’ll find answers.
Mercy-4: I hope you’re right.
[The Vendor is heard approaching.]
Vendor: Good news, friends! We have your food supplies, straight from Level 6.1! They’re waiting for you just... Where’d your friends go?
Mercy-2: They’re escorting your guest out of here. Looks like you weren’t wrong. Four was here, only it wasn’t the same Four we know.
Vendor: Hm... How very strange.
Mercy-4: You seem to be taking this well.
Vendor: Well, now that I’m thinking about it, I can’t say I am all that surprised. Being alone was never a problem here in the Backrooms. Sometimes, I wonder: to what end does that statement hold truth? Perhaps we share this place with more than just monstrous entities. Maybe there’s something else out there.
Mercy-2: Maybe... Still, any discovery like this... It changes the way we see the Backrooms, for better or worse. I just hope it’s not the latter. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see.
[AUDIO LOG END] 
Upon Supply Team Mercy’s return, the Doppelganger was taken into R.I.F.T-TG custody, and each member was asked to give their own personal report on the encounter. The team was then taken off duty while Mercy-4 was brought in for questioning.
At the time of declassification, efforts are being made to determine what differences (if any) exist between Mercy-4 and her Doppelganger.
Category:Riftverse Canon
Category:Tales