As Luo Shu left the Security Department building, Barbie had already concluded her call with "God" and departed. Driving toward Hammer Down's Site-51 outpost, he instinctively glanced back at the main road leading to Area-14's containment sector.
A phrase from the Security Director echoed in his mind:
"SCP-058's chamber is a biological dead zone. Even SCP-682 would get torn apart there."
At the time, he'd assumed it was just hyperbole—a way to emphasize the Dark Heart's lethality. But now, he wondered: Had they actually tested it?
The Foundation often pitted dangerous SCPs against each other, seeking ways to neutralize Keter-class threats. If SCP-682 had truly been brought to Area-14 for an experiment, then...
The implications were clear.
SCP-682, the Hard-to-Destroy Reptile, was one of the Foundation's most notorious Keter-class entities—contained in a hydrochloric acid tank to suppress its regeneration. Transporting it was a massive risk, done only under extreme circumstances.
Which meant SCP-682's unit had to be in Area-14.
Luo Shu stared down the dark, endless stretch of road. During his time in Area-14, he'd driven deep into the sector, but after miles of no branching paths, he'd turned back, assuming it was just expansion space.
Now, he realized the truth:
That road led to SCP-682.
According to Foundation files, SCP-682's unit had to be at least 50 kilometers from any other site. Past SCP-006's chamber, that unbroken highway likely stretched straight to the reptile's lair.
Next time I'm in Area-14, I'm commandeering a Humvee.
But actually containing SCP-682? That was another matter.
The creature was utterly hostile—no "befriending" it like the Dark Heart. The only way to add it to the Anomalous Item Archive was through direct containment, which meant:
Getting past its acid tank.
Surviving long enough to trigger the Archive's capture protocol.
Not dying horribly in the process.
Yeah... that'll have to wait for a breach.
For now, Luo Shu shelved the idea. Tonight's priority was Area-14's mainframe.
Unexpected Invitation
No sooner had Luo Shu settled into his Site-51 quarters than a knock came at his door.
"Bro! Drinks tonight!"
It was Lieutenant Peter, helicopter squadron leader and fellow Site-51 resident.
As Area-14's support base, Site-51 had amenities—a theater, a bar—to keep staff sane. Weekends even offered Vegas trips. But for Luo Shu, a death-row inmate with both SCP-343 and Achilles' Heel on his tail, leisure was a luxury.
Still... one drink wouldn't hurt.
The bar was modest, nothing like Vegas' neon excess. Three rounds in, Peter was slurring:
"Heard you made Barbie eat shit today! Fucking glorious!"
"That bitch looks down on anyone who isn't a reality bender. Thinks she's O5 material."
Luo Shu smirked but warned, "Careful. 'White-Eyes' might be listening."
Peter paled and switched to "Just drinks! Only drinks!"
Two more shots later, Peter ditched Luo Shu to hit on a nearby woman. Typical bar behavior.
An Asian woman approached Luo Shu, but he politely declined. Tonight was for work.
Midnight Run
Back in his room, Luo Shu slept until 2 AM, then woke, refreshed.
After washing up, he eyed the ceiling. Is White-Eyes watching?
Didn't matter.
With Unobservability active, he could move freely—even in Area-14, let alone Site-51.
Barbie, keep staring all you want.
He opened the door—
And froze.