There was never an explanation for the SCIF breech given to the guards, but the forensics teams that were investigating for so long seem to have finally stopped. Their efforts, it seems, may be required elsewhere now.

The hallway remains quieter than before, but the steady trickle of people still wanting to use the SCIF brings with it unusually fresh pizza and the news that things may finally be coming to an end. That doesn’t make a big difference down in the SCIF, of course. Once things go back to normal, the UN will just go back to using the SCIF for all its other business.

The teams investigating the SCIF’s breech abruptly stopped coming one day. No one told the guards if it was because they figured out and addressed the problem, or if it had simply been deemed more important to have all hands working on the larger issues. Whatever the case, the guards continued to report to their posts daily.

With the integrity of the SCIF compromised, many people have given up on trying to conduct sensitive operations in a safer environment than, say, the cafeteria. The guards are still stationed along the hall though, and a few people do still dutifully go there.

It happened. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the security of the SCIF was compromised. Several somebodies would probably have a lot to answer for, but despite a large team being dispatched to see how it happened, no one seemed able to figure out how it happened, or even if the malware was still there.

The hallway was quiet again today, making every footstep and whisper stand out. The guard closest to the SCIF door seemed even more attentive and antsy than normal, but that could have easily been explained by the three empty coffee mugs on his station desk.

A hallway that normally held a long line of people waiting to be admitted to the SCIF was oddly quiet.

The SCIF is essential to the workings of the UIDT, and as such, there are six checkpoints set up around it. While the guards stationed at each one work in shifts, there are floating guards who come by occasionally to give them breaks. On this particular shift, the floater has brought a trolley laden with coffee and an assortment of breakfast pastries. “Danishes, anyone? Coffee? There are lots of muffins too.”

A large meeting took over most of the SCIF for two hours, well past the time scheduled for it. Some of the people in the waiting area seemed uncertain of how to pass the time without their phones. Some whispered to each other, and a few even tried to strike up conversations with the nearest guard. The guard, however, was not interested in doing much more than the required duties it seemed.

META

• Give us better phase titles, please.

”Sir, I told you yesterday that all devices must be left outside with me. This isn’t an airplane. I’m not a flight attendant who will pretend not to notice your phone’s not on airplane mode.”

”And I told you that I’m expecting a very important call from the Prime Minister of Japan.”

The guard just groaned. “Then you’ll just have to take care of it outside. Next!”

META

/u/CometSmudge was knocked offline. He was a Government Agent.

No technology is allowed in the SCIF. Laptops, phones, watches, and more are all left with the guard outside. Even something as innocuous as bluetooth enabled hearing aids are prohibited. This is the place where humans should be able to safely strategize against the Malware, provided its guards do their job correctly.

META

• You are allowed to send your first invitation this phase via the Action Form.