Chapter 92

Chapter 92:

A helicopter soared over the burning city of Paris. Onboard, a journalist and a cameraman captured the chaos below. The journalist adjusted her helmet as the cameraman gave her a thumbs-up. Taking on a serious demeanor, she began her report:

"Good morning, everyone. This is a special broadcast regarding the massive attacks currently devastating all of Paris. Earlier this morning, a series of explosions erupted in several cultural and religious landmarks across Paris, accompanied by the release of what authorities have confirmed to be a dangerous biological weapon in the form of gas.

"As we speak, thousands of people have been infected by this gas, exhibiting symptoms of extreme violence and behavior akin to the zombies of classic horror and science fiction. The government has ordered all civilians to either barricade themselves indoors or evacuate Paris as quickly as possible. Martial law has been declared.

"The police forces are completely overwhelmed by these events, prompting the President to issue a nationwide call to arms and mobilize all military forces in the Parisian region and beyond. The Gendarmerie has followed suit, deploying all GIGN brigades and their regional units to Paris to address the crisis.

"Heavy and bloody battles are ongoing throughout the city, as the number of infected continues to skyrocket."

The journalist's words hung heavy in the air as the camera panned over the city, revealing plumes of smoke, streets choked with chaos, and the eerie glow of fires spreading uncontrollably.

Suddenly, she received a message through her headset. Nodding slightly, she resumed her report with a grave tone:

"I have just received confirmation that the government has accepted aid from several allied foreign forces, including the U.S. military and European nations such as Germany, Italy, and Poland. Additionally, the United Nations, following a majority decision by the five permanent members of the Security Council, has mobilized UN peacekeepers to assist.

"This unfolding crisis is undoubtedly unprecedented in human history, and international solidarity continues to grow. The European Atlas Network has also been called in to reinforce efforts on the ground. According to our latest information, towns surrounding Paris are fortifying their defenses, and highways are completely gridlocked with thousands of civilians desperately trying to flee the disaster.

"On social media, the hashtag #ZombiesInParis is trending worldwide, drawing the attention of millions to the chaos engulfing the French capital. How will the government resolve this crisis? That is the question we aim to answer in this extraordinary live coverage."

As she finished speaking, the camera captured rows of vehicles abandoned on clogged highways, military convoys advancing through the streets, and desperate citizens waving for help from rooftops. Smoke and fire framed the Eiffel Tower in the distance, a haunting backdrop to the apocalyptic scene below.

Leonard switched off the program displayed on the screen and sighed. He was in the communications room of Area-01, surrounded by Resh-1 operators. Every screen in the room displayed the current situation in Paris.

One of the Resh-1 operators reported, "We've received several requests from multiple Sites wishing to deploy MTFs. All MTFs stationed in France and Germany are on standby, awaiting orders."

Leonard asked, "What is O5-4 doing?"

The operator replied, "He's ordered our forces to stay ready and wait. He gathered them at the Vincennes Fort with the 24th Infantry Regiment of the French Army, southeast of Paris. They've teamed up with several Gendastrerie units to form the Joint Task Force Zombie Hunter, which includes a team of five Alpha-1 'Red Right Hand' operatives led by O5-4's second factotum, Delta-4 'Safari Time,' Delta-3 'The Dragons,' Mu-12 'The Scrapers,' DE8-ℭ 'Schwere Geschütze,' and support from DE1-ℌ 'HAL 1000' and Omega-5 'The Jewelers.'"

Leonard frowned and asked, "And they're just waiting?"

"Yes, sir. O5-4 believes the true enemy hasn't appeared yet."

Leonard's expression darkened. "Get me in contact with him immediately," he ordered.

The Resh-1 operator responded quickly, "Yes, sir."

After a few seconds, the face of O5-4 appeared on one of the screens. "Sir? You requested to speak with me?"

Leonard wasted no time. "I am ordering you to deploy the JTF 'Zombie Hunter' immediately. Mission: exterminate the zombies and assist in civilian rescue."

O5-4 hesitated. "But sir, we haven't yet located all their forc—"

Leonard cut him off sharply. "What are the three core missions of our organization?"

O5-4 straightened and replied, "We secure, we contain, we protect. Why?"

Leonard's tone turned cold and commanding. "We must secure the bombs spreading the virus, contain the current threat, and protect the population. You have your orders."

O5-4 began to protest again. "But sir, the—"

Leonard cut him off, his voice sharp as a blade. "Oh? You dare to protest my orders? Who gave you the courage to question me?"

The entire room fell into an icy silence. The operators of Resh-1 turned their gazes toward O5-4's face on the screen, their eyes cold and unyielding.

O5-4's expression faltered, his complexion paling slightly under the weight of the room's oppressive atmosphere. Finally, he stammered, "My apologies for my insolence, sir. I will deploy them immediately."

The connection cut off abruptly, leaving Leonard to exhale a slow, measured sigh. His gaze swept across the room before he asked, "What is the status of Graves' team?"

Alexei, the second-in-command of Resh-1, stepped forward and replied crisply, "Commander Graves arrived at Site-Beth a few hours ago. They are preparing for a large-scale hunt of Ifrit."

Leonard nodded in approval. "Good."

As he turned back to his terminal, a system notification caught his eye. He glanced at it briefly before dismissing it and announcing, "I will be in my office. Keep me informed of any changes to the situation."

Alexei straightened and replied, "Understood, sir." He accompanied Leonard to the entrance of his office, ensuring he was secured inside before returning to his post.

Once alone, Leonard locked the door behind him and tapped the notification icon again. The global chat interface unfolded before his eyes, its lines of text scrolling quickly. Without hesitation, Leonard began typing.

Leonard scanned the chat log displayed on the screen in front of him, his eyes narrowing at the string of messages flooding the system.

[SCP Foundation]: "Hey, who pinged me?"

[Global Occult Coalition]: "FINALLY, YOU RESPOND."

[Serpent Hand]: "Well, what's happening? Were you asleep?"

[Pentagram]: "Looks like our main character is finally gracing us with his presence."

[Global Occult Coalition]: "To cut it short, we think the virus outbreak in Paris is SCP-008. Since you're the SCP expert, tell us what you think."

[SCP Foundation]: "I confirm your suspicions. It is indeed SCP-008."

[NPES]: "I saw explosions on TV just before the outbreak. Could it be the work of an anomalous group?"

[FBI Unusual Incident Units]: "Same here. Units stationed at the U.S. Embassy near the Élysée have mobilized. We've joined forces with Pentagram and the Marine company at the embassy to secure the area alongside the Republican Guards and local police forces around the Élysée Palace. Helicopter transport is risky due to anti-air weapons scattered throughout Paris."

[MI666]: "Our ambassador is also stuck. We've been ordered by the Prime Minister to rescue him with a contingent of SAS and HMAS."

Leonard leaned back in his chair, staring at the incoming messages on the global chat. He massaged his temples, reading the chaotic exchange between the organizations.

[SCP Foundation]: "Yes, we've confirmed it's the SAPPHIRE group."

[Horizon Initiative]: "THOSE BASTARDS HAVE BEEN HARASSING MY BASES SINCE THE BEGINNING. I'M DEPLOYING MY FORCES THERE IMMEDIATELY."

[Serpent Hand]: "Seriously? Oh crap. @Global Occult Coalition, weren't these guys part of the Council of 108?"

[Global Occult Coalition]: "In the lore, yeah, they are. Damn extremists."

[Church of Satan, Scientist]: "Hey, screw you,man. I'm part of the Council too."

[Serpent Hand]: …

[GRU-P]: …

[Global Occult Coalition]: …

[ZM 'Witch Slayer' Division]: …

[Magic Academy]: "…Alright then, I'm sending my forces to help purify the air and stop the spread of the virus."

[SCP Foundation]: "The eyes of the entire world are on Paris. We must coordinate to resolve this crisis without exposing the anomalous. My forces are currently stationed in the southeast of Paris. We also suspect that the Chaos Insurgency might be involved."

[Global Occult Coalition]: "Damn it, those guys again?"

[Serpent Hand]: "Oh come on, they're such a pain. They're involved in every shady deal. They already messed with us during the demon invasion."

[Order of Light]: "Yes, they killed several of my men during that invasion."

[Global Occult Coalition]: "Alright, focus. I've set up a defensive line along the La Défense district. Reinforcements are on their way with the UN peacekeepers and the Americans."

[Order of Light]: "I've sent my members disguised as a humanitarian organization to feed and treat the injured."

[Pentagram]: "I've deployed several units urgently for a direct parachute mission over Paris to secure our ambassador's position alongside the UIU."

[GRU-P]: "Unlike you, we managed to evacuate our ambassador. Always good at attacking but never at defending. Typical Americans."

[FBI Unusual Incident Units]: "Alright, Rusky, nobody asked for your opinion."

[GRU-P]: "Not satisfied after I kicked your ass in Crimea? Want another round?"

[Serpent Hand]: "Okay, okay, stop, stop, stop. Let's calm down."

[ZM "Witch Hunter" Division]: "Alright, we're coming in at full speed by passing by Germany. We need to evacuate our citizens."

[Magic Academy]: "If I recall, you're from Poland. How about we join forces? Let's meet near the Franco-German border and move together."

[ZM "Witch Hunter" Division]: "Sounds good."

[Serpent Hand]: "Guys, I just thought of something. It's all well and good that we're all deploying at the same time, but… can you imagine the French government's reaction? They'll freak out seeing cultists, mages, high-tech soldiers, knights, priests, mechs, and unknown armed forces swarming their capital for fight against zombies. Except for those tied to a nation, the rest of you are gonna have a hard time explaining yourselves."

[Horizon Initiative]: "You're not wrong about that."

[SCP Foundation]: "Don't worry about the French government. I'll handle it. We're allied with them, and their newly formed agency is operating under our tutelage."

[Serpent Hand]: "Damn, he's always one step ahead."

[Global Occult Coalition]: "It's like you've got some kind of skill that boosts your intelligence or something."

Léonard briefly thought back to the intelligence skill available in the system's shop and smirked.

[SCP Foundation]: "Anyway, I'll get in touch with the French government and coordinate a strategy. Send me your radio channel coordinates via private message."

Léonard exited the global chat and turned on his computer, the sound of a cascade of system notifications from private messages filling his ears. Each message contained the radio frequencies and encrypted channels of the various hosts he had just addressed.

He quickly began drafting a document filled with orders and detailed instructions. His fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard, but midway through, he paused, mentally cross-checking the numbers and ensuring everything was accurate.

Once satisfied, he finalized the document and attached the frequency list. With a few swift clicks, he sent the file to Agent Basil Sias.

Leaning back in his chair, Léonard allowed himself a brief moment to exhale, his eyes scanning the screen as the confirmation of his sent orders flashed back at him.

---

Meanwhile, at Fort de Vincennes, Agent Basil was walking alongside several operators from the Gendastrerie. He was chatting casually with them.

One of the operators said: "Mr. Sias, you don't have to come out into the field. After all, you're our anomaly advisor. Thanks to you, we've been able to create several gadgets, and my guys have grown attached to you. We wouldn't want you to die."

Basil replied: "It's true that I could have stayed back at the base, nice and comfortable in the command room, but no. As a Foundation agent, I swore to protect humanity. Especially in a cooperation effort of this scale, it's my duty to be present."

The operator said: "That's why we like you, you and the others from the Foundation. You've got guts, big ones, to do this job."

Basil smiled and replied: "Thank you."

Suddenly, he felt his phone vibrate. He quickly glanced at the notification, and upon discovering it was a Priority Alpha order, his eyes widened. He put the phone back into his pocket and said: "Sorry, gentlemen, I have to go."

He ran toward the fort's headquarters, climbing the stairs at full speed, and arrived at a checkpoint. The military police stopped him. Basil said: "Let me through, please. I have urgent information to deliver."

But the guards ignored him and asked: "Accreditation?"

Basil bit his lip, feeling an intense urge to punch the person in front of him. Suddenly, he heard: "Agent Sias?"

He turned around and saw six masked Foundation operatives wearing Alpha-1 armbands, accompanied by a lieutenant colonel from the French army and Colonel Dumont of the Gendarmerie.

The lieutenant colonel asked: "Ma'am? Do you know this person?"

Dumont replied: "Yes, he's with us—and with them," she said, gesturing with her thumb toward the six Alpha-1 operatives.

One of the operatives stepped forward and asked: "Agent Sias, what's going on?"

Basil responded: "I've just received orders and information directly from Him. Priority Alpha."

The Alpha-1 operative turned to the lieutenant colonel: "Do you have a room where we can talk privately without being overheard?"

The officer replied, "This way," and led them to a room. Four operatives entered and closed the door, while two others guarded the entrance.

Inside the room, three operatives lowered all the blinds and meticulously searched the furniture and other items for any surveillance devices. After a few minutes, one of them gave a thumbs-up to the fourth operative, who had remained next to Basil.

The operative turned and said, "Read the mission order."

Basil pulled out his phone and began to read aloud:

"Order Number: 5875—"

The operative interrupted him: "Just read the order…"

Basil gave an embarrassed smile and continued:

"Agent Basil Sias, you are ordered to deliver the following information to the commander of JTF 'Zombie Hunter':

The JTF must immediately deploy for a mission to exterminate infected individuals and rescue civilians under the cover of a French special forces unit.

The use of anomalous means must be strictly limited.

We will operate in coordination with the following GoIs:

Global Occult Coalition

Serpent Hand

GRU-P

Pentagram

Horizon Initiative

FBI Unusual Incident Units

National Gendastrerie

ZM 'Witch Hunter' Division

The Mages Academy

Order of Light

MI666

His Majesty's Anomaly Service

RCMP Occult and Supernatural Activity Taskforce

Confraternity of Saint George's Knights."

"You will find attached the list of all the radio channels through which you can contact them," Basil continued.

He then read aloud a list of radio channels.

The operative whistled. "I didn't expect Him to come up with so many allies for us."

Basil asked, "What do we do, sir?"

The Alpha-1 operative thought for a few seconds before responding, "Follow me."

They all left the room together, joined by the lieutenant-colonel waiting outside. They made their way to a large command room filled with high-ranking soldiers, MTF commanders, and senior officers from the Gendastrerie.

The Alpha-1 operative introduced himself: "Good morning, everyone. I am Commander Red Eagle, sent by the Foundation to manage the ground operations for the current crisis. What is the situation?"

A military officer stepped forward, holding a tablet, and projected a map of Paris.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the situation is absolutely catastrophic. We have tens of thousands of confirmed dead and possibly hundreds of thousands infected. Most police stations and government facilities are out of service. Hospitals have turned into literal hellscapes. Roads are completely blocked, and fighting is occurring everywhere.

The Préfecture de Police, through great effort, has managed to maintain a defensive line in Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis, and the Louvre Museum. These three zones are serving as temporary evacuation points, and evacuation helicopters are attempting to reach them. However, these helicopters are being stopped by rocket fire."

A general asked, "And the president?"

The officer responded, "He has been evacuated to his bunker. The Republican Guard, along with the security forces of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States embassies, have joined forces to defend against the hordes."

The officer continued, "We have established an evacuation and troop transport zone at the ParisLongchamp Racecourse to maintain control over the N185. Additionally, Le Bourget Airport has been fully mobilized to receive foreign forces, including UN peacekeepers and American troops. Several NATO battalions and regiments are currently en route to Paris. Our 24th Infantry Regiment has been ordered to advance toward Place de la Nation and create strategic defense points to secure passage zones."

"We have identified several sources of the gas. Key locations include the Catacombs of Paris, the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and multiple sewer access points scattered throughout the city.

The airspace remains unsecured due to rocket fire, which has already downed several helicopters. We believe there is a significant concentration of hostile forces at the Palais Garnier and Les Invalides."

Suddenly, Red Eagle began to speak: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. I've received a communication from the Foundation informing me of the arrival of several allied forces.

Communications operators, could you please connect to these different radio channels?"

He then proceeded to recite a list of radio frequencies.

A radio transmission broke through: "This is Commander Blue Light of the GOC. Identify yourself."

Red Eagle responded, "Red Eagle to Blue Light, I am a member of the Foundation."

Blue Light replied, "Well, that was rather quick. I'd like to confirm—have you secured a landing zone for us?"

Red Eagle answered, "We've reserved a runway and slot for you at Le Bourget Airport."

Blue Light acknowledged, "Copy that. My forces and I will arrive at the operational area in three hours. Over."

Shortly after, another voice came through on the radio: "Hello, hello! Can you hear me? Aleksander, do you think they can hear me?"

In the same transmission, a second voice with a strong Polish accent sounded exasperated: "For the last time, it's Commander Nowak."

Red Eagle interjected: "This is Red Eagle from the SCP Foundation. Are you with The Mages Academy?"

The first voice responded cheerfully, "I am Principal Hofman of The Mages Academy. I am accompanied by my charming counterpart, Nowak, of the ZM 'Witch Hunter' Division."

Red Eagle asked, "How soon can you arrive?"

Hofman replied, "If you provide us with precise coordinates and clear a large enough area to accommodate around 800 people, we'll be there in five minutes."

Red Eagle turned to a general, who immediately selected two officers in the room and said, "Clear the area at once."

The commander then addressed the radio, "Good day, gentlemen. I am General Gaillard, Military Governor of Paris. Here are the coordinates for the cleared zone: 48° 50′ 31″ N, 2° 26′ 32″ E. We'll be waiting for you there."

The radio crackled in response: "Copy that. See you in five minutes."

Then, a series of conversations took place between Red Eagle and the various organizations over the radio. By the end of it, Hofman and Nowak had already arrived at the command post, and all eyes were on Red Eagle.

He declared: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have two objectives: eliminate the threat and save the population. No mercy is authorized for the enemies. The operation begins now. Codename: Purgatio. Deployment in 30 minutes."