Chapter 28: Willkommen in Deutschland - Part 1
The locker room was filled with the familiar sounds of zippers closing, belts being tightened, and the casual chatter of seasoned security agents preparing for another patrol shift. Klaus Berger was among them, suiting up for his night patrol. The air was filled with a mix of banter and routine conversation.
"Another cold one out there tonight," one of the agents, Tobias, muttered as he shrugged into his heavy jacket.
"Better cold than dealing with containment breaches," Klaus responded, adjusting his belt. "I'll take the quiet over excitement any day."
"Yeah," another agent, Hanna, grinned. "Let's hope it stays that way."
The group exchanged knowing looks, the kind that came from years of working in Foundation security. Their duties often felt mundane, but every agent knew the dangers that lurked just beyond the perimeter. The captain of security soon entered the room, calling for attention as he began the nightly briefing.
"Alright, listen up," the captain said, gesturing to a map of the base's surroundings projected on the wall. "Tonight's patrol assignments are standard. Team Alpha will cover the west perimeter. Team Bravo, you're on the north side. Team Charlie, you've got the forested area to the south. Remember to stay alert—there've been reports of strange activity lately. I don't want any surprises out there."
Klaus was part of Team Charlie, tasked with patrolling the dense forest near the base. The briefing wrapped up, and they headed out into the cold night, their flashlights cutting through the darkness as they entered the woods.
The team moved in formation, led by their sergeant. Klaus walked alongside his fellow agents, keeping his eyes on the path ahead while listening to the quiet conversations around him. They moved carefully through the trees, the forest alive with the soft sounds of night creatures and rustling leaves.
"It's eerily quiet tonight," Hanna whispered, her breath visible in the cold air.
"Too quiet," Tobias replied with a smirk, trying to keep things light. "Just how I like it."
Suddenly, they all stopped as two figures emerged from the shadows up ahead, stumbling and covered in blood and dirt. The figures were teenagers—two girls, both terrified, their clothes torn and faces pale.
"Help us..." the girl managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. She was trembling, her eyes wide with fear.
Klaus immediately stepped forward, gesturing for the rest of the team to be cautious. "What happened? Are you injured?"
But the girl wasn't listening. Her eyes darted back into the forest, and she pointed a shaking hand behind her. "They're coming..." she whispered. "The beasts… they're coming."
Klaus turned just in time to see what she was pointing at. From the darkness, he could make out red shapes moving swiftly between the trees. These were no ordinary animals. They were monstrous—twisted, red-skinned creatures charging toward them at full speed.
"Contact!" Klaus shouted, raising his rifle. The rest of the team followed suit, their flashlights swinging toward the threat. "Open fire!"
The forest erupted in gunfire as the team unloaded their weapons on the approaching beasts. The creatures screeched, some falling to the ground under the hail of bullets, but others pressed on, relentless.
Klaus grabbed his radio, shouting into it, "Command, this is Charlie Team! We're under attack by multiple hostile anomalies—too many to hold! We need immediate backup!"
The voice on the other end crackled through the noise. "Fall back to the base! All patrols are ordered to retreat. We're locking down the perimeter—base is on full alert!"
"Copy that!" Klaus replied, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. He turned to the two teenagers. "Stay with us! We're getting you out of here!"
The team started moving backward, firing in controlled bursts to keep the beasts at bay while retreating. The forest echoed with the sounds of gunfire, snarls, and shouts as they fought their way back toward the base.
"Keep moving!" the sergeant barked, pushing his team to stay on the move. They were nearly there. The base's lights were just up ahead, glowing like a beacon of safety in the dark forest.
The monsters pursued them relentlessly, but the team held strong, determined to protect the terrified teenagers. As they broke through the tree line and approached the base, the perimeter lights came into full view. Soldiers on the walls aimed their weapons, ready to defend the returning patrol.
"Get behind the barricades!" Klaus shouted to the teenagers, ushering them forward. The team dove behind the defensive line as the base's heavy machine guns opened up on the creatures. Bullets rained down, shredding the beasts as they attempted to break through the defenses.
The creatures howled and shrieked, their bodies torn apart by the barrage of fire. One by one, they fell, until the last of them lay dead at the edge of the forest. The gunfire ceased, and an eerie silence fell over the base.
Klaus collapsed against the barricade, catching his breath. His heart was pounding, adrenaline still surging through his veins. He looked at the two teenagers, who were huddled together, shaking and pale.
The girl, Lina, turned to him, her eyes wide with shock and fear. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You… you saved us."
Klaus nodded, trying to offer some reassurance. "You're safe now. We'll take care of you."
Soldiers and security personnel worked feverishly to repel the incoming waves of monstrous creatures. The base's defenses were holding, but the relentless assault seemed to be intensifying.
Klaus and his team quickly joined the other defenders, manning their posts and keeping a close watch on the approaching threats. The forest was a chaotic mix of gunfire and snarling beasts, the once tranquil night now a battlefield of survival.
Just when it seemed like the defenders had a handle on the situation, a new threat emerged from the shadows. From the depths of the forest, a new breed of monster appeared—towering, three-headed beasts with grotesque features. These creatures were around three meters tall, each head distinct in its horrific design. The central head had a gaping mouth that seemed to take up its entire face, while the other two heads bore enormous eyes that glowed menacingly. Their backs and bellies were covered in writhing tentacles, and their tails ended in grotesque, worm-like appendages lined with sharp teeth.
"New targets incoming!" Klaus shouted, his voice barely audible over the din of battle. The sight of these abominations sent a shiver down his spine. The creatures charged towards the base with terrifying speed and ferocity, their terrifying appearance adding to the chaos.
The defenders on the walls immediately switched their focus to the new threat, opening fire on the three-headed beasts. The creatures, however, seemed to be even more resilient than the previous ones. Bullets pelted their hide, but they continued to advance, their sheer size and strength making them formidable opponents.
"Reinforcements needed!" the base commander shouted into the radio, his voice strained. "We need backup from Site-Lamedh immediately!"
The request for reinforcements was quickly relayed, and the base went into high alert. The soldiers at the base fortified their positions, setting up additional barricades and preparing for the worst. They knew they needed all the help they could get if they were to fend off this new wave of horrors.
As the three-headed beasts breached the perimeter, the defenders were pushed to their limits. The creatures' tentacles flailed wildly, knocking soldiers off their feet and causing chaos in the defensive line. The soldiers fought back with everything they had, their efforts a desperate struggle against the seemingly unstoppable forces.
Amidst the chaos, Klaus kept his focus on the two teenagers he had saved. Lina and her companion, Anja, were still shaken but had found temporary refuge behind the barricades. Klaus ensured they were kept safe, his attention divided between protecting them and the relentless battle outside.
The base's alarms blared, signaling that reinforcements were on the way. They continued to hold their ground, their resolve unshaken despite the overwhelming odds.
The three-headed beasts were relentless, their horrifying presence a constant reminder of the nightmarish situation. But with reinforcements on the way, hope remained that the tide of the battle could be turned. For now, Klaus and his team would hold the line, fighting with everything they had to keep the base—and the terrified teenagers—safe from the encroaching darkness.
---
Inside the recreation room of Site-Lamedh, a quiet calm had settled over the tactical response teams. Some operatives were lounging on couches, taking much-needed rest. Others sat around tables, engrossed in card games or gathered around the billiard table. A few were fixated on their phones, passing the time while waiting for the next mission. The rhythmic clicking of billiard balls and murmured conversations were the only sounds that filled the room.
Suddenly, a sharp alarm pierced the air, followed by an automated voice over the PA system: "All tactical units, mobilize immediately. Site-Lamedh-C under attack." The urgency in the voice sent a jolt of adrenaline through the entire room.
The operators immediately sprang to action. Card games were abandoned, billiard cues clattered to the ground, and those dozing off bolted upright in an instant. Some cursed under their breath, others looked grimly at one another, but everyone knew the drill.
"Move! Move!" shouted a sergeant as he stormed into the room, signaling them to head to the locker room.
The once leisurely atmosphere was replaced with a sense of purpose and urgency. The operatives rushed through the hallways, their boots pounding against the floor as they made their way to the locker room. Inside, the command staff had already begun briefing the teams, hastily handing out assignments and urging them to get equipped.
"Damn it! We need everyone fully armed and ready in under five minutes!" barked a commanding officer. "This is no drill. You're heading into a full-scale attack!"
The air was thick with tension as the teams hurriedly suited up. Black tactical armor clanked into place, assault rifles were locked and loaded, and helmets were fastened with precision. In the armory, the operatives lined up, grabbing additional ammunition, grenades, and sidearms. An electric buzz of preparation filled the room.
"Listen up!" A lieutenant's voice echoed through the armory. He stood on a raised platform, briefing the teams with clipped urgency. "We've got a full-scale breach at Site-Lamedh-C. Hostile entities, anomalous in nature. Numbers are unknown, but we're looking at a massive force. Our orders are to assist in containment and protect the personnel on-site. We deploy in five minutes! Let's go!"
With a swift nod, the operators rushed toward the hangar, sprinting through the corridor with determination. The echoes of their footsteps filled the halls as they filed into their designated helicopters. There was no room for hesitation or doubt.
Once inside the helicopters, the sound of the engines roaring to life drowned out any last-minute thoughts or fears. The rotors spun violently, kicking up dust and debris as they ascended into the night sky. The lights of Site-Lamedh-C in the distance flickered against the horizon, the battle raging on without them.
An agent seated next to a window stared out at the dark landscape below. The forests and hills rushed by beneath them, shrouded in shadows. In the distance, flickers of light from gunfire and explosions could be seen faintly on the horizon—a grim reminder of the chaos awaiting them. He took a deep breath, steadying himself for the fight ahead.
The scene faded to black as the helicopters soared through the night, carrying with them the hope of turning the tide at Site-Lamedh-C.
—
Léonard jolted awake to the piercing sound of an alarm he had never heard before. His eyes shot open, heart pounding as a crimson notification flashed on his screen:
[Alert! Site-Lamedh-C is under attack]
Instantly alert, Léonard scrambled out of bed and darted to his computer. His fingers flew over the keyboard as he accessed the situation reports. Site-Lamedh-C was in the midst of a full-scale assault—Sarkic creatures in overwhelming numbers.
A notification chimed, indicating an incoming call. Léonard accepted it, and the worn face of Director Fuchs, head of Site-Lamedh, appeared on screen.
"Administrator, we've sent everything we can—ten tactical teams, but it's not enough. We need more firepower, more reinforcements! Only you can mobilize the MTFs at this scale."
Léonard took a deep breath, nodding quickly. "Understood. I'll deploy them now. Hold the line."
Ending the call, Léonard opened the Mission Planner and scanned for available Mobile Task Forces. Time was running short. He made his decision swiftly:
- MTF Delta-3 ("The Dragons"), specialists in heavy assault and high-risk engagements.
- MTF Omega-7 ("Pandora's Box"), the newly assembled unit with SCP-073 and elite operators with anomalous capabilities.
- MTF Delta-4 ("Safari Time"), a force designed to hunt down dangerous entities and swiftly secure them.
Léonard initiated the deployment order. Within moments, the teams were mobilized, and helicopters were en route to the beleaguered site.
He watched the countdown as the minutes ticked by. 45 minutes. He could only hope they would be enough.
—
In the darkened forest surrounding Site-Lamedh-C, the battle raged with fierce intensity. The air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the distant, guttural roars of the mutant creatures. The security team, led by Sergeant Müller, was entrenched in a desperate struggle against the nightmarish invaders.
The team had established a defensive perimeter around the base, but the relentless assault of the red beasts continued to press in from all directions. The soldiers, faces smeared with sweat and dirt, were a mix of focused determination and grim fatigue.
As a new wave of mutants, monstrous with three heads and multiple tentacles, surged forward, the security team responded with a flurry of coordinated firepower. Machine guns roared, their rapid-fire bursts sending a hail of bullets into the advancing horde. Grenades were tossed into the midst of the enemy, their explosions creating brief but deadly bursts of light and fragmentation, scattering the creatures and momentarily disrupting their advance.
A rocket-propelled grenade from a soldier's bazooka streaked through the air and hit its target with a thunderous detonation. The explosion blew apart a cluster of the beasts, sending chunks of red, fleshy matter into the air. Despite this, more of the mutants emerged from the shadows, their horrific forms writhing and squirming as they continued their assault.
The soldiers, huddled behind makeshift barricades and sandbags, fired their assault rifles in controlled bursts, trying to keep the creatures at bay. Each shot was deliberate, aimed at the creatures' multiple heads and vulnerable points. The deafening sounds of gunfire and roaring mutants created a chaotic symphony of battle.
Sergeant Müller, his voice barely audible over the din, barked orders to his team. "Keep your positions! Focus on the three-headed ones! We need to hold this line!"
Amid the chaos, some soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the creatures that managed to breach the perimeter. The scene was brutal—soldiers grappling with the beasts, using knives and clubs to fend off their attacks, their efforts illuminated by the sporadic flashes of gunfire and explosions.
Despite their valiant efforts, the mutants were relentless. They surged forward, their own screeches mingling with the shouts of the soldiers. The security team was pushed to its limits, each soldier fighting with a mix of bravery and desperation.
Klaus and his unit, amidst the chaos of the battle, continued to fight off the relentless assault of the mutated creatures. Grenades exploded, sending shrapnel flying, while the roar of machine guns and bazookas filled the air. The team utilized every weapon at their disposal: assault rifles spat streams of bullets, and the occasional rocket-propelled grenade streaked through the night sky, targeting the monstrous threats.
Klaus, his uniform smeared with sweat and grime, was focused on repelling the wave of mutants. His team was working in tandem, using tactical precision to keep the invaders at bay. Despite their efforts, the mutants were relentless, pushing forward with a terrifying intensity.
Suddenly, Klaus noticed one particularly menacing beast pushing through the lines. Its tentacles flailed wildly, and it was headed directly for the base. With a sense of urgency, Klaus and another guard raced to intercept it. As they pursued, the creature's grotesque form became clearer through the haze of smoke and flashing lights.
When they finally cornered the beast near the base's perimeter, they were horrified to see it had ensnared Lina and Anja, the two adolescents they had briefly encountered earlier. The beast's tentacles were wrapped tightly around them, holding them captive but not harming them. Klaus's stomach twisted in fear and anger as he watched.
"Shoot it!" Klaus shouted, but his orders were cut short when Sergeant Müller intervened. "Hold your fire!" the sergeant commanded sharply. "We can't risk hitting the hostages!"
The soldiers were forced to watch as the beast, now in possession of Lina and Anja, began to retreat. The creature's escape was a grim sight—its massive bulk moving away from the base, dragging the terrified adolescents with it. The soldiers outside, prepared to open fire, were restrained by the sergeant's orders, unable to act for fear of harming the captives.
As the beast and its prisoners disappeared into the forest, the remaining mutants, seeing their leader's departure, also began to fall back. The base's defenders, though still under threat, were momentarily relieved as the immediate danger receded.
With the base's defenses holding, Klaus and his team regrouped. Exhausted but determined, they now faced a new challenge: to track down the beast, rescue Lina and Anja, and ensure that the base remained secure in the aftermath of the attack.
---
As the assault on Site-Lamedh-C, the arrival of MTF units marked a crucial turning point. The sky, still illuminated by the chaos of the previous night, was soon filled with the thunderous roar of helicopters. MTF Delta-3 "The Dragons," MTF Delta-4 "Safari Time," and MTF Omega-7 "Pandora Box" descended, their arrival bringing a much-needed boost to the base's defenses.
The helicopters landed with precision, and the elite MTF teams disembarked swiftly. Dressed in advanced tactical gear, each unit took charge of securing the perimeter around the base. The scene was a blend of urgency and professionalism as the new arrivals set up defensive positions and began assessing the situation.
Inside the base, the three MTF commanders—Commanders Hartmann of Delta-3, Watcher of Delta-4, and Mendoza of Omega-7—made their way to the command center. They moved purposefully through the corridors, their faces reflecting the seriousness of the situation. Their destination was the command center of the base, where they were to meet with the base chief, Colonel Fischer, who was responsible for the immediate defense and operations.
In the command center, Colonel Fischer—an experienced and pragmatic leader—stood by a large map display, reviewing the status of the base. His demeanor was a mix of concern and resolve as he prepared to brief the arriving MTF commanders.
As the MTF commanders entered, Fischer greeted them with a curt nod. "Commanders, thank you for coming on such short notice. The situation here is critical, and we need your expertise."
Commander Hartmann of Delta-3 stepped forward. "Colonel Fischer, we're here to assist with the defense and to handle any anomalies you're dealing with. What's the current status?"
Fischer responded, "We've been under attack by a large number of hostile entities. The creatures are highly aggressive and have caused significant damage. They also captured two civilians. We need to secure the area and attempt to rescue them if possible."
Commander Watcher of Delta-4 nodded. "We'll need detailed information on these creatures and their behavior. Our teams are equipped to handle a variety of threats, but understanding what we're up against will be crucial."
Fischer pointed to the map. "The creatures appear to be retreating into the surrounding forest but may regroup or launch further attacks. They've been using hit-and-run tactics and have shown the ability to breach our defenses. We suspect they might have a central location or some form of command structure nearby."
Commander Mendoza of Omega-7 added, "We'll deploy specialized units for reconnaissance and rescue operations. We'll also need to fortify the base's defenses to prevent any further incursions."
The discussion continued as the MTF commanders and Colonel Fischer exchanged critical information. The MTFs began their preparations, deploying additional resources and personnel to enhance the base's defenses and conduct search and rescue missions.
As the MTFs prepared to launch their operations, their focus remained on addressing the immediate threats and recovering the captured civilians. The coordination between the base staff and the MTF units was essential for overcoming the crisis and restoring stability to Site-Lamedh-C.