Chapter 12: The Doctor's Hunt
Despite the fatigue from the previous night, Léonard felt a surge of adrenaline take over. Sitting in front of his computer, he stared at the management system interface, fascinated by the many options available to him. He still struggled to grasp the reality of it all. A secret Foundation, incomprehensible anomalies, and him, a 16-year-old, in command of this hidden world. But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. A new threat had been detected, and he needed to act.
A new notification flashed, interrupting his thoughts.
[ Ding! Anomaly detected: SCP-049 located in Strasbourg. The Plague Doctor was spotted in an alley in the Petite France district. This entity has already caused several deaths by direct contact. Capture and neutralize SCP-049 before he spreads his "cure." ]
[ Ding ! SCP-049 File
Classification: Euclid
Appearance: SCP-049 is a humanoid entity, approximately 1.9 meters tall, resembling a medieval plague doctor. It wears dark, hooded robes and a ceramic mask with a pronounced beak, akin to plague doctor attire from the 17th century. These garments and the mask seem to have merged with its physical form over time.
Effects: SCP-049 believes itself to be a physician capable of curing what it refers to as "The Pestilence." Upon identifying a subject it deems infected, SCP-049 will perform an anomalous "surgery," which invariably results in the subject's death. Following this procedure, SCP-049 will attempt to "reanimate" the deceased, creating zombie-like entities, though they exhibit no higher brain function and are non-responsive to most stimuli. SCP-049 is generally cooperative but becomes highly aggressive when discussing or encountering the "Pestilence." ]
Léonard closed his eyes for a moment, trying to recall the details of SCP-049 he had read years ago. A humanoid being capable of turning its victims into docile zombies, designated SCP-049-2. He knew this mission would be no easy task. Quick action was necessary, as the Doctor could spread his influence like a virulent disease, and every minute lost increased the risk to the population.
He opened the Mission Planning section in the interface.
The first step was to deploy an experienced team capable of handling this delicate situation. Naturally, his first thought was to send in MTF Delta-4 "Safari Time." These veterans had already proven their effectiveness against SCP-939 and were equipped to deal with Keter-class anomalies like SCP-049. However, Léonard knew that this mission also required reinforcements. SCP-049, being an entity capable of confronting multiple adversaries simultaneously, meant more men on the ground would increase their chances of success.
He entered the Recruitment section and selected five Minor Special Response Agents (MTF). Each agent was quickly outfitted through the interface: they would carry field agent tactical gear, an FN-P90 submachine gun, a Gilboa-Snake assault rifle, and a medical kit in case the operation went awry. They received accelerated training for their upcoming mission, courtesy of the system.
[ Ding! 5 Minor Special Response Agents recruited and equipped successfully. Integration in progress with MTF Delta-4 "Safari Time." ]
Watching the five newly recruited agents' icons appear on Delta-4's roster, Léonard felt slightly more in control. But he knew this was just the beginning. He activated the command to deploy the forces on the ground.
"Here we go," he murmured, pressing the Emergency Deployment button.
[ Ding! Helicopters deployed to Strasbourg. Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA): 30 minutes. ]
On his screen, a real-time map showed the Foundation helicopters speeding toward Strasbourg. Léonard knew every second counted. He hoped Delta-4 would arrive in time to limit the damage.
Meanwhile, in Strasbourg, in a dark, narrow alley, three men were watching a figure dressed in a long, black medieval-style robe. The leader of the small gang, a muscular, tattooed man named Lucien, frowned at the sight of this strange person strolling carelessly through his surroundings.
"Who the hell is this guy?" Lucien murmured to his two companions.
The man walking down the alley, more commonly known as SCP-049, wandered with no apparent purpose, perhaps searching for his next victim to "cure." His movements were slow but determined, and his gloved hands gripped an old, worn leather satchel.
"Who cares?" replied another gang member, Simon. "He looks rich in that old costume. Let's take his stuff and get out of here."
The three men stepped out of the shadows and surrounded SCP-049. One of them drew a knife, while the others started to laugh.
"Hey, crow man! Drop your bag, or we'll mess you up!" Lucien growled, stepping forward menacingly.
SCP-049 stopped, his empty, black eyes calmly fixing on Lucien. A strange smile stretched beneath his plague mask.
"Ah... Sick souls. Your flesh is infected, gangrenous with this insidious plague. But fear not. I will cure you."
Before Lucien could understand what was happening, SCP-049 reached out and grabbed his arm with swift, precise movement. Lucien, surprised, tried to pull away, but intense pain instantly spread from his wrist to his heart. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest, his eyes wide with terror.
"What did you do to him, you bastard?!" Simon screamed, lunging at SCP-049 with his knife.
But before he could strike, SCP-049 touched Simon as well. Within seconds, his muscles stiffened, and he collapsed next to Lucien. The third man, panicking, stumbled backward, watching in horror as his friends groaned and convulsed on the ground.
SCP-049 calmly observed them, without a hint of remorse.
"They are at peace now. The cure has been administered."
Under the terrified gaze of the last gangster, Lucien and Simon slowly rose to their feet, but they were no longer the men he knew. Their movements were jerky, mechanical, and their eyes were now void of any life, marked by a soulless emptiness. They had become SCP-049-2, docile beings under SCP-049's control.
At that moment, a city surveillance camera recorded the entire scene. The horrifying transformation of the two men was captured in real-time, and the footage was immediately transferred to the National Police. Within minutes, the video circulated through the offices of the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI). The agents watching exchanged alarmed glances. This scene was far beyond anything they had ever encountered. A supernatural threat? An unknown biological weapon?
Their decision was swift: they alerted the forces on the ground to prepare for immediate intervention. The authorities in Strasbourg were placed on high alert.
Meanwhile, in the helicopter speeding toward the area, Watcher , the unit commander, gripped the handle of his seat tightly as the craft rushed toward Strasbourg. Through his night vision goggles, he could see the city lights approaching on the horizon.
"Prepare for extraction and capture. The enemy is known to be dangerous upon contact, so stay alert," he ordered through the internal radio.
The men of Delta-4 silently prepared, checking their weapons and adjusting their helmets. They all knew that the enemy they were about to face was unlike any other. SCP-049 represented a Keter-class biological threat. A single mistake could turn a seasoned soldier into a lifeless puppet.
Léonard, still sitting in front of his computer, observed with intense concentration. He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, but he couldn't falter. He had orchestrated a complex mission before, but this time, there was more at stake. Innocent lives were in danger, and the DGSI might get too close to the truth.
Suddenly, his screen displayed a new notification.
[ Ding! Multiple National Police units approaching the area. ]
Léonard grimaced. They needed to act fast, before the local forces got more involved and complicated the operation. But he couldn't withdraw Delta-4 now. The Plague Doctor had to be captured, no matter the cost.
In the streets of Strasbourg, the tension was rising. SCP-049 continued to calmly walk through the alleys, followed by his newly "cured" creatures, oblivious to the approaching police sirens. The confrontation was imminent.