Chapter 4
Following Johnny's question, Katana answered, "Waiting on their vote now but I should hear something back within a few days."
She watched as he nodded his head and then responded, "Alright. So what now? You want me to describe my experience or whatever? The researchers already got all of that."
"No. I don't need to know. I can always read it in the file later on. Researchers usually take care of the monotonous stuff like expanding files. My job is to oversee testing and make sure it goes smoothly. That protocol is being followed." Katana explained.
She watched Johnny think for a minute and moved on, "Seems boring. I'm guessing the researchers have no clue about what you can do? Your bosses seem to like their secrets."
"You've guessed right. They do not know about my abilities but it gives me the extra push I need. It is why it makes me good at what I do." Katana explained, "And it will make you good at yours when you become my partner."
"Ah. So what do we—" He was interrupted when her cellphone let out a shrill ring. Katana sighed and answered it after it let off a third ring. "Katana speaking."
Unsurprisingly it was her boss, 05-6, "You're in luck Katana. We have a job for SCP-9000 (Johnny) that'll get him a role as your partner. Although he won't be mentored by me."
Excitement filled her veins at the news, but that bit of info surprised her, she asked, "Who will he be mentored by then?"
"That all depends on him succeeding. It shouldn't be too difficult but it is vital. Bring him to the council as soon as possible. You have full authorization," Her mentor responded.
"Thank you sir." She hung up the phone and turned towards Johnny, "We need to make our way to the council room. Now."
Johnny was confused and his eyes widened, "Uh… okay." He trusted Katana to not steer him wrong and stood to follow.
As they walked, Katana explained, "They have a position for you, but they need to discuss it with you before anything else. Pretty soon, you will be into better accommodations."
"That's great news Katana, but we should probably move a bit faster. I'm not leaving ahead of you because knowing how trigger happy some guards are, I'll be shot on sight."
"They won't do anything with me here." Katana responded as they walked to the helicopter.
Hours later they made it to the council chambers at Site-01 where she scanned her badge and entered followed by Johnny. When they entered, her first observation was that all but two members were present 13 and 2 were apparently missing for this meeting. As she finished her circle, she heard 05-1, a middle aged man with a cleaned up mustache and a bit big around the waist, approach and ask, "Glad you could make it Katana. This is a time sensitive operation. I trust you briefed yourself on SCP-006 already?"
Katana nodded. Before she even started, she read the extensive files of the first twenty SCPs and would continue to read them in batches. "I have. That is the one with the fountain of youth. We left for here as soon as my mentor told me about the opportunity."
"Yes. However, don't let the name fool you. The fountain is incredibly toxic, a single drop on skin even by accident will kill you within a day. Its effects are instantaneous."
Before she could respond, Johnny was the one who spoke, "So the name is…"
"A deception. Yes." The council member interrupted. "The area it's contained in is dangerously close to several enemy groups, not the least of which including the Church of the Broken God."
"So what do you want, councilman?" Katana asked.
"We need a sample of it for study, but as you can imagine, it is an incredibly dangerous task. However… if we say… had an operative who could heal from any sickness in a day, then perhaps the task will not be as daunting." The councilman explained
At the answer, Katana glanced at Johnny because it affected him, "It's up to you."
"It's fine by me. As long as I don't infect anyone else," Johnny said with a shrug.
Katana nodded and they moved to the transport area, "You sure you want to do this?"
"Yeah. I've had viruses put in me before. I'm sure this'll be somewhat similar… right?" Johnny asked unsure. The helicopter lifts up as they head for their destination.
"I'm sure it will be, but this is one of those odd ones that not a lot of information is given." Katana explained.
"Well good thing you have me right?" Johnny grinned.
Hours later, they land. Katana checked her tracker and saw they were in the middle of Russia. Grumbling, she said, "Wish I knew we were heading for Russia. I would have grabbed a coat."
"Honestly, hypothermia isn't a bad way to go. Just keep your hands in your pockets." Johnny responded before adding, "Learned that the hard way."
"Yeah well, that might not be enough… I'm only wearing a t-shit and jeans. Not exactly cold weather material." Katana responded. Despite her complaints, they make their way into the facility. Johnny almost failing at not stumbling since his legs were asleep from the hours-long flight. She approached the guard station with her ID out and was quickly allowed in with Johnny.
One of the on site researchers led them to the room and they stepped up outside the door. Katana watched as Johnny readied himself, "Alright. Let's just get this done." He was handed a canister as he walked in through the door. The whole procedure took about an hour before Katana saw him walk back out. She went to speak as he asked, "Are you sure this is supposed to be toxic? I feel completely fine."
"It's what the council said. Did you not drop it on you? At all?" Katana asked.
"No. Like I said, I feel completely fine. In fact, never better." Johnny answered.
"Alright, then I'm calling this in." Katana pulled her phone out and dialed the councilman directly, "We accomplished the objective. No adverse reaction."
"Good. Though interesting. I think you'll be fine to bring him back then if nothing's happened by now." Katana couldn't escape the nonchalance feeling that she got. There wasn't any emotive responses.
"Yes sir." Katana hung up the phone and looked at Johnny, "We can go home."
"Seriously? Alright. Get me out of here." Johnny said. Katana chuckled and they quickly made their way back to the helicopter. When they sat down, she noticed that Johnny was being extra cautious. She thought to ask, "Is the water making you feel differently?"
"No. I feel the same." Was the answer she got from Johnny.
"I know the councilman said that is toxic but don't you think you are being overly cautious cradling it?" Katana asked.
"Don't want it to fall and bust open. Plus I don't want to risk you coming into contact with it. And lastly, this way is more comfortable." Johnny answered.
"Makes sense," Katana sighed.
"I do wonder why it had no effect on me." Johnny stated.
Katana nodded, "That is strange. With all the extra warnings that 1 gave, you would think something would occur."
"Maybe they lied and it's just normal water?" Johnny suggested.
Thinking back to the phone call with 05-1, Katana said, "I did have a really strange conversation with 1 after you came back out of the room."
"What, do you think there is some kind of ulterior motive going on? Isn't that always the case though?" She felt his eyes on her.
"Maybe beforehand, but not since I started working with them." Katana sighed, "As far as I know anyway."
"Exactly, as far as you know, they're clean. But didn't they execute some kids because they knew about that door I tested a while back?"
Katana remembered hearing about that news, "You're right."
"Stories like that make me wonder if the self-proclaimed good guys are actually good guys at all or if the ideology of good is a myth." Johnny said quietly.
"Based on the philosophical meaning of good and evil, I don't think so. Companies like the foundation use the idea of good for entirely selfish reasons. They lock up what they don't know for research to advance their own agenda… Seems dark and you're probably wondering why I work for such a company. The reason is entirely selfish in nature. They have the resources I need for me to be able to do the good I do. I can be on the front lines to help most of the safe, humanoid scps out there like you and me." Katana explained.
"That's you though. You're trying to do good. In my opinion, if they think it's needed to keep the world safe as a whole… then…. I dunno. Just seems needlessly malicious to me. Killing the few to save the many."
"Phillipa Foot. Nice. Didn't know you knew your philosophers." Katana commented, "However that is something we do not have time to discuss. We can save the morality and ethics conversation once we are home."
Hours later, they land. Katana had to shake Johnny awake once they did. Though she did it in a way to not startle him because he was still holding that blasted vial. They both left the helicopter and entered the building. Instead of 05-1 meeting them, they were met with 05-2, a short older woman with gray, almost white, hair. Before they could say anything, she took the vial from Johnny and had it opened and finished. In surprise, they both watched as the older woman turned young and youthful looking. Her white hair turned dirty blonde. "Thank you both. You've saved the council the trouble of finding a new second member."
Still surprised, Katana still nodded, "It is no issue ma'am."
"Though why lie about the fountain?" Johnny asked. They told him it was toxic but this woman took it just fine with no issue.
"We have to be very careful who we give this sensitive information to. There are multiple groups around the world who would literally kill to get their hands on it." The woman explained.
The shock was wearing off, but other thoughts raced through Katana's mind and she didn't wait to voice them, "I've been an established intern for the council for years yet I couldn't be trusted with the sensitive information?"
"Because we couldn't be sure if you would tell him the truth before we made him your partner." 05-2 answered her.
"Wait.. so does that—" "Yes. Congratulations 9000, you're the new intern. You'll be tutored by 05-9." Katana was happy for Johnny. It means more positive changes were heading his way like freedom to roam the halls. "You will begin tomorrow morning. You're first two weeks will be filled with training and then you will receive your first assignment from Katana who will be our new head for future interns. We've realized that we can get a lot more accomplished with the usage of interns." The councilwoman began to walk away.
"Congratulations Johnny. Training will be a breeze, I promise." Katana grinned, "We should go celebrate."
"Doubt it, but it's still better. Thank you Katana for not giving up on me." Johnny hugged her in thanks.
Before Katana could respond, the council woman came back, "And Katana. Your mentor needs you back at site 17." This time, the woman then left.
Katana chuckled, "No rest for the wicked. I better not dawdle and keep him waiting."