Chapter 31: Meeting Day
From the author: Sorry for late post😭
The President of the Republic stood in the courtyard of the Élysée Palace, nervously glancing at his watch. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. He turned to one of his guards, frustration evident in his voice.
"Is there any sign of their arrival ? its 13:55 already." he asked.
The guard, maintaining a stoic expression, replied, "None, Mr. President."
As the clock struck 14:00, the air seemed to shift. To the shock of everyone present, five operatives in advanced, futuristic armor materialized out of thin air. These were Resh-1 agents, utilizing state-of-the-art optical camouflage.
They advanced toward the President, performing a sharp military salute before extending their hands for a handshake. The President, initially stunned by their sudden appearance, regained his composure and reciprocated the gesture.
Without uttering a single word, the operatives followed the President into the meeting room. Only the highest-ranking officials from the government and military were present. The attendees watched in awe as the operatives, in their cutting-edge gear, took their positions.
The operatives set up a military-grade encrypted laptop and connected it to the video projector. A pitch-black silhouette appeared on the screen, concealing all identifying features.
After a moment of silence, a voice emanated from the darkness on the screen. It was Léonard, speaking through the encrypted channel.
"Good afternoon, Mr. President, esteemed officials. I am the leader of the SCP Foundation, and I will be your point of contact for today's meeting."
The room fell silent as Léonard's encrypted voice continued, the weight of the situation clear in his tone.
---
Administrator: "Mr. President, thank you for meeting with us today. Our purpose is to discuss recent events involving anomalous entities that have had an impact on France and to establish a formal channel of communication between the SCP Foundation and the French government."
President: "I appreciate the gravity of this meeting. Could you please begin by outlining the events related to the dog like entities near Lille"
Administrator: "Certainly. SCP-939, known as 'With Many Voices,' is a race of predatory entities that mimics human voices to lure its prey. Recently, we faced a situation where SCP-939 breached containment and caused significant disruption. The creature's presence was reported in several regions, and our teams had to intervene to re-establish control. Fortunately, we managed to contain the entities with minimal casualties, but infortunately as you know, a GIGN Unit raided one of theirs nests by mistake."
President: "Thank you for the clarification. Let's move on to the next issue: Strasbourg Incident. What can you tell us about that incident ?"
Administrator: "SCP-049, also known as 'The Plague Doctor,' is a humanoid entity that has the ability to induce a death-like state in its victims, often referred to as 'The Plague.' In Strasbourg, SCP-049 was involved in an event where it began to exhibit increased activity and spread its influence. Our response teams were deployed to contain SCP-049 and mitigate the spread of its anomalous effects. The situation was challenging due to the entity's ability to cause widespread panic and confusion, but we managed to contain SCP-049 and prevent further escalation. Alongside his ability to create zombies like being called SCP-049-2"
President: "I see. Lastly, could you provide details on the incident in Paris?"
Léonard: "SCP-035, known as 'The Possessive Mask,' is an anomalous mask that induces a range of psychological effects, including possession and mind control. In Paris, SCP-035 was involved in an event where it exerted its influence over a significant number of military and police personnels, leading to a chaotic situation. Our response involved rapid deployment of containment teams and the use of specialized equipment to neutralize the mask's influence."
President: "Thank you for your sincerities. It's clear that the SCP Foundation is dealing with complex and potentially dangerous anomalies. I will review the information and consult with my advisors on how we can proceed with this partnership. Do you have any final remarks or additional information for us?"
Léonard: "Only to emphasize our commitment to maintaining global security and to assure you that the SCP Foundation is prepared to work closely with your government to address any future threats. We will provide any additional information or support you require to facilitate this partnership."
President: "Understood. I appreciate your thoroughness and readiness to collaborate. We will be in touch after further review. Thank you for your time today."
Léonard: "Thank you, Mr. President. We look forward to a productive relationship."
The video link cut off, and Léonard's image vanished from the screen. The room was filled with murmurs as the President and his team processed the information provided, preparing for the next steps in their interaction with the SCP Foundation.
---
After Resh-1 disconnected from the monitor and vanished from view, leaving the room in stunned silence, the members of the French government and military began a heated debate about the implications of the SCP Foundation's presence and their recent interactions. The room was filled with tension as officials grappled with the ramifications of this unprecedented contact.
Minister of Defense: "We've just witnessed an extraordinary display of technology and secrecy. The SCP Foundation's ability to handle anomalies is beyond anything we've seen before. However, their lack of transparency raises serious questions. How do we ensure that their operations align with our national interests and security?"
Chief of Staff: "Their technological capabilities are impressive, but we need to understand their operational protocols better. We cannot rely solely on their word. We need stringent oversight to protect our interests and ensure our security."
Foreign Affairs Minister: "We must also consider the international implications of our relationship with the SCP Foundation. Our allies might question why we're collaborating with an organization shrouded in such secrecy. We need to manage diplomatic relations carefully to avoid potential fallout."
Head of Intelligence: "The Foundation's activities could have significant implications for our intelligence operations. We should consider how their operations might intersect with our own and ensure that our methods and technologies do not conflict. Their ability to contain and neutralize threats could be a game-changer for us."
Minister of Interior: "The public reaction to this development will be crucial. We need a plan for managing information and addressing any potential leaks or misinformation. The public must be reassured without compromising our strategic interests."
President: "I understand the concerns, but let's focus on immediate actions. We need to establish formal agreements and ensure that our cooperation is effective and secure. The Foundation's presence will necessitate adjustments to our protocols and security measures."
Minister of Defense: "What about integrating their technology into our own systems? If their technology can enhance our capabilities, we should explore the potential benefits. However, we must ensure that we maintain control and oversight."
Chief of Security: "Before we consider adopting any of their technology, we need to thoroughly vet it for compatibility with our existing systems. We must also ensure that it doesn't compromise our security or operational integrity."
At this point, the Director of the DGSI (General Directorate for Internal Security) spoke up.
Director of DGSI: "Given the complexities and potential risks associated with the SCP Foundation's presence, I propose the creation of a parallel unit dedicated to the tracking and containment of anomalies for the government. This unit, which we'll call the ' National Gendastrerie,' will operate directly under the Ministry of the Interior."
Minister of Interior: "The idea of a specialized unit is worth considering. The National Gendastrerie could provide us with a dedicated force trained to handle anomalies and work in coordination with the Foundation, but under our direct oversight."
Chief of Staff: "What would the National Gendastrerie's mandate and structure look like? We need to define its roles clearly and ensure that it integrates effectively with our existing agencies and protocols."
Director of DGSI: "The National Gendastrerie would operate with a dual mandate: collaborating with the SCP Foundation while maintaining an independent capability for anomaly containment and response. The unit would consist of highly trained personnel with expertise in various fields, including security, science, and technology."
Head of Intelligence: "We should also consider the potential for conflict or overlap between this new unit and the SCP Foundation. Clear guidelines and communication channels will be essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure effective cooperation."
Minister of Defense: "And what about the funding and resources for this new unit? We'll need to allocate budget and personnel accordingly to ensure it has the capability to meet its objectives."
Director of DGSI: "I propose that we start with a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Gendastrerie. This will allow us to assess its impact and make adjustments before committing to a full-scale implementation."
President: "That seems like a prudent approach. Let's draft a plan for the National Gendastrerie and outline its objectives and integration with our existing framework. We also need to ensure that the SCP Foundation remains an active partner while respecting our national security interests."
As the discussion continued, the officials debated the specifics of the National Gendastrerie's formation, its mandate, and how it would function in relation to the SCP Foundation. The meeting marked the beginning of a complex and multifaceted relationship with the SCP Foundation, setting the stage for future cooperation and conflict management in a new era of anomaly containment and response.
—
In a vast, dimly lit underground chamber. In the center of the room stood a massive, pulsating organic table, its surface appearing as though it was alive, breathing slowly with a dark, malevolent rhythm.
Surrounding the table were ten intricately carved chairs, each made from a twisted combination of bone, sinew, and corrupted wood. At the head of the table sat a larger chair, more ornate and imposing than the others-it was the seat of the leader.
Nine of the chairs around the table were occupied by hooded figures, each draped in deep crimson robes. These figures were known as the "Elders," the highest-ranking members of the Esoteric Order of the White Worm. Their faces were hidden in shadow, only the occasional glint of a
malevolent eye or the flicker of a twisted grin visible beneath their hoods. A palpable tension filled the air as the Elders muttered amongst themselves, growing increasingly impatient and angry.
"Elder Vegrim is late again," hissed one of the Elders, his voice dripping with disdain. "He has no respect for the council!"
"Perhaps he's grown weak, unable to keep pace with the duties of his station," another Elder sneered. "It would be fitting for him to meet an end by our hands for such insolence."
The others murmured in agreement, their voices a chorus of contempt and irritation. But before their whispers could escalate further, the leader, seated in the largest chair at the head of the table, raised a hand, silencing them instantly. His presence commanded absolute authority-an aura of dark power seemed to radiate from him, suffusing the room with an oppressive energy.
The leader leaned forward, his face still obscured by the shadow of his hood. His voice, when he spoke, was deep and resonant, carrying with it the weight of centuries. "Silence, all of you," he intoned. The chamber fell deathly quiet. "Elder Vegrim will not be joining us today."
The Elders exchanged puzzled glances, their earlier anger now replaced with a hint of unease. One of them finally spoke up, their voice cautious. "What do you mean, Master ? Has something happened to Elder Vegrim ?"
The leader's hand lowered to the table, his fingers drumming against the organic surface with a sound that echoed like a heartbeat through the chamber. "Elder Vegrim has been killed," he said coldly, his words sending a chill through the room. "His life was taken by an organization that has long remained in the shadows, an organization that has now decided to reveal itself-The SCP Foundation."
A murmur of shock and outrage rippled through the Elders. "The SCP Foundation?" one of them spat. "They dare to strike against one of our own ?"
The leader nodded slowly, his hooded head turning slightly to observe the reactions of his council. "It appears they have grown bold," he continued, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "But their boldness will be their undoing."
Another Elder, her voice filled with venom, hissed, "We must retaliate immediately! Mobilize our forces and crush them before they have a chance to strike again."
"Yes," agreed another, slamming a fist onto the table, causing the organic surface to writhe as if in pain. "We should release our beasts, let them feast on the flesh of these interlopers !"
The leader raised his hand again, and the Elders fell silent once more. "You will all have your chance for revenge," he assured them, his voice low and menacing. "But we must be strategic. This is not just about avenging Elder Vegrim. This is war—a war that we must win, not only for ourselves but for the future of our Order."
He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled before him as he gazed at the nine Elders. "Prepare the disciples. Summon the beasts. The Esoteric Order of the White Worm will march to war. Our enemies will know the true meaning of fear."
The Elders nodded, rising from their seats with newfound
purpose. They began to file out of the chamber, eager to begin the preparations for the coming conflict. But the leader remained seated, his dark eyes fixed on a glowing red interface only visible to himself hovering in the air before him. The screen displayed a stark message:
[Ding ! Elder Vegrim has been eliminated by faction "SCP Foundation"].
The leader's lips curled into a sinister smile as he stared at the notification. "So, the host of the Foundation has finally shown himself," he murmured to the empty chamber. "They have no idea what they've unleashed."