INTRODUCTION
I’ve seen a lot of people asking why ERT (Emergency Response Team) units seem immune to certain SCP effects during serious breaches or containment failures. Rather than just handwaving it as “they’re built different,” I decided to try and put together a full in universe explanation for their augmentations and surgical enhancements. This write up, If approved, will give a lore friendly breakdown of the procedures they go through and why it makes them so effective (and also why they’re not kept on site full time). This write up also aims to address recurring criticisms that ERT units come off as "Mary Sue" characters. By grounding their capabilities with in universe surgical enhancements, psychological conditioning, and strategic deployment limitations, this explanation provides a more balanced, lore consistent framework for their effectiveness.
OVERVIEW
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) exists as the Foundation’s last line of containment enforcement, deployed in the event of high threat SCP breaches, multi hazard events, or complex anomalous scenarios wherein standard security forces are deemed insufficient. ERT operatives are selected not only for their elite combat proficiency but also for possessing above average psychological resistances or abnormal traits that make them uniquely suited to anomalous exposure, even prior to enhancement. In order to fulfill their role, they undergo a plethora of invasive biomedical and neurophysiological procedures. These augmentations provide targeted resistances and improved combat performance, often at the cost of social, emotional, or long term physiological function. The following is a detailed summary of standard ERT surgical enhancement protocols.
An auxiliary implant is installed at the base of the brainstem and is responsible for monitoring sudden spikes in dopamine and other neurochemicals associated with euphoria, attachment, and trust, commonly exploited by anomalous entities like [REDACTED] to establish influence or control. Upon detecting abnormal fluctuations, the implant triggers a mild, localized neural suppressor effect, temporarily dampening emotional receptivity and reinforcing logical processing centers.
Functional Effect:
This countermeasure disrupts the chemical basis of many SCP's persuasive abilities, which rely heavily on overwhelming the target with feelings of admiration, trust, awe and even negative emotions. By dulling these neurochemical responses in real time, the SCP’s attempts at psychological domination are significantly less effective.
Limitations:
The subject undergoes cranial surgery wherein an advanced neural implant is inserted into the prefrontal cortex and interfaced with the central nervous system. The device consists of processors and synaptic filter arrays designed to detect and scramble incoming cognitohazardous and memetic signals. This implant emits synchronized synaptic inhibitors to disrupt recognition pathways before cognitive engagement can occur.
Functional Benefits:
A neuro procedure in which the subject's blink reflex is reduced via partial rerouting of ocular motor nerves. Simultaneously, a transparent, biocompatible membrane is installed sub dermally over each eye, capable of lubricating the ocular surface via an auxiliary tear gland enhancement system.
Functional Benefits:
EAP (Electroactive Polymer) sheets are surgically installed parallel to major muscle groups, specifically the biceps, triceps, deltoids, and quadriceps. These sheets are secured with non absorbable sutures and interfaced with subdermal microimplants linked to a central neural controller located near the spinal motor root.
Functional Benefits:
A magnetically levitated micro pump is implanted between the 11th and 12th ribs, attached to the T11 vertebra. The device interfaces directly with the sympathetic nervous system and periodically releases a regulated mixture of synthetic adrenal compounds and neuromodulators, including a modified duloxetine derivative.
Functional Benefits:
A segment of the Achilles tendon is surgically excised and restructured for maximum tensile elasticity. Simultaneously, a targeted associated vector is introduced intramuscularly to suppress the patient’s natural production of myostatin, a protein that inhibits muscle growth.
Functional Benefits:
Complications and Considerations:
Due to the nature of their augmentations, ERT personnel require continuous specialized care and monitoring that cannot be consistently provided on most Foundation sites. This necessitates their housing in off site facilities specifically equipped to support their unique needs. As such, they are not to be kept on site around the clock and are to be deployed only when their presence is operationally justified.
Their deployment is a calculated risk and must be approved through appropriate command channels, with full awareness of the potential operational and interpersonal ramifications. The creation and maintenance of ERT units is an extremely expensive and hazardous process, further reinforcing their status as prized and highly respected assets of the Foundation.
I’ve seen a lot of people asking why ERT (Emergency Response Team) units seem immune to certain SCP effects during serious breaches or containment failures. Rather than just handwaving it as “they’re built different,” I decided to try and put together a full in universe explanation for their augmentations and surgical enhancements. This write up, If approved, will give a lore friendly breakdown of the procedures they go through and why it makes them so effective (and also why they’re not kept on site full time). This write up also aims to address recurring criticisms that ERT units come off as "Mary Sue" characters. By grounding their capabilities with in universe surgical enhancements, psychological conditioning, and strategic deployment limitations, this explanation provides a more balanced, lore consistent framework for their effectiveness.
OVERVIEW
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) exists as the Foundation’s last line of containment enforcement, deployed in the event of high threat SCP breaches, multi hazard events, or complex anomalous scenarios wherein standard security forces are deemed insufficient. ERT operatives are selected not only for their elite combat proficiency but also for possessing above average psychological resistances or abnormal traits that make them uniquely suited to anomalous exposure, even prior to enhancement. In order to fulfill their role, they undergo a plethora of invasive biomedical and neurophysiological procedures. These augmentations provide targeted resistances and improved combat performance, often at the cost of social, emotional, or long term physiological function. The following is a detailed summary of standard ERT surgical enhancement protocols.
1. NEUROCHEMICAL CASCADE INHIBITOR (NCI) IMPLANT
Procedure Description:An auxiliary implant is installed at the base of the brainstem and is responsible for monitoring sudden spikes in dopamine and other neurochemicals associated with euphoria, attachment, and trust, commonly exploited by anomalous entities like [REDACTED] to establish influence or control. Upon detecting abnormal fluctuations, the implant triggers a mild, localized neural suppressor effect, temporarily dampening emotional receptivity and reinforcing logical processing centers.
Functional Effect:
This countermeasure disrupts the chemical basis of many SCP's persuasive abilities, which rely heavily on overwhelming the target with feelings of admiration, trust, awe and even negative emotions. By dulling these neurochemical responses in real time, the SCP’s attempts at psychological domination are significantly less effective.
Limitations:
- The implant only dampens initial influence it does not protect against prolonged exposure or direct contact.
- May cause momentary dissociation or cold detachment in high stress environments.
2. NEURAL COGNITOHAZARD SCRUBBER INSTALLATION (NCSI)
Procedure Description:The subject undergoes cranial surgery wherein an advanced neural implant is inserted into the prefrontal cortex and interfaced with the central nervous system. The device consists of processors and synaptic filter arrays designed to detect and scramble incoming cognitohazardous and memetic signals. This implant emits synchronized synaptic inhibitors to disrupt recognition pathways before cognitive engagement can occur.
Functional Benefits:
- Provides substantial resistance to low and mid grade cognitohazards and memetic effects.
- Reduces susceptibility to SCPs such as [REDACTED] and [REDACTED], which rely on conceptual influence or visual recognition to propagate.
- Emotional response systems are significantly dampened as a result of persistent signal interference. Subjects exhibit delayed empathetic reactions, flat affect, and impaired social reasoning.
- Operatives with this implant are unsuitable for on site assignments involving human psychological care, negotiation, or interpersonal conflict resolution.
- Prolonged exposure to complex memetic environments may cause implant overcompensation and cognitive fatigue.
3. OPTICAL BLINK SUPPRESSION AND PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT (OBSPE)
Procedure Description:A neuro procedure in which the subject's blink reflex is reduced via partial rerouting of ocular motor nerves. Simultaneously, a transparent, biocompatible membrane is installed sub dermally over each eye, capable of lubricating the ocular surface via an auxiliary tear gland enhancement system.
Functional Benefits:
- Allows for continuous visual contact with SCPs requiring unbroken eye engagement.
- Greatly improves effectiveness in visual anomaly monitoring scenarios.
- Reduced blinking may cause long term eye muscle stiffness or dryness if artificial lubrication fails.
- Minor visual distortion may occur in extreme light conditions due to membrane warping or haze.
4. ELECTROACTIVE MUSCLE AUGMENTATION SYSTEM (EMAS)
Procedure Description:EAP (Electroactive Polymer) sheets are surgically installed parallel to major muscle groups, specifically the biceps, triceps, deltoids, and quadriceps. These sheets are secured with non absorbable sutures and interfaced with subdermal microimplants linked to a central neural controller located near the spinal motor root.
Functional Benefits:
- Increases muscle contraction efficiency and raw strength by up to 220% above baseline human capacity.
- Allows operatives to engage and overpower biologically enhanced threats.
- EAP overuse without rest periods may cause micro tearing or neural signal desynchronization.
- Periodic recalibration is mandatory to avoid asynchronous muscle firing and neuromuscular strain.
- Implant failure under duress may lead to immediate loss of motor control.
5. MK.2 MAGNETO ADRENAL ACCELERATION SYSTEM (MAAS)
Procedure Description:A magnetically levitated micro pump is implanted between the 11th and 12th ribs, attached to the T11 vertebra. The device interfaces directly with the sympathetic nervous system and periodically releases a regulated mixture of synthetic adrenal compounds and neuromodulators, including a modified duloxetine derivative.
Functional Benefits:
- Significantly boosts reaction time, agility, and short duration sprint velocity.
- Enhances cardiac output during combat engagements or rapid evacuation protocols.
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure may lead to long term cardiovascular strain.
- Risk of overexertion induced myocardial injury if system thresholds are exceeded.
- Pump failure or leakage could result in systemic neurochemical imbalance or toxic shock.
6. TENDON REFORMATION AND MYOSTATIN SUPPRESSION PROCEDURE (TRMSP)
Procedure Description:A segment of the Achilles tendon is surgically excised and restructured for maximum tensile elasticity. Simultaneously, a targeted associated vector is introduced intramuscularly to suppress the patient’s natural production of myostatin, a protein that inhibits muscle growth.
Functional Benefits:
- Enhances vertical leap capability and impact absorption during high speed maneuvers.
- Useful for rapid urban navigation, scaling, and tactical relocation.
Complications and Considerations:
- Myostatin suppression increases risk of unregulated muscle growth, requiring post operative hormone regulation.
- Improper tendon adaptation may result in rupture under sudden load or stress.
- Post operative swelling and inflammation are expected during adaptation period.
CONCLUSION
ERT operatives are a specialized asset, not intended for day to day Foundation operations. Their augmentations grant them significant advantages in anomalous combat and containment environments, making them invaluable during high threat incidents. However, these same modifications create profound physiological and psychological distinctions from standard personnel.Due to the nature of their augmentations, ERT personnel require continuous specialized care and monitoring that cannot be consistently provided on most Foundation sites. This necessitates their housing in off site facilities specifically equipped to support their unique needs. As such, they are not to be kept on site around the clock and are to be deployed only when their presence is operationally justified.
Their deployment is a calculated risk and must be approved through appropriate command channels, with full awareness of the potential operational and interpersonal ramifications. The creation and maintenance of ERT units is an extremely expensive and hazardous process, further reinforcing their status as prized and highly respected assets of the Foundation.
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