After leaving the vast hall where the Immortal Lizard's chamber was located, the group set off once again, continuing their methodical exploration of the sprawling, dimly lit complex.
Armed with a coveted Level 5 keycard, they had also managed to repair the malfunctioning security systems in SCP-008's containment cell, restoring order to one of the most hazardous sectors of the facility. Now their focus shifted to locating the nearest checkpoint, a gateway that would grant them passage into the elusive [ Office Area ]. Reaching it would mean they were finally approaching the endgame of this grueling mission.
"The door's about to open again, everyone stay sharp," Brit cautioned, his voice low but steady.
The group advanced through a newly discovered circular corridor, their footsteps muffled by the thick, sterile flooring. Kiwo gave a nod of acknowledgment, her experience showing in her calm demeanor, while the others moved with the quiet precision of seasoned explorers.
Brit consulted his super navigator, eyes scanning for hazard alerts. None appeared. He reached for the access panel, pressed the control button, and a heavy metal door slid open with a mechanical hiss. Beyond lay another corridor, this one branching sharply to the right.
"Take the right," Brit instructed, moving forward without hesitation, his companions close behind.
Their journey had already been long and unforgiving, the labyrinthine facility testing them at every step. Many of the dangers they encountered mirrored those from earlier explorations, yet this time their hard-earned experience had allowed them to avoid catastrophe. Even so, no one dared to relax. This was, after all, a high-security sector, and this section was rumored to conceal threats they had yet to face. The unresolved clash between the grotesque, ancient humanoid known as the "Old Man" and the infamous SCP-096 still weighed heavily on their minds. And somewhere in the darkness, the fearsome Immortal Lizard roamed freely, its whereabouts a chilling mystery. The stakes remained high. One wrong move, and their progress could unravel in an instant.
Reaching the end of the right corridor, they found another reinforced door. Brit paused, double-checked the navigator for anomalies, and still nothing. He let out a slow breath, steeled himself, and pressed the panel again.
The door slid open, revealing a vast checkpoint chamber within the Heavy Foundation Area. For a split second, silence hung in the air before the team erupted in cheers.
"Finally! We found it!"
"Haha! I can't believe it's here!"
"Look at this, we actually made it!"
Relief and triumph lit their faces. Before them stood the checkpoint they had been hunting for, and on the far wall were two massive doors leading straight into the [ Office Area ]. The indicator lights above the doors confirmed the blockade had been lifted, no doubt thanks to their earlier repair of the SCP-008 containment breach.
"It wasn't easy, but we've made it this far," Brit said, his voice carrying both exhaustion and pride.
Vale and the others shared the sentiment. The trials they had endured, the constant tension, the close calls, all led to this moment. The key card in Brit's hand now felt like a badge of hard-won victory.
"Alright, let's move. If the office area is anything like its name, it should be far less hostile than these containment wings." Brit's tone was cautious yet hopeful.
The group nodded in agreement, anticipation visible in their expressions. Together, they approached the towering metal door. Brit swiped the Level 5 card, and with a resonant click, the barrier unlocked.
The corridor beyond mirrored the previous checkpoint they had crossed when entering the heavy sector. Another broad, sterile hall stretched ahead, leading toward a single imposing door that marked their destination. Brit advanced without pause, his companions flanking him closely, their shared determination reflected in their steady gait.
Reaching the final door, Brit exhaled deeply, steadying himself before pressing the button. The reinforced gate groaned open, revealing their first glimpse of the long-sought office sector.
From its sterile name alone, the [ Office Area ] promised safety. After all, this was where personnel had once worked, a space meant for organization and oversight rather than chaos and danger. Surely, it couldn't be as treacherous as the nightmare corridors they had just survived.
The room before them was a stark contrast to the oppressive security wings. A large office stretched out, with neat rows of desks and chairs lining both sides. Black-screened monitors sat abandoned atop tables, and the overhead lights were dim, casting everything in eerie half-shadows illuminated only by the faint red glow of emergency lights. A straight walkway divided the office into two, guiding them deeper inside.
"It really is the office sector," Plumbella murmured, stepping cautiously onto the polished floor. "I wonder just how big this place is..."
The four hesitated briefly at the threshold before pressing onward, scanning their surroundings. Filing shelves lined the walls, stacked with forgotten binders and scattered documents. The air was still, stale, and thick with the faint smell of dust.
"Doesn't seem dangerous, but we should stay alert," Brit warned, his sharp gaze sweeping across the empty workstations. Vale and the others nodded silently, readying themselves for any unexpected encounter.
They moved deeper into the abandoned office, their footsteps echoing softly. Coffee cups with dried remnants of liquid still sat on desks, eerie reminders of the facility's sudden evacuation.
Then, something caught Brit's eye, a single, weathered document lying atop a nearby desk. He approached cautiously, picked it up, and skimmed its contents. His expression hardened as recognition dawned.
"This is a file on SCP-096," he muttered, drawing the others' attention instantly.
Vale, Kiwo, and Plumbella hurried over.
"No way, seriously?"
"I can't believe we missed it before!"
"Read it! I need to know more about this thing!"
The four huddled together, Brit holding the paper steady.
[ Item #: SCP-096, codename: "The Shy Guy" ]
[ Object Class: Euclid ]
Kiwo's eyes widened. "Euclid? I thought for sure it would be Keter!"
Plumbella nodded rapidly, voice low but tense. "It's terrifying. How is it not Keter-class?"
Brit shook his head slowly. "Classifications in the Foundation aren't solely based on raw danger. There's more to it." He paused, deep in thought. "In a calm state, 096 poses less of a threat than the Old Man. It's the conditions required to trigger it that make it lethal. There's a system here, a logic to these classifications, but we're still guessing at the exact criteria."
The group fell silent, their curiosity and unease mingling as they absorbed the document's details. This wasn't just another checkpoint or objective; this was a rare insight into the minds behind the facility's operations. Without official records, all they could do was theorize, piecing together fragments from exploration and experience.
And so, with tension still coiled tightly in their chests, they pressed on, every step deeper into the office sector promising both revelation and risk.