There were beautiful mountains just outside the plane window. I couldn't help but marvel at the view. It was nice to see a natural view like this once in a while. The Foundation was quick with the transport, and this time I wasn't treated like a prisoner. I got to ride in a private small jet.
No one was on the plane except me, the pilot/co-pilot, and a few other personnel. Nothing special and no MTF members. Maybe the Foundation is actually trusting me and won't treat me like an SCP anymore. Here's to hoping for a dead wish.
There was that pitfall in my stomach that told me that we were landing. When I got off the plane, I was greeted by a military transport bus. It had taken me back to my military days, where my platoon and I were crammed in a bus just like it.
Getting on the bus, I saw that there were a few people already on it. Looks like they were coming from a crazy trip, if how they looked was anything to go by. Must be stressful at the facility I am going to. I knew that I was going to Area-14 but couldn't remember anything about it. I didn't know what SCPs were in containment and didn't know what the specialty of that facility was. It was a mystery to me.
The bus ride lasted an hour. The personnel on the bus with me were chatting about everything. From the events that happened around the area to possible fights between SCPs, and other topics. There were two researchers going at it about who would win in a fight, 058 or 682. There were other topics like that. Who would win between X or X, and another one being who would you fuck, SCP X or X. I had to laugh at some of the ones that these guys would try to fuck. The top ones being 953 and 054.
The conversation continued until we got to the main entrance to Area-14, which was just a gated metal door that had the Area-14 logo on it, with "SCP Secure Contain Protect" around it. The metal door hissed open, and I could tell that most of the personnel on the bus weren't happy about being back here.
Inside was a large parking lot, with cars and other buses inside of it. The personnel and I started getting off the bus one by one. I knew that there was going to be a person waiting for me, as that is what the bus driver had told me when I had asked him. Just like he said, there was a person waiting.
He was an older man, probably in his late 30s or maybe early 40s. He had a scar on his right eye, and he had a prosthetic right arm. I decided to greet him, after all, this guy was supposed to show me around, so being nice to him seemed like a good way to make an impression.
I got closer to him and said,
"Hi, I—"
"SCP-8937, please be advised that you are to be at least 6 feet from all personnel."
Great, one of these guys. I had been with the Foundation for some time, and I could tell that there were different 'factions' or 'groups' within its structure. There was one group that were basically mad scientists, the other group that wanted to protect and help SCPs, then the group that wanted to either completely contain or possibly neutralize SCPs, and then finally there was the group that was in the middle of everything.
Based on how this guy acted, he was the 'wanting to contain or possibly neutralize SCPs.' Not sure what I did to him to hate me at first glance, but whatever.
"Riighhht. Anyway, can you show me to where I will be working?"
"No. All personnel who enter Area-14 are to report to the security checkpoint first, then Room C1-112 for orientation at the facility."
I tried not to let it bother me, but the tone and way he was talking to me was kind of pissing me off. It was that tone of voice that just said 'I am better than you' without them actually saying it.
"You… I don't think we are going to get along. Look, I doubt that whatever you have here is so bad that I need to do an orientation for it."
"This isn't an option. It's an order."
"And who are you? Last I checked YOU, my friend, are not my boss."
There was a new voice that echoed in the parking lot.
"I see you two have met."
When I looked, I saw an older man. He had a full beard and was wearing tactical gear like he was ready for any kind of situation. He looked to be in his late sixties, maybe even his seventies, and though his face was wrinkled and his hair was gray, there was still a toughness about him—like he could hold his own against seasoned MMA fighters.
He looked at me and said,
"Good to meet you, SCP-8937. I am the director of this facility. And this will be your commanding officer, Captain Kavanagh. He will be leading your MTF team. This isn't how I wanted the meeting between you to go. SCP-8937, I have heard good things about you from multiple people. Director House even recommended you to our biological research center."
"Well, that is good to hear. I look forward to working with the bio center. If you could just point the way, then that would be perfect."
"Unfortunately, I can't do that. As Captain Elias has stated, you need to first go to our orientation. There are some very dangerous biological SCPs that we have here. The orientation will be starting in the next ten minutes."
Looking at them both, I knew this was something that they weren't going to back down on. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sighed and said,
"Look, fine, I will go. I don't want to deal with problems between us, alright? I just want to do research and do my work."
I don't know what Elias's problem was with me, or maybe he was like this for everyone, but he replied quickly, saying,
"Your orders are to report to orientation. After that, we have a full training schedule."
I could tell that the Area Director noticed that I was starting to get a little heated about what Captain jackass just said. He quickly intervened by pointing at a female MTF member that was by his side.
She had short hair and a look that said 'don't fuck with me.' I only knew that she was a woman because the Area Director said,
"This is Kate Carlson. She will show you to the orientation. Once you are finished with the orientation, Katherine here will give you a tour around the facility."
"Thank you."
With that, Ms. Carlson and I walked off.
It was a silent walk through the parking lot garage. She didn't say anything, and neither did I. We got to a security checkpoint, where I had to fill out paperwork. The guard explained that I would be getting a new ID badge, room number, and some other stuff. I tried explaining that getting a room for me wasn't necessary, as I could teleport to my own place. Which led to a long argument about how that wouldn't be allowed, and that I would need both the Head Researcher and the Area Director's approval to leave.
When Carlson said that, my hopes of leaving this place were starting to dim. What did they have here that was so bad? It couldn't be that bad, could it? Well, all in all, I got my assigned room, a Level 2 clearance, and all the stuff cleared. Thankfully, I didn't need to take a picture or anything like that. The Foundation had a good computer system, so my information from Site-666 was transferred here.
Once all that was done, Carlson kept looking at her watch. It was obvious that she was in a hurry. Rightly so too—the Area Director had said that the orientation was in 10 minutes, and I guarantee that it took us just about that long to set up my stuff.
When we got down to the Central Level, which, funny enough, was like 3 levels below ground, Carlson was doing a fast walk/jog down the hallway. She would look back to see if I was keeping up now and again.
We finally got to the orientation room. I knew because it read "New Personnel Orientation Briefing" on the door.
Carlson looked into the room, sighed, then turned to me.
"Good, he hasn't started yet. I can let them know that you will be doing all the listed orientation for today."
"All?"
"Yes, all of them. We have you listed as both an MTF member and as a junior researcher. That means you will be here for a while. When orientation is completed, DON'T leave that room until either me or Captain Elias gets you. Do you understand?"
"Fine."
She didn't look too convinced, but I didn't really care. She went inside the room and gestured for me to follow her. The briefing room was large. It had a projection screen in the front of the room with a podium just a few feet in front of it. The desks were arranged in a U-shaped fashion, and for whatever reason, there was a whiteboard in the corner of the room.
Most of the seats had been taken, and the person who was about to start the orientation looked at Carlson, then at me with confusion on his face. Carlson and he talked for a few minutes, after which Carlson walked up to me and said,
"Remember, you are here until either myself or Captain Elias gets you."
With that said, she walked off.
I was still standing awkwardly in the room and decided that I should probably find a seat. As I made my way to the only empty chair, the presenter started talking.
"Well… we have a skip in the room now, so that is new. Usually we… nevermind. Anyway, good morning. My name is Officer Daniel. I will be the one giving you this orientation. Hopefully, by the end of this, you will have an understanding of how clearance level works, your housing assignment, and know the basic do's and don'ts of this facility.
First, clearance levels. Now, this is probably something some of you know, but because there are a couple of new people… a skip included… we will talk about them. Life is unfair, right? Some people are born with privileges, and that is a fact. Well, if you think life is unfair, then congratulations, because the Foundation isn't fair either. There are 4 clearance levels, with 0 being used for most non-official personnel, including clerics and janitorial staff. Level 4 is for Site Directors, Area Directors, and anyone with actual authority. If you lose your clearance card, depending on what level you are, the consequences could range from getting fired to literally getting fired. So don't lose it. And for God's sakes, don't fucking lend it out. We had a breach at one of the sites because some idiot lent out his clearance card. Don't be a fucking idiot.
Second, housing. Most of you have already gotten your rooms. The ones who haven't gotten a room, get that shit figured out now. And no, before any of you ask, it isn't my job to find out what rooms you are assigned to. Anyway. The rooms are nice and are either three bedrooms or second bedrooms. And yes, your roommate might be the opposite sex. That doesn't mean fucking like rabbits. The rooms come with everything you need, so don't worry about having to bring stuff. Do NOT buy any large appliances; you aren't going to be doing laundry or any kind of cooking in your room. The mess hall or cafeteria serves meals five times a day. That's my orientation. Life is unfair, ranging from 0 to 4. Don't be stupid and don't buy stupid things. The next person will be here in like 15 minutes or something. Talk amongst yourselves. I am going to find out who is going to be roommates with a skip."