SEARCH: Escape From Scarba Island
Serialised Fiction | Science Fiction, Mystery & Thriller | Season One, Episode One
From: amasters@twf.org
To: legal@twf.org; directors@twf.org; hwells@twf.org; hr@twf.org
BCC: ewells@twf.org; jmcullach@twf.org
Subject: The McNair Incident Report: Initial Findings & Evidence [DRAFT]
Classification: Official-Internal-Classified
FAO Legal, Board of Directors & CEO
Please find attached the initial draft of my internal investigations report into Project 220904 (The Affectations Project) and the incidents as a result of The McNair incursion. For the final draft, this report will likely be titled The McNair Report, although I am reticent to do so; albeit the main party involved in the incidents related to the Affectations project, the fault does not lie with them alone.
I intended to present this initial report without further comment but I find some initial thinking needs be communicated here. Upon consultation with legal, full comment and analysis will be included in the final draft.
In this initial draft of the report, I have focussed on evidence gathering and presented such evidence to provide you with a detailed account of what happened without analysis or comment. Although, the evidence clearly indicates the causes, and consequences, of the breach, misconduct and data leak. It also indicates who is, ultimately, liable.
The evidence contains copies of e-mail correspondence (internal and external), internal security report logs, private messages from all parties involved, relevant audio recordings and transcripts of phone calls along with, where applicable, interviews conducted by internal and external parties. I have also, for context and where appropriate, included any outside commentary that has appeared in the news outlets.
My commentary and analysis will be reserved for our in-person briefing and final draft of the report. However, with my initial read on the evidence presented to you here are that not only where these events avoidable, but the organisation’s liability is clear. My initial advice, legal scrutiny and input not withstanding, is that we must wherever possible avoid these findings becoming public. I am aware of the data breach as a result of The McNair Incursion with the release of The Wells Files. Any analysis and internal investigations report will cement our liability and culpability for the material damage, casualties and fatalities related to Project 220904.
Further information leaking would compound our problems and threaten the future of this company. I am aware of the legal proceedings we already face along with the Government led public hearings that are all but confirmed. Where possible, out of courts settlements advised. Preference would also be to discuss with our contacts within HMG to gather whether the sensitive nature of this report, and evidence, could be protected under the Official Secrets Act.
I will not comment further. Please do not forward or share this report.
Kind regards,
Alanna Masters
Internal Investigations Manager.
Internal Investigations, Data Protection & Incursions Task Force
INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS REPORT: PROJECT 220904 [DRAFT]
Organisation: The Wells Foundation
Investigator: Alanna Masters
Incident: The McNair Incursion on Project 220904 [The Affectations]
Was the allegation or concern substantiated? Yes
Does the incident require further investigation and/or action? Yes
Will findings of published report have public/stakeholder interest? Yes
Is incident significant? Yes
Have Senior Management & Board of Directors been notified? Yes
Identify disciplinary actions taken: Suspension without pay and Termination
Describe correction action taken: Organisational Restructure, Public Admission of Liability & Policy Revision
Other known actions relative to incident: Multiple lawsuits filed against TWF, Government Led Public Hearings TBC
Investigation Summary:
The Wells Foundation notified its Office for Internal Investigations regarding the incidents related to Project 220904, involving internal and external parties. Due to the severity of the incidents, including significant damages and loss of life, TWF’s Office for Internal Investigations established the Data Breach & Incursions Task Force. As a result of the task force, this internal investigations reported was commissioned.
This initial draft of the report collates the evidence gathered. Final report to follow.
Appendix 1: News Report Extract
Extract from The Hebridean Gazette, January 8th 1976
ABANDONED SCOTTISH ISLANDS BOUGHT
It was today announced that a number of Scottish Islands, including Eilan Mor, Scarba, Handa, Inchkeith & St. Kilda, among others, have been acquired by new science and technology start-up, The Wells Foundation. In a statement released by the organisation, the move to purchase these islands comes as a result of their “dedication to the restoration and regeneration of Scotland”. According to their mission statement, The Wells Foundation was established to explore new science, create new technologies and develop new medicines for the future through research, development and education.
A spokesperson for The Wells Foundation said: “Digging into Scotland’s past to pave a way for the future is at the very heart of what the foundation has been set-up to do. Our mission is two-fold; to restore and to regenerate. Whilst we are looking to the future with our research and development for science and technology, we believe that we cannot move forward without looking back and understanding our past, understanding where we came from. As part of our move to focus on restoration, we have acquired these abandoned islands to study, explore, preserve and, where possible, restore.”
The islands have remained property of the National Trust of Scotland until today.
A spokesperson from the National Trust of Scotland issued a statement, which detailed the reasons why these abandoned islands were sold to a private company. “We are delighted to hand over ownership to Harold Wells and his foundation. Due to the generous offer provided, it allows the National Trust to maintain and reserve many of its other heritage sites. The promise and dedication of Harold Wells and his team to protect, conserve and maintain the islands which we at the National Trust are grateful for.”
[EXTRACT ENDS]
Appendix 2: E-mail Request Regarding Security at The Scarba Site
Date: 18th October 2021
From: mroot@twf.org
To: ewells@twf.org; jmccullach@twf.org
Subject: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
FAO Eleanor Wells,
As per our earlier call, please find this official request for additional security to be placed on the Scarba Site.
There have been a number of incidents with high-level subjects over the past few weeks. There has been a number of failed attempts at escape; thwarted due to the good work of the skeleton staff we have operating the site.
This has given grave cause for concern as to the security of the site. Our priority concern is ensuring the island remains secure. As Scarba remains a holding area for the successes (and failures) of our R&D projects, we would welcome a review of our security protocols, along with additional security, in order to ensure we continue to fulfil our role for TWF.
Kind regards,
Mark Root
Head of Security, The Scarba Site
From: ewells@twf.org
To: mroot@twf.org
CC: jmccullach@twf.org
Subject: Re: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
Mark,
Request approved. James, CC’d here, will visit the site. I will brief him.
I will refer again to our conversation earlier regarding the content of your e-mails. Please be aware of the information you include in written form and to the audience which you write. In particular, please refrain from divulging the details of our projects and sites outwith official reports, especially in an e-mail. The sensitivity of information and data surrounded our work is reserved for our secure server.
Thank you for the reminder regarding the purpose of the Scarba Site. As I’m sure you may already be aware, although it’s possible it was before your time, but utilising the Scarba Site as The Holding Area was an endeavour that was driven and supervised by myself. The importance of security of this site is not one that is taken lightly, nor one that I need reminded over.
James will be in touch.
Eleanor Wells
CEO, The Wells Foundation
From: jmccullach@twf.org
To: wells@twf.org; mroot@twf.org
Subject: Re: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
I’ll be on site in Scarba by this evening.
Mark, please have an incident report and security proposal to brief me upon arrival.
J
From: mroot@twf.org
To: jmccullach@twf.org; ewells@twf.org
Subject: Re: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
Will do boss. I’ll get to the “root” of the problem.
Are you in a position to bring supplies? The coffee on-site has grown stale.
M.Root
From: mroot@twf.org
To: jmccullach@twf.org; ewells@twf.org
Subject: Re: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
Apologies for the “root” joke. I’ve been on this island for too long.
M.Root
From: ewells@twf.org
To: mroot@twf.org
Subject: Re: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
Please remove me from this e-mail chain.
Eleanor Wells
CEO of The Wells Foundation
From: mroot@twf.org
To: jmccullach@twf.org;
Shit. Didn’t realise I had kept the big boss on that e-mail chain.
What about that coffee? And maybe some biscuits? Good M & S stuff if possible.
From: jmccullach@twf.org
To: mroot@twf.org
Subject: Re: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
No. Already on route. Ensure report is ready. Are you in a position to brief over the phone whilst on route?
J
From: jmccullach@twf.org
To: mroot@twf.org
Subject: Re: Request for Additional Security for Scarba Site
Mark. Please respond. I’ve tried to contact the site but no response.
J
From: jmccullach@twf.org
To: ewells@twf.org
Subject: IMPORTANT: POTENTIAL INCIDENT AT SCARBA SITE
Ellie,
Please be aware that I am now considering visit to Scarba as response to potential incident.
Have been unable to raise communications with staff on Scarba. Radio silence for 18 minutes. No report of technical fault with comms.
J
Appendix 3: Transcript of A Recording of A Telephone Conversation Between Between James McCullach & Mark Root, on 18th October 2021, 7.36pm
[SIRENS AUDIBLE IN BACKGROUND OF CALL]
McCullach: Mark? Are you there? Report. What is the status of the Scarba Site?
[NO RESPONSE. SIRENS CONTINUE TO WAIL]
McCullach: Mark are you there? Why has the alarm been raised? What is the status of the Scarba site?
Root: [Unintelligble]
McCullach: I’m approaching the dock of the site and can hear the alarms from here. Christ, Mark respond. What are we dealing with here? What am I walking into? REPORT.
Root: [coughs] It’s too late. Scarba Site down.
McCullach: Repeat.
Root: Scarba Site down. They’ve escaped. They’re out of their cells.
McCullach: Who?
Root: [UNINTELLIGBLE]
McCullach: Repeat.
[DIALLING TONE]
[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]
Appendix 4: Transcript of A Recording of A Telephone Conversation Between Between James McCullach & Eleanor Wells, on 18th October 2021, 8.48pm
Wells: Wells here.
[SIRENS BLARE IN BACKGROUND]
McCullach: Ellie. It’s me. Can you hear me?
Wells: Ah, James. I take it you have arrived on site OK. Did you give Root a kick up the arse from me?
McCullach: Can you hear me?
Wells: Is that—why has the alarm been raised?
McCullach: [SHOUTING AWAY FROM PHONE] Will someone silence that fucking alarm, it’s not much fucking good now is it?
Wells: James. What’s happened?
McCullach: I have an update report from The Scarba Site.
Wells: Well I didn’t think this was good news or a social call. Go ahead.
McCullach: The Scarba Site is not secure.
Wells: Is this a drill?
McCullach: Not a drill, Ellie.
Wells: What project?
McCullach: Project 220904. The Affectations.
Wells: I suppose I should have expected this call after Root’s e-mail. I understand these are the high-level subjects that have been a little difficult recently. What’s the severity of the situation to deem it unsecure?
[A SILENCE FOLLOWS THIS]
Wells: James McCullach don’t you dare go silent on me. Explain how the site is not secure? Why were the alarms raised?
McCullach: Root is dead. There has been a breakout at The Scarba Site. I’m afraid they’ve gone.
[A SILENCE FOLLOWS THIS]
Wells: Gone?
McCullach: Sorry Ellie. We were too late. I didn’t get here in time.
Wells: Mark should have raised his concerns earlier if it was this bad. Now he’s dead and The Scarba Site is not secure. Who is gone? All of them?
McCullach: Not all of them. No.
Wells: Which ones?
McCullach: I don’t want to make bad news worse.
Wells: You can’t make bad news better. Tell me.
McCullach: The Ghost and The Grail.
Wells: Like I even had to ask.
McCullach: We’ve got a search underway. [WINCES, SPEAKS AWAY FROM PHONE] Leave me. I’m fine.
Wells: You’re hurt?
McCullach: Just a bit. Their escape was a bit of an orchestra. They hadn’t left the island by the time I had arrived. I think it was by design. The Ghost wanted to leave a parting gift. I’m fine, Ellie.
Wells: Good.
McCullach: How do you want to proceed?
Wells: Continue with the search. But I don’t think this is as big a problem as we fear.
McCullach: You sound less worried than I expected. Why is this not a problem?
Wells: They’ve probably just gone out to stretch their legs a little bit.
McCullach: What makes you say that?
Wells: They’ve got nowhere else to go.
[TRANSCRIPT ENDS]
And so the search begins! Cliffhanger! Of course it ended in a cliffhanger. Those of you who are familiar with the podcast series of the same name, then there’s one thing that the story of SEARCH is known for, and that’s cliffhangers. Thank you for reading the first instalment or “episode” to my new series SEARCH. I’m really excited to be writing and serialising the story of SEARCH as a novel exclusively here on Substack. SEARCH is based off the eight-part mystery thriller of the same name I released in 2021. This is a novelisation of Season One, which itself concluded with a cliffhanger, which means, once Season One concludes here in its new format it will continue.
To find out more about SEARCH and the episode guide head here
The SEARCH story is underway! Or should I say. The SEARCH begins….again.
Thank you for subscribing to Toasted Fiction, for reading, sharing and telling whoever you think might be interested about it.
Hope you join me each week as the story of SEARCH unravels. I’m having fun rediscovering the series in this new format.
Such a great inventive structure used here! Looking forward to finding out more about what's happened...
I love the way you’ve structured this piece!