Cherry finally calmed down after eating the fruit, but still seemed very happy to be in the same room as me. I guess we’re officially friends now.

Like with any 939, She also loved going on walks. I would frequently take both her and Tomato out on tours together, which they seemed perfectly happy to do. Sometimes I would only air one of the two too, which while maybe upsetting them a little being separated was heavily outshined from the fact they got to walk outside.

Right now, I was sitting in the park with both of the two. They were just relaxing on the paved ground, enjoying each other’s company.

There was a slight breeze in the “air”, causing the trees to sway a little. Some leaves were falling to the ground, making for quite the scenery.

It was very calming.

You may question how trees are able to grow outside in the super-thin atmosphere of mars. Well, there are two explanations. I’ll let you choose for yourself which you prefer.

Explanation one is the SCP foundation genetically engineered some species of oak, growing them in lab environments with mars-like atmosphere conditions and eventually coming to a breakthrough that let trees grow and thrive in the thin carbon-dioxide atmosphere of mars.

The other explanation is fuck you, it’s cool.

Anyway, back to the story.

The two 939’s were playing with the leaves, seeing which of them could catch the most before they hit the ground. It seemed cherry was winning, much to Tomato’s displeasure.

I let out a little chuckle and pet the bench next to me. The two quit their game fairly quickly and jumped up upon the bench next to me, panting slightly due to the exhaustion.

I pet the two affectionately and looked down at them. “You two might be the best thing that’s happened to me.”

The two 939’s both beamed with glee and nuzzled in closer to me.

We sat there for a while, just enjoying the park. It was almost serene with little to no sounds coming from anywhere, except for the wind brushing along the leaves of the park trees.

A notification popped up on my wrist display. It was an advertisement for Quintet. “Quintet, beyond comprehension.”

Sounds refreshing.

I checked the remaining oxygen in my suit. 25% remained. It was enough to stay outside for maybe an hour longer.

“Allright guys, I think we should head back inside. What do you say about grabbing a bite to eat?”

My two 939 companions got off the bench immediately and began trotting off toward the entrance doors.

“Well, aren’t you eager?” I chuckled, getting up from the seat myself.

The airlock entrance to the facility was in view already. I accellerated my pace slightly to more of a jog to keep up with my anomalous buddies.

“So, how many dates is this now?”

In the cafeteria there were not many people. Breakfast had just been concluded and not many people usually eat brunch here at the facility.

Jade was here though, with SCP-049. I’d sat down beside them, since they waved me over.

Jade slightly blushed at my questioning. “Well... this’ll be the second time we eat out.”

SCP-049 also blushed a little. “I’ve grown quite fond of her...” his gaze wandered over to jade sitting next to him. “I enjoy spending time with you, jade.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Now kiss.

I shrugged the thought off and returned my attention to the plate of food in front of me. “I’m glad.”

Cherry was on the floor, rolling around in ecstasy as she was enjoying her favorite food yet again. She rolled the cherry in her mouth, savoring the taste.

“Looks like you two aren’t the only ones having fun.”

Jade looked down at cherry and pet her. “Are you enjoying the snack, girl?”

Cherry didn’t answer and instead licked her lips, drenching them in cherry juice and saliva.

I finished my toast, wiping my mouth with a napkin. “Well, I'm sure we all have things to do. It’s been fun spending time with you, Jade. You too, for that matter, 049.”

Jade gave me a smile. “See you around, Bacon.”

I walked out of the cafeteria. At this point I've been spending like twice as much time as I should have with my 939’s but I just can't help myself. They’re like children to me.

“Allright guys, what do you say we go visit 682’s containment? Sebastian is sure to be there already.”

Tomato and Cherry seemed eager at the possibility of seeing their friend Beetroot again and jumped up and down in excitement. “Allright, that settles it then! 682 it is.”

Normally you need special reasoning to access 682’s containment chamber, but Sebastian gave me clearance to come and go as I pleased.

I greeted the two guards standing outside the blast door before swiping the card across the reader. It beeped, causing the big steel doors to slowly open.

Tomato and Cherry were a little agitated being so close to two armed guards so I quickly pulled them inside the observation room outside 682’s main containment chamber. I closed the blast door behind us.

“Ah, Bacon. I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Sebastian was standing on the second floor, looking into the acid bath 682 was suspended in with his hands folded behind his back. “Observe.”

I walked up the stairs and stood beside Sebastian, looking into the containment chamber. 682 looked peaceful, almost like he was asleep in there.

“He’s been like that ever since he came back from the desert. I wonder what he found out there...”

Sebastian turned a key on the control panel. “Bacon. There needs to be two people to release 682 from the acid. The higher ups removed my ability to do it on my own...” He pointed to a key about two meters from him. “Turn that key, please.”

I did as he told me. The system let out two soft beeps before the pumps engaged.

“We should ask him about it.”

Seb nodded at my comment. “That was my plan.”

Beetroot was nowhere to be seen, much to my surprise. I asked Sebastian about it, he told me he’s exceeded the amount of time he can air him in a week. I didn’t inquire further, knowing I was breaking that rule literally right now.

The acid finished draining, and 682 was lying on the floor of the containment chamber. Sebastian wasted no time and walked down the stairs immediately, before grabbing ahold of a key outside the containment chamber.

“Please.”

I quickly made my way down the stairs, standing on the other side of the doors. We turned the keys simultaneously, and the door began opening.

“You weren’t kidding when you said they made this place inaccessible alone.”

Sebastian nodded before looking at Cherry and Tomato. “You two should stay outside the cell. Wait for us, all right?”

Cherry and Tomato obediently sat down on the floor.

Sebastian and I stepped inside the acid-coated containment chamber. Our boots were rated to withstand it, but it still felt wrong to just casually tread on hydrochloric acid.

“Good morning, 682.”

Sebastian held out his hands toward the dangerous anomaly, completely carefree in his action.

682 scoffed and closed his eyes in annoyance upon spotting me. “Why did you bring him in here...”

I was slightly offended but remained where I stood. Sebastian cleared his throat. “I thought you didn’t mind Bacon.”

682 remained unmoving.

Sebastian looked toward me, then at the door. I got the message and stepped outside.

Now that the door was closed, I had no idea what they were talking about. Not that I particularly cared though, I just hope Sebastian doesn’t get split in half.

Cherry and Tomato were still sitting outside obediently, which I gave them a pat for. “Good boy Tomato. Good girl Cherry.” They both licked my hand and lied down on the floor beside me. I sat down with them, petting them both with each of my hands.

After some time, maybe 10 minutes, Sebastian stepped outside the containment chamber. He looked very frustrated.

He looked at me, scoffed, and left.

What did I do?

“Seb, wait!”

He did not look back as the blast doors closed in my face.

What... What do I do now?

I looked back at 682’s containment chamber, to which Sebastian left the door open to.

I guess I should close that...

I turned one of the keys, inciting a harsh beep from the speakers before the doors began closing once again. The room will automatically begin filling with acid as soon as the doors are closed.

Well, shit. I definitely need to apologize to Sebastian, but for what exactly?

Tomato nuzzled at my leg, snapping me out of my thought process.

“Hey, little guy. I’m glad you’re here.” I bent down and hugged him.

Cherry, feeling left out, squeezed her way into the group hug. “Oh, don’t think I forgot about you, cherry.”

I hugged my two red friends for a while before rising to my feet once again. “Well, I guess I should take you two back to your cells, huh?”

Cherry and Tomato looked up at me with a look of contentment before nodding.

“All right, let’s go then.”