Expedition Log 4886/8.1989.H2E1.2
Begin Log 2.1
Footage opens with H2E1 surrounding a deceased instance of A-289, now clearly visible to the camera. A-289 is a stark-white humanoid, and would have stood approximately 1.3 meters tall. Aside from two eye spots and a partially-extended pharynx, A-289's face is featureless.
Lancelot: We okay? This is H2E1, back on tape, and it's a beautiful overcast day.
Norman: Not the word I'd use.
The view turns to Dr. Goyal and Glines, currently examining the corpse of A-289. With Glines' assistance, Dr. Goyal performs a rudimentary dissection, occasionally breaking to record observations in his field notes.
Hae: So… recap.
The view quickly shifts to Hae.
Hae: H2E1… neutralized the shos. Over the course of an hour or so, we pursued it further in, shot it a few times. Eventually it bled out, and now we're here. Aaaaanything I'm missing?
Lancelot: Don't worry about it, Ji-young. Hunting's half the fun in He-2.
Hae: What's the other half?
Lancelot: The hero treatment's not half bad.
Lancelot turns back to face Glines, currently holding A-289's corpse in place. Glines looks back at Lancelot, furrowing his brow in apparent contemplation before returning slight, tilted nod.
Glines: I mean I guess, what we can get. Beats being a cop.
Hae: Huh. Sounds like you two have it pretty good.
Glines mumbles something under his breath. Post-incident analysis was unable to discern Glines' exact words, other than a reference to "Jack".
Lancelot: Really, I couldn't have done it without Summerstone's support. It's an honor, serving this beautiful town. The attention's just the cherry on top.
For the next ten minutes, Dr. Goyal continues examining A-289's corpse. At approximately 2:11, he closes his notebook and stands up.
Goyal: Well, that was enlightening. Shall we be off?
Hae: Right.
Lancelot: Good, good. Northwestwest's looking good, let's see where the wind blows.
Lancelot kicks A-289's corpse, and H2E1 continues.
End Log 2.1
Analysis of SCP-4886-A-289
SCP-4886-A-289 was a bipedal humanoid of unclear intelligence. It stood approximately 129 centimeters tall, and appeared pale and hairless.
A-289 did not display the aggression typical of SCP-4886-A; while most likely a logical reaction to the presence of multiple persons, such behavior suggests sentience, and further suggests that instances of SCP-4886-A vary in intelligence.
Furthermore, A-289's gait was remarkably human from what little I observed, as were its evasive tactics. In conjugation with the evasive tactics observed in its retreat, this suggests a human origin.
Begin Log 2.2
H2E1, headed by Agent Lancelot, continue through the Interior Zone at a steady pace, occasionally checking in with H2E2 and H2E3. At approximately 2:31, H2E1 encounters what appears to be an unpaved foot trail.
Norman: … do we follow?
Hae: I see no reason not to. Jack?
Lancelot: Does a bear shit in the woods?
Lancelot heads west down the path, while H2E1 follows behind. Audio picks up Lancelot softly whistling "The Lincolnshire Poacher". H2E1 continues for approximately 2 minutes before Glines stops and audibly groans.
Glines: Shit, we were supposed to mark the trees.
Lancelot: Mmm, I think we're good.
Glines: Maybe us, but what about Epsilon? What if we need to send more people? I don't know if muscle memory suffices, Lancelot.
Lancelot: Seriously man, don't worry about it. I know this place inside and outside. And hey, think of it this way: if I die, all you gotta do is walk in a straight line until-
Norman: Shos spotted.
Norman is heard firing at an off-screen target, visibly startling Glines and eliciting shock from the rest of H2E1. Lancelot turns back to Norman, who is looking at a point further down the trail.
Norman: … correction: that's…
Norman trails off as Lancelot approaches. The camera focuses on Norman's rifle, then shifts to where Norman had been pointing his rifle.
A few meters behind the treeline is the cadaver of a nude European male in the early stages of decomposition, hanging upside-down by a wired snare three meters in the air. Norman appears to have shot the cadaver through its distended midsection. As Lancelot approaches, signs of significant mutilation become clearer.
Goyal: I don't like this forest.
Lancelot: It's charming on its better days, I'll give it that.
Lancelot kneels down to examine a pile beneath the corpse, briefly whistling as he does. Its contents consist primarily of crude fetish objects mixed with fresh carrion. Sighing, Lancelot stands back up.
Lancelot: I do so love my job. Continue?
End Log 2.2
Begin Log 2.3
H2E1 has continued down the Western path for approximately an hour, once more headed by Lancelot.
Hae: 4886 can't be that big, can it?
Glines: I wouldn't doubt it. All the death, these woods have to be haunted by something. I mean, hasn't Epsilon had its share?
Goyal: Wilderness, yes. Not necessarily… this.
Hae: Yeah, tell me about it. Props to you and Jack, I don't think I'll be able to eat for another week at this rate.
Lancelot: Sure you're not in the mood for flatworm stew? Summerstone specialty.
Hae: I think I'll pass. You can take me to-
Branches rustle from behind the group as something can be heard dropping from above.
Glines: Jesus fuck!
Lancelot turns back to Glines, who is struggling with an instance of A-289 clinging to his neck. As Glines struggles to free himself, several more instances of A-289 emerge from the treeline bearing primitive weaponry and engage H2E1 in combat.
Footage of the fight is predictably indistinct; careful analysis of the available footage suggests the force of A-289 have adapted a divide and conquer strategy, primarily targeting Agents Glines while attempting to distract the remaining members of H2E1.
H2E1 eventually fend the A-289 off, bearing relatively minor injuries. All five are silently attempting to recuperate when Glines suddenly yells in apparent frustration.
Glines: That's the sixth time this month!
Lancelot: Eh, it's not so-
Glines: I swear to god they've been teaming up on me. I'm done with this.
Glines breaks from the group to head in the direction several A-289 fled towards.
Lancelot: You know, we really should-
Glines: Are you gonna take us nowhere like you always do, Lancelot? You know, maybe we want to trail them. Maybe we want to find where they live or breed and put a stop to that.
Hae: We should settle down.
Glines: And let them flee? Excuse me, but what's our mission here? This is a lead, more than just a foot trail. It's somewhere they fled to, where they feel they can gain something by going. For fuck's sake, I don't know about you but I've been put through this song and dance so many times and not once did we follow them, Jack. Look where that's got us now!
Glines turns back to continue. Norman sighs, then tentatively follows; he is followed by Hae and Dr. Goyal. Lancelot pauses.
Lancelot: Oh bother.
As Lancelot trails the rest of H2E1, his camera beeps thrice to indicate that all available space has been filled, and the tape ends.
End Log 2.3