The Gulfstream G700 remained parked near the terminal, awaiting clearance from air traffic control. Even the Foundation avoided abusing its privileges for minor inconveniences—Achilles' Heel's private jet had to wait its turn among the scheduled flights.
Once aboard, Luo Shu confirmed that it wasn't the agent restraining him but the handcuffs themselves that blocked the Anomalous Entity Catalog's abilities.
If I can get these off, I can escape.
An idea struck him.
"I need to use the bathroom," he announced.
Barbie rolled her eyes but motioned for the hulking Greek agent to escort him.
The Gulfstream's lavatory was far more luxurious than a commercial airliner's—a spacious suite with a sink, mirror, and even a small bathtub. The agent followed Luo Shu inside without crowding him.
Standing before the toilet, Luo Shu gave an awkward cough.
"Uh, buddy… how am I supposed to do this with one hand? You gonna hold it for me?"
The agent grimaced but unlocked one side of the cuffs, keeping the other clamped tightly in his grip.
"Hurry up. No funny business, or I'll snap your neck."
Luo Shu complied, but while relieving himself, he covertly checked the Catalog.
Still locked.
The cuffs' suppression worked even with only one side secured.
And without his abilities, Luo Shu was helpless—this agent could crush him like a soda can.
Weaklings should know their place.
He played docile, biding his time.
Back in his seat, Luo Shu adopted a new tactic: moral grandstanding.
"Ever seen Minority Report? I'm just like the protagonist—loyal to the Foundation, working my ass off, only to be condemned by some anomalous 'judgment'!"
Barbie's face flushed with anger. "Shut up! One more word, and I'll tape your mouth shut!"
The truth was, she had no evidence beyond Anomalous Entity-2128's verdict.
Luo Shu's comparison was spot-on—this was pre-crime punishment.
"You're guilty because we say you'll betray us someday!"
At the far end of the cabin, Jianjia kept her head down but listened intently.
This isn't right.
Luo Shu just wants to be good.
Unbeknownst to her, the Anomalous Friends milestone was subtly influencing her judgment.
Effect #1: "You will receive the anomaly's support and protection."
And right now, Luo Shu was in danger.
Seeing Jianjia's conflicted expression, Luo Shu pressed harder.
"What, now I can't even speak? Scared of the truth?"
Even Barbie hesitated. The Foundation prided itself on free discourse—outside of memetic hazards, at least.
"If I were really Chaos Insurgency, why would I help contain dozens of Keter-class anomalies? Wouldn't handing them to Chaos have been easier?"
This was Luo Shu's strongest defense.
Even some of Achilles' Heel's members nodded internally.
Then Luo Shu shifted targets, glaring at Barbie.
"I don't know why you've hated me from the moment you arrived at Area-14."
Barbie's eyes widened.
She didn't reply, but her mind raced.
I wasn't hating you! I sensed danger! I was preventing a threat!
Luo Shu continued, voice rising.
"False accusations! Framing me! And now branding me Chaos to justify killing me!"
Barbie snapped.
She stormed over and punched Luo Shu in the mouth, splitting his lip.
Luo Shu laughed through the blood.
"That's your answer? Violence? Then just kill me! I'd rather die than live as a 'traitor'!"
Barbie's fury ignited.
"You think I won't?! I don't need your intel! I'll beat you to death right here!"
"ENOUGH!"
Jianjia slammed her hands on the seat, standing abruptly.
"Barbie, STOP! This isn't justice!"
To her, Barbie had become worse than Chaos.
Since when does the Foundation silence dissent?
(Of course, the real reason was the milestone's memetic effect—but she didn't know that.)
Barbie whirled on her. "Jianjia! Stay out of this!"
"No! You're out of control!"
Barbie, still gripping Luo Shu's collar, lifted him off the floor.
"I'm Level-4! I can execute a D-Class whenever I want! Who cares if I break him first?!"
Jianjia's voice turned deadly calm.
"Barbie. Let. Him. Go."
Barbie froze.
Jianjia's Hume levels were spiking.
The air around her warped.
The entire cabin shuddered.
Luo Shu grinned through bloody teeth.
Now it's my turn.
Reality Bender vs. Reality Bender
Barbie's grip loosened in shock.
"Jianjia… you'd really fight me over him?!"
Jianjia's eyes glowed faintly.
"I won't let you kill an innocent man."
"HE'S CHAOS!" Barbie roared.
"Prove it."
The other agents tensed, unsure who to side with.
Barbie's face twisted.
Then—
She threw Luo Shu aside and lunged at Jianjia.
The two reality benders clashed.
Space itself bent as their distortions collided.
Luo Shu rolled behind a seat, watching the chaos unfold.
Perfect.
While they were distracted—
He focused on the handcuffs.
Even with one side unlocked, the suppression held.
But if he could break the chain—
He slammed the cuffs against the seat's metal frame.
Once. Twice.
On the third hit—
The lock cracked.
The Catalog's abilities flickered back online.
Luo Shu grinned.
"Time to go."
As Barbie and Jianjia battled, he tapped SCP-173's teleportation.
The world blurred.
And then—
He was gone.
Aftermath
The Gulfstream's cabin fell silent.
Barbie, panting, stared at the empty space where Luo Shu had been.
Jianjia lowered her hands, her Hume levels stabilizing.
One of the agents muttered,
"…Well, that just happened."
Barbie's fists clenched.
Then she punched the wall, leaving a dent.
"FIND HIM!"
But Luo Shu was already miles away, standing on a deserted Tel Aviv rooftop.
He wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Alright, Foundation. Let's play."
He had answers to find.
And a certain "God" to confront.