Transcript - "Encounter"

The following is the transcript of a mission log from a R.I.F.T-TG scout team [DESIGNATION: Ocelot, 5 members] that was recovered after an encounter with an unidentified individual on Level 37. Investigation of the incident is currently ongoing. 
[AUDIO LOG START]
Ocelot-3: Dammit, I hate this.
Ocelot-5: What?
Ocelot-3: The water. I want to get out of the damn water. Can we just find an exit to this level already?
Ocelot-2: Quit whining. It’s not that bad.
Ocelot-4: I actually find it quite relaxing. But that’s probably just the Epsom Salt talking.
Ocelot-3: Yeah? Well, I don’t like being wet like this.
Ocelot-1: Alright, alright. Fine, we’ll try another route. Look, there’s a set of stairs over there leading out of the water. That’s probably our best bet.
Ocelot-3: Sounds good to me.
[Splashing is heard as the team wades through the water. Eventually, the splashing stops and is replaced by footsteps on the tile surfaces of Level 37.]
Ocelot-1: Better?
Ocelot-3: Better.
Ocelot-1: Alright, then. Everyone stay close. Don’t want to lose anybody in this maze.
Ocelot-2: It’ll be a hell of a time finding them, too, given how sound works in here.
Ocelot-1: Exactly.
[The team continues in silence.]
Ocelot-5: Huh?
Ocelot-4: What?
Ocelot-5: Look over there!
[Each team member is heard muttering to themselves as they turn to look.]
Ocelot-2: … The hell?
Ocelot-3: It’s… a guy.
Ocelot-4: What are the odds…?
Ocelot-1: Everyone steady. We’ll approach with caution.
[The team is heard unholstering weapons as they approach an unidentified individual.]
Ocelot-1: Sir? Are you in need of assistance. We’re with R.I.F.T-TG, and we’re willing to help.
[An Unidentified Man is heard laughing.]
Unidentified Man: Help? Hardly. I think I’m better off than any of you are, actually.
Ocelot-3: Hey, man. We’re just trying to be friendly. If you don’t want help, just say so, and we’ll be on our way.
Unidentified Man: Actually, there is something you can do for me.
Ocelot-1: What’s that?
Unidentified Man: There is a man among your little group that I have been searching for. I did not know where to find him, originally, but he recently made his presence known by allowing some information of his to be released to the public. Perhaps you can send a message to him for me.
Ocelot-1: Depends. What’s the message?
Ocelot-4: And who’s the guy you’re looking for? Lots of R.I.F.T-TG personnel declassify information every day. You could be talking about almost anyone.
Unidentified Man: Ah, yes. I’m trying to remember… I believe you refer to him as… Was it…? No… Ah, Dr. Θ, I believe?
[The team can be faintly heard whispering among themselves.]
Ocelot-1: … And how do you know this “Dr. Θ”?
Unidentified Man: I know a great deal, actually. Far more than he or anyone else could possibly know. And you don’t need to hide the fact that you know whom I’m speaking of. I already know that you know.
Ocelot-2: Then you probably also know that we’ve never even seen the guy… So, how do you know so much about him?
Unidentified Man: The explanation is… Complicated, to say the least. I’ve spent quite some time trying to understand it myself. Even now, with many of my past questions now answered, I still can’t fully comprehend it all. That’s why I keep searching, you know. A man who does not seek truth is dead, for he has already given his life to complacency.
Ocelot-3: Oh, how very cryptic and wise of you. Thanks for that.
Unidentified Man: You may scoff, but the truth is, you’ve already given in to complacency. It is for this reason that I won’t waste my breath attempting to explain to you what it is I know, what is coming.
Ocelot-5: Wait, what? What do you mean?
Unidentified Man: Let’s just say that, where you see an ungodly number of so-called levels, I see the future. I see the true nature of the Backrooms, the fate that awaits all of us who are trapped here… And the methods by which that fate can be altered.
[The team is heard muttering indistinctly amongst themselves.]
Ocelot-3: Just what the [EXPLETIVE] are you even talking about?
[The Unidentified Man is heard sighing.]
Unidentified Man: If only you had the capacity – the will – to understand. Perhaps then, you would be of more use to me than just sending a message.
Ocelot-2: Now, hold on a second. We didn’t say we were passing along any messages. Not until we know what the message is and why it’s so damn important.
Unidentified Man: Oh, did I mislead you into thinking you had a choice? My apologies.
[The Unidentified Man is heard laughing to himself.]
Ocelot-1: What? What the hell are you–?
[DATA CORRUPTED… FAST-FORWARDING TO NEXT SET OF INTACT AUDIO.]
[Fumbling with the audio recorder is heard. The audio has increased static compared to before.]
Unidentified Man: My good Doctor, I know you’re going to hear this. I activated your team’s distress beacon after I killed them, and knowing the nice little operation you have going, I know they’re going to find it, and it will be passed up to you, one way or another. Speaking of which, I do apologize for their deaths, but please understand that they were better off this way. With everything that is coming… Well, I can’t spoil it too much. I just want to get your attention. Truth is, Doctor, I want your help. Of all the people trapped in this hell, you are the only one with the capacity to understand and know how to help me. I implore you to come find me. If you don’t… Or can’t… Then I’ll be in touch, either way. I hope to see you soon, Doctor.
[AUDIO LOG END]
Scout Team Ocelot was found approximately 19 hours after the log ended. The bodies of Ocelot-1 and Ocelot-4 were never found, presumed to have either been taken by the Unidentified Man or lost in one of the two nearby water pits in the immediate area. Ocelot-2, Ocelot-3, and Ocelot-5 were all found in close proximity to one another, covered with severe burns across their entire bodies. 
At the time of declassification, the perpetrator is still at large, and the audio log has been given to Dr. Θ to personally review on his own time.
Category:Riftverse Canon
Category:Tales