The SCP Foundation

Chapter 38: The Serpent's Hand

The helicopter had landed down on the field, quite a ways from the actual Serpent's Hand base. The group had left the helicopter.

"Alright, Pat you can go back." Riley told the pilot. "If Ariel and Greg are in trouble, send them here."

"Copy that." the pilot understood. "You guys be safe out there."

The helicopter then started to increase altitude and head back to the site. It was still nighttime as the few hours passed by.

"Alright, the base is over here." the strike leader said as he walked by a treeline. "Stay close, I don't want any of you getting lost in the field."

"Right..." Riley understood.

"Good, now let's move." the strike leader responded. "Do any of you have a flashlight I can borrow?"

"I got it." Drista spoke, and gave the flashlight to the strike leader. "Who's leading us?"

"What's your rank?" the strike leader asked Riley.

"Corporal." Riley answered.

"Guess I'm leading us." the strike leader said. "I'm a staff sergeant."

Drista then crouched down so she can talk to SCP-999, who was just beneath her feet.

"Hey, just stay close to me, alright?" Drista spoke to the SCP. "I don't want you to get lost in this forest."

The SCP gurgled in understanding and proceeded to stay close to Drista's leg.

"Alright, let's go." the strike leader told the group.

With that settled, the group went through a forest, with the strike leader leading the way with the flashlight. The forest was meant to completely hide the Serpent's Hand base from detection.

"Alright..." Adrian spoke. "Bravo Six, going dark..."

"Adrian, will you be quiet for at least five minutes?" Drista asked. "Just for five minutes?"

"Hey, it's not everyday that you walk through a forest at night." Adrian responded. "I just felt the need to make that reference."

"Want me to make that reference where I hang you from the ceiling?" Dustin asked.

"You got a helicopter cord?"

"No..." Dustin sighed.

"Then you can't." Adrian responded. "Makarov had it coming to him."

"This is the squad you have to deal with?" the strike leader asked the corporal.

"Yeah..." Riley nodded.

"Man, I almost feel sorry for you."

"Well, at least some of them are okay." Riley replied. "Guess we bonded enough that I got used to it."

"And... guess I should get used to it too..."

"You should." Riley replied. "Don't worry, I'll guide you through to them."

The group continued to walk through the dark forest, on their way towards the concealed Serpent's Hand base. After a few moments of trekking through the forest, the group had now reached the base.

The Serpent's Hand base was a fairly large concrete base. At most places, like the roofs and some of the sides, it had leaves and branches to properly conceal itself with the surrounding forest foliage. The surrounding dim lights had assisted the group in locating the base.

The strike leader was a few metres away from the edge of the forest, then signalled the group to stop where they were by holding his right hand up into a fist.