Shortly after Luoshu was placed under investigation, the transcripts from the two interrogation rooms were delivered to the desk of Area-14's security director.
After reviewing the nearly flawless investigation report, he made a phone call.
"Reporting to the Councillor, the preliminary investigation results on D-20915 are in."
"Oh? What do they say?"
"Both surveillance footage and witness testimonies indicate he had no direct involvement in the containment breach."
"What about the status of SCP-165 and SCP-940?"
"The population of SCP-165 is quite large, with the vast majority still under containment. It's estimated that only about 0.1% of them breached containment this time. No idea how these things slipped past the facility unnoticed."
"Hmm, and SCP-940?"
"As for SCP-940, the breach mainly involved Stage 3 larvae, all originating from the same incubation chamber—several thousand of them."
"Understood."
"Reporting to the Councillor, given that both anomalies were released in a way that bypassed containment measures, it's likely the work of a spatial anomaly. Should we pursue leads in that direction?"
"Don't worry about that. I have my own arrangements."
"Understood, Councillor. Then what about D-20915? Should we send him back to Site-19?"
"No, keep him here for now. Retain him for observation!"
Had Luoshu overheard this conversation, he would have immediately suspected this to be the "God's" contingency plan.
The O5 Councillor on the other end of the call was almost certainly closely connected to "God." After hanging up, the security director issued orders for Luoshu to remain temporarily stationed at the Hammer Down outpost in Area 51, pending further notice.
Luoshu was baffled by this arrangement.
What kind of game are you playing, keeping me here like this?
But with no other choice, he could only wait.
Fortunately, Peter had been treating him well. After the previous night's events, Peter was granted temporary leave and spent his days accompanying Luoshu.
The Hammer Down Mobile Task Force was a battalion-sized unit, with a lieutenant colonel as its commanding officer. Peter, a lieutenant, led the helicopter squadron, which was why he had been assigned to escort the "Malcontent" the day before.
Having lost an entire squad during the containment breach, Peter saw an opportunity in Luoshu.
"Hey, brother! Since higher-ups aren't letting you leave yet, why not join my squadron? I could use a containment expert like you!"
After a day together, Luoshu sensed Peter's genuine friendliness. The night before, Peter had enthusiastically introduced him to Area-14.
Had Area-14 been safe for nighttime exploration, Luoshu might have been tempted.
"You know I'm just a D-class, under the joint jurisdiction of Site-19 and MTF Epsilon-11. I have no autonomy here."
"That's no problem! If you're willing, I can submit a formal request!" Peter was persistent.
Luoshu had to decline tactfully. "You know I prefer containment work. But your unit here—"
Peter clapped him on the shoulder cheerfully. "Then you're in the right place! In Hammer Down, my helicopter squadron handles the most field assignments—most external containment operations fall under my purview."
That did seem to be the case.
Within Hammer Down's structure, ground forces primarily handled Keter-level containment within Area-14 and were rarely deployed externally.
In contrast, the helicopter squadron had little use in underground facilities, so Peter's team mainly handled field containment.
This world was teeming with anomalies, many of which Luoshu had never even heard of.
While Area-14's primary responsibility was Keter-level containment, they also oversaw operations across Nevada.
Joining Peter's squadron would give Luoshu more opportunities to encounter new anomalies, accelerating progress on several milestone projects.
By comparison, MTF Epsilon-11 at Site-19 only covered the capital region of New Continent—a tiny area next to Nevada, much like the difference between Site-19 and Area-14.
The capital spanned just 6,094 square kilometers, not even a fraction of Nevada's 286,297.
The opportunities here were undeniably greater.
Moreover, staying in Area-14 meant more chances to document other Keter-level anomalies in the Anomalous Item Compendium.
"Then give it a try," Luoshu conceded, intrigued.
Peter eagerly rushed off to submit the request.
However, given Luoshu's unique status, the approval process was unusually complex.
Days passed with no updates.
His "retained for observation" status also seemed indefinite.
The Area-14 security director neither summoned him for further questioning nor made any move to release him.
Luoshu wasn't sure if this was "God's" doing, but there was little he could do.
His position was too vulnerable.
Still, he kept himself busy.
Though barred from nighttime excursions, he made full use of his twice-daily Mechanical Activation ability, gradually expanding his surveillance network across Area 51.
If you won't let me leave, don't blame me for turning Area 51 into my territory!
Within days, most public areas of Area 51—aside from restricted zones—were under his watch.
After so many recent frustrations in containment, an idea struck Luoshu while setting up his surveillance.
If only I could get to Site-01!
Those familiar with the SCP Foundation knew that above the O5 Council was the Overseer (The Administrator), who held supreme authority.
And Site-01 was the Overseer's headquarters!
It also served as the Foundation's central data hub, compiling all records and hosting O5 Council meetings.
If Luoshu could activate Site-01's mainframe as his subordinate, he'd gain insight into every move the Foundation made.
But that was a distant goal—Luoshu didn't even know Site-01's location. It was the Foundation's most classified site, far beyond the clearance of most Areas.
Still, if he couldn't reach Site-01, he could start with Area-14's server room.
After days of reconnaissance, Luoshu pinpointed its location—inside the Security Department's office building at the Area 51 logistics base.
If the security department called him in for questioning again, he'd seize the chance to activate their mainframe.
But before that, a new assignment came his way.
A week into his observation period, Peter rushed to find Luoshu.
"Hey, brother, come with me! We've got a job!"
Luoshu frowned. "Your request hasn't been approved yet, has it? You can bring me along?"
"This one's special—an old acquaintance of yours. Higher-ups cleared me to take you."
Old acquaintance? Who?