Act One: Weird Travelers in Dewville
Secure Conference Room C, Site-17, [REDACTED]
1:00 PM
Site Director Tilda Moose was a rather tall lady in her 40's. Her once-brown hair has taken on a more copperish tone, her face rather androgynous and her immaculate navy-blue suit pressed and starched. Her cold, gray yet nervous eyes suggest to others that she had seen it all. All that the universe had to offer...
"So, let me get this straight, Commander Randall. CCTV records show 105, 507 and their escort turn a corner and in the next frame...they disappeared? And you're implying that 507 shifted early. Do you realize the implications of this? And let's not forget that 105 breached containment. And possibly not COME BACK!" she shouted. Everyone in the room winced: Commander Jake Randall (Site Security Commander), Dr. Alec Harrington (Head Psychologist), Melissa Parks (co-HR Director) and Maya Hendricks (assistant to Director Moose). They all knew that SCP-105-B was returned to SCP-105 on grounds of 'excellent behavior', which was quite...unusual.
"Yes, Director. But I have all confidence in Junior Agent Lu even though he may have made glaring mistakes. He will and can solve this situation to the best of his ability, even at all costs," the 50-year-old Midwestern, no-nonsense ex-major curtly replied.
Director Moose sighed heavily then asked "Does he have family? And who is he?"
That was Melissa's cue. She opened a few files that were on the desk and spoke in her soft voice, "Junior Agent Yeven Lu. Born to a half-Burmese, half-Chinese immigrant family in New York. Graduated high school in 2010, deployed to Sangin Afghanistan as an 0311 Lance Corporal in the summer of 2011 with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. Was combat meritoriously promoted to Corporal. In Spring of 2012 went to A&S (MARSOC Assessment & Selection), attended ITC (MARSOC Initial Training Course). Deployed to Afghanistan again in 2014 as a MARSOC Critical Skills Operator; additional 3 months in Germany and 15 months at Bethesda and or Walter Reed before being honorably discharged as a Sergeant due to medical reasons. Applied to Security Cooperation Program Bail Bonds two months after being discharged. A Junior Agent for a grand total of 4 months. Background checks reveal no anomalies. Both parents are deceased, and he has a sister named Gwen Lu, currently studying in Stanford in the field of biotechnology."
"Do we need to worry about her? And what's MARSOC?" Moose retorted. "From interviews, their relationship is a little...strained. And MARSOC is basically Special Forces Marines, they were only formed in 2006, very recent." Melissa answered. "Well, we can't just rest on our laurels. Commander, monitor 507's GPS location and if you get a hit; do what you need to do. Maya, get me an appointment with the Bailey triplets; any one of them will do. Director Parks, get a replacement for Lu. So, people, let's get moving!" Everyone save for Moose stood up and walked out. "Dr. Harrington, a moment." The shrink and private confidant of the Site Director stopped, turned and looked at her. "Why is Lu not slated for a position in an MTF if he's ex-spec-ops? I feel that it's a waste of good talent."
The man sighed then replied, "Those medical reasons that you've just heard? You vetted Lu yourself, you realize that he's in top physical condition. Put two and two together…"
UNKNOWN
12:42 AM
"Okay, no time to cry over spilled milk, Steve. Get up." Lu ordered. Iris and Steve complied. Lu then took out his three plastic cuffs, linked them together and secured them to Iris' right and Steve's left wrist. "This is the best we can do unless you happen to have 6 feet of rope with you..."
Iris was alarmed. "What about you? You know that you can't just shift back unless you touch Steve," she stated.
"I fucked up. Now I'll clean up my own fucking mess even if it means I'll have to stay. Besides, it can't be that bad, right?"
Steve perked up and remarked, "Yeah. By the look of things around here, at least we won't instantly die! Hell, there's civilization over there!" he pointed to his right. They all looked and, sure enough, there were a few smokestacks in the distance.
"What are we waiting for? Let's move!"
1:30 PM
Yeven felt uncomfortable walking in his uniform. Not because of the heat, he had worse during his tours. But because he was basically a walking "SHOOT ME" beacon. His white jumpsuit contrasted with the green meadow and gold reflective visor was perfect for intimidation, but not for combat. The SCPs were better off, with light blue jumpsuits with the Foundation logo emblazoned in black. He lifted his visor to at least not give his position away as they crept closer to what looks like a village.
The trio hid behind a conveniently placed boulder and Lu requested "Steve, you do your magic. I'll keep watch." Steve nodded, took out his binoculars from his bag and stared down at the village. He grinned and, with a cheeky look on his face, replied "Guys, you won't believe this but seems like we're in Furryland."
"I'm sorry? Furryland?" Lu snatched the binos from Steve and surveyed the village. Sure enough, the residents looked like humans; dressed like 1930's European villagers but their ears were...wrong. They looked like that found on horses. In fact, every single one of these "furries" had horse tails.
"Well, I'll be damned. Horse people. Ain't that a surprise?" he remarked. "You think they hostile?" The experienced but reluctant dimension hopper shook his head. "If your definition of hostile is losing a left hand to cannibals, then nope."
"Okay. Should we approach them? I know I'm in charge but you're the expert with this stuff." Steve had his thinking face on for a few minutes before answering, "Yeah, we better know where the hell we are and they might have something to help us! But we need to be smart as to how to approach this. Don't want pitchforks and torches up our asses...so here's the plan..."
UNKNOWN VILLAGE
2:35 PM
One of these 'horse people' roamed around the village and listened to her villagers' grievances. After listening, she would suggest solutions to them. In the midst of doing this, she froze. Everyone in the village stopped what they were doing and stared at the three strangers that were traversing towards them. One of them was in white while wearing a black vest and helmet, and their face was obscured by a visor. The other two seems to be prisoners, as they were cuffed to each other. But the strange thing was that the 'prisoners' seemed...unusual. They had neither tails nor ears on their head. In fact, they were quite like those Sankata people but not quite: they didn't have glowing wings and halos.
Carol had dealt with bounty hunters and mercenaries before, but this group seemed off. The person in white came towards her and spoke in a commanding voice, "Are you the head of this village?"
She gulped and replied in the harshest tone that she could muster, "Who are you? Are you mercenaries preparing to loot our village?"
The man shook his head and replied quickly, "No, no, no. We are just travellers, looking for a place to stay."
Carol visibly relaxed then asked, "What race are you? Sankata? Because you have no horns nor tails," He replied hastily, "Yes, we are all Sankata."
"Then why are those two restrained? Are they Infected? Frankly, you're not making sense,"
That was when Steve comes in. "Uhm...you see, it's a long story. We were just passing through a forest when an old hag popped out and... uh, cursed us! Me and my wife took the brunt of it, and our bodyguard attempted to chase her; but she disappeared. Seems like if we are not tied together...bad things happen. Let's just leave it at that. You really don't want to know."
"Then...welcome to Dewville."
The Officer's Stand Tavern
2:50 PM
Lu had not had such good food in a long time. The simple yet flavorful dishes reminded him of his parents' cooking, God bless their souls. But he still needed to keep his edge, so he only ate a little and refused drinks. They were having a rather enlightening discussion with the village chief named Carol. He had to hand it to Steve, who could answer some awkward questions convincingly and at the same time subtly pull out bits of info. They now learnt that they were right on the border of Kaimeriz and Ursus; whatever those nations were. Unfortunately, since the village was quite isolated; there was nothing else of interest. Except some newspapers that were at least three weeks old. He did recognize the languages as a mix of Russian and Polish words, but that was about it. Thank God the villagers were at least friendly and have the grace to not openly stare at them.
"Why is this place named the Officer's Stand?" asked Iris, who is now comfortably eating after they switched the handcuffs to a long length of rope tied to their waists. Carol chuckled and, looking at a certain table that was more expensive than the others; replied "Well, it's a long story. You see-huh?!" They all turned around to the sound of the door slamming and a tall knight strutting in with arrogance.
Lu immediately tensed up. He certainly didn't expect a lawman to come here. And from the looks of him, he screamed bad news. The knight had white steel shin guards, elbow guards and a breastplate with a horse sigil on it. He had blond hair and had a claymore sheathed on his side. "Great," he thought when the knight sat at the 'special' table and put his feet up.
"A bottle of the strongest vodka! You all should treat your well, you ingrates!" he bellowed. The tavern-keeper grudgingly offered a large bottle and the knight snatched it away from her.
"Don't mind him," Carol sighed. The SCPs took furtive glances, but Lu motioned them to listen to Carol. They definitely did not need to get the attention of the local authorities.
3:00 PM
"ARRGH! Where the HELL IS THE FOOD?!" the very drunk knight shouted and slammed the table. Lu noticed that every local in the tavern looked at the knight in disgust.
"Jesus, that's called a knight? What happened to chivalry or that stuff?" Steve said a little too loudly. That made him look over in their direction.
"Ah shit," Lu cursed as the knight swayed over to them.
"You aree neew face. What...you doing here?" Then he looked at Iris with a face that spelled trouble. "Aaah...ładna dziewczyna. Coome to papa," he then attempted to grab her, but Lu slapped his hand away.
"Hey buddy. I think you're a little wasted," he firmly stated.
"YOU SKURWEILU! WHY DIID YOU TOUCH ANN KINGHT OF KAIMEIRZ?!" the enraged knight screamed as he unsheathed his weapon and swung it onto the table; splitting it into two.
"DUDE! CALM THE FUCK DOWN!" Steve shouted as Lu quickly stood up, unclipped his expandable baton from his equipment belt while simultaneously swinging it out to extend it.
He yelled "Hey, fuckface! Over here!" to get the raging horseman's attention. The 'knight' roared and charged at Lu. But due to his drunkenness, his movements were easily predictable to the ex-MARSOC operative. He simply stepped to the side at the last moment, while the knight tripped over a chair and smashed into a table with a loud ruckus. The Kuranta (that was what they called themselves) then stood up unsteadingly, cursing so much that Lu doesn't even know what he's saying anymore. "SKURWYSYNU! CHUJ! OBESRANIEC!" he spittled as he tried to do a cross swing. Lu dodged it with ease and went for the final insult: "You call yourself a knight and you can't even hit me?! You should be a clown!" he snarked. A very loud roar (or neigh) was hear as the lawman went for a thrust. But he was charging towards a wooden pillar and his sword got embedded in it, while he tried to pull it out with force.
That was when Lu struck. Two quick swings to the back of the thighs to bring target down. A solid hit to the wrist to disable. Then quickly whipping the knight until he begged Lu to stop. All in a matter of minutes.
"Now, look here, arschloch: when I said chill, CHILL," he scolded the whimpering Kuranta. "Now, LISTEN CAREFULLY, don't bother these folks here again or I'll whip your ass like a racehorse! Verstehen?!" he threatened while grabbing the knight and making him sit. The knight nodded frantically.
Lu then turned around and looked at the carnage behind him. The split table, food all over the place, a very shocked Carol and Iris and a surprised Steve.
"What?" Lu asked.
"You're Asian yet you're swearing in German?" Steve questioned.
Author's Notes: Finally, after a month of slacking; I have finished this Act! Thank you to DT3 and ptl for your suggestions!