Though SCP-035 had eventually realized the truth, Loshu didn't care.
(It's back in its box. Let it scream.)
What intrigued him was how the mask's voice was still audible.
According to protocol, SCP-035's containment unit was lined with SCP-148 (Telepathy-Blocking Alloy)—a material that should have completely cut off its mental influence.
(Unless...)
Loshu inspected the unit and quickly found the issue: flakes of SCP-148 had peeled off near the doorframe, likely due to the earthquake's stress fractures.
(That's how it got out. That's how it whispered to the guard.)
He collected a few fragments, handing most to Jack while slipping one into his pocket.
(Insurance against future mind games.)
Behind him, the mask's muffled shrieks echoed.
"I'LL GET YOU! I'LL WEAR YOUR FACE LIKE A SOC—"
Loshu slammed the door.
(Yeah, yeah. Dream on.)
The Spoils of War
Back in his quarters, Loshu reviewed his haul:
SCP-035's Ability: Mental Enslavement
Turn any sapient being into a loyal servant... at the cost of their life.
(Powerful, but limited. Still... imagine puppeting an O5 for an hour.)
SCP-148's Ability: Mental Shielding
Blocks telepathy, cognitive hazards, and possession attempts.
(Goodbye, 035. Goodbye, memetic nightmares.)
SCP-101's Ability: One-Way Dimensional Chute
A perfect disposal method... but useless for storage.
(Still need a pocket dimension solution.)
His Encyclopedia buzzed.
[New Milestone: Master Manipulator (Tier 1)]
[Effects: 1. +20% persuasion success vs. anomalies. 2. 10% chance to implant false memories.]
(Nice. Now, how to store all these goodies...)
A thought struck him.
(SCP-049 mentioned his black doctor's bag has spatial properties. But stealing from the Plague Doctor? Hard pass.)
(Maybe SCP-914? The Clockworks could upgrade a container...)
(Or—)
A knock interrupted him.
Jack's voice, groggy: "Hey... what were we doing earlier?"
(Ah. The amnestic side effects.)
Loshu grinned.
(Perfect. Let them forget.)
The Forgotten Report
In the Director's office, confusion reigned.
"How did we recontain 035?" the Director muttered.
Jack shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe it... got bored?"
(The memetic haze was thick.)
The Director rubbed his temples. "And the demon? The earthquake?"
"What demon?"
(Poof. Gone.)
The Director's hand hovered over the O5 alert button... then withdrew.
(Why bother? Clearly nothing important happened.)
Loshu's D-Class status remained unchanged.
(For now.)
Next Steps
Find secure storage (SCP-914? SCP-294?).
Test SCP-148's limits (Does it block memetics or just telepathy?).
Avoid 049's bag (Unless feeling suicidal).
And most importantly—
Keep surviving.
(Because in the Foundation, the only reward for a job well done...)
(...is another impossible task.)
To be continued.
(Next: The Clockwork Heist—and the pocket dimension gambit.)