Thankfully, it worked.
My chemical — the adaptive, self‑evolving acid — managed to restrain SCP‑682. Not destroy it, of course. Nothing ever works that smoothly with the immortal child of the Scarlet King. But it held the creature in a state of perpetual biochemical warfare. 682's adaptive ability could only resist, never overcome. Every second it tried to evolve past the acid, the acid evolved right back, matching it molecule for molecule.
Exactly as designed.
The result was a brutal equilibrium: my chemical constantly dissolving it, and 682 constantly regenerating and adapting, locked in an endless struggle. And with this stalemate in place, training the immortal lizard became possible — as long as I kept producing more of the chemical to replace what it burned through.
But I'm not stupid. I know eventually, inevitably, even my adaptive acid might fail. 682 is the Scarlet King's progeny. An entity like that doesn't stay contained forever. No matter how ingenious the chemistry, something born of primordial hate will claw for an escape.
For now, though, I had a window of control. Temporary as hell, but a window nonetheless.
So I stocked Site‑██, the facility containing 682, with a massive supply of my chemical. Enough to keep the lizard submerged for weeks. I gave the personnel explicit orders:report any change — chemical, biological, behavioral, dimensional, cognitive — directly to me. Immediately. No exceptions.
Then I left the site.
Stepping through the spatial gate back to Site‑01, I could already feel the familiar weight of leadership settle on my shoulders. The other O5s were waiting. Expecting results. Expecting a plan. Expecting answers.
I appeared before them through our thought‑projection matrix, clearing my throat before delivering the report.
A complete briefing on SCP‑682's acquisition, containment status, chemical interaction patterns, adaptive responses, and long‑term predictions.
Once the council was satisfied, the meeting dissolved, their projections fading out one by one.
And I finally turned back toward my research wing.
SCP‑682 was restrained… for now.But my work was far from over.