The Firing Squad

After "The Stubborn Six" was sent back to Site-19, a swarm of researchers eagerly descended upon it, hungry to study the new anomaly.

Given its spatial-topological properties, the Site Director assigned it to Research Group 139, specialists in such phenomena.

They lasted one afternoon.

Total wipeout.

In his office, the Site Director massaged his temples as he reviewed the lab's security footage.

Research Group 139 had consisted of:

1 Senior Researcher

2 Junior Researchers

2 Research Assistants

Now, they were a homogeneous paste on the lab floor.

"Didn't they review the recovery logs and footage?" Commander Jack muttered. "How could they be this careless?"

The playback showed a research assistant using a robotic arm to extract the die from its cushioned container—so far, so good.

Then, the Senior Researcher demonstrated peak stupidity.

To study the die's mechanics, he ordered the assistant to tilt it.

The moment it passed 45 degrees, the forced-rolling event triggered.

One by one, the researchers—ordered by proximity—picked up the die and began their 66-second gauntlet.

The outcome was inevitable.

None had lottery-winning luck.

They exploded in sequence—a perfectly executed firing squad.

One researcher tried cheating, manually setting the die to show a six.

He didn't even get a second attempt.

Instant detonation.

Loshu, watching alongside the Site Director and Jack, shook his head.

As the original containment specialist, he'd been summoned to assess the aftermath.

"Thoughts?" the Director asked.

Loshu pointed at the screen.

"Notice—the event triggered exactly when the die tilted past 45 degrees."

"'The Stubborn Six'?" The Director frowned.

"Yes. That's what I named it."

Loshu watched closely.

This was a test.

If the Foundation accepted the name, it meant the SCP Encyclopedia could impose its will on reality—a memetic effect.

If not? Just self-indulgence.

The Director nodded. "Fitting. The O5s will like it."

(Confirmed.)

But Loshu couldn't tell—was it the Encyclopedia's influence, or just a good name?

(Next time, I'll name one something ridiculous. See how they react.)

"You spacing out?" Jack snapped. "Keep talking."

Loshu refocused, analyzing the footage.

"Comparing the casino and lab incidents, the pattern's clear. If there are other dice within 6.66 meters, it turns them into duplicates and forces nearby people to roll. No other dice? It uses itself."

A secretary transcribed his words for the official report.

The Encyclopedia's Page 11 updated in real-time:

[When tilted beyond 45° with no other dice within 6.66m, the anomaly activates a forced-rolling event using itself, reverting to a normal die's appearance.]

"What we don't know," Loshu added, "is if there's a participant limit, or if everyone in range gets dragged in."

The Director shuddered. "Let's not find out. Ethics Committee would crucify us for the D-Class expenditure."

Jack agreed. "No more tests. Just lock it up."

So "The Stubborn Six" was recontained—sealed in a Euclid-sector vault.

But Loshu noticed the Encyclopedia still labeled its procedures as "Draft."

(This isn't over.)

The Earthquake

Days later, a moderate earthquake struck the region.

Site-19 sustained structural damage, though no full breaches occurred.

Loshu, now officially part of Nine-Tailed Fox's Containment Unit, helped recover two more anomalies—adding new pages to the Encyclopedia, albeit with lackluster abilities.

Then someone remembered "The Stubborn Six."

The vault had been jostled.

The containment box?

Tilted 90 degrees.

(Called it.)

The Second Outbreak

This time, the die didn't wait for handlers.

It auto-activated, rolling across the vault floor.

The nearest personnel—three guards—stiffened, then marched toward it like puppets.

Loshu, arriving with Jack's squad, saw it first.

"STOP!" he shouted.

The guards froze.

Milestone Effect: Anomaly Namer (Tier 1)

"The Stubborn Six" cannot activate in Loshu's presence.

The die lay inert.

Jack exhaled. "Good catch. Now—ideas?"

Loshu smirked.

"Yeah. Let's rename it."

(Time for that ridiculous test.)

He stepped forward, picked up the die, and declared:

"From now on, you're 'The Annoying Cube'."

The die shuddered—as if offended.

The Encyclopedia updated:

[Item Name: The Annoying Cube]

The Director's voice crackled over comms. "...Why does the log suddenly say 'The Annoying Cube'?"

Jack stared at Loshu. "What the hell did you do?"

Loshu grinned.

"Memetics."