SCP: North Star: Beyond the Depths

Chapter 1: Asset, Not Agent

August, 2003

"It's mid August, how the hell is it this cold?" Milo's staticky voice said into Black's ear.

"Northern Canada isn't exactly known for its sunny beaches and hot climate." Black replied.

He lowered his radio and leaned back into the uncomfortable tree stand. No one told him what it was that had breached, only that it was causing the higherups to freak out. When Albany planted his ass in the tree, he had told Black to keep an eye out for 'large' creatures. When Black asked him to specify, he only repeated the word 'large.'

He had gotten used to jumping head first into god knows what with jack-shit instructions in the four and a half years since his first mission. Miraculously, the only scar he had was on his face.

He gazed up at the night sky. No clouds dared break up the infinite number of stars that dotted it. A large, full moon illuminated the landscape below. It truly was a beautiful sight.

If only I were here under different circumstances.

A shadow passed by the moon. Black stared as the object, slightly darker than the sky around it, moved through the air. Judging by the size and speed, it was most likely a jet of some kind. Just then, balls of fire billowed above the tree line. The booms of a distant explosion reached Black's ears a second and a half later.

"Bombing run?" Black said into his radio.

"Aye." Albany replied. "Nu-7's arrived with manpower, artillery, armor, and air support."

"Nu-7, huh?" Evans said through the mic. "You guys ever help them before?"

Agent Evans was the newest member of Delta-4 ("Minutemen"). Being deployed only two weeks ago, he still had that dedication and spirit all rookies had. Always the first to whatever form of transportation they were taking, always the straightest standing when at attention, always the first out of bed and doing their daily routine, always ran when walking would've sufficed.

Hell, the last mission was one of the very few to include a debrief, and Evans was the first there. It was cute.

"Once." Milo said. "Didn't end well."

"We won't be working with Nu-7 tonight." Albany said.

"Huh?" Black replied, confused. It was, after all, the job of Delta-4 to provide backup to the task forces on duty.

"Don't go getting your hopes up. We've been assigned a different task force to aid."

"A different task force?" Milo asked. "Who?"

"Wish I knew..." Albany replied. "Jax will let us know when we get back to camp. Nu-7 agents have been sent to relieve you. Return to where we set up shop once they get to you. Albany out."

Black slouched in his stand.

"HEY!" A voice below him called. He looked down. Two agents donning Nu-7 uniforms were staring up at him. "You the D4 agent we were sent to relieve?"

"Depends." Black shouted back. "Are you the Nu-7 agents sent to relieve me?"

"Yes sir, we are." The other agent said.

Black nodded. Twisting and turning, he made his way out of the stand and towards the ground.

"Good luck, gentlemen." He said as he landed. He turned so the moon was to his left, then began walking towards camp.

Anyone who's walked through a forest can tell you how loud your steps can be. The crunching of leaves and snapping of dead sticks causes more noise than one would give credit for. Sneaking up behind someone is not an easy task.