Chapter 42
There was John Doe, who had disappeared under the guise of a business trip.
When piecing together the unsettling aspects, it became clear.
“I’ve been played.”
<Yes.>
John Doe had planned the incident and used it as a bluff card to ensure his escape.
He was never one to obediently follow the Foundation’s directives.
As a scientist and thinker, he was deeply dissatisfied with the Foundation’s passive approach. He argued that securing, containing, and protecting anomalous entities didn’t solve problems but merely postponed them, and that a more proactive approach was necessary to truly protect the world.
The mass production of Thaumiel-class entities was one of his propositions.
While some were drawn to John Doe’s catchphrase of ‘monsters dealing with monsters,’ there were significant opposition forces as well. Given the stakes involved, many believed a more conservative approach was warranted.
In fact, this was the mainstream view. John Doe’s activities did not match his claim, and he eventually resorted to conducting unauthorized experiments.
The scale of these experiments was the problem.
He not only smuggled individuals who interacted with anomalous entities out of the Foundation but also kidnapped those who would go unnoticed if they disappeared. However, no matter how carefully one hides, the tail always gets caught.
As soon as it seemed like his cover might be blown, John Doe executed his escape plan from the Foundation.
This was the attack incident.
By staging the project with Marie, who couldn’t be discreetly removed due to media attention, subtly leaking information to hostile factions, and inducing the attack to shift the Foundation’s focus, John Doe successfully made his escape while the Foundation was preoccupied.
“Is there a specific reason why John Doe fled? Wouldn’t causing such a commotion be more risky than the fear of losing his position?”
<The Foundation does not tolerate losing its control. There have been several incidents where the world almost ended due to losing control. If they see the trauma from these reports, they’d willingly take up a hectare of space just to ensure it doesn’t happen again.>
This meant that John Doe’s actions were far beyond what could be forgiven as mere loss of position. Marie was incredulous, and Brooks nodded in response to her look.
<It just so happens that an assassination order has been issued for him.>
For those who oppose the Foundation, only assassination is an option. Marie was taken aback by this severity.
<And as mentioned earlier, there were several variables. It seems he didn’t expect any results from you. Early on, John Doe was quite attentive to you, wasn’t he?>
“Yes.”
It was true, albeit reluctantly. In the early stages of Marie’s work, John Doe had been so attentive that he even held video calls with her directly.
<According to the data obtained from the abandoned lab, Marie, you stood out among the experiments he conducted. Your role turned his bluff into a joker card.>
Yet John Doe left her behind. This was a clear indication.
<His experiment was a success.>
Somewhere else, results were achieved that were significant enough for him to abandon a unique experiment like Marie.
<The Foundation believes he now has a means to perfectly control anomalous entities.>
This was a level of achievement that could even lead to the cancellation of the assassination order.
In fact, John Doe might have even gained more influence within the Foundation. However, he chose escape over return, and the Foundation could read his intention: that he would wield his ideology outside the Foundation’s system.
<If there is a means to control anomalous entities, it should be used.>
And the target would be the place where the most anomalous entities are contained.
<He will likely attempt another attack on the Foundation.>
Including the SCP Foundation itself.
<The Foundation has determined that this incident constitutes a global threat beyond the level of national upheaval. So, Marie Garcia, we offer you a proposal.>
Static crackled on the tablet screen for a moment before it split to reveal faces, either visible or cleverly obscured.
<For world peace, will you cooperate with the Foundation to stop John Doe?>
Turning her back on the world, the Foundation extended a hand to an anomalous entity locked away in a room full of monsters.
Marie’s emotions were complicated.
She had always been unlucky.
Yet now, she found herself in a crucial position for the fate of the world. How could she not feel a sense of profound nostalgia? With her ring-adorned hand holding a fluffy cotton doll, and her head resting on the shoulder of a dancer provided by the troupe leader, Marie’s gaze shifted to the nearby writhing tendrils.
– My queen.
Even though the fate of the world was at stake, it didn’t seem frightening.
– We exist for you always.
It was perhaps only natural. Now, she was no longer alone. Marie looked at the flashing screen and spoke.
“Alright. I’ll stop John Doe.”
Marie made her proposal to the Foundation.
“So, what can you offer me in return?”
The monster, loved by other monsters, smiled.
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