Due to SCP-5996 being among the more respected researchers in its department at Site-67, there were serious discussions about what to do regarding its permissions and station. Some argued that anomalies could and should be allowed to work as researchers, citing such examples as Dr. Clef and Dr. Bright. Others argued that those were outliers and exceptions, not the rule, and that SCP-5996's cognitohazardous nature rendered it unsafe to work with. To end the controversy, a formal discussion was held on 21/01/20 to finalize a verdict on what should happen to SCP-5996. The following is a transcript of the discussion.
Transcript: 21/01/20 16:20-16:28
Participants: Dr. Taylor, Dr. Malcolm, Researcher Everett, Researcher Fiore, SCP-5996 (via radio)
<Begin Log>
Taylor: Alright, is that everyone?
Fiore: Kind of a small gathering, isn't it?
Malcolm: This doesn't require a large committee hearing. It's an internal affair. I've petitioned higher-ups for an official verdict, but it seems that I'm as high as this issue cares to go.
Fiore: Seriously?
Everett: Were you expecting O5 to come knocking at our door to get our opinions? Honestly, I'm surprised it went even this high up. Not that that's saying all that much… er, no offence Dr. Malcolm.
Malcolm: None taken, but I'd appreciate if we could get a move on. I do have other business to attend to, and while it may not be as big as those above me, I would still not like to waste time. Dr. Taylor?
Taylor: Yes sir. Dr. Malcolm here will act as the final word on this matter, but most of the discussion will be between us four. We're going to try to keep this on-topic and to the point.
Fiore: Four? Who else is coming?
SCP-5996: I believe that I should have a word in this discussion, shouldn't I?
Fiore: What's Thames doing here? Since when did SCPs get to influence Foundation affairs?
Taylor: Due to the nature of this discussion, I felt it prudent that SCP-5996 should be allowed a chance to make its case. If we end up deciding to revoke its researcher status, this won't happen again.
Everett: It's only fair that she should be allowed to defend herself.
Fiore: Isn't that what you're here for? Look, let's lay our cards all on the table. We all know where Everett and myself stand on this matter. In the interest of fairness, I'm all for allowing a defense of SCP-5996, but why do we need both you and 5996? Isn't one or the other enough?
Taylor: We felt that having a Foundation staff member who is in support of SCP-5996 retaining its credentials would be beneficial for a more… external view of the situation. However, we also felt that SCP-5996 should have the right to defend itself so long as this is a matter of contention. Is that all?
Fiore: If that's what you've all decided, then yeah.
Taylor: It is… now then, I suppose we should move right along then. Since you've proven vocal: Fiore, why don't you make your case?
Fiore: Alright. Now, I have nothing against Dr. Thames-
SCP-5996: scoffs
Fiore: But the situation has changed. The Foundation's goal is to secure, contain, and protect. I don't think I need to remind you all of this. But regardless of her intentions, and regardless of her capabilities, SCP-5996 is a hazard to those working around it. I understand that she may still be loyal to the Foundation, and I understand that she is rather capable as a researcher, but that doesn't change the fact that we have lost a guard and a junior researcher as a result of her presence. I understand that it is not unheard of for researchers to possess anomalous properties. However, we're talking about top-level researchers with properties that, at their worst, are ultimately harmless. Not a level-3 researcher who is an active hazard! What happens if some sort of containment breach occurs, and next thing we know, we've all forgotten how to even run the site? What happens if SCP-5996 suddenly decides she doesn't actually like being contained, and she decides to tamper with containment procedures or attack the server directly? Why should we take these risks?
Everett: You're assuming the worst case scenario.
Fiore: That's what we do at the Foundation. That's how we operate: with guns, and black bars, and an iron fist. Because if we don't, everything we've got in here could end up out there.
Everett: You're starting to sound a lot like the GOC.
Taylor: Ms. Everett, please, let him finish.
Fiore: GOC? I'm not advocating to terminate Thames or anything. But we shouldn't allow her to have free access to our database. We shouldn't allow her to work with other anomalies. We shouldn't put ourselves in more danger than we need to be.
Taylor: Is that all?
Fiore: For now, yeah.
Taylor: Everett?
Everett: Look, I… I get where you're coming from. Mallory is, at the end of the day, still an anomaly. I… I get that. But we have varying degrees of security for anomalies. We don't have to treat every anomaly like a Keter-class. Like it's one second from breaking free and destroying us all. We contain anomalies as much as is reasonable: nothing more. Hell, we could call her a Thaumiel and suddenly this would all work out. Right?
SCP-5996: Mmm, not necessarily. My anomalous property itself couldn't really aid in containment, even if I, as a person, can… although maybe my property could isolate infohazards? Hmm…
Everett: Regardless, my point stands. Just because something is an anomaly doesn't mean it needs to be locked away behind ten levels of security and left to rot. Anomalies need to be contained, not restrained. There's a difference. As long as Mallory… er… sorry, SCP-5996. As long as SCP-5996 is kept isolated enough to prevent exposure to the public and harm to the staff, I don't see why we need to continually up the ante.
Taylor: And how do you propose we work with SCP-5996, given its nature?
Everett: SCP-5996 can be a valuable consult. Furthermore, she could analyze data outside of the field. Even if she can't gather data herself, she can still work with it and come to conclusions as well as anyone at a desk with a computer could.
Taylor: And SCP-5996? Would you like to make any remarks?
SCP-5996: Look, I get where the hesitancy is coming from, but… it's important to remember what our goal as scientists is. We're not here to fight the anomalies, we're here to understand them, as well as keep the outside world none the wiser. Nothing about me contradicts that mission. I'm not your enemy, none of you. I'm still completely loyal to the Foundation, I still believe in everything it stands for, and I have and will continue to cooperate and encourage my own containment. However, being an anomaly myself presents a rare chance to try to bridge that gap. I still have no idea what caused me to become SCP-5996, but whatever it was… maybe it can also help me understand other anomalies? It's a wild chance, but it's one that we'll never get to explore if I'm cut off. Besides, even if that isn't the case, I could still be of use as a scientist. Just let me communicate exclusively through non-physical means and maybe run experiments remotely, there's nothing stopping us from doing that.
Fiore: If we let SCP-5996 gain access to our database, where does it end?
SCP-5996: It ends with people we believe can't be trusted with sensitive data. My anomaly hasn't changed my personality, unless you have reason to believe it has?
Fiore: It's about the principle, we can't go bending the rules!
Everett: There's no rule stating anomalies can't be researchers! Exceptions or not, those higher-ups prove that rule. Or at least, if there is a rule that says that, they prove that it's flexible!
Fiore: Exceptions don't prove rules, that's not-
Malcolm: Alright, I think I've gotten a good view of everyone's side.
Taylor: You're already done? You've made up your mind?
Malcolm: Not quite, but I think I've heard everything I need to hear. You've made your points. Thank you for mediating, Dr. Taylor. You are all dismissed.
Everett: Oh… okay?
Fiore: That was… quick. Good thing though, I have a report I need to send off by five and I'm behind.
SCP-5996: Has everyone left?
Malcolm: Dr. Taylor is still here, although I don't know why that would concern you. The meeting's over, you can go ahead and turn off the radio.
SCP-5996: I understand, but I simply wanted to give you a heads-up.
Malcolm: Hmm?
SCP-5996: If the decision results in my favor, I'll be submitting a formal request. I'll email you the details once the decision is finalized… assuming that I have access to a computer.
Malcolm: Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Meeting adjourned.
<End Log>
Closing Statement: As this log is intended to be indicative of what was actually said, all words have been transcribed exactly. However, a reminder: be sure to uphold proper naming conventions when discussing human SCPs.
