Luo Shu's understanding of Area-14 had been superficial—until now.
His deduction about the Sedan Crater being the original site was based on intuition, analysis, and fragmented memories. But as the Black Hawks touched down at Homey Airport, reality set in:
He was entering the legendary 51.
The Arrival
The landing zone had been cleared of all personnel (100m radius, per protocol). Three Hammer H1 military vehicles (colloquially "Humvees") stood ready.
(Coincidence that Nu-7's codename was "Hammer Down"? Probably not.)
Overhead, MQ-8 Fire Scout drones circled, scanning for threats.
The convoy formed up:
Lead Humvee: Nu-7 infantry (pathfinding).
Middle Vehicle: Robot guards + Malice Perceiver.
Rear Humvee: Luo Shu and the Nu-7 lieutenant.
Total distance between vehicles: 300m—minimizing collateral risk.
The Descent
North of Homey Airport lay Groom Lake—a dried-up basin resembling a desert.
(Why dried? Likely due to Area-14's underground operations.)
At a specific point, the ground rumbled, and a hidden ramp emerged from the sand.
The Humvees descended into a 10m-high tunnel, its length vanishing into darkness.
Behind them, the entrance sealed shut.
No turning back.
The Long Road to Area-14
The tunnel branched repeatedly, each fork barricaded and monitored.
After several kilometers, they reached a false endpoint—the "public" 51 zone (Nu-7's barracks and logistics hub).
Then, like the jaws of a titan, the wall split open, revealing:
A deeper passage, lined with experimental weaponry:
Laser cannons.
Railguns.
Missile silos.
All aimed inward—toward Keter containment.
The convoy accelerated to 120 km/h, racing through the tunnel for over two hours.
(Distance covered: ~250 km—spanning Nevada underground.)
Luo Shu checked his mental map:
They were beneath the Ruby Mountains—Nevada's "Alps," a ski resort aboveground, a prison for monsters below.
The New Area-14
Post-breach, the Foundation had relocated Area-14 north, burying it under:
Original Site (South): Nevada Test Site (Sedan Crater).
Gateway (Center): 51 (Groom Lake).
New Containment (North): Ruby Mountains.
Why so vast?
SCP-165 (Hungry Sand): Requires a massive dune.
SCP-082 (Fernand the Cannibal): "Rules" a replica Fontainebleau Palace.
Fail-safes: Each wing has tactical nukes—containing breaches locally.
Final Approach
Guided by glowing arrows, the convoy:
Lead Humvee peeled off to secure a 150m perimeter.
Robot vehicle turned left, following signs to SCP-XXXX's unit.
Luo Shu's group trailed as escorts.
After 1 km, they arrived.
The lieutenant smirked. "Home sweet home, Malice Perceiver."
Containment Unit XXXX
Design: Automated, no AI.
Features:
Pie dispenser (non-cognitohazard).
Amnestic gas vents (WMD memory purge).
TX-9 "Dumbot" guards.
Luo Shu noted the blast doors—thicker than Site-19's.
(Priorities: When your neighbor is SCP-939, you invest in steel.)
Epilogue
As the robots secured SCP-XXXX, the lieutenant handed Luo Shu a dossier:
"O5 wants you to consult on two more... problem children."
The files read:
SCP-076-2 ("Able")
SCP-682 ("Hard-to-Destroy Reptile")
Luo Shu's grin faded.
Area-14 wasn't done with him yet.