"Snapdragon?! How'd you become a-"

"It's a long story, Firecracker, one that you need not concern yourself with. I'm here to fill you in on why Graham hasn't come to see you."

When Xavier didn't respond, Douglas pulled out a script and read, "'Greetings, SCP-8166. This is an official message from the Director of Site-17, Thomas Graham. I have been notified of your desire to converse with me again. I assume you are being treated well in containment. Lamentably, I cannot see you at the moment, but I will pay a visit when the opportunity presents itself.'"

"Does he know about the horrible shit they're doing to me?" Xavier blurted out before covering his mouth. Crap! I just brought up confidential information! In front of a D-Class, no less!

"Of course he does. Every experiment has to be approved by Graham himself. We both know this, Firecracker," Douglas said with brutal honesty.

"Tom might be powerful, but there are folks above him in the food chain. I think they could have authorized this glorified torture on me without his knowledge. Besides, he didn't bring the subject up in the script you just read," Xavier pointed out.

"It's obvious you're still under the impression that he cares for you. But Graham is loyal to himself, first and foremost. And once someone is no longer of use to him or becomes a liability, he has no problem stabbing them in the back," Douglas snapped.

When Xavier didn't respond, he continued with, "Think about it. What could possibly prevent him, the chairman of this whole damn place, from paying an anomaly a visit? And anyone with more authority would be too busy with their own matters to care what he does. I know this might be a tough pill to swallow, but it has to be said. Graham doesn't care about you, and he never did."

If the man once known as Dr. Dusk wasn't close to tears before, he was now. "Are you saying...Tom doesn't care about what I'm going through, and that he's the reason this is happening to me in the first place?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying, Dusk. It's gonna hurt for a while, I know. But if you keep buying his lies, you're giving him exactly what he wants. And I'm not letting him get what he wants."

In a trembling voice, Xavier asked his fellow prisoner, "Why did you become a D-Class? Did it have something to do with Graham?"

Hearing these words, Douglas lowered his head. "If you ask the guards, they'll tell you I attacked him. But they won't tell you why. Hokulani was supposed to keep an eye on your interview with 5239's parents. She went to fetch her coffee when your claws showed up. Those two were dead when she got back. And yet, Graham still put the blame on her shoulders and made her a D-Class."

The name Hokulani was enough to catch Xavier's attention. Didn't Hokulani Kelekolio only start working here recently?

"Ah. So, you're familiar with my girlfriend," Douglas chuckled.

"Yes, I am. How is she?"

Douglas' face darkened as he spoke. "As far as I know, she's been extremely distressed since she was demoted. Our termination is coming up soon, you see. And to add insult to injury, Graham has made sure we can't see each other before then."

"I see. You have my condolences," Xavier said solemnly.

"You have nothing to apologize for, my friend. You were not the one who ordered our demotion."

"SCP-8166, D-7117. It's time for you to return to your cells," said a guard behind them.

"Well, there's our cue. It was nice catching up with you, Doug."

"Thank you for the kind words. Farewell, Firecracker."

Lachlan Vanderbilt reviewed the footage he'd been sent by a security guard, horror now etched in his expression.

As he watched the horrific and painful experiments performed on Xavier, he could feel wetness on his cheeks. By the time he'd seen his friend's wings and claws being crushed, his vision was blurred from the tears.

How could this be? I thought we gleaned all we could from the first three tests! And what's happening here can be described only as cruel and unusual punishment!

Lachlan saw red as he watched the next video, this time of Kiran and Graham brainstorming "tests" to perform on SCP-8166. I knew Kiran never changed since the 3017 shitshow! But to think she was capable of...this...

I need to stop them. Not just for Xavier's sake, but for the sake of everyone these two scumbags have harmed!

Collecting himself, the esteemed doctor began to converse with the sender of the videos.

Why did you send me this?

As a friend of SCP-8166, you have a right to know, Dr. Vanderbilt. What Kiran and Graham are doing cannot continue a minute longer.

What if they find out?

I have encrypted the files to ensure they cannot access them. Our secret is safe with us.

How are we going to stop them?

Graham was stupid enough to grant me access to the systems that keep the cell doors locked. With the push of a few buttons, 8166's door would unlock and he could escape.

Are you insane?! This is treason of the highest caliber! We'll be dead before the week is out!

Fear not, Vanderbilt. This chat is protected with the finest concealments. Just follow my commands, and Xavier will walk free in no time.

Lachlan took a moment to consider this offer. If Graham or, God forbid, the O5 Council, found out about this, I'd be in the ground in no time.

But my friend needs me. And so do the other victims of Graham and Kiran.

With a sigh, he sent one last message to his co-conspirator.

I'm in. Let's do it.

Wise decision. Make sure to tell Jules Yesenia as well. She's a friend of Dusk, so she'll be on board with this.

Once this message had been sent, the chat cut off, leaving only the video files as evidence that it happened. Steeling himself, Lachlan sent them to Jules.

No...this can't be real! It has to be fake!

Sadly, these are not fake. Xavier is, in fact, being tortured during tests. And Graham and Kiran are responsible.

Kiran? I know that name. Didn't she kill an anomaly's loved ones because he escaped?

Yes. How she wasn't punished for that is truly astounding.

Apparently, she got a free pass because she killed those people under the influence of a cognitohazard. Bull fucking shit! I've seen staff get terminated for far less!

Agreed, Jules. But we are going to make sure she answers for her crimes. Will you join me?

I will.

Good.

Behind a screen, Orion Middleton was spying on the chat between Lachlan and Jules.

He got on the line with his superiors. "Vanderbilt and Yesenia are helping us now. Send the troops at eight."