Chapter 37: Suspicions
Days passed, SCP-9743 didn't appear for this time, what O5 Council and Dr. Sophia Adler think he did escape to his void to recover after the state he would be.
SCP-105 remained in the 'containment room', but couldn't enjoy it the same way if SCP-9743 wasn't there with her. The Foundation in the other hand, as SCP-9743 wasn't present, SCP-682's regenerative ability was unable to be restricted, and the only weapon they had, was the skeleton assault rifle, as it seemed to also give the same effects as SCP-9743's magic on SCP-682. But the ammo was strange and very difficult to obtain, so they had to use it very carefully, to not waste it, and make sure SCP-682 was restrained from trying to break contingency.
Meeting of the O5 Council - Discussion on SCP-9743 and Current Containment Challenges
Location: Secure O5 Council Chamber
Attendees: O5-1 through O5-13, with Dr. Sophia Adler providing psychological insight.
Time: Three days after SCP-9743's disappearance.
O5-1: [Adjusts microphone.] "Let's begin. First, status reports. SCP-9743 has been unaccounted for three days now. Dr. Adler, your thoughts?"
Dr. Adler: [Sitting at the far end of the table.] "It's likely he retreated to his void. Based on my observations of him, such behavior aligns with his tendency to isolate himself after experiencing extreme emotional or physical duress. I believe he's recovering, but his prolonged absence indicates how deeply the serum and the battle may have affected him."
O5-2: "So, in other words, he's licking his wounds while we deal with the fallout. Typical."
Dr. Adler: [With a sharp tone.] "It's hardly fair to criticize him. He just single-handedly annihilated the Scarlet King's entire army. Without him, we'd be negotiating terms of surrender to six generals—well, three now, after A'distat, A'zieb, and A'ghor were taken down. What more do you want from him?"
O5-3: "I want reliability, Dr. Adler. What if he doesn't come back? What if he's gone for good this time? His absence leaves a gaping hole in our containment procedures."
O5-4: "Particularly for SCP-682. Without SCP-9743 suppressing its regenerative capabilities, we're relying on that skeleton assault rifle—his weapon—which we can barely use due to the limited supply of ammunition."
O5-7: "Speaking of which, what's the progress on reverse-engineering the rifle and its ammunition? Our R&D teams have been at this for weeks."
O5-6: "Minimal. The weapon's composition appears to be partially organic, infused with what seems to be remnants of SCP-9743's magic. We've managed to create a prototype, but it lacks the full effects. It doesn't restrict SCP-682's regenerative properties like the original."
O5-12: [Leaning forward.] "If SCP-682 breaches containment while SCP-9743 is absent, we're left with no effective countermeasure. We'd need to use excessive force, risking mass casualties."
O5-9: "Let's not forget the bigger picture: SCP-9743's connection to the Scarlet King. The fact that A'habbat addressed him as 'A'malther' and referred to him as her sibling complicates things. Are we dealing with a potential divine entity? Or worse, the Scarlet King's successor?"
O5-1: "Dr. Adler, do you believe SCP-9743 could be the Scarlet King's son? His behavior during the battle—the feral combat style, the crimson aura, his red soul—all point to a connection."
Dr. Adler: [Pauses to gather her thoughts.] "I... can't say for certain. SCP-9743 has expressed disgust at the Scarlet King's methods, which implies a rejection of that connection, if it exists at all. However, the Scarlet King repeatedly referred to him as 'my child,' and A'habbat herself gave SCP-9743 a god's name. These are strong indicators. But I'd caution against jumping to conclusions without more data."
O5-5: "If SCP-9743 truly has divine lineage, why hasn't he claimed it? Is he unaware, or is he intentionally suppressing it?"
O5-11: [Leaning back, arms crossed.] "Maybe he doesn't want it. Maybe he prefers being 'Raziel'—the human side of himself. You saw how he pushed A'habbat away with that portal. He doesn't want to be part of that divine drama."
O5-4: [With a sharp edge.] "We don't have the luxury of entertaining his identity crisis. He's the only weapon we have against SCP-682 and anomalies of similar caliber. His disappearance has put us in a precarious position."
O5-8: "Agreed. We need contingencies. What happens if SCP-9743 doesn't return? Or worse, if he turns against us? He's more powerful than anything we've ever contained."
Dr. Adler: "SCP-9743 has consistently shown loyalty to humanity. He's acted as a protector, not a destroyer. However, I won't deny his instability. The determination serum clearly pushed him beyond his limits. If he believes we've wronged him or failed to protect SCP-105, we could lose his cooperation—or worse."
O5-1: "That brings us to another point. SCP-105. How is she handling his absence?"
Dr. Adler: "She's... struggling. SCP-105 has grown deeply attached to SCP-9743. His absence has left her isolated, and she's refused to engage with Foundation personnel. While she hasn't shown any anomalous reactions to her emotional state, it's clear that her well-being hinges on his presence."
O5-2: "And if he doesn't return?"
Dr. Adler: [Sighing.] "Then she'll deteriorate. It's not just emotional—her connection to SCP-9743 has stabilized her as an individual. Removing him is like pulling the foundation out from under a building."
Strategic Proposals
O5-1: "Given these circumstances, we need actionable strategies. Let's outline our priorities:
Locating SCP-9743: Dr. Adler, do you believe he'll return on his own?"
Dr. Adler: "Yes, but only if he feels the situation is dire enough to warrant his involvement. His sense of duty to SCP-105 and humanity is strong."
O5-7: "And if he doesn't? Can we enter his void to retrieve him?"
O5-6: "Theoretically, yes, but it's dangerous. His void exists on a plane beyond our understanding. Sending personnel could provoke a hostile response from him."
Improving Containment for SCP-682:
Accelerate efforts to reverse-engineer SCP-9743's weaponry. Consider alternate suppression methods using existing SCP resources.
Monitoring the Scarlet King's Generals:
A'tellif's disappearance is concerning. She's the most likely to infiltrate and sabotage our operations. Increased surveillance protocols are essential.
O5-1: "Anything else to add?"
Closing Comments
O5-4: "SCP-9743's absence has reminded us of our overreliance on a single entity. While his abilities are unmatched, we cannot allow our entire containment strategy to hinge on him. We need to adapt, and quickly."
O5-11: "And if he returns, what then? How do we regain his trust and ensure his continued cooperation?"
Dr. Adler: [Softly.] "By proving to him that we value him for who he is, not just what he can do."
O5-1: "Let's hope we get the chance to prove that. Meeting adjourned."
The Council members exited the chamber, leaving the room filled with a heavy tension as the fate of SCP-9743 and Site-19 remained uncertain.
Incident Report: SCP-9743's Return with A'habbat
Date: ██/██/████
Location: Site-19, Floor 1
Event: Detection of an Unscheduled Portal Opening
Incident Summary:
At approximately 19:34, an anomalous portal materialized on Floor 1 of Site-19, triggering a containment breach alert. MTF teams were immediately deployed to investigate. Upon arrival, personnel observed the portal closing behind SCP-9743 and A'habbat, who emerged in highly conspicuous attire resembling that of imperial conquerors. Both were dressed in ornate, red-themed clothing adorned with golden embellishments and intricate patterns, evoking the appearance of divine or royal figures.
SCP-9743 appeared visibly uneasy, his posture and expressions suggesting discomfort. A'habbat, in contrast, exuded confidence and seemed unbothered by their extravagant attire.
Transcript of Observed Conversation:
SCP-9743 glances at his clothing, tugging at the material slightly.
SCP-9743: "A'habbat, are you certainly serious about this? I still feel... uneasy..."
A'habbat folds her arms and raises her chin slightly, her tone calm but authoritative.
A'habbat: "Of course, A'malther. As a god, you should wear and be seen as such. You do have the capability to conquer any world you desire."
SCP-9743 sighs, visibly uncomfortable.
SCP-9743: "Outside the range of capabilities, I am more concerned about the style of these clothes. It feels... excessive."
A'habbat chuckles lightly but does not respond further. SCP-9743 and A'habbat begin walking toward SCP-9743's containment room.
SCP-105 Interaction:
Upon SCP-9743's entry into his containment chamber, SCP-105 immediately ran toward him, visibly emotional. She embraced him deeply, and SCP-9743 reciprocated the hug without hesitation. SCP-105's tone suggested relief and longing, while SCP-9743 appeared momentarily softened by her reaction.
However, A'habbat's demeanor noticeably shifted as she observed the exchange. She stood silently near the doorway, her arms crossed and her expression cold. Her body language indicated clear disapproval, her gaze lingering on SCP-105 with a mixture of disinterest and subtle disdain.
Recorded Dialogue:
SCP-105 speaks while still holding onto SCP-9743.
SCP-105: "I was so worried... You didn't say where you were going, and I thought—"
SCP-9743 gently places a hand on her head.
SCP-9743: "I'm fine, Iris. I just needed time... and maybe some help."
SCP-105 looks up at him, her eyes watery but smiling.
SCP-105: "Don't leave me like that again, okay? It's not the same here without you..."
SCP-9743 gives a small, reassuring smile but does not reply verbally. A'habbat, still watching, shifts her gaze away and mutters softly.
A'habbat: "Humans... always so fragile and needy."
SCP-9743 turns his head slightly toward A'habbat, acknowledging her words but choosing not to address them. SCP-105, unaware of A'habbat's remark, continues holding SCP-9743 closely.
O5 Council Preliminary Assessment:
The return of SCP-9743, particularly in the company of A'habbat and their change in appearance, raises several points of concern:
Portal Activity:
The unscheduled portal opening suggests that SCP-9743 has refined his spatial manipulation abilities. This development could pose containment risks, as SCP-9743's capability to bypass security measures may undermine Site-19's safeguards.
Imperial Attire:
The attire worn by SCP-9743 and A'habbat strongly implies that they were engaged in activities of significant cultural or symbolic importance outside of Site-19. The aesthetics suggest themes of power, conquest, or godhood, which align with A'habbat's repeated encouragement for SCP-9743 to embrace his alleged divine heritage.
Comment - O5-7:
"This change in appearance could be indicative of A'habbat's influence on SCP-9743. If she continues to push him toward seeing himself as a god or conqueror, we may face a significant shift in SCP-9743's behavior and priorities."
Comment - O5-9:
"The attire is likely symbolic posturing. A'habbat may be attempting to instill confidence in SCP-9743 or manipulate his self-perception to align with her goals. We must monitor their interactions closely."
A'habbat's Disdain for Humanity:
A'habbat's visible disapproval of SCP-9743's bond with SCP-105 reflects her apparent disdain for humanity as a whole. Her influence could introduce friction between SCP-9743 and the Foundation, particularly if she encourages him to abandon or act against humanity in favor of godlike pursuits.
Comment - Dr. Sophia Adler:
"A'habbat's demeanor suggests she sees herself—and perhaps SCP-9743—as superior to humans. While SCP-9743 remains grounded in his attachment to SCP-105, we cannot ignore the potential for A'habbat's views to erode his ties to humanity over time."
SCP-9743's Psychological State:
SCP-9743's unease about his attire and his continued reliance on SCP-105 for emotional stability indicate internal conflict. While he appears reluctant to fully embrace A'habbat's perspective, his willingness to don the attire and refer to himself by A'habbat's chosen name, 'A'malther,' may signify a gradual shift in his identity.
Comment - O5-2:
"SCP-9743's loyalty to humanity is clearly tethered to SCP-105. She is the linchpin holding him back from fully accepting A'habbat's ideology. Protecting this relationship is critical."
Next Steps and Recommendations:
Increased Surveillance:
A'habbat's influence over SCP-9743 necessitates close monitoring of their interactions. Additional recording devices should be covertly installed within SCP-9743's containment chamber and adjacent areas.
SCP-105's Role:
SCP-105 must be encouraged to maintain her close relationship with SCP-9743, as her presence remains a stabilizing factor. Counseling sessions between SCP-105 and Dr. Adler should be scheduled to ensure her mental well-being and continued cooperation.
A'habbat's Intentions:
Efforts must be made to uncover A'habbat's true motivations. Psychological evaluations should be conducted if possible, alongside an analysis of her potential long-term impact on SCP-9743.
Preparedness for Escalation:
If SCP-9743 adopts A'habbat's views fully, the Foundation must develop contingency plans for containment or mitigation. MTF teams specializing in anomalous entities and godlike figures must be briefed and equipped accordingly.
Exploration of SCP-9743's Portal Activity:
SCP-9743's enhanced ability to create and close portals must be investigated to understand its limitations and possible countermeasures.
Conclusion:
SCP-9743's return raises both relief and concern. While his presence reinstates the Foundation's ability to contain high-risk anomalies like SCP-682, his evolving relationship with A'habbat introduces significant unpredictability. The O5 Council agrees that maintaining SCP-9743's attachment to humanity—primarily through SCP-105—remains the most effective strategy for ensuring his cooperation and preventing catastrophic outcomes.
End of Report.