The SCP Experience - Every Garden Gnome Explodes Differently | SCP-5556

Episode Date: May 18, 2026

A Foundation Mobile Task Force vs. four foul-mouthed anomalous gnomes. What could possibly go wrong? Meet SCP-5556—where the safe word is 'avocado,' the game is 'Scrappy Pap,' and a single bite of... a snack can vaporize a hundred-mile radius. Delta-9's worst day on the job starts now. This story is derived from ⁠The SCP Foundation Database⁠ and is released under Creative Commons Sharealike 3.0.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Listen ad-free + bonus stories with a 7-day FREE trial of⁠ ⁠SCP Premium⁠⁠. Cancel anytime. No commitment. ⁠⁠⁠ Author: Jake Bible * * * CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content not limited to intense themes, strong language, and depictions of violence intended for adults. Parental guidance is strongly advised for children under the age of 18. Listener discretion is advised.  #thescpexperience #scp #scpfoundation #scpencounters #securecontainprotect #scpstories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:06 What the hell is that noise? Commander Brogan whispers. Do you hear that? Uh, it's Watsaw, sir. Bludge responds quietly. Wadsaw? What about Watsaw? He's crying, sir.
Starting point is 00:00:18 So is chive. Jesus doing jumping jacks. Crying? It's been a stressful day, sir. Bludge eases himself up out of his crouch and glances out the cabin's window. The sight makes him shiver as he lowers back down, shaking his head. Are they still out there? Commander Brogan asks the man.
Starting point is 00:00:37 Yes, sir, still out there. What are they doing? Playing some sort of game, sir. Something with sticks and rocks. We can hear's you. And it's called scrappy pap, you numskull. A small voice shouts from the clearing outside the cabin. You can play if you like your own stick.
Starting point is 00:00:56 It's a trap, sir. Chive says from across the cabin, he sniffles and snorts, wiping his nose on his uniform sleeve. We go out there, and one of them will blow. They'll just blow us all up. Blow us to kingdom. The slap comes hard and fast, silencing Chive instantly. All eyes turn to Nino.
Starting point is 00:01:14 Nino's eyes are on Chive as he stands over the man. You done? Nino snarls at the panicked MTF operator. Chive nods, wiping his nose again. Nino's glare turns on Watsaw. How about you, princess? You done blubbering? Nino snaps. Hey now, Nino, don't overstep.
Starting point is 00:01:32 Commander Brogan says. Or what, sir? You'll make us all hide in a goddamn cabin because four foot-tall little punk-ass bitches are outside playing games with freaking sticks and rocks. It's called Scrappy Pap. The small voice from outside shouts. Commander Brogan tries to match Nino's glare, but no one can match Nino's glare. The commander finally looks away.
Starting point is 00:01:53 All right, Nino, if you're so damn smart, how about you go outside and have a chat with them? See if maybe they'll come along voluntarily. Our mission is to bag and tag these instances ASAP. We can't leave until we've accomplished that. A different small voice yells. Another adds. A chorus of small voices erupts into laughter. You know what, Commander, I think I will go out there.
Starting point is 00:02:19 Nino turns away from his teammates. He wipes the seat of his pants, checks his sidearm, and steps past the others to the front door. Get you on the flip side. The members of Mobile Task Force Delta 9, known as the Gingerbread Men, all watch him leave. Then they look at each other, wide-eyed, just before they jump up and hurry to the windows
Starting point is 00:02:39 to see the scene unfold. The operators are hardened professionals, but the day took its toll. They all cringe at the site outside the cabin. There are four gnomes playing that game with sticks and rocks, the source of the small voices, but there are also a dozen blast craters, each ranging in size from a couple of feet wide to a few meters wide. Strewd about most of those blast craters are bits and pieces of the rest of Delta 9. It really, really had not been a good day for the gingerbread men. Watch yourself, Nino, Commander Brogan says. Nino lifts a dismissive hand,
Starting point is 00:03:13 showing a glove scorched on one edge and coated in blood on the other, that he walks outside. Boy! Nino shouts at the Nomes. You kill half our team and think you can just sit and play goddamn games? The gnomes, all dressed in red and blue
Starting point is 00:03:27 with those tall dunce cap-looking hats, turned to glare at, Nino. One of them clears his throat. Lost half our guys, too, now didn't we? Used to be eight of us. Now he's barely enough for a decent match of scrappy pap. Cry me a damn river. Nino heads straight for the gnome.
Starting point is 00:03:44 What's your name, pal? Nanya. The gnome replies, making the other three titter. Nice try. I'm not an eight-year-old. I'll ask again. What's your name? We gnomes go by many names.
Starting point is 00:03:55 The gnome begins. There's our family names, our friendly... Rib sticker. His name is rib sticker. One of the other gnomes interrupts. All eyes move to him. What? It's Ritty's turn.
Starting point is 00:04:07 he's holding up the game. Oh yeah. Grand it is. Sorry, sorry, me bad. Rib Sticker says and tosses a rock into the air. When none of the other gnomes can hit it with their sticks, Rib Sticker throws his arms up. Six points for the win! Thanks for that, long licks. A gnome snarls at the one who had spoken up. Long licks, shrugs. Kept the game moving, didn't it? Rib Sticker gets to his feet, which doesn't change his height all that much. He looks, Nino up and down, plants his hands on his hips and spits to the side. Okay, tallboy, what'd you be wanting with us? I and my team want you guys to stop blowing us up.
Starting point is 00:04:44 Nino shouts. How's about that, short boy? The Andy go there, didn't he? Long legs mutters. Always with the short comments. Another says, Bigots these humans, bigots the lot. The last one states.
Starting point is 00:04:56 Quiet now, lads. Ribsticker says, I'm having a palaver with this one. Hard to hear him when he's speaking all the way up there. Nino points. You're a rib sticker. Are you the leader? Ribsticker shrugs, but doesn't reply.
Starting point is 00:05:09 Nino points at Longlicks. And you're who? Longlicks? What's your role? Roll? If Ribsticker here is the leader. I never said I was. Ribsticker protests. Then what are you three? What do you do? Nino finishes. Then points at a different gnome.
Starting point is 00:05:25 What's your name? One of the gnomes asks, pointing at his own chest. Half crown? Half crown? The gnome leans in to his buddies. Must be hard for him to hear all the way up there, too. Okay, Afkron, what do you do? Nino asks. Are you a lieutenant, field support, a medic?
Starting point is 00:05:43 The gnome just stares up at Nino. Nino sighs and lets his shoulders slump. He looks to the fourth and last gnome. And who the hell are you? No need for profanity. The gnome says and doffs his tail, point he hat. Barbara. I'm sorry, what?
Starting point is 00:05:58 Definitely hard for him to hear up there. Halfcrowm whispers, getting an agreeing nod from long licks. My name is Barbara. The gnome says again. It's a common enough name. Not sure why it confuses you. It's a girl's name, Nino says. Oh man!
Starting point is 00:06:14 Rib sticker yells, throwing his arms in the air. You gotta go there, do you? Long legs snarls. Anything can be a girl's name if you think about it. Half Crown says. Barbara only shakes his head as he turns and walks away. Hey, I wasn't trying to be rude. Nino calls after the gnome.
Starting point is 00:06:33 Commander Brogan calls from a cabin window. On it. Nino says. He claps his hands together. quickly, making the gnomes jump, even Barbara. So, we need you four to stop blowing up and come with us back to the foundation site. Unfortunately, this is not a negotiation. If you do not comply peacefully, then we will obliterate the lot of you right here, right now.
Starting point is 00:06:55 Oh, is that so? Ribsticker asks, crossing his tiny arms over his small chest. And how will your superiors take that, eh? Sounds like a, what do you call it? Snaps his fingers over and over. Mission failure. Longlicks says. Mission failure, exactly.
Starting point is 00:07:12 Rib sticker nods. Did we care about these bastards and their mission failure, lads? No! The rest of the gnomes shout in unison. That's your answer, mate. Rib sticker says, right. As I said before, this is not a negotiation. You four are coming with us or else.
Starting point is 00:07:28 Or else what? Rib sticker asks. Yeah, that part's a little fuzzy. Longlicks adds. Like your mom. Half Crown exclaims. I ain't coming back until the best. It apologizes.
Starting point is 00:07:40 Barbara shouts from his spot over by the trees. Okay, I'm sorry. How's that? Nino says. Can you four come with us now? The facility is warm and clean, and we have all sorts of snacks and... Snacks, you say?
Starting point is 00:07:53 Rib Sticker interrupts. He sets his stick aside and approaches Nino. Tell me more about these snacks. Um, Nino licks his lips and looks back at the cabin. He gets encouraging thumbs up from his teammates, except for Commander Brogan, who is glaring at the gnomes, A look of outrage and disgust on his face.
Starting point is 00:08:11 Nino looks back at the gnomes. Um, snacks, you know, chips, pretzels, peanuts, probably some donuts and cupcakes, that sort of thing. Any smoked almonds? Rib sticker asks. Oh, yeah, sure. I think we even have some wasabi almonds. Rib sticker rolls his eyes.
Starting point is 00:08:28 Nah, I just want the smoked ones. We have those. That weren't much of an apology. Barbara shouts. Cram it, Barbes. Long Licks replies. We're talking. snacks here. Snacks? Really? Barbara asks. Well, that changes everything. The gnome hurries over to the group,
Starting point is 00:08:46 then steps right up to Nino and stares up at the man. Carrioki. Barbara narrows his eyes. Specifically, Betty Davis' eyes by Kim Carnes. You got some karaoke and Carnes, big boy? Yeah, you got karaoke and Carnes, big boy? Have crown echoes. And smoked almonds. Rib sticker ads. All eyes fall to long licks. He asks, shrugging. I ain't got no special requests. Rib sticker sticks his arm out, that makes a shoing gesture at Nino with his hand. Elads and I need to confer a moment if you don't mind, he says.
Starting point is 00:09:19 You go chat with your bros back there. We'd be with you in a second. The gnomes immediately huddle up and start talking in hushed voices. When Nino doesn't walk back to the cabin, the gnomes stop talking and stare at him. Oh, right, sorry, Nino says and walks backward to the cabin. You four talk, but, How about we wrap this up in, say, um, five minutes?
Starting point is 00:09:42 The gnomes just stare. Ten minutes? Rib stick or snorts, and the gnomes continue with their discussion. Nino pivots and hurries into the cabin. The rest of the gingerbread men turn their attention from the cabin's windows to Nino. Not sure what good that did, Commander Brogan says. They could still refuse to come with us. I think the snacks will get them to come along, Nino argues.
Starting point is 00:10:04 We do have great snacks, says Chive. The others nod. Forget about the damn snacks. Commander Brogan shouts, We need those gnomes and the transport. Now! The gingerbread men share a look. Hey, Commander?
Starting point is 00:10:18 Bludge asks. Might be a good idea for you to take a break, eh? Let Nino run the show from here on out. Just until we get back to this sight, okay? What do you think about that? The commander narrows his eyes, and his hand goes to his sidearm. Everyone holds up their hands and starts shouting at once.
Starting point is 00:10:35 Whoa, whoa! Commander, chill! Let's not ask you. escalate things. Take your hand off your weapon, sir. Nino yells, his own sidearm drawn and aimed at the commander. I will not ask again. Mutiny!
Starting point is 00:10:48 Commander Brogan yells and yanks at his pistol. But the safety strap is still on, and he can't get it out of the holster. Damn it! Thought I unsnap that! The man's entire body just deflates, and he slumps to the floor, his hands and his lap. I think I may have lost my operational edge, boys. Commander Brogan mumbles. Nino, you have command.
Starting point is 00:11:08 He looks up, tears in his eyes. Just until we return to the sight. Understood, sir. Dino responds. He's about to say more when he's interrupted by rib-sticker. Nino lets out a long breath, then walks back out to the clearing. The others scramble to the windows once again. That's good to hear, Nino says.
Starting point is 00:11:29 Now, you won't like this part, but we'll have to cage you for the ride. Also, Nino pulls a wad of zip ties from his back pocket. We have to secure your wrists and ankles. Not a problem. Rib Sticker says. Barbara actually likes a little bondage play. It's true. Barbara agrees.
Starting point is 00:11:47 My safe word is avocado. Horrible safe word. Half Crown says. Yeah, Barbes. People say avocado all the time. Long Licks ads. Oh, what do you lads know? You ain't part of the scene.
Starting point is 00:11:59 Barbara says dismissively. Anyway, Nino sighs. If we could get going, that would be great. You got them cages here? Or do we need to walk to your vehicle? Rib sticker asks. Guys, cages! Nino shouts over his shoulder.
Starting point is 00:12:13 The gingerbread men rush from the cabin, minus Commander Brogan. Chive throws a duffel bag on the ground and unzips it. Bludge reaches in and pulls four flat black panels out. He tosses them onto the ground, and they pop into three dimensions instantly. Oh, Mistress Needles would love those for her dungeon. Barbara says. Four cages made of some shiny alloy sit in the clearing, each with plenty of space for a gnome to walk inside
Starting point is 00:12:38 and get comfortable. Nino opens one and gestures at Rib Sticker. Please, he says, and Rib Sticker nods. The gnome walks into the cage and lets Nino close and lock the small door. The other gnomes shrug and do the same. The surprised foundation operators hesitate for just a minute. Then they rush to pick the cages up, strapping them to their backs, they turn and regard the cabin.
Starting point is 00:13:02 Commander. Nino calls. We are good to go. Commander Brogan comes sauntering out of the cabin. I knew we'd accomplish the mission. Great job, men. I'll be sure to note your bravery in my report. The men can only blink at the commander.
Starting point is 00:13:16 Nino shudders, then grins at the others. All right, let's get hoofing, he says. We have two clicks to cover before we get to the transport. Everyone gives a thumbs up, and the men start hiking around the cabin and into the woods. Commander Brogan watches them go, then hurries after them. The sun is almost set by the time they reached the transport.
Starting point is 00:13:37 The gnome cages are set inside and secured to the transport's cargo hold walls. Chive walks around and gets into the transport's driver's seat. Nino takes shotgun, while the rest climb into the hold and strap themselves into their seats. This could have gone much easier for all of us, Commander Brogan says to Rib Sticker. The gnome's cage is secured directly opposite the commander's seat. But it was good that you finally saw a reason. Hey, Commander? Nino calls from up front as Chive navigates them to the main road.
Starting point is 00:14:07 How about we don't communicate with the prisoners? Prisoners? Rib sticker asks with the smirk. I thought we were guests. You are, you are. Ena says quickly. Force of habit. Hey, you got any chewing gum?
Starting point is 00:14:21 Half-Crown asks. Hush, lad. That was not the time. Rib sticker says, It ain't? No, be patient. What's that? Bludge asks.
Starting point is 00:14:30 What are you two talking about? Just gnome stuff. Rib sticker says with a grin. Yeah, gnome stuff. Half-crown echoes. They drive in mostly silence for the rest of the trip. It's fully pitch dark by the time they pull up to the Foundation Sites Guard House. We'd almost written your team off, the guard says, waving them through the gate after checking Chive's credentials.
Starting point is 00:14:50 I'll call ahead and let them know the gingerbread men are home, safe and sound. We lost half our damn team, you moron. Commander Brogan shouts at the Guard. Does that seem safe and sound to you? Uh, no, sir, sorry, sir. The guard says, cringing as he retreats back into the Guard House. Sometimes you've got to be rough and tough, Rib Sticker says.
Starting point is 00:15:10 I see you, Commander, I see you. Commander Brogan nods with confidence and bravado. The rest of the gingerbread men relax into their seats, glad to be back at the site. Once inside, the gnome cages are whisked away by research assistants. What's this? Rib Sticker shouts. Where are my damned smoked almonds?
Starting point is 00:15:29 And Kim Korns! Barbara howls before they are all lost behind a four-foot-thick bulkhead that slams clothes, with a spine-shaking thud. Oh, thank God! Nino shouts, and raises his arms into the air. Halla-freakin'luya!
Starting point is 00:15:45 The rest of the gingerbread men raise their arms, then start high-fiving each other. We lost good men today. Commander Brogan grumbles. Remember them, boys. Remember them. He turns and walks off without another word. Yeah, pretty sure that was his last mission.
Starting point is 00:16:00 Bludge, says. Oh, shit. Chive agrees. All right, everyone. Get some rest. We'll debrief first thing in the morning, Nino says. Not now? Watsaw asks.
Starting point is 00:16:10 We should debrief while we're fresh. Do you feel fresh, Watsaw? Nino asks. Good point. What time should we convene? 0,700, Nino says. We'll get right to it, first thing. They nod, split up, and each heads to their respective quarters.
Starting point is 00:16:26 Once in his, Nino strips down and doesn't even bother cleaning up. He slips into his bedding and settles into his cot. before he can even adjust his pillow, he's asleep. Then he's not. His eyes open, and he stares into the darkness. Something woke him up. Then the site's warning claxon explodes from the speaker inset into the ceiling. Nino clamps his hands over his ears and swings his legs out of his cot.
Starting point is 00:16:51 He quickly gets dressed, wensing as the claxon assaults his eardrums. Fire team to wing four. A voice calls over the PA. Nino can already smell the smoke before he's even out of his quarter. Still yanking his boots on, he run hops to the end of the corridor where he bumps into Chive. What the hell is going on? He yells. No freaking clue!
Starting point is 00:17:13 Chive yells back. Bludge sprints up to them and only his boxers in a t-shirt. It's the damn gnomes. Blood shouts. I spoke to Watson comms, and he's at the containment habitat. One of the bastards blew a hole the size of a goddamn escalate in the wall. Crap! They're loose, Nino says. There's a near-deafening roar and the building's
Starting point is 00:17:33 shakes. Perimeter breach. Perimeter breach. The voice on the PA calls. All personnel to stations now. The site is under attack. Well, looks like you shit the bed, Nino. Commander Brogan says, staggering into view with an almost empty whiskey bottle in his hand. You let them inside. Now they're letting their little murderous buddies inside too. Cheers. The commander chugs at the bottle, finishing off the whiskey. Then he tosses the empty against the wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and pulls his sidearm. Now, let's go kill some midgets. He shouts and stalks off down the corridor, weaving a little to the left, then the right, before he straightens himself out. He really shouldn't have said that word, Chive says. Different generation,
Starting point is 00:18:20 man. Ludge says. Let's go see what we can do. Nino says, in the three race after the commander. When they reach the containment sector, all hell has broken loose. So have multiple anomalies. A The woman runs screaming as a lawn chair with fangs chases after her. Two men wrestle a pink and purple leopard to the ground, pinning it to the deck while it screams. An ostrich with a monocle strides by, gives the gingerbread man a curt nod, then keeps on striding.
Starting point is 00:18:51 Then a small red and blue figure steps out of the smoke in haze, dragging something behind it. You stupid tall idiots! Barbara shouts into a microphone, his voice amplified by the speaker he's dragging along. Scrappy Pap isn't a real game. We use that to confuse you. Screams fill the air, and Nina can see a horde of small, red and blue figures running everywhere.
Starting point is 00:19:15 Barbara laughs into his microphone. You lot have been hunting us for years, Barbara says, his voice modulating like he's warming up his vocal cords. La, did you know that my great, great, great grand uncle, salamander died in the same habitat you threw us into? I'm sorry, Nino says. Oh, you will be! Barbara reaches back and presses a button. The first few notes of Betty Davis eyes ring out. Then the notes are cut short as a fire axe slams into the speaker, destroying it instantly.
Starting point is 00:19:47 Commander Brogan yanks the fire axe out of the sparking speaker, grins down at the surprised gnome and says, Karaokey this. He plants the axes blade into the gnome's red pointy hat. The small creature splits in two, each half falling in a different direction as miniature guts spill everywhere. There are multiple explosions across. the site. The smoke grows quickly, forcing everyone to hack and cough.
Starting point is 00:20:10 Sorry about blaming you. Commander Brogan says to Nino as he walks over, flicking gnome gunk off the axe's blade. Took the loss as hard today, that's all. Feeling a lot better now, though. He looks down at the gore still dripping from the axe. Feeling a lot better? Yeah, we can see that. Nino says. Two more explosions rock the building.
Starting point is 00:20:30 The horde of gnomes is everywhere. Better not breathe! One screams at a woman in a lab coat. The woman has her hands over her mouth, her face turning dark purple. Then she drops her hands and gasps. Dumbass! The gnome explodes, turning the woman in the lab coat to bloody mist. The gingerbread men are coated head-to-toe in Research Assistant and gnome.
Starting point is 00:20:51 Holy shit! Nino says. There are too many of them. There are, son. There are. Commander Brogan hoists the bloody axe onto his shoulder. You should get out of here. Let the gingerbread men fight another day.
Starting point is 00:21:02 He wanders off into the chaos, lost from sight by the things. thick smoke that now fills every inch of the foundation site. Before Nino can respond, an explosion knocks them all off their feet as chunks of concrete rained down on them. A large piece slams into Nino's head and the world goes black. When he comes two, his lungs burn, his eyes burn, and his head feels like he's been drinking grain alcohol for a week straight. He shoves hunks of concrete off his legs and sits up, dazed and very confused. Jive, pludge. He rasps, his voice thick with concrete dust.
Starting point is 00:21:36 He waves smoke out of his eyes. Chives, what? A gnome says, suddenly appearing out of the smoke. He waves, but not with his own hand. He waves with the human's severed hand. Cool party, right? Nino goes for his pistol, but it's not there. Most of his pants have been shredded and hang from his legs and tatters.
Starting point is 00:21:56 So, not sure if this is going to work or not, but we're about to find out, ain't we? The gnome says, then takes the index finger of the severed hand and puts it against his nose. Boop. Nino throws himself flat and covers his head with his arms, just as the world around him explodes with gnome guts. Intense heat washes over him, and Nino can feel his skin crisp and crackle. Then the world goes silent.
Starting point is 00:22:20 Nino doesn't pass out. He just can't hear a thing anymore. He brushes himself off and reaches up to his left ear, but doesn't feel any blood. He checks his right. Good there, too. A loud ringing starts up, then turns into a low thrumming, crawling on hands and knees, since the smoke is. so thick that to stand up would be suicide. Nino makes his way around bodies, overbodies,
Starting point is 00:22:43 and even through some bodies that are spread thin across the concrete floor. Red and blue fabric drifts on the air currents like evil confetti. A gnome's hat sits on the headless torso of a security officer. A pair of legs walks past. There is no rest of the body, only a pair of legs. Nino barely remembers an anomaly fitting that description. How many are loose? How many are dead? Nino shakes the thoughts away and keeps crawling, heading directly for the east tunnel. A sign says motor pool, but it's barely legible behind the thick curtain of smoke, and all the blood splatter that coats any while still standing. Still on his hands and knees, Nino tries the comms.
Starting point is 00:23:22 Bludge? He's about to call for chive, then remembers the severed hand that the gnome had booped itself with. There had been a ring on that hand, a very distinctive ring that chive had always worn. It doesn't matter, though. The comm's system is obviously down, and all Nino hears over the ringing and thrumming in his ears is scratchy static. He yanks the earpiece out and lets it hang at his shoulder, bobbing up and down as he crawls hand over hand through the rubble and debris. By the time he reaches the motor pool, his palms are like ground beef, and his knees are just flaps of skin, leaving a bloody trail behind him. The motorpool
Starting point is 00:23:58 door is hanging on a single hinge, and Nino crawls past it. Inside, the air is much clearer, most likely due to the fact that the motorpool's hangar-style doors are wide open. Only a couple of vehicles are left, and Nino staggers upright as he limps toward a still-intact Humvee. Nino prays the keys are inside when he reaches the driver-side door and pulls it open. He stares at the ignition. No keys. Shit! He yells and limps over to the motor pool's office, where a large box hangs next to the door.
Starting point is 00:24:29 The office itself looks like a charred mess, but the box outside is still there, although it's barely hanging on by one screw. Nino opens the box, and it falls to the floor, nearly crushing his feet. He jumps back, then hurries forward, snagging the two remaining sets of keys from inside. Limping back as fast as he can, Nino coweres when three explosions shake the building, each detonating one after the other, barely giving him time to recover between them. But he makes it upright and flings himself inside the Humvee.
Starting point is 00:24:59 Jamming one key into the ignition, he tries to start the Humvee, but nothing happens. the key won't fully turn. Nino thinks back to his military days where Humvees didn't need keys. The ones he drove in the desert just had push buttons or toggle switches, but the foundation figured it would be safer to have keys
Starting point is 00:25:16 so that the vehicles couldn't be stolen during an operation. Nino had understood the logic then, but silently curses it now. He throws the worthless keys out of the Humvee and takes several deep breaths, trying to fill his lungs with oxygen as the smoke in the motor pool thickens.
Starting point is 00:25:33 Even with the hangar-style doors wide open, the site's devastation is too much. Nino knows he'll asphyxiate in minutes if he doesn't get the Humvee moving. He tries the second set of keys. Same result. The Humvee refuses to turn over. Son of a bitch! Nino yells, slamming his fists against the steering wheel. He stumbles from the vehicle, crouching low again, staying under the smoky haze.
Starting point is 00:25:55 Then he limps toward the huge doors and the open air. Smoke follows him, threatening to choke him off before he can get free. but Nino pushes on, and in seconds he's outside, standing on blacktop as the site burns behind him. He walks several yards, getting clear of the place, before turning back and looking at what the gnomes have wrought. The entire site is engulfed in flames. Explosions here and there still erupt, sending debris flying into the air or flames shooting out at odd angles. There's a crunch of gravel behind him, and Nino spins around, going for his missing sidearm once again, muscle memory taking over. You got your peace shooter, I see.
Starting point is 00:26:34 Rib Sticker says, standing there with his arms hanging down, a smudge of soot on his cheek. What a sad sight ye are, lad. A soldier without a weapon. I can still throttle your little neck, Nino says. Maybe, maybe not. Rib Sticker says, doesn't really matter as I see it. I still die in the end. Still die in the end?
Starting point is 00:26:53 What does that mean? Nino asks. It means we all have our fates set out for us in this war, lad. Rib Sticker reaches behind himself. He pulls out a small can and holds it up. See these, lad. Smoked almonds, just like you said there would be. Took me a bit to find your snack cupboard, but I did.
Starting point is 00:27:11 He pulled off the plastic lid and then peeled back the safety seal. You see, lad, while you may have experienced mission failure, me and my compatriots certainly did not. Wee's right where we needs to be, and it's time to put an end to your foundation nonsense. Nino stares at the can of almonds, fairly sure he knows what's about to happen. This is only one foundation site, he says.
Starting point is 00:27:33 There are dozens more. You can't stop us. Dozens more sites? How wonderful. Rib Sticker says, plucking a smoked almond out of the can with his tiny fingers. That means there'd be plenty of fun left for the thousands of us gnomes still out there. You hear me, lad? Thousands. You'll still lose. Lose?
Starting point is 00:27:53 We already won. Do you think this be the only foundation site that was attacked? Nino never gets to answer. as rib sticker pops the smoked almond into his mouth, resulting in a mushroom cloud that can be seen for a hundred miles around, showing everyone that, yes, Operation Scrappy Pap was a resounding success. Instances of SCP 5556 are to be housed in a standard humanoid group habitat, scaled to 0.25 of standard size.
Starting point is 00:28:23 Standard humanoid rations are to be provided. Small running wheels are to be provided in exchange for good behavior and to encourage exercise. Personnel are not to directly interact with SCP 5556, except as approved during testing. Any statements made by SCP 5556 instances are to be disregarded. Description. SCP 5556 refers to a group of humanoids resembling garden gnomes. Each wears a beard and a tall pointed hat.
Starting point is 00:28:55 Each entity is between 30 to 40 centimeters tall. SCP 5556 entities are anatomically similar to humans, apart from their height, and possess a similar level of intelligence. Each SCP 5556 instance is highly explosive and will involuntarily detonate when a specific action is performed on it by a human. The action required differs for each instance. The explosive force varies widely between events, but is always sufficient to neutralize the affected instance. instances experience a brief period of intense pain before detonating as CP 5556 instances are not capable of inducing this effect on each other directly but may attempt to persuade humans to induce it
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