Luo Shu was certain that after half an hour of preparation, everyone in the central garden had undergone rapid nucleic acid tests—no one could be carrying the plague virus.
He gestured to the crowd and asked, "Do you see any infected people here?"
SCP-049 carefully observed the scene but ultimately shook its head.
"See? No plague here. Now, let's go back," Luo Shu pressed, seizing the opportunity to enforce their agreement.
If not for its violent reaction to the Pestilence, 049 was actually one of the more reasonable SCPs.
Before the Dr. Hamm incident, it had even been allowed its own dissection lab in B2, where it conducted medical research daily.
It complied with Luo Shu's request and began making its way back to its containment unit in B4.
Luo Shu walked alongside it.
As they moved, 049 suddenly said, "You are a good person. Could you ask the Site Director to reinstate my lab privileges?"
"Of course, I'll mention it when I get the chance," Luo Shu agreed smoothly.
As if I'll ever have the chance.
I'm just a D-class. What makes you think I have that kind of pull?
But this time, Luo Shu was wrong.
After successfully recontaining 049, he was summoned by the Site Director for the second time.
"D-20915, you're even more capable than I expected. Truly worthy of your reputation as a Silicon Valley genius engineer!" the Director praised.
Even lavender smoke had failed to calm 049, yet Luo Shu had talked it down.
The Director was impressed.
Without him, casualties would have been far worse.
"You flatter me," Luo Shu replied absentmindedly, his attention focused on the SCP Catalog.
Page 7 had appeared.
[Page: 7]
[Item #: SCP-049]
[Object Class: Euclid]
[Image: …]
[Description: …]
[Special Containment Procedures: …]
[Ability: Corpse Reanimation]
[Status: Contained]
[Interaction History: Click to Play]
[O]
Why is the ability Corpse Reanimation and not Touch of Death?
Luo Shu was disappointed at first.
What use do I have for zombies?
But then he reconsidered.
He didn't lack for lethal abilities.
SCP-173's teleportation and neck-snap were just as deadly as 049's touch—if not more versatile.
Still, reanimating corpses felt… disturbing.
He decided he wouldn't use it unless absolutely necessary.
What he really wanted was 049's spatial medical bag—but the Catalog didn't classify it as an ability, just equipment.
Maybe I can convince 049 to lend it to me someday.
Though the Foundation would probably confiscate it immediately.
While Luo Shu was lost in thought, the Director was assessing his value.
"Having you only handle SCP-173 is a waste. From now on, you'll also be responsible for SCP-049."
"As a cleaner?" Luo Shu couldn't help but quip.
The Director chuckled. "No. 049 needs regular interaction—and it enjoys good food."
So now I'm a janitor and a delivery guy.
Still, Luo Shu wasn't about to refuse.
Building a rapport with 049 could be useful—maybe even lead to acquiring that spatial bag someday.
His new duties involved biweekly visits—bringing food, chatting, and ensuring 049 remained calm.
Each time, he had to undergo temperature checks and nucleic acid tests to avoid triggering it.
The Commander's Return
A few days later, the bearded MTF commander returned to Site-19.
To Luo Shu's surprise, the man sought him out personally.
"Heard you've been doing well!"
In the commander's eyes, Luo Shu had participated in three containment operations—earning unofficial titles like "173's Bane" and "The Negotiator."
That was better than most Nine-Tailed Fox operatives.
"What, trying to recruit me?" Luo Shu joked.
The commander tugged his beard awkwardly. "Not a chance. I'm just a field commander, not an O5. I don't have that authority."
"Then why bring it up?"
Luo Shu's tone was far too casual for a D-class, but the commander didn't mind.
"Just giving you a heads-up. Might need your help someday."
Truthfully, Luo Shu was relieved the commander couldn't recruit him.
Nine-Tailed Fox's high mortality rate was no joke—worse than being D-class.
At least now, he had SCP-173 under control, SCP-049 pacified, and occasional visits to SCP-055 for cryptic chats.
Even the Foundation's female researchers had started noticing him.
Maybe one day, if I shed this orange jumpsuit…
But just as he thought he could enjoy some peace, Site-19 reminded him it was no retirement home.
Strange Happenings
Days later, the site suddenly buzzed with unusual energy.
Female security personnel appeared in greater numbers, while male staff became strangely restless.
Even the usually composed commander was acting suspiciously.
Luo Shu sensed trouble.
When he asked a researcher he knew well, she just rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, men!"