Shoots and Ladders

"Great job Iris!" Bright said as I gave him the envelope, "You weren't spotted?"

"Nope," I leaned against some crates, "They almost did, but I made a diversion to get them to go away."

"Great," Bright plugged the USB into Dr. Roth's laptop, "Now, let's see what's on this thing."

Roth began typing away. I looked over at Bright, "Why were you in there if you don't mind me asking?"

Jack leaned his head back and forth, "Well... we needed to distract the parents for a bit and... Graham wanted us to keep an eye on you in case you tried to run." I frowned. Bright noticed my face and held his hands up, "Hey, sue me. I believed you wouldn't, but Roth wanted to be extra sure."

"Well, why didn't you send in MTF in that case instead of a scientist?" I raised an eyebrow.

Bright opened his mouth when Roth interrupted him, "WHAT?!"

"What is it, Blair?" Bright looked over her shoulder.

"This is nothing but a bunch of stories! You got the wrong USB!" She exclaimed.

"What?!" I looked at the screen and my blood froze. Pictures of different anime characters were plastered across the screen. Different book titles were at the top of each, titles like "The katana prince", and "I'm in love with a dragon!"

"This whole mission is a bust," Roth closed her laptop and pulled the USB out, "This stupid little... UG!" Roth's little kitty paws chucked the USB to the side. "We almost had our lead..."

I felt eyes on me from all angles. Shame made my cheeks grow red, and I took a step away.

"One second, 105," Bright spoke up, "This isn't your fault-

"IT IS!" Roth exploded, "We HAD to bring a skip onto this mission! We could have literally gotten anyone else and we got a STUPID. SKIP!"

Bright put his hand on her head, "Roth! Relax-"

"Don't touch me!" She hissed at him. I didn't hear the rest because I began to walk towards the transport van, picking up the USB on my way over. I had one foot in when I heard a groan from my left.

Aaron was standing there with another MTF agent, his hand extended as the other guy put a twenty-dollar bill in his hand.

Tear's swelled up in my eyes and I jumped into the van.

I just want to go back home...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I curled up on my bed and cried, pain deep in my stomach from hunger. It was lunchtime. But I wasn't hungry.

A knock on my door made me sit up, "Come in."

The door opened and Cain walked in, two lunch trays in his hands, "Hey, Iris. I brought you lunch."

I laid back down and buried my face in my pillow, "Not hungry."

Cain frowned, "Wow. That bad?"

"Why did I think I could do it," I mumbled through the pillow.

Cain paused, "If I remember correctly, which I always do, you did it because it was your opportunity to become something more than an SCP, make a name for yourself. Something like that."

I looked up, "Yeah. And look how well that worked out." I lifted the USB from my pocket and stared at it, "All for this piece of junk."

Cain held his hand out, "May I see it?" I nodded and placed it in his palm. He held it up into the light, "There has to be something important here."

"Best of luck figuring it out," I called as he walked towards the door, "If your feeling bored, go ahead and read some. The Katana Prince seems like a good one." The door closed behind him and I was left there staring at the ceiling. I closed my eyes, exhausted from crying. Some time must have passed cause then I woke up, the food still sitting there for me. I looked at the food tray, my stomach growling in protest. Finally, I gave in, eating the lunch Cain brought me.

When I finished, a heard a strange sound outside my door. Sounded like... gurgling? I rose and opened the door to find an orange blob in front of me. I smiled, "Hey 999."

"Ir-si!" Blobby hugged my leg, and the sad feeling was washed away by his anomaly.

I smiled and picked him up, "Thanks 999."

Blobby gurgled a welcome and I walked down the hall to the break room. I passed a few researchers on my way, one with light brown hair spinning a pencil in his hand. I turned the corner and almost ran into Dr.Bright.

"Oh! Iris," He said in surprise, "I was just coming to get you."

I looked down, "Look if this is about the mission, I didn't mean to screw it up."

"That's the thing, Iris," Bright said in excitement, "You didn't. Cain came over with the USB and when we opened it, Cain identified words in Arabic in the book!" He held up a small picture with a symbol on it.

مارلا أستراليا

I squinted at it, "Cool... What about it?"

"It says Marla, Australia," He looked up at me, "It's a location!"

Hope fluttered into my heart, "What? What's in Marla?"

"Marla is just south of Site-300, whose job is mainly to transport SCP around the oceanic area. But it is also home to a large amount of C.I. which tries and intercept transport cells. The site has held them off so far, but this lead suggests they have something bigger up their sleeve."

I scratched my chin, "But... Why is it in Arabic?"

Bright looked down, "Well... I don't really know, but it's a lead."

I looked down at blobby, who was playing with some of his goo, "I don't fully trust this, but I'm in. I would like a few things though."

"What?" Bright asked.

"I would like my own MTF gear and a week to refresh on my training," I spoke, a calm expression spreading over my face.

"I'll ask O-5," Bright said, "I can't guarantee it, but I'll ask for you."

I smiled, "Thank you, Dr. Bright."

Bright smiled back, "SCP's look after their friends after all."

He turned and walked away. I power walked back to my cell and closed the door. When it closed, I squealed in delight, jumping in the air and spinning.

"WWOOoowWWOOoooo," Blobby said as he bounced around.

"Did you hear that, 999!!" I held him in the air.

"Ir-si go'in ta Ast-ra!" Blobby gurgled.

"That's right!" I spun once more before falling onto my bed, "Iris is going to Australia!!"