Meanwhile.
Inside the Command Center of the Troy Military Base on the outskirts of Hafa City;
Nearly two hundred screens were active, each displaying the personal status of Soldiers from the UBCS company.
Dozens of technicians sat behind them, responsible for observation and direct communication.
In the very center of the Command Center was a giant display screen, broadcasting real-time thermal imaging dynamics of Athabasca town.
One hundred and twenty-three flashing dots showed the specific locations of the UBCS Soldiers and the Tyrants.
William Russell and Andre were on a high platform within the Command Center, watching the footage on the screen.
It was already 3:30 AM, and Andre had suggested that William Russell take a break.
But how could he possibly sleep?
The first occurrence of an anomalous phenomenon had resulted in a town of two thousand people being locked down; he had to maintain full attention here.
Furthermore, because they were uncertain which SCP they were facing this time, William Russell had not allowed the UBCS to activate their personal cameras.
If they encountered a'shy' fellow like SCP-096, it might charge directly into the Base four thousand kilometers away, which would be troublesome.
After all, before the Spartans, even if Umbrella's entire existing military force were deployed, they might not necessarily be able to deal with SCP-096... "Boss, Colonel."
At that moment, the supervisor in front, responsible for coordinating the various technicians, turned and spoke to the two highest leaders:
"Company A has begun the clearing operation. Please provide instructions."
Hearing this, Andre first looked at William Russell.
William Russell, sitting in the boss chair, simply waved his hand, signaling Andre to take charge of overall command.
Having received approval, Andre ordered the supervisor:
"Very well, Second Lieutenant. Put the squad communication of Captain Victor on the loudspeaker."
"Yes, Colonel."
...The following is the dialogue content of Captain Mikhail Victor's squad;
Rifleman: Damn, it's way too quiet.
Support: There's a faint light in some of the houses. Is it ghosts?
Machine Gunner: Ghosts? Shoot 'em all the same.
Victor: Shut up. The higher-ups might be listening to our conversation.
Everyone: Yes, Captain.
Victor: Investigating the first house. Breacher, see if you can open the door directly.
Breacher: Yes (sound of heavy breathing while running).
A few seconds later.
Breacher: The door is unlocked.
Victor: Good. Breacher, act as Point Man. Grenadier, watch the doorway for me. Everyone else, follow me to clear the first floor first.
Everyone: Yes, Captain.
Everyone: *Hoo—hah—* (steady breathing sounds from concentration)
Ten-plus seconds later.
Everyone: Clear!
Victor: Good! Rifleman, Machine Gunner, you two go check the second floor.
The rest of you, search the first floor thoroughly. I don't want to be ambushed when the technicians come to finish up!
Everyone: Yes!
Dozens of seconds later.
Rifleman: (voice very low but clearly audible) Captain, there's an anomaly here. You should come take a look.
Victor: Understood. Grenadier and Assaulter, hold the first floor. Support, come with me.
Ten-plus seconds later.
Victor: Command Center, this is Company A Commander Victor. An anomaly has been discovered.
Command Center: Please describe the specific situation.
Victor: In front of us are three people sitting around a table with a lit candle, motionless.
Also, there are dried bloodstains at the corners of their mouths and eyes. Their skin is deathly pale, looking like... they've been dead for some time.
Due to safety concerns, I haven't let my subordinates perform a close-range inspection.
They aren't showing hostile movements for now... wait, their gaze is shifting from the candle... they're staring at us... fire.
Communication Channel: *Pa! Pa!* (Sounds of semi-auto fire with suppressors)
A few seconds later.
Victor: Command Center, the targets were aggressive and have been neutralized by us.
Other squads have encountered the same situation. No casualties for now.
Command Center: Received. Please wait for instructions.
————————
...Inside the Command Center of the Troy Military Base;
Everyone had clearly heard the events described by Victor.
Now, William Russell could be certain that the SCP appearing this time was definitely not that shy fellow, 096.
Moreover, these kinds of special entities that could be shot dead weren't too dangerous, but they still couldn't let their guard down.
William Russell rose from his chair, walked to the edge of the platform, and said to the supervisor below while holding the railing:
"Second Lieutenant, have the company turn on their personal cameras, and put Captain Victor's video feed on the main screen."
"Yes, Boss."
Upon receiving the instruction, the supervisor had the group of technicians notify the UBCS company on the front line, while also putting Victor's video on the central screen.
Shortly after, the screen displayed a first-person perspective.
Victor held his rifle, aiming the muzzle at the three corpses slumped over the table.
Then, watching the screen, William Russell continued to order: "Second Lieutenant, have Captain Victor observe one of the corpses up close."
"Yes."
Soon, Victor received the command and acted according to what William Russell said.
On the screen, Victor held his gun with one hand and used his right hand to grab the male corpse's hair, pulling it up so it leaned against the chair.
William Russell looked at the male corpse, whose facial age appeared to be around thirty, with a bullet hole in both the left chest cavity and the forehead.
This was the UBCS habit: shoot the heart first, then destroy the brain.
However, no blood flowed from the bullet holes, and the deceased's pupils and sclera were grayish.
It looked just like a Zombie.
But ordinary Zombies wouldn't light candles and sit gathered around a table.
'It's very likely a masterpiece of SCP-049.'
Immediately, William Russell looked at the supervisor and ordered again: "Second Lieutenant, tell the Company A Soldiers to look for a 'person' wearing a heavy robe and a bird-beak mask."
"Yes." The supervisor quickly relayed William Russell's command.
Suddenly, the supervisor looked up at the platform again and said urgently: "Boss, Colonel, the combat situation in the town has escalated."
Andre, accompanying William Russell, saw the urgency and took over command, saying: "Switch the screen back to the drone view and have all UBCS withdraw from the residential houses."
"Yes, Colonel."
The giant screen switched back to thermal imaging.
Flashing dots in groups of six on the streets were firing indiscriminately in all directions.
Thermal imaging could faintly see humanoid creatures rushing toward the UBCS Soldiers, indicating those were indeed Zombies with no signs of life.
The Tyrants standing at three points in the town were clearing the threats with extreme speed to assist the UBCS.
"Company A, Third Platoon has encountered numerous hostile targets, currently clearing!"
"Company A, First Platoon has secured the southern end of the town!"
"Unit 1 T-103's trench coat is damaged; the other two are normal."
Within several minutes, successive reports on the situation also came from various technicians in the command room.
Shortly after.
The supervisor, unable to suppress his excitement, turned and said: "Boss, Company A has successfully suppressed Athabasca with the cooperation of the three Tyrants.
Company A suffered zero casualties, and Captain Victor has successfully contained the 'person' you just described, Boss!"