Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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As the fire alarm blares, Dr. Rebecca Lumiere rests her elbows on the control panel, her head in her hands as she desperately rubs the base of her skull with her fingertips. Doctor? Cass Holden asks from the doorway. Are you all right? Lamiere groans, takes a deep breath, then swivels in her chair and tries to give her research assistant a friendly smile. Gotta be friendly.
Can't have the assistants or guards or janitors complaining to the Foundation that she's hard to work with now that she's research lead, as well as co-director of the site. I'm fine, Cass. Just a little headache is all. Lamiere rubs her neck and then stands. Is there something you need? Headache? Do you want some aspirin or ibuprofen? Cass asks, trying to be helpful.
Lamier struggles to keep the smile on her face. She has four PhDs, six master's degrees, and more certifications than she can count. So, of course, she can't think to take analgesics herself. No matter how hard she works, even her research assistants underestimate her. Let me hear snaps. Then she waves a hand at the confused young man.
She points up at the ceiling, indicating the still blaring fire alarm. I just need that to stop, and this day to reset. Reset, doctor?
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Chapter 2: What is SCP-7819 and how does it ensnare its victims?
You don't mean we should use the anomaly SCP? No, Cass. I am not suggesting we use any anomaly to force a reset. That would be a gross misuse of resources and potentially catastrophic. Oh, right. Yes, of course. Cass tries to smile, but gives up and just stares at the doctor. Is there something you need, Cass? Lumiere asks. Oh, right. Yes, doctor. He produces a tablet.
We received a strange alert a few minutes ago. What kind of alert? The appearance of an anomaly in the vicinity of a former agent.
Chapter 3: Who is Dr. Rebecca Lumiere and what role does she play?
May I? Lamiere holds out her hand, and Cass gives her the tablet. Let's see what we have. Lamiere's eyes widen in shock. When did this alert come in? Like I said, Doctor, just a few minutes ago. She stares down at the information. SCP-7819 has finally decided to show itself after all of these years. Lamier doesn't have to click on the file.
She knows it's been nearly 15 years since its last appearance. What surprises her is the name of the retired agent whom the anomaly has ensnared. Ruben Ortega. Lamier sighs, knowing she'll have to be the one to contact him. He's old school and won't respond to anyone except for site leadership. Having Cass contact him would be fruitless.
we have an mtf assigned to the anomaly lamier asks um well we did doctor lamier doesn't like the tone in her assistant's voice a mix of fear regret and was that resignation considering how the day has gone so far lamier supposes resignation isn't that far off the mark explain she demands her patience more than pushed to the edge
Um, well, we were spinning MTF Gamma 43 up, Doctor, but... Cass shuffled his feet and looked down at the floor. Goddammit, Cass! Do I look like a woman who wants her assistant to be coy? Spit it the fuck out! She instantly regrets her words, so much for being friendly and non-confrontational. Lumiere has no expectations that Cass will keep her little outburst to himself.
All of the assistants gossip. She'll probably get a call from a higher up either later today or sometime tomorrow. They don't hesitate to hand her her ass. They hesitate to approve the extra funding she needs, sure, but never when the time comes to give her a good dressing down. Cass, looking thoroughly chastised, frowns and shakes his head.
MTF Gamma 43 was lost two minutes after deployment, he says. Excuse me? Lost? I need clear information, Cass. What do you mean by lost? The research assistant looks her directly in the eye. They were spun up, flew off in their chopper, and it, well, disappeared. Cass reaches out and taps the tablet. Scroll down, Doctor. We suspect one of the team members had an anomaly on them.
Possibly one of the esoteric weapons from Sector 8. We aren't sure, but we believe it activated prematurely. Yeah. No shit. Lamier reads the scant information in the short report. Any idea which anomaly may have done this? No, Doctor. Unfortunately. "'There are too many options.
"'Like I said, we believe it has been narrowed down "'to one from Sector 8, "'but even that is like looking for a needle in a haystack.' "'Which isn't as hard as it sounds,' Lemier says. "'Needles are made of shiny metal. "'Hay is not. "'If you know how to search properly, "'you'll find that needle, "'because it stands out way more than you might think.' "'Cass only blinks at the doctor.'
Lamiere considers doubling down and confusing the assistant even more, mainly for shits and giggles. Since it's been such an awful day and she could use the amusement, but she's already one strike down with the young man and doesn't need more grief. Have security sweep sector eight. Yes, doctor. From Cass's tone, she guesses that security is already sweeping sector eight.
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Chapter 4: What alarming situation is the SCP Foundation facing?
She sighs and says it louder so that she can be heard over the fire alarm and the warning klaxon. Just give it to me straight. Oh, yes, of course. Cass checks his tablet. We currently have 13 Lizardmen loose within the site. All exits were already sealed due to the fire, so they cannot escape the site itself. But they can wreak havoc within the buildings.
How many security teams do we have handling the situation? We had two security teams headed to Sector 2 to contain the Lizardmen breach. So far, neither has reported in. Cass points at the ceiling. Hence the klaxon. Lovely, just lovely. Cass's tablet beeps. Lamier closes her eyes, then opens them and tries to smile. Just tell me, Cass. Um, yes.
It appears retired agent Ruben Ortega has pulled into the parking lot of SCP-7819. He has parked and has entered the Rest Easy Inn, which is the hotel form that SCP-7819 manifests itself as. I know, Cass. Do we have video footage?
Chapter 5: How does SCP-7819 affect former Foundation personnel?
No, Doctor, unfortunately. The drones we deployed did not arrive. Did not arrive, or have not arrived yet? Didn't arrive, Doctor. Jesus Christ! Do I even want to know why? Gremlins, Doctor. Gremlins? And how did these gremlins get into the drones? We are not sure, Doctor. So far, we haven't been alerted to any additional containment breaches. Yet we have drones downed by gremlins. Yes, Doctor.
This news isn't helping my headache, Cas. I am sorry for that, Doctor. Do we have an MTF en route to capture the Gremlins? We do, Doctor. ETA three hours. Those Gremlins could be anywhere by then. Yes, unfortunately that is true, Doctor. But we sent Alpha 99. They are top notch. For a moment, Lamiere breathes a sigh of relief. Alpha 99 truly is a top-notch mobile task force.
The team has taken down way worse anomalies. Their cryptid containment techniques are taught throughout the Foundation network of sites. Okay, keep me posted on their progress. Another klaxon rings out. Lamiere holds up a hand. Do not tell me. Let's focus on SCP-7819. Um, but doctor, it appears we... I said not to tell me. Make sure a team is handling whatever has just happened.
Cass finishes typing on his tablet. Already done, doctor. Great. SCP-7819? Oh, yes. Retired agent Ruben Ortega has... You don't need to say his entire title each time, Cass. My apologies, doctor. Um, Ortega is now... Just call him Ruben. The guy hates being called by his last name. Cass holds back a sigh. which Lamier notes instantly. She smirks and spins her hand over and over.
Get on with it, Cass. Yes, all right. From what little surveillance we can gather, Ruben has entered the hotel. Satellite? Yes, doctor. When the drones went down, we had one retasked. It should give us a decent bird's eye view of the situation, but nothing up close. And Ruben is inside? As far as we can tell, yes. Okay, where's my phone?
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Chapter 6: What challenges arise during the containment of SCP-7819?
Cass points at the empty space by the control panel. Well, empty except for Dr. Lamier's cell phone. The doctor nods and fetches her phone, bringing up her contact list the second it comes alive. I'll handle Ruben, Cass. I used to be the lead researcher for SCP-7819. I can't remember all the details, but I can bring up the file and try to assist him as he suffers through the night.
Suffers through the night? I am not familiar with this anomaly, doctor. It's a fear cipher. Lamier is busy looking at her phone, but she can pretty much hear Cass blinking with confusion. She finds Ruben's number, then looks up and purses her lips. A fear cipher is an entity that creates a situation in order to feed off of it.
The fear cipher does not intend any harm, simply looks to scare any subjects it may capture in its orbit. SCP-7819 is not a prison, and Ruben can get out, but he'll need a little help. I highly doubt he remembers the rules for navigating this anomaly. Lamier sends a text reading, Where are you? She sees the dots wiggle immediately. Good. Ruben is still active.
The response reads, Honestly, I am not quite certain, but if I have to guess, I have been corralled by anomaly SCP-7819. Lamiere is more than relieved. At least the old man knows what he's in for. Although, as she continues texting with them, her relief switches back to worry. Crap, she mutters. Ruben says he is in Alabama. Alabama? Cass checks his tablet and shakes his head. No, no.
The manifestation is clearly in planes. Outside Lawrence, Kansas, to be more precise. Lamier relays that information to Ruben. There's no response. She waits. Still no response. More klaxons blare. What is it this time? Lamier shouts. Her eyes bore into her assistant as Cass checks his tablet. Cass, what are we looking at now? Um, we should go take a look, Doctor. Cass says.
He flips the tablet around.
Gorgon. Are you kidding me?
Lamier throws her hands up in exasperation.
How in the hell did a Gorgon get free? Um, it hasn't gotten free, but it has somehow overcome the security measures.
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Chapter 7: What unique characteristics does SCP-7819 exhibit?
Almost 1 in the morning where she is. Must be closer to 3 where Ruben is. Not that SCP-7819 follows temporal or spatial logic. That anomaly does what it wants. There is no checkout time, and don't bother setting your alarm. You will wake when you wake, then you may check out. She texts back. He's not pleased with the answer, but he's not displeased either. Typical Ruben.
As they walk, Lamier can tell that Cass has something on his mind. Spit it out, she says as she waits for Ruben to text her. Um... This SCP-7819, it's a hotel? He asks. Yes, a Rest Easy Inn. It's not a chain that actually exists. This anomaly took the name and has run with it for decades now. And can it be contained? It's an entire hotel, Cass. Where would we contain it? Site 6666 might.
Lamiere hisses and glares at Cass. Whoa, let's not bring that site into this. She looks around, glancing up at the security cameras they are passing as they walk. A little advice? Keep that site's name out of your mouth. They are always looking for good research assistants. They are? I hear they have some of the most dangerous anomalies that the Foundation has ever found.
Real crazy stuff that can warp all of reality. Yes, that's true. And if they can warp reality, what do you think they'll do to someone like you? Do the math, Cass. There's a reason why the site always needs new research assistants. Cass gulps and nods. But Lamier isn't sure she's gotten through to him. Well, it's his mistake to make. SCP-7819 is in the form of a hotel that preys upon its guests.
Once it locks onto you, you cannot drive past it. It'll return you a couple of miles back until you finally give up and pull into its parking lot. It's a trap anomaly. You would think so, yes, but it's not permanent. It is a feeder anomaly, though. It ratchets up the emotions of the guests, feeding off their fear and apprehension. Then, while they sleep, it suckles at their dreams.
I'm sorry, did you say it suckles at their dreams? You mean like a baby? Simplified, yes, but there's nothing simple about it. Lumiere's eyes go wide. Oh crap, I just remembered something. She texts Ruben and is relieved when he texts back. I'm telling him that there are no stairs and that anyone he encounters in the elevator is not human, she says to Cass. He's on an elevator with a woman now.
If he keeps lying to her, then she won't get angry. And this manifestation is not one Ruben wants to be angry with him. Cass nods as if he understands. Lamiere shakes her head. She tucks her phone back in her pocket, glad to have helped Ruben navigate the elevator situation. Something else nags at the back of her mind, but she can't grasp it.
She has more important issues to deal with than an old, cranky retired agent. Here we go, Cass says as they reach a massive vault door. Six security guards stand outside the door. One steps forward and offers them each a blindfold. For your protection, Dr. Lamier, the guard says. The Gorgon is quite active. Thank you, Middleson, Lamier says, taking the blindfold.
She secures hers and faces where she believes the vault door is. Firm hands turn her 45 degrees to her right. Thank you. Cass, are you ready? Ready, doctor, Cass says from her side. There is the sound of the huge vault wheel being spun, then a massive clang as lock after lock after lock is thrown, followed by a screech and a heavy vibration as the door swings open.
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