999

"Want to take a walk with me?" Rocky asks Sasha.

She looks at him quizzically. "You mean.. in this form.. in front of everyone?!"

Rocky nods.

Sasha quickly slips on the black dress. "Help me with this neckless. It has been so long since I wore jewelry."

Rocky smiles as he carefully clasps the neckless behind her neck. "There you go."

"Thank you." Sasha says, turning to face him. "Lead the way!"

As they walk down the hall, towards the cafeteria, many personnel stop and stare at Sasha. One guard even makes a comment about a new female SCP. Further down the hall, a familiar orange SCP turns the corner, seemingly following a female researcher. Rocky walks straight by the SCP avoiding eye contact.

However, Sasha makes eye contact with it, as it turns to look at her. "What are you looking at?" Sasha growls.

With a curious smile upon its face, SCP-999 begins following them back the way he came.

Rocky rolls his eyes. "You know they wanted to test you against that one right?"

The female researcher stops, watching the scene.

Sasha looks back at SCP-999. "What.. this thing?"

"Grandson of the Skarlet King, if you can believe it!" Rocky shrugs.

Sasha stops walking at turns around.

"Don't.." Rocky warns.

Sasha points angrily at 999. "They really think this..." Her voice trails off as she feels 999 take hold of her leg.

"Now you've done it. Should have kept walking.." Rocky groans.

"It.. its just so.. CUTE!" Sasha squills happily and then begins laughing uncontrollably.

999 joins in forming a miss-matched duet of tones.

Rocky covers his ears. "Dear lord, it is like someone is torturing a cat."

The researcher quickly walks up and pulls Rocky aside. "What is the big idea talking about 999's origin so casually?! How are you aware of that information?!"

Rocky tries to ignore the noise behind him. "I am GU411, but you can call me Rocky."

The researcher frowns. "Oh.. you're that SCP the 05 council is up in arms about. I am Doctor Collingwood, the researcher assigned to SCP-999."

Rocky covers his ears, pressing harder. "Yeah.. nice to meet you. Hey, can you get him to shut up?"

Iris and Cain peek around the corner from the cafeteria.

"What on God's green earth is that sound?!" Iris asks.

Rocky motions unhappily to the two songbirds in the hallway.

"Oh no.." Cain replies, turning the other direction and walking off.

"Does.. he have a history with 999 or something?" Rocky asks.

Doctor Collingwood shrugs. "I think he just prefers to avoid him.. tickle fights don't work on the untouchable Cain."

Rocky turns back to Sasha and 999. "I am actually curious to see if it would work on her."

One of the guards peeks into the hallway and then turns back. "It is just 999, he found a new friend!" He shouts.

"That is actually why we are here. We were instructed to head to your room and interview 173. Doctor Therman was supposed to join us, but I assume she has been sidetracked.. again!" Doctor Collingwood states.

Iris chuckles at Rocky. "What? No effect from 999, Mr. grumpy pants?"

"That title is held by 096 & 682. Besides, his power is telepathy based. Not that I dislike him, I would probably play all day with the slimeball despite my resistance.. It is this noise they are making together, it is annoying." Rocky says, closing his eyes. Suddenly he notices a change. All sound ceases in an instant leading him to perk up and looks around, uncovering his ears. "Um.. what happened?" He asks, looking at Iris.

Her mouth moves, but Rocky can not hear what she is saying.

"What?! I can't hear you!" Rocky exclaims.

Iris looks worried.

Sasha glances over, seeing her worried expression, she throws 999 off of her and hurries over. "What is wrong? Is Rocky okay?!"

Doctor Collingwood looks confused between Rocky and 999. "Did.. you do that?"

999 looks unhappy, backing away slowly.

Doctor Collingwood and Iris lead him to the cafeteria.

"Call Doctor Therman!" Doctor Collingwood orders a nearby guard.

Sasha stands by silently, glancing often at 999.

Moments later, Doctor Therman arrives and is told what happened. She begins examining Rocky's ears, coming to the conclusion all is well. She writes a note and holds it up for Rocky to read.

The note reads, "Your ears are fine, no internal trama. Is it possible you willed yourself to lose hearing?"

Rocky thinks for a moment. "That is possible. The combined.. harmony.. of Sasha and 999 was very disturbing."

Sasha huffs. "If it was so disturbing, maybe I will keep you up with singing."

Doctor Therman glances at Doctor Collingwood. "Did he have any other reaction to 999?"

Doctor Collingwood shakes her head. "He seemed more distressed about the noise, but he did state he had no ill will towards 999."

"Let's get them back to their room and begin the interview. Meanwhile, I will work with him to regain his hearing." Doctor Therman suggests.

The researchers lead Rocky and Sasha back to their room. Once inside, Doctor Collingwood confirms that Sasha is willing to answer questions while Doctor Therman works with Rocky.

Sasha begins explaining her origin, to Doctor Collingwood, in great and gruesome detail.

Afterwhich, Doctor Collingwood asks her the next question. "Are you the only queen of 173's hive, or have their been others?"

"Actually, there were twelve queens before me. From what I can gather, they were much weaker and were terminated easily, either by natives or other wondering SCPs." Sasha replies.

"How is it being the queen?" Doctor Collingwood asks.

"I actually find it annoying. The other 'workers' worship me and rely on me for every little move. That is why they have been ordered to stay passive until further instructed. I have no time to delegate their orders anymore." Sasha answers with a smile.

"Wouldn't they just appoint another queen?" Doctor Collingwood asks.

Sasha shakes her head. "It does not work like that. Until I am completely terminated there will not be another, no matter how long I make them stand still."

"What if the SCP began culling the hive, or began containing them?" Doctor Therman asks.

Sasha shrugs. "Doesn't matter to me. I personally have very little use for them, at this point."

Doctor Therman holds up another note. "Relax. Clear your mind and concentrate on trying to regain your hearing."

Rocky closes his eyes, drifting into a kind of trance. He begins hearing chanting, from multiple voices, in his mind.

"The blue wolf is a good wolf, a good wolf, he is good. The white wolf is a bad wolf, a bad wolf, he is bad. Holds them apart, never meet, destroy and kill. The grey wolf is ever between, ever still."

Rocky laughs. "Wow. Okay.. So here I am.. trapped in my mind again!"

"Trapped? No, friend. You are here for answers right?" His voice answers back.

Rocky shrugs. "I'm not against being deaf, but it might get old quick."

"I blocked our hearing to help resist 999's power. Do you not see him as a threat?" His voice asks.

"You tell me! Does that slimeball look like it could hurt us?" Rocky asks.

"Yes.." The voice replies.

"You know the file as well as I, he is harmless." Rocky rebuts.

"I must have read a different file. I remember how he sends most SCPs into fits of laughter, tickling them, and ultimately keeping them from moving. This implies our guard would be down and others could attack." The voice replies.

"Just.." Rocky sighs. "Trust me. He is nothing more than an ally to our goal."

"Your.. goal." A gruffer voice replies. "Don't.. trust you.."

"See.. that is why I don't like coming here often. You always butt in as if this conversation includes you!" Rocky barks.

"My.. mind." The gruff voice replies. "You.. leave."

"Okay.. that is enough for now. Just know, eventually, you are going to have to deal with him. Take this opportunity to learn from 999." The calmer voice says.

A snapping sound is heard and Rocky awakens. He looks down to see 999 sitting in his lap as Sasha occasionally glances at them.

Rocky looks around to see the researchers' backs are to him. He reaches out his hand and pets 999. "Okay, buddy. Let's learn from each other."

Rocky wills his aura to weaken as his eyes slowly turn almost completely white. 999 slowly expands, covering him and lightly humming. His arms begin to jerk, but 999 holds them down. Eventually, Rocky's eyes slowly return to normal and his hearing returns.

Rocky sighs happily. "Now that is a pleasant sound."

"Are you okay?" Sasha asks.

"Yeah.. I'm good." Rocky replies as his stomach growls. "I could use some food though."

"We are done.. for now. Thank you, Sasha, for indulging us." Doctor Collingwood says with a smile.

Sasha nods. "It has been too long since I socialized. I look forward to more.. girl time."

Doctor Collingwood looks at Doctor Therman. "I think we can arrange some outings, as long as Rocky is able to spare you."

Rocky smiles. "Sasha is a person and as such should be allowed to make friends. In fact, I encourage this because it would be good for her mental wellbeing." He looks at Sasha. "Just don't cause trouble, and if trouble comes to you secure and protect."

Sasha nods with a smile. "Yes, sir!"

"I think that subsides our concerns." Doctor Therman says with a relieved sigh.

"What concerns were those?" Rocky asks.

"Well.. 173 has never been.. friendly and harmless. So we planned to use 999 in order to complete this interview, but it seems that was unnecessary." Doctor Collingwood says.

Sasha grins. "I am far from harmless.. But I cooperate because it pleases Rocky."

"Then, I must ask.. What if the guards began firing at you? What would you do?" Doctor Collingwood asks.

Sasha sits up proudly. "Stand and laugh at their futile efforts to separate me from my goals."

"What are your goals?" Doctor Therman asks.

Sasha chuckles. "Serve Rocky and go on another date with Dr. Clef!"

Doctor Collingwood and Therman look at each other surprised.

Rocky shrugs. "She has taken a liking to him and it would seem the feeling is mutual."

Doctor Therman motions to Rocky to follow her and leads him outside, out of earshot of anyone else. When she turns around her expression is one of distress. "Rocky.. Dr. Clef is..."

"A pathological liar?" Rocky interrupts. "Please don't forget that I memorized all the SCP files. Doctor Clef was no exception to that. Likewise, I know 166 is his daughter."

"SHHH! You have a bad habit of blurting out classified information!!" Doctor Therman urges. "My point is, you can not trust the man."

Rocky smiles. "I would trust 682 quicker if he rolled over and played dead."

Doctor Therman looks confused. "Then why would you allow 173 to follow a path that might break her heart?"

"Because he has only been able to interact with female SCPs. If he breaks her heart, in this form, he is as good as dead. Oh, and make no mistake, I will let her do it too."

"So.. it's a trap?" Doctor Therman asks.

"Exactly! He is either completely honest with his feelings or poor Dr. Clef might be found hanging from a chain."

Doctor Therman shrugs. "I can't say I care. Rumor around is he flirts with all the female staff."

"There is a difference between a flirtatious compliment and sexual interest." Rocky rebuts. "Not to defend him, but I, myself, often find my compliments come off as flirtatious."

"There is also a fine line between the two." Doctor Therman rebuts.

Rocky holds up his hands. "All I know is that man does care about at least one other person, other than himself, it is not my place to determine whether he feels that way about anyone else."

Returning to the room, they hear Doctor Collingwood and Sasha laughing about something.

"What is so funny?" Rocky asks.

"Your face." Sasha replies quickly.

"Haha. But seriously."

"Oh, we were just talking about our love interests." Doctor Collingwood smiles.

"That reminds me, how is Lawernce?" Doctor Therman asks.

"He is doing well since the incident with 106. He is currently on assignment, but he should be getting back any day now." Doctor Collingwood replies.

"You got something special planned?" Sasha asks.

"Actually.. I managed to pull some strings and get him assigned to 187 security patrols. I think that should keep him safe long enough to get a proposal out of him." Doctor Collingwood smiles gently.

"So you two have been together for a while now?" Rocky asks.

"Yes. Actually, our anniversary is coming up again soon.." Doctor Collingwood blushes.

Sasha chuckles. "I see. I wish you luck then."

"Thank you." Doctor Collingwood says gently before standing. "Well, me and this goober best be heading on. Sasha, come and see me anytime you want."

"I will." Sasha says happily.

After Doctor Collingwood and 999 leave, Doctor Therman closes the door.

"Uhoh, what now?" Rocky asks.

She crosses her arms. "Your.. request for 682 has been approved and is scheduled for the need of the week. I am asked to begin preparing staff according to your wishes. I should also warn you that they are putting a lot of faith in you, if you screw this up, you may never be allowed to perform these.. tests again."

Rocky walks over to Sasha and puts his hands on her shoulders. "Isn't that nice of them?"

Sasha jumps in her seat like a little girl about to receive ice cream. "That big lizard is going to learn this time!"

Rocky looks up at Doctor Therman. "Are you worried about us?"

"Of course I am. I am equally as concerned for the staff." Doctor Therman replies softly.

"Have a fully armed team outside the containment cell, a utility crew of twenty men on stand by, and I want full access to 999 and Cain that day." Rocky says, patting Sasha on the head. "As far as anyone inside with 682, it will be just us two, unless I call for backup. Oh, I need the cell next door cleared and the SCP inside relocated."

"Why? What is the utility crew for?" Doctor Therman asks.

Rocky grins. "We are going to do some.. renovation."

Doctor Therman nods. "I will have everything in place by 8 am Saturday." She turns and leaves.

Sasha looks up at Rocky. "What about 106? Why don't we utilize him?"

"I might.. if things truly get out of hand, we can drag 682 into his alternated dimension and subdue him there." Rocky looks Sasha in the eyes. "However, under no circumstance can we allow him to breach containment."

Sasha nods. "I will keep him from moving, I can promise that."