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Info
This nightmare is the brain child of Spectre48, made for the 2025Charcon contest.
I… don't have many words to describe this one.
Special thanks to Mel-Raspberry for their INCREDIBLE oversight of the whole thing,
ReyDay, and
Praetor3005.
EXPLORATION ORDER 48 - "BUILDING BLOCKS"
Greetings. We at Pytheas wish you well.
As many of you know, external collaborator "Nyx" has recently been onboarded into team Hermes, at much benefit to our organization. Throughout testing and interviews, "Nyx" has shown themself to be an adept survivor, with a scientific mind able to process information we have still yet to understand.
It is for this reason that the Circle has requested the immediate deployment of "Nyx" to the field. Due to their resilience, researching levels previously thought to be unexplorable becomes a very real possibility.
As of 2/9/2025, Unbound Explorers Coalition scanners have picked up rising anomalous signals emanating from the esoteric Level 400. These signatures have been identified as those of General Public Database person of interest "Joey Q."
This behavior is extremely uncharacteristic for Joey Q, and information is to be gathered as soon as possible. Due to Nyx's control over technological material, as well as their theorized connection to Joey Q's "cubes," We encourage team Hermes to undertake a scouting mission in the area— and gather as much data on the dangers of Level 400 as possible.
Remember, friends:
We are the bulwark.
Against all Odds,
The Auditor
"You cannot be serious…"
The voice of Anthony Kelvin echoes throughout the halls of Level 5. As Team Hermes's resident historian, he didn't usually get out of his personal cubicle much. While the sedentary lifestyle could be boring, Kelvin didn't mind it. Working in one of the Circle's main compounds came with a lot of benefits after all— one of which was the internet speed.
"Nyx had just started getting back to normal after that attack a few months ago, and these geniuses want to throw them right back out into the field?"
Kelvin huffs. The endless inter-organization politics of the Circle had always driven him up the walls. Clearly, someone was displeased with the wrench Nyx had thrown into the dated neutrality the higher-ups were still trying to maintain. Either way, there was little he could do about it— so he does the one thing he can: try to inform Nyx as soon as possible.
THE BACKDOOR Backrooms' #1 Chat & Forum> Direct Messaging - User: Nyx
[VorKhos]: Did you see the newest announcement from the Auditor?
[Nyx]: Yes
[VorKhos]: It's insane the things they've started to ask you to do for them. I bet Apollo is behind this too.
[Nyx]: Work not so bad will be ok
[VorKhos]: I don't know Nyx… I'm starting to get seriously worried for your safety on these missions— this one in particular barely seems possible, even for you.
[Nyx]: Then won't go alone
[VorKhos]: What? Nyx, humans entering that space is a death sentence. There's no way Loiseau is going to lend you any team members, no matter how convincingly that message was worded.
[Nyx]: Then who Joey Q
[VorKhos]: Joey Q? He's only a name I've heard a few times. But he's on the G.P.D.'s watchlist! He barely fits that 'human' criteria.
[Nyx]: Nyx on watchlist why can Nyx not go too
[VorKhos]: I… you know what, I'm not going to argue. You can't go on this mission Nyx— and you sure as HELL can't go alone.
[Nyx]: Idea
[VorKhos]: ??
[Nyx]: Coming to base will be there soon
[User has disconnected.]
>_
Kelvin groans, lying his phone back down onto his desk. He had seen the horrifying effects of the Coders firsthand— entity documentation was part of his job description, after all. The blurry pictures of wanderers being held down and erased still gave him chills. Facing them would be a different kind of encounter than what Nyx had experienced with the Knights— one you couldn't fight your way out of.
With nothing left to do, he lies back in his chair and stares at the ceiling, waiting for Nyx to arrive.
Being an engineer certainly has its creative benefits. Thinking on one's feet is part of the job— the task may be different, but despite being cut off from my siblings, I still believe I can think of a way out of this problem on my own.
I know not why Anthony fears for my safety to the degree he does. I would assume he's just overly concerned.
I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted.
I make my way through the familiar halls of Level 5. The infinite hotel always provided an eerie sense of calm amidst the chaos of the Backrooms. Perhaps it was due to the cleanliness and organization. Perhaps it was due to the comforting "jazz" music that seemed to always be present in the background.
That is a pondering for another time.
I greet the rest of my "team" as I enter the compound. They seem busy— they always are when I'm around. They think I don't notice.
Sometimes it's better to leave these things untouched.
Anthony will be worried. It would be best for me to hear him out at first, whether I plan on listening or not. Deep down he knows I don't have much of a choice in this matter. Having support is important for this task.
"Nyx?"
And here he is.
"Hello Anthony. What is that phrase you use so often about destroying shrubbery?"
"…Beating around the bush?"
"Exactly. Let us not beat around the bush. I know you are concerned. You know I wish to attempt this mission. We should talk."
"It's dangerous, Nyx. Even for you— like I said earlier, you're just up against so much…"
His voice is trailing off. This seems to be a response of emotion rather than an invitation to speak.
Though I'll do so nonetheless.
"I understand that, Anthony. Even so, you know as well as I that our superiors will not take my absence lightly. However, I do understand your concerns. So I had a thought— what if I attempt this task with external collaboration?"
"External collaboration? What do you even mean by that, Nyx? Like, ask Thanatos for help?"
"Absolutely NOT Thanatos. I mean from outside the Circle— from someone like me, before I joined. Someone who would work with us for mutual benefit from this situation. Do you know of any other people like 'Joey Q' that might cooperate?"
Anthony's face seems to relax, and he leads me into his cubicle, to his tech-box.
"That isn't that bad an idea, actually. The G.P.D. has an extensive list of notable persons, most of which are in our own database as well. Giving it a quick read-through couldn't hurt— it's certainly better than nothing."
I take a seat next to him, attempting to read the quickly moving words across the screen. It hurts to look at— but there are at least pictures to see. One catches my eyes off the bat. I point it out to him.
"What about them? They seem useful."
Anthony does not like my suggestion.
"JANUS? God, no. NO. Reports say he's unpredictable and prone to outbursts. Even the G.P.D. doesn't know what he's capable of— mysterious loose cannons are the opposite of who we're looking for."
So much for that. I point at another individual— a promising figure cloaked in darkness. Exactly what I'd need; stealth.
"Nyx. Nyx Nyx Nyx Nyx Nyx. Are you just pointing at the first people you see?"
"…No?"
Anthony sighs. He is clearly aggravated.
"That is The Rat Master, Nyx. He's wanted for murder, conspiracy, and terrorism."
Anthony stares at me with a wide-eyed expression. It seems first impressions are not always correct. I think I'll ask for his opinion.
"Well, do you have any that you WOULD recommend?"
Anthony appears to think for a moment. He begins typing into his tech-box again, pulling up files from the Ariane Circle.
"If you can find him, I'd recommend J. Doe. He's sort of like a walking amnestic. He makes people forget. If you're going on a stealth mission, that could be a little helpful. It doesn't really mention much else, and we have no idea how to find him either… "
Anthony is trying his best. I appreciate it.
"Well… who CAN we reach, Anthony?"
He begins tapping away again. This time, only a few pictures show up on his screen.
"There… really isn't a lot to work with. You're the only one that directly works with us… everyone else we can reliably reach is a political figure. Sure, some owe us favors here and there…"
Anthony trails off again. I am beginning to lose hope for this route.
"Nyx, we only know about this 'event' transpiring because of some unusual signals or something, right?"
"That is correct."
"In that case, I have one that might be of use. We'd have to pull in a favor from the M.E.G., it'd be a massive headache diplomatically, but I think we can make it work."
Anthony wheels himself over towards the inked-paper dispenser. He hands me a freshly made replica of his tech-box's screen, imposed onto the paper. An interesting technology, but very primitive…
I ask for some more information. The figure in the picture seems to be an average human— likely 'younger' than Anthony. The notion is… repulsive.
"He's your ticket in. Spec— known for his common presence during anything 'paranormal' that happens in the Backrooms. If we've been able to detect these readings at the G.P.D., he certainly has as well, and will likely be attempting his own excursion. We at the Circle don't really have much more information than that… he hasn't really interacted with us before. Our M.E.G. contacts don't have very positive reviews of him though… but he's yet to show hostility."
"My team will consist of some… unfinished human we know little about?"
Anthony shrugs at me. He seems sorry for being unable to help more.
"It seems like your only shot. Do you want me to contact the Auditor and have Pytheas send for a collaboration request through the M.E.G.?"
I think about this. I suppose it is better than nothing. Perhaps I will be able to learn something about humans from this experience.
"Yes. Thank you, Anthony."
He smiles at me… he seems nervous. I do not understand why.
"No problem, Nyx. See you in a few days, right?"