WCKD

"*WICKED is good.*"
— Teresa Agnes
**World In Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department**, generally abbreviated to **WICKED** (**WCKD** in the movies), is an organization originally formed to find a cure for the Flare. After the deliberate release of the Flare virus as a means of population control after the Sun Flares, the remaining Governments of the world realized that the virus was far more dangerous than expected and that they had a worldwide crisis on their hands. Thus, they combined their resources to create WICKED, for the world was in desperate need of a cure. To experiment, they selected about a hundred teenagers, including Immunes (those who were immune to the virus) and non-Immune control subjects. They passed them through the Trials, such as the Maze and the Scorch, which involved various variables which were designed to stimulate the so-called Killzone (the brain) so they could record specific patterns. They planned to use these Killzone patterns to discover why these subjects' brains were able to fight off the Flare, hopefully allowing them to produce a cure. Thomas, Teresa Agnes, Aris Jones, and Rachel are all teenagers who worked with WICKED to create the Trials before having their memories wiped and going through the Trials themselves.

Throughout the series, Teresa and Ava Paige frequently mention that WICKED is good, with Paige saying that saving the human race is worth the deaths of a few. Eventually, however, when no cure has been discovered after years of experiments, Teresa turns against WICKED, and Ava Paige is among the few remaining members of WICKED who oppose the idea of repeating the Trials (which would destroy what she had come to realize was the last remaining hope for the human race, the Immunes themselves).

WICKED's ultimate fate is unknown, although it is safe to assume that it is destroyed by the Right Arm during their attack in *The Death Cure*. After the attack, Paige writes an email to the other WICKED members saying that although WICKED has failed in their original attempt to find a cure, they have ultimately succeeded in their goal of saving the human race by sending the surviving Immunes to a safe place where they can start to rebuild civilization. In her opinion, WICKED is good.

## Used vehicles

* Bergs
* Trains (movies only)

## Members

### Known chancellors

* John Michael (unknown – 220)
* Kevin Anderson (220 – 231)
* Ava Paige (231)

### Known members

* Assistant Director Janson (deceased)
* Randall Spilker (deceased)
* Ladena Lichliter
* Katie McVoy
* Scientist Trent
* Chief Security Officer Julio Ramirez (deceased)
* Dr. Christensen
* Dr. Wright
* Dr. Crawford
* Soldier David
* Pilot Tony
* Nurse Lisa
* Jorge (defected)
* Brenda (defected)
* Teresa Agnes (defected, deceased)
* Thomas (defected)
* Aris Jones (defected)
* Rachel (defected, deceased)

### Creations

* The Glade
* Grievers
* The Trials
* Bulb Monster
* Beetle Blade

## Trivia

* WICKED's name is changed to WCKD (World Catastrophe Killzone Department) in the films.
* "Wicked" means "bad" in formal English. James Dashner has stated that he wanted people to question things while reading the series, which explains the contradictory slogan "WICKED is good."
	+ In some way WICKED does turn out to be "good" in the end, as they have successfully carried out the goal of creating a new adaptable Immune society and thus has given humanity another chance, at the sacrifice of their organization.