SCP-1428 – "Cortexichildren"
Chapter 17: The Master Key
Disclaimers: When I began writing Cortexichildren, SCP-1428 was vacant. It is no longer vacant, but I have no intentions of publishing this on the wiki. This is mainly a crossover fic, not a SCP event log that will go on the site.
Forever reminder that I do not own anything. Fringe belongs to J.J. & co. Each SCP belongs to their respective individual author. The SCP universe belongs to that collective on that site. I do not own anything. I am a fan.
Forever reminder of how I handle alt!characters: Over There: Bob. Over Somewhere Else: Bob.
Author's Notes: The wait is over. Now that finals are over & hectic life has become least slightly less hectic… we can continue with our story. Things are coming together now.
O5 Log 01428-CIP85631215-O2-1:
Early on I had my suspicions about SCP-1428-2. I wouldn't have been surprised if the subject had worked for another agency dealing with scientific phenomena or with an elite military task force. And based on these suspicions, I issued for an investigation some time ago. I have just now received those results. And before I wrote this log I shared my findings with the rest of the O5. Its contents received a mixed reception to say the least. But it seems the information SCP-682 shared to the Foundation and to SCP-1428-2 is correct – the existence of parallel worlds is certain.
A background check on the subject discovered the Olivia Dunham of the universe we inhabit. She works for the FBI and has been stationed abroad for some time. She is in constant contact with her superiors and to the best of our knowledge was NOT treated with Cortexiphan – because the facilities did not exist in this universe. The Jacksonville trials never existed, the people supposedly involved have never met, and the substance was never created between either party prior to Olivia Dunham's birth or since. Again, I can vouch with certainty.
We have a questioning session scheduled for SCP-1428-2 about our current concerns. Or at least my current concerns with multiple universes and the existence of doppelgangers traveling between them. And I seem to be the only one excited about this session.
When SCP-1428-2 was collected, I expected nothing. Sure the circumstances had been odd, but every single entity we harbor comes in because of "odd" circumstances. But what has transpired… what has developed in and beyond this Foundation… it's why I joined the Foundation in the first place. It's why I live.
Interview 1428-2-G
Interviewed: SCP-1428-2
Interviewers: Dr. S███ , O5-2
SCP-1428-2 was brought in for further questioning following the [DATA REDACTED] incident involving itself and SCP-682. Questions of the [DATA REDACTED] nature are to be asked after the exchange between the two subjects over [DATA EXPUNGED].
Transportation procedures were adhered to and in order to ensure safe cooperation of SCP-1428-2, Dr. Kwon supervised the administering of [DATA REDACTED] in small doses and an injection of [DATA REDACTED].
In addition to the primary interviewer, Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Warren are present in room XQ-12. O5-2 has produced a series of questions for Dr. S███ to ask upon the interview. O5-2 has live access to the interview and will interject as necessary.
Begin Log
Dr. S███ : Can you hear me, SCP-1428-2?
SCP-1428-2 : Yes.
Dr. S███ : Excellent. We shall now proceed.
SCP-1428-2 : …
Dr. S███ : Explain the extent of SCP-1428's influence.
SCP-1428-2 : I have not yet reached the full extent of my abilities.
Dr. S███ : Expand upon this. What do you mean?
SCP-1428-2 : I can set things on fire with my mind. I can move at speeds faster than the human eye. And yet that's only the minimum of what I'm capable of. I can travel between worlds. I am the strongest.
Dr. S███ : The strongest of what?
SCP-1428-2 : The others.
Dr. S███ : The other children? Like yourself?
SCP-1428-2 : Yes. Some are soldiers, activated like me and Nick. Some are average civilians, walking amongst the common population. Relatively harmless.
Dr. S███ : How many others?
SCP-1428-2 : [DATA EXPUNGED] from Jacksonville. There could be more.
Dr. S███ : That can't possibly be the truth.
Dr. Warren : Stick to the questions, doctor.
Dr. S███ : Excuse me. … Where are they? The rest of them?
SCP-1428-2 : Back where I came from.
Dr. S███ : And where is that?
SCP-1428-2 : My universe.
Dr. S███ : SCP-682 referred to this during your encounter. Do you believe that you are from the same universe?
SCP-1428-2 : I am not sure. I didn't see a glow around it. I don't know where it comes from.
Dr. S███ : A glow?
SCP-1428-2 : More like a glimmer. I see a glimmering veil around an object or person that doesn't belong – strangers from other universes that don't belong.
Dr. S███ : Would I be correct in assuming that we have glimmers?
SCP-1428-2 : Yes, but not always. It's an ability that comes and goes with my state of mind.
Dr. S███ : And what seems to activate it? What exactly is the state of mind?
SCP-1428-2 : Most commonly fear.
Dr. S███ : Are you afraid right now?
SCP-1428-2 : [after a long pause] Should I be?
Dr. Warren : What was the exact dosage administered to SCP-1428-2?
Dr. Montgomery : [DATA REDACTED]. Why?
Dr. Warren : The way the response was given troubles me. The subject should not be coming out of [DATA EXPUNGED]. It's much too early.
Dr. S███ : Should I stop?
O5-2 : No. I have a few questions of my own that I would like to ask. Dr. Warren, monitor SCP-1428-2's current state. I, too, share your suspicions. Let's instead err on the side of caution, shall we? Dr. Montgomery, ready the Class A sedatives; we may need them sooner than you think.
Dr. S███ : Am I free to leave, then?
O5-2 : You may.
Primary interviewer Dr. S███ leaves the room. O5-2 proceeds.
O5-2 : I would like to further understand this glimmer, SCP-1428-2. From what I can gather, you see a glimmer when you see a "double" of another person. Your universe is your prime; that is what you deem normal. All those who come from other universes will have this abnormal glimmer, correct?
SCP-1428-2 : Yes.
O5-2 : So if you were to see the [DATA EXPUNGED] of this universe, you would see a glimmer?
SCP-1428-2 : [with great hesitation] Yes.
O5-2 : Because I know the location of this [DATA EXPUNGED].
SCP-1428-2 : [quickly becoming agitated] You will leave – her – alone. She is not a part of this. You have no right to bring her here. She wasn't treated with it. She's safe.
O5-2 : But how can you be so certain?
SCP-1428-2 : I'm certain that you should stay the hell away from her. Do not interfere with her life. Do you hear me? [increasing volume] Do NOT interfere with her life.
Dr. Warren : Dr. Montgomery, are you capable of administering a dose? Or should I call in the guards?
O5-2 : But we must be certain. She shall be tested.
Dr. Montgomery : I'm not sure. I-
SCP-1428-2 : [bucking against its restraints] YOU WILL LEAVE HER ALONE. AND LEAVE THE [DATA EXPUNGED] OF THIS UNIVERSE ALONE. YOU WILL NOT TOUCH THEM. YOU WILL NOT HARM THEM. YOU WILL NOT EXPERIMENT ON THEM LIKE YOU HAVE WITH US. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? [DATA EXPUNGED]
O5-2 : [signaling for the guards to intervene] You're not in a position of power to make that decision.
SCP-1428-2 : IF YOU INVOLVE THEM IN ANY WAY, I SWEAR TO GOD YOU SONOFA-
SCP-1428-2 is sedated by Agent S █████ and Agent F█████. SCP-1428-2 is escorted back to its containment cell.
End Log
Transcribed Overseer Assembly 01428-2-XB17-Alpha:
O5-10 : SCP-1428-2 has the tenacity to take down SCP-682.
O5-4 : SCP-1428-2 has the tenacity to KILL US ALL.
O5-5 : And we are nowhere near able to control it or its tenacity. Take what just transpired as evidence.
O5-10 : Then we simply need to resort to more drastic sedation methods and-
O5-5 : No. Stop. I believed you to be intelligent, but as of late… your reasoning has dropped below levels that belong to Class-D personnel. Our-
O5-10 : You can't be serious. I can't believe that-
O5-5 : And now it is my turn to say that you interrupted me. Our involvement with SCP-1428-2 has been atrocious. I warned the O5 that we could be triggering and provoking it to Keter hostility. And here it is, happening before my very eyes. But does anyone care? No. We are too blinded by our hatred of SCP-682 to make proper judgments.
O5-2 : I do agree that we are being blinded, but I would not place the blame solely on SCP-682.
O5-5 : I find it very fitting that you just said that. Since you're quite responsible for what happened today.
O5-2 : Me?
O5-5 : Yes, with your mocking of the subject's answers and your persistence to ask questions that enraged the subject. Yes, you. You may have relative seniority, but that does not make you free of fault.
You went into this interview with ALL of the knowledge we have on SCP-1428-2. You KNOW that the subject is reluctant to expose information about itself. You KNOW that it is reluctant – or more accurately unyielding – to aide our awareness. You KNOW that it has a protective streak – especially against those that the subject has emotionally bonded to. And yet despite this knowledge, you proceeded to press stubbornly – like Dr. Hendricks and Dr. Winters. You looked past EVERYTHING just to answer questions about the universe. Well the universe you care so strongly about will be in peril at the rate you're going. Yes I applaud your persistence to answer the truth, but I am concerned about the welfare of the world. And I know that many others amongst us will side with me. And yes, many will side with you.
I don't want you to view this as an attack; I just want us to be careful. We have made SO MANY mistakes with the SCP-1428 project; we have lost so many personnel. I'd rather err on the side of caution, like you said.
O5-10 : So when you're "criticizing" O5-2 you'll modify your tone to soften the blows, but when you address me, you're free to be as vicious as you want?
O5-5 : Why must you make EVERYTHING about you? Are you actually a child? Did we promote a 5 year-old over the other candidates that aren't pathetic and disgusting fu-
O5-6 : I would like to call order. If we're going to descend into mud-slinging and hair-pulling, I will adjourn this session. And I WILL resort to suspension. Have I made myself clear?
O5-5 : Yes.
O5-10 : … Fine.
O5-6 : Shall we continue?
O5-7 : I'm worried that after such events… SCP-1428-2 will attempt to breach. I believe that if we are to continue with additional questioning sessions, we should address SCP-1428-1.
O5-8 : Even in light of past events?
O5-7 : We will simply need to act as delicately as possible. No questionable questions. Make the subject as relaxed as possible. We can't have another crisis on our hands. We've had too many.
O5-11 : And perhaps focusing on SCP-1428-1 might be easier. If we want to continue with our attempts to destroy SCP-682 using the two, it will be easier to elicit an emotional reaction from SCP-682 using SCP-1428-1.
O5-4 : Assuming it has emotions. And assuming we can control SCP-682 in whatever state the host projects onto it. And assuming that we can control and trust SCP-1428-1 after its hostility toward the Foundation. But all the 'what if's make me uneasy. And doubtful.
O5-6 : Shall we adjourn?
O5-3 : Yes.
The rippling and distorting of space continued behind the Observer as he measured the instruments with his eyes, mentally calculating the necessary improvements and additions.
Peter was a bit exasperated by September's usage of "Almost done?! What's left to do? What more? And why haven't you come sooner?" Peter knew that he was supposed to be grateful to the paranormal being, but he just… couldn't. September was interfering against the wishes of his own kind and at his own risk and peril, Peter knew that. This was not something that was necessary for September's survival – and it certainly wasn't necessary from the mindset of the other Observers, Peter knew that. He knew all of this and yet… it wasn't good enough, just like Walter had said. They had been waiting WEEKS [or was it a month already?] for September to show. They had been struggling and stumbling in the dark and yet just now, just now when they thought they were done, he had to come in and burst their bubble? It was almost too much to bear. Why even come at all? And what else was there? Something about coordinates, but he forgot what else – it had been so long. What was September's purpose? Was there even a purpose anymore?
"I understand your anger, Peter Bishop, but know that your Olivia is safe."
"How safe?" Safe as in alive and well, or safe as in severely injured, but still not dead yet? Why couldn't the being in the suit just tell him exactly what he wanted? Why did he have to speak such vague statements in his echoing, emotionless voice?
"The Foundation has been tentative ever since their multiple mistakes with Olivia – and Nick. One mistake was introducing Olivia to beings more like her than the typical SCP-anomaly. One of those beings wanted to reach out to her, hoping to establish an alliance and make an escape."
"So did they escape? Do we just have to find them and transport them back?" Peter's breath rose in his throat and stayed there in anticipation. If that was it, that was fabulous news. What were they waiting for?
"No." Peter's heart sank. "Recently she has been secluded away from the entity. With Nick. Not many Foundation humans have seen them since." September blinked, the first time since he had arrived from the rippling. "They are afraid of what she is capable of. They have seen many of her abilities. They cannot control her. Because she cannot be controlled."
Peter gave a small sigh of relief. But again, this wasn't good enough. Peter would fully rejoice when Olivia was back in his universe, back in his arms, back in his life. Then and only then would he be at peace. Then and only then would he rest soundly. "So what else needs to be done?"
Peter hadn't noticed, but September had also brought with him a briefcase. And he had opened it. And in it lay technology that Peter had never seen before, things that he could not begin to comprehend. And it wasn't important for him to comprehend. But his curiosity couldn't help but peer further.
"To ensure the greatest amount of success, I will personally implement the frequency of the universe. And the coordinates to Olivia's location. It will not be long. And I have brought the necessary instruments. However," September blinked again. And turned to a certain individual in the room. "I will need assistance. From you."
Astrid pointed to herself, skeptical. She wildly looked around the room. Out of everyone here, her? The Observer had Peter, the boy genius, at his disposal. He had both Walter Bishops, experts of their field and fields that did not exist. He had the team of aides Walter had handpicked, the top of academia on the Other Side. And yet he had chosen her? A woman that was, most days, Walter Bishop's nanny and cook? Someone that babysat him? Someone that brushed his hair and buttoned his coat? Someone that sometimes cracked through security codes and solved languages and deciphered unknown software, but not all the time? Someone that sometimes had moments of brilliance, but only sometimes? Why take that chance with her? Was she truly as special as he thought?
"Yes. And your alternate self on this side. I will need her immediately." September finally turned to Walter, who nodded, pulled out his tablet, and swiped it a few times with his fingers.
"She will be over momentarily," Walter stated, stiffly; he did not like that the Observer was taking control of his instruments, his project, his universe. But he bit his tongue. This was a being that outranked him in intelligence. And besides, he had no right to interfere with such a superior being enacting the essential.
September dismissed the rest with his hand and with, "I do not need the rest of you. You are free to leave."
"Now wait a second here." Of course September had foreseen Peter Bishop's qualms; it was in Peter's nature to resist. "You expect us just to LEAVE? For how long? And why? What do you have to do to the device? Is it something you can't show us – or don't want to show us? I have waited far too long for Olivia to be-"
"I do not wish to upset you, Peter Bishop. I see that many of you are tired. This will give you the needed time to rest." September proceeded to take off his jacket – something Peter had never seen September do in his years of observing the Observer. "And I asked specifically for Agent Farnsworth and her alternate because they are the most qualified for what needs to be done. The rest of you are not needed. It is a task that does not require everyone to be here. But if you do not wish to leave, you may stay there." September motioned to the break room. "It will not take long."
Peter clenched his fists, wanting to shout something more, but his father put his hand on his right shoulder. And he felt the bitterness and anger and confusion and pain slide down. Back into the soles of his feet. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and found his energy slowly winding down. He felt control return to his body; he felt control return to his life.
"Okay," Peter relented. "Okay." He turned to face his father and the break room.
"Peter?" It was Astrid.
"Hm?" He peeked over his shoulder.
"Since I'll be working… could you brew me up some coffee?"
Peter smiled. "The whole pot?"
Astrid's face was tired. Her smile was strained and her eyes were drooping, but he could see a resurgence in her energy, too – a resurgence brought on by September and the project finally coming to an end. That meant progress, hope, Olivia. "The whole pot."
Astrid sipped her coffee, twirling her hair into tighter spirals, staring at September blankly. He hadn't moved. Peter had come with a fresh pot and set it right next to her [and most likely passed out on the couch afterward] and this Observer hadn't moved. She worked her way thru half the pot and he hadn't moved. She walked around the expanse looking for nothing in particular and he hadn't moved. She'd never understand these Observer-types. It was beyond her.
One of the main doors opened. She shuffled in, little red coils bouncing up and down. Her hands were at her sides, rigid. Her chin was pointed downward. Her shoulders were stiff and hunched. She continued to walk and look down, until she saw a familiar body. And then she looked up and saw a face – her face.
"Hello," she stated.
"Hi," Astrid smiled. "It's been a while. I haven't seen you since…" Since her father had died. And Astrid let the sentence die.
"It has been quite some time." Astrid probably would have calculated the days, down to the second, since their last meeting, but she turned her attention to the device. And to the mysterious bald man. "I recognize you from our surveillance footage. And from archives across history. I have documented you in 40 occurrences in our universe. 41, including now."
September finally moved. He turned around and peered at the two Astrids, turning his head to them. "I have called you both here for a purpose."
"Only we can help you with the machine, right?" Astrid still had no idea what use she could provide for a near-celestial being. And she doubted she would be able to hold her own against her alternate self, a supercomputer personified, but she would try to remain open-minded. And positive.
September did not directly answer her question. "You," he gazed at Astrid intently, as if to point at her. "You will assist me with these instruments." September handed her what looked to be a wrench… but it wasn't. He had procured it from his own suitcase, from his own time, and this made her hesitant. The "wrench" was not made of metal, or anything earthly, but of… humming bits of technology connected together with a blue light. It vibrated in her hands at sporadic intervals. And it was quite large, a hefty instrument. She wanted to ask what it was and what it would be used for, but September was already addressing her counterpart. "You, assist me with the screens behind you."
Astrid positioned herself behind Walternate's series of glass panels. And with a few swipes and touches, she was linked into whatever system he had installed. "I am ready."
"Please sync the technology before you with the device." September turned to Astrid. "Please open the panel closest to you."
Astrid''s fingers were a blur behind the elaborate console built into the glass. She flashed through graphic after graphic, color after color, flash after flash. She imputed data values, turning on the machine before them to a low hum. And Astrid worked with the blue wrench, prying open the largest black and white panel. The wrench seemed to be humming to the same tune of the device. And she felt a connection to this device and a connection to her alternate self in a way she had never felt before. The two of them were truly united in a task. It was beyond words, beyond comprehension. It was the impossible. In this moment, the truce was more than a truce – it was a working and healthy relationship. Two universes truly were connected, not just by a bridge, but by a cause greater than themselves. By individuals dedicated to that cause and to each other. By a physical machine representing not only the grand cause, but individual subjective truths. This machine was Walternate's transformation from hatred, to shallow reluctance, to acceptance – accepting reality and moving forward. It was Walter's promise to heal instead of damage; to bind instead of break; to maintain order free from selfishness and ego. It was a testament to Peter's love – a man who would do anything to get back his beloved; a man who would create new technologies to transcend universes, to match the essential that Olivia had already given. It was Lincoln's journey away from the meek man hiding behind the desk to a true field agent, ready to sacrifice for the greater good and the greater cause. It was Olivia overcoming her previous biases of the Other, developing a fierce empathy to protect those she once opposed with clouded vehemence. But what did it mean to her, to Astrid? And to her double? She would have to find out.
The panel was open, revealing a key pad that Peter had just installed what seemed like hours ago – or was it days? During the construction process, Astrid had lost all sense of time. And now with September and her alternate self, time seemed to stand still just for her. There was nothing more important than this moment and the breaths she would take. Rescuing Olivia, guaranteeing the safety of all universes – everything rested on this moment. On these changes. On these hands. Her hands.
September's voice interrupted her thoughts. "The universe vibrates at 440 hertz."
"The key of A?" Astrid''s demeanor perked at the figure. "I never would have calculated such an outcome. Fascinating."
"Please input 440 hertz into your console and into the machine on my signal." September raised a finger.
The scene seemed so bizarre, almost heavenly. The artificial lights gleamed down on September's bald head and Astrid swore she could see an angelic glow reflecting off of it and radiating from him. From a man helping them deliver Olivia and Nick. From a man that could perform miracles, bend time to his will, do anything he desired. Or perhaps this was all nonsense. Perhaps it was all because of lack of sleep.
"Now." The two Astrids keyed in the figures. And the machine hummed to a different tune. And light that shone gold from some of the panels now shone a bright green. And then faded, just as the humming faded. Just as Astrid's delight at progress faded.
"Is something wrong?" She looked back to September, but found that his brow was not furrowed. He wore the same uniform face, free from anguish or satisfaction. "Was it supposed to do that?"
"Yes. We will now enter into the second phase." September bent down to pick up his own wrench, which was next to a small and slender box made out of metals she couldn't identify. "And this time, I will need you to step back, Agent Farnsworth. This I must do by myself." September walked to the opposite side of the device and proceeded to pry another slender panel open. "This design must bypass the previous triangle formation that others have used to open pathways between universes. We do not have the time to plant separate devices, nor create additional devices for this array. I am the only one who knows how to implement these changes, but I will need the cooperation of you both. Agent Farnsworth where she is and you, Agent Farnsworth, at my side."
The two Astrids nodded.
"I will perform to the best of my abilities. It will be my honor to accompany you, sir," Astrid bowed her head and clacked her heels together in great anticipation. It was exciting to break new ground. To create things that the human mind had only dreamed of. It was beyond fascinating. It was beyond wow.
"Just tell me where I need to be and I'll be there." Astrid walked next to September and knelt alongside him. "Just tell me what I have to do and I'll do it."
If September were any other person, if September were any more human, he would have smiled. But he did admire her tenacity. And he did admire her ability. He nodded his head in appreciation. "We have much to do."
Working with September and Astrid was different. The hours were much longer with them, but time stood still for her, for all of them. She did not know how long they had been tampering with the device, but it did not matter. Nothing mattered. Only the device.
And unlike working with the Walters, with the entire team with a looming deadline and the thickest tension, she felt relaxed. Even though the work was much more delicate with September, handling their device with machinery she had never worked with before, she was calm. She was certain of her abilities and herself.
And she had energy. Reservoirs of energy she didn't know she had. Endless amounts. With the Walters and with Peter and the aides, she struggled to raise her arms through the shifts. But here, she was running back and forth. She was scurrying up ladders to get to the top of device and scurrying down. Her coiled hair was constantly bouncing and bobbing, never hanging stagnant – never drooping.
And she was smiling. This… it was almost enjoyable. And her counterpart seated a bit further away was enjoying it as much as her, probably more so. Astrid wished that September had arrived sooner. And she wished that she could work with him more often. Especially since they were almost done. She almost didn't want this to end.
Imputing the coordinates required the utmost precision. And the rest of Peter's brew of coffee, even if it had cooled hours ago. It required the utmost cooperation between the two Astrids, one calculating across the many surfaces – the touch-panels and touch-tables surrounding the entire complex – and the other handling the entire device, prying open and keying in and closing panel after panel after panel.
But through it all, Astrid began to understand what the device meant to her. Why it was so important. Why she was so driven to see its completion. It represented her physical manifestation of belonging, of contributing to the group. This machine, this marvel that took so many to construct, was physical proof that she, Astrid Farnsworth, mattered. That she meant something, even alongside her more brilliant other half. And she wasn't just a necessary abstract component to achieve a task, or an emotionless machine to calculate figures. And she wasn't just a nanny or a maid, belittled and dismissed and exploited. She was respected. She was important. She was brilliant, just like the machine.
September hadn't announced it, but she could feel it. Finally… after so long… they were done.
Peter awoke from his nap. He was surprised to see the once vacant couch in front of him now occupied by two persons. Two persons who looked utterly exhausted, but utterly satisfied. And Astrid's red coils were mixed up in her counterpart's hair as they continued to sleep side-by-side, heads curled together. Smiles on their faces.
Peter smiled. This could only mean one thing.
He exited out of the break room to see The Observer putting his coat back on, adjusting the sleeves and smoothing out the wrinkles that had formed. His back was turned to Peter, but he knew that it was him. "Good. I must give you one final component to the device." September gave Peter the same slender box that he had stowed in his briefcase.
Peter turned it over in his hands, a bewildered grin dancing across his face. "What is it?"
"One might call it… the Master Key."
O5 Log 01428-00001-69392-O2-1:
SCP-1428-2 IS the key to SCP-001. SCP-1428-2 is the key to everything.
Yet I am alone in my understanding. My colleagues do not recognize this. It is not just their loss, but a loss for the Foundation and a loss for the world. My colleagues undervalue SCP-1428-2. They see her potential, but only in the narrowest of senses. They do not realize her true importance in this world – in every world. She is the Overwoman. She is the ultimate. She is the essential. She is The Way.
I must understand and protect SCP-1428-2. In that order. At all costs.