⚠ WARNING
THIS CONFERENCE IS RESTRICTED TO LEVEL DĀLET MEMBERS ONLY.
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS WILL BE MET WITH EXTENSIVE DISCIPLINARY ACTION
A small woman clothed in burgundy rose to the center of the auditorium. Looking outward, she could see her next class.
"Good afternoon, and welcome to your last orientation."
"For those of you who aren’t aware of who I am—and that’s most of you—I am Ms. Elizabeth Rosewood.
Eccentric, I know."
The projector behind her flickers to life.
"Do any of you know what this is? You in the back."
"Looks like someone’s been reading up. Yes, this is Assessment Location 557—also known as Site-64 of the SCP Foundation."
She sweeps her gaze across the auditorium.
"Why do I bring this up? You've all been here long enough to know that the Foundation isn't really our ally. Not by a long shot, but we want the same thing: the ultimate protection of humanity."
She pauses.
"So we stay out of each other's way. They stick to their lane, and we stick to ours. But what if I told you that wasn't true?"
"Over the course of the last 15 years, there has been an increase in veiled organizations across the globe. In step, we face a rise in paranormal events by 34% compared to the 2000. Ladies, gentlemen, and sentient beings, we now face one of the largest arrays of global-spanning and possibly world-ending parathreats in history."
"So tell me, how do we combat this? How do we strike everywhere at once? Even with our technologies and understanding of the occult, we must admit that we cannot police everywhere all at once."
All eyes bear down on her.
"Ah, now you all understand why you are here. Today, we begin your training—not in the occult, but in the nature of lies."
The projector flickers to several images: a burning warehouse, a dead man, a flesh abomination, a robot.
"Each of these is just the tip of the metaphorical iceberg. You see, for every KTE that we counteract, there are tens of PTEs out there. The math simply doesn't add up. So, some smart cookies long ago decided, why not preempt these threats? Now, many years later, here you all stand."
The projector flickers out. The overhead lights return.
"Welcome to Day 1 of training for ATTS—the Assessment Team Training Simulation. See, not all of you are good with guns, but that is your strength today. You will be civilians. You will be nondescript. You will be the Coalition's first line of warning—our tripwire. Your sacrifices will determine the lives you will save over the course of your tenure."
Men dressed in various colored suits appear on stage.
"As I call your name, I will also call a color. Rise and receive the man of your color; they will provide you with further instructions."
Over the course of 10 minutes, almost all participants have been called and escorted. The men leave, and Ms. Rosewood turns her attention to the 25 participants remaining.
"I can sense your confusion. Do not stress. Look to your left and then your right. Each of you here has been chosen for a higher calling. Welcome to the PNEUMA Division! And yes, you haven't heard about us because we're a secret within the Coalition."
Ms. Rosewood's face lights with a smile.
"We are the Coalition's secret police force. Sorted between INSEC and EXSEC, we manage both internal security and the monitoring of governments and rogue occult groups around the world. So welcome to the spear of the spear, and I will see you here at 0700 tomorrow!"
"You need a drink?"
"Is that even a question? Give it here."
"Ha. Still can't resist. How goes the new class?"
"Promising this time around. They're fast, smart, competent, and more importantly, LOYAL."
"…"
"What?"
"You don't need to lie to me, Eli."
"Like it isn't our line of work."
"I mean, don't just expect them to be like … her. Okay?"
"…"
"Just promise me."
"Matt …"
"Promise."
"Fine. But while we're on the subject, any news?"
He sighs.
"Sort of … yes."
"And?"
"We think she's in the Czech Republic and heading into Germany."
"WHAT? So let's catch her!"
"It's not that simple, Eli!"
"It's bad enough that she stole from us—all of us!"
"We can't go in guns blazing now, can we?! You can't let your emotions cloud your judgment!"
"Don't you dare!"
"Then don't!"
They both look at each other in silence.
"What do they go by now?"
"Vudci. Czech for 'Ringleaders'."
Eli looks outward and nurses her cup.
UPDATED REPORT ON UTE-5589 — VUDCI
This report was composed after years of investigation and the resurfacing of known operatives. The following information has been compiled to the best of PNEUMA's capabilities. This report contains informational gaps due to #5589's advanced training in deflecting our efforts.
One of the last divisions created by the Council of 108, PNEUMA is the GOC's primary intelligence agency, operating both as a primary operator in high-level espionage efforts and a secondary support to GOC assessment teams. Currently, PNEUMA is highly regulated and composed of two major divisions: INSEC and EXSEC.
Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. The same decree that created PNEUMA also divided it into three major departments: INSEC, EXSEC, and COVSEC.
INSEC, internal security, handles all possible transgressions committed by Coalition officers. They provide the Coalition with a means to defend itself from external forces and to hold itself accountable for its actions. Often refers cases to the International Court for the Paranormal.
EXSEC, external security, is equipped to detect and observe veiled organizations and world governments alike. Their job is to keep tabs on all parties that could seek to use the paranormal to advance their goals through coercion and/or violence. Often liaises with PTOLEMY.
COVSEC, covert security, was an experimental and heavily armed strike team under the direct control of PNEUMA. While the other two departments simply observed, COVSEC was deployed to directly deal with parathreats with boots on the ground. Often clashed with PHYSICS.
While COVSEC was very useful at the turn of the century, the Council decided to move away from it, reasoning its borderline violations of the humanitarian charter. Responsibility shifted toward strike and assessment teams, and more supervision was recommended.
Several team leaders from COVSEC protested these measures, claiming the use of COVSEC was far more beneficial than the allegations of human rights violations. This group was led by Sgt. Jacqueline Reginald. Sgt. Reginald had been recruited directly from the CIA and placed in high-level positions within COVSEC.
The Council decided on the gradual dismantlement of COVSEC, hoping the slow decay would prevent any type of protest. The following efforts were conducted: slowdown of recruitment, reassignment of several teams to other divisions, replacement of advanced weaponry with more conventional types, gradual salary cuts, etc.
During this time, COVSEC remained unusually quiet—a sign the Council took as acceptance. They were wrong, of course.
On June 3rd, 2018, several GOC facilities were blown up, causing a mass-scale deployment of PHYSICS. Remote explosives were planted by COVSEC as a distraction. COVSEC operatives then raided now-unguarded supply depots, equipping themselves with some of the Coalition's most advanced weapons. Operatives then fled into remote locations across the globe, and with their training, prevented their rediscovery.
Investigations later revealed Sgt. Reginald led this betrayal due to COVSEC's shared belief that the Coalition had betrayed them. The small size of the division and lack of proper oversight allowed her to manipulate the entire department to join under her command. It is unknown how not one operative pushed back against her or reported her. It is also unknown how GOC procedures and auditors did not detect the oncoming betrayal.
While believed to be underground, new evidence suggests COVSEC has been restructured under Sgt. Reginald's vision. Rebranded as VUDCI, they offer services to other veiled organizations as a mercenary group. They conduct intelligence work, black-market dealings, assassinations, and incite violence, among other operations.
THREAT LEVEL: 4