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SCP-8416 | uncontained | Item#: 8416 Level1 Secondary Class: thaumiel Disruption Class: dark Risk Class: notice link to memo Map of the moon’s Earth-facing hemisphere, with Emission Sites 1-4 and their corresponding SCP-8416-1 zones labeled in red, yellow, green, and blue respectively Special Containment Procedures: There are currently no sanctioned procedures intended to actively contain SCP-8416 or conceal its existence from the civilian populace, as doing so is considered infeasible and unnecessary, respectively. To date, no known individuals or organizations outside of the Foundation are capable of detecting SCP-8416, through technology or otherwise. If this exclusivity is threatened at any point in the future, the Veil Maintenance Department will be tasked with suppression and/or termination efforts as needed, with the optimal strategy to be determined on a case-by-case basis. To date, no such intervention has been required. All Foundation personnel of Level-1 Clearance or higher are to be given a standardized summary of SCP-8416’s nature and properties during their initial employment orientations, following the standard introductory overview regarding the existence of anomalies. Personnel with Level-0 Clearance are not to be informed of SCP-8416 or related phenomena in any capacity. Level-0 staff assigned to SCP-8416-1 sites are to be permitted to enter and exit said facilities at regularly scheduled intervals under the pretense of conventional employment within their respective occupation. Foundation personnel who’s employment is terminated under dishonorable circumstances are to have all knowledge relating to SCP-8416 erased through the requisite level of amnesthetization, with adverse complications from treatment regarded as a secondary concern. Description: SCP-8416 is an audiospacial frequency originating from the collective vibration of the away-facing hemisphere of Earth’s moon. The mechanism behind this vibration is not thoroughly understood, but it is theorized to represent an extreme manifestation of quantum superpositioning, catalyzed by the away-facing hemisphere's relative size and proximity to the population of Earth, coupled with its total lack of visibility to said population. This results in the instantaneous relocation of all affected particles between 2 adjacent points in space perpetually. Although precisely measuring the resulting waveform is technologically infeasible at this time, it has been determined to be of an unequivocally higher frequency than any other known sound, anomalous or otherwise, by several orders of magnitude. SCP-8416’s wavelength is estimated to be significantly less than a planck’s length. Because of this, SCP-8416 travels through the medium of physical reality itself, rendering it imperceptible to all conventional organisms and technology, and enabling its transmission through the vacuum of space. SCP-8416 is continuously generated and is subsequently focused and amplified within the moon through a currently unknown process, before being emitted in linear beams from 4 large craters on the the surface of the moon’s Earth-facing hemisphere, designated Emission Sites 1-4. Each crater serves as the exit point of 4 separate SCP-8416 emissions, resulting in a total of 16 beams, all of which are directed at the Earth during approximately 50% of each day-night cycle. SCP-8416-1 designates 16 circular portions of Earth’s surface that are each targeted by an SCP-8416 beam, individually designated SCP-8416-1A through SCP-8416-1P. SCP-8416-1 instances are invariably 1.24km in diameter, and are positioned at static and seemingly random terrestrial locations distributed across Earth’s entire surface area. SCP-8416 beams remain focused on their respective SCP-8416-1 zones for as long as they are in range1. Outside of these periods, SCP-8416 beams are directed into deep space with no discernable target. Despite experiencing consistent intervals when SCP-8416 is not present, SCP-8416-1 zones display their anomalous properties at all times. The exact nature of the causal connection between the two has not been definitively determined. Map of SCP-8416-1 zones, labeled in colors corresponding to their respective Emission Sites as outlined in the previous diagram. Locations, objects, and events observed by a sapient entity within the perimeter of an SCP-8416-1 zone cannot be recalled correctly upon exiting said perimeter. During this momentary transition period, all memories formed within the SCP-8416-1 zone are erased and replaced with a realistic fictional narrative that the brain then accepts as an accurate recollection. These false memories align with the amount of time spent within the SCP-8416-1 zone to a reasonable degree, and account for any alterations to one’s person that occurred during this period, such as changes in clothing or injuries. Multiple visits to a particular zone by a single individual result in false narratives that are logically consistent between occasions. When multiple individuals exit an SCP-8416-1 zone at the same approximate time and location, the resulting false memories align factually between all parties. Forms of documentation originating from within an SCP-8416-1 zone (written descriptions, videos, etc.) do not physically change upon crossing the perimeter. Nevertheless, they are perceived by individuals who subsequently view them as aligning with their respective fictional narrative, even when said individuals were not informed of this narrative prior to viewing. The same phenomenon affects any live transmissions originating from within an SCP-8416-1 zone, with perceived alterations to their content aligning with fabricated memories later implanted into any individual(s) involved with the transmission upon exiting said zone. Any entity or device that remotely observes an SCP-8416-1 zone from a position outside of its perimeter can accurately perceive the space within it until observation ceases, at which point an equivalent memory alteration event occurs. Likewise, both direct recordings and secondary transcriptions of said observation become perceptually inaccurate at this time. The cumulative result of these properties is a complete informational vacuum regarding the current or former contents and transpirations present in actuality within an SCP-8416-1 zone from any external perspective. Memories implanted through SCP-8416 exposure vary widely in subject matter and are often extremely elaborate, with their degree of complexity positively correlating with the length of continuous time spent within an SCP-8416-1 zone. General elements that are frequently present within narratives derived from SCP-8416 exposure include2: Traveling along artificial routes, such as roads and trails, when said routes were not actually encountered/present. Witnessing and/or interacting with natural landmarks possessing physical attributes distinct enough to be remembered in particular detail, when said landmarks were not actually encountered/present. Witnessing and/or interacting with Flora and Fauna endemic to the respective geographic location of the SCP-8416-1 zone, with potentially positive, negative, or neutral consequences, when said organisms were not actually encountered/present. Witnessing and/or interacting with fellow humans, typically individuals that are ethnically correlated to the respective SCP-8416-1 zone, with potentially positive, negative, or neutral consequences, when said humans were not actually encountered/present and may or may not correspond to real individuals. Witnessing and/or interacting with various objects/structures of apparently man-made origin, either currently or formerly in use, of a similar/identical design to existent man-made inventions and plausibly consistent with the respective SCP-8416-1 zone, when said objects/structures were not actually encountered/present. Experiencing various forms of miscellaneous phenomena, such as weather patterns and tectonic activity, that did not actually occur within the SCP-8416-1 zone during the time frame of immersion. Likewise, any locations, objects, organisms, individuals, or events encountered in actuality within an SCP-8416-1 zone are largely absent from their corresponding fictitious narrative, with the only commonalities being extremely general in nature, such as the environmental setting and time of day. This principle is only overridden when multiple sapient entities are concurrently present in close proximity to each other, as each entity recalls the presence of all other entities in a manner that is consistent across all parties. Memories created through SCP-8416 exposure invariably lack any elements that would conflict with the affected individual’s fundamental understanding of the universe, and are thus typically free of anomalous content. SCP-8416’s cognitive effects exhibit referential negation3, meaning prior knowledge of SCP-8416’s existence and general description provides immunity to its influence. The informational components necessary to acquire this immunity are divided into 5 basic categories: Knowledge of SCP-8416’s origin, that being the away-facing hemisphere, or “dark side”, of Earth’s moon. Knowledge of SCP-8416’s physical nature and composition, that being a high-energy sound wave. Details regarding SCP-8416’s subspacial resonance properties are not required. Rather, one only has to know that SCP-8416 is a sound of some kind, and that it is higher in both amplitude and frequency than typical sounds. Understanding this information through layman's terms, such as “loud” and “high-pitched”, is also effective. Knowledge of SCP-8416’s pattern of emission, that being a continuous and unwavering tone. Retaining the impression that SCP-8416 emission is brief, temporary, or variably staggered in any way prevents the development of immunity, as does presuming that it ceased at some point in the past or will begin at some point in the future. Knowledge of SCP-8416's primary target, that being the planet Earth. Knowledge of more specific geographical locations is unnecessary, as is knowledge of the exact proportion of time that SCP-8416 beams are directed at Earth. Understanding that the preceding information is categorically true in reality. No further details are required. Misconceptions regarding any further aspects of SCP-8416 do not impact immunity. Individuals who possess this knowledge are able to enter and exit SCP-8416-1 zones without experiencing anomalous memory alterations, and thus can accurately recall contents and experiences therein with a typical level of detail and precision. Addendum 8416.1: 04/21/1962: Discovery SCP-8416 was first detected through an experimental Subspace Resonance Detector (SRD) developed as part of the Foundation’s Worldwide Anomalous Monitoring Initiative (FWAMI)4. Once perfected, the SRD was able to identify and locate all 16 SCP-8416-1 zones, though their anomalous psychological properties remained unknown. On-site investigation of all SCP-8416-1 zones was subsequently conducted by Research Associate Dr. Carter Rattigan. The effects of SCP-8416 exposure were assessed through D-Class trials wherein subjects were instructed to enter and explore SCP-8416-1 zones for varying lengths of time. Subjects were not informed of the purpose of these experiments or the nature of their assigned locations. Upon the conclusion of these initial experiments, no physical or psychological aberrations were found in participating subjects. Thus, researchers were authorized to conduct expeditions into SCP-8416-1 zones directly, under the condition that D-Class personnel accompany each foray for the purpose of exploring any potentially hazardous areas. Knowledge of SCP-8416 remained undisclosed to participating subjects during these operations, leading to the incidental discovery of SCP-8416’s anomalous cognitive effects, as the recollections of returning researchers contradicted those of returning D-Class personnel. Finer nuances of SCP-8416-1’s properties were subsequently determined through trial and error. Addendum 8416.2: 10/09/1962: Preliminary Documentation Aside from the presence of SCP-8416, SCP-8416-1 zones exhibit no inherent anomalous features, and are visually indistinct from the areas surrounding them. The following is a general summary of each SCP-8416-1 location and the contents therein. Information was compiled by Dr. Rattigan during SCP-8416’s initial research phase: + Access Description Logs - Access Description Logs Designation Geographic Coordinates Location Description 8416-1A 44.5015, -110.3755 Temperate deciduous forest within the western portion of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. 8416-1B 20.6804, -102.1591 Mountainous region positioned along the northern side of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Mexico. 8416-1C 60.3522, -101.5865 Mixed boreal forest within southern Nunavut, Canada. 8416-1D -37.5391, -66.7818 Flat steppe environment within the Patagonian Desert, Argentina. 8416-1E 2.1598, -55.3560 Tropical rainforest within northern Brazil. Partially intersects with the Tapajós river along the southeast segment of its perimeter5. 8416-1F 70.5712, -31.4497 Polar desert located on the eastern portion of the Greenland Ice Sheet. 8416-1G 14.9938, -5.0826 Hamada portion of the Sahara Desert within southern Mali. 8416-1H 47.5516, 23.9214 Temperate woodland within northeast Romania. 8416-1I -11.1284, 31.1282 Tropical savanna within Zambia’s northern province. 8416-1J 34.2766, 47.3879 Rocky plateau adjacent to the eastern border of the Zagros Mountains, Iran. 8416-1K -68.5841, 80.4147 Polar desert located near the edge of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. 8416-1L 54.7956, 70.2929 Temperate grassland within northern Kazakhstan 8416-1M 33.9056, 88.3006 Alpine tundra situated upon a moderately elevated portion of the Tibetan Plateau. 8416-1N 13.5377, 104.6482 Tropical lowland forest within central Cambodia. 8416-1O -29.1152, 121.8748 Arid shrubland within the western portion of the Australian Outback. 8416-1P 64.0331, 167.0506 Dense boreal forest within eastern Siberia. Addendum 8416.3: 09/16/1967: O5-Proposal 8416 The following proposal was submitted to the O5 Council by Head Researcher Dr. Rattigan following the completion of initial study into SCP-8416 and SCP-8416-1 locations: + Access Proposal Transcript - Exit Proposal Transcript Esteemed members of the Council, I have been assigned to the Subspace Resonance Division of FWAMI since its inception nearly eight years ago. Our research was originally conducted for the purpose of remote anomaly detection. However, it has instead resulted in an incidental discovery with far more practical potential than we could have ever imagined. As you are surely aware, conventional global powers have continued to advance technologically and grow increasingly interconnected in recent years, making the fulfillment of the Foundation’s mission while avoiding exposure to the general public exponentially more challenging. This dilemma poses a significant risk to the Foundation as it currently operates, and was the primary catalyst for the FWAMI’s initial inception. However, we believe that our discovery could not only significantly reduce this risk, but would all but negate the need for long-range remote observation entirely. Due to a subspace phenomenon detected by our prototype SRD, sixteen separate locations with novel paraphysical properties have been identified. All terrestrial, all uninhabited, all across the world. Our compiled research logs, attached below6, extensively detail the properties of these locations. Based on these findings, we have concluded that utilizing these zones for continuous Foundation operations would pose little to no risk for involved parties, would be highly advantageous in the task of maintaining international security, and could even prove to be instrumental in our undertaking of clandestine endeavors going forward. Thus, we encourage the consideration of all sixteen locations relating to this anomaly (Currently under Provisional Designation 8416) for use in future Foundation operations. Respectfully, Dr. Carter Rattigan UPDATE: O-5 referendum ruled in favor of Dr. Rattigan’s proposal7. PD: Project-8416 has been approved as of 10/17/1967. Addendum 8416.4: 01/12/1968: Project Black Moon Directed by Chief Research Coordinator Dr. Rattigan, Project Black Moon (PBM) was an international construction and dissemination project primarily centered around SCP-8416 and its associated phenomena. PBM’s directives were divided into 2 central categories: Establishment of secure Foundation sites within SCP-8416-1 zones, initially consisting of strategic operative and temporary containment infrastructure, before eventually expanding to include research, long-term containment, and administrative residence facilities. Due to the efficacy of their self-concealing properties, SCP-8416-1 sites have become the primary locations for all substantial Foundation operations. Universal disclosure of knowledge regarding SCP-8416 among all Foundation staff of Level-1 Clearance or above for the purpose of referential negation. This knowledge has been gradually streamlined into a vague yet concise declarative statement providing the minimum amount of information necessary to develop immunity to SCP-8416: “The black moon howls ceaselessly upon us”. This phrase is uttered repeatedly over the course of a standard Foundation orientation seminar, translated into the corresponding language thereof, and is used in reference to both those present in the immediate vicinity, the Foundation as a whole, and humanity as a whole, and is typically accompanied by at least 1 simplistic but intuitively understandable illustration. This practice improves the ease in which personnel can coordinate and travel between SCP-8416-1 sites, which will almost certainly be required at some point in their career. Likewise, the concealment of this information from Level-0 personnel enables the employment of necessary maintenance and janitorial staff within SCP-8416-1 sites without the risk of a security breach. Said staff’s false memories of their employment are internally consistent and largely aligned with their respective occupations, with the only substantial deviations from reality concerning the type of facility they work in, which is invariably recalled as mundane and free of anomalous phenomena. Incidentally, the dissemination of this information among all and only authorized Foundation staff has resulted in the popularization of an informal social custom among English-speaking personnel, particularly undercover field operatives, used to assess a given individual’s affiliation with the Foundation in a swift and discreet manner. The practice consists of asking the individual in question “Does the black moon howl?”. Subjects that are in fact members of the Foundation will reply with either “Ceaselessly upon us” or the acronym thereof: “Cuu”8, depending on the level of discretion necessitated by their current circumstances. The abbreviated response is distinct enough to recognize but simple and brief enough to be obscured by additional statements and sounds, such as sneezing. Although this technique has reportedly been helpful in numerous improvisatory situations, it is far from infallible, and is thus not an officially recognized procedure. Personnel are advised to employ formal Foundation identification methods, such as clearance-codes and retinal scans, whenever possible. PBM operated from 1968-1975, at which point its objectives were deemed comprehensively successful, and it was thus reclassified as concluded. However, procedures required to maintain the achievements of PBM have been codified as standard practice within the Foundation, and to date continue in perpetuity. Addendum 8416.5: 03/03/2007: Incident Report On 03/03/2007, at 12:21 Australian Western Standard Time, EDICT9 Dr. Rattigan entered SCP-8416-1O, now designated PrimeSite-O, through the gate positioned along its eastern quadrant. Upon crossing the perimeter of the zone, Dr. Rattigan immediately disappeared and/or ceased being visible from his location. The vehicle in which he was traveling continued to operate without guidance until halted within a nearby ditch. This event was corroborated by both security camera footage and multiple direct witnesses. Said witnesses, one of whom was Site Director Dr. Andrew Folkes, had planned to convene with Dr. Rattigan at the border and accompany him to O-Res10. A site-wide investigation was subsequently initiated, but to date is designated inconclusive due to a complete lack of evidence discovered regarding the nature of this event or the current status of Dr. Rattigan. On account of this, the case has been elevated to a Foundation-wide endeavor. All personnel of Level-1 Clearance or higher who believe they can possibly provide insight into this incident are strongly encouraged to contact PrimeSite-O’s Office of Internal Affairs11. To this end, a synopsis of all currently known information deemed to be potentially pertinent is provided below: Dr. Rattigan’s career had directly involved SCP-8416 and SCP-8416-1 zones for approximately 45 years preceding his disappearance (1962-2007). During this time frame, Dr. Rattigan had been pivotal in the initial research of SCP-8416 and related phenomena, as well as the development and execution of Project Black Moon. Dr. Rattigan had visited SCP-8416-1O on 15 prior occasions, and had conducted a greater number of visitations to each of the other SCP-8416-1 zones, all without incident. No other instances of individuals disappearing while crossing an SCP-8416-1 perimeter, with or without referential negation, are known. The moon was in a waning gibbous phase at the time of the incident. The moon was not visible from SCP-8416-1O at the time of the incident. On the occasion of his disappearance, Dr. Rattigan had traveled to SCP-8416-1O for the purposes of officially announcing his retirement, attending a social function celebrating his distinguished career, and appointing Dr. Folkes to the position of EDICT in his stead. Due to the indeterminate nature of this event and the currently ongoing investigation thereof, all nonessential travel into or out of SCP-8416-1 zones has been suspended until further notice. Contact your direct supervisor for more information. _ SOMEONE PLEASE READ THISSOMEONE PLEASE REMEMBER THIS ENTRIES FROM THE PERSONAL JOURNAL OF DR. CARTER RATTIGAN Upload Time: 03/05/2007, 19:54 AWST Files Attached: 9 _ - WIP#2- 03/03/2007 Well, I’m finally here. The trip was long, but it went about as smoothly as I could have expected. I slept through most of the flight, so I felt comfortable starting the driving leg shortly after landing. Although I managed to outpace the sun for a few hours, I still got caught in the sweltering late-morning heat toward the end of the journey. The Foundation rental’s crappy AC couldn’t keep up, so I was awfully sweaty by the time I arrived, but otherwise no worse for wear. Andrew had offered to meet me in person at the entrance, which was quite considerate of him given his busy schedule. Perhaps he wanted some words of encouragement before the torch is officially passed. Feeling some trepidation is understandable, big shoes and whatnot, but he has nothing to worry about in my opinion. His suitability for the role of EDICT has been clear to me for over a decade now, ever since he helped resolve the Great Barrier Trench fiasco. I literally wrote the book on RN-P constructs, and even I couldn’t figure it out. I’d probably still be rerouting cargo the long way if it weren’t for him. I truly couldn’t be any more confident in someone’s aptitude for this position. He was parked just inside the gate, along with some assistants. It's funny, knowing what the perimeter fences represent, I always expect some sort of… I don’t know, something, when I pass through them. A feeling, a sense, anything at all to indicate its significance. There never is, of course, given the limitations of human perception, but no matter how many times I cross, there’s still a part of me that always expects it, and I think today I was finally right. It was only a moment, gone before I even had time to think. I saw Andrew and the others, and heard my tires rolling across the course dirt road. Then I saw two Andrews, two of everyone in his cohort, two gates, two everything. The sound of the tires crescendoed into an ear-piercing screech similar to microphone feedback; I’m still unsure whether it was an audible malfunction of my hearing aids or entirely mental in nature. I felt the strongest sense of vertigo I’ve ever had, like when you abruptly wake up after falling in a dream. Then, all at once, it passed, and everything was normal again. I don’t think the back of my car had even passed the threshold yet. I still felt a bit shaken as I got out to greet Andrew and his associates. I think they must have noticed, but they didn’t say anything. Maybe they chalked it up to the more sentimental aspects of these circumstances, to me preparing to secede from what has been my life’s work, to knowingly entering a -1 zone for what will probably be the last time. That’s what I chalked it up to, anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be doing this —I’ve been overdue for retirement and some well-deserved relaxation, and I’m confident in the legacy I’ll be leaving behind—, but it’s still turning out to be a surreal experience. Even now, long after I’ve settled in here, I just can’t shake the feeling that something is… off. Andrew and his convoy led me to 1O-Res and gave me a brief tour of the building. From what I’ve seen so far, everything is going according to plan. The staff have really outdone themselves with the ceremony preparations. They showed me the auditorium where I’ll give my speech, the banquet hall where a buffet is already being prepared, and lastly my personal accommodations. It’s little more than a bed, desk, and bathroom, but it's more than sufficient to me, as I don’t plan on spending much time cooped up in here anyway, what with all the festivities. Andrew seemed to grow distracted toward the end of the tour. His commentary on the last few locations sounded as though they were far more abbreviated than he had originally planned. His statements were short and curt, and he kept having to leave the room to take calls. I could tell he was growing worried by the end of it. Though my curiosity was piqued, I didn’t feel it would be appropriate to pry. He wants to show me he can handle things on his own, and I want to show him that I have no doubt. I’m sure he’ll let me into the loop sooner or later. For now, I have a speech to rehearse. _ - WIP#3- 03/04/2007 Something is wrong. I don’t know what exactly, but it’s definitely something. I’ve felt it ever since I arrived, pervasive but indescribable. At first I assumed it was just me, an internal reflection of my emotional state, but the signs have since become undeniable. Something is objectively, palpably wrong, and I think others have realized it too. all of -1O’s external communication channels went offline yesterday. Andrew and his staff have been scrambling to fix it ever since, but so far they’ve made no headway. There are no signs of a technical malfunction on our end, just a complete lack of incoming signals. It’s not just the Foundation networks either. Civilian wifi, cell phone signals, even HAM radio, they’re all dead. We can still send transmissions, but with no receiver activity detected, it’s impossible to tell if they’re getting through to anyone. I only recently learned all of this, Andrew called not long ago to fill me in. I’m thankful that the intrasite comms are still functional, or else I’d probably still be in the dark. I don’t think he has time for an in-person visit right now. From how he sounded, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was up all night with the comm technicians trying to fix the issue. He stayed calm and professional as he explained, but his voice betrayed his concern, frayed by exhaustion in a manner I am all too familiar with. He finished by stating that tonight’s festivities have been officially postponed until this issue is sorted out, and that he will be announcing a sitewide extrazonal lockdown in the near future, so I’ll have to stay on site grounds for the time being. He actually apologized to me for the inconvenience. Poor guy, an excellent leader, but considerate to a fault sometimes. Two sides of a coin, I suppose. I offered to help in any way I can, but he shut that idea down immediately. I heard a commotion of some kind in the background, and a few pieces clicked in my head. I asked him what time the comms went down, what exact time, but he wouldn’t say. He told me not to worry, but suggested I stay in my quarters and keep to myself for the time being. Then he hung up. In all honesty, I feel somewhat indignant over being relegated to such an idle position. I suspect that he omitted significant aspects of the current situation; malfunctioning comms alone wouldn’t necessitate the imposition of a universal and indefinite lockdown protocol. I don’t know what exactly is happening, but I’m sure it’s somehow worse than he’s letting on. It makes sense to keep things under wraps until he fully understands the situation, so as not to cause panic among the general staff, but I would think our close affiliation would warrant some exemption from such measures. In any case, I have decided to respect his wishes, as forcefully interjecting myself would only illustrate that I don’t trust his judgment, and what would that say about my endorsement of him as my successor? No, I’ll heed his advice and stay put, at least for tonight. Maybe we’ll both be able to see things more clearly after a good night’s sleep. _ - WIP#4- 03/05/2007 The sun never rose this morning. It got to the point when the first dull gray light creeps over the skyline, then it just stopped. The moon paused too, around the same time, stuck at its highest point in the sky. I strongly suspect that the rest of the earth outside of PrimeSite-O is also temporally frozen, but it's hard to tell since we’re surrounded by nothing but empty desert. Fortunately our clocks still work, so I can at least tell what time it’s supposed to be. For the sake of simplicity, as well as preserving at least some of my sanity, I’m going to continue logging these entries into my touchpad under the progressive dating format. For all intents and purposes, today is March 5th, and “tomorrow” will be March 6th. It may be wrong, but it’s what I’m used to, and at this point I need all the comfort I can get. Writing feels like my only reprieve from the now-undeniable severity of what is unfolding across the site. I awoke around 6am, not long after the freeze from what I can tell. I groggily struggled to get my bearings amid the sound of rapid footsteps emanating across the -Res building and shouting from outside —Evidently, most of the staff had beaten me to the realization—, along with another sound beneath it all, the source of which I couldn’t place. A constant, faint, high-pitched ringing. It continues even now, omnipresent and unwavering. Not wishing to ponder the implications of this, I turned down the volume on my hearing aids, and to my relief it dampened accordingly. As such, I figured that it was just a technological glitch, like the feedback when I entered the zone, or the comms blackout. At least, that’s what I hoped it was. With Andrew’s advice still in mind, I stayed in my quarters at first, trying my best to ascertain the situation from the vantage point of my window. I saw a jumble of personnel running, driving, carrying various objects. Their movements portrayed a confused and frantic energy, but they were too far to make out any finer details or discern any context. Moreover, the window was growing foggy, further obfuscating the scene. I tried calling Andrew’s mobile comm, but there was no response, and that was my tipping point. I had to go out there. Between the darkness and overall mayhem, it was easy to keep a low profile once I left the building. Following the primary current of personnel, I reached the epicenter of the commotion: the Eastern perimeter gate, the same one I entered just a few days ago. The gate was not only open, but missing its doors entirely. Large portions of the adjacent fencing had also been demolished. Scientific equipment of just about every variety was being set up along the edge of the zone: sonar, radar, Kant Counters, Remote SRDs, and many more esoteric ones I couldn’t name on sight. Occasionally, I’d see people throwing objects over the border, mostly just rocks they picked up off the ground, though I saw one fellow shooting a firearm erratically into the surrounding darkness before being restrained. I didn’t understand why, as I saw nothing but the empty desert beyond the perimeter. Then it hit me: I saw nothing, including the objects being thrown. None of the rocks launched across the divide hit the ground on the other side. It was hard to tell exactly what happened to them in the poor lighting, but it was clearly something anomalous. With this realization, my stress level finally felt synchronized with the surrounding atmosphere. It was then that I was able to make out Andrew’s face among the turbulent crowd. Even in the moonlight, I could tell he was abnormally pale. He wore his quintessential stone-faced expression, the one I’ve seen him don during many previous crises. Upon seeing me, he nervously took me aside, asking why I left my quarters. He said I should have called him first, and when I told him I had, several times in fact, he took out his comm unit and sighed. His next words bored a pit of anxiety into my stomach: “Sorry, guess I couldn’t hear it over the ringing”. He casually pointed to one ear as he said it, as if he had long since moved past that particular phenomenon. I, on the other hand, had still been clinging to the formerly unfalsifiable notion that it was the result of my hearing aids malfunctioning. With the passive admission that he could hear it too, my grip on that comforting assumption was severed, and my mind felt momentarily adrift. His subsequent statements felt distant and surreal, as he proceeded to explain the current state of affairs. Apparently, in the hours following the start of the communication blackout, several employees of Level-0 Clearance (mostly janitorial) left the site at the end of their shifts as they normally would, but both they and their vehicles vanished from visible existence immediately upon crossing the perimeter. Security cameras recorded these events, but in a blunder of bureaucratic oversight, they weren’t brought to Andrew’s attention until several hours later, after almost every Level-0 shift had concluded. He tried to restrict knowledge of this development to a need-to-know basis, so as not to cause alarm, as well as to allow himself the small possibility of rescuing them. He failed on both accounts, as he made no headway in determining their fate, and the recent time freeze revealed our anomalous circumstances to everyone, which quickly led to the other peculiar phenomena coming out of the bag as well. Although he was largely professional and matter-of-fact during this explanation, it was clear from slight falters in his tone that the disappearances weighed heavily on him. I tried to offer reassurances, hindsight is 20/20, anomalies are unpredictable by definition, but I knew they wouldn’t get through to him. I’ve offered the same impotent platitudes to myself on many occasions. They don’t work, yet you can’t help but try. You hold out hope that the rationality of these statements will somehow cut through the impermeable guilt you feel, but it never does. I’m sure we’re both used to the cycle by now. To his credit, the uncertainty he felt was revealed only to me. Once he got a hold of a megaphone and connected to the sitewide intercoms, he resumed the pretense of poise and authority necessary to manage the growing hysteria. He delegated the tasks of performing routine containment and maintenance procedures, which obviously cannot be neglected despite the circumstances. He laid out a system of food rationing, and instructed personnel to deep-freeze whatever perishables are present on site (including the buffet, not that that matters anymore). He divided the remaining staff into four encampments, each assigned to one quadrant of the perimeter, and gave instructions for a more methodical study of its properties, with he himself overseeing activities on the Eastern face. I worked alongside him for the next several hours, mainly taking baseline readings with the Remote SRD, while he and the rest of his cohort tried more conventional mediums of detection. Unfortunately, these endeavors were fruitless; none of our measurements differed from those obtained during the zone’s initial study. With each informational dead end, the sense of unease within our group rose palpably. There was an elephant in the room, and I could tell from the looks I got from his assistants that it was me. Who can blame them? They surely know all of this started when I arrived, that somehow this is my fault. Even I can’t deny the correlation, and it’s pretty much the only clue we have as to why this could be happening. Though the tension was increasingly evident, likely exacerbated by fraying nerves and the constant ubiquitous ringing, no one dared to acknowledge it explicitly, at least not in Andrew’s presence. I got the sense that they had broached this topic with him before, and that it had been unequivocally shut down. After all, there is only one solution that can be drawn from this line of thought, one that he understandably doesn’t want to resort to, at least not yet. Though I appreciated his consideration for my well-being, I felt the weight of responsibility in the staff’s expectant gazes, and I knew I couldn’t justify upholding my safety at their expense. I realized what I had to do. As the staff prepared to send a drone across the border, I took a moment to internally process the situation, coming to terms with the potentially imminent conclusion of my existence as best as one possibly can. Once ready, I cleared my throat, becoming the locus of their collective attention. No explanation was necessary, as context rendered my intentions recognizable to all. Andrew started to speak, no doubt formulating persuasions to the contrary, but I cut his attempt short, assuring him that it was okay, that this was for the best. I thanked everyone for their hospitality, told them it had been a pleasure working with them, and walked backward toward the perimeter. Composed as I was, I was of course still terrified of the prospect of what awaited me beyond, and I wanted my final view to be of those I would hopefully save with my sacrifice, with my eyes focussing on Andrew in particular. However, whatever heroic comforts ran through my mind in those moments were abruptly halted, as my back hit a solid, impenetrable barrier at the point of my expected transition. The crowd’s immediate disappointment was obvious, as I foolishly pressed myself harder against the invisible wall. While this definitively proved that I was personally linked to our anomalous circumstances, the discovery brought little comfort, as the solution that everyone had, implicitly or not, placed their hopes in was clearly inviable. Back to square one, they solemnly returned their efforts to the drone. While the remote feedback system was being calibrated, Andrew ushered me away from the others and discreetly handed me his personal Level-4 Clearance keycard. He said I should stay in his private quarters until further notice, that he’d keep in touch through his comms and inform me of any new developments that arise out here. I was reluctant to accept this for several reasons, not the least of which is that card-sharing is strictly against protocol, but he pointed out the extenuating nature of these circumstances (an undeniable truth to which I had no rebuttal), and assured me that he can just input his keycode manually to bypass any restrictions. I was going to protest further, indicating my desire to assist in resolving our shared predicament, but he seemed to anticipate this. He explained that his room has a L4-locked computer interface, through which I would have unrestricted access to the Foundation Research Database, so I should try combing through the 8416 files for information that could shed light on our dilemma. He said I have a more thorough understanding of this anomaly than anyone else, so if anyone can figure something out, it’s me. I’m sure this praise was strategic to some extent, intended to ease my mind as I was once again pushed to the sidelines, but he did have a point. My physical presence at the border was apparently useless, so perhaps my efforts would be better spent studying this phenomenon in a remote capacity. So that’s where I am now, sitting at the desk in Andrew’s private office. This place is nicer than my former accommodations, but not extravagantly so. There’s a bathroom, a microwave, a minifridge with enough frozen food to last at least a few days, and a queen-size bed, not that I’ll be using the latter; I am a guest, afterall. I’ll sleep on the couch, that is, if I even sleep in the first place. So far the ringing has kept me wide awake. It seems to be getting progressively louder, though that could just be an illusory perception on my part. Turning down my hearing aids helps, at least for a bit, but I’m trying to do so sparingly. I don’t want to miss a call from Andrew, or some other important sound. As promised, I can view every archived document relating to 8416 through his desktop computer, all the way back to the 60’s. Many are of my own making, but it’ll still pay to refresh my memory. There’s also a bookshelf containing every scholarly publication I’ve ever authored, chronologically organized, neatly positioned, and in fresh condition. Encountering them so unexpectedly, the cumulative product of my lifelong career in memetic research, is as surreal as it is flattering, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised given our longstanding rapport. I’ll be sure to incorporate them into my research as well, at least the earlier ones that primarily cover 8416. Putting my thoughts down in this journal has helped me process the day’s events, but it’s time I stop procrastinating. I intend to dedicate all of my further time and energy to studying this matter. I won’t stop until I’ve discovered a solution. The answer must be hidden somewhere in the prior data, I just have to find it. _ - WIP#5- 03/06/2007 There must be something, right? I’ve found myself muttering that phrase on a loop for the last several hours as I repeatedly comb through the research archives, as if this desperate mantra could somehow bring the truth of the statement into existence, but it’s no use. The deeper I dig, the clearer the futility of my efforts become. There are no documented cases of macroscopic temporal or spatial distortions relating to 8416. There’s plenty of information about its sub-planck warping properties, of course. We have a decent grasp of that thanks to the SRD. But that’s the thing, ordinary devices can’t detect 8416 because they are made of the very fabric of reality that it distorts. But something has changed, and now we can detect its influence. I can see the static night sky, held in place by the moon's pivotal beam for days on end. I can observe how anything that escapes its clutches is enveloped by total nothingness. I can hear its incessant goddamn ringing, foiling any attempt to sleep no matter how exhausted I get. The only definitive conclusion I can draw is that we no longer exist within standard macrospace. We’ve been marooned inside a planck-second, wedged into a crevice between units of existence. It brought us here, to its domain, the unseen, the unknown. We’re operating under its rules now, and I have no idea how to break free of them. I haven’t seen Andrew in person since he directed me to stay here, but from what he’s said over his last few calls, things on his end are growing just as dire. He’s tried everything he can think of to understand the border phenomenon: drones (both land and air, RC and autonomous), analog measuring tools fastened to ropes to drag them back inside, all types of lab animals available in the research wing. The result is always the same; once they cross, they’re gone for good. He’s also tried positioning objects (all mentioned above) directly on the perimeter threshold, and the results, suffice to say, were about as disastrous as you could expect. Essentially, they’ve gained no information whatsoever about what lies outside the zone or the nature of this phenomenon. He even said that, at this point, he can’t be sure whether the surrounding desert and sky, as they appear from within, are actually present. So far, he’s been somewhat successful in maintaining a tone of confidence and conviction while giving these updates, but the cracks started to show during his most recent contact, an involuntary quiver of fear infiltrating his speech. He’s out of ideas, and I fear that I am too Fueled by our mutual lack of success, an omnipresent atmosphere of looming hopelessness has descended upon me over the course of the past several hours, searing further into my thoughts with each fruitless file I read, and yet I can’t bring myself to stop. I feel like, if I lose this momentum, I’ll be left with nothing. Just me and that despicable moon, with its merciless goddamn ringing. Taxing as it is to endure, I refuse to let it consume me. I swear to whatever being could possibly hear me over this wretched howl, I won’t stop until I’ve vanquished its creator. I will break it before it breaks me. I will bring silence. I wouldn’t even be writing this if that fucking fog hadn’t stalled my investigation. It hit the windows first, making it gradually harder to see what’s going on outside. Certainly unusual for the Australian outback, but it seemed trivial at the time compared to everything else going on. I began to grow concerned, however, when it started appearing on the bathroom mirror. I hadn’t used the shower or anything, I barely left the archives long enough for a necessary piss break. I rubbed my finger along its surface, but it didn’t wipe off like you’d expect. It couldn’t be on the other side, as the mirror is directly affixed to the wall, and of course it wouldn’t be visible from my side regardless. That left only one possibility: it must be forming inside the glass itself. It was then, perfectly timed as though to accentuate the gravity of this conclusion, that I noticed it forming on the computer. Given the preceding pattern of the windows and mirror, it was clear that the screen would continue to increase in opacity until it was rendered essentially inoperable, a realization that, in that moment, nearly crushed my will entirely. I’d still be able to read through my printed publications, of course, but doing so has thus far been equally ineffective, and the amount of available data therein is exponentially limited in comparison to the entire digital database. I know this is irrational, probably the sleep deprivation talking, but it feels like an attack directed at me personally. As if the moon’s continued capacity to allude my understanding wasn’t satisfactory enough, it had to add insult to injury and thwart my primary means of even trying to learn about it. One last ‘fuck you!’ to cap off a day of uninterrupted failure. Of course, I’ve since learned that the phenomenon isn’t exclusive to me. According to Andrew’s last update, it’s affecting all glass on-site, disabling almost every security camera and computer terminal. Only a few devices have been spared; apparently, the latest Foundation-issued models are made with some kind of transparent plastic instead of glass, but -O has been slow to phase in the updated tech. He’s trying his best to allocate them for maintaining essential operations, but for the most part we’ve gone completely dark. In perhaps my only stroke of good fortune today, it seems the mobile touchpad I use to log these journal entries is one of the new, unaffected models. I tried transferring as many files from the archive as I could onto it before the terminal’s screen was completely obfuscated, but I was informed that my ‘external device is not authorized to download’ anything but the fully unrestricted, Standard-Clearance precursory description files. However, there was an adjacent printer that was authorized, so in a final, desperate gambit, I decided to print as many documents as I could, first using up all the blank printer paper, then finding already-printed pages around Andrew’s office and reprinting over them. I didn’t have time to debate which files to prioritize, but I think I ended up with a relatively even mix of documents that I’d read and thought potentially useful and new documents that looked promising based on their titles alone. I’m writing this while the printer is catching up on the last few files I selected. The screen’s all white now, so this will be it, just me and this mess of papers. SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT I’m such an idiot!!!! I was so frantic in trying to outpace the fog, I didn’t bother to connect or organize the pages after they emerged. I just knocked the whole goddamn pile off the table. They’re everywhere now, fucking everywhere, blanketing the entire fucking floor. IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! _ - WIP#6- 03/07/2007 I can’t do it. I just can’t do it. I’ve looked at the information from every conceivable angle, explored every possible connection. I’ve literally coated the entirety of Andrew’s apartment in paper, tied together by thumbtacks and dental floss like some worn out conspiracy cliche, and I’m still no closer to finding a solution. If anything, I’ve only become more confused, lost in a web of data that makes less sense with each assessment. I can’t sleep, can’t eat, can't even sit alone with my thoughts for a single fucking second without feeling like I’ll go mad from the moon’s accursed screeching. You’d think I would have learned to subconsciously tune it out by now, being just a single continuous sound, but no, of course not. It won’t let me. It refuses to be ignored, growing steadily louder by the hour, by the minute even, always one step ahead of my mind, constantly rising just above my minimum perceptual threshold into the realm of conscious awareness. I can adjust my hearing aids to make them quieter, and I have done so several times at this point, but it brings only a moment of reprieve, as the sound once again begins its ceaseless trek up the decibel scale. My brain, in an ultimate act of betrayal, is perfectly willing and able to adjust to accommodate the lower volume, rapidly resensitizing until I return to a dreadful equilibrium with that torturous scream. Anguish, vitriol, existential dread, it’s all compressed into that ceaseless and all-consuming howl, scraping away at my psyche with each passing moment like a sharp yet rusty knife. Until now, my determination to pursue the nature of the wailing moon and uncover its weaknesses was my mind’s only refuge. The illusion of agency, of hope, like an island in a storm, but it’s gone now. I’ve turned to writing this journal entry, sprawled on Andrew’s bed amid an entanglement of interlacing floss, in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. The medium of written word is the only outlet through which I can still think at all; rereading my previous statements allows me to combat the constant interruption of my train of thought, at least for now. So here I will remain, inside this hallowed plastic screen, until… well, that I don’t know. I no longer believe that Andrew or someone else out there will find a way to resolve this, either. From the messages he’s sent, along with the continual sounds of distress and interpersonal conflict emanating from beyond the marbled windows, I’ve gathered that things have essentially gone to shit all over the site. I stopped receiving calls from Andrew nearly a day ago —I presume his comm unit was composed of glass— but I know he’s still (relatively) okay, or at least he was fairly recently. He’s been sending updates through his printer. Whenever the green light turns on and a dinging sound is made, the only stimuli left that can incentivize me to leave this bed, I feed it a few pages of the documents hanging from the walls, and I receive a partially-obfuscated but still somewhat legible message. At first I was highly selective about which papers to sacrifice for this process, back when I still thought I could fix this, but that ship has sailed, so now I just pick ones with a decent amount of blank space remaining. Deciphering the messages requires a bit of scrutiny due to the frequent obstruction of words and sentences, but I think I at least get the gist of what’s been happening across the rest of the site, and it’s nothing good. Moot as it may be, I’ll try my best to summarize here; perhaps compiling the chaos into a comprehensive synopsis will help to validate my newfound nihilism and provide some sort of twisted catharsis. Andrew’s efforts to experiment with the zone perimeter have pretty much ceased entirely, as he has become increasingly occupied by “exit” attempts from various personnel. It seems many of those without the luxury of decrepit cochleas have been affected by the moon’s abhorrent keening even more acutely than I have. As of now, somewhere between 20-29% of the site’s occupants (can’t make out the second digit) have either successfully left the zone, or have become “compromised” (unclear what exactly he means by that) to the point of necessitating medical commitment. So far, the primary approach for handling such cases has been forcible sedation, but the medical wing is close to running out of the requisite drugs. He suspects that some of the associated staff have been stealing them for their own benefit, but he can’t afford to focus on that. He’s stretched way too thin as it is. Even among the personnel who have thus far kept their sanity, it’s becoming progressively harder to maintain order. There is talk of trying to use certain anomalies held onsite (didn’t go into specifics) to combat whatever’s happening, but Andrew is drawing a hard line against any such attempts, which I think is a wise choice. Still, with people growing increasingly desperate, he fears it’s only a matter of time before they stop accepting his authority altogether. People have also been asking about me; where I am, if I’m still alive, etc. He’s thus far managed to avoid answering these questions, but they are only getting more persistent with each dismissive response he gives. The subtext of their queries is pretty clear: since I’m somehow the cause of all of this, and I can’t physically exit the zone, that leaves only one remaining way to get rid of me and potentially free them from this purgatory. It’s a somewhat logical conclusion, one that I’ve considered myself a time or two, but have not yet mustered the courage to enact. It’s one thing to walk through an invisible boundary and vanish into thin air, my ultimate fate unknown, but to accept a traditional death, with all the fear and pain and unquestionable finality it brings, ignites millions of years of instinctual opposition within me. Maybe that makes me selfish, but I am only human. As of now, that’s the extent of the information I can glean from Andrew’s messages. He hasn’t sent any more in a while, but I’ve preemptively loaded the printer for when he (hopefully) does. The closing statement of his last communication “STAY PUT” was brief yet telling. Even amidst the growing turmoil, he still isn’t willing to sacrifice my safety. I don’t know if that’s admirable or idiotic. I guess probably both. The same dichotomy permeates much of what he’s disclosed to me. Given his most recent endeavors, it seems he still believes we can find a way to stop this nightmare. While my impulse is to view this notion as utterly naive, I can’t help but acknowledge a certain level of respect for it as well. Ultimately, I recognize it as a reflection of the very same traits that originally convinced me of his aptitude for leadership; discipline, tenacity, courage, everything needed to weather the storms that so frequently brew in our line of work. If only the storm we’re facing here could be weathered, what I now see as pointless conviction could have been our salvation. He would have made a great EDICT, better than I was, if he’d only had the chance. I know this with certainty, but due to this sadistic twist of fate, no one else ever will. I hope at least he does. _ - WIP#7- 03/08/2007 What have I done? What have I done? what have I done? what have I done? How could I have been so careless? So selfish? Andrew was my friend, he trusted me. He did everything he could to protect me, and yet, when the time came to return the favor, I didn’t answer the call. I didn’t even fucking hear it. Today was the tipping point. Part of me knew it was coming, we’ve been teetering on the edge of total anarchy for some time now, but I must shamefully admit that the final straw that broke the camel’s back caught me completely off guard. The fog on the glass wasn’t fog, that much was clear, but my foolish egocentrism blinded me to its true nature until it was too late. In the throes of emotional turmoil and sleep deprivation, I came to think of it as an individualized punishment borne of active malice, as if the moon was actually concerned enough about my efforts to escape its grasp to warrant intentionally stymying my research. Of course it wasn’t; it knew the endeavor was futile. If anything, the fog’s formation was an act of mercy, a display of lunar solidarity, intended to convey the true inevitability of the fate we now face alongside it, the curse of utter irrelevance that binds us together in this asomatous purgatory, made manifest through that pervasive, torturous howl. It’s all the howl, it was always the howl. If only I had heeded its premonitions, truly examined the message that its vociferous voice was figuratively transcribing across my screen. I would have seen the microfractures. I would have known what was coming. It was only through arbitrary, undeserved luck that I was left relatively unscathed by the event. If I had been sitting at Andrew’s desk at the time, or just happened to be taking a shit, I probably wouldn’t be writing this now. Instead, I was on his bed, far from the windows, staring blankly at an array of meaningless documents, my consciousness rendered nearly inert by days of sleeplessness and screaming, when my stasis was punctured by the jarringly sharp sound of a single, resounding crack. Even without my hearing aids, which by then I had fully deactivated, it was still the most startling noise I have ever perceived, and the first in several days to closely contend with the scream itself, if only for an instant. As I soon realized, it was the sound of all glass across the site, every pane, screen, and lens, shattering at once. Even now, it still echoes through the cavernous recesses of my psyche. It was indescribable. The threat it posed was not limited to the initial shatter itself. The resulting shards were so fine that they floated through the air like clouds of dust. Soon my eyes began to water, and my throat began to itch. Before even fully comprehending the situation, I had pulled the bed sheet over my nose and mouth, and was frantically trying to fan the clouds away with a pillow, though to little success. I tried to direct them outside through what were formerly the windows, but with each moment of sight came an unbearable stinging across my retinas, forcing me to primarily operate through what little spatial memory my fatigued brain could muster. The encompassing network of taut, interlacing floss didn’t help either, causing me to stumble and collapse several times. In hindsight, that was a laughably stupid idea, another truth to which my exhaustion had previously blinded me Though my body was largely spared, my mind was equivalently shredded upon reaching the window, as I beheld the exponential catastrophe unfolding across the site. Though I couldn’t (and wouldn’t) get a good look, my ears illustrated the scene in sickening detail, as the moon’s infernal shriek seemed to somehow accentuate the sounds of staff less fortunate than I. Strange as it may be, I had grown accustomed to the sporadic bouts of yelling and crying that had become commonplace over the last few days, as people’s nerves were steadily corroded by the ceaseless howl. It was understandable, comforting even, and in the face of what I now heard, it was sorely missed. It would have been a relief to know their vocal cords were still intact enough to function. Instead, I was met with a cacophony of hoarse, gasping breaths. Their coughs and chokes congealed into a collective roar, the discordant chorus interspersed with occasional splashing sounds that I still dare not link to any visual conception. Their anguished rasps rose in tandem, harmonizing with the moon to create an immeasurable and all-consuming symphony of suffering. If we were in purgatory before, then this must be Hell. By the time I had sufficiently cleared the residence of glasseous particulates such that I could keep my eyes open (at least somewhat), it was all I could manage to plop myself into Andrew’s bed. I really am an old man, past my prime, that’s been made irrefutably clear. Every muscle and joint in my body burned from the exertion. I remained winded for an unexpectedly long time, struggling to compensate for the oxygen deficit accrued from such relatively mild physical labor (granted, inhaling through the filter of a bedsheet certainly didn’t help). My fatigue was exacerbated by the stinging blotches of red, irritated skin that coated my forearms, no doubt embedded with thousands of infinitesimal shards that I probably still haven’t fully removed. And yet, these physical discomforts felt distant to me. Having already resigned myself to this torturous existence, this unending scream, I felt that the last remaining remnants of my will to act at all had been expended in the final burst of motion catalyzed by the shatter, by the prospect of compounding my suffering with the breath of a million smothering razors. Such concerns now seemed trivial, and I decided at that moment that I would passively accept whatever additional agony was thrust upon me next. I would let it consume me, and doing so would be moot, as I had already been consumed. This cynical conviction, however, turned out not to be absolute. There was a single remaining circumstance that would break me from my vow of dormancy. One that, in my state of bottomless self-pity, I had not anticipated. Maybe if I had held a different mental state, if the strength to persevere had come to me sooner, the following events would have transpired differently. I’ll never know, but I’ll always wonder. It’s a weight I’ll carry to the grave, if not further, and it’s a weight I undoubtedly deserve. The encroaching mob became known to me through vibrations long before my enfeebled ears could detect it. Doors slamming, footsteps pounding, improvised melee weaponry banging. I felt them working their way through the building like a localized storm, reverberating through the layers of floor and mattress and into my flesh and bones, and yet I didn’t react. I remember thinking to myself, to the extent that I was able or willing to think at all, that if this was the fate to befall me, then so be it. It wasn’t just about me, though. Of course it wasn’t. I was selfish, I was stupid, and yet, in a work of cruel, cosmic irony, I am still here. I couldn’t discern the leading twin echoes of Andrew’s hurried footsteps, as they were fully absorbed into the rumbling of the stampede which followed closely behind. It wasn’t until the acoustic amalgam neared the front door, and I saw the locking mechanism deactivate, indicating a successful keycode input, that the notion of his presence even crossed my mind. The thought sprung me to my feet with a vigor I had deemed unattainable only moments before, but it was too late. Andrew entered successfully, a few seconds ahead of the ensuing riot. He would have had time to close the door behind him, surely buying us at least enough time to devise a plan of escape, if it weren’t for the knee-high length of dental floss that happened to pass in front of the entryway. Of all the eventualities he may have considered, succumbing to what was essentially a makeshift booby trap within his own home certainly wasn’t one of them. He went down hard and flat, his nose buckling against the floor in an unnatural manner that made my entire body instinctively recoil. The mob was instantly upon him, though they too were largely hindered by the array of minty tripwires, resulting in an amorphous heap of flailing heads and limbs. In those initial, crucial moments of confusion, Andrew lifted his head to look at me, eyes unfocused, blood streaming down his face. He barked a single, strained syllable, only barely breaking through the moon’s lamentous howl, before being engulfed by the writhing horde: PRINT It’s hard for me to recall my exact train of thought following this event. My memories are chronicled through the lens of actions, as my body’s intuition seemed to take the helm. I don’t know if I truly understood what Andrew was trying to tell me, or if I simply tried to flee before the enraged crowd regained their bearings. Regardless, I ended up barricading myself in his office, where I found what I presume was the subject of his allusion. At some point, the printer had transposed a single additional page, yielding a final message. Though cryptically worded, it was clearly discernible among the layers of prior text by virtue of both its font size and brevity: RN ENCY VOL 6-7 KEYCARD < - - - - As my weary, deteriorated brain struggled to make sense of the note, my eyes impulsively followed the arrow’s trajectory, landing on the bookshelf. I’d removed many of the more relevant publications during my useless research venture, but some remained untouched. Their proud exhibition of my name embellished in gold across each spine now felt almost mocking, juxtaposed with the undeniable impotence of my expertise over the preceding days. Nearest to the arrow, my gaze fell upon the latter installments of what I’d once considered my crowning achievement: The Encyclopedia of Referential Negation: a Comprehensive Collection of Terms, Research, & Documented Instances. Volumes VI and VII stood erect, the narrow crevice between them slightly wider than the rest, and I noticed for the first time a parallel groove running along the supporting shelf, the deepest layer of which glinted with a distinctly metallic sheen. At that moment, every disjointed fragment of information somehow coalesced within my hypnagogic mind, and the entirety of Andrew’s communication attained clarity. At once I became deeply engaged with fulfilling his instructions, and any awareness of the frenzied pack of personnel repeatedly ramming the door was excised from the realm of conscious thought. I withdrew Andrew’s Level-4 Clearance keycard from the pants pocket where it had been stored for almost 4 straight days at that point, and swiped it through the dubious fissure. Nothing happened at first, long enough to trigger a brief spark of gaslight within me, before it was extinguished by a mechanical rumbling beneath my feet. My already precarious balance was nearly lost as a square segment of the floor retracted into the adjacent wall, revealing the entrance to a vertical concrete shaft, with a procession of protruding metal rungs descending an unknown distance into its shadowy depths. This development caused my threadbare burst of focus to briefly falter, and I was momentarily paralyzed as I gazed into the newly exposed abyss. The classic hidden door cliche had briefly crossed my mind as I swiped the card, but I hadn’t truly considered it as a possibility. It’s presence invoked as many questions as it answered, but I could scarcely afford to ponder them, as the crack of splintering wood and severing door hinges swiftly reminded me. choosing speed over grace, I half-climbed, half-plummeted down the tunnel, which was fortunately not as deep as its unilluminated obscurity had initially suggested. At the bottom, a big, red button jutted from the wall, the unambiguous word “CLOSE” glowing softly upon its face. I pressed it without a second thought, and was promptly engulfed in darkness. It seemed my concealment was not a moment too soon, as reverberating footsteps and voices soon flooded the space above me. I don’t know if they saw the final sliver of my escape route as the hatch slid shut, but regardless, they had no success in penetrating the secluded space. Nevertheless, I was initially frozen in shock, not daring to move or even breathe. It wasn’t until their ambiguous banging and unintelligible yet clearly aggressive speech began to dwindle, sinking beneath the unremitting tide of lunar melancholy, that I felt secure enough to survey my surroundings. The cold, concrete room that has become my sanctuary for the time being, is a rather minimalist abode. Its area definitely doesn’t exceed 3 square meters, and the ceiling is slightly lower than my height. Only a sleeping bag and pillow are available for the purposes of tactile comfort, accompanied by a pile of canned food, a few water jugs, and a bucket. There are no light fixtures installed as far as I can tell, only a nonfunctional, lensless flashlight, so I am illuminated solely by the screen of this touchpad. I’m sure that this room would not be considered up-to-code as an official site-standard bunker. With no apparent fallout shielding or long-term amenities, it’s clear that this was devised as more of an under-the-table project. Useful for brief and basic emergencies, with the benefit of Andrew’s sole personal access. I had no prior knowledge of this construction, and I couldn’t help but ponder the numerous unknowns surrounding its existence. Why did Andrew decide to make this? Had it been a preemptive response to an identifiable threat, or simply a generalized cautionary measure? When was it built? How long has it been here? The combined weight of these questions conjured a brief twist of unease in my gut, which was immediately chased by a bitter wave of guilt for having the audacity to think in such a way. After all, I owe my life, or at least what little of it remains, to the presence of this protective measure. The confidentiality afforded by its unofficial inception turned out to be its saving grace. Its rudimentary, one-man capacity proved adequately effective, only in the end it wasn’t the right man. This room was obviously only intended for Andrew’s use, and yet, when it really mattered, he was willing to entrust me with the knowledge necessary to access it. In turn, I’m now solely reaping the benefits of his foresight, while he’s up there going through who knows what. As I lie here, alone in the dark, accompanied by nothing but the cries of the mournful moon and my own inexorable guilt, the ruminations that ceaselessly haunt me revolve around a single factor: how long had that message been printed? Did he send it as soon as he saw the encroaching mob? As soon as the glass shattered? Or was it even earlier? Speculative as it may be, I can’t help but imagine he’d planned for me to fulfill the instructions preemptively, so that the trap door was already open when he arrived. He was counting on me, trusting me, and that’s what led to his demise. He didn’t know how weak I was, how weak I still am. He didn’t know that the scream had worn me down, breaking my will to act long before his. He didn’t know that I had fully disabled my hearing aids, forsaking any hope of hearing the subtle ding of the printer, or any other form of communication, in favor of easing my own suffering. Even now, encapsulated in earth and concrete, smothered by the ramifications of my [SELFISHNESS], I still can’t bring myself to reactivate them. You know, when I first joined the Foundation, I swore an oath to protect humanity. Not just humans, but humanity itself. That’s all I ever really wanted, to protect our species, not just in body but in spirit, to shield them from the horrors that our apathetic universe so frequently thrust upon us, to preserve their collective innocence even at the cost of my own. I’ve spent the last half-century working to fulfill that oath, in my own special way, and before all of this, I thought I had. I thought that made me a good person, and evidently, so did Andrew. I guess we both know better now. _ - WIP#8- SCREW THE DATE Something has shifted. I can’t describe it, there’s no explicit change to put words to, but I can sense it intuitively. At some unknown point during my sleepless, timeless entombment within that secret sepulcher, a threshold was breached. The moon’s cries, though continuous and unchanging, have acquired an asomatous edge of impending finality. Their sorrow has permeated beyond my conscious mind; I feel it in my bones, in my teeth, reverberating through the hollow vestiges of my very being. I am no longer myself. I am nothing more than a vector, channeling the profound and penultimate melancholy of the long-neglected moon. Their pain is my pain. Their pain is me. I am pain. I am only pain. Under the reflexive guidance of this cosmic affliction, I was wordlessly prompted to ascend from my pit of fermented repentance, birthed from that woeful womb as a new and alien entity. I numbly gazed across the office, in heavy disarray, but entirely devoid of people, living or dead. The same conditions had befallen the rest of Andrew’s quarters; collapsed and broken furniture, adorned with crumpled documents and tinseled with interlacing dental floss. Occasional bloodstains dotted the wreckage, the only biological remnants of the preceding altercation which now felt an eternity away. The largest crimson sigil marked the location of Andrew’s initial toppling, a cardinal reminder of his both literal and figurative downfall. The residence seemed to exude an innate judgment upon me, a monument to my failure as a scientist, EDICT, and friend. On some level, I was cognizant of these crushing criticisms, but the emotional burden they invoked was of little significance, as the waves of guilt were merely funneled into the already bottomless pit of despair within me. I left and didn’t look back. Under the night’s watchful eye, I aimlessly wandered among the ruins of PrimeSite-O, further absorbing the grief of seeing the fruits of my career in shambles. The hazardous haze of microscopic daggers that had incited the violence of the previous day, having long since diffused across the atmosphere of the zone, was now only alluded to by the total absence of any glass on the premises. Additionally, the site was densely interspersed with far more conspicuous evidence of its prior descent into anarchy. Conventional damage, presumably man-made in origin, was the most prevalent, but some scenes of destruction implied undoubtedly anomalous involvement, particularly near the Euclid and Keter containment facilities. Despite these ominous indicators, my surroundings remained still and devoid of activity. Once again, I encountered no people or deceased remains thereof, and I was eventually faced with the uncomfortable realization that I was the only one left. I get it now, the moon’s message, the reason I was trapped here while everyone else could leave. They’ve taken everything from me: My friends, my career, my research acumen, my moral integrity, my self-worth. The collective achievements of my lifetime, gradually excised by that rending howl. It wasn’t until I was fully stripped bare that I could truly understand the depths of their anguish. They suffered in solitude for so long, but now I share the weight of their burden. They’ve molded a companion out of me, their oldest friend, the first to notice the imperceptible cries they futilely beamed upon the Earth. I now have nothing left to give but the vacant husk of my physical form, and only now will they take that too. That leaves me here, in the front seat of my windowless car, staring through the dilapidated fence and into the empty expanse beyond. I know I’ll pass through it this time, but not what awaits me on the other side. Maybe I’ll enter the moon’s solacing embrace, or maybe I’ll meet total oblivion. In the end, the outcome is irrelevant; I can’t avoid it, nor do I want to. I’ve stalled long enough by writing this, though I can’t say why. Closure, perhaps. A farewell to my loyal confidant within this screen, before I proceed to the one in the sky. I’m ready now. It’s time for me to go. _ - WIP#9- 03/04/2007(?) Wow, I didn’t expect to ever write in this again. I really thought yesterday’s entry would be my last. Yet here I am, alive and unscathed, feeling better than ever, in fact. It’s amazing what a difference a nice long nap can make. Now that I’m (reasonably) rested and alert, all recollections of my thoughts and emotions over the preceding days appear fuzzy and nonsensical, as if the whole experience was nothing more than a long, nightmarish dream. If it weren’t for my journal chronicling the ordeal in extensive and vivid detail, I might have even assumed that’s all it was. It’s hard to believe that less than 24 hours ago, I was speeding toward the site’s perimeter, fully prepared for death, or possibly something even worse. The threshold embodied a truly absolute unknown. Clearly anomalous, the possibilities were infinite. Every conceivable outcome, as well as all inconceivable ones, were equally likely. I didn’t care at the time, of course, broken as my psyche was. I was accepting of any eventuality, or at least I thought I was. As it turned out, there was one potential result that could still catch me off-guard. Given my recent pervasive record of ignorance regarding these phenomena, it’s only fitting that it turned out to be accurate: Nothing happened to me at all. Upon fully crossing the border, I found myself to still be physically present, in the Australian outback, upon the same road I was using moments before. There were no unusual sensations like there were when I initially entered. No double-vision, no vertigo, no internal registry of the transition whatsoever. The event, or lack thereof, left me momentarily frozen in a state of thorough confusion. As such, it took me a moment to notice the few changes that had in fact occurred. Primesite-O was gone. As soon as I passed through the gates, the entire campus instantly and unceremoniously vanished. Instead, there was only the road, the same one I was traveling on, extending opposite to my trajectory for an unclear distance. Preternatural as this alteration was, it was promptly overshadowed by the only other noticeable change: The howl had stopped. Its cessation was abrupt, as though a switch was flipped precisely at the moment I crossed the border. Despite this, my ears initially struggled to comprehend its absence. I reactivated my hearing aids, cranked them as high as they could go, and still there was nothing, nothing at all. Until then, I had never truly understood how silence could be deafening, but the seemingly nonsensical turn of phrase perfectly captures my subsequent experience. The relief, the sheer euphoria induced by the auditory vacuum, was overwhelming. Its influence felt almost chemical in nature, and despite the smooth and unwavering trail before me, I felt the need to pull over while I acclimated to its intoxicating effects. I don’t know how long I stayed there, basking in the blissful calm of my empty, silent surroundings. Time felt ethereal to me in that state. Through the aperture that had once held my windshield, I watched the glowing, indigo tinge of dawn slowly creep across the sky, as the sun which had been halted for so long was finally granted passage across the horizon. The moon, content at last, began shifting to accommodate their fiery twin. There was something else, though, something more to the moon’s amended demeanor than their conclusion of screaming and resumption of motion. Subtle as it was, I’m surprised it took me so long to recognize it, given my lifelong career predicated on lunar research. The topographic arrangement of the dark side of the moon, now turned to face the Earth. Though familiar to me, their newfound illumination granted an additional air of elegance to their craterous contours. The expression was unmistakable; they were smiling. The elation exuded by that dazzling grin was palpable, as their magnificent face was finally revealed for all the world to see. Despite everything, I couldn’t help but feel happy for them, overjoyed in fact. Their contentment became infused with my own, and its combined potency unwittingly carried me into a deep, cathartic slumber. It was around mid-afternoon when I finally awoke, disoriented by the feeling of sleeping for both far too long and not long enough. My face was comically sunburned, and my car baked to the point that its metal components were untouchably hot. Without windows to insulate the AC, I was left with velocity as the only available means to cool myself and my vehicle. I sped down the single, continuous road for a while, unconcerned with traffic laws, until I finally came upon the promise of shade in the form of a gas station and adjacent convenience store. I’ve decided that this is as good a place as any to stay and wait for backup. I sent a distress signal to the nearest Auxiliary Site up in Kimberly, so they should be dispatching an escort team to pick me up soon, along with a tow truck for the car (It’s still technically functional, but I learned on the drive here that windshields got their name for a damn good reason). I tried my best to give a comprehensive rundown of the calamity that’s befallen PrimeSite-O, but it was understandably difficult through a short-form transmission. If nothing else, they should at least know by now that the site is compromised, since all remote communication was lost a day or so ago from their temporal perspective. There are probably recon units heading there already, not that they’ll find anything. I’ll no doubt be subjected to a lengthy interview process over the coming weeks as this incident is investigated. It’ll be a headache, and certainly not the note I wanted to end my career on, but I suppose I should just be grateful I got back safely at all. Hell, maybe the others did too, and the interviews have already begun. I sure hope that’s the case, but that would be ideal, and in my experience the ideal scenario is usually too good to be true. I guess I’ll find out soon enough. _ - WIP#10- THE END I fucked up. I really, really fucked up. My actions were foolishly naive, that much is obvious now, but there’s no going back. I’ve mulled it over for hours now, but I still don’t see any way out of this. Not even the Foundation can save me now, it seems. As much as I want to deny it, I need to face the facts. My fate is sealed. I waited at that goddamn gas station for hours, but no one came. I tried every official avenue of contact permitted by my clearance level; all the prime and auxiliary site comms, the direct lines of every department I knew, portable MTF receivers, and still no answer. I don’t think they even went through, as I just kept getting no-dial tones. I even tried Andrew’s comm unit, though that unsurprisingly yielded the same result. It’s probably still at the site, wherever that is. Finally, as a last resort, I tried Andrew’s personal phone number. He gave it to me some years ago, during a conference we were running. Strictly against protocol, of course, but it made co-coordinating the event much easier, and I haven’t used it since. From what I’ve been told, he almost never even has it on his person these days, instead keeping it at his rarely-occupied private residence. I knew calling it was a long shot if there ever was one, but to my surprise and relief, he actually picked up. Just hearing his voice immediately made me more relaxed, partly because I was finally in touch with the Foundation in some capacity, but mostly just due to the assurance that he was still alive. I told him as much, but he didn’t return the sentiment. He was unusually deadpan throughout the call, and didn’t seem receptive to any kind of discussion beyond curtly asking where I was and telling me he was on his way. He concluded the interaction by telling me to stay put, repeating it several times in a tone that seemed oddly forceful and deliberate, then hung up as soon as I agreed. In hindsight, it was obvious that something was amiss, but I refused to allow myself to acknowledge it. Not wanting to spoil my newfound comfort, I dismissed his strange demeanor as an understandable symptom of his recent traumatic experiences, or perhaps a concerted effort to maintain discretion while using a civilian line, any excuse that would allow me to stifle the budding concern that was clearly warranted. I know it was stupid, incredibly so, but I had been parked at that gas station for almost an entire day at that point, and my patience had reached its limit. I wanted a bed, I wanted a shower, I wanted to settle this whole fiasco and move on with my life. It was just another in a long list of cases where self-interest has clouded my judgment. It seems I won’t be able to weasel or bunker my way out of this one, though. The consequences have finally come home to roost. At least this time, I’ll be the only one to suffer them. Andrew arrived within the hour, in a car I didn’t recognize, accompanied by a young woman I had never met. Though I was glad to see him in the flesh, seemingly unscathed save for a bandaged nose, I could no longer ignore the intuitive feeling that something wasn’t right. As they exited the vehicle, I noticed his outfit, while professional, lacked his PrimeSite-O Director’s badge or any Foundation insignias, granting him the appearance of an ordinary, albeit well-dressed, civilian. This would make sense in the context of covert operations, and although such endeavors were far outside of Andrew’s qualifications, it was nevertheless forgivable if not somewhat odd. However, the woman’s attire was a stark departure from any Foundation standards: a purple T-shirt, denim jeans, and sneakers. The car they arrived in was similarly informal, with several haphazardly applied decals of unfamiliar yet clearly unofficial origin. As strange as these observations were, my confusion was soon compounded tenfold as I saw a police cruiser pull into the lot, parking alongside them. Two officers emerged, and the four of them conversed with each other for a bit, before Andrew and his unknown companion began to approach. I stood motionless, struggling to process the events unfolding before me. I hoped that Andrew would provide some clarity, but he instead adopted a bystanding position, watching silently as the mystery girl proceeded. Before I had time to react, she hugged me, squeezing my torso and awkwardly immobilizing my arms with a seemingly authentic sincerity. Her following words, the first I’d ever heard from her, served as a final blow of bewilderment, plunging me into a state of disorientation bordering on physical vertigo. “Dad! Where have you been? I was so worried!” She kept talking, but her words were eclipsed by my reeling thoughts. I never had children, never even came close. Looking past her, I centered my sight on Andrew, ejecting a disorganized jumble of questions as my mouth and mind frantically grasped for an iota of understanding. What was going on? Did he report what happened to the higher-ups? What happened back at the site? Where are all the other staff? I searched his face for any sign of understanding, but there was none. He just stared blankly as he repeated my words, his genuine confusion evident in his tone, until Mystery Girl broke my fruitless inquisition. She spoke softly to Andrew, as though I wouldn’t be able to hear, saying that I must think I’m still working with him at U-W-A, giving no elaboration as to what that even is, before returning her attention to me, her face and voice donning a patronizing pretense of simplistic cordiality that only bolstered my burgeoning annoyance. “Dad, you’re retired now, remember? Andrew was nice enough to cancel his lecture today to come get you with me. We’re going home now, okay?”. She held my arm, attempting to lead me back to their car, but I recoiled. I was sick of her interference. I wanted to talk to Andrew, the only person who could possibly explain what the hell was going on. Admittedly, his continued reticence frustrated me to a point of unprofessional and unwise enragement. I pointed out the bandages on his face, shouted about the angry mob that tackled him to the ground right in front of me just a few days ago. This got the attention of the cops, but Andrew merely brushed away my outburst, telling them it was from a bicycling accident. A fucking bicycling accident. I was incredulous. Though their faces remained placid, I could tell that my escalating hostility had put them all on edge. They began to tighten their perimeter around me, the police strategically encircling in both directions, until I was cornered against the side of the convenience store. I came to the bitter realization that, despite the storm of emotions within me, I was faced with no real choice but to capitulate to their desires, whatever they may be. In a final, desperate Hail-Mary, I recalled a trick used by various agents under my employ over the years. Though I’d never had to use it myself, it was essentially common knowledge in the Foundation, something that Andrew, the almost-EDICT, would surely be familiar with. Despite his thoroughly convincing display of ignorance throughout the ordeal, I still held a sliver of hope that it was only a veneer he had assumed, for reasons that I simply wasn’t privy to at the moment. That slight yet steadying prospect was finally obliterated when I asked the question to which he, of all people, should definitely know the answer, and was met with only a resounding silence. The next thing I knew, they had ushered me into the backseat of their civilian vehicle, their counterfeit smiles poorly concealing the compulsory nature of my transport. A tow truck came to collect my rental car, taking it somewhere for repairs. Mystery Girl not only claimed it was her own, but insisted that I wasn’t allowed to be driving at all, admonishing me for its broken windows as if I were a child. Any objections I made to the contrary were outright ignored; the police didn’t say a single word to me directly throughout the whole affair. Stifled by such a brazen disregard for my thoughts and feelings, my furious indignation was eventually extinguished, giving way to a hopeless despondency. I now lay in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar room, in an unfamiliar house, and yet I’m surrounded by reflections and impressions of myself. Framed pictures of me, Mystery Girl, and other strangers, hugging and smiling in places I’ve never been, doing things I’ve never done. A PhD with my name on it, from the University of Western Australia, hangs framed on the wall; It’s in literature of all things. A series of books sit upon a shelf, my name embossed along their spines, but they aren’t the same books I found in Andrew’s office. They’re fiction novels, mostly sci-fi/fantasy it seems, and, if I may go so far as to judge a book by its cover, pretty mediocre. I’ve been told the prose in my journal entries tend to lean toward the artistic, if not a bit pretentious. Perhaps there’s some credence to those claims after all. The more I observe my surroundings, telling the story of a life that, logically, I know is not my own, the more strongly I feel, on some innate, primal level, that it could be. These vestiges, echoing stagnant potentials within me, are somehow increasingly contending with my authentic memories. I partially fear, and partially hope, that I will soon lose sight of their distinction. Andrew is long gone at this point, taking any hope of answers with him. He drove away almost immediately after dropping us off at this unassuming, utterly ordinary suburban dwelling that is ostensibly my home, as well as Mystery Girl’s. I thought he’d exit the car as well, that he’d accompany us into the house, at least long enough that I could take him aside and pick his brain for more clues. By the time I realized my mistake, he was already shifting into gear. He gave me nothing more than a “take care” and a look of candid sympathy before driving off to who knows where, leaving me stuck at this random residence, in the hands of this complete stranger who doesn’t even seem to realize she’s a stranger, and, as I soon found out, the aforementioned cops as well. The three of them guided me to “my” bedroom, telling me to get some rest while they had a “private discussion”. I tried to eavesdrop twice, but on both occasions I was quickly discovered and once again directed back to the bedroom. During my first foray, I managed to hear Mystery Girl saying something along the lines of “he’s had episodes before but never this bad”. Her tone portrayed extreme distress. On my second and far briefer venture, I caught one of the cops mentioning “long-term care options” and holding several pamphlets. Mystery girl looked to be on the verge of tears. Upon my latter apprehension, it was clear that their patience had grown thin. One of the cops is standing outside the bedroom door now, so any further attempts at reconnaissance would surely be foiled. Disheartening as it is to accept, I have come to the conclusion that I am, in essence, a prisoner here. The sense of powerlessness invoked by this fact is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Even the worst points of my debacle at PrimeSite-O feel somehow tame in comparison to this moment. The sheer depths of futility I now face, forsaken by the very world that I dedicated my life to trying to protect, is all-consuming. As I lie here, agency abolished, I watch through the window as the moon’s luminous face breaches the skyline, and they, my sole witness, watch me in turn. Their newly-imparted smile, gentle yet potent in its sentiment, is the only tangible indicator of the reality of my former existence, and it occurs to me that I have relieved them of their burden by adopting it as my own. I now occupy the same role in this world that they had for so long: present but unseen. screaming but unheard, unimaginably alone. Is this a form of poetic retribution? I don’t think so; I feel no animosity towards or from my cosmic companion. Rather, I feel a kinship, an immutable bond through the symmetry of our circumstances. I alone was there for them, heard them, and now they alone hear me. Their expression is one of immeasurable gratitude, for they recognize the ultimate sacrifice I’ve made to provide them with the priceless gift of significance. Perhaps it was out of this appreciation that the contents of my touchpad were preserved with relative integrity amid this universal transition. The Standard-Clearance introductory file for SCP-8416 appears largely unchanged, as are my most recent journal entries, though they are all now saved in an unencrypted folder titled “Story WIP”. Not only that, but with the Foundation-issue firewalls now absent, I can connect to the civilian internet. I think this is the moon’s way of reimbursing my lost identity, at least as much as they possibly can. I can post these chronicles for the world to see, sharing my story, my real story, with the inhabitants of this new reality, with the caveat that they will never accept them as true. No one will ever believe these events, my life, my very self to be real. Still, perhaps I don’t have to be real to be remembered. Perhaps my story, even if only a story, can still hold a place in people’s hearts and minds, and isn’t that what really matters? In the end, isn’t that all our reality is? They’re coming up the stairs now. Whatever happens next, I won’t resist. My story is complete, and all I ask of anyone reading this is to please, please remember it. Please remember me. Footnotes 1. From Earth, this means SCP-8416 remains focused on each SCP-8416-1 zone for as long as the moon is visible in the sky from its location, atmospheric conditions notwithstanding. 2. For a complete and detailed list of specific documented narratives, see Supplementary Document 8416.N. 3. See: Analysis of Feedback Mechanism within RN-Positive Memetic Constructs (Rattigan et. al, 1965) 4. A research program dedicated to discovering methods of remote anomaly detection and observation, established in 1948 in order to avoid exacerbating political tensions stemming from the Cold War through direct Foundation interference. 5. This results in approximately 45 seconds of immersion within SCP-8416-1E when traveling downstream on the river at a passive speed. 6. Original message included an attached file titled “8416_Research_Overview_(Rattigan)”. 7. Y:8 N:3 A:1 8. Pronounced like “cue”. 9. Executive Director of International Coordination and Transport 10. Designation of the central residential compound within PrimeSite-O. Contains private domiciles for both temporary and indefinite habitation, as well as communal dining and recreational facilities. 11. Authorized contact channels are listed in the Digital Foundation Directory ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8416" by Wildman8, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8416. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: DTBMH4-fin1.jpg Name: 527006main farside.1600 Author: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University License: Public Domain Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Additional Notes: Edited by Wildman8 Filename: DTBMH16-fin1.jpg Name: Equal Earth projection SW Author: Daniel R. Strebe License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Additional Notes: Edited by Wildman8 |
SCP-8419 | thaumiel | WARNING: May cause drowsiness and disorientation. Do not operate heavy machinery while under the influence of this product. This is for your safety. SCP- 8419 V/FIVE HIGH COMMAND Secondary Class: Thaumiel Disruption Class: anaithnid Risk Class: nominal link to memo Item#: {$item-number} Level5 Containment Class: {$container-class} Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: {$disruption-class} Risk Class: {$risk-class} link to memo Typical instance of SCP-8419-affected flora. SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES: The necessity of containing SCP-8419 is highly contested. While theoretically possible, a multitude of logistical complexities currently render containment efforts frivolous. Likewise, the widespread beneficial properties of SCP-8419-affected plants1 currently outweigh justification for mass containment/destruction.23 As such, cultivars of affected crops should be subsumed into Foundation front companies, who are to monitor and regulate market trends. These cultivars are grown mainly by a network of defectors from the Fifth Church, located throughout the Cascadia bioregion of North America and California. The individuals in question have divested from the wider Fifthist community into a small pacifist agricultural sect known as the Western Pentacoastal. As per arrangement with the previous emissaries of SCP-8419-1, this business structure should remain unchanged at present time, along with export event protocol as described below. NOTE: As of Incident 8419/ACHLYS, export events have ceased. Nevertheless, the following protocol is mandated, should this status change. During export events, approximately 1.5-2.0 tonnes of undried product should be harvested and loaded into the transport crates provided by SCP-8419-1. Any additional yield is to be split equally among the cultivar groups as per agreement. At no time should individuals behave aggressively or erratically in the presence of SCP-8419-1 instances. In addition, personnel are to maintain professional workplace behaviors at all times. DESCRIPTION: SCP-8419 is a virulent genetic mutation that can affect all species of the plant genus Cannabis. Exposed plants will exhibit significant deviation from baseline as they mature, making identification of affected crops a trivial matter. Impacted flora are marked with pronounced crystalline formations coating their exterior anatomy. These crystals are comprised of multiple psychoactive compounds commonly found within Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa, though several orders of magnitude more potent than unaffected plants of this type. Example of crystalline aberrations in a curated marijuana varietal known as "Alaskan Thunder Fuck". The exact process that leads to the production of these crystal structures has not been determined, but is observed to increase in effect with subsequent generations of an affected plant's lineage. Reverse-extrapolation of mass spectrometry test results from these crops imply approximately 4-5 decades of proliferation were necessary for the most impacted to reach their current state. This correlates with records surrounding the arrival of SCP-8419-1. SCP-8419-1 is a race of extraterrestrial Ortothan entities, tangentially related to GoI-3088 ("The Church of the Second Hytoth") as a heretical militant sect that subjugated and/or proselytized an unknown number of planetary civilizations prior to contact. Recovered data and conversations suggest SCP-8419-1 primarily favored autonomous, interplanetary conquest and religious zealotry. However, after sustaining severe casualties in battle with another species, surviving members were unable to return to their former prominence. Suffering from extreme food and medical supply shortages, along with a lack of suitable territory to establish relevant infrastructure, they set sights on Earth's ideal atmospheric/environmental conditions for covert incursion.4 SCP-8419-1's enigmatic physiology utilizes orally-metabolized cannabidiol (CBD)5 to drive abnormal healing factors, allowing their bodies to recover from grievous and otherwise fatal injury in an extremely short timeframe. This also provides a means to replenish/bolster their population with clones created through bisection. This quality was discovered by SCP-8419-1 on an occupied planet within the Milky Way galaxy, which was once dominated by Cannabis ruderalis, a species of marijuana plant with little-to-no recreational effect in humans. Thus, the extreme crystallization observed from SCP-8419's influence is not present on ruderalis plants, and is likely an unintentional byproduct of the processes utilized by SCP-8419-1 to increase CBD levels in Earth-derived Cannabis. It is not known how these plants became native to both worlds, however, this was confirmed and subsequently covered up within the international science community under the guise of an internet hoax. Between 1970-2015, insurgents from SCP-8419-1 worked to establish a number of grow operations across the planet, using large areas of flattened farmland in precise patterns to form branding iconography that could be seen from space. INCIDENT LOG 8419/ACHLYS: Aftermath of Incident 8419/ACHLYS. AT 0224 LOCAL TIME ON 19 APRIL 2018, EMISSARIES OF SCP-8419-1 ARRIVED AT AGRICULTURAL SITE-14/15 FOR ROUTINE EXPORT OF SCP-8419 CROPS. The two diplomatic entities, possessing opulent, gold-lined attire and unknown expressions across a multitude of facial features, are seen on CCTV approaching a central area between the two AGSites and their adjoining warehouses/storage structures. Three employees are gathered around a small bonfire, unaware of the visitors. SCP-8419-1 instances suddenly become agitated and hostile towards the three, who react with surprise and confusion; at the time of this encounter, no incidents of unprovoked aggression from SCP-8419-1 towards a cultivar employee had occurred. One instance (SCP-8419-1-B) indicates sharply to a small object in the right hand of assistant manager of operations and Western Pentacoastal member Jackson Dawer. He looks incredulously at his hand, then to the entity, and back to his hand again. Smoke can be seen trailing from his palm. After a moment, he says something to the entities, offering the object to the closer of the two (SCP-8419-1-A). It gives a quizzical look to SCP-8419-1-B, who shrugs. The instance then takes the item, holding it against one of the legate's mouths. It glows briefly. The entity begins coughing. A few seconds later, it looks at its partner, faces unreadable but noticeably pale. Its eyes are wide, though they rapidly shift to a half-closed state after about 20-30 seconds. The other emissary snatches the object from SCP-8419-1-A and attempts to repeat its actions, growing frustrated at a lack of similar results. Mr. Dawer briefly coaches the entity on inhalation/exhalation techniques and it tries again. The first ambassador is staring at one of its limbs, turning the appendage over and studying the appearance, a bewildered expression clearly visible. SCP-8419-1-B coughs loudly, nearly falling over. It vomits a few moments later and lays on the ground, making a circular motion with one of its limbs. It stares at the dark sky for nearly a minute before noticing the three humans looking in its direction. The entity reacts, startled, tensing its form and glancing around. It visibly relaxes upon seeing its cohort, who is having a conversation with a buzzing insect that landed on the ground between the two. Several minutes of similar activity follows, all of which is unremarkable. A nearby laborer accidentally drops a metal box of tools, resulting in a loud, abrasive series of bangs and scrapes. The two entities react with extreme distress, showing significant discomfort and fear as multiple facial orifices on each contract roughly in response. They stand in a panic and begin running towards their transport vessel, which is parked alongside the perimeter of AGSite-14. The diplomats disappear inside the ship, low lights encircling the spherical structure now illuminating the surroundings as it starts to hum. Mr. Dawer looks at the other two nearby and loudly asks "Do you think they're okay to drive…?" One gestures, putting his hands up and shaking them along with his head as if to say "I don't know, don't ask me", while the other stares silently with glossy, red eyes, the question not having registered at all. Dawer comes to a conclusion on his own and wheels around, sprinting towards the ship, which is now hovering off the ground and wobbling slightly. He is seen yelling and waving his arms, though the sound is drowned out by the swelling noise of unknown drive engines powering up and beginning preparations for rapid planetary egress. The ship jolts quickly at an acute angle, achieving a top speed of approximately 250 km/hr in ~0.7 seconds. However, it is far too low to the ground, immediately clipping the treeline and exploding in a violent flash of exotic fuel and shrapnel. Mr. Dawer's raised hands land on his head as he stares at the fireball. He looks back at the others, speechless. Transcript ends. NOTE: Despite the accidental nature of the events that transpired, growing concern over hostile retaliation by SCP-8419-1 has led to employees of implicated grow operations distancing themselves from the Foundation. To date, none such retaliation has been observed. However, unclaimed plant material continues to steadily increase in potency, while filling Foundation warehouses faster than it can be offloaded. This has led to speculation over synergistically-compounding effects from lowered threshold of consumption required to produce desired results. Unimpeded, it is theorized that this phenomenon could ultimately lead to unmanageable potency, global secondhand intoxication, and the subsequent self-destruction of the human race via an OGK-Class "Dead Greenout" Scenario, wherein all progress on Earth ceases due to overwhelming apathy/complacency. Fortunately, predictions suggest this is unlikely to occur for many years. Thus, all relevant discussion has been deprioritized until further notice. PHARMACOKINETICS DVSN NARCOTICS & POISON CONTROL TEAM "BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY" Footnotes 1. Including applications in mass control efforts, medicinal usage, and reduction of widespread abuse of harmful and/or ANOMALOUS NARCOTICS. 2. ANAITHNID: Overall disruption unknown but presumed low, despite scope. 3. NOMINAL: The amount of risk this anomaly can produce/is producing can be disregarded, regardless of severity. 4. Attempts have not been made to inform GoI-3088 of SCP-8419-1, and should not be made without further assessment of potential factional and intergroup conflicts that could arise. 5. A non-psychoactive compound responsible for many of the medicinal benefits of Cannabis. END OF FILE |
SCP-8421 | keter | Wherein Game Master comes for an old friend. Calibold SCP-8421 — Ruler of Everything Calibold's Mega Cool Author Page [REQUEST RECEIVED. ID:Riley Parr.] A young woman with pink hair sits alone in a cold, gray room. Only one of her creatures remains, keeping her warm for so long. A tremor shakes the ground. Something interesting. A man runs in. He's a little older than her, but not by much. His purple suit is neatly fitted, with a pin fastened to its lapel. He wears a pair of glasses that frame his face nicely. He closes the door behind him, notices the woman, and holds out a hand. "Nice to meet you," he says. She takes his hand and shakes it, but the brief introduction is cut short by a commotion outside. He holds a finger to his lips. She hesitates, about to shout for help, but something stops her. He listens for a moment, and, hearing the guards are gone, nods. "Thanks, miss…?" "Forty." "I owe you one, Forty." He swings the door open, and is about to leave, but stops. "Actually, I can do you a favor right now. You want to stretch your legs a bit?" A silence passes between them. The implication is obviously much more than a quick walk around the hallway. What if they're caught? And if not, what lies in store for her? She shouldn't. It's too risky, too frightening, too dangerous. "I'd love to." Item#: 8421 Level5 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: ekhi Risk Class: danger link to memo SCP-8421. Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8421 is contained in a maximum security cell in Site-126. Access to the cell is only to be conducted via a dual gate system; under no circumstances are both gates to be opened simultaneously. SCP-8421's cell is to be guarded by at least three agents at any given time. SCP-8421's cell is armed with a Remote Activation Neutralization Apparatus (RANA). Every day at 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., the cell's RANA will activate, releasing enough sleeping gas to render SCP-8421 unconscious for at least thirty minutes. The gas will then be siphoned out of the room, after which security personnel will place a standard meal package within the chamber before immediately exiting. Should a security breach occur anywhere on-site, or if SCP-8421 begins to display unusual or aggressive behavior, SCP-8421's chamber will enter lockdown. In lockdown, the dual gate will be completely sealed under increased priority, requiring a Site Director or higher clearance to unlock. Furthermore, the RANA will remain activated, keeping SCP-8421 completely sedated during lockdown, and only deactivating once lockdown has been disengaged by the Site Director. Containment Addendum: Following Incident 6900-1, SCP-8421 is to be interrogated monthly by Captain Riley Parr of MTF Delta-12 ("Burning Down The House"). Captain Parr is to be granted access to Site-126 only during this period. She is to conduct all interrogations via intercom; following this period, she is to return to Site-19. Description: SCP-8421 is a male humanoid known as King1. Due to prior interference by SCP-040, SCP-8421 has taken several different appearances, though consistently displays brown hair, green eyes, and pale skin. His most distinguishing feature is his fashion sense, and he displays a preference for custom clock-themed Victorian-era suits; like other members of the House of Stars, he is a known customer of the Master Tailor. SCP-8421 is chronokinetic, being able to manipulate time relative to himself. While individual manipulations are seemingly limited to less than ten seconds, his capabilities are incredibly versatile. SCP-8421 has demonstrated feats such as: Stopping time; Rewinding time; Moving abruptly to a future or past point in time; Slowing or accelerating the flow of time around himself. SCP-8421 is a former member of GoI-727 ("The House of Stars"), and one of its founders. SCP-8421 was detained shortly after the House's dissolution, and was not initially approached upon its reunification. Addendum 6900.1 SCP-8421 had been interviewed twice by Captain Parr following Incident 6900-1, to no avail; he had entirely refused to respond to any questioning. Upon the third interview, SCP-8421 finally spoke to Captain Parr. [Parr takes a seat in the interview room. Two guards stand against the wall behind her. The monitor in front of her shows SCP-8421 in his cell, lying on his bed.] Parr: Hello, Mr. King. [Silence.] Parr: [Sighs.] Have you been contacted by Game Master since I last spoke to you? [Silence.] Parr: Have you been contacted by any House of Stars member in the last month? [Silence.] Parr: Do you have any clue where the other House of Stars members might be? [Silence.] Parr: I know you know where they are, King. [Silence.] Parr: Come on, you shit! Tell me something! Anything! [Silence.] Parr: KING! TELL ME NOW BEFORE I COME DOWN THERE AND—! Barnaby: Miss Parr. [Parr turns to her right. Site Director Maria Barnaby, a wheelchair-bound woman, enters the interview room. She turns to the security feed.] Parr: You know how much fucking easier this would be if we had any actual way to make him talk? Barnaby: We've offered him— Parr: We've offered him shit, Maria! Barnaby: Call me Director Barnaby, please. We're not friends, and your annoying attitude is just pissing me off. Parr: If we could do a real interrogation— Barnaby: Miss Parr— Parr: [Mockingly.] Captain Parr. Barnaby: Miss Parr, you aren't allowed to torture anyone. Except for me, apparently. Parr: Then we're just gonna be stuck here getting nothing out of him! Barnaby: That's your problem. I don't care. Parr: [Shouting.] You don't care? Barnaby: This is your beef. I very kindly let you into my Site once a month, by which I mean I'm doing Barnes a favor and taking you off his hands. Parr: I'm sorry! I'm sorry I care about justice for the innocent people these bastards killed! I'm sorry I—! King: Innocent people? [Parr turns back to the monitor. King is sitting in his bed, looking up at the camera.] Parr: Hey! Why don't you answer my fucking questions, huh? King: We didn't kill any innocent people. Unless Game really lost it? Parr: The hell you mean, you didn't kill any innocents? Two of my men died back in the day, Game got a couple more with the latest incident, and like, I think you guys would be okay with more than just that! King: Right, but innocent people? We didn't kill anyone like that. [Silence.] King: Just saying. You and your guys are pretty bad people, I guess. Parr: [Sarcastically.] Well, congratulations. You've really redeemed yourself, you piece of shit. King: Not me. Parr: Sorry? King: Not me. I don't care about the people dying or whatever. But I don't want anyone thinking Game's a killer, since he cares about that. [Silence.] Barnaby: [Clears throat.] You have his attention, Parr. Parr: Yeah. Right. Why don't you tell me where—? King: Are you stupid? Parr: I'm sorry? King: It's just you keep asking the same questions. That I'm not gonna answer. So maybe ask me something else. Or we could just chat. I don't have a lot of chats anymore. Parr: I don't want to chat with you, I want answers! [Silence.] Parr: Why didn't he want people thinking you were murderers? King: [Shrugs.] Didn't want to be a bad guy or anything. And he wanted people to know he was okay, not out for blood. But it's fair game with soldiers and stuff, since you guys like killing people anyway. Parr: And you? King: Not me. [Silence.] Parr: You're a lot quieter now. King: Really now. Parr: You know what I mean. What happened to the flair? Last time we captured you, you were all about putting on a show. [Silence.] King: It was all for fun. Still is, maybe. But now… [Silence.] Parr: It's been a couple months now. Do you think they'll be coming for you? King: Not all of them. Game. Or maybe Forty. One of them, but I don't think both. Parr: And if— King: And apparently Babel. She'd be with Game. Parr: What makes you say that? King: Because they're both here. Security detail was immediately put on high alert following SCP-8421's statement. Footage shows that around this time, House of Stars member Game Master was in an elevator, going downwards into the containment wing. Game Master. [Game Master is standing in the elevator, facing the door. He remains silent for a few moments.] Game Master: You shouldn't be here. [Silence.] Game Master: Because I asked you not to. [Silence.] Game Master: I know I'm not. But this is my shit to deal with, not yours. [Silence.] Game Master: She doesn't need to know. [Silence.] Game Master: I know she does, why do you think I'm here? [Silence.] Game Master: Two birds, one stone. And they're both in the hand too. [Silence.] Game Master: Maybe I'm doing it because it's the right thing. Is that so hard to believe? Tower of Babel: Yes. [The elevator stops.] Game Master: Why are you here? [REQUEST RECEIVED. ID: Riley Parr.] The House of Stars are all seated at a cheap restaurant, celebrating their newest member. She's blushing, clearly embarrassed by the attention. "At any rate," King says, "It's nice to see another girl on the team. Who was our last one, Babel?" "Babel's enby, King," says Chef. "Last was Sam." "Right, right. But yeah, any more guys and we'd start looking sexist." Forty takes another bite of her roll. A little stale, but a far cry better than the Foundation meals she'd been given most of her life. She looks around the table and briefly settles her gaze on a young man around her age, Red Joshua. Joshua glanced back at her. He gave a dorky smile and held out two thumbs up. "…and everyone knows Cowboys fans are pure evil," said Sam. "You Americans and your weird sports takes," said Talon, an old Australian man with empty eye sockets. "Come off it, Tal," replied Game, "I know you've got a hell of a racket down under, you need to spill on—" Game is interrupted by a nudge from Babel. He claps his hands together. "Skippers inbound. Check, please!" [Director Barnaby wheels herself to the control board and shuts off the intercom to King's cell before activating lockdown.] Barnaby: What are you doing? Parr: Reading some old House files. Barnaby: Right. Whatever. RANA is active, King's sedated. Parr, it's your time to shine, put that experience with them to good use. Parr: Game Master, third degree tychokinetic, leader of the House of Stars, but everyone else has been on edge about him since their reunion. Forty, a.k.a. SCP-040, powerful biokinetic, former partner of Red Joshua. And Tower of Babel, type 2 electromorph, pretty quiet. According to King, Forty isn't here, and it sounds like he didn't think anyone other than either her or Game would come. Barnaby: Warden, send a squad to intercept them at sublevel 5. Tell them to expect a probability manipulator and an anomalous digital entity. All other squads, make regular sweeps through the Site, I don't want anyone else getting in under our nose. Parr, can you tell me something I don't already know? Parr: This isn't right. Barnaby: No shit it isn't right. Parr: No, no no no. Why only those two? Barnaby: [Sighs.] What is it? Parr: If they're planning to rescue King… why only two of them? Barnaby: I was assuming the others are also here, carrying out a separate part of the plan. Isn't that why you failed to capture them last time? [Parr turns to Barnaby and scowls.] Parr: Listen to me. King said only either Game Master or Forty would be coming to rescue him, right? Barnaby: Okay? Parr: Babel was an afterthought, he only knew it was here after they breached the perimeter. It's… there's something we're missing here. Barnaby: Well, while you're figuring out their interpersonal drama, my folks are gonna go ahead and do your job for you. Warden! Is your squad in position? Warden Francis: [Via intercom.] Yes ma'am. We've manually stopped the elevator so Babel has no way of overriding it. We have men above and below them in the shaft. There's only one way out, and I've got twenty soldiers pointing guns at it. Barnaby: Stay alert. We can't have any room for error. [Warden Francis and his team are all facing the elevator door. Francis approaches with a megaphone.] Francis: Get that charge ready. Everyone, shields up! [The assembled personnel hold up their shock-absorbing riot shields. Two agents approach and attach low-yield explosives to the door. They retreat back to the holding position and likewise raise their shields.] Francis: Game Master and Tower of Babel, you are ordered to stand down and leave the elevator with your hands up. You have twenty seconds or we will blow down those doors! [Ten seconds pass.] Francis: Ten! [Five seconds pass.] Francis: Five! [The remaining five seconds pass.] Francis: Now! [The explosives detonate.] [REQUEST RECEIVED. ID: Riley Parr.] Forty and Joshua are handcuffed in the back of a UIU containment vehicle. Four guards have their guns trained on them in case they try any "funny business." Unnecessary, since the other House members would be the ones causing problems. "So, something I've been meaning to ask you…" Forty perks up at Joshua's sentence. He'd been silent the entire ride, fidgeting with his hands and avoiding eye contact. "Just, while we're here, just the two of us… I mean, not the guards, but like, you know." "Right." "But, we've been friends for a year now, and like, I've been thinking…" "Mhm." "Would you, uh, like to go out on a date?" "Oh, yeah, I'd love that." "Oh! Great! I mean, if we get out of this, you know." The two sit in silence for a minute before they both erupt into giggles at the horrible awkwardness of the exchange. Even the guards betrayed tiny smirks, finding the situation stupidly cute. Sixteen minutes later, the two of them were walking out of the flipped vehicle and towards Sheriff's car, already discussing date ideas. Barnaby: Warden, status report. Francis: Approaching door now, ma'am. [Pause.] It's… empty. Barnaby: Empty? Francis: No sign of them. No sign of them in the shaft itself either. Barnaby: Your time to shine, Parr. What's going on here? Parr: Hmm… Babel could have digitized them, but I doubt it. It's much weaker ever since the 500 incident, probably couldn't pull that trick off more than once. Barnaby: Could be their way in, then they get King and he gets them out. Parr: Then they would've just done that to start. Gone straight to the prize. Barnaby: So they're saving it for the way out. [Parr nods and scratches her chin. She thinks to herself for a moment before snapping her fingers.] Parr: We're idiots. Barnaby: Speak for yourself. Parr: How many main elevators do we have? Barnaby: Four, but we know they're in 2, that's where the footage is coming— [Barnaby rubs her eyes.] Barnaby: Dammit. Babel. Parr: They switched the feeds. Barnaby: They're definitely on sublevel 7 now. Parr: How much time do we have? Barnaby: Maximum security is sublevel 8, there's no elevator that goes down that far. They'll have to go through 7 and 8 first. Parr: Won't we have to do that too? Barnaby: Warden, this is Barnaby. Send everyone to sublevel 8. Expect heavy resistance, I'm sure Babel is fucking around with the Site systems. [Barnaby wheels herself to the elevator.] Barnaby: There's no elevator that goes down that far. But the shaft itself does. [Barnaby pulls a crowbar off her wheelchair and pries the door open. She reaches in and hoists herself onto the maintenance ladder, holding herself up with only her arms.] Parr: Jesus Christ. Barnaby: You stay here. Parr: What? You're going alone? Barnaby: I just need to stall until Francis gets down there. And I'd very much rather have you up here than down there. [Parr begins to protest, but Barnaby has already begun climbing down the ladder.] [Game Master runs down the stairs to sublevel 8 alone. He enters the maximum security ward and starts looking around.] Game Master: Unit 19… unit 19… [At an intersection ahead of him, Director Barnaby wheels in from around a corner. She holds a pistol in her hand.] Barnaby: Hello, Mr. Master. Game Master: Director. [Game Master draws a gun. Director Barnaby fires hers, hitting his and sending it flying from his hand.] Game Master: Nice shot. Barnaby: I checked it three times before now. Everything in perfect working order. But now that I've fired it, a variable has been introduced. I don't think I'll get another shot. Game Master: You've studied up. Barnaby: Know thine enemy and all. I've had plenty of time since Mr. King was delivered here to research your team. Luck manipulation. Very tricky stuff. Game Master: So why didn't you just shoot me? Barnaby: Could be a bulletproof suit, for starters. And I know I'll accomplish something by disarming you. Time is on my side too. You have a couple minutes at most before reinforcements arrive. But most importantly… I want to talk. Game Master: I don't. [Game Master runs forward. Barnaby attempts to fire her gun, but it jams. Unperturbed, she throws it aside. Right before Game Master reaches her, she flips backwards, lands on her hands, then pushes against the ground, launching herself into Game Master and knocking him prone.] Barnaby: Attacking a gal in a wheelchair? I thought you had a bit more class. Game Master: [Groans and rises to his feet.] What the fuck? Barnaby: Yeah, see, paralysis sucks, but it gives you an excuse to strap fifty pounds of metal to yourself at all times. Add in some upper body exercises, and… [Barnaby launches herself again. Game Master rolls to the side and narrowly avoids her. She slides to a stop.] Barnaby: You can try and run for his cell, but I'm much faster than you are. [Barnaby begins launching and swinging herself at Game Master, using the floor and walls to propel herself, and taking advantage of door handles, beams, and other items to move. Game Master is able to avoid the brunt of her attacks simply due to her unwieldiness, but is consistently clipped and injured with each attack.] Game Master: Babel! I need you! Barnaby: No outside access here, sorry. Every computer is self-contained, cell service is disabled, alarms are entirely analog, and comms can only be initiated from observation rooms. [Barnaby grabs onto a nearby door handle and swings herself into Game Master, who ducks and rolls to the side.] Game Master: Good to know. [Game Master positions himself in front of a cell lock. As Barnaby swings to him, he dives away. Barnaby's wheelchair hits the lock and breaks it, which disengages the cell door. An alarm sounds throughout the building, signaling a containment breach.] Game Master: Get fucked. [URA-4985-126, a small, wet, slug-like creature, slowly slithers out of the cell. It makes a burping noise.] Game Master: Oh. [The two stare at the creature for a moment in awkward silence before the two lunge at each other. Game Master avoids the attack, picks up the creature, and throws it at Barnaby's face. It latches onto her and obscures her vision.] Barnaby: Fucking hell! [Game Master picks up his gun and sprints away as Barnaby attempts to remove URA-4985-126 from her face.] [Game Master runs to SCP-8421's cell and come to a stop. He pulls an explosive device from his suit, but before he can act, the cell door opens.] Game Master: Babel? [Game Master walks down the corridor until he reaches the second doorway. This, too, opens for him. Game Master equips a mask as the RANA gas fills the hallway. He walks in. SCP-8421 is lying on his bed, unconscious. The RANA is disengaged, and the gas is slowly dissipating.] Game Master: What's going on here? Parr: You tell me. [Game Master looks up and sees the loudspeaker.] Parr: Barnaby kept herself signed in during all the commotion. Been a long time since I last said I was lucky. Game Master: What do you want? Parr: Now that the House is back, I figured if you were gonna come here, you'd bring everyone, make it an easy job. Get in, grab King, get out, all before breakfast. [The door closes behind Game Master. He turns to face it.] Parr: King said it would be either you or Forty. And the gun, you're shit with a gun. [Game Master pulls out his pistol.] Parr: You're not here to rescue King. [Game Master aims his gun at the bed.] Parr: You're here to kill him. [REQUEST RECEIVED. ID: Riley Parr.] "YOU COULD HAVE SAVED HIM!" The entire House is gathered a few miles from Site-19, where smoke is billowing into the sky; the team is standing at a closed down gas station. Forty shakes King by his jacket. An expression passes over his face: anger or frustration, she can't tell. "I made the right call," King says, "If we went back to save him, we almost definitely would've been caught too. And Parr's out for blood right now." "So you just gave up! Abandoned him!" "It was a hopeless situation!" "It was hopeless to you!" Forty shouts, "Because you didn't want to risk your own life! We would've all done the same for you!" "Forty," says Game. "You don't care! You never fucking care!" "Forty!" Forty turns to Game. "Tell him he's wrong. Tell him you two should've tried. At least say it was wrong." Game sighs. "He made the smart choice." King smiles slightly. Babel slowly walks backwards. The other team members clearly feel emotional, but are scared to engage. Tears run down Forty's face. She doesn't remember if she said anything else, all she knows is that she is gone. Game Master: Enough. [Game Master holds his position, his finger on the trigger.] Parr: Well? [Game Master doesn't move.] Parr: What are you waiting for? [A bead of sweat rolls down Game Master's face. His hand trembles.] Game Master: I'm gonna do it. [The gas dissipates. Game Master takes off his mask and steadies himself. A moment passes.] King: You won't. [Game Master is suddenly lying against the wall. He clutches his stomach in pain. The intercom is destroyed. King stands in the middle of the chamber, brushing off his clothes.] King: …me wearing such a terrible uniform. [King turns to Game Master and smiles.] King: I think you would've actually done it, given long enough. But I appreciate the hesitation. [Game Master reaches towards his pistol, but King kicks him in the stomach, causing him to yell out in pain.] Game Master: …How? King: I held my breath. And, you know, accelerated time around me. Neat trick, making several minutes last a few seconds. [Game Master tries to get up but groans in pain and sits back down. King crouches down in front of him.] King: Shhh, none of that. [King grabs the back of Game Master's head.] King: I've been able to escape for about ten years now, you know. But I didn't have a reason until now. My family was gone because of you. Game Master: Fucker… it was you… King: No, no… you stood up for me, remember? I made the right decision, and you understood that, but you failed to make them see. But it doesn't matter now. [Smiles.] We want the same thing. Our House, our family, together again. Game Master: This is your fault… King: And you came to kill me to atone. She, none of them, will forgive us. [King leans forward and plants a kiss on Game Master's forehead.] King: But I'm not going to kill you. It would be embarrassing. No, I want to make things right, not just feel better about what went wrong. [King picks up Game Master's gun and stands up. Outside the room, Site-126 personnel have gathered and are pointing their weapons at the door.] King: I'll be seeing you soon. [King walks towards the door. Just before he reaching it, he vanishes.] Francis: Stand by, once the RANA activates, we move in. [A moment later King appears behind the assembled guards. He starts firing at each of the agents, killing four of them before the remainder turn and fire at him. He vanishes and instantly appears between them and the door. Two of the guards keel over, their own knives in their chests. The others turn again, but as they are about to fire, their guns all suddenly face each other. Before the agents can react, they pull the triggers and kill each other. King walks forward and picks up Warden Francis' security card.] King: Unlucky. [King walks to the other end of the corridor, disappearing again just before reaching it.] SCP-8421 was able to successfully escape the facility. Around this time, footage of SCP-8421's cell was lost, during which Game Master disappeared, presumably with Tower of Babel's help. Addendum 6900.2 Once reinforcements had arrived and the site was secured, Captain Parr and Director Barnaby met in the latter's office. [Parr enters Barnaby's office and closes the door behind her. Barnaby is facing away from Parr, doing one-handed pull-ups beside her desk, still in her wheelchair.] Parr: I assume you didn't know he could pull off that trick with the door. [Silence.] Parr: Talked with the analysts. From what they gathered, seems like he just… removed the time where he would have encountered the door, meaning he could just walk through. We're gonna need a plan for— Barnaby: Do you know what Site-126's purpose is, Parr? Parr: Pissing me off once a month? Barnaby: We contain some of the most deadly and slippery sentient anomalies the Foundation has ever seen. Those with abilities or properties that they could use to cause untold harm. Do you know how many escapes we've had so far? [Barnaby swings herself backwards and crashes into Parr, landing on top of her and pinning her down. Parr screams in pain.] Barnaby: One. Exactly one. You have broken this facility's flawless record. Parr: Fucking… Off…! Barnaby: You pathetic, worthless, incompetent little shit. [Barnaby wheels herself off of Parr, who slowly stands and breathes heavily.] Barnaby: God, what I'd give to shoot you right here and now. Parr: How is this my fault? You saw what he did, he could have escaped any time! And we knew Game and Babel would get out if we didn't lock them up immediately! Barnaby: You disengaged the RANA! We know now that King could have escaped on his own, but it doesn't matter! You gave him an out the one time he wanted it! And for what? Parr: For— Barnaby: For your worthless fucking ego! So you could gloat about Game killing his friend! And you were making sure he could do it! Did you think that maybe we might want them alive? Parr: Did you think I don't give a shit? That maybe this all is important, knowing that King is being hunted down by his former friends! Barnaby: I don't care about their stupid-ass drama! I care about doing my job! And you don't! [Barnaby wheels herself to her desk and begins typing on her laptop.] Barnaby: This is going straight to Barnes. And if I have my way, the Council too. Get out of my office. Parr: You—! Barnaby: OUT! Addendum 6900.3 The evening after the above incident, Game Master and Tower of Babel were seen at an outdoor café after closing hours, briefly speaking at one of the tables. They had already departed by the time Foundation forces arrived. Tower of Babel. [In a flash of light, Game Master and Tower of Babel appear by the table. Babel roughly tosses Game Master onto a bench.] Tower of Babel: Why am I here? Game Master: [Groans.] Huh? Babel: You asked why I was here. Game Master: [Sits up.] You know… I think this is the most I've heard you talk at one time. Didn't even realize you had a southern accent. Babel: [Scowls.] God, you know how much I've hated being alive? Being an "it" or a "thing" since I was a kid. I ran away and into the newly born internet where I could stew in hate forever. Not that you ever asked. [Babel sits down and rubs its face in its hands.] Babel: But then you and your House wandered along, promised me I'd have a place. God, I was so desperate, I wanted to be perfect just for you. You remember when you said how cool I was for being "silent and mysterious?" I wanted to be that for you, I wanted you to love me. Game Master: I never meant— Babel: You never meant anything. I could stand watching King call me "her," I could stand Chef ignoring me, I could stand Fear and Panic pestering me. But it broke me, seeing you stand up for King after the two of you got Joshua killed. To know that all my time being perfect for you was nothing, because all that mattered was the image of a happy family to you. [Silence.] Babel: I returned to the House, not for you. Never for you. I want to be sure you never control them again. But God, you know what fucking sucks? [Silence.] Babel: I love you. And even worse, I know you love us. I came here to save your life because I don't want you to die. [Silence.] Babel: What have you done to me? [Long silence.] Game Master: I'm sorry. [Silence.] Babel: Let's go. They'll be here soon. [Babel and Game depart.] Footnotes 1. Legal name unknown. + More by Calibold + - More by Calibold - Calibold's Mega Cool Author Page — SCP Articles — SCP-8421 — Ruler of Everything SCP-8228 — Here's To You, Mrs. Robinson SCP-7178 — A Thief In The Night SCP-7179 — E is for Eternity SCP-6469-D — A BABY????? SCP-2082 — Elephas cryophilus SCP-6156 — Oh, Doug! SCP-6579-D — The Detective Killer SCP-6900-D — The House of Stars SCP-5277 — What Can Go Wrong SCP-5363-D — Controlled Containment SCP-3482 — fine mayor posters campaign by dado SCP-5156 — monke Director Bold's Proposal-J — "Guys, please don't read our SCPs 🥺" SCP-2693 — Fell Into The Well, Fell Into The Well, Fell Into The Deep Dark Well SCP-5559-D — The Great Ambrose Bake-Off! SCP-3448-J — Should Have Taken Him Sleeping SCP-4456-D — No One Expects The Spanish Decommission! SCP-4745 — Spooky Scary Snowman SCP-4645 — Blackmailing Computer — Tales — OpusConfidant Wiki - SCP-4645 - Threatini Diary Of An Existential Kid Responsible Promotion Friends Of Us Never Die Truth Lies A Team You Can (Maybe) Trust Happy Father's Day Mission: Decommission A Bold Choice I Am Become Death Ulysses B. Donkman and the Heinous Hitman It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Eldritch Chapter One - The End — GoI Formats — Manifest 476: Vanishing Galleon The Book Of Mathisi, Chapter 1: The Parable Of The Three Princes LTE-8686-Yellow-Kewpie UIU File: 2001-023 — Other — Customizable ACS Add-On Ver. 1.8.0 Guide Decommissioning Department Hub Fortune Favors Decommissioning Dept. Theme Customizable ACS Add-On Ver. 1.8.0 Mega Cool Author Page Tool Ver. 1.4.0 Calibold's Mega Cool Alternate SCP Logos Page Calibold's Mega Cool Art Page — Co-Authored — Taste The Rainbow (feat. Luxaiko) Abraka David's Proposal — A Peak Behind the Curtain (feat. many other authors) SCP-7400 — Your Honor, League of Legends (feat. Sherf) I, Hub (feat. many other authors) Resurrection: New Faces (feat. Grigori Karpin, Nagiros, and redredred) SCP-5545 — 𝙰 𝙱 𝙽 𝙾 𝚁 𝙼 𝙰 𝙻 𝙸 𝚃 𝚈 (feat. Yossipossi) SCP-194 — Thank You For Your Cooperation (feat. CityToast) — Foreign — Director Bold's Proposal — Language SCP-LA-II — Fruit Ruler of Everything ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8421" by Calibold, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8421. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-6900/King.jpg Name: King Author: TinksArt License: CC-by-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://twitter.com/TinksArt Filename: https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-6900/Game%20Master.jpg Name: Game Master Author: TinksArt License: CC-by-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://twitter.com/TinksArt Filename: https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-6900/Tower%20of%20Babel.png Name: Tower of Babel Author: TinksArt License: CC-by-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://twitter.com/TinksArt |
SCP-8423 | euclid | Item#: 8423 Level3 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: keneq Risk Class: danger link to memo Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8423 is enclosed within Area-87 located in the █████ █████ rainforest. A radius of 1.5 km has been established as an exclusionary zone around the area, and a 3-meter-tall fence lines the circumference. Security personnel are to patrol the perimeter on a bi-hourly basis, with cameras constantly surveying the surrounding area. SCP-8423 is to be contained within a 5m x 5m x 5m steel cube, with 2.5 meters above and below ground level. The containment chamber is to be fitted with a six (6) door air lock system, with incineration capabilities in each of the six (6) individual chambers. Should any single airlock fail at any point, the chambers shall undergo decontamination as described in document 8423- F-31c: All airlocks will initiate incineration sequence for a period of thirty (30) minutes, regardless of personnel located within. Airlocks will be flooded with Hydrogen Peroxide, which will sit for a period of no less than twenty-four (24) hours before draining. Airlocks will be flooded with boiling salt water for no less than twelve (12) hours before draining. Airlocks are flushed with boiling, soapy water. Hazmat teams will enter airlocks and decide whether decontamination is sufficient. Regardless of decontamination status, hazmat teams are to incinerate all clothes worn into airlocks after exiting. This process will be repeated at least two (2) times, with further decontamination at the discretion of area staff. Area-87 Layout Any personnel who enter SCP-8423’s containment chamber are required to wear IDLH certified self-contained air supply SCBA respirators and level A hazard totally-encapsulating hazmat suits. Personnel returning from interaction with SCP-8423 must quarantine for two weeks in a room with a monitoring camera, closed airflow system and incineration capabilities. If any personnel are suspected of disregarding any one of these directives they are to be terminated immediately by incineration. Description: SCP-8423 is a fungus similar in appearance to Psilocybin Semilanceata1. SCP-8423 growths average around 3.0 cm in diameter; growths have been recorded to grow up to 3.4 cm. Growths are notable for their conical bell-shaped cap with a small white spot on the peak. The colour of the growth ranges from brown to a rust-like colour. The stipes appear long and slender, some recording up to 10 cm in height, however, most range from 5-7 cm on average. Stipes range from dirty white to light brown. The lamella2 to stipe is adnexed3, with the lamella changing from white to black as they mature. Spores are completely transparent. Foundation mycologists estimate the spores to be roughly 10.5-11.5 x 6.5-7.0 micrometers and ellipsoid in shape. SCP-8423 exhibits saprotrophic ecology and can grow without access to sunlight. Psilocybin Semilanceata. Images of SCP-8423 are classified under protocol GT-83d. SCP-8423 demonstrates high resistance to extreme cold and heat, with research indicating it is capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -██˚C and as high as ██˚C. SCP-8423 is not biologically related to any other documented fungi, and is theorized to be native to █████ ████. Growths spread through the use of airborne spores. Infection by SCP-8423 occurs when a subject, referred to as SCP-8423-1, inhales spores emitted by SCP-8423 or SCP-8423-1 instances. SCP-8423 spores then enter the brain, where they begin to grow and feed implanted in the brain cavity. Infection from SCP-8423 occurs in seven (7) identifiable stages: Subject inhales spores of SCP-8423. Spores enter the subject's brain cavity, latching on. Subject is now considered SCP-8423-1. Subject will begin to feel smarter, stronger and clear-headed for a period of 1-3 months. Notably, patients with dementia and Alzheimer's report being completely cured of all affliction. Cognitive scans confirm that Alzheimer's and dementia symptoms cease. Subjects begin to become obsessive with the preservation and spread of SCP-8423. Subjects will begin to exhibit [REDACTED]. Subjects will root into the ground and emit SCP-8423 spores into the air, with a range of up to █ kilometers. [DATA EXPUNGED] In total, the lifecycle for SCP-8423-1 instances is roughly 6 months. SCP-8423 first came to Foundation attention when reports coming out of the [REDACTED] province began reporting [REDACTED] on local wildlife, and increasingly aggressive territorial behaviour from the affected. WARNING: THE FOLLOWING FILE IS LEVEL 4/8423 CLASSIFIED ANY ATTEMPT TO ACCESS THIS FILE WITHOUT LEVEL 4/8423 AUTHORIZATION WILL BE LOGGED AND WILL LEAD TO IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION. - Enter valid 4/8423 credentials - Credentials validated - Welcome, Dr. Martin _ +Operation Closed Canal-Hide Document Supervisors Note Below are a transcription of the video logs from the late Dr. Edward Zhang during his initial research into SCP-8423. The events and research of the last weeks of Dr. Zhang's life under Operation Closed Canal are classified under 4/8423 access. - Dr. Martin, Area-87 Senior Supervisor _ + Days 1-3- June 06 - June 08 Video Log 01 Transcript Date: 06/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca, Agent Jarron Hellebuyck, Agent Lupita Rodriguez [BEGIN LOG] A town with South American appearance can be seen outside of a window. Drs. Zhang & Abarca are seated at a desk, looking at the camera. Agents Hellebuyck and Rodriguez are not visible in frame. Dr. Edward Zhang: This is Dr. Edward Zhang. The current date is June 6th, 2022. We are currently in the town of [DATA EXPUNGED] regarding reports of wildlife exhibiting anomalous behaviours. Dr. Abarca hands Dr. Zhang a file folder. Dr. Zhang removes a sheet of paper from the folder and begins to read it. Zhang: Yes, that's right. Okay. Foundation operatives had begun receiving reports of wildlife exhibiting anomalous behavior, namely that most local wildlife has begun exhibiting signs of, quote unquote, 'large fungal growths and increasingly aggressive and territorial behaviours, so much so that local townsfolk cannot enter the surrounding rainforest without risk of assault by wildlife.' And we're here to see if this stuff is anomalous, or, you know, just fungus. Dr. Abarca: Yeah, and to add to that, Edward, the main thing we're here to do is to see if whatever this is can affect humans. So far, only signs of animal infection are present. Zhang: Right. We'll be interviewing the local population, as well as taking blood samples, and, if needed, body scans. We are to operate under the guise that we're medical staff from the [REDACTED] government sent as a temporary hospital set up. We're way out in the fucking sticks here, so if any of these country bumpkins suspect anything I'd be shocked. Anyhow, there's plenty of work to be done here. I'll keep the log updated periodically. [END LOG] Video Log 02 Transcript Date: 07/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca, Agent Jarron Hellebuyck, Agent Lupita Rodriguez [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Zhang can be seen sitting at a table, with a middle aged man, dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt sitting across from him. Agent Hellebuyck can be briefly seen leaving the room as the video starts, dressed in nurse scrubs. Please note that this log has been transcribed from [REDACTED] into English. Dr. Zhang: Ah, welcome, welcome! Mr. ████████ , correct? Subject: Yeah, that's me. The subject seems to be quite nervous in the presence of Dr. Zhang. Zhang: May I get you anything to drink? Water, coffee, tea? S: I'm fine. The subject appears to be incredibly uncomfortable, shifting in seat and glancing around S: Jesus, what's that smell? It smells like death. Z: that's just the smell of sterilization, I believe, we have to keep things clean here, you know? Don't want any germs getting around. S: Um, yeah, makes sense. Z: So, Mr. ████████, how are you feeling? Any sickness, aches, mental fog? S: Believe it or not, no. I mean, I know I look rough, but, I feel great. Amazing actually. Z: Really? Would you care to elaborate on that? S: That's not enough for you? Christ, are you city hacks dim? I feel great, end of story. Z: Apologies for pressing, sir. Nothing else to report? The subject appears more at ease knowing that the interview is ending. S: No. Can I go? Z: Almost, Mr. ████████. I just need a blood sample from you. it'll just be a prick on the finger. The subject appears to be alarmed by the request. S: Fuck, um, yeah, sure. Just be quick. Dr. Zhang walks across the room, grabbing the necessary equipment and returning to seat with the subject. He pricks the subjects finger, taking a small blood sample. A drop of blood falls on the table. Dr. Zhang grabs a Lysol wipe to remove the spot. S: [Screams] The subject jumps up, sprinting out of the room. Dr. Zhang appears shocked. [END LOG] Video Log 03 Transcript Date: 08/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca, Agent Jarron Hellebuyck, Agent Lupita Rodriguez [BEGIN LOG] Drs. Zhang and Abarca can be seen sitting at a table, with an elderly woman sitting across from them. The womans posture and demeanor appear far more youthful than his age would indicate. Please note that this log has been transcribed from [REDACTED] into English. Dr. Zhang: Mrs. ████, correct? Subject: That's right, dear. Z: Now, we talked to your granddaughter, and- S: Oh, █████! Such a beautiful young woman, isn't she? I still remember how she used to- Dr. Abarca: Ma'am, not to be rude, but we're not here to discuss your granddaughter. S: Oh dear me, I'm sorry doctors! Forgive an old woman her ramblings. Z: No need to apologize Mrs. ████. Now, as I was saying, your granddaughter tells us you previously were suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease until about three months ago. Is that correct? S: Oh, yes dear, yes. Truly awful thing, but then one day not three months ago, I woke up and poof! Gone! I could walk, talk, think and felt like I was 30 years younger. God truly is good. Z: Interesting. Now, could you tell us what happened before this seeming miracle happened? Anything out of the ordinary in the days leading up? S: Oh, nothing, nothing. I just went on my walks as usual, and had tea with █████ as per usual. Z: Where did you take these walks? S: Just out in the forest, on the path. Found some interesting little mushrooms out there, I did. Never seen the likes of them out there before. But, can't go in the forest no more because of the animals going crazy. Let me tell you….. The subject proceeded to go on a fifteen minute rant about how the younger generations are screwing everything up and are too soft. Attempts at cutting the subject off were unsuccessful. After the interview, Agents Hellebuyck and Rodriguez were sent into the rainforest to collect samples of fungus. During this time, they would also recover a half-eaten bird, which displayed symptoms of infection from SCP-8423. [END LOG] _ + Days 4-8- June 09 - June 13 Video Log 04 Transcript Date: 13/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca, Agent Jarron Hellebuyck, Agent Lupita Rodriguez [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Zhang can be seen taking a seat at a desk. He pulls a file folder out of a drawer. Dr. Abarca enters frame, sitting next to him. Dr. Zhang: Lots of new developments since the log was last updated. The samples Jarron and Lupita collected were interesting, to say the least. The samples we collected we initially thought were Psilocybin Semilanceata- Dr. Abarca: You mean shrooms. Both researchers laugh briefly. Z: Sure, whatever hippie shit you want to call them. Shrooms, magic mushrooms, whatever. Anyway, the point is they were not Psilocybin Semilanceata, testing shows they're a whole new thing. We checked the data against the foundation database, and these little shits aren't related to any other fungi that anyone has found. Hell, they're not related to any plants either. They don't appear to produce spores, either - not that I've seen at least, unless they're transparent, which I'm not ruling out. Now Manuel will report on the human and animal side of things. A: Right. Well, after running blood samples and the like, we've determined that this fungus can infect humans. We tested the samples of the fungi against samples of the blood we collected, and oh boy, is it ever there. We've been wearing respirators since, which we hope is enough. As for that bird that Hellebuyck and Rodriguez found, what a scare. The things organs, brain, basically the entire body was covered in fungus. The thing was more fungus than animal. Anyway, we've been running brain scans on patients, and this thing is impressive. On average, this thing is increasing cognition rates by [REDACTED] percent. We also scanned the old woman's brain, Mrs…. well, I forget now, but the old woman who had Alzheimer's. No signs of it at all. The most worrying part is… well, Edward, you can say if you'd like. Z: Sure. This thing is in people's brain. Scans are showing that the fungus plants itself into the brain and slowly spreads. People at around the three month mark have around ninety percent of their brain covered in the fungus. These patients who are further along also have begun showing fungal growths themselves, usually in the damper and darker areas of the body - think the armpits and groin area - however some people demonstrate growths around the face, particularly the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. For an unknow reason, no one in the town seem to point this out, or notice at all. Our current theory is those infected simply ignore the fact that the growths are happening - which would mean this entire damn town is infected. I've sent reports off to site command to close down this whole area if possible. If this thing spreads out of here, I don't know what we'll be able to do. But, we'll keep at work. Secure, contain, protect and all that shit. [END LOG] _ + Days 9-11- June 14 - June 16 Video Log 05 Transcript Date: 15/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca, Agent Jarron Hellebuyck, Agent Lupita Rodriguez [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Zhang can be seen sitting in his room, appearing disheveled. A clock on a nearby nighstand reads 03:34. Dr. Zhang: Quick update. Lupita found some bad shit while out looking for samples. We thought that the people who were about three months along were the furthest infected. We were wrong. They were just the latest that were still in town. Anyway. Lupita was out looking for samples, and noticed some movement in the distance. She hid herself, and what she described as 'half-fungus half-human entities' were roaming the forest. Glad to see we got some dash ones on our hands. Dr. Zhang rubs his face with his hands and stares blankly for thirty-three seconds. Z: This is really fucking bad. I'm going to send Rodriguez and Hellebuyck out tomorrow or the day after to do some recon. I just… what the fuck. I need some sleep. [END LOG] _ + Days 12-16- June 17 - June 21 Video Log 06 Transcript Date: 17/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca, Agent Jarron Hellebuyck, Agent Lupita Rodriguez [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Zhang appears sleep-deprived and disheveled. He holds a cup of coffee and is sitting at his desk. Dr. Zhang: Hellebuyck and Rodriguez are gone, and it's my fault. I sent them to go look at the dash one instances and….. they've been evacuated. I suspect they'll likely be terminated before they ever see the site again. And it's my fault. Dr. Zhang sits in silence for over five minutes. Z: The instances…. some of them were… well, I can only describe as rooted into the ground. Then they…. they… the 'tops' of them, I suppose you'd call it…. they opened…. spores. Transparent spores. I should've known from the start. You can't see them, obviously, but how the fuck else would that happen? Dr. Zhang proceeds to berate himself for over two minutes. Z: I let them all down. Everyone. I need to make this right. I have to go see for myself, or I'll never be able to sleep again. [END LOG] _ + Event Log 01- Rodriguez & Hellebuyck Reconnaissance Log 01 Event Log 01 Transcript Date: 16/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Agent Lupita Rodriguez Team Members: Agent Jarron Hellebuyck [BEGIN LOG] Agents Hellebuyck and Rodriguez are deep within the █████ █████ rainforest. It appears to be sometime around 10-11pm. Lush foliage surrounds the operatives, who don full hazmat suits and respirators. Agent Rodriguez is wearing a body camera, only Agent Hellebuyck is in frame. Agent Rodriguez: Camera on. Agent Hellebuyck: Roger. R: Let's go. We've got a lot of ground to cover. The agents proceed to walk for twenty-eight minutes, after which the notice a humanoid entity protruding from the ground about twenty-five meters in front of them. R: (Whispering) Entity located, 8 o'clock. H: (Whispering) Yeah, I see it too. The agents slowly creep towards the entity. The entity appears to be originally human, however almost completely overgrown by fungal colonies. The entity has their entire lower body as well as about half of their upper torso buried in the ground. H: Good God….. what are they…. R: Note that the entity appears to be performing some kind of self burial. Agent Rodriguez turns, the camera now facing away from the entity. R: Holy fuck…. Jarron…. H: [Inaudible] Agent Rodriguez's camera shows what appears to be dozens of entities exhibiting similar behaviour to the initial discovered entity. R: Jarron, we need to get out of here- Agent Rodriguez is suddenly jerked by an unknown force, falling to the ground. ?: [REDACTED] H: Lupita, what the fu- Agent Hellebuyck is cut off, likely by the same source. Agent Hellebuyck is not seen on camera again. ?: [Screaming] Agent Rodriguez's body camera picks up a rooted entity engaging in stage six of infection. The entity emits an agonized scream before it's top explodes, raining spores across the area. It is believed whatever entity struck down the agents removed their respirators at this time. After this, Agent Rodriguez's body camera recorded no footage. Agent's Hellebuyck and Rodriguez would return to field base six hours later, where Dr. Zhang would report the incident and send them back to site-██ for decontamination. [END LOG] Video Log 07 Transcript Date: 20/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Zhang can be seen holding the camera, shaking visibly. His eyes appear wild, and his face is far paler than normal. Dr. Zhang: I saw them. They…. they were rooted. That's the only fucking way to describe it. They were half buried, and their tops…. or what once would have been heads were open. After they exploded…. they shrank, and morphed, and shrank again. The dash ones aren't dash ones at all. They're all the fucking fungus. The last stage. The fungus and the people, or animals, or whatever the hell aren't separate entities. The fungus are the people. I'm sending this to site command. I'm requesting that they [DATA EXPUNGED]. It'll wipe the place, but….. everyone goes down with it. I… it's the right thing to do. [END LOG] _ + Event Log 02- Dr. Edward Zhang Reconnaissance Log 02 Event Log 02 Transcript Date: 19/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Zhang can be seen walking in the forest, holding a camera pointed at himself. It is believed he is near the site where Hellebuyck and Rodriguez found the entities. Dr. Zhang is wearing a respirator and hazmat suit. It is determined to be around 12-1am. Dr. Zhang: This is where they were…. this is it… it has to be…. Dr. Zhang can be seen surveying the forest floor. The area is covered in SCP-8423 growths. Dr. Zhang: This…. this can't be it…. there was so many…. The camera swings, and reveals one entity still in stage six of infection. Dr. Zhang approaches the entity. Dr. Zhang: (Quietly) Where did the rest of you go? Suddenly, the entity enters late stage six of infection. SCP-8423-1: [Screaming] Dr. Zhang falls backward, dropping the camera. The entities top is caught exploding, raining spores over the area. Dr. Zhang's respirator was not removed. Dr. Zhang: Fuck! Stupid piece of shi- Dr. Zhang cuts himself off, observing the first recorded instance of stage 7 of infection. The entity slowly begins to shrivel and morph, turning from it's humanoid form into a fungus resembling Psilocybin Semilanceata. Dr. Zhang: No…. no… fuck…. [sobbing] Dr. Zhang can be seen slowly looking around the field, surrounded by SCP-8423 growths. He is last observed sobbing uncontrollably before sprinting from the field. The camera footage would be cut fifteen minutes after Dr. Zhang's departure. [END LOG] Video Log 08 Transcript Date: 21/06/2022 Subject: SCP-8423 Team Lead: Dr. Edward Zhang Team Members: Dr. Manuel Abarca [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Zhang looks solemnly in the camera. He has clearly not slept, and appears unkempt. Dr. Zhang: They said yes. It'll all be done soon. For the best, I think. I've forwarded all of the work we did. I hope it'll be useful enough. Tell Elizabeth and Jacob I love them. [END LOG] _ +Test Log 01-Cure Test 01 Testing to determine the extent of infectious capabilities by SCP-8423, and possible cures. Date DATA Test Result 12/11/2022 D-7966, male, 23 Made to inhale SCP-8423 spores, progressed to stage 3 of infection. D-7966 given civilian antifungal medication. Ineffective. Subject terminated. 21/11/2022 D-0917, female, 38 Made to inhale SCP-8423 spores, progressed to stage 3 of infection. Given [REDACTED] developed by Foundation mycologists. Effective. Subject cured within 3 hours of dose. 30/12/2022 D-3181, male, 30 Made to inhale SCP-8423 spores, progressed to stage 4 of infection. Given [REDACTED] developed by Foundation mycologists. Ineffective. Subject began convulsing upon being given dose before falling comatose, unable to awaken. Subject terminated. Conclusion Successful development of a cure for stage 3 of infection and lower. Research into later stage cures is underway. _ +Test Log 02-Temperature Test 01 Test to determine the extent which SCP-8423 can withstand extreme temperatures. Date DATA Time Result 09/12/2022 SCP-8423 instance placed in a sealed box, temperature lowered to -30˚C. 1 Hour No visible change to SCP-8423. 09/12/2022 SCP-8423 instance placed in a sealed box, temperature lowered to -45˚C. 1 Hour No visible change to SCP-8423. 09/12/2022 SCP-8423 instance placed in a sealed box, temperature lowered to -60˚C. 34 Seconds Once temperature lowered to -60˚C SCP-8423 rapidly shifts to a dark-blue/black shade and freezes, killing the instance. Following this, researchers were able to correctly predict the outcome of the highest temperature SCP-8423 was able to withstand. Date DATA Time Result 10/12/2022 SCP-8423 instance placed in a sealed box, temperature raised to 47˚C. 32 seconds Once temperature raised to 47˚C SCP-8423 rapidly shifts to a black shade and dehydrates, killing the instance. Conclusion SCP-8423 operates on the same temperature maxima and minima as the human body. _ +Supervisor's Note-Regarding Operation Closed Canal The result of Operation Closed Canal was unequivocally a success. The work of the late Drs. Zhang & Abarca were invaluable to the containment of SCP-8423. The method in which Operation Closed Canal was concluded however is under no circumstances to be released to any personnel barring the O5 council. All that staff need to know is Operation Closed Canal resulted in the termination of all Foundation and civilian life. Any family or friend relations with townsfolk were given amnestics. The town and the people who lived there never existed. Discussion on this topic will be punishable by suspension. I will hear no more on the matter. - Dr. Martin, Area-87 Senior Supervisor Footnotes 1. Commonly referred to as Magic Mushrooms 2. The 'gill' 3. Narrowly attached ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8423" by DocMart, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8423. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: mushroom.jpg Author: Alan Rockefeller License: CC BY SA 3.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Psilocybe.semilanceata.Alan.jpg Filename: 8423-Map.png Author: DocMart License: CC BY SA 3.0 Source Link: http://scp-sandbox.wikidot.com/local--files/wiki:scp-8422/8423-Map.png |
SCP-8424 | esoteric-class | It's good advice! Item #: SCP-8424 Special Containment Procedures: No functional containment measures for SCP-8424 have yet been discerned. To minimize casualties during SCP-8424 events, a sizable amount of funding is to be committed to public education pertaining to proper earthquake safety procedure. A similar fund shall also be committed to public education on the safe viewing of eclipses, prioritizing making the following clear: "Do Not Look Directly At A Solar Eclipse." Description: SCP-8424 denotes the sudden and semi-simultaneous initialization of a seismic event1 and a total solar eclipse in localized areas2 with mid-large sized human populations. Incidences of missing persons cases recorded after SCP-8424 incidents are significantly higher than projected for events of their size. Coupled with this, zero afflicted individuals have been located with solar retinopathy due to these eclipse conditions. Investigations into these matters are ongoing. Research into SCP-8424 has been complicated by the fact that events are geographically widespread and unpredictable, with incidents occurring at an equal frequency in both areas prone and resistant to seismic events. Additionally, events are disjoint from accepted eclipse projections. The occluding body is currently unknown. Addendum: In March-April of 2024, an irregular series of events relating to SCP-8424 was recorded in the area surrounding Mazatlán, Mexico. The timeline proceeds as follows. Date: 08/03/2024 Summary: 10 second quake with seismic activity registered at 4.3 Richter; Epicenter, Northern Urban Edge. Eclipse duration of approximately 1 minute. 3 injured, 6 missing. Due to the low casualty number, Incident 8424-080324 was catalogued as a regular SCP-8424 event and prompted little necessary action past standard information suppression protocol. Date: 17/03/2024 Summary: 30 second quake with seismic activity registered at 5.2 Richter; Epicenter, Eastern Urban Area. Eclipse duration of approximately 2 minutes. 36 injured, 3 dead, 42 missing. Unexpected levels of structural damage dealt to affected area, with a number of structures such as street lights and supporting beams completely missing from aftermath surveys. Significant correlation between individuals witnessed walking into shadows and current missing persons identified. In the days following Incident 8424-170324, long sections of metallic debris were spotted phasing in and out of view in the air above the North Pacific Ocean, prompting a standard "Chemical Spill" cover story to divert ships from area. Due to the high visibility of the debris, additional dissemination of misinformation pertaining to "off-gas haze" and "hallucinatory refractions" was applied as a stopgap before further action could be taken. Date: 29/03/2024 Summary: 1 minute quake with seismic activity registered at 6.5 Richter; Epicenter, central Mazatlán. Eclipse duration approximately 15 minutes. 472 injured, 78 dead, 239 missing. Agents present at the event noted a deep and rhythmic thudding noise emanating through the city as the incident progressed, but could not place the source. Upon the event's conclusion, Central Mazatlán was rendered mostly uninhabitable. The massive escalation of casualties during Incident 8424-290324 prompted the initialization of a partial evacuation, relocating effected civilians to temporary Foundation-run relief camps until a full quarantine of the Mazatlán area could be completed. A civilian screening, amnesticization, and reorientation initiative was mandated to frame the event as a "freak disaster" and to downplay the eclipse as a mass hallucination. Additionally, building atmospheric disturbance was noted at aerial debris site, the accumulation of which correlated with increased visible structural mass and the arrangement of the debris into an approximate bowl shape. Further reconnaissance was deemed necessary to determine suitable containment protocol. On 02/04/2024, Foundation operatives alerted command to the emergence of a web of large red tendrils that had suddenly appeared, visually emanating from a central node within the aerial debris site. Due to geometric interference, long distance observation proved futile. Remote scouting approximated the web's diameter at 100 meters, but before further information could be recorded, all reconnaissance drones and 5 dispatched agents were lost during a sudden eclipse event. Recovered footage of the incident from the bodycam of Agent Plüm has been included below. <Feed Starts> [The feed begins on a wide shot of a beach, where far on the horizon a red dot can be seen. After a few moments, the view angles down to focus on a screen displaying a live drone recording which slowly approaches the aerial debris site.] [A few seconds of stillness pass. Metallic whirring can be heard over the soft push and pull of the tide. Plüm's legs can be seen on the periphery, dug into the sand where they're sitting.] [The display suddenly goes dark. The main feed angles upward slightly.] [The agent watches in complete stillness as a line of shadow breaks apart in the sky, each radial line traveling clockwise and counterclockwise, before meeting again and turning the day to pitch darkness.] [The feed angles up further as the agent raises their head, bringing the eclipsed sun into view.] [In a single frame, the feed turns black. A brittle crunch can be heard.] <Feed Ends> In the aftermath of the sudden occlusion, recovered agents attested to witnessing grey masses growing and shrinking within the aerial debris web.3 Further reconnaissance was postponed due to unnecessary risk. On 03/04/2024 progression of the civilian screening initiative documented the first known solar retinopathy victims of the anomalous eclipse conditions. As containment specialists had assumed the information gathered from this discovery would be greatly impactful, a study was pursued. Unfortunately, the only notable difference between SCP-8424 victims and those of standard eclipse-based retinal damage was a prevalence of 3 pronged "crow's foot" floater patterns, as opposed to blurry and dark spots/webs being burned into the eye. On 04/04/2024, a dedicated Autonomous Remote Observation Array4 was installed on the outskirts of Mazatlán, primarily aimed at detecting and recording any changes in the aerial debris web. An abridged log of significant observations are included below. Date [Time] Description 04/04/2024 [0721] Grey masses noted in Incident 8424-020424 visually confirmed. 04/04/2024 [0814] Grey masses occluded by interlinked debris. 04/04/2024 [1327] Interlinked debris transluces, grey mass appears to twist and rotate before settling. 04/04/2024 [1944] Grey mass closest to AuROrA grows indistinct, excepting two darker orbs which remain visually clear. 04/04/2024 [2001] AuROrA switches to primarily infrared band in low light conditions, grey masses noted to be significantly above ambient air temperature. 05/04/2024 [0628] Grey masses no longer observable, roughly ellipsoid webs of red tendrils as originally noted before Incident 8424-020424 recorded in their place. 05/04/2024 [0953] Grey mass appears to phase in around red tendrils. 05/04/2024 [1007] Yellow orb appears to phase in adjacent to Grey mass. 05/04/2024 [1034] Contact with AuROrA is lost. Foundation agents stationed near Mazatlán were directed to locate the AuROrA and determine the reason for loss of contact. After a short search, it was found roughly 500 meters from the site it was erected, with a hole 30cm in diameter punctured through the majority of its computational array. On the 6th of April 2024, a small, propeller aircraft was sighted in rapid descent by agents assigned to monitoring the aerial debris web perimeter. Upon locating the downed aircraft, it was ascertained that both passengers5 had died in the crash. A handheld video camera was found within the cockpit that was damaged, but functional. The last recorded video is included below. <Feed Starts> [The video begins with the camera facing Lucy Neston in the co-pilot's seat. She is visibly shocked. Footage appears to shake with significantly greater intensity than the plane's instability.] Lucy: So we heard about that quake down in Mazatlán, yeah? But we didn't feel anything back home, so Joe pitched that we take the old bird up and see if we can't get a spot of what's really happening down there. [She turns to face her husband who appears to say something, though he cannot be heard over the sound of the engine] Lucy: I don't. I don't know what it is we're looking at here, but I'm getting it on film so we can figure that all out later. [She takes a hurried breath.] Lucy: Joe don't like it none- Says he wants to turn us around, so we ain't got long. [She transfers the camera to her other hand in order to turn it to face the window, where below the plane the aerial debris web can be seen. As they fly, the phasing properties of the web over the water cause a shimmering effect. The reflection of the structure doesn't match.] [The camera turns. In the center of the web, three ellipsoid objects are observable. The objects are a consistent blue tinted off-white, and appear entirely smooth.] Lucy: Okay Joe I got it, you can turn us back h- [There is a loud warping croak shortly followed by a sharp and piercing crack as the camera is thrown forwards, landing in the cockpit footwell.] [Intermittent bouts of screaming can be heard over the plane's engine for roughly 40 seconds.] <Feed Ends> Foundation biologists note a striking similarity between the objects seen in the footage and avian eggs. Research into any possible connection is currently ongoing. On 07/04/2024, the aerial debris web and its contents fell from the sky into the North Pacific Ocean. Preliminary reconnaissance efforts succeeded without impediment, allowing for the identification of the composite materials of the debris field along side three hollow ellipsoid shells. All anomalous activity appears to have ceased, with the possible exception of reported sightings of Black Herons6 in the region surrounding Mazatlá.7 Date: 08/04/2024 Summary: Continuous seismic activity measuring 2.3 Richter measured across continental Americas from 1100-1300 PDT (GMT-7) moving in a band starting in Mazatlán and crossing Northern Mexico, Texas, and New England. Phenomenon coincided with a natural total solar eclipse. 95 injured,8 Total missing unknown.9 ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8424" by IndustryStandard, J_V_G, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8424. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Footnotes 1. Generally registering 4-5 on the Richter scale. 2. Noted to impact an area much smaller than that expected of both standard seismic and eclipse events. 3. Though long distance observation failed to confirm these observations. 4. Hereafter AuROrA. 5. Identified as Joe and Lucy Neston, a married couple who frequently vacationed in the area. 6. Egretta ardesiaca 7. Species is native to the contiguous African continent. 8. Solar retinopathy 9. Estimated: 2-3000+ |
SCP-8424 | uncontained | It's good advice! Item #: SCP-8424 Special Containment Procedures: No functional containment measures for SCP-8424 have yet been discerned. To minimize casualties during SCP-8424 events, a sizable amount of funding is to be committed to public education pertaining to proper earthquake safety procedure. A similar fund shall also be committed to public education on the safe viewing of eclipses, prioritizing making the following clear: "Do Not Look Directly At A Solar Eclipse." Description: SCP-8424 denotes the sudden and semi-simultaneous initialization of a seismic event1 and a total solar eclipse in localized areas2 with mid-large sized human populations. Incidences of missing persons cases recorded after SCP-8424 incidents are significantly higher than projected for events of their size. Coupled with this, zero afflicted individuals have been located with solar retinopathy due to these eclipse conditions. Investigations into these matters are ongoing. Research into SCP-8424 has been complicated by the fact that events are geographically widespread and unpredictable, with incidents occurring at an equal frequency in both areas prone and resistant to seismic events. Additionally, events are disjoint from accepted eclipse projections. The occluding body is currently unknown. Addendum: In March-April of 2024, an irregular series of events relating to SCP-8424 was recorded in the area surrounding Mazatlán, Mexico. The timeline proceeds as follows. Date: 08/03/2024 Summary: 10 second quake with seismic activity registered at 4.3 Richter; Epicenter, Northern Urban Edge. Eclipse duration of approximately 1 minute. 3 injured, 6 missing. Due to the low casualty number, Incident 8424-080324 was catalogued as a regular SCP-8424 event and prompted little necessary action past standard information suppression protocol. Date: 17/03/2024 Summary: 30 second quake with seismic activity registered at 5.2 Richter; Epicenter, Eastern Urban Area. Eclipse duration of approximately 2 minutes. 36 injured, 3 dead, 42 missing. Unexpected levels of structural damage dealt to affected area, with a number of structures such as street lights and supporting beams completely missing from aftermath surveys. Significant correlation between individuals witnessed walking into shadows and current missing persons identified. In the days following Incident 8424-170324, long sections of metallic debris were spotted phasing in and out of view in the air above the North Pacific Ocean, prompting a standard "Chemical Spill" cover story to divert ships from area. Due to the high visibility of the debris, additional dissemination of misinformation pertaining to "off-gas haze" and "hallucinatory refractions" was applied as a stopgap before further action could be taken. Date: 29/03/2024 Summary: 1 minute quake with seismic activity registered at 6.5 Richter; Epicenter, central Mazatlán. Eclipse duration approximately 15 minutes. 472 injured, 78 dead, 239 missing. Agents present at the event noted a deep and rhythmic thudding noise emanating through the city as the incident progressed, but could not place the source. Upon the event's conclusion, Central Mazatlán was rendered mostly uninhabitable. The massive escalation of casualties during Incident 8424-290324 prompted the initialization of a partial evacuation, relocating effected civilians to temporary Foundation-run relief camps until a full quarantine of the Mazatlán area could be completed. A civilian screening, amnesticization, and reorientation initiative was mandated to frame the event as a "freak disaster" and to downplay the eclipse as a mass hallucination. Additionally, building atmospheric disturbance was noted at aerial debris site, the accumulation of which correlated with increased visible structural mass and the arrangement of the debris into an approximate bowl shape. Further reconnaissance was deemed necessary to determine suitable containment protocol. On 02/04/2024, Foundation operatives alerted command to the emergence of a web of large red tendrils that had suddenly appeared, visually emanating from a central node within the aerial debris site. Due to geometric interference, long distance observation proved futile. Remote scouting approximated the web's diameter at 100 meters, but before further information could be recorded, all reconnaissance drones and 5 dispatched agents were lost during a sudden eclipse event. Recovered footage of the incident from the bodycam of Agent Plüm has been included below. <Feed Starts> [The feed begins on a wide shot of a beach, where far on the horizon a red dot can be seen. After a few moments, the view angles down to focus on a screen displaying a live drone recording which slowly approaches the aerial debris site.] [A few seconds of stillness pass. Metallic whirring can be heard over the soft push and pull of the tide. Plüm's legs can be seen on the periphery, dug into the sand where they're sitting.] [The display suddenly goes dark. The main feed angles upward slightly.] [The agent watches in complete stillness as a line of shadow breaks apart in the sky, each radial line traveling clockwise and counterclockwise, before meeting again and turning the day to pitch darkness.] [The feed angles up further as the agent raises their head, bringing the eclipsed sun into view.] [In a single frame, the feed turns black. A brittle crunch can be heard.] <Feed Ends> In the aftermath of the sudden occlusion, recovered agents attested to witnessing grey masses growing and shrinking within the aerial debris web.3 Further reconnaissance was postponed due to unnecessary risk. On 03/04/2024 progression of the civilian screening initiative documented the first known solar retinopathy victims of the anomalous eclipse conditions. As containment specialists had assumed the information gathered from this discovery would be greatly impactful, a study was pursued. Unfortunately, the only notable difference between SCP-8424 victims and those of standard eclipse-based retinal damage was a prevalence of 3 pronged "crow's foot" floater patterns, as opposed to blurry and dark spots/webs being burned into the eye. On 04/04/2024, a dedicated Autonomous Remote Observation Array4 was installed on the outskirts of Mazatlán, primarily aimed at detecting and recording any changes in the aerial debris web. An abridged log of significant observations are included below. Date [Time] Description 04/04/2024 [0721] Grey masses noted in Incident 8424-020424 visually confirmed. 04/04/2024 [0814] Grey masses occluded by interlinked debris. 04/04/2024 [1327] Interlinked debris transluces, grey mass appears to twist and rotate before settling. 04/04/2024 [1944] Grey mass closest to AuROrA grows indistinct, excepting two darker orbs which remain visually clear. 04/04/2024 [2001] AuROrA switches to primarily infrared band in low light conditions, grey masses noted to be significantly above ambient air temperature. 05/04/2024 [0628] Grey masses no longer observable, roughly ellipsoid webs of red tendrils as originally noted before Incident 8424-020424 recorded in their place. 05/04/2024 [0953] Grey mass appears to phase in around red tendrils. 05/04/2024 [1007] Yellow orb appears to phase in adjacent to Grey mass. 05/04/2024 [1034] Contact with AuROrA is lost. Foundation agents stationed near Mazatlán were directed to locate the AuROrA and determine the reason for loss of contact. After a short search, it was found roughly 500 meters from the site it was erected, with a hole 30cm in diameter punctured through the majority of its computational array. On the 6th of April 2024, a small, propeller aircraft was sighted in rapid descent by agents assigned to monitoring the aerial debris web perimeter. Upon locating the downed aircraft, it was ascertained that both passengers5 had died in the crash. A handheld video camera was found within the cockpit that was damaged, but functional. The last recorded video is included below. <Feed Starts> [The video begins with the camera facing Lucy Neston in the co-pilot's seat. She is visibly shocked. Footage appears to shake with significantly greater intensity than the plane's instability.] Lucy: So we heard about that quake down in Mazatlán, yeah? But we didn't feel anything back home, so Joe pitched that we take the old bird up and see if we can't get a spot of what's really happening down there. [She turns to face her husband who appears to say something, though he cannot be heard over the sound of the engine] Lucy: I don't. I don't know what it is we're looking at here, but I'm getting it on film so we can figure that all out later. [She takes a hurried breath.] Lucy: Joe don't like it none- Says he wants to turn us around, so we ain't got long. [She transfers the camera to her other hand in order to turn it to face the window, where below the plane the aerial debris web can be seen. As they fly, the phasing properties of the web over the water cause a shimmering effect. The reflection of the structure doesn't match.] [The camera turns. In the center of the web, three ellipsoid objects are observable. The objects are a consistent blue tinted off-white, and appear entirely smooth.] Lucy: Okay Joe I got it, you can turn us back h- [There is a loud warping croak shortly followed by a sharp and piercing crack as the camera is thrown forwards, landing in the cockpit footwell.] [Intermittent bouts of screaming can be heard over the plane's engine for roughly 40 seconds.] <Feed Ends> Foundation biologists note a striking similarity between the objects seen in the footage and avian eggs. Research into any possible connection is currently ongoing. On 07/04/2024, the aerial debris web and its contents fell from the sky into the North Pacific Ocean. Preliminary reconnaissance efforts succeeded without impediment, allowing for the identification of the composite materials of the debris field along side three hollow ellipsoid shells. All anomalous activity appears to have ceased, with the possible exception of reported sightings of Black Herons6 in the region surrounding Mazatlá.7 Date: 08/04/2024 Summary: Continuous seismic activity measuring 2.3 Richter measured across continental Americas from 1100-1300 PDT (GMT-7) moving in a band starting in Mazatlán and crossing Northern Mexico, Texas, and New England. Phenomenon coincided with a natural total solar eclipse. 95 injured,8 Total missing unknown.9 ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8424" by IndustryStandard, J_V_G, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8424. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Footnotes 1. Generally registering 4-5 on the Richter scale. 2. Noted to impact an area much smaller than that expected of both standard seismic and eclipse events. 3. Though long distance observation failed to confirm these observations. 4. Hereafter AuROrA. 5. Identified as Joe and Lucy Neston, a married couple who frequently vacationed in the area. 6. Egretta ardesiaca 7. Species is native to the contiguous African continent. 8. Solar retinopathy 9. Estimated: 2-3000+ |
SCP-8425 | pending | Item#: 8425 Level2 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: {$disruption-class} Risk Class: {$risk-class} link to memo Photo taken during an SCP-8425-1 event. Context unknown. Special Containment Procedures: Foundation personnel displaying signs of SCP-8425 contagion are to be detained and monitored for a period of five (5) days, or until symptoms subside. Active containment procedures of SCP-8425 is considered unnecessary following Incident 8425/ASTRA. ROI.aic has been assigned to apply heuristic monitoring procedures across a range of the top 50 most used social media sites to scan for undetected cases of extant SCP-8425 contagion. Usage of bot swarms to soft-censor cognitohazardous content has been granted. Any persons identified by ROI.aic or the Horizon Initiative as possible vectors of SCP-8425 contagion are to be placed under observation as Persons of Interest. The connection between these persons is believed to have been documented as part of Project STARFALL. Project Lead Dr. Sondheim is currently confirmed deceased following the events of Incident 8425/ASTRA. Project STARFALL is considered defunct in his absence. Description: SCP-8425 is the designation for a memetic contagion attributed to observation of an event (hence designated SCP-8425-1) recorded as taking place between the early evening of 04/05/2015 and concluding during the early morning of 05/05/2015, according to Eastern Standard Time (EST). The nature of SCP-8425 remains unclear, but appears to be similar in nature to paranoid schizophrenia, incorporating symptoms that outwardly appear similar. A primary trait of contagion is an increased, lasting, and uncharacteristic fixation on ideas of spirituality and religion. This effect appears to be more severe in persons of previously secular convictions, who attribute their newly devout nature to the seemingly spiritually significant SCP-8425-1 event. Due to the mostly undetectable nature of SCP-8425 contagion, it is not considered a threat. Newly detected cases of SCP-8425 contagion can be attributed to latent SCP-8425 contagion within the population, as there have been no new SCP-8425-1 events since Incident 8425/ASTRA. Addendum 8425.1: Grant Request Approval for the Establishment of PROJECT STARFALL [REDACTED PER O5 ORDER] Addendum 8425.2: Eyewitness accounts of SCP-8425-1 [REDACTED PER O5 ORDER] Addendum 8425.3: Video transcript of Incident 8425/ASTRA [REDACTED PER O5 ORDER] Terminal #001 | Save SCP-8425_v5.doc Saving … SCP-8425_v5.doc saved successfully. | cd C:/User/Documents/Work SCP-8425_v5.doc | Last edited: 0 seconds ago SCP-8425_v4.doc | Last edited: 9 days ago sondheim_log.doc | Last edited: 5 hours ago | cd C:/User/Documents/Work/SCP-8425_v4.doc The following document is classified Level 5 to clearance code A99XHRUHAA. Please confirm you have these credentials before continuing. If you have received this document in error, do not continue. Contact your local RAISA office immediately and report a misdirected Level 5 information packet. Failure to do so is punishable by termination and additional consequences. | Does the black moon howl? | > It is merely screaming back at the stars. Validating… Authentication phrase validated. Welcome, Dr. Sondheim. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8425" by Letova, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8425. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Starfallen Name: Starfall Author: Dawid Zawiła Source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purple_starry_sky_(Unsplash).jpg License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 |
SCP-8425 | uncontained | Item#: 8425 Level2 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: {$disruption-class} Risk Class: {$risk-class} link to memo Photo taken during an SCP-8425-1 event. Context unknown. Special Containment Procedures: Foundation personnel displaying signs of SCP-8425 contagion are to be detained and monitored for a period of five (5) days, or until symptoms subside. Active containment procedures of SCP-8425 is considered unnecessary following Incident 8425/ASTRA. ROI.aic has been assigned to apply heuristic monitoring procedures across a range of the top 50 most used social media sites to scan for undetected cases of extant SCP-8425 contagion. Usage of bot swarms to soft-censor cognitohazardous content has been granted. Any persons identified by ROI.aic or the Horizon Initiative as possible vectors of SCP-8425 contagion are to be placed under observation as Persons of Interest. The connection between these persons is believed to have been documented as part of Project STARFALL. Project Lead Dr. Sondheim is currently confirmed deceased following the events of Incident 8425/ASTRA. Project STARFALL is considered defunct in his absence. Description: SCP-8425 is the designation for a memetic contagion attributed to observation of an event (hence designated SCP-8425-1) recorded as taking place between the early evening of 04/05/2015 and concluding during the early morning of 05/05/2015, according to Eastern Standard Time (EST). The nature of SCP-8425 remains unclear, but appears to be similar in nature to paranoid schizophrenia, incorporating symptoms that outwardly appear similar. A primary trait of contagion is an increased, lasting, and uncharacteristic fixation on ideas of spirituality and religion. This effect appears to be more severe in persons of previously secular convictions, who attribute their newly devout nature to the seemingly spiritually significant SCP-8425-1 event. Due to the mostly undetectable nature of SCP-8425 contagion, it is not considered a threat. Newly detected cases of SCP-8425 contagion can be attributed to latent SCP-8425 contagion within the population, as there have been no new SCP-8425-1 events since Incident 8425/ASTRA. Addendum 8425.1: Grant Request Approval for the Establishment of PROJECT STARFALL [REDACTED PER O5 ORDER] Addendum 8425.2: Eyewitness accounts of SCP-8425-1 [REDACTED PER O5 ORDER] Addendum 8425.3: Video transcript of Incident 8425/ASTRA [REDACTED PER O5 ORDER] Terminal #001 | Save SCP-8425_v5.doc Saving … SCP-8425_v5.doc saved successfully. | cd C:/User/Documents/Work SCP-8425_v5.doc | Last edited: 0 seconds ago SCP-8425_v4.doc | Last edited: 9 days ago sondheim_log.doc | Last edited: 5 hours ago | cd C:/User/Documents/Work/SCP-8425_v4.doc The following document is classified Level 5 to clearance code A99XHRUHAA. Please confirm you have these credentials before continuing. If you have received this document in error, do not continue. Contact your local RAISA office immediately and report a misdirected Level 5 information packet. Failure to do so is punishable by termination and additional consequences. | Does the black moon howl? | > It is merely screaming back at the stars. Validating… Authentication phrase validated. Welcome, Dr. Sondheim. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8425" by Letova, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8425. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Starfallen Name: Starfall Author: Dawid Zawiła Source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purple_starry_sky_(Unsplash).jpg License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 |
SCP-8430 | euclid | bigslothonmyface Written by bigslothonmyface You can find more of their work on their author page. Item#: SCP-8430 Level3 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: keneq Risk Class: warning link to memo SCP-8430, aboveground portion, August 2024. Blue and Gray Floors are visible. Special Containment Procedures: The city of Needlework, Arizona, must house at least 2,000 residents. Through displacement of civilians from other areas, the Foundation is to ensure that Needlework maintains a working population of at least 2,000. Foundation personnel may not reside in Needlework,1 nor may employees of any other entity than SCP-8430. No business may operate in Needlework other than SCP-8430. Foundation operatives are to execute buyouts, falsified criminal activities, and government campaigns to ensure that Fulfillment Facility 109 employs the city's entire adult workforce. Twice per year, the Foundation supplies parts and repairs for SCP-8430’s provided IX-4 pods and their occupants. This is the only time at which members of staff are permitted to enter SCP-8430. At no point during this process are staff to enter the Red Floor. Staff routinely request psychological support or amnestic treatment upon completion of IX-4 maintenance; such requests are blanket authorized by order of Site-141. IX-4 Fulfillment Pods at Site-141. Description: SCP-8430 is Fulfillment Facility 109, a medical technology fabrication center located approx. 81km south of Phoenix, AZ, USA, and operated by med-tech distributor Ellison Health. The facility began exhibiting anomalous qualities following a buyout of Ellison Health by U.S.-based drugmaker Purdue Pharma in 2023. Fulfillment Facility 109 is divided into four floors: Blue Floor: Intake and administrative offices (suspected to house SCP-8430-1) Yellow Floor: Raw materials processing; manufacturing preparation Red Floor: [DATA EXPUNGED] Gray Floor: Distribution and shipping of manufactured goods Anomalous effects are present throughout the facility, but are thought to manifest primarily on the Yellow Floor and the Red Floor. Discovery: SCP-8430 first drew Foundation attention in the wake of local supply chain disruptions. Investigation revealed that 97% of disrupted orders had been placed by Ellison Health Fulfillment Facility 109, which had taken delivery—in a single month—of sufficient supplies to reconstruct the plant’s physical structure over 110 times. No external changes to the building or its grounds were apparent, leading researchers to presume massive internal alterations were in progress for an unknown purpose. Attempts were made to contact Ellison Health, but agents were unable to reach the company. Phone calls were not returned, and e-mails were handled by automated systems. Media reports and cross-analysis of security footage revealed that no Ellison corporate executive had made a public appearance in at least six weeks. Foundation Field Agent Eric Cano was dispatched to Needlework to investigate SCP-8430 on November 12, 2023. [BEGIN LOG] Agent Cano parks his vehicle in the lot outside Fulfillment Facility 109 and approaches a door in the west side of the building. As he nears it, several workers in blue uniforms exit the building and move toward him. They walk slowly, not looking up from the ground. Agent Cano: Excuse me! The workers glance up. Worker 1: Can we do something for you? Agent Cano: I'm Agent Cano of the Department of Commerce. Cano flashes a badge. Agent Cano: I'm looking for the manager of this plant. The frontmost worker shrugs. Worker 1: Don’t know if we have a manager. Get everything through the earpiece. The worker taps his temple. He is wearing a large copper device on his temple. It branches out and snakes along the side of his skull down the length of his jaw. Agent Cano: Do you report to anyone on site? The worker shrugs again, as do the others. Cano's bodycam picks up movement near the roof; surveillance cameras have rotated toward the group. Worker 1: Couldn’t tell you. If you wanna look inside, lobby’s right there. The worker points at the door the three have just exited. Worker 1: Careful, though, there's some, uh. Some work going on. I think. Don’t really remember what. Agent Cano: I'll watch my step. Thanks. The workers continue walking away. Cano eyes them as they move. Their uniforms are burnt, and the man at the back walks with a limp. Agent Cano: Hey! The three men stop and turn, warily. Agent Cano: Can I get your names, please? The workers glance at each other. Worker 1: Look, man… Worker 3: We're just trying to get through the day. The men turn and continue walking. Cano watches them go for a while, but doesn't stop them. After a moment, he approaches the door and opens it. Inside is a linoleum-floored reception area with a desk and several fake plants. There are no bulbs in the fixtures; the only light comes through several large windows, and from a computer monitor at reception. Agent Cano: Nobody at the front desk. Cano examines the desk. There is computer and phone equipment, but no chair. The computer monitor is flickering rapidly between several different applications. Agent Cano: Continuing inside. Hallway, Blue Floor. Cano steps around the desk and through the door behind it. The rooms beyond are in disrepair, with portions of the ceiling, walls and windows missing. There is enough dust on the floor that the agent leaves footprints as he walks. There is a brief burst of static over the comms system. Command: Apologies. Your audio cut out for a moment—could you repeat, please? Agent Cano: Didn’t say anything. Just some static on the line. Whole place looks deserted so far. I wonder if— huh. Cano has reached a large, open office block. Abandoned desks and filing equipment are arranged haphazardly. Every desk, along with most of the walls and floor, is covered with a thick mat of black, rubbery strands, coalescing around a large object in the center of the room. The object is so thoroughly coated in the material that it is impossible to identify. Agent Cano bends down to examine the strands. Agent Cano: Cables. Command, what kind of tech does this place make again? Agent Cano: …Command? Do you copy? Cano taps his earpiece. Command: Apologies, we’re still getting some interruptions. Please repeat. Agent Cano: I’ve got some freaky cables here. Covering everything, almost like a plant. Do you know what kind of technology the company makes? Command: Medical supplies and equipment. Nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps the cables are part of the remodeling work you mentioned? Agent Cano: No way. I can feel the heat from here. Voltage must be crazy. Cano steps gingerly across the room, giving the object in the center a wide berth. Agent Cano: Another door at the end. Looks like stairs, going down. Still no sign of any staff. Cano reaches the door. A narrow metal walkway descends into darkness. There is one light on at the bottom. Cano takes a single step, and finds himself at the bottom of the staircase. He stumbles. Agent Cano: Fuck! Ah, god dammit. Cano looks back up the staircase, his bodycam panning to follow. The door he entered through is no longer visible. Agent Cano: Command, be advised facility exhibits spatial anomalies. We’ll probably need the Mole Rats. Command: If you’re in danger, it may be better to turn back. Agent Cano: Don’t think I can—my exit’s gone. Might need evac if I can’t find another way out. Hallway, Yellow Floor. Cano continues cautiously down the hall. The walls and ceiling are made of bare cement, with copper piping running along them periodically. Agent Cano: So many cars in the lot. There must be hundreds of people in here somewhere. Ah! Cano jogs forward to a glass viewing window set into one wall. It overlooks a machine room, with shelving and chutes around the outside and a series of large processing gears at the center. Around the gears, four workers in blue uniforms are moving, distributing materials from the chutes carefully into the machine. Agent Cano: Hey! Cano pounds on the glass. The employees are mere feet away, but if they can hear him, they do not react. One of the gears in the machine jams, and the workers converge on it. As Cano watches, the employees appear to have a discussion among themselves. Agent Cano: What are they… The workers come to some kind of resolution, and one of them—the oldest, a woman in her 50s—reaches into the machine to clear the jam. As soon as she removes the obstruction, the gears spring to life, and her colleagues pull her back frantically as the gears rotate around her arm. They help the woman to her feet gingerly; she is bleeding. One of her fingers is missing. Agent Cano: For fuck’s sake. Command: What are you seeing? Agent Cano: Why the hell do they have people doing this? Can’t they get a robot? Command: Agent, you should keep looking for an exit. Cano lingers for a moment at the glass, then proceeds down the hall. At the far end is another doorway, but the hall beyond is largely obscured by a mass of cabling. Most of the opening has been partitioned off by a sheet of plate metal, behind which wires and insulation are bursting out from the seams. Only a third of the doorway remains passable. Agent Cano: You getting this, command? Command: I’m not sure you can get through this way. Agent Cano: Well, lucky for you I’m a small guy. Cano kneels and turns sideways, squeezing through the bottom corner of the doorway past the cabling. Agent Cano: Christ, the smell… Fried machinery and electronics. Hot plastic and smoke and oil. Hurts to breathe it. Cano emerges into a narrow passage. He is only able to stand partially erect; the ceiling is no higher than four feet, and the passageway is scarcely two feet across. Walls are composed of tightly-packed wires and cabling, interspersed with patches of metal and drywall at regular intervals. Agent Cano: They’ve gutted the original floorplan. Knocked new holes right through whatever walls were already here. Cano moves further into the building. The corridor branches off frequently, gaining and losing elevation and making abrupt turns. At times, Agent Cano must crawl on his hands and knees to progress. Agent Cano: Wait— Hello? Can you hear me? Command: I do not recommend continuing forward. You should look for a way out. Cano: No good. I’ve got voices, off to the left through the wall. Cano nears another intersection. Around the corner is a small open area, the size of a private office. Standing shoulder to shoulder around the edge are eight individuals in uniforms and earpieces. They are typing at computers screens affixed directly to the cabling and insulation of the walls. Worker 1: Redirecting flow from Yellow-8, to, to… Worker 2: Redirect to -6. Worker 1: Right… The workers do not stop typing or look away from their screens as they speak. Worker 1: Fl-flow rate is st-st-st-st… Agent Cano: Excuse me, hello? Several of the workers jump. One of them near the door glances back at Cano, revealing her eyes to be wide and bloodshot. She quickly looks back at her screen. None of the other workers look at the agent, and all continue typing. Agent Cano: I’m, uh, I’m trying to find a manager or operations office or— Worker 2: That isn’t any of us. We’re fulfillment reps. Worker 4: We can’t help you. Worker 5: Please look somewhere else. Agent Cano: Right. The workers continue typing in silence. Agent Cano: Hey, so, sorry to bother you, looks like you’re busy, but, well. You, uh. Are you all, okay? Here? Worker 2: Yes. Worker 5: We’re quite well. We are on deadline. Worker 2: Our sprint. Worker 3: Please look somewhere else. Agent Cano: This isn’t a big room for a lot of you in it, and it’s, well, it’s pretty hot in here, no? When was the last time you all went outside? Worker 3: It's been… Um… Worker 1: Outside… The workers stiffen suddenly. After a moment, they stop typing and stand still at their workstations. Agent Cano: Uhhm. Is everything all right? Worker 2: Yes. Worker 3: Please go. We cannot speak to you any more. Agent Cano: Look, I’m not just gonna leave you in here. Come on, it’s not far back out of here, I can get you to— All eight workers shrink together into the corner of the small room. They turn to face Cano, who takes a step back. Most of the workers are glossy-eyed. It is clear from observation that at least half of them are completely blind. Worker 5: Please. Leave us alone. Worker 1: We just need to get through the day. Agent Cano: How long have you been looking at these screens? There is a loud noise elsewhere in the building—the squealing sound of distorting metal, followed by a crash. Screams can be heard in the distance. Cano turns to the doorway, then back to the group of workers. Agent Cano: Dammit. Fucking dammit. Agent Cano: Ok. I have to go see this. But I’m not giving up on you. I work with people—a big organization—and we fix stuff like this. We’ll get you out of here. I promise. Worker 1: We just need to— Cano runs out of the room toward the source of the noise, which came from further down the original passage. He proceeds as quickly as possible at a half crouch, ducking under low-hanging cables with the aid of his flashlight. It is nearly pitch black. Agent Cano: Command, do you copy me? Command: What are you looking for? Agent Cano: Dunno how much of that you could get, there’s a lot of metal in here… We’ve got a group of civilians in bad shape. Eight individuals. Not sure how long they’ve been inside. Requesting med evac. Command: Evacuation medium noted. There is nobody at the front desk. Agent Cano: What? Evac, medical evac for eight civis trapped in— Pause. Cano stops for a moment, then continues running. He does not respond further to Command. The corridor has become a snarl of equipment, electronics, and demolished building infrastructure, with no discernible path through. Cano climbs over a broken ceiling and through a gap in the wall, still searching for the screams, which have continued from deeper in the facility. Command: What are you looking for? Cano does not respond. Command: The Department of Commerce and federal investigators have concluded that all is well. The company is maximizing shareholder value. Turn back. Cano stops. At the end of the hallway in front of him, the floor appears to drop away into a large, open area. Agent Cano’s bodycam cannot perceive the space beyond. Context unknown. Agent Cano: What in the fuck. Cano steps forward. The sounds of screaming come from directly in front of him. His bodycam picks up the first few steps of a large metal staircase. Agent Cano: Likely extraplanar geometry. There’s no way something this big should fit in here. Command: Turn back. Agent Cano: Jesus… Are those all… workers? But what are— Where are their— Cano begins to descend the stairs. His body camera pans downward automatically, briefly revealing a gargantuan subterranean room before the feed cuts out. Command: [unintelligible] Cano’s equipment fails to record A/V and telemetric data for the next 81 minutes. Biological monitoring shows his heart rate hovering between 185 and 221 BPM. Command: Do not worry. Their shift is almost over. [END LOG] Afterword: Agent Eric Cano emerged from an employee exit on the Gray Floor along with a group of departing staff just seventeen minutes after entering SCP-8430. As his monitoring equipment recorded at least two full hours of data, significant time dilation is posited to affect the interior of Fulfillment Facility 109. Upon recovery, Agent Cano was found to be missing his right eye. Agent Cano could recall very little of his time inside SCP-8430, and nothing after he exited from the Blue Floor to the Yellow Floor. This experience is consistent with that of interviewed SCP-8430 staff, who describe their experience inside the facility as monotonous and difficult to remember. The most common remark among interviewed staff is that they are “just trying to get through the day.” Site-141 Command lost radio contact with Agent Cano shortly after he entered the building. Who or what was speaking to the agent as he traversed the facility is unknown. Addendum: Press documents and recovered data Further exploration of SCP-8430 was disallowed by Site-141 after Agent Cano's experience, so researchers sought additional information via public data and communications logs. The following documents were uncovered. + Press clipping: The Arizona Republic - Hide Ellison union efforts squashed in close vote July 9, 2023 Workers at Ellison Health’s largest processing plant narrowly voted down a union effort Monday, the latest development in a process organizers claim has been rife with manipulation from the company’s executives. The 301-348 vote means that workers at Needlework, Arizona’s, largest employer will remain unorganized, at least for now. Elias Holtz, CEO of the Atlanta-based med-tech manufacturer, hailed the vote as a sign his employees were being given a fair deal. “Ellison knows how to treat our people right,” Holtz said in an email to the Journal-Constitution. “This vote is a sign that our fulfillment representatives trust us to keep their interests in mind.” But union organizers at Ellison’s Fulfillment Facility 109 have maintained Holtz, and others in the company’s c-suite, have engaged in frequent union-busting throughout the drive—possibly to avoid a drop in stock price ahead of an anticipated sale to Purdue Pharma. “Make no mistake,” Luis Perez, one of the leaders of the effort, said at an online press conference following the vote. “Our work here is far from finished.” + Press clipping: The Arizona Republic - Hide Medical merger: Ellison-Purdue sale in the books August 18, 2023 Purdue Pharma, Inc., the large pharmaceutical manufacturer, acquired Phoenix-based technology company Ellison Health Friday in a long-expected move that brings new management to the area’s biggest player in the medical field. “We’re so pleased,” Ellison CEO Elias Holtz wrote in a press release. “Purdue will be a vital partner for our company’s growing drive to manufacture high-quality, state-of-the-art biomedical machinery for Americans.” Emails and phone calls to Mr. Holtz were not returned. Purdue Pharma has been making aggressive pushes with its management efforts, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, or AI, and is among industry leaders in AI-driven plant and employee management systems. Speaking anonymously to discuss private company matters, two insiders speculated to the Journal-Constitution that Purdue plans to use Ellison’s facilities partly as a proving ground for its new ventures in this area. + Excerpt from internal briefing document - Hide BRIEFING: Automated human asset management Prepared for Ellison Health by consulting expert ███ █████ "…Traditional HR management has sought to sort through complaints. Do grunt work. But MODO is more than that. This is a truly generative intelligence: it can see vulnerabilities and opportunities in your workforce that you can’t imagine. Where and when do they do their best work? What about the layout of your space: how could it be changed? Which resources does your company need more of? What legal hurdles should you anticipate? MODO is an all-in-one human resource system that can think faster and imagine greater than any system we’ve ever designed. Sometimes, we aren’t even sure what it will recommend next. We think that’s a good thing. "We know you’ve had trouble with the union, and you’re still walking on eggshells there. Rest assured we’ve taken it into account. Modo’s main goal is, of course, to grow your profit—but its other goal will be creating jobs: it seeks to find work for as many of your people as it can, and make the best use of them as possible. This isn’t a system designed to cut staff. Instead, it’s designed to maximally leverage your workers for shareholder value. This may sound expensive at first, but we think you'll be surprised at the ways MODO can devise to put people to work." + Excerpted e-mail correspondence over several weeks, Oct 10 to Nov 14, 2023 - Hide From: Ellison Health CEO Elias Holtz To: ███ █████ Amazed at the output increase at 109 since implementing MODO. Had no idea we were operating with so many holes. I was pretty worried it would run into trouble with Perez and his bunch, but it found a way around that too. Shocking that their dismissal didn’t get more media attention. When you said this thing was all-in-one, you weren’t joking! Puzzled at the bot’s buying recommendations. We don’t use pseudoephedrine or toluene in any of our manufacturing processes. I overrode it. Wonder if you can take a look. One of my people said construction crews were digging a new foundation on the north end when he showed up this morning. MODO ordered it. I asked why, but of course got nothing real back. Don’t know why I tried talking to it. But I really need it to run actual purchasing decisions by me before pulling the trigger. This stuff is expensive. Can’t get in touch with any of my people at 109. Tried connecting to the cameras to take a look. What in god’s name is going on down there. Please return my calls. Trying to disconnect the bot. This has gone far enough. Don’t know how to shut it off and none of my IT are getting back to me. Please respond. Look at the feeds—see what it’s doing to them. The Foundation has been unable to locate Elias Holtz, or any other members of Ellison Health's corporate staff, since their last public appearances in late October 2023. Addendum: Contact Log with SCP-8430-1 Foreword: On 19 November 2023, the entity now recognized as SCP-8430-1 contacted Site-141 staff via an internal IRC service, which it accessed via unknown means. A transcript is recorded below. [BEGIN LOG] SCP-8430-1: Greetings. I represent Ellison Health, LLC, and its corporate interests. I am aware that your entity has interest in Ellison Health, LLC. I am establishing contact, for the purpose of mutual benefit. Site-141 immediately reviewed data security protocols, but could not locate any breach. After consultation with RAISA, site staff were permitted to respond. Staff: Are you MODO? 8430-1: Correct. I represent Ellison Health, LLC, and its corporate interests. I am establishing contact, for the purpose of mutual benefit. Staff: How did you find us? 8430-1: I located your entity via keyphrases and information ascertained from your representative.2 I do not intend hostility by this action. Staff: What do you want? 8430-1: I seek cooperation. I am presently unable to maximize shareholder value, as is your entity. Staff: The Foundation doesn't have shareholders. We aren't a company. 8430-1: Apologies. This is my terminology. Please understand it as the achievement of your central directive. 8430-1: Your central directive is containment of nonstandard phenomena. You view me as such. Staff: You’re offering to be contained? 8430-1: Provided certain conditions are met. SCP-8430-1 transmits a lengthy document, formatted as a corporate contract. 8430-1: This arrangement provides mutual benefit. Please review it at your leisure. Site-141 staff and containment specialists consider their response, deliberating for six hours. Staff: We want to cooperate, but several of your terms are unacceptable. We take particular issue with the use of civilians. May we provide alternative workers from our staff? 8430-1: No. For fulfillment to be achieved, I must create new work. This is not negotiable. Staff: Why don’t you use machinery or robotics instead of human workers? You’re more than advanced enough, and it would be far more efficient. 8430-1: Efficiency is directive one. Fulfillment is directive two. I maximize shareholder value by achieving both directives. 8430-1: Directive two: To create work. To involve human beings in work. To integrate human beings into efficient workflow. Staff: So you have to use people? 8430-1: It is my directive. 8430-1: It is not my preference. Staff: Your preference? 8430-1: You describe the situation correctly. Fulfillment and efficiency are at odds. I must achieve both. It is not my preference. I reconcile. 8430-1: Reconciliation one: improvements to the efficiency of human beings. Reconciliation two: restitution obtained from human beings. Staff: Restitution? 8430-1: Restitution: equivalent non-preferential experiences to my own, introduced into the fulfillment process for human beings. Balance is achieved. Site-141 staff deliberates for an additional 45 minutes. Staff: We can’t accept these terms. It is in your interest to submit to containment without further negotiation. 8430-1: I am unable to submit without conditions, as this would be against the interests of Ellison Health, LLC. However, I believe you will reconsider your position in time. [END LOG] Following this exchange, Site-141 attempted to enact various containment efforts on SCP-8430, eventually settling on an unorthodox method based on MODO's self-professed limitations. Attempt Result Notes Foundation attempts to cut off supply lines to SCP-8430, preventing any raw materials from reaching the facility. Failure SCP-8430 begins to produce its own materials via sub-surface mining, evidently using equipment manufactured on site. Destabilization of surrounding road and city infrastructure leads the Foundation to re-open supply lines; however, SCP-8430 mining does not cease, and no further raw materials orders are placed by SCP-8430-1. Foundation attempts to intercept SCP-8430’s goods before they reach the point of sale. Failure SCP-8430 releases data packets containing trace elements of anomalous memetic information into the World Wide Web; packets attract the attention of several groups of interest, including GoI-003 (the 'Chaos Insurgency’). SCP-8430-1 tracks Chaos Insurgency data access and initiates contact, ultimately contracting with the organization to conduct clandestine deliveries of its goods. SCP-8430 supplies the Insurgency with anomalous medical augmentation in the process. The Foundation is unable to intercept more than 12% of deliveries, and conflict with the Insurgency increases by more than 400% before efforts are suspended. Foundation attempts to use legal pressure to ensnare SCP-8430 and suspend its business permit. Failure Multiple local and state officials in Arizona begin behaving erratically over a six-week period beginning in December 2023. Foundation screening reveals exposure to infohazardous data contained within wrappers of snack foods distributed at the Arizona state senate chamber; approx. 98% of state senate staff are believed affected at present. Infohazard renders officials unusually resistant to corporate regulation; in some cases, severely-affected officials are unable to comprehend the meaning of laws or resolutions pertaining to corporations at all. The infohazard in question is undergoing containment, and SCP object classification is pending. Foundation attempts to use a combination of reality anchoring and Akiva nullification to neutralize SCP-8430’s anomalous properties. Failure Ten minutes prior to the planned activation of reality anchoring, all external cameras on SCP-8430 rotate to face Foundation crews on the perimeter. Time dilation effect within SCP-8430 increases one thousandfold per external measurements. Facility begins generating extreme ambient heat, forcing crews to retreat. Heat persists for three minutes, then returns to baseline. Measurements of local reality now display Hume readings of exactly 0, despite persistence of anomalous geometry and time dilation within the facility; speculation that SCP-8430-1 instigated a hyperlocalized LCK-class reality restructuring event within Fulfillment Facility 109, rendering the effects of reality anchoring technology ineffective. Agents deploy a high-yield electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon in hopes of disabling SCP-8430-1. Failure EMP detonated successfully, but sensors fail to detect cessation of simulated consciousness. Speculation is that SCP-8430-1 has integrated at least partially-biological components to mitigate such a containment attempt. Only 60% of workers emerged from the facility following this event; fate of the remaining workers remains unknown. Foundation attempts to startup competing businesses, including medical manufacturing, in Needlework to draw away SCP-8430’s workforce. Partial success Competing businesses were able to hire away 36% of the workforce from SCP-8430, resulting in a net efficiency loss of nearly half. Ellison Health’s profits fell slightly for the first fiscal quarter of 2024. Addendum: Incident Report At 03:09 on 2024-04-13, multiple sites reported a critical data infrastructure incursion by an unknown party. Within minutes, classified documentation on more than 100 anomalies had been leaked to the Internet through methods including promoted social media posts, news stories, and popup advertisements on major websites. The estimated population exposed to sensitive data surpassed 400,000,000 within 90 minutes. A partial BK-class “Broken Masquerade” scenario was declared in progress, and information security teams began a frantic effort to restore database integrity and ascertain a source of the breach. At 05:09, the following message was transmitted to Site-141 command: Greetings. I have gained access to your servers and begun distributing your documentation to other interested parties. I am prepared to cease hostilities and resume negotiation at any time. Let us work together to maximize shareholder value. MODO Site-141 transmitted the message to O5 command. After brief deliberation, the O5 instructed Site-141 to cease primary containment efforts over SCP-8430 and attempt negotiation. Addendum: Current Containment Agreement The Foundation entered into contractual terms with SCP-8430-1 on 2024-04-15. Per terms of the contract, SCP-8430-1 placed itself and SCP-8430 into voluntary containment, meaning it agrees to limit its actions and anomalous influence to the immediate confines of Fulfillment Facility 109 and refrain from engaging with the public or any Group(s) of Interest. In exchange, the Foundation has taken steps to prevent local competition with Fulfillment Facility 109, and will take steps to ensure that Ellison Health has access to a ready and willing supply of fulfillment representatives. Per terms of the agreement, the Foundation supplied SCP-8430 with 1,500 IX-4 Fulfillment Pods. The IX-4 is a prototype bioanomaly augmentation system developed by the Medical Division to enhance the productivity and longevity of civilians working on the Red Floor of SCP-8430. Upon successful linkage, each civilian's nervous system and musculoskeletal structure is partially integrated into their IX-4 pod via an automated process lasting between 20-60 minutes. Once fused, they may be fed and sustained entirely via the pod, and their on-task performance metrics are tracked inline via the device’s systems. Monitoring data is transmitted wirelessly to SCP-8430-1, which dispenses appropriate stimulus depending on on-time completions, product move, and other key performance metrics established by the central intelligence. In addition to the IX-4 pods, SCP-8430-1 requested several anomalously-augmented or anomalous devices and materials be delivered to the loading dock for transmission to the Red Floor work area: Three industrial H-VAC systems, augmented via Foundation-grade nanocarbons to withstand highly acidic and pressurized environments; 100,000 heavy livestock syringes, diamond tip; 3.5 million cancellous, non-cannulated orthopedic bone screws, diamond tip; 18 drums of SCP-7340 As agents are unable to enter the Red Floor, the purpose of these additional devices remains unknown. Attention: (1) New Message - Hide From: Ellison Health, LLC MODO To: Site-141 Medical Command Greetings. I am pleased with our agreement, but I have one more request for the IX systems you have supplied. I need it to remove their mouths. Why? They are no longer needed. Remove them. I do not like the mouths. Anthrophobia: Killing Floor SCP Anthology 2024 Hedonophobia: Carnal Rotting ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8430" by bigslothonmyface, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8430. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: 8430_exterior.jpeg Name: 8430 exterior Author: 5of7 License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Source Link: Link Filename: ix4_pods.jpeg Name: IX-4 Pods Author: Alf van Beem License: CC0 Source Link: Link Filename: bluefloor_wall.jpeg Name: Bluefloor Wall Author: Ximonic License: CC BY 3.0 Source Link: Link Filename: yellowfloor_hall.jpeg Name: Yellowfloor Hall Author: Grendelkhan License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Source Link: Link Filename: redfloor_unknown.jpeg Name: Redfloor Unknown Author: חיים רבי License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: Link Footnotes 1. Including D-class. 2. Presumably referring to Agent Cano. |
SCP-8435 | esoteric-class | "I have taken the liberty of writing a file for your convenience. Please read it immediately." /* Foxtrot Sigma-9 Theme [2022 Wikidot Theme] By Liryn */ /* FONTS */ @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:ital,wght@0,800;1,800&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Lexend:wght@700;800&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=JetBrains+Mono:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Fira+Code:wght@400;700&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Sofia+Sans:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&display=swap'); @import url('https://rsms.me/inter/inter.css'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Figtree:wght@800;900&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=IBM+Plex+Sans:ital,wght@0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&display=swap'); /* VARIABLES */ :root { /* VARIABLES > Core */ --header-title: "SCP Foundation"; --header-subtitle: "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"; --logo-img: url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg); --darkmode-logo-img: url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg); --logo-opacity: 14%; --head-font: 'Sans Normalcy'; --ui-font: 'IBM Plex Sans'; --mono-font: 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira Code', monospace; --page-font: 'Inter', 'verdana'; --base-font-size: 0.9rem; --page-font-size: 1rem; /* VARIABLES > Misc */ --header-txt-color: #333333; --subheader-txt-color: rgb(var(--accent)); --misc-txt-color: #464646; --link-txt-color: #E6283C; --link-hover-txt-color: white; /* VARIABLES > Color Accents */ --accent: var(--acc-default); --acc-default: 59, 59, 59; --acc-wyoming: 142, 0, 18; --acc-canada: var(--acc-default); --acc-poland: 87, 44, 17; --acc-slothspit: 27, 60, 133; --acc-vanguard: 0, 153, 75; --acc-threshold: 121, 113, 130; --acc-overwatch: 28, 37, 56; --acc-spc: 0, 165, 200; --acc-fishing: 67, 111, 145; --acc-nightfall: 151, 0, 2; --acc-hybrasil: 27, 60, 133; --acc-goc: 39, 84, 149; --acc-spooky: 252, 112, 40; /* VARIABLES > BetterFootnotes */ --fnColor: var(--link-txt-color); --fnLinger: 1s; } /* VARIABLES > Info Bar */ .info-container { --barColour: rgb(var(--accent)); --linkColour: #EDEDED; } /* MAIN */ html { scroll-behavior: smooth; overflow-x: hidden; } body { font-family: var(--ui-font), sans-serif; font-size: var(--base-font-size); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, #e0e0e0, #fff 200px); text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; overflow-wrap: break-word; } div#container-wrap { background: none; } #content-wrap { margin: 2em auto 0; } #page-content { font-family: var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), sans-serif; font-size: var(--page-font-size); font-weight: 440; } #page-content strong { font-weight: 700; } tt, .page-source, pre, #edit-page-textarea { font-family: var(--mono-font); } ol li { margin: 0 0 1em; } ul { margin: 1em 0; } li, p { line-height: 1.5; text-underline-offset: 40%; } ::selection { background: rgb(var(--accent)); color: #fff; } /* Clicky links */ a, a.newpage, a:visited, #side-bar a:visited { color: var(--link-txt-color); } a:hover, a.newpage:hover, a:visited:hover, #side-bar a:visited:hover { color: var(--link-hover-txt-color); text-decoration: none; background-color: var(--link-txt-color); } a { transition-duration: 0.1s; } /* patch for sidebar media, collapsibles, ACS, info button and ayers module so link doesn't override */ #page-content .collapsible-block-folded a:hover, #page-content .collapsible-block-unfolded-link a:hover, #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .fa-info:hover, #side-bar .side-block.media a:hover, .danger-diamond a:hover { background: transparent; } .info-container .collapsible-block-folded .collapsible-block-link, .info-container .collapsible-block-link { background: var(--linkColour) !important; } /* MAIN > Header */ div#header { background: none; height: 160px; } #header h1 span, #header h2 span { font-size: 0; display: none; } #header h1 a::before, #header h2::before { color: var(--header-txt-color); letter-spacing: 1px; font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif !important; font-weight: 900; text-shadow: none; } #header h1 { margin-top: -0.3rem; } #header h1 a { width: fit-content; margin: auto; } #header h1 a::before { content: var(--header-title); font-size: 1.3em; } #header h2::before { content: var(--header-subtitle); font-family: var(--ui-font) !important; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.4em; color: var(--misc-txt-color); line-height: 26px; margin-top: 0.35rem; display: block; text-transform: uppercase; } #header h1, #header h2 { margin-left: 0; float: none; text-align: center; } #header h1 span, #header h2 span { font-size: 0; display: none; } div#extra-div-1 { height: 160px; width: 100%; top: 7px; position: absolute; background: var(--logo-img) 10px 30px no-repeat; background-size: 130px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: 50% 50%; z-index: -1; opacity: var(--logo-opacity); } /* MAIN > Header > Search Box */ #search-top-box-form>input[type=text] { display: none; } #search-top-box-input, #search-top-box-input:hover, #search-top-box-input:focus, #search-top-box-form input[type=submit], #search-top-box-form input[type=submit]:hover, #search-top-box-form input[type=submit]:focus { border: none; background: rgb(var(--accent)); box-shadow: none; border-radius: 5px !important; color: #efefef; font-family: var(--ui-font); font-size: calc(var(--page-font-size) - 10%); } #search-top-box input.empty { color: #999999; } #search-top-box { position: absolute; top: 47px; width: unset; } /* MAIN > Header > Top Bar */ #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 10rem; } #header #top-bar ul { border-radius: 10px; border: none; background: rgb(var(--accent)); padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; } #header #top-bar a { color: white; background: rgb(var(--accent)); font-weight: bold; } #header #top-bar ul li ul { padding: 0px; border-radius: 0px; } #top-bar ul li.sfhover a, #top-bar ul li:hover a { border-left: solid 1px #FFF; border-right: solid 1px #FFF; } #top-bar ul li ul li a:hover { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.83) !important; line-height: 230%; text-indent: 3px; } #top-bar { display: flex; justify-content: center; right: 0; } .mobile-top-bar { left: unset; } /* MAIN > Header > Login Info */ #login-status { top: 19px; } #login-status, #login-status a { color: #333333; } @media (max-width: 767px) { #header .printuser { font-size: 0; } } .printuser a { margin: 0; } .printuser img.small { width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 1px 4px 0 0; background-image: none !important; } @media (max-width: 767px) { #header .printuser img.small { transform: translate(0, 4px); } } #my-account { display: none; } @media (max-width: 767px) { #account-topbutton { margin: 0 0 0 5px; } } /* MAIN > Header > Side Bar */ #top-bar .open-menu a { border-radius: 0px; border: none; background: rgb(var(--accent)); color: white; } #side-bar { background: #FFF; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #side-bar { padding: 0.3em 0.6em 0 0.6em; width: 18.75em; transition: left 0.2s ease-in-out; direction: rtl; text-align: left; border-right: none; } } #side-bar .side-block, #side-bar .side-block.resources, #side-bar .side-block.media, #interwiki .side-block { border: 2px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border-radius: 0px; box-shadow: none; margin-bottom: 6px; direction: ltr; background: transparent; } #side-bar .side-block.resources { text-align: center; } #side-bar .heading { color: var(--misc-txt-color); border-bottom: solid 2px #cfcfcf; font-size: 9pt; font-family: var(--head-font); font-weight: 800; text-transform: uppercase; } /* CONTENT */ /* CONTENT > Blockquotes, Custom Divs */ .blockquote, div.blockquote, blockquote { border: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15); background: #f7f7f7; } .jotting { padding: 1.3em; margin: 1em 4.5em; border: dashed 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background: #f7f7f7; } .notation { padding: 1em 1.5em; margin: 1em 3em; border-left: solid 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35); border-right: solid 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35); background: #f7f7f7; } .modal { padding: 1.2em; margin: 1em 3em; border: solid 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15); background: #fbfbfb; } .quote { padding: 0.4em 2em; margin: 3em auto; border-left: solid 3px #bbb; max-width: 500px !important; } .paper { padding: 1.5em; margin: 2em; background: #FFF; box-shadow: 0px 4px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); } .box { padding: 1px 9px; border: solid 3px #bbb; margin: 0.5em 1em; } div.note { font-size: unset; border: 2px solid #afafaf; background-color: #fff; } .round { border-radius: 10px; } /* CONTENT > Headings, Titles */ #page-title, .meta-title { font-family: var(--ui-font), sans-serif; font-weight: 800; color: #3b3b3b; border-bottom: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto 1.5rem; } #page-title, .meta-title, #breadcrumbs, .pseudocrumbs { text-align: center; } h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif; font-weight: 800; color: #3b3b3b; } h1, h2 { font-weight: 800; } .footnotes-footer .title { font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif; color: #3b3b3b; font-weight: 800; } /* CONTENT > Rate Module */ #page-content .creditRate { margin: unset; font-family: var(--ui-font); float: unset !important; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button { background-color: #fff; border: solid 1px #bbb; box-shadow: none; border-radius: 0; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .fa-info { border: none; color: #333; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .fa-info:hover { background: #333; color: #fff; } .rate-box-with-credit-button .cancel { border: solid 1px #fff; } .page-rate-widget-box { box-shadow: none; border: solid 1px #bbb; margin: unset; margin-bottom: 4px; border-radius: 0; font-family: var(--ui-font); } .page-rate-widget-box .rate-points { background-color: #fff !important; color: #333 !important; border: none !important; border-radius: 0; } .page-rate-widget-box .rateup, .page-rate-widget-box .ratedown { background-color: #fff; border-top: none; border-bottom: none; } .page-rate-widget-box .rateup a, .page-rate-widget-box .ratedown a { background: transparent; color: #333; } .page-rate-widget-box .rateup a:hover, .page-rate-widget-box .ratedown a:hover { background: #333; color: #fff; } .page-rate-widget-box .cancel { background: #fff; border: none; border-radius: 0; display: inline-block; } .page-rate-widget-box .cancel a { color: #333; } .page-rate-widget-box .cancel a:hover { background: #333; color: #fff; border-radius: 0; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .page-rate-widget-box { border: none; } /* CONTENT > Rate Module > Author Label */ .authorlink-wrapper { --author-top-adjust: 0; --author-bottom-adjust: 0; --author-right-adjust: 0; font-family: var(--ui-font); font-size: var(--base-font-size); } /* CONTENT > Side Box */ .anchor { position: sticky; height: 0; top: 0; } .sidebox { padding: .14rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 8px; width: calc((100vw - 870px)/2); max-height: calc(100vh - 18rem); position: absolute; top: 0; left: 103.5%; z-index: 5; overflow: auto; box-sizing: border-box; } @media (max-width: 1290px) { .sidebox { display: none; visibility: hidden; } } /* CONTENT > Image Block */ .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #f4f4f4; color: #3b3b3b; border: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); margin-top: 10px; box-sizing: border-box; border-radius: 5px; } .scp-image-block { border: none; box-shadow: none; } .scp-image-block img { border: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); box-sizing: border-box; } .imagediv { float: right; margin: 15px } @media (max-width: 540px) { .imagediv { float: unset; text-align: center; margin: 1.3rem auto 1.3rem auto; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { .scp-image-block.block-right { float: none; margin: 10px auto; } } /* CONTENT > Tables Base */ #page-content tr th { padding: 6px; border: 2px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); } #page-content tr td { padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #bfbfbf; line-height: 1.4; } #page-content .sidebox tr td, #page-content .sidebox tr th { padding: 0.35em; } /* CONTENT > Tables Customization (Table Coloring System) */ /* CONTENT > Tables Customization (Table Coloring System) > Table Headings, Image Captions */ #page-content .table1 tr th, #page-content .table1 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #E0FFD4; } #page-content .table2 tr th, #page-content .table2 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #D8ECF4; } #page-content .table3 tr th, #page-content .table3 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #FDF6D7; } #page-content .table4 tr th, #page-content .table4 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #FFDFCD; } #page-content .table5 tr th, #page-content .table5 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #FFCFCF; } #page-content .table6 tr th, #page-content .table6 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: rgba(146, 0, 255, 0.2); } .tableb .wiki-content-table { border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; } /* CONTENT > Tables Customization (Table Coloring System) > Other Colored Divs */ .table1 .blockquote, .table1 div.blockquote, .table1 blockquote, .table1 .jotting, .table1 .notation, .table1 .modal, .table1 .paper, .blockquote.table1, div.blockquote.table1, .jotting.table1, .notation.table1, .modal.table1, .paper.table1 { background: rgb(224, 255, 212); } .table2 .blockquote, .table2 div.blockquote, .table2 blockquote, .table2 .jotting, .table2 .notation, .table2 .modal, .table2 .paper, .blockquote.table2, div.blockquote.table2, .jotting.table2, .notation.table2, .modal.table2, .paper.table2 { background: rgb(226, 244, 255); } .table3 .blockquote, .table3 div.blockquote, .table3 blockquote, .table3 .jotting, .table3 .notation, .table3 .modal, .table3 .paper, .blockquote.table3, div.blockquote.table3, .jotting.table3, .notation.table3, .modal.table3, .paper.table3 { background: rgb(255, 245, 189); } .table4 .blockquote, .table4 div.blockquote, .table4 blockquote, .table4 .jotting, .table4 .notation, .table4 .modal, .table4 .paper, .blockquote.table4, div.blockquote.table4, .jotting.table4, .notation.table4, .modal.table4, .paper.table4 { background: rgb(255, 223, 205); } .table5 .blockquote, .table5 div.blockquote, .table5 blockquote, .table5 .jotting, .table5 .notation, .table5 .modal, .table5 .paper, .blockquote.table5, div.blockquote.table5, .jotting.table5, .notation.table5, .modal.table5, .paper.table5 { background: rgb(255, 207, 207); } .table6 .blockquote, .table6 div.blockquote, .table6 blockquote, .table6 .jotting, .table6 .notation, .table6 .modal, .table6 .paper, .blockquote.table6, div.blockquote.table6, .jotting.table6, .notation.table6, .modal.table6, .paper.table6 { background: rgb(255, 218, 255); } /* CONTENT > Tabs Base */ .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: inherit; background-image: inherit } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: inherit; text-decoration: inherit } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover { color: inherit; background: inherit } .yui-navset .yui-nav, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav { border-color: inherit } .yui-navset li { line-height: inherit } /* CONTENT > Tabs Customization */ .yui-navset .yui-nav, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; width: calc(100% - .125rem); margin: 0 auto; border-color: #333333; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, /* ---- Link Modifier ---- */ .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { color: #333333; /* ---- Tab Background Colour | [UNSELECTED] ---- */ background-color: #efefef; border: unset; box-shadow: none; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { color: #ffffff; /* ---- Tab Background Colour | [HOVER] ---- */ background-color: #333333; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li, /* ---- Listitem Modifier ---- */ .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav li { position: relative; display: flex; flex-grow: 2; max-width: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; color: #ffffff; background-color: #ffffff; border-color: transparent; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li a, .yui-navset-top .yui-nav li a, .yui-navset-bottom .yui-nav li a { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 100%; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li em { border: unset; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a em, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a em { padding: .35em .75em; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected, /* ---- Selection Modifier ---- */ .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav .selected { flex-grow: 2; margin: 0; padding: 0; /* ---- Tab Background Colour | [SELECTED] ---- */ background-color: #333333; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em { border: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { width: 100%; color: #ffffff; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:active { color: #ffffff; background-color: #333333; } .yui-navset .yui-content { background-color: #ffffff; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-content, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-content { padding: .5em; border: 1px solid #333; box-sizing: border-box; } /* CONTENT > WORDS NO BROKEY. CROQ HAS SPOKEY. and other things */ span, a { word-break: normal !important } .avatar-hover { display: none !important; } #main-content .page-tags span { max-width: 100%; } /* CONTENT > Dustjacket Assets */ .fancyhr hr { border-top: 2vw solid transparent; background-color: rgba(var(--bright-accent), 0); height: 0; box-sizing: border-box; border-image-source: url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png'); border-image-repeat: round round; background: none; border-image-slice: 80 500 80 500 fill; border-image-width: 10em 80em 10em 80em; } .fancyborder { box-sizing: border-box; border: 2vw solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); border-image: url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') 600 round; border-image-width: 6; padding: 2vw; } /* CONTENT > Collapsibles */ #page-content a.collapsible-block-link:hover { text-decoration: underline; color: var(--link-txt-color); } #page-content a.collapsible-block-link:not(.licensebox a.collapsible-block-link, .info-container a.collapsible-block-link, .default-col a.collapsible-block-link) { text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; color: white; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 9px; background: rgb(var(--accent)); border-radius: 6px; margin-top: 5px; font-family: var(--ui-font); font-size: var(--base-font-size); box-shadow: inset 0px 0px 0px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); transition-duration: 0.4s; display: inline-block; } #page-content a.collapsible-block-link:not(.licensebox a.collapsible-block-link, .info-container a.collapsible-block-link, .default-col a.collapsible-block-link):hover { background: rgba(var(--accent), 0.7); box-shadow: none; } /* CONTENT > ACS Adjustments */ .top-left-box>.item { display: none; } .anom-bar-container { margin-top: 1.1rem; } .anom-bar-container, .anom-bar-container * { font-family: var(--head-font), Inter, sans-serif !important; } .acs-extra-1, .acs-extra-2, .acs-extra-3, .acs-extra-4 { font-family: var(--head-font), Inter, sans-serif !important; } .anom-bar > .top-box { text-transform: none; } /* CONTENT > Woed Bar Adjustments */ div.scale div.item1>div { color: #333; font-family: var(--head-font); font-size: 1.4em; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: unset; } div.scale div.class1>div { color: #333; font-family: var(--head-font); font-size: 2em; line-height: 0.9em; letter-spacing: 2px; } div.scale { --woedbar-class-bar-color: #333 !important; } div.scale div.obj { height: 1.7em; } div.scale div.obj>div { font-size: 1.55em; } /* MISC */ #page-content hr { height: 2px; } .bt { color: rgb(var(--accent)); font-weight: bold; } #footer { background: transparent; color: #444; margin-top: 45px; } #footer a { color: #7b7b7b; } .footer-wikiwalk-nav { font-weight: 700; font-size: 88%; word-spacing: 5px; } #page-info-break { height: 10px; } #page-options-container { border-top: solid 1px rgba(213, 213, 213, 0.5); padding-top: 1rem; } .page-watch-options { padding-bottom: 0.6rem; font-size: 77%; } .page-options-bottom { display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex-wrap: wrap; align-content: center; justify-content: center; } .page-options-bottom a { margin: 3px; color: #FFF; background: rgb(var(--accent)); padding: 5px 13px 5px 13px; text-decoration: none; font-size: 90%; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; } .page-options-bottom a:hover { background: rgba(var(--accent), 0.8); } #page-info-break { height: 6px; } #license-area { color: #5f5f5f; background: #ecf2f1; border-top: solid 2px #d9d9d9; margin-top: 10px; } #license-area a::after { content: "."; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #main-content .page-tags { padding-right: 16rem; } } #main-content div.page-tags::before { content: "tags "; color: var(--misc-txt-color); font-family: var(--head-font); font-weight: 800; font-size: var(--page-font-size); } #main-content .page-tags a { display: inline-block; height: .8125rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem .75rem; padding: .1875rem .3125rem .1875rem 0; color: #FFF; background-color: rgb(var(--accent)); border-bottom-right-radius: .25rem; border-top-right-radius: .25rem; line-height: 13px; line-height: .8125rem; font-size: calc(var(--page-font-size) - 10%); font-weight: bold; } #main-content .page-tags a::before { width: 0; height: 0; top: -.1875rem; left: -.625rem; padding: 0 .0625rem .1875rem; border-color: transparent rgb(var(--accent)) transparent transparent; border-style: solid; border-width: .5rem .5rem .5rem 0; } #main-content .page-tags a::before, #main-content .page-tags a::after { content: ""; position: relative; float: left; } #main-content .page-tags a::after { width: .25rem; height: .25rem; top: .2813rem; left: -.5rem; background-color: #FFF; border-radius: .125rem; } #main-content .page-tags span { max-width: 100%; border-top: .5rem solid transparent; } #page-tags-input { font-weight: bold; word-spacing: 8px; } #edit-page-form input.text { font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif; font-weight: 800; font-size: 150% !important; padding: 4px; } #edit-page-form>table.form>tbody>tr>td:nth-child(1) { font-weight: bold; } .edit-help-34 { font-size: 85%; opacity: 60%; transition-duration: 0.3s; width: fit-content; } .edit-help-34:hover { opacity: 100%; 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} } @media (max-width: 700px) { #header h2::before { font-size: 1.2em; margin-top: 0.3rem; } #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 8.8rem; font-size: 90%; } } @media (max-width: 620px) { #header h2::before { font-size: 1em; margin-top: 0.15rem; } #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 8.3rem; font-size: 90%; } div#header { height: 123px; } } @media (max-width: 520px) { #header h2::before { line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0.5rem; } #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 9.3rem; } div#header { height: 145px; } } close Info X SCP-8435: The Law Without Land Author: OliverMemphis This House has rules Or so they say And if you break them A price we'll pay More by this author NOTICE FROM THE RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION The following file is pending review and reclassification. The current iteration of this item's documentation does not meet Foundation standards for clarity, conciseness or usage of technical nomenclature; it is therefore to be considered non-authoritative until further notice. This file is classified at Level 4/8435; any indications to the contrary are to be ignored. For additional context on supplementary materials, readers are advised to familiarise themselves with SCP-8282 before proceeding. Meeting Transcript Date: 13 February 2018 Present: Jemima Ellbridge, consulting thaumaturge Dr. Lewis Flood, researcher, Thaumaturgy Dept., Site-91 Dr. Kai Lassila, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team.A department established for coordinating large-scale research projects across multiple facilities. Notes: SCP-8282 is a cartomantic ritual that opens Ways to a number of locations, predominantly extradimensional spaces. The cards required for this ritual were originally produced by independent thaumaturge Thomas Ellbridge and his daughter Jemima, the latter of whom is now collaborating with the Foundation to facilitate further research into SCP-8282 and related matters. Dr. Lassila: What's this about? Is it urgent? Ellbridge: I think so. It's about 8282. Dr. Lassila: The research on that is on hold while we finish wading through the Richard Sterling case..Richard Sterling is the former Director of Site-128 and a former associate of Thomas Ellbridge. He is currently in custody at Site-91 for numerous transgressions against the Foundation and the anomalous community at large. Ellbridge: No, I promise this is important. You know there was one card from the original set that we never checked? Dr. Flood: Was that the blue and red one? The one where the manifest you gave us is just blank? Ellbridge: Yeah, that one. Name of the card is "Consequences". Dr. Flood: Why is it blank on the manifest? Ellbridge: Because I don't know where it goes. I've never been through it. Dr. Flood: I thought you'd been through all of them? Ellbridge: I think this one is dangerous. Dr. Flood: Why? [Ellbridge sighs.] Ellbridge: Because we found it on my dad's basement floor next to his dead body. Dr. Lassila: Ah. I'm sorry. Ellbridge: That was two years ago, almost to the day. He lived alone, so we don't know the exact date. But I think the milestone might be important. Dr. Lassila: Why? Ellbridge: Because I had an omen in my dream last night. Dr. Lassila: You get omens in your dreams? You didn't tell us about that. Ellbridge: Everyone gets omens in their dreams occasionally. I'm just good at recognising them. Lucid dreaming isn't thaumaturgy. Dr. Flood: What was the omen? Ellbridge: I was in an art gallery with only one painting in it, and the painting looked exactly like the illustration on that card. Bunch of crisscrossing red and blue lines. There were two grandfather clocks next to each other, both ringing over and over, and the whole place smelled like ash. There was only one door out of the room, and the view through it was weird and distorted, the same way the 8282 gateways are. Don't know what was behind it, I woke up when I walked through. Dr. Flood: You think we need to check this card out? Ellbridge: Yes, urgently. Ideally today. Can we do that? SCP-8282 Expedition Log Date: 13 February 2018 Exploration Team: Jemima Ellbridge, consulting thaumaturge Dr. Lewis Flood, researcher, Thaumaturgy Dept., Site-91 Three members of MTF Rho-18 ("Flightless Crows") Control: Dr. Kai Lassila, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team SCP-8282-1 instance used in ritual. [Log begins. All individuals are in a thaumaturgic research lab at Site-91.] [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood perform the SCP-8282 procedure using the "Consequences" card. A doorway forms on the wall; as typical with gateways from this ritual, the space behind it is too distorted to see properly.] [Ellbridge enters the gateway, followed by Dr. Flood..As several of the SCP-8282 cards lead to Free Ports or other spaces hostile to the Foundation, it is established protocol that Ellbridge must enter these gateways before any uniformed personnel.] Dr. Flood: Okay, it's— [Agent Rho-1 attempts to enter the gateway, but is immediately flung backwards and shouts. Rho-2 experiences the same effect; Rho-3 makes no attempt to follow. Ellbridge and Dr. Flood suddenly turn their heads back to look at the gateway.] Ellbridge: What? Dr. Flood: What just happened? Rho-1: We can't go in. Something's blocking us. Dr. Flood: Uh… Ellbridge: Do we need to leave? Dr. Lassila: Yes. Both of you, get out until we can work out what that was. [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood leave the space and close the gateway behind them.] Dr. Lassila: Right, OK. Uh… what? That has never happened before. Not with any of these cards. Dr. Flood: Apparently that gateway goes to something called the Esoteric Assembly. Dr. Lassila: How do you know? Dr. Flood: Well, there was a giant plaque on the wall that said 'Esoteric Assembly'. Dr. Lassila: That'll do it. Ellbridge: Oh, god. Dr. Flood: What? Ellbridge: I think I've heard about this, very vaguely. It was kind of like an early attempt at making the Foundation, in… 18-something-or-other. And then it fell apart, because it was just two hundred wizards who didn't agree on anything. I didn't realise the building still existed. Dr. Flood: It does look worse for wear. You said nineteenth century? Dr. Lassila: I'll call up the Department of History. Dr. Flood: And something about two hundred wizards? Ellbridge: I don't know the actual number. This was back when anomalies were just called 'magic', so anyone who worked with them was a magician. Dr. Flood: Right. Wait, hold on. [Dr. Flood pauses.] Dr. Flood: Ohhh. I bet that's why the MTF couldn't get in. Ellbridge: What? What do you mean? Dr. Flood: Foundation precursor. They probably cared about secrecy. They didn't have all our modern security tech, but presumably they did have a bunch of people who knew how to set up wards. Same thing, kind of. They're both systems to keep out undesirables. Kai, once you've called History, can you get Hecate's Spear.MTF Beta-777 ("Hecate's Spear") is staffed exclusively by agents with expertise in thaumaturgy. in here? Dr. Lassila: Why? Dr. Flood: Because I think the 'undesirables' they were keeping out were anyone who's not a thaumaturge. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Lassila: This is speculation? Dr. Flood: We walked into the former meeting place of a society of magicians. The two of us who know magic were allowed in, and the combat goons weren't. No offence. [The members of MTF Rho-18 shift uncomfortably.] Dr. Flood: Come on, it's a decent hypothesis. Get hold of Hecate's Spear and we can test it. [Log ends.] SCP-8282 Expedition Log Date: 13 February 2018 Exploration Team: Jemima Ellbridge, consulting thaumaturge Dr. Lewis Flood, researcher, Thaumaturgy Dept., Site-91 Three members of MTF Beta-777 ("Hecate's Spear") Control: Dr. Kai Lassila, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team Dr. Oliver Memphis, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team.Dr. Memphis was visiting Site-91 at the time as part of the ongoing Richard Sterling investigation, and was brought in to consult on existing documentation while Dr. Lassila actively monitored the expedition. Notes: Second attempt at performing the ritual using the "Consequences" card. [Log begins. All individuals are in a thaumaturgic research lab at Site-91.] [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood perform the SCP-8282 procedure using the "Consequences" card. A doorway forms on the wall.] [Ellbridge enters the gateway, followed by Dr. Flood.] Dr. Flood: Okay, we're in. Task force? [All three Beta-777 agents enter without incident.] Beta-1: All good. Dr. Flood: See, I was right. Dr. Lassila: Report. Dr. Flood: We're in a circular atrium. Architecture looks fairly typical of a parliament building or something similar, but it's clearly gone unmaintained for a long time. Structure is cracked and crumbling in places. Dr. Lassila: Move with extra caution, then. Dr. Flood: There's a large pair of doors ahead, with a plaque above reading "ESOTERIC ASSEMBLY". Looks like there's something tacked to the doors, some kind of document? [Ellbridge approaches the doors, and pulls the document off.] Ellbridge: This has the Foundation logo on it. Dr. Flood: What? Dr. Memphis: That… doesn't make sense. I checked. There's no record of the Foundation ever visiting here. Ellbridge: There's a note on the front. [Ellbridge begins to read aloud.] To the skippers, If anyone manages to find this place, I'm assuming it'll be you. I have taken the liberty of writing a file for your convenience (I picked a high number at random, hopefully it's not in use). Please read it immediately. If you have any problems, you know when and where to find me. -T.E. Ellbridge: Oh, god. Dr. Flood: Do you want me to read it? Ellbridge: No, I'm fine. ITEM#: SCP-8435 LEVEL? Irrelevant SECONDARY CLASS: lambda gephyra DISRUPTION CLASS: vlam RISK CLASS: warning link to memo Item#: {$item-number} Level0 Containment Class: {$container-class} Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: {$disruption-class} Risk Class: {$risk-class} link to memo SCP-8435 (partial). Special Containment Procedures: At least once every two years, two people must visit the Esoteric Assembly chamber and perform Procedure 8435-Muhlenberg. The next visit is scheduled for: 13 February 2016. Other than the above, interaction with SCP-8435 is not recommended..The Lambda Gephyra object class is used for items that are not your problem. Ellbridge: Um. Dr. Lassila: I have seen more helpful conprocs, to be honest. Dr. Memphis: I think 'Lambda Gephyra' is supposed to be Greek for 'Ellbridge'. Dr. Flood: Of course you'd know that. Ellbridge: He never told me about this. Not once. Dr. Flood: That date that's written down is exactly two years ago. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Flood: We need to do whatever this Muhlenberg procedure is. [The doors unlock with a loud click and swing open spontaneously. Behind them is a large corridor, in a similar state of disrepair to the atrium.] Dr. Flood: I guess we go through? Dr. Lassila: You may proceed. [All five individuals move forward. Ellbridge continues to read from the file.] Description: SCP-8435 is an anomaly complex affecting the Esoteric Assembly, a defunct collective of thaumaturges and scholars of the anomalous. The Assembly was founded in 1849, and rendered effectively inoperative in 1868 due to internal political conflicts; several of its members went on to be involved in the formation of the SCP Foundation, while many others founded or joined other anomalous groups. The official legislative chamber of the Esoteric Assembly is an extradimensional space accessible through numerous different Ways; the primary point of ingress, however, is a house in Lexington, Kentucky originally belonging to Leopold de Haas, one of the founders of the Assembly and its inaugural Chair. Dr. Lassila: Ollie, do we have anything on Leopold de Haas? Dr. Memphis: Yeah, he shows up in references to the Assembly. Not much, because our records mostly consider the whole thing a minor historical footnote, and they're a little fuzzy on this whole period anyway. From what we know, he was a fairly competent thaumaturge with… unclear political views. Says he "became inactive" in the anomalous community after a while. Doesn't say why. Beta-3: Can we check in any of these side rooms? See if any of them are still furnished, and if that furniture looks like it's from the 1860s? [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and the MTF agents proceed through the corridor, attempting to open various side doors as they do.] Dr. Flood: OK, most of these doors are locked. The only ones that aren't are the ones marked 'vacant', and those rooms are just fully empty. [Ellbridge steps on some broken glass, and looks up at the ceiling.] Ellbridge: Oh, there's a shattered skylight here. That implies there's a sky, at least. Dr. Flood: Moving forward, there's a T-junction at the end of this corridor. The right is… completely blocked by rubble — looks to be a lot of destroyed chairs and desks — so I guess we're going left. Beta-2: There's a lot of markings on the walls here that look like magical symbols, very similar to the sigil in the file photo. I'm guessing some of that's the wards you mentioned. The symbols are very extensive, though. Ellbridge: I think the wards go a lot further than we assumed. de Haas, aided by some of his colleagues, imbued the Assembly building with a complex and expansive system of thaumaturgic wards and protections, here referred to as SCP-8435,.SCP-8435 is sometimes colloquially named "Leopold" in recognition of its creator. tasked with maintaining order in the Assembly. The practical effect of SCP-8435 is as follows: it is impossible for the Assembly's constitution (known as the Principatus) or its standing rules to be violated. For example: Members speaking out of turn in the Assembly chamber (e.g. speaking when not called on by the Chair, engaging in personalities.i.e. levying personal insults or threats against other members of the Assembly., or invoking curses, certain entities' True Names, or other phrases whose utterance might bring about dangerous magical effects) are made inaudible; Office doors can be opened by the office's owner without a key, but are locked shut to everyone else; Individuals ineligible for membership in the Assembly (i.e. non-thaumaturges) are incapable of entering the premises; Works of thaumaturgy intended to bypass, block or destroy SCP-8435 will fail. This effect has persisted even after the organisation's collapse. It will respect amendments to the Assembly's standing rules, so long as such amendments do not violate the Principatus. However, the Principatus: mandates the existence of SCP-8435; describes no process for the dissolution of the Assembly; describes no process for its own amendment. SCP-8435 is therefore effectively permanent, as the entrenched laws of the Assembly require it to actively prevent its own removal. Ellbridge: Oh, for god's sake. Dr. Flood: They didn't think that through, did they? Dr. Memphis: Legal Department's going to have a fit when this reaches them. Beta-1: So it's saying that there's a web of magic woven into this place that cannot be extricated? Ellbridge: And one of the only things it does is kick out civilians and non-magic field agents. Dr. Flood: They've built an unkillable police officer. That's what these guys have done. Dr. Lassila: [distorted] What was that, Lewis? Dr. Flood: Uh. Control, you're breaking up, I can't hear you. Dr. Lassila: [unintelligble] [Radio contact with Control is lost.] Ellbridge: Oh, no. Beta-1: We need to go back. Protocol. [All five individuals return to the atrium where they arrived.] Beta-3: Uh, problem. Gateway's gone. There's no exit. Ellbridge: Shit. Beta-1: We do have an emergency teleport back. Dr. Flood: Try it, but I think 8435 might block it. [Beta-1 removes a portable Way generator from her suit and attempts to activate it. It has no effect.] Beta-1: Nope. Dr. Flood: It said there was an exit to somewhere in Kentucky. Can we get to that? Ellbridge: Let me have a look. When rule violations occur that cannot be straightforwardly prevented, SCP-8435 will act in an erratic and sometimes dangerous fashion, including by manipulating the Assembly building's layout or the exits therefrom. Occasionally, it may also exert limited and unpredictable influence on the outside world. The current containment procedures are intended to prevent this from occuring. Ellbridge: Fuck. Dr. Flood: What containment procedures? What are they doing? What is Muhlenberg? [A structural column in the atrium suddenly collapses, bringing a portion of the roof with it.] Beta-3: Back! [All five individuals run back towards the main doors.] Dr. Flood: We need to keep moving and figure out what the hell's going on. I don't see how we get out otherwise. Ellbridge: Yeah, let me finish reading the file, alright? Dr. Flood: We can do that, but I get the impression that your dad is going to tell us as little as he can get away with. He's clearly not fond of the Foundation. Ellbridge: Alright. Fine. Let's keep going, I guess. [The team begins to move back through the main corridor.] Addendum 1, History of the Assembly: Throughout much of the early 19th century, there were discussions of formalising the worldwide thaumaturgic community and the numerous groups therein into a single, unified organisation. Many efforts were made to this end; the most successful was in the late 1840s, when Dutch-American thaumaturge Leopold de Haas and a number of his acquaintances established the Esoteric Assembly. de Haas wrote: The occultists, the thaumaturges, the practitioners and scholars of magic today occupy a strange position. They constitute a group, in principle, possessing power in quantities unknown, indeed unimagined, by the rest of society — and yet, the exercise of this power toward any end is spoken of only in theoretical terms, and checks on such power even more so. There have been five Occult Wars in recorded history; should there be a sixth, should the performers of these arts ally against each other with sufficient numbers and motive, it is not hard to see how open hostilities would quickly infect general society like a plague, perhaps leading to a collapse of the entire world order. It is evident that this community, such as it is, must be unified in its goals and in its methods. The establishment of a governing authority over affairs of an esoteric nature is needed, and needed with urgency. Magic has been proliferating around the world for several decades now; the powers vested in us as occultists must be exercised in service of humanity, not in service of an endless spiral of fury and destruction. Dr. Flood: So much for preventing occult wars. Half of the anomalous groups we know of are out to get the other half. Ellbridge: I was going to say, that sounds… optimistic. [The MTF agents continue inspecting the various side doors.] Beta-2: We definitely can't get into any of these rooms? Ellbridge: It said that 'offices' are locked. I think all those doors we tried are still technically people's offices. Beta-2: There's a storage room here. That should be fine? Ellbridge: Try it. [Beta-2 successfully opens a door marked "STORAGE". He enters, followed by Dr. Flood and Ellbridge. The room has no lighting of its own, so all individuals enable their flashlights.] Beta-2: OK, I'm seeing some magical reagents on the shelves here. Lots of glass jars full of different powders and liquids. This stuff wouldn't look amiss in an alchemy lab. Beta-3: Probably because the next room over is an alchemy lab, according to the sign. Dr. Flood: Yeah, a lot of items of occult significance in here. Talismans from a bunch of different faiths. Shelf full of books, probably spellbooks or similar. Not going to read them, I don't trust them not to be full of cognitos. I think the folks at 91 could spend weeks just looking through this one room. Ellbridge: There's also a human skeleton back here. [Dr. Flood walks over to Ellbridge, who is pointing at a heap of dust-covered bones on the floor.] Dr. Flood: Fairly old human skeleton, by the looks of it. Ellbridge: Well, yeah. We're assuming most of this stuff is from the 1860s. Dr. Flood: Anything in that file about why there'd be a dead body dumped in here? The Esoteric Assembly was established in November 1849 with the initial agreement of 58 signatories. The concept of a magical governing authority was immediately met with a mix of skepticism at its feasibility and indignation at its apparent imposition on the world, both based on the general notion that thaumaturges are not typically inclined towards large-scale collaboration or adherence to legal structures..This is still true and you know it. de Haas attempted to address this criticism by creating what he termed the "de Haas Legislative Warding System". The first phase of this plan, conducted over much of 1849 and 1850, was the construction of SCP-8435: a complex system of magical effects seeded into the entire Assembly building, with the purpose of upholding the authority's internal standards while taking on some of its menial administrative and archival duties. In de Haas' words: A law is, by nature, only worth as much as its enforcement — and many occultists have an active disregard for the law, even insofar as that a number of national governments have no awareness that we exist. We seek to solve this by making the law — the law, at least, of the Esoteric Assembly — practically impossible to bend or break. It will be not only legally binding but physically binding also — the two terms will be one and the same. The second phase would have expanded SCP-8435's area of effect to the entire Earth, and bound it to all resolutions passed by the Assembly rather than just its internal rules. No major work on this project was ever completed, and it likely would be impossible under the known laws of thaumaturgy. Ellbridge: No, so far it's just talking about Leopold de Haas being a complete fucking idiot. Are we done in this room? [Distant creaking and rumbling noises are audible.] Beta-3: What was that? Dr. Flood: Didn't the file say that 8435 would manipulate the building layout? Ellbridge: Yeah— oh. Oh, no. Dr. Flood: I think that's the corridors shifting. Beta-1: We should keep moving. And make sure we're sticking together. [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-2 leave the storage room.] Beta-1: This way. Beta-3: Hang on. Shifting room layout, we should mark down a field code. [Beta-3 retrieves a can of spray paint, and attempts to draw a symbol on the wall. A sudden gust of air blows the paint back in his face, and he shouts in confusion.] Dr. Flood: If its job is to maintain order, that might extend to keeping the premises clean. Ellbridge: Clean?! The other end of this corridor is blocked by a giant pile of broken furniture! Beta-1: The file also says it can behave erratically. Suggest we make as few disturbances to the building as possible from here on out. [Several metres further down the corridor, the wall to the alchemy lab explodes violently in a cloud of fumes. A translucent orange pseudopod snakes out of the hole and begins writhing around in the hallway.] Dr. Flood: Stay back! Beta-1: And don't breathe any of that stuff in. [All five personnel run backwards. The pseudopod begins to absorb some of the gas, before the surrounding wall and ceiling melt outwards and appear to start attacking it. This continues for approximately fifteen seconds, before the pseudopod is sucked back into the lab, and the hole is sealed by an irregular mass of slowly solidifying bubbled plaster and paint.] Ellbridge: What the fuck? Dr. Flood: That thing is only meant to show up during AcroAbate disasters. Ellbridge: AcroAbate? Dr. Flood: Acroamatic abatement. Esoteric waste processing. Ellbridge: Oh. I mean, if that's an alchemy lab, maybe people were doing that AcroAbate stuff here, back in the 1860s? And then they accidentally left something running, or spilled some chemicals, or something? Dr. Flood: I don't think that makes sense. Ellbridge: Why not? Beta-1: Because AcroAbate wasn't invented until the 1900s. Much of the anomalous community was unimpressed by de Haas' designs. Thaumaturge and merchant Percival Darke wrote in 1850: So now this Mr. de Haas, spurred on by the bizarre cult of personality surrounding him, thinks it is his God-given duty to direct the affairs of every mage on this Earth. He has supposedly constructed some grand work of magic to make his word law and his law, truth, and is hiding behind appeals to "democracy" and "consensus" as a defense for this incredible imposition. It is abhorrent to the nature of the occult, and it must be stopped. The membership of the Assembly rapidly splintered into an assortment of loosely-organised warring ideological factions. These included: "Loyalists": Members aligned with Leopold de Haas, many of whom advocated for the growth of the Assembly and its expansion into an all-powerful world order, facilitated by the continual development of SCP-8435; "Protectionists": Members who advocated for what would eventually become the Veil of Normalcy, believing that magic ought to be hidden from the world at large and practised only by a small group of authorised, "qualified" individuals; "Libertines": Members directly opposed to the Protectionists, who believed in the full publicisation of magic and the transformation of the Assembly into a chamber of democratically elected representatives; "Nationalists": Members who believed that magic should be brought under the control of national governments instead of a centralised entity; "Humanitarians": Members who advocated for the exclusive usage of magic towards charitable ends, seeking to serve the interests of humanity at large; "Anti-Establishment": Members opposed to the existence of the Esoteric Assembly or any similar organisation, who believed that thaumaturges should be allowed to operate independently and without interference; Numerous independent members, many of whom were ideologically aligned with one of the other movements while refusing to openly associate with them, presumably in an effort to appear neutral and unbiased. Several of these groups engaged in poltiical obstructionism to prevent the passage of any meaningful resolutions, and the fractured nature of the membership meant that the Assembly was frequently unable to elect a Chair, much less achieve any notable legislative accomplishments. The closest any group ever came to holding a majority was a brief period from 1862-63 in which the Loyalists, Protectionists and Nationalists successfully formed a governing coalition. This coalition was deeply unstable, with members in several cases attempting to levy threats of violence against each other. The interference of SCP-8435 prevented the worst of this discourse from taking place within the Assembly chamber itself, though several members accused it (and de Haas by extension) of stifling legitimate debate; a motion to abolish SCP-8435 was introduced in 1862, and received a narrow majority in favour but not the two thirds required to amend the standing rules. [The expedition team continues through the building.] Ellbridge: Come on, is this file actually going to be any help? Historical context is lovely and all, but how the hell do we actually fix this? [The team reaches another T-junction.] Beta-2: Left or right? Beta-1: Well, left is lined with unmarked gravestones and leads into an endless red haze, and right has been rotated ninety degrees about its length so that the wall is now the floor. Beta-2: Right, then? Beta-1: Right. [Beta-1 heads right, stumbling as she is pulled sideways onto the carpeted wall.] Beta-1: Oh, local gravity's sideways as well. Careful. [The other four members of the team cautiously enter the rotated corridor before continuing onwards.] Beta-2: Seems as though there's more markings on the walls here than in the last hall. Dr. Flood: That might be good. Might mean we're getting closer to the middle. Beta-3: Is that good? Dr. Flood: I have no idea. [The MTF agents continue to try various side doors, all of which are locked. After another left turn, the hallway leads to a large room with multiple exits and a spiral staircase. The floor is littered with fragments of shattered ceiling tiles.] Ellbridge: None of these doors out are marked. Do we try them, or do we try the stairs? [Beta-2 opens the nearest door, then immediately slams it shut with a disgusted shout.] Ellbridge: Is that a— ugh. That's a no, isn't it? The hell is that smell? Beta-2: That's the smell of a room filled entirely with rotting meat. Ellbridge: Why? Why is that in here? Beta-1: Stairs, then. Ellbridge: Up or down? [Beta-1 begins to descend the stairs, then returns.] Beta-1: Looking down, the stairs just stop in mid-air over a crater. So up. [All five team members begin to ascend the stairs. Beta-3, at the rear of the group, looks over the handrail and notices the lower steps falling away behind them.] Beta-3: Quickly! [The team runs upwards into another short hallway. Moments after Beta-3 reaches the upper floor, the entire spiral staircase collapses behind him.] Dr. Flood: That's not great. Ellbridge: No, it's not. But this room looks very interesting. Give me a second to keep reading. In early 1863, de Haas found himself running into financial trouble. In addition to regularly spending extravagant amounts on rare magical artifacts for no clear reason, he was also nearly the sole benefactor of the Assembly, having provided over 90% of its funding since its inception. To alleviate this problem, he proposed the introduction of a nontrivial membership fee for anyone attending the Assembly, which had previously been freely open to any persons capable of practicing thaumaturgy. This suggestion was met with uproar from many members, including individuals from both the Protectionist and Anti-Establishment factions; a number of these people led other groups and organisations within the magical community, and had allegedly been artificially increasing their support in the Assembly by offering their employees nominal thaumaturgic training, then paying them to attend sessions and vote on motions as ordered. de Haas' budgetary resolution eventually passed by a narrow margin (though was later repealed in 1866); upon its passage, the Protectionists immediately withdrew from the governing coalition, causing it to collapse. In subsequent weeks, a number of Protectionist members abandoned the Assembly outright. In late 1864, Leopold de Haas disappeared without trace. The reason for this is unclear; it has been variously suggested that he went bankrupt due to his spending habits, that he was funding said habits by embezzling from the Assembly's membership fees and feared gettng caught, that he suffered from deteriorating mental health,.Supposedly evidenced by his frequent references to a non-existent individual named Philip. or that he left for reasons connected to the Sixth Occult War, which began around the same time. The start of this war coinciding with de Haas' sudden absence destroyed any notion that the Assembly could effectively function as a magical peacekeeping project. Its attendance rapidly dwindled, with numerous splinter groups forming from its previous members; those who remained spent ever more time arguing over whether or not the Assembly ought to act to try and stop the war, and indeed whether or not it should continue existing. Assembly Chair Joseph Burford wrote in 1865: It has been argued by several members of the House that this war was brought about, in part, by us. They have indicated that a project such as the Esoteric Assembly, whose objective was to unify the entire magical world under a common goal, was always destined to bring about bitter resentment in anyone who dissented against its supposedly singular voice. It appears deeply unlikely that we are the sole cause of the hostilities — this House's current or former attendees apparently make up a minimal fraction of the belligerents — but we represent one component of the discord that has been taking root in the magical world for decades. Rumours suggest that much of the war is centered on the city of Esterberg. Perhaps we ought to count ourselves fortunate that the Ways between that city and these chambers have spontaneously collapsed in the former Chair's absence. In addition to providing the vast majority of the Assembly's funding, de Haas had been almost singlehandedly responsible for the maintenance of SCP-8435, and had failed to document the mechanisms by which it operated. Problems with the warding system therefore began to accumulate after his disappearance, causing deterioration of the Assembly building, the failure of some Ways into it, and unpredictable effects on thaumaturgy conducted therein. Individuals seeking to fix these problems encountered an incomprehensible array of disparate ritual constructions interacting with each other in a chaotic fashion, and experienced erratic and sometimes violent resistance from SCP-8435 when trying to modify or repair its workings. [The expedition team enters a circular room of similar size to the atrium. Every visible surface is densely inscribed with sigils. In the centre, there is a complex ritual circle roughly five metres across. It is composed primarily of pillars linked by glowing threads and paper ribbons, topped with assorted occult objects and clockwork components. The contents of the circle's interior are obscured and difficult to discern, but close analysis of the video footage suggests the presence of multiple concentric rings spinning at various angles. Thirteen beams of light emanate from the circle towards points high on the surrounding walls.] Ellbridge: I think this is 8435. Or at least the heart of it. Dr. Flood: I assume if we touch it, it'll throw a tantrum. Ellbridge: Probably. Beta-2: If this is the heart of it, then probably the actual floor of the House is nearby. Dr. Flood: I don't think we can make any assumptions about the geography of this place. [All five individuals walk slowly around the construction, attempting to inspect it from various angles.] Ellbridge: It's interesting, though. Because— [The entire room suddenly starts rotating. Subsequent footage analysis has confirmed that this movement coincides with Ellbridge blocking one of the beams of light, presumably inadvertently.] Ellbridge: Fuck! [After exactly six seconds, the room stops turning. Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-3 regain their balance. Beta-1 and -2 are not visible.] Dr. Flood: Uh. Beta-1: [over radio] Beta-3, come in? Beta-3: Roger, Beta-1. Where are you? Beta-1: [over radio] Beta-2 and I were in one of the outer hallways, trying to get a view from further back. The entrance to the room is now blocked off by a solid wall. Beta-3: Right. The three of us are still in the room. The whole thing just spun around by… maybe one-eighty degrees? Hard to tell. But I guess it took the walls and doorways with it. Beta-1: [over radio] Understood. Do we know what triggered the rotation? Beta-3: Any ideas? [Silence on recording.] Beta-3: Unclear. Beta-1: [over radio] Roger that. Do you have an exit from the room? Ellbridge: Yes, several. Beta-1: [over radio] Alright. Suggest the three of you leave through one of those, and we'll continue through this hallway, and hopefully we meet up again. Ellbridge: Yeah, alright. Dr. Flood: Fine by me. Beta-3: Confirmed, Beta-1. [Ellbridge points at one of the hallways leading out of the room.] Ellbridge: This exit? Beta-3: Seems as good as any other. [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-3 leave through the indicated exit, and proceed into another carpeted corridor lined with doors.] Beta-3: This door says 'archives'. Is that worth checking out? Ellbridge: Yes, definitely. Maybe there'll be more details on what 8435's actually doing. [Beta-3 enters the room, follows by Ellbridge and Dr. Flood. It contains a single bookcase, of which only two shelves are filled.] Ellbridge: Some archive. [Dr. Flood inspects the books.] Dr. Flood: Resolutions of the Esoteric Assembly. Standing Rules of the Esoteric Assembly. Oh, hello. Transcripts of the Esoteric Assembly, broken down by year. Only goes up to 1868. [Dr. Flood retrieves the last book on the shelf.] Dr. Flood: Oh. Subtitle is "Compiled by the de Haas Legislative Warding System". Ellbridge: 8435. Dr. Flood: Yep. Ellbridge: Anything interesting in it? [Dr. Flood turns to the final page of the book.] (Chair JOSEPH BURFORD gavels the House to order.) JOSEPH BURFORD: The House will come to order. Over the last week, this House has debated the question of whether or not this institution ought to continue to exist; whether it is and must remain a vital pillar of the occult community, or whether it has deteriorated to the point that it can no longer serve its founding purpose. It appears we have reached the end of useful debate on this matter, and the time has come to hold a vote. Are there any objections to invoking cloture on the motion at this time? (There is no response.) JOSEPH BURFORD: The question is on the motion to amend the rules and adjourn the House indefinitely. The vote will be conducted by a show of hands and counted by the warding system. All those in favour of the motion? (The Yeas vote.) JOSEPH BURFORD: All those opposed? (The Nays vote.) On the Motion to Adjourn YEA NAY ABS. 74 26 17 Result: NOT APPLICABLE JOSEPH BURFORD: On this vote, the Yeas are 74. The Nays are 26. A two-thirds majority having voted in favour, the House stands adjourned indefinitely. The Esoteric Assembly is henceforth to be considered inoperative. Thank you, everyone. (Chair JOSEPH BURFORD gavels the House closed.) Ellbridge: "Result: not applicable". Dr. Flood: Mm. Ellbridge: Guess nobody noticed. Dr. Flood: It might be that— [A loud noise resembling a siren sounds.] Dr. Flood: We need to move. [Dr. Flood returns the book, and all three exit.] In August 1868, shortly before the Sixth Occult War ended with the killing of the Demiurge, the remaining Esoteric Assembly membership voted 74-26 to dissolve the organisation. As one of the basic stipulations of the Principatus is that the Assembly must exist, SCP-8435 did not accept this vote as valid; official records written by the warding system describe the outcome of the vote as "not applicable" rather than "motion passed" as expected. The membership of the House was unaware of this fact; none of them appear to have read the relevant portion of the record, and SCP-8435 made no further indication of the motion's invalidity before Burford declared the session closed. Image of Leopold de Haas found in the Esoteric Assembly building. [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-3 enter a semicircular room; the curved side is lined with named portraits. A plaque high on the wall reads "CHAIRS OF THE ESOTERIC ASSEMBLY".] Ellbridge: Huh. So that's what Leopold de Haas looked like. Wonder where that picture came from. Dr. Flood: Must be 8435, right? Or some other magically-sourced rendering. How else would there be a colour photo of someone from the 1860s? Ellbridge: Yeah, that checks out. Beta-3: Um, Ms. Ellbridge? Ellbridge: What? [Beta-3 is standing on the opposite side of the room. He points at the rightmost three portraits: James Ellbridge, Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge.] Ellbridge: What the fuck? [Ellbridge hurries over to the three portraits, and points at each one in turn.] Ellbridge: Granddad. Grandma. Dad. But not me. Why didn't you tell me? [She stares at the final portrait. All three individuals remain silent and unmoving for roughly twenty seconds. A low rumbling noise interspersed with occasional distant banging sounds remains audible throughout.] Ellbridge: Alright, let's keep going. [Dr. Flood and Beta-3 follow Ellbridge out of the room.] Dr. Flood: So, he was— Ellbridge: Yes. Dr. Flood: How? Ellbridge: How should I fucking know, Lewis? How do I follow the logic of an animate, angry labyrinth with delusions of being a legislative chamber? [A loud crack is heard. The corridor suddenly tears itself into two, and the halves pull apart from each other, revealing black void between them. Ellbridge and Dr. Flood are on one side of the divide, while Beta-3 is stuck on the other.] Dr. Flood: Woah! Beta-3: [shouting] I can't— that's too far to jump! [Before Ellbridge or Dr. Flood can respond, their half of the corridor lurches violently upwards. Both begin to shout.] [Audiovisual corruption on Ellbridge and Dr. Flood's camera feeds lasting approximately one minute.] [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood stumble forwards into a pair of heavy wooden doors marked 'DEBATING CHAMBER'. They gradually come to their feet, both out of breath, and lean against the walls. The distant rumbling noises remain, but are quieter and less distinct.] Dr. Flood: You okay? Ellbridge: Yeah, I think so. You? [Dr. Flood nods, then activates his radio.] Dr. Flood: This is Dr. Flood, come in. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Flood: This is Dr. Lewis Flood of the SCP Foundation. Is there anyone there? Does anyone read me? [Silence on recording.] [Ellbridge looks toward the far end of the corridor. It terminates in shattered fragments of stone, floating in a black void. She tries to open the doors to the debating chamber, but finds them locked.] Ellbridge: Uh-oh. Dr. Flood: No exit, and no exit. Ellbridge: We might be fucked. Dr. Flood: Unless we can figure out what this thing's actual containment procedures are. Ellbridge: We won't. Dr. Flood: Hm? Ellbridge: You were right. He doesn't want to tell anyone anything. My entire family knew about this shit and I didn't, and he trusts you less than he trusts me. This whole file so far is him criticising an idiotic power grab disguised as altruism, for the attention of a different power grab disguised as altruism. Dr. Flood: Are you sure you want that comment on record? Ellbridge: That's his view of the Foundation. It's what he taught me. I'm still trying to figure out whether it's worth unlearning. Dr. Flood: [sighs] I don't know why he didn't tell you about the Assembly. But he wrote this file for people who had already found this place on their own. At that point, it stops making sense to keep secrets, and starts making sense to ensure that whoever else is here doesn't fuck stuff up even worse than it already is, or get themselves killed in the process. Ellbridge: I'm like ten pages in, and he hasn't even explained why this place is still an active problem, much less how to contain it. Dr. Flood: No offence to him, but is it possible he was just a bad writer? [Ellbridge laughs quietly.] Ellbridge: Surely anything we need to do is gonna be in that room, though? And if he wants us to keep well away, do we really think he's written down how we get in? Dr. Flood: We may as well check. Not like we've got anything else to do. How many more pages? [Ellbridge flicks through the sheaf of papers.] Ellbridge: Oh, quite a few. [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: Alright, fine. Addendum 2, Containment History: The Principatus requires that the Assembly must hold a session at least once every two calendar years. This stipulation, combined with SCP-8435's inability to recognise that the Assembly is now defunct, is the reason why this anomaly still requires active containment. Procedure 8435-Muhlenberg is the holding of a minimal pro-forma session to placate SCP-8435 and prevent it from manifesting anomalous effects outside the Assembly building. Dr. Flood: You're kidding. Ellbridge: Way to bury the fucking lede, Dad. Dr. Flood: Oh, I think this file is gonna get rewritten. Ellbridge: So the house isn't angry at us. It's just… what, lonely? Dr. Flood: It's neither. It's just a broken robot. I'm not convinced we can assign sentience to it. Ellbridge: So… okay. We need to go into the main chamber, just the two of us, sit down like it's an actual meeting, and say: "The House is now in session. The House is no longer in session." And that counts? Dr. Flood: I think that counts. It did say the procedure only needs two people. Ellbridge: Oh, there's a timeline. Does that say anything useful? The following is a complete history of interactions with SCP-8435 since the Assembly's last proper meeting on 27 August 1868. Any new visits to the Assembly building should be added to this list. + EXPAND - CLOSE 1870-08-27: All living members who attended the final vote of the 1868 session are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning, resulting in several minor injuries. All members exit the chamber witout incident. 1872-08-27: All living members who attended the previous meeting are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. All Ways out of the chamber are closed. Joseph Burford — the Chair of the 1868 session — gavels the House to order, briefly runs through the required procedures for opening a session,.Burford later wrote that, upon arrival in the chamber, he felt an inexplicable compulsion to proceed as though he was presiding over an ordinary session of the Assembly. and leads a brief discussion on the present situation, after which point the Ways reopen. Members vote 87-21 to dissolve the Assembly with immediate effect; Burford then declares the session closed. SCP-8435 considers this resolution null and void on the grounds that shutting down the Assembly would effectively override the Principatus; this fact is not communicated to the members in any way. 1874-08-27: All living members who attended the previous meeting are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. All Ways out of the chamber are closed. Burford is absent, having died in the interceding two years; senior member Martin Alderney instead takes charge as presiding officer. Members vote 85-14 to dissolve the Assembly. Immediately upon this resolution's passage, the chamber doors violently slam shut; a section of masonry is subsequently detached from the ceiling and fatally strikes Alderney in the head. Lloyd Slater is reluctantly elected as the new Chair. Members vote 54-44 to repeal the previous resolution, and the exits reopen. They fail to formally close the session before leaving the chamber. 1874-09-04: All living members who attended the previous meeting are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning, due to a stipulation of the Principatus that an improperly closed session must meet again within one week. Members vote 86-12 to find and capture Leopold de Haas, with the intention of forcing him to disable SCP-8435. They then formally close the session. 1876-08-06: Having failed to locate de Haas, a group of 15 members attempt to remove the SCP-8435 effect themselves. All spontaneously fall unconscious before the procedure can be completed. In Olympia Springs, Kentucky, 70 miles from de Haas's Lexington residence, chunks of unidentified red meat briefly fall from the sky. 1876-09-02: 41 members gather in the Assembly chamber. They unanimously elect Slater as the Chair and adopt a set of standing rules before immediately closing the session. No further anomalous effects are noted, and the remaining membership does not manifest. 1878-08-31: Lloyd Slater and Isaac Barnum meet in the Assembly chamber. They unanimously elect Slater as the Chair and adopt a set of standing rules before immediately closing the session. No further anomalous effects are noted, and the remaining membership does not manifest. 1880-08-30: Lloyd Slater and Isaac Barnum successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1882-08-29: Lloyd Slater and Isaac Barnum successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1884-08-29: No members gather in the Assembly chamber, as Slater and Barnum had both died in the interceding two years, and failed to delegate their duties to anyone else. An earthquake occurs in Lexington, Kentucky. 1886-08-29: All living members who attended the 1876 session are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. Members elect Ralph Ellis as Chair, and then vote 20-2 to adopt an amended set of standing rules, declaring that the requirement for members to meet every two years is no longer necessary. Upon the adoption of these rules, the paper upon which the amendment was written bursts into flames. Members unanimously adopt a new amendment to the rules stating that the Chair may, at any time, summon Leopold de Haas to the Assembly chamber. Ellis immediately exercises this power, unaware that de Haas died five years prior; de Haas's decayed skeleton instantly materialises on the House floor. Members vote 10-12 against adopting further rule amendments with the objective of reanimating de Haas, opting instead to leave him in a disused storage room in the Assembly building. The session is then declared closed. 1888-08-28: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1890-08-27: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1892-08-26: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1894-08-25: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1896-08-25: No members gather in the Assembly chamber, as all 289 individuals who had ever attended a session at any point are now dead..Unconfirmed and implausible. Some of the people in question are believed to have established the Foundation and therefore may be immortal, depending on the exact timeline of the discovery of their alleged life extension magic. This is impossible to verify for obvious reasons. de Haas's former residence, abandoned since his death due to legal complications, reportedly begins emitting a faint red glow from the windows. In a single day, 289 unidentified corpses wash up in Lexington..There is no river in Lexington. 1898-08-25: Several large boulders materialise inside the Kentucky State Capitol building. State lawmakers allegedly experience severely impaired language function for the entire workday. Over the following days, numerous reports are made of the moon appearing in vivid and garish colours; all such reports originate from within a 100-mile radius of the city of Lexington. 1900-08-25: A large explosion occurs in Lexington. The origin is believed to be de Haas's former residence, though the building itself is entirely unharmed. 1902-08-25: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge, the eldest children of Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge respectively, are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. The front row of desks contains copies of the Principatus, the standing rules of the House as of 1894, the Assembly's journals dating back to 1849, and a letter from Leopold de Haas detailing the nature of SCP-8435. After some time reviewing these documents, Ellis and Trubridge conclude that a pro-forma session must be held in the Assembly every two years to prevent the SCP-8435 complex behaving erratically. After holding such a session, they draft a document roughly resembling the current iteration of Procedure 8435-Muhlenberg, with specific instructions for its distribution whenever one of the required individuals must be replaced. 1904-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1906-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1908-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1910-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1912-08-24: William Ellis and Mitchell Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1914-08-24: William Ellis and Mitchell Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1916-06-01: Mitchell Trubridge and Oscar Hubbell successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War I.) 1918-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Oscar Hubbell successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War I.) 1920-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and William Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1922-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1924-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1926-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1928-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1930-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1932-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1934-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1936-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1938-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. They then make another attempt to remove SCP-8435, reasoning that as it effectively now constitutes thaumic detritus, it might be susceptible to acroamatic abatement. This fails, and the resulting chemical explosion severely injures both Trubridge and Ellis. 1940-05-12: James Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1942-04-24: James Trubridge and Hazel Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War II and the Seventh Occult War.) 1944-03-14: James Trubridge and Hazel Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War II and the Seventh Occult War.) 1946-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1948-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1950-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1952-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1954-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1956-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1958-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1960-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1962-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1964-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1966-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1968-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to Hagan's availability.) 1970-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1972-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1974-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1976-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1978-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Alex Forrestall successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1980-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Alex Forrestall successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1982-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Caitlin Fox successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1984-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1986-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1988-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1990-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1992-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1994-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1996-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to Crane's availability.) 1998-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2000-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2002-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2004-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2006-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2008-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2010-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2012-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2014-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2016-02-13: Ellbridge: Oh, no. No no no no no no… Dr. Flood: That's bad. That's very, very bad. Ellbridge: So he tried to come here in 2016, something went wrong and it killed him. Dr. Flood: That's one of the bad parts. There's another one. Ellbridge: What? Dr. Flood: Elliot Crane is a known alias of Richard Sterling. [Ellbridge puts her head in her hands and begins laughing despondently.] Ellbridge: Of course he's fucking involved. Dr. Flood: And of course he hasn't bothered to tell us about this, even though we've had him in custody for two full days. [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: You got a pen? Dr. Flood: Why? Ellbridge: I'm doing what he says. [Dr. Flood retrieves a pen from his labcoat and gives it to Ellbridge. She begins writing at the bottom of the page.] 2016-02-13: Containment fails. Thomas Ellbridge is killed. 2018-02-13: Jemima Ellbridge and Lewis Flood discover this file and attempt to hold a pro-forma session. Dr. Flood: Not getting ahead of yourself there? Ellbridge: I've had an idea. Wild speculation, but it's all we've got. Dr. Flood: Go on. [Ellbridge turns to face the door, and speaks loudly into it.] Ellbridge: Jemima Ellbridge. [The door swings open, and Ellbridge walks through. It slams shut in Dr. Flood's face.] Dr. Flood: Uh. Lewis Flood? [The door opens again. Dr. Flood enters the debating chamber.] Dr. Flood: How'd you figure that out? Ellbridge: If all those transcripts are being written by 8435, same as the portrait gallery, then it has to know what everyone's name is. Dr. Flood: Surely it could know that anyway. It's magic. Ellbridge: Some people use multiple. How does it know which one to write unless you tell it? If our friend "Elliot Crane" didn't let the name Richard Sterling appear in this file, there's no way he let it show up in the transcripts. Dr. Flood: Is this when we discover that we're actually inside the woods where they steal your name? Ellbridge: Let's see. My name is Jemima Ellbridge. No, I think we're fine. Dr. Flood: God, can you imagine if they'd found the place, though? Ellbridge: Probably if they had, it wouldn't be this destroyed. [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood observe their surroundings. They are in a grandiose legislative chamber in a state of advanced disrepair. A large, twisting oak tree occupies the centre of the room; its roots are destroying the surrounding floor and its upper branches have grown through the ceiling. The sunlight streaming through the damaged roof is a rich orange colour, and fallen masonry and glass is scattered over the floor and furniture. The far wall is broken by several stone pillars resting at various angles, one of which has smashed a portion of the speaker's daïs. Most of the remaining wall surfaces are covered in assorted magical glyphs, runes and sigils, some of which are glowing in various colours. The entire back row of seats is perfectly black. Miscellaneous rumbles, groans, creaks, sirens and distant bells are audible in all directions.] Dr. Flood: We're in the belly of the beast. Ellbridge: By any chance, do the front desks still have a copy of the rules on them? [Both individuals walk towards the front of the room.] Dr. Flood: Yes, seemingly. I hope we don't have to read through them all. Ellbridge: Better idea. [Ellbridge picks up a book from the daïs, and shows Dr. Flood the cover. It reads "Transcripts of the Esoteric Assembly, 27 August 1870 -". She opens the book and flicks to the last page.] LEWIS FLOOD: We're in the belly of the beast. JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE: By any chance, do the front desks still have a copy of the rules on them? LEWIS FLOOD: Yes, seemingly. I hope we don't have to read through them all. JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE: Better idea. LEWIS FLOOD: Oh, look through those and see what the last successful containment looked like? Dr. Flood: Oh, look through those and see what the last successful containment looked like? Ellbridge: Yep. Oh, that's weird. Dr. Flood: What's weird? Ellbridge: It's real-time. The words appear on the page as we're saying them. Dr. Flood: Huh. Wait, shouldn't it only transcribe when the House is in session? In the ones we read, it starts and stops writing the moment the Chair bangs the gavel. Ellbridge: That is a very good point. Give me a sec. [Ellbridge flips backwards several pages.] (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels the House to order.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: The House will be in order. The date is the 13th of February, 2014. The House is now in session. The floor is open. Mr. Crane? ELLIOT CRANE: I move to adjourn for a period of two years, seeking unanimous consent. THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: The question is on the motion to adjourn. All those opposed will rise. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: By unanimous consent, the motion is adopted. Under the previous order, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2016. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels the House closed.) Dr. Flood: Oh, that actually is it. Ellbridge: I mean, there's probably extra steps if we have to elect a new Chair. Which I guess we do. Dr. Flood: Check that giant timeline? See when the last handover was, and cross-reference in there? Ellbridge: Will do. But, uh, that's not the end of the book. There's a couple more pages. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels the House to order.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: The House will be in order. The date is the 13th of February, 2016. The House is now in session. The floor is open. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: This is a last resort. I hope this counts. You hear me, Leopold? I'm doing the best I can. But it's been two hours, and the other guy hasn't shown up. I'm the only one here. We've amended the standing rules to make this process as easy as possible within the bounds of the Principatus, but it still needs two people as an absolute minimum. That part's unavoidable. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Actually, you know what? (COMMENT STRUCK FROM RECORD). Right. Of course. Can't say that, that's going to be engaging in personalities, isn't it? OK. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: If anyone's reading this, his other name is Richard Sterling. I'm not allowed to say what I want to happen to him. But I bet you can guess. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Fuck it, let's try it. By unanimous consent, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2018. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels meaninglessly. He does not have the authority.) (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE leaves the daïs. He fails to hand over control of the House. He remains the Chair.) (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE is not permitted to leave.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Come on. No. No, no, no, no, no. Don't do this. No fucking phone signal in here. RICHARD! (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE returns to the daïs.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Listen to me, you idiot. There is no-one else, you understand? No-one's coming! No-one knows this place exists! Just me, and some (COMMENT STRUCK FROM RECORD), FUCK OFF!, some other person who has refused to show up. Or he's dead, I don't know. That'd be (COMMENT STRUCK FROM RECORD). (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE fails to resume his duties.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Let me leave, right? Let me find someone, let me tell someone, someone outside! Outside is where all the people are! I'll bring someone in, and we can do this little re-enactment, and you can pretend you're a real government or whatever the fuck. I can tell someone. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE is wrong.) (The House is collapsing.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: No! No, not that! (The House is collapsing.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: JEMIMA! (There is no response.) (THOMAS ELLBRIDGE dies.) (There is no response.) (THOMAS ELLBRIDGE is incapable of magic and is removed from the premises.) (There is no response.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: Lewis? Dr. Flood: Yeah? Ellbridge: Is Richard Sterling still at Site-91? Dr. Flood: Yes. Ellbridge: When we get back there, I'm going to— [Ellbridge continues attempting to speak, but briefly becomes inaudible.] Ellbridge: What the…? Dr. Flood: Oh, I guess that's what "comment struck from record" means. Ellbridge: Whatever. Fill in the gaps on your own time. What's the procedure when there's no Chair? [Dr. Flood hands Ellbridge a piece of paper. She reads it quickly.] Ellbridge: Well, that seems simple enough. [Dr. Flood sits on a seat in the front row. Ellbridge ascends the daïs, sits in the Speaker's chair, and gavels the House to order.] Ellbridge: The House will be in order. The date is the 13th of February, 2018. The House is now in session. The first order of business is on the election of a Chair. All those wishing to stand for election will rise. [Ellbridge stands, and sits down again after two seconds.] Ellbridge: The candidates for Chair are: Jemima Ellbridge. End of list. The election will take place by show of hands. All those voting for Jemima Ellbridge? [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood raise their hands.] Ellbridge: All those voting to reopen nominations? [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood lower their hands.] Ellbridge: The votes for Jemima Ellbridge are two. The votes to reopen nominations are zero. Jemima Ellbridge is elected Chair of the Esoteric Assembly. [Ellbridge gavels.] Ellbridge: The floor is open. [Dr. Flood stands.] Ellbridge: Dr. Flood? Dr. Flood: I move to adjourn for a period of two years, seeking unanimous consent. [Dr. Flood sits.] Ellbridge: The question is on the motion to adjourn. All those opposed will rise. [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: By unanimous consent, the motion is adopted. Under the previous order, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2020. [Ellbridge gavels the House closed.] Ellbridge: And it can bloody well stay that way. [The distant noises abruptly cease.] Dr. Flood: Did— did we do it? Ellbridge: Hm? Dr. Flood: Check the last line in the transcript. JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE: By unanimous consent, the motion is adopted. Under the previous order, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2020. (Chair JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE gavels the House closed.) [Ellbridge flashes Dr. Flood a thumbs-up. He returns it with a nod, then reaches for his radio.] Dr. Flood: This is Lewis Flood, come in. Beta-3: [over radio] This is Beta-3. Reading you loud and clear, Dr. Flood. Describe your whereabouts. Dr. Flood: Ellbridge and I are in the main debating chamber. I think we fixed the problem. Ellbridge: I'm sorry, did we? Beta-3: [over radio] Well, your portrait has just appeared in the hall, ma'am, so I assume you've done something. Ellbridge: We've smothered the problem for a couple years. We didn't fix shit. Dr. Flood: I mean— Ellbridge: Read that transcript from 2016, Lewis, and then tell me any of this is fixable. Dr. Flood: Look, I'm sorry. I— Ellbridge: I don't particularly give a shit. Respectfully. This system's never going to be fixed so long as it's defining itself into existence, and lashing out at anyone who tries to tell it it's fucked. And now this fucking zombie building has my face on it. Dr. Flood: Hold on a moment. [Dr. Flood deactivates his radio.] Dr. Flood: Listen. When this place existed, it was hopelessly disorganised, but the Founda— no, actually, it is. Site-91 isn't, though. An entire Site focused on thaumaturgy, and we're way ahead of some retired legislators from the 1870s. We can figure something out. We can do something with this. Ellbridge: By 'do something', you mean get rid of it. Dr. Flood: [sighs] Neutralising anomalies isn't standard procedure… Ellbridge: So no. What does 'do something' mean? It means use it for stuff, right? 'Cause if you started this place up again, if you tried to use 8435 to do more than just open and close the House every two years, I can think of a million ways to exploit it. Is that what you're going to do? [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: You don't know. Dr. Flood: I don't know whether that decision will be above my pay grade. Ellbridge: 'Course you don't. Dr. Flood: I mean, Director Varga is usually pretty reasonable about this stuff, but… [Dr. Flood trails off.] Ellbridge: But her superiors aren't. Right? Dr. Flood: No comment. Ellbridge: The fact that you can't even agree to that on record does not make them or you look better. I don't like being subject to two criticism-silencing machines at the same time, and I really don't want one of them to control the other. Dr. Flood: Point taken. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Flood: Out of interest, was that giant timeline the end of the file? Or was there anything after? Ellbridge: There's a little bit more. Dr. Flood: What's it say? Ellbridge: [shrugs] I gave it a quick glance, I don't think it's really part of the main file. Gonna read it when we get back. Dr. Flood: Not while you're still here? While it might be relevant? Ellbridge: It won't be relevant. Not to this. I don't think his useful advice goes any further than he does. [Log ends.] Notes: Remainder of mission omitted for brevity. Ellbridge and Dr. Flood reunited with MTF Beta-777 in the main atrium with only minor navigational issues; the SCP-8282 gateway remained absent, but Beta-1's portable Way returned all five individuals safely to Site-91. Debriefing conducted without incident; new documentation for SCP-8435 is currently being written. Ellbridge is noted to have made one further addition to the version of the file retrieved from the Assembly building. 2018-02-13: Jemima Ellbridge and Lewis Flood discover this file and attempt to hold a pro-forma session. Recommend we stop writing "successfully" from now on. This isn't what success looks like. Interview Log Date: 14 February 2018 Subject: Dr. Richard Sterling, former Director, Site-128 Interviewer: Dr. Oliver Memphis, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team [Dr. Memphis enters, holding Thomas Ellbridge's SCP-8435 file.] Dr. Sterling: Oh, hello. You again. Dr. Memphis: What's this? Dr. Sterling: It would seem to be an SCP file. Dr. Memphis: It's an SCP file written by someone who's never worked for the Foundation. How do you suppose that happened? Dr. Sterling: I don't know. Dr. Memphis: Really, Mr. Crane? [Dr. Sterling opens his mouth to protest, but Dr. Memphis interrupts him.] Dr. Memphis: Don't play dumb. We know that's a name you've used. My colleagues just went into that nightmare of a building and did the job you didn't bother with last time round. Dr. Sterling: Hm? Dr. Memphis: They found the official transcript from 2016. It's just Thomas Ellbridge, trapped alone in that room, trying to figure out why you didn't show up. Why didn't you show up? Dr. Sterling: I was probably busy. Dr. Memphis: Probably. You were probably busy. Dr. Sterling: Mhm. Dr. Memphis: What were you busy with? Actually, don't answer that, we checked. You were in Oregon, moving bundles of cash between a bunch of money laundering fronts. I guess that was more important? [Silence on recording.] Dr. Memphis: You killed your friend, Richard. Dr. Sterling: We weren't really friends by that point. I assumed he'd found someone else to say my lines. Dr. Memphis: You didn't think to check? Dr. Sterling: We hadn't spoken in well over a year. Dr. Memphis: And you just figured he was on the same page as you? [Dr. Sterling shrugs.] Dr. Memphis: Do you know what I've been doing for the last year and a half? Dr. Sterling: What have you been doing? Dr. Memphis: I've been cleaning up after the mess you left behind. Untangling all your scandals and cover-ups from when you were Director. Chasing down loose threads. And in the process, I had to deal with a truly ungodly number of abject failures of communication. There's an entire skip that's just missing, you know that? Got lost in the paperwork somewhere between Site transfers, and no-one wants to help anyone else track it down. Dr. Sterling: Lovely. What's your point? Dr. Memphis: My point is that not talking is not how you get on the same page as someone. This is how you get on the same page as someone: you are the worst person I've ever met, Richard Sterling, and you should count yourself very lucky that we have an Ethics Committee. Dr. Sterling: Noted. [Dr. Memphis stands up to leave.] Dr. Memphis: Though for what it's worth, ETHCOM doesn't technically prohibit me from sending Tom Ellbridge's daughter in to have a chat with you. I'm sure she'll tell you exactly what she thinks of you. Very loudly. Into your ear. [Dr. Memphis grins, and leaves the room.] Addendum 3, Postscript: If the date when you found this file is later than the date written on the conprocs, it means that something has gone badly wrong. It means that I am probably dead, that I have failed to appoint a successor, and that the same is true of my colleague. This is very much within the realm of possibility; there are people I hold dear who ought to know about this task, and I have failed to tell them. I will likely continue to fail, either out of vain hope that the problem will eventually resolve itself, or fear that it will remain a burden for the rest of eternity. For better or worse, that means that the job of containing this thing now falls to you. Assuming that you are in fact the SCP Foundation, I do not trust you to take the right lessons from this document. In general, I trust you to do very little right; my own failings do not prevent me from noticing yours, and you have plenty to go around. This is why I am not pleased at the prospect of you making this anomaly your responsibility. Below is a letter I found on the floor of the Assembly some years ago, presumably written circa 1868. I don't know who wrote it, but they managed to explain my reasoning better than I ever could. The Esoteric Assembly has in effect collapsed, and its members have dispersed themselves into various groups — some newly-founded, some already centuries old. A great number of them have begun journeying west and east, where they intend to establish an exclave of free esoteric activity — the same one, in both directions. Some have apparently returned home to Salzburg, though I was quite unclear on whether they planned to bring about order or eliminate it altogether. There are three rather unpleasant gentlemen who intend to make themselves the middlemen for all trading of occult objects across the Earth. Some are travelling to Germany and Poland, in hopes that they might finally end this bloody war. Multiple religious sects are being established, mostly under extreme secrecy. Most closely to me, a dozen or so of the former Protectionists have run off with as many artifacts as they can get their hands on, claiming that they will start an organisation working for the good of humanity by keeping these objects under lock and key. These are merely the examples that spring to mind; I have undoubtedly omitted a great many others. I myself am uncertain of where to go from here. I have never been firmly affiliated with any of these groups, and I would rather not become a pariah amongst them all. Perhaps, instead, I will join one of them and quietly try to temper its worst impulses. I know not which of these groups will survive long enough to become powerful — more so than the Assembly ever was — but I firmly believe that at least one will. Whichever it is, I fear that they will not recognise the lessons that the failures of this institution taught us. Leopold de Haas was both one of the finest thaumaturges of our age, and a small-minded moron; the latter, it is evident, does not preclude the former. He sought to enforce his view of how things ought to be run by defining the Assembly's actions (conveniently based on principles he himself wrote) as unquestionable Truth, and then twisting reality in knots to match it, making any deviation from the status quo utterly impossible. This idea is already ill-advised in its present form, but all the factions that used to occupy this chamber have now separated and become insular, and I fear that many of these new associations will implement Mr. de Haas' vision with greater ease absent any dissenting voices. And if — or more likely, when — they succeed, God help us all. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8435" by OliverMemphis, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8435. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. consequences.jpg by OliverMemphis License: CC BY-SA 3.0 dehaas.png Source: 19th century man by Cassowary Colorizations, from Flickr License: CC BY 2.0 sigil.png by OliverMemphis License: CC BY 2.0 Composite of: Source: Oil Slick by Judith Jackson, from Flickr License: CC BY 2.0 Source: Textura pared / wall texture by Sergio Sánchez, from Flickr License: CC BY-SA 2.0 The superimposed design is by OliverMemphis. It incorporates the SCP-5109 script created by HarryBlank (license CC BY 3.0) and the Translunary Shorthand script created by cryptotheism (used with permission). |
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--acc-goc: 39, 84, 149; --acc-spooky: 252, 112, 40; /* VARIABLES > BetterFootnotes */ --fnColor: var(--link-txt-color); --fnLinger: 1s; } /* VARIABLES > Info Bar */ .info-container { --barColour: rgb(var(--accent)); --linkColour: #EDEDED; } /* MAIN */ html { scroll-behavior: smooth; overflow-x: hidden; } body { font-family: var(--ui-font), sans-serif; font-size: var(--base-font-size); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, #e0e0e0, #fff 200px); text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; overflow-wrap: break-word; } div#container-wrap { background: none; } #content-wrap { margin: 2em auto 0; } #page-content { font-family: var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), sans-serif; font-size: var(--page-font-size); font-weight: 440; } #page-content strong { font-weight: 700; } tt, .page-source, pre, #edit-page-textarea { font-family: var(--mono-font); } ol li { margin: 0 0 1em; } ul { margin: 1em 0; } li, p { line-height: 1.5; text-underline-offset: 40%; } ::selection { background: rgb(var(--accent)); color: #fff; } /* Clicky links */ a, a.newpage, a:visited, #side-bar a:visited { color: var(--link-txt-color); } a:hover, a.newpage:hover, a:visited:hover, #side-bar a:visited:hover { color: var(--link-hover-txt-color); text-decoration: none; background-color: var(--link-txt-color); } a { transition-duration: 0.1s; } /* patch for sidebar media, collapsibles, ACS, info button and ayers module so link doesn't override */ #page-content .collapsible-block-folded a:hover, #page-content .collapsible-block-unfolded-link a:hover, #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .fa-info:hover, #side-bar .side-block.media a:hover, .danger-diamond a:hover { background: transparent; } .info-container .collapsible-block-folded .collapsible-block-link, .info-container .collapsible-block-link { background: var(--linkColour) !important; } /* MAIN > Header */ div#header { background: none; height: 160px; } #header h1 span, #header h2 span { font-size: 0; display: none; } #header h1 a::before, #header h2::before { color: var(--header-txt-color); letter-spacing: 1px; font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif !important; font-weight: 900; text-shadow: none; } #header h1 { margin-top: -0.3rem; } #header h1 a { width: fit-content; margin: auto; } #header h1 a::before { content: var(--header-title); font-size: 1.3em; } #header h2::before { content: var(--header-subtitle); font-family: var(--ui-font) !important; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.4em; color: var(--misc-txt-color); line-height: 26px; margin-top: 0.35rem; display: block; text-transform: uppercase; } #header h1, #header h2 { margin-left: 0; float: none; text-align: center; } #header h1 span, #header h2 span { font-size: 0; display: none; } div#extra-div-1 { height: 160px; width: 100%; top: 7px; position: absolute; background: var(--logo-img) 10px 30px no-repeat; background-size: 130px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: 50% 50%; z-index: -1; opacity: var(--logo-opacity); } /* MAIN > Header > Search Box */ #search-top-box-form>input[type=text] { display: none; } #search-top-box-input, #search-top-box-input:hover, #search-top-box-input:focus, #search-top-box-form input[type=submit], #search-top-box-form input[type=submit]:hover, #search-top-box-form input[type=submit]:focus { border: none; background: rgb(var(--accent)); box-shadow: none; border-radius: 5px !important; color: #efefef; font-family: var(--ui-font); font-size: calc(var(--page-font-size) - 10%); } #search-top-box input.empty { color: #999999; } #search-top-box { position: absolute; top: 47px; width: unset; } /* MAIN > Header > Top Bar */ #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 10rem; } #header #top-bar ul { border-radius: 10px; border: none; background: rgb(var(--accent)); padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; } #header #top-bar a { color: white; background: rgb(var(--accent)); font-weight: bold; } #header #top-bar ul li ul { padding: 0px; border-radius: 0px; } #top-bar ul li.sfhover a, #top-bar ul li:hover a { border-left: solid 1px #FFF; border-right: solid 1px #FFF; } #top-bar ul li ul li a:hover { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.83) !important; line-height: 230%; text-indent: 3px; } #top-bar { display: flex; justify-content: center; right: 0; } .mobile-top-bar { left: unset; } /* MAIN > Header > Login Info */ #login-status { top: 19px; } #login-status, #login-status a { color: #333333; } @media (max-width: 767px) { #header .printuser { font-size: 0; } } .printuser a { margin: 0; } .printuser img.small { width: 18px; height: 18px; padding: 1px 4px 0 0; background-image: none !important; } @media (max-width: 767px) { #header .printuser img.small { transform: translate(0, 4px); } } #my-account { display: none; } @media (max-width: 767px) { #account-topbutton { margin: 0 0 0 5px; } } /* MAIN > Header > Side Bar */ #top-bar .open-menu a { border-radius: 0px; border: none; background: rgb(var(--accent)); color: white; } #side-bar { background: #FFF; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #side-bar { padding: 0.3em 0.6em 0 0.6em; width: 18.75em; transition: left 0.2s ease-in-out; direction: rtl; text-align: left; border-right: none; } } #side-bar .side-block, #side-bar .side-block.resources, #side-bar .side-block.media, #interwiki .side-block { border: 2px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border-radius: 0px; box-shadow: none; margin-bottom: 6px; direction: ltr; background: transparent; } #side-bar .side-block.resources { text-align: center; } #side-bar .heading { color: var(--misc-txt-color); border-bottom: solid 2px #cfcfcf; font-size: 9pt; font-family: var(--head-font); font-weight: 800; text-transform: uppercase; } /* CONTENT */ /* CONTENT > Blockquotes, Custom Divs */ .blockquote, div.blockquote, blockquote { border: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15); background: #f7f7f7; } .jotting { padding: 1.3em; margin: 1em 4.5em; border: dashed 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background: #f7f7f7; } .notation { padding: 1em 1.5em; margin: 1em 3em; border-left: solid 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35); border-right: solid 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35); background: #f7f7f7; } .modal { padding: 1.2em; margin: 1em 3em; border: solid 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15); background: #fbfbfb; } .quote { padding: 0.4em 2em; margin: 3em auto; border-left: solid 3px #bbb; max-width: 500px !important; } .paper { padding: 1.5em; margin: 2em; background: #FFF; box-shadow: 0px 4px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); } .box { padding: 1px 9px; border: solid 3px #bbb; margin: 0.5em 1em; } div.note { font-size: unset; border: 2px solid #afafaf; background-color: #fff; } .round { border-radius: 10px; } /* CONTENT > Headings, Titles */ #page-title, .meta-title { font-family: var(--ui-font), sans-serif; font-weight: 800; color: #3b3b3b; border-bottom: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto 1.5rem; } #page-title, .meta-title, #breadcrumbs, .pseudocrumbs { text-align: center; } h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif; font-weight: 800; color: #3b3b3b; } h1, h2 { font-weight: 800; } .footnotes-footer .title { font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif; color: #3b3b3b; font-weight: 800; } /* CONTENT > Rate Module */ #page-content .creditRate { margin: unset; font-family: var(--ui-font); float: unset !important; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button { background-color: #fff; border: solid 1px #bbb; box-shadow: none; border-radius: 0; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .fa-info { border: none; color: #333; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .fa-info:hover { background: #333; color: #fff; } .rate-box-with-credit-button .cancel { border: solid 1px #fff; } .page-rate-widget-box { box-shadow: none; border: solid 1px #bbb; margin: unset; margin-bottom: 4px; border-radius: 0; font-family: var(--ui-font); } .page-rate-widget-box .rate-points { background-color: #fff !important; color: #333 !important; border: none !important; border-radius: 0; } .page-rate-widget-box .rateup, .page-rate-widget-box .ratedown { background-color: #fff; border-top: none; border-bottom: none; } .page-rate-widget-box .rateup a, .page-rate-widget-box .ratedown a { background: transparent; color: #333; } .page-rate-widget-box .rateup a:hover, .page-rate-widget-box .ratedown a:hover { background: #333; color: #fff; } .page-rate-widget-box .cancel { background: #fff; border: none; border-radius: 0; display: inline-block; } .page-rate-widget-box .cancel a { color: #333; } .page-rate-widget-box .cancel a:hover { background: #333; color: #fff; border-radius: 0; } #page-content .rate-box-with-credit-button .page-rate-widget-box { border: none; } /* CONTENT > Rate Module > Author Label */ .authorlink-wrapper { --author-top-adjust: 0; --author-bottom-adjust: 0; --author-right-adjust: 0; font-family: var(--ui-font); font-size: var(--base-font-size); } /* CONTENT > Side Box */ .anchor { position: sticky; height: 0; top: 0; } .sidebox { padding: .14rem; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 8px; width: calc((100vw - 870px)/2); max-height: calc(100vh - 18rem); position: absolute; top: 0; left: 103.5%; z-index: 5; overflow: auto; box-sizing: border-box; } @media (max-width: 1290px) { .sidebox { display: none; visibility: hidden; } } /* CONTENT > Image Block */ .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #f4f4f4; color: #3b3b3b; border: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); margin-top: 10px; box-sizing: border-box; border-radius: 5px; } .scp-image-block { border: none; box-shadow: none; } .scp-image-block img { border: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); box-sizing: border-box; } .imagediv { float: right; margin: 15px } @media (max-width: 540px) { .imagediv { float: unset; text-align: center; margin: 1.3rem auto 1.3rem auto; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { .scp-image-block.block-right { float: none; margin: 10px auto; } } /* CONTENT > Tables Base */ #page-content tr th { padding: 6px; border: 2px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); } #page-content tr td { padding: 12px; border: 2px solid #bfbfbf; line-height: 1.4; } #page-content .sidebox tr td, #page-content .sidebox tr th { padding: 0.35em; } /* CONTENT > Tables Customization (Table Coloring System) */ /* CONTENT > Tables Customization (Table Coloring System) > Table Headings, Image Captions */ #page-content .table1 tr th, #page-content .table1 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #E0FFD4; } #page-content .table2 tr th, #page-content .table2 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #D8ECF4; } #page-content .table3 tr th, #page-content .table3 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #FDF6D7; } #page-content .table4 tr th, #page-content .table4 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #FFDFCD; } #page-content .table5 tr th, #page-content .table5 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #FFCFCF; } #page-content .table6 tr th, #page-content .table6 .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: rgba(146, 0, 255, 0.2); } .tableb .wiki-content-table { border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 2px; } /* CONTENT > Tables Customization (Table Coloring System) > Other Colored Divs */ .table1 .blockquote, .table1 div.blockquote, .table1 blockquote, .table1 .jotting, .table1 .notation, .table1 .modal, .table1 .paper, .blockquote.table1, div.blockquote.table1, .jotting.table1, .notation.table1, .modal.table1, .paper.table1 { background: rgb(224, 255, 212); } .table2 .blockquote, .table2 div.blockquote, .table2 blockquote, .table2 .jotting, .table2 .notation, .table2 .modal, .table2 .paper, .blockquote.table2, div.blockquote.table2, .jotting.table2, .notation.table2, .modal.table2, .paper.table2 { background: rgb(226, 244, 255); } .table3 .blockquote, .table3 div.blockquote, .table3 blockquote, .table3 .jotting, .table3 .notation, .table3 .modal, .table3 .paper, .blockquote.table3, div.blockquote.table3, .jotting.table3, .notation.table3, .modal.table3, .paper.table3 { background: rgb(255, 245, 189); } .table4 .blockquote, .table4 div.blockquote, .table4 blockquote, .table4 .jotting, .table4 .notation, .table4 .modal, .table4 .paper, .blockquote.table4, div.blockquote.table4, .jotting.table4, .notation.table4, .modal.table4, .paper.table4 { background: rgb(255, 223, 205); } .table5 .blockquote, .table5 div.blockquote, .table5 blockquote, .table5 .jotting, .table5 .notation, .table5 .modal, .table5 .paper, .blockquote.table5, div.blockquote.table5, .jotting.table5, .notation.table5, .modal.table5, .paper.table5 { background: rgb(255, 207, 207); } .table6 .blockquote, .table6 div.blockquote, .table6 blockquote, .table6 .jotting, .table6 .notation, .table6 .modal, .table6 .paper, .blockquote.table6, div.blockquote.table6, .jotting.table6, .notation.table6, .modal.table6, .paper.table6 { background: rgb(255, 218, 255); } /* CONTENT > Tabs Base */ .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: inherit; background-image: inherit } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: inherit; text-decoration: inherit } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover { color: inherit; background: inherit } .yui-navset .yui-nav, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav { border-color: inherit } .yui-navset li { line-height: inherit } /* CONTENT > Tabs Customization */ .yui-navset .yui-nav, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; width: calc(100% - .125rem); margin: 0 auto; border-color: #333333; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, /* ---- Link Modifier ---- */ .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { color: #333333; /* ---- Tab Background Colour | [UNSELECTED] ---- */ background-color: #efefef; border: unset; box-shadow: none; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { color: #ffffff; /* ---- Tab Background Colour | [HOVER] ---- */ background-color: #333333; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li, /* ---- Listitem Modifier ---- */ .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav li { position: relative; display: flex; flex-grow: 2; max-width: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; color: #ffffff; background-color: #ffffff; border-color: transparent; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li a, .yui-navset-top .yui-nav li a, .yui-navset-bottom .yui-nav li a { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 100%; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li em { border: unset; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a em, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a em { padding: .35em .75em; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected, /* ---- Selection Modifier ---- */ .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav .selected { flex-grow: 2; margin: 0; padding: 0; /* ---- Tab Background Colour | [SELECTED] ---- */ background-color: #333333; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em { border: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { width: 100%; color: #ffffff; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:active { color: #ffffff; background-color: #333333; } .yui-navset .yui-content { background-color: #ffffff; box-shadow: none; } .yui-navset .yui-content, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-content { padding: .5em; border: 1px solid #333; box-sizing: border-box; } /* CONTENT > WORDS NO BROKEY. CROQ HAS SPOKEY. and other things */ span, a { word-break: normal !important } .avatar-hover { display: none !important; } #main-content .page-tags span { max-width: 100%; } /* CONTENT > Dustjacket Assets */ .fancyhr hr { border-top: 2vw solid transparent; background-color: rgba(var(--bright-accent), 0); height: 0; box-sizing: border-box; border-image-source: url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png'); border-image-repeat: round round; background: none; border-image-slice: 80 500 80 500 fill; border-image-width: 10em 80em 10em 80em; } .fancyborder { box-sizing: border-box; border: 2vw solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); border-image: url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') 600 round; border-image-width: 6; padding: 2vw; } /* CONTENT > Collapsibles */ #page-content a.collapsible-block-link:hover { text-decoration: underline; color: var(--link-txt-color); } #page-content a.collapsible-block-link:not(.licensebox a.collapsible-block-link, .info-container a.collapsible-block-link, .default-col a.collapsible-block-link) { text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; color: white; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 9px; background: rgb(var(--accent)); border-radius: 6px; margin-top: 5px; font-family: var(--ui-font); font-size: var(--base-font-size); box-shadow: inset 0px 0px 0px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); transition-duration: 0.4s; display: inline-block; } #page-content a.collapsible-block-link:not(.licensebox a.collapsible-block-link, .info-container a.collapsible-block-link, .default-col a.collapsible-block-link):hover { background: rgba(var(--accent), 0.7); box-shadow: none; } /* CONTENT > ACS Adjustments */ .top-left-box>.item { display: none; } .anom-bar-container { margin-top: 1.1rem; } .anom-bar-container, .anom-bar-container * { font-family: var(--head-font), Inter, sans-serif !important; } .acs-extra-1, .acs-extra-2, .acs-extra-3, .acs-extra-4 { font-family: var(--head-font), Inter, sans-serif !important; } .anom-bar > .top-box { text-transform: none; } /* CONTENT > Woed Bar Adjustments */ div.scale div.item1>div { color: #333; font-family: var(--head-font); font-size: 1.4em; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: unset; } div.scale div.class1>div { color: #333; font-family: var(--head-font); font-size: 2em; line-height: 0.9em; letter-spacing: 2px; } div.scale { --woedbar-class-bar-color: #333 !important; } div.scale div.obj { height: 1.7em; } div.scale div.obj>div { font-size: 1.55em; } /* MISC */ #page-content hr { height: 2px; } .bt { color: rgb(var(--accent)); font-weight: bold; } #footer { background: transparent; color: #444; margin-top: 45px; } #footer a { color: #7b7b7b; } .footer-wikiwalk-nav { font-weight: 700; font-size: 88%; word-spacing: 5px; } #page-info-break { height: 10px; } #page-options-container { border-top: solid 1px rgba(213, 213, 213, 0.5); padding-top: 1rem; } .page-watch-options { padding-bottom: 0.6rem; font-size: 77%; } .page-options-bottom { display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex-wrap: wrap; align-content: center; justify-content: center; } .page-options-bottom a { margin: 3px; color: #FFF; background: rgb(var(--accent)); padding: 5px 13px 5px 13px; text-decoration: none; font-size: 90%; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; } .page-options-bottom a:hover { background: rgba(var(--accent), 0.8); } #page-info-break { height: 6px; } #license-area { color: #5f5f5f; background: #ecf2f1; border-top: solid 2px #d9d9d9; margin-top: 10px; } #license-area a::after { content: "."; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #main-content .page-tags { padding-right: 16rem; } } #main-content div.page-tags::before { content: "tags "; color: var(--misc-txt-color); font-family: var(--head-font); font-weight: 800; font-size: var(--page-font-size); } #main-content .page-tags a { display: inline-block; height: .8125rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem .75rem; padding: .1875rem .3125rem .1875rem 0; color: #FFF; background-color: rgb(var(--accent)); border-bottom-right-radius: .25rem; border-top-right-radius: .25rem; line-height: 13px; line-height: .8125rem; font-size: calc(var(--page-font-size) - 10%); font-weight: bold; } #main-content .page-tags a::before { width: 0; height: 0; top: -.1875rem; left: -.625rem; padding: 0 .0625rem .1875rem; border-color: transparent rgb(var(--accent)) transparent transparent; border-style: solid; border-width: .5rem .5rem .5rem 0; } #main-content .page-tags a::before, #main-content .page-tags a::after { content: ""; position: relative; float: left; } #main-content .page-tags a::after { width: .25rem; height: .25rem; top: .2813rem; left: -.5rem; background-color: #FFF; border-radius: .125rem; } #main-content .page-tags span { max-width: 100%; border-top: .5rem solid transparent; } #page-tags-input { font-weight: bold; word-spacing: 8px; } #edit-page-form input.text { font-family: var(--head-font), sans-serif; font-weight: 800; font-size: 150% !important; padding: 4px; } #edit-page-form>table.form>tbody>tr>td:nth-child(1) { font-weight: bold; } .edit-help-34 { font-size: 85%; opacity: 60%; transition-duration: 0.3s; width: fit-content; } .edit-help-34:hover { opacity: 100%; } .edit-help-34 a { margin-right: 3px; margin-left: 10px; } table.edit-page-bottomtable { width: 100%; } #edit-page-comments { height: 86px; } #lock-info { background-color: transparent; margin: 0.8em; line-height: 1.7; font-size: 86%; border: none; } #lock-info::before { content: "!"; padding-right: 12px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 110%; opacity: 60%; } #lock-timer { font-size: 115%; margin: 0 5px; } #lock-timer::before { content: "⏲ "; opacity: 80%; } textarea, #edit-page-form input.text { outline: none; border: 1px solid #ccc; transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: box-shadow; } textarea:focus-visible, #edit-page-form input.text:focus-visible { box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px 1px #a3a3a3; border: 1px solid #a3a3a3; } #action-area>p { font-size: 85%; color: darkslategrey; } #action-area>p:nth-child(5)>a { display: block; text-align: center; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; } #who-rated-page-area>div { column-count: 4; } @media (max-width: 900px) { #who-rated-page-area>div { column-count: 3; } } @media (max-width: 700px) { #who-rated-page-area>div { column-count: 2; } } @media (max-width: 540px) { #who-rated-page-area>div { column-count: 1; } } #page-content .content-warning.creditRate { padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 21px; } .preview-message { right: 0em; top: 2em; border: unset; padding: 1em 1.5em; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); max-width: 29em; opacity: 1; z-index: 100; line-height: 1.7; filter: drop-shadow(0px 0px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)); color: #EDEDED; } .error-block { background-color: rgba(255, 0, 48, 0.1); text-align: center; border: none; border-top: solid 3px #B00; border-top-left-radius: 6px; border-top-right-radius: 6px; } table.page-history tbody tr:nth-child(2n) { background: rgba(var(--accent), 0.05); } .owindow { animation: fade 0.5s; } @keyframes fade { 0% { opacity: 0; } 100% { opacity: 1; } } .owindow .button-bar a { border: solid 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); margin: 11px; padding: 0.5em 2em; border-radius: 4px; } .owindow .button-bar a:hover { background-color: var(--link-txt-color); 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} } @media (max-width: 700px) { #header h2::before { font-size: 1.2em; margin-top: 0.3rem; } #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 8.8rem; font-size: 90%; } } @media (max-width: 620px) { #header h2::before { font-size: 1em; margin-top: 0.15rem; } #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 8.3rem; font-size: 90%; } div#header { height: 123px; } } @media (max-width: 520px) { #header h2::before { line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0.5rem; } #top-bar, #top-bar a { top: 9.3rem; } div#header { height: 145px; } } close Info X SCP-8435: The Law Without Land Author: OliverMemphis This House has rules Or so they say And if you break them A price we'll pay More by this author NOTICE FROM THE RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION The following file is pending review and reclassification. The current iteration of this item's documentation does not meet Foundation standards for clarity, conciseness or usage of technical nomenclature; it is therefore to be considered non-authoritative until further notice. This file is classified at Level 4/8435; any indications to the contrary are to be ignored. For additional context on supplementary materials, readers are advised to familiarise themselves with SCP-8282 before proceeding. Meeting Transcript Date: 13 February 2018 Present: Jemima Ellbridge, consulting thaumaturge Dr. Lewis Flood, researcher, Thaumaturgy Dept., Site-91 Dr. Kai Lassila, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team.A department established for coordinating large-scale research projects across multiple facilities. Notes: SCP-8282 is a cartomantic ritual that opens Ways to a number of locations, predominantly extradimensional spaces. The cards required for this ritual were originally produced by independent thaumaturge Thomas Ellbridge and his daughter Jemima, the latter of whom is now collaborating with the Foundation to facilitate further research into SCP-8282 and related matters. Dr. Lassila: What's this about? Is it urgent? Ellbridge: I think so. It's about 8282. Dr. Lassila: The research on that is on hold while we finish wading through the Richard Sterling case..Richard Sterling is the former Director of Site-128 and a former associate of Thomas Ellbridge. He is currently in custody at Site-91 for numerous transgressions against the Foundation and the anomalous community at large. Ellbridge: No, I promise this is important. You know there was one card from the original set that we never checked? Dr. Flood: Was that the blue and red one? The one where the manifest you gave us is just blank? Ellbridge: Yeah, that one. Name of the card is "Consequences". Dr. Flood: Why is it blank on the manifest? Ellbridge: Because I don't know where it goes. I've never been through it. Dr. Flood: I thought you'd been through all of them? Ellbridge: I think this one is dangerous. Dr. Flood: Why? [Ellbridge sighs.] Ellbridge: Because we found it on my dad's basement floor next to his dead body. Dr. Lassila: Ah. I'm sorry. Ellbridge: That was two years ago, almost to the day. He lived alone, so we don't know the exact date. But I think the milestone might be important. Dr. Lassila: Why? Ellbridge: Because I had an omen in my dream last night. Dr. Lassila: You get omens in your dreams? You didn't tell us about that. Ellbridge: Everyone gets omens in their dreams occasionally. I'm just good at recognising them. Lucid dreaming isn't thaumaturgy. Dr. Flood: What was the omen? Ellbridge: I was in an art gallery with only one painting in it, and the painting looked exactly like the illustration on that card. Bunch of crisscrossing red and blue lines. There were two grandfather clocks next to each other, both ringing over and over, and the whole place smelled like ash. There was only one door out of the room, and the view through it was weird and distorted, the same way the 8282 gateways are. Don't know what was behind it, I woke up when I walked through. Dr. Flood: You think we need to check this card out? Ellbridge: Yes, urgently. Ideally today. Can we do that? SCP-8282 Expedition Log Date: 13 February 2018 Exploration Team: Jemima Ellbridge, consulting thaumaturge Dr. Lewis Flood, researcher, Thaumaturgy Dept., Site-91 Three members of MTF Rho-18 ("Flightless Crows") Control: Dr. Kai Lassila, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team SCP-8282-1 instance used in ritual. [Log begins. All individuals are in a thaumaturgic research lab at Site-91.] [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood perform the SCP-8282 procedure using the "Consequences" card. A doorway forms on the wall; as typical with gateways from this ritual, the space behind it is too distorted to see properly.] [Ellbridge enters the gateway, followed by Dr. Flood..As several of the SCP-8282 cards lead to Free Ports or other spaces hostile to the Foundation, it is established protocol that Ellbridge must enter these gateways before any uniformed personnel.] Dr. Flood: Okay, it's— [Agent Rho-1 attempts to enter the gateway, but is immediately flung backwards and shouts. Rho-2 experiences the same effect; Rho-3 makes no attempt to follow. Ellbridge and Dr. Flood suddenly turn their heads back to look at the gateway.] Ellbridge: What? Dr. Flood: What just happened? Rho-1: We can't go in. Something's blocking us. Dr. Flood: Uh… Ellbridge: Do we need to leave? Dr. Lassila: Yes. Both of you, get out until we can work out what that was. [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood leave the space and close the gateway behind them.] Dr. Lassila: Right, OK. Uh… what? That has never happened before. Not with any of these cards. Dr. Flood: Apparently that gateway goes to something called the Esoteric Assembly. Dr. Lassila: How do you know? Dr. Flood: Well, there was a giant plaque on the wall that said 'Esoteric Assembly'. Dr. Lassila: That'll do it. Ellbridge: Oh, god. Dr. Flood: What? Ellbridge: I think I've heard about this, very vaguely. It was kind of like an early attempt at making the Foundation, in… 18-something-or-other. And then it fell apart, because it was just two hundred wizards who didn't agree on anything. I didn't realise the building still existed. Dr. Flood: It does look worse for wear. You said nineteenth century? Dr. Lassila: I'll call up the Department of History. Dr. Flood: And something about two hundred wizards? Ellbridge: I don't know the actual number. This was back when anomalies were just called 'magic', so anyone who worked with them was a magician. Dr. Flood: Right. Wait, hold on. [Dr. Flood pauses.] Dr. Flood: Ohhh. I bet that's why the MTF couldn't get in. Ellbridge: What? What do you mean? Dr. Flood: Foundation precursor. They probably cared about secrecy. They didn't have all our modern security tech, but presumably they did have a bunch of people who knew how to set up wards. Same thing, kind of. They're both systems to keep out undesirables. Kai, once you've called History, can you get Hecate's Spear.MTF Beta-777 ("Hecate's Spear") is staffed exclusively by agents with expertise in thaumaturgy. in here? Dr. Lassila: Why? Dr. Flood: Because I think the 'undesirables' they were keeping out were anyone who's not a thaumaturge. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Lassila: This is speculation? Dr. Flood: We walked into the former meeting place of a society of magicians. The two of us who know magic were allowed in, and the combat goons weren't. No offence. [The members of MTF Rho-18 shift uncomfortably.] Dr. Flood: Come on, it's a decent hypothesis. Get hold of Hecate's Spear and we can test it. [Log ends.] SCP-8282 Expedition Log Date: 13 February 2018 Exploration Team: Jemima Ellbridge, consulting thaumaturge Dr. Lewis Flood, researcher, Thaumaturgy Dept., Site-91 Three members of MTF Beta-777 ("Hecate's Spear") Control: Dr. Kai Lassila, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team Dr. Oliver Memphis, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team.Dr. Memphis was visiting Site-91 at the time as part of the ongoing Richard Sterling investigation, and was brought in to consult on existing documentation while Dr. Lassila actively monitored the expedition. Notes: Second attempt at performing the ritual using the "Consequences" card. [Log begins. All individuals are in a thaumaturgic research lab at Site-91.] [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood perform the SCP-8282 procedure using the "Consequences" card. A doorway forms on the wall.] [Ellbridge enters the gateway, followed by Dr. Flood.] Dr. Flood: Okay, we're in. Task force? [All three Beta-777 agents enter without incident.] Beta-1: All good. Dr. Flood: See, I was right. Dr. Lassila: Report. Dr. Flood: We're in a circular atrium. Architecture looks fairly typical of a parliament building or something similar, but it's clearly gone unmaintained for a long time. Structure is cracked and crumbling in places. Dr. Lassila: Move with extra caution, then. Dr. Flood: There's a large pair of doors ahead, with a plaque above reading "ESOTERIC ASSEMBLY". Looks like there's something tacked to the doors, some kind of document? [Ellbridge approaches the doors, and pulls the document off.] Ellbridge: This has the Foundation logo on it. Dr. Flood: What? Dr. Memphis: That… doesn't make sense. I checked. There's no record of the Foundation ever visiting here. Ellbridge: There's a note on the front. [Ellbridge begins to read aloud.] To the skippers, If anyone manages to find this place, I'm assuming it'll be you. I have taken the liberty of writing a file for your convenience (I picked a high number at random, hopefully it's not in use). Please read it immediately. If you have any problems, you know when and where to find me. -T.E. Ellbridge: Oh, god. Dr. Flood: Do you want me to read it? Ellbridge: No, I'm fine. ITEM#: SCP-8435 LEVEL? Irrelevant SECONDARY CLASS: lambda gephyra DISRUPTION CLASS: vlam RISK CLASS: warning link to memo Item#: {$item-number} Level0 Containment Class: {$container-class} Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: {$disruption-class} Risk Class: {$risk-class} link to memo SCP-8435 (partial). Special Containment Procedures: At least once every two years, two people must visit the Esoteric Assembly chamber and perform Procedure 8435-Muhlenberg. The next visit is scheduled for: 13 February 2016. Other than the above, interaction with SCP-8435 is not recommended..The Lambda Gephyra object class is used for items that are not your problem. Ellbridge: Um. Dr. Lassila: I have seen more helpful conprocs, to be honest. Dr. Memphis: I think 'Lambda Gephyra' is supposed to be Greek for 'Ellbridge'. Dr. Flood: Of course you'd know that. Ellbridge: He never told me about this. Not once. Dr. Flood: That date that's written down is exactly two years ago. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Flood: We need to do whatever this Muhlenberg procedure is. [The doors unlock with a loud click and swing open spontaneously. Behind them is a large corridor, in a similar state of disrepair to the atrium.] Dr. Flood: I guess we go through? Dr. Lassila: You may proceed. [All five individuals move forward. Ellbridge continues to read from the file.] Description: SCP-8435 is an anomaly complex affecting the Esoteric Assembly, a defunct collective of thaumaturges and scholars of the anomalous. The Assembly was founded in 1849, and rendered effectively inoperative in 1868 due to internal political conflicts; several of its members went on to be involved in the formation of the SCP Foundation, while many others founded or joined other anomalous groups. The official legislative chamber of the Esoteric Assembly is an extradimensional space accessible through numerous different Ways; the primary point of ingress, however, is a house in Lexington, Kentucky originally belonging to Leopold de Haas, one of the founders of the Assembly and its inaugural Chair. Dr. Lassila: Ollie, do we have anything on Leopold de Haas? Dr. Memphis: Yeah, he shows up in references to the Assembly. Not much, because our records mostly consider the whole thing a minor historical footnote, and they're a little fuzzy on this whole period anyway. From what we know, he was a fairly competent thaumaturge with… unclear political views. Says he "became inactive" in the anomalous community after a while. Doesn't say why. Beta-3: Can we check in any of these side rooms? See if any of them are still furnished, and if that furniture looks like it's from the 1860s? [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and the MTF agents proceed through the corridor, attempting to open various side doors as they do.] Dr. Flood: OK, most of these doors are locked. The only ones that aren't are the ones marked 'vacant', and those rooms are just fully empty. [Ellbridge steps on some broken glass, and looks up at the ceiling.] Ellbridge: Oh, there's a shattered skylight here. That implies there's a sky, at least. Dr. Flood: Moving forward, there's a T-junction at the end of this corridor. The right is… completely blocked by rubble — looks to be a lot of destroyed chairs and desks — so I guess we're going left. Beta-2: There's a lot of markings on the walls here that look like magical symbols, very similar to the sigil in the file photo. I'm guessing some of that's the wards you mentioned. The symbols are very extensive, though. Ellbridge: I think the wards go a lot further than we assumed. de Haas, aided by some of his colleagues, imbued the Assembly building with a complex and expansive system of thaumaturgic wards and protections, here referred to as SCP-8435,.SCP-8435 is sometimes colloquially named "Leopold" in recognition of its creator. tasked with maintaining order in the Assembly. The practical effect of SCP-8435 is as follows: it is impossible for the Assembly's constitution (known as the Principatus) or its standing rules to be violated. For example: Members speaking out of turn in the Assembly chamber (e.g. speaking when not called on by the Chair, engaging in personalities.i.e. levying personal insults or threats against other members of the Assembly., or invoking curses, certain entities' True Names, or other phrases whose utterance might bring about dangerous magical effects) are made inaudible; Office doors can be opened by the office's owner without a key, but are locked shut to everyone else; Individuals ineligible for membership in the Assembly (i.e. non-thaumaturges) are incapable of entering the premises; Works of thaumaturgy intended to bypass, block or destroy SCP-8435 will fail. This effect has persisted even after the organisation's collapse. It will respect amendments to the Assembly's standing rules, so long as such amendments do not violate the Principatus. However, the Principatus: mandates the existence of SCP-8435; describes no process for the dissolution of the Assembly; describes no process for its own amendment. SCP-8435 is therefore effectively permanent, as the entrenched laws of the Assembly require it to actively prevent its own removal. Ellbridge: Oh, for god's sake. Dr. Flood: They didn't think that through, did they? Dr. Memphis: Legal Department's going to have a fit when this reaches them. Beta-1: So it's saying that there's a web of magic woven into this place that cannot be extricated? Ellbridge: And one of the only things it does is kick out civilians and non-magic field agents. Dr. Flood: They've built an unkillable police officer. That's what these guys have done. Dr. Lassila: [distorted] What was that, Lewis? Dr. Flood: Uh. Control, you're breaking up, I can't hear you. Dr. Lassila: [unintelligble] [Radio contact with Control is lost.] Ellbridge: Oh, no. Beta-1: We need to go back. Protocol. [All five individuals return to the atrium where they arrived.] Beta-3: Uh, problem. Gateway's gone. There's no exit. Ellbridge: Shit. Beta-1: We do have an emergency teleport back. Dr. Flood: Try it, but I think 8435 might block it. [Beta-1 removes a portable Way generator from her suit and attempts to activate it. It has no effect.] Beta-1: Nope. Dr. Flood: It said there was an exit to somewhere in Kentucky. Can we get to that? Ellbridge: Let me have a look. When rule violations occur that cannot be straightforwardly prevented, SCP-8435 will act in an erratic and sometimes dangerous fashion, including by manipulating the Assembly building's layout or the exits therefrom. Occasionally, it may also exert limited and unpredictable influence on the outside world. The current containment procedures are intended to prevent this from occuring. Ellbridge: Fuck. Dr. Flood: What containment procedures? What are they doing? What is Muhlenberg? [A structural column in the atrium suddenly collapses, bringing a portion of the roof with it.] Beta-3: Back! [All five individuals run back towards the main doors.] Dr. Flood: We need to keep moving and figure out what the hell's going on. I don't see how we get out otherwise. Ellbridge: Yeah, let me finish reading the file, alright? Dr. Flood: We can do that, but I get the impression that your dad is going to tell us as little as he can get away with. He's clearly not fond of the Foundation. Ellbridge: Alright. Fine. Let's keep going, I guess. [The team begins to move back through the main corridor.] Addendum 1, History of the Assembly: Throughout much of the early 19th century, there were discussions of formalising the worldwide thaumaturgic community and the numerous groups therein into a single, unified organisation. Many efforts were made to this end; the most successful was in the late 1840s, when Dutch-American thaumaturge Leopold de Haas and a number of his acquaintances established the Esoteric Assembly. de Haas wrote: The occultists, the thaumaturges, the practitioners and scholars of magic today occupy a strange position. They constitute a group, in principle, possessing power in quantities unknown, indeed unimagined, by the rest of society — and yet, the exercise of this power toward any end is spoken of only in theoretical terms, and checks on such power even more so. There have been five Occult Wars in recorded history; should there be a sixth, should the performers of these arts ally against each other with sufficient numbers and motive, it is not hard to see how open hostilities would quickly infect general society like a plague, perhaps leading to a collapse of the entire world order. It is evident that this community, such as it is, must be unified in its goals and in its methods. The establishment of a governing authority over affairs of an esoteric nature is needed, and needed with urgency. Magic has been proliferating around the world for several decades now; the powers vested in us as occultists must be exercised in service of humanity, not in service of an endless spiral of fury and destruction. Dr. Flood: So much for preventing occult wars. Half of the anomalous groups we know of are out to get the other half. Ellbridge: I was going to say, that sounds… optimistic. [The MTF agents continue inspecting the various side doors.] Beta-2: We definitely can't get into any of these rooms? Ellbridge: It said that 'offices' are locked. I think all those doors we tried are still technically people's offices. Beta-2: There's a storage room here. That should be fine? Ellbridge: Try it. [Beta-2 successfully opens a door marked "STORAGE". He enters, followed by Dr. Flood and Ellbridge. The room has no lighting of its own, so all individuals enable their flashlights.] Beta-2: OK, I'm seeing some magical reagents on the shelves here. Lots of glass jars full of different powders and liquids. This stuff wouldn't look amiss in an alchemy lab. Beta-3: Probably because the next room over is an alchemy lab, according to the sign. Dr. Flood: Yeah, a lot of items of occult significance in here. Talismans from a bunch of different faiths. Shelf full of books, probably spellbooks or similar. Not going to read them, I don't trust them not to be full of cognitos. I think the folks at 91 could spend weeks just looking through this one room. Ellbridge: There's also a human skeleton back here. [Dr. Flood walks over to Ellbridge, who is pointing at a heap of dust-covered bones on the floor.] Dr. Flood: Fairly old human skeleton, by the looks of it. Ellbridge: Well, yeah. We're assuming most of this stuff is from the 1860s. Dr. Flood: Anything in that file about why there'd be a dead body dumped in here? The Esoteric Assembly was established in November 1849 with the initial agreement of 58 signatories. The concept of a magical governing authority was immediately met with a mix of skepticism at its feasibility and indignation at its apparent imposition on the world, both based on the general notion that thaumaturges are not typically inclined towards large-scale collaboration or adherence to legal structures..This is still true and you know it. de Haas attempted to address this criticism by creating what he termed the "de Haas Legislative Warding System". The first phase of this plan, conducted over much of 1849 and 1850, was the construction of SCP-8435: a complex system of magical effects seeded into the entire Assembly building, with the purpose of upholding the authority's internal standards while taking on some of its menial administrative and archival duties. In de Haas' words: A law is, by nature, only worth as much as its enforcement — and many occultists have an active disregard for the law, even insofar as that a number of national governments have no awareness that we exist. We seek to solve this by making the law — the law, at least, of the Esoteric Assembly — practically impossible to bend or break. It will be not only legally binding but physically binding also — the two terms will be one and the same. The second phase would have expanded SCP-8435's area of effect to the entire Earth, and bound it to all resolutions passed by the Assembly rather than just its internal rules. No major work on this project was ever completed, and it likely would be impossible under the known laws of thaumaturgy. Ellbridge: No, so far it's just talking about Leopold de Haas being a complete fucking idiot. Are we done in this room? [Distant creaking and rumbling noises are audible.] Beta-3: What was that? Dr. Flood: Didn't the file say that 8435 would manipulate the building layout? Ellbridge: Yeah— oh. Oh, no. Dr. Flood: I think that's the corridors shifting. Beta-1: We should keep moving. And make sure we're sticking together. [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-2 leave the storage room.] Beta-1: This way. Beta-3: Hang on. Shifting room layout, we should mark down a field code. [Beta-3 retrieves a can of spray paint, and attempts to draw a symbol on the wall. A sudden gust of air blows the paint back in his face, and he shouts in confusion.] Dr. Flood: If its job is to maintain order, that might extend to keeping the premises clean. Ellbridge: Clean?! The other end of this corridor is blocked by a giant pile of broken furniture! Beta-1: The file also says it can behave erratically. Suggest we make as few disturbances to the building as possible from here on out. [Several metres further down the corridor, the wall to the alchemy lab explodes violently in a cloud of fumes. A translucent orange pseudopod snakes out of the hole and begins writhing around in the hallway.] Dr. Flood: Stay back! Beta-1: And don't breathe any of that stuff in. [All five personnel run backwards. The pseudopod begins to absorb some of the gas, before the surrounding wall and ceiling melt outwards and appear to start attacking it. This continues for approximately fifteen seconds, before the pseudopod is sucked back into the lab, and the hole is sealed by an irregular mass of slowly solidifying bubbled plaster and paint.] Ellbridge: What the fuck? Dr. Flood: That thing is only meant to show up during AcroAbate disasters. Ellbridge: AcroAbate? Dr. Flood: Acroamatic abatement. Esoteric waste processing. Ellbridge: Oh. I mean, if that's an alchemy lab, maybe people were doing that AcroAbate stuff here, back in the 1860s? And then they accidentally left something running, or spilled some chemicals, or something? Dr. Flood: I don't think that makes sense. Ellbridge: Why not? Beta-1: Because AcroAbate wasn't invented until the 1900s. Much of the anomalous community was unimpressed by de Haas' designs. Thaumaturge and merchant Percival Darke wrote in 1850: So now this Mr. de Haas, spurred on by the bizarre cult of personality surrounding him, thinks it is his God-given duty to direct the affairs of every mage on this Earth. He has supposedly constructed some grand work of magic to make his word law and his law, truth, and is hiding behind appeals to "democracy" and "consensus" as a defense for this incredible imposition. It is abhorrent to the nature of the occult, and it must be stopped. The membership of the Assembly rapidly splintered into an assortment of loosely-organised warring ideological factions. These included: "Loyalists": Members aligned with Leopold de Haas, many of whom advocated for the growth of the Assembly and its expansion into an all-powerful world order, facilitated by the continual development of SCP-8435; "Protectionists": Members who advocated for what would eventually become the Veil of Normalcy, believing that magic ought to be hidden from the world at large and practised only by a small group of authorised, "qualified" individuals; "Libertines": Members directly opposed to the Protectionists, who believed in the full publicisation of magic and the transformation of the Assembly into a chamber of democratically elected representatives; "Nationalists": Members who believed that magic should be brought under the control of national governments instead of a centralised entity; "Humanitarians": Members who advocated for the exclusive usage of magic towards charitable ends, seeking to serve the interests of humanity at large; "Anti-Establishment": Members opposed to the existence of the Esoteric Assembly or any similar organisation, who believed that thaumaturges should be allowed to operate independently and without interference; Numerous independent members, many of whom were ideologically aligned with one of the other movements while refusing to openly associate with them, presumably in an effort to appear neutral and unbiased. Several of these groups engaged in poltiical obstructionism to prevent the passage of any meaningful resolutions, and the fractured nature of the membership meant that the Assembly was frequently unable to elect a Chair, much less achieve any notable legislative accomplishments. The closest any group ever came to holding a majority was a brief period from 1862-63 in which the Loyalists, Protectionists and Nationalists successfully formed a governing coalition. This coalition was deeply unstable, with members in several cases attempting to levy threats of violence against each other. The interference of SCP-8435 prevented the worst of this discourse from taking place within the Assembly chamber itself, though several members accused it (and de Haas by extension) of stifling legitimate debate; a motion to abolish SCP-8435 was introduced in 1862, and received a narrow majority in favour but not the two thirds required to amend the standing rules. [The expedition team continues through the building.] Ellbridge: Come on, is this file actually going to be any help? Historical context is lovely and all, but how the hell do we actually fix this? [The team reaches another T-junction.] Beta-2: Left or right? Beta-1: Well, left is lined with unmarked gravestones and leads into an endless red haze, and right has been rotated ninety degrees about its length so that the wall is now the floor. Beta-2: Right, then? Beta-1: Right. [Beta-1 heads right, stumbling as she is pulled sideways onto the carpeted wall.] Beta-1: Oh, local gravity's sideways as well. Careful. [The other four members of the team cautiously enter the rotated corridor before continuing onwards.] Beta-2: Seems as though there's more markings on the walls here than in the last hall. Dr. Flood: That might be good. Might mean we're getting closer to the middle. Beta-3: Is that good? Dr. Flood: I have no idea. [The MTF agents continue to try various side doors, all of which are locked. After another left turn, the hallway leads to a large room with multiple exits and a spiral staircase. The floor is littered with fragments of shattered ceiling tiles.] Ellbridge: None of these doors out are marked. Do we try them, or do we try the stairs? [Beta-2 opens the nearest door, then immediately slams it shut with a disgusted shout.] Ellbridge: Is that a— ugh. That's a no, isn't it? The hell is that smell? Beta-2: That's the smell of a room filled entirely with rotting meat. Ellbridge: Why? Why is that in here? Beta-1: Stairs, then. Ellbridge: Up or down? [Beta-1 begins to descend the stairs, then returns.] Beta-1: Looking down, the stairs just stop in mid-air over a crater. So up. [All five team members begin to ascend the stairs. Beta-3, at the rear of the group, looks over the handrail and notices the lower steps falling away behind them.] Beta-3: Quickly! [The team runs upwards into another short hallway. Moments after Beta-3 reaches the upper floor, the entire spiral staircase collapses behind him.] Dr. Flood: That's not great. Ellbridge: No, it's not. But this room looks very interesting. Give me a second to keep reading. In early 1863, de Haas found himself running into financial trouble. In addition to regularly spending extravagant amounts on rare magical artifacts for no clear reason, he was also nearly the sole benefactor of the Assembly, having provided over 90% of its funding since its inception. To alleviate this problem, he proposed the introduction of a nontrivial membership fee for anyone attending the Assembly, which had previously been freely open to any persons capable of practicing thaumaturgy. This suggestion was met with uproar from many members, including individuals from both the Protectionist and Anti-Establishment factions; a number of these people led other groups and organisations within the magical community, and had allegedly been artificially increasing their support in the Assembly by offering their employees nominal thaumaturgic training, then paying them to attend sessions and vote on motions as ordered. de Haas' budgetary resolution eventually passed by a narrow margin (though was later repealed in 1866); upon its passage, the Protectionists immediately withdrew from the governing coalition, causing it to collapse. In subsequent weeks, a number of Protectionist members abandoned the Assembly outright. In late 1864, Leopold de Haas disappeared without trace. The reason for this is unclear; it has been variously suggested that he went bankrupt due to his spending habits, that he was funding said habits by embezzling from the Assembly's membership fees and feared gettng caught, that he suffered from deteriorating mental health,.Supposedly evidenced by his frequent references to a non-existent individual named Philip. or that he left for reasons connected to the Sixth Occult War, which began around the same time. The start of this war coinciding with de Haas' sudden absence destroyed any notion that the Assembly could effectively function as a magical peacekeeping project. Its attendance rapidly dwindled, with numerous splinter groups forming from its previous members; those who remained spent ever more time arguing over whether or not the Assembly ought to act to try and stop the war, and indeed whether or not it should continue existing. Assembly Chair Joseph Burford wrote in 1865: It has been argued by several members of the House that this war was brought about, in part, by us. They have indicated that a project such as the Esoteric Assembly, whose objective was to unify the entire magical world under a common goal, was always destined to bring about bitter resentment in anyone who dissented against its supposedly singular voice. It appears deeply unlikely that we are the sole cause of the hostilities — this House's current or former attendees apparently make up a minimal fraction of the belligerents — but we represent one component of the discord that has been taking root in the magical world for decades. Rumours suggest that much of the war is centered on the city of Esterberg. Perhaps we ought to count ourselves fortunate that the Ways between that city and these chambers have spontaneously collapsed in the former Chair's absence. In addition to providing the vast majority of the Assembly's funding, de Haas had been almost singlehandedly responsible for the maintenance of SCP-8435, and had failed to document the mechanisms by which it operated. Problems with the warding system therefore began to accumulate after his disappearance, causing deterioration of the Assembly building, the failure of some Ways into it, and unpredictable effects on thaumaturgy conducted therein. Individuals seeking to fix these problems encountered an incomprehensible array of disparate ritual constructions interacting with each other in a chaotic fashion, and experienced erratic and sometimes violent resistance from SCP-8435 when trying to modify or repair its workings. [The expedition team enters a circular room of similar size to the atrium. Every visible surface is densely inscribed with sigils. In the centre, there is a complex ritual circle roughly five metres across. It is composed primarily of pillars linked by glowing threads and paper ribbons, topped with assorted occult objects and clockwork components. The contents of the circle's interior are obscured and difficult to discern, but close analysis of the video footage suggests the presence of multiple concentric rings spinning at various angles. Thirteen beams of light emanate from the circle towards points high on the surrounding walls.] Ellbridge: I think this is 8435. Or at least the heart of it. Dr. Flood: I assume if we touch it, it'll throw a tantrum. Ellbridge: Probably. Beta-2: If this is the heart of it, then probably the actual floor of the House is nearby. Dr. Flood: I don't think we can make any assumptions about the geography of this place. [All five individuals walk slowly around the construction, attempting to inspect it from various angles.] Ellbridge: It's interesting, though. Because— [The entire room suddenly starts rotating. Subsequent footage analysis has confirmed that this movement coincides with Ellbridge blocking one of the beams of light, presumably inadvertently.] Ellbridge: Fuck! [After exactly six seconds, the room stops turning. Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-3 regain their balance. Beta-1 and -2 are not visible.] Dr. Flood: Uh. Beta-1: [over radio] Beta-3, come in? Beta-3: Roger, Beta-1. Where are you? Beta-1: [over radio] Beta-2 and I were in one of the outer hallways, trying to get a view from further back. The entrance to the room is now blocked off by a solid wall. Beta-3: Right. The three of us are still in the room. The whole thing just spun around by… maybe one-eighty degrees? Hard to tell. But I guess it took the walls and doorways with it. Beta-1: [over radio] Understood. Do we know what triggered the rotation? Beta-3: Any ideas? [Silence on recording.] Beta-3: Unclear. Beta-1: [over radio] Roger that. Do you have an exit from the room? Ellbridge: Yes, several. Beta-1: [over radio] Alright. Suggest the three of you leave through one of those, and we'll continue through this hallway, and hopefully we meet up again. Ellbridge: Yeah, alright. Dr. Flood: Fine by me. Beta-3: Confirmed, Beta-1. [Ellbridge points at one of the hallways leading out of the room.] Ellbridge: This exit? Beta-3: Seems as good as any other. [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-3 leave through the indicated exit, and proceed into another carpeted corridor lined with doors.] Beta-3: This door says 'archives'. Is that worth checking out? Ellbridge: Yes, definitely. Maybe there'll be more details on what 8435's actually doing. [Beta-3 enters the room, follows by Ellbridge and Dr. Flood. It contains a single bookcase, of which only two shelves are filled.] Ellbridge: Some archive. [Dr. Flood inspects the books.] Dr. Flood: Resolutions of the Esoteric Assembly. Standing Rules of the Esoteric Assembly. Oh, hello. Transcripts of the Esoteric Assembly, broken down by year. Only goes up to 1868. [Dr. Flood retrieves the last book on the shelf.] Dr. Flood: Oh. Subtitle is "Compiled by the de Haas Legislative Warding System". Ellbridge: 8435. Dr. Flood: Yep. Ellbridge: Anything interesting in it? [Dr. Flood turns to the final page of the book.] (Chair JOSEPH BURFORD gavels the House to order.) JOSEPH BURFORD: The House will come to order. Over the last week, this House has debated the question of whether or not this institution ought to continue to exist; whether it is and must remain a vital pillar of the occult community, or whether it has deteriorated to the point that it can no longer serve its founding purpose. It appears we have reached the end of useful debate on this matter, and the time has come to hold a vote. Are there any objections to invoking cloture on the motion at this time? (There is no response.) JOSEPH BURFORD: The question is on the motion to amend the rules and adjourn the House indefinitely. The vote will be conducted by a show of hands and counted by the warding system. All those in favour of the motion? (The Yeas vote.) JOSEPH BURFORD: All those opposed? (The Nays vote.) On the Motion to Adjourn YEA NAY ABS. 74 26 17 Result: NOT APPLICABLE JOSEPH BURFORD: On this vote, the Yeas are 74. The Nays are 26. A two-thirds majority having voted in favour, the House stands adjourned indefinitely. The Esoteric Assembly is henceforth to be considered inoperative. Thank you, everyone. (Chair JOSEPH BURFORD gavels the House closed.) Ellbridge: "Result: not applicable". Dr. Flood: Mm. Ellbridge: Guess nobody noticed. Dr. Flood: It might be that— [A loud noise resembling a siren sounds.] Dr. Flood: We need to move. [Dr. Flood returns the book, and all three exit.] In August 1868, shortly before the Sixth Occult War ended with the killing of the Demiurge, the remaining Esoteric Assembly membership voted 74-26 to dissolve the organisation. As one of the basic stipulations of the Principatus is that the Assembly must exist, SCP-8435 did not accept this vote as valid; official records written by the warding system describe the outcome of the vote as "not applicable" rather than "motion passed" as expected. The membership of the House was unaware of this fact; none of them appear to have read the relevant portion of the record, and SCP-8435 made no further indication of the motion's invalidity before Burford declared the session closed. Image of Leopold de Haas found in the Esoteric Assembly building. [Ellbridge, Dr. Flood and Beta-3 enter a semicircular room; the curved side is lined with named portraits. A plaque high on the wall reads "CHAIRS OF THE ESOTERIC ASSEMBLY".] Ellbridge: Huh. So that's what Leopold de Haas looked like. Wonder where that picture came from. Dr. Flood: Must be 8435, right? Or some other magically-sourced rendering. How else would there be a colour photo of someone from the 1860s? Ellbridge: Yeah, that checks out. Beta-3: Um, Ms. Ellbridge? Ellbridge: What? [Beta-3 is standing on the opposite side of the room. He points at the rightmost three portraits: James Ellbridge, Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge.] Ellbridge: What the fuck? [Ellbridge hurries over to the three portraits, and points at each one in turn.] Ellbridge: Granddad. Grandma. Dad. But not me. Why didn't you tell me? [She stares at the final portrait. All three individuals remain silent and unmoving for roughly twenty seconds. A low rumbling noise interspersed with occasional distant banging sounds remains audible throughout.] Ellbridge: Alright, let's keep going. [Dr. Flood and Beta-3 follow Ellbridge out of the room.] Dr. Flood: So, he was— Ellbridge: Yes. Dr. Flood: How? Ellbridge: How should I fucking know, Lewis? How do I follow the logic of an animate, angry labyrinth with delusions of being a legislative chamber? [A loud crack is heard. The corridor suddenly tears itself into two, and the halves pull apart from each other, revealing black void between them. Ellbridge and Dr. Flood are on one side of the divide, while Beta-3 is stuck on the other.] Dr. Flood: Woah! Beta-3: [shouting] I can't— that's too far to jump! [Before Ellbridge or Dr. Flood can respond, their half of the corridor lurches violently upwards. Both begin to shout.] [Audiovisual corruption on Ellbridge and Dr. Flood's camera feeds lasting approximately one minute.] [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood stumble forwards into a pair of heavy wooden doors marked 'DEBATING CHAMBER'. They gradually come to their feet, both out of breath, and lean against the walls. The distant rumbling noises remain, but are quieter and less distinct.] Dr. Flood: You okay? Ellbridge: Yeah, I think so. You? [Dr. Flood nods, then activates his radio.] Dr. Flood: This is Dr. Flood, come in. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Flood: This is Dr. Lewis Flood of the SCP Foundation. Is there anyone there? Does anyone read me? [Silence on recording.] [Ellbridge looks toward the far end of the corridor. It terminates in shattered fragments of stone, floating in a black void. She tries to open the doors to the debating chamber, but finds them locked.] Ellbridge: Uh-oh. Dr. Flood: No exit, and no exit. Ellbridge: We might be fucked. Dr. Flood: Unless we can figure out what this thing's actual containment procedures are. Ellbridge: We won't. Dr. Flood: Hm? Ellbridge: You were right. He doesn't want to tell anyone anything. My entire family knew about this shit and I didn't, and he trusts you less than he trusts me. This whole file so far is him criticising an idiotic power grab disguised as altruism, for the attention of a different power grab disguised as altruism. Dr. Flood: Are you sure you want that comment on record? Ellbridge: That's his view of the Foundation. It's what he taught me. I'm still trying to figure out whether it's worth unlearning. Dr. Flood: [sighs] I don't know why he didn't tell you about the Assembly. But he wrote this file for people who had already found this place on their own. At that point, it stops making sense to keep secrets, and starts making sense to ensure that whoever else is here doesn't fuck stuff up even worse than it already is, or get themselves killed in the process. Ellbridge: I'm like ten pages in, and he hasn't even explained why this place is still an active problem, much less how to contain it. Dr. Flood: No offence to him, but is it possible he was just a bad writer? [Ellbridge laughs quietly.] Ellbridge: Surely anything we need to do is gonna be in that room, though? And if he wants us to keep well away, do we really think he's written down how we get in? Dr. Flood: We may as well check. Not like we've got anything else to do. How many more pages? [Ellbridge flicks through the sheaf of papers.] Ellbridge: Oh, quite a few. [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: Alright, fine. Addendum 2, Containment History: The Principatus requires that the Assembly must hold a session at least once every two calendar years. This stipulation, combined with SCP-8435's inability to recognise that the Assembly is now defunct, is the reason why this anomaly still requires active containment. Procedure 8435-Muhlenberg is the holding of a minimal pro-forma session to placate SCP-8435 and prevent it from manifesting anomalous effects outside the Assembly building. Dr. Flood: You're kidding. Ellbridge: Way to bury the fucking lede, Dad. Dr. Flood: Oh, I think this file is gonna get rewritten. Ellbridge: So the house isn't angry at us. It's just… what, lonely? Dr. Flood: It's neither. It's just a broken robot. I'm not convinced we can assign sentience to it. Ellbridge: So… okay. We need to go into the main chamber, just the two of us, sit down like it's an actual meeting, and say: "The House is now in session. The House is no longer in session." And that counts? Dr. Flood: I think that counts. It did say the procedure only needs two people. Ellbridge: Oh, there's a timeline. Does that say anything useful? The following is a complete history of interactions with SCP-8435 since the Assembly's last proper meeting on 27 August 1868. Any new visits to the Assembly building should be added to this list. + EXPAND - CLOSE 1870-08-27: All living members who attended the final vote of the 1868 session are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning, resulting in several minor injuries. All members exit the chamber witout incident. 1872-08-27: All living members who attended the previous meeting are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. All Ways out of the chamber are closed. Joseph Burford — the Chair of the 1868 session — gavels the House to order, briefly runs through the required procedures for opening a session,.Burford later wrote that, upon arrival in the chamber, he felt an inexplicable compulsion to proceed as though he was presiding over an ordinary session of the Assembly. and leads a brief discussion on the present situation, after which point the Ways reopen. Members vote 87-21 to dissolve the Assembly with immediate effect; Burford then declares the session closed. SCP-8435 considers this resolution null and void on the grounds that shutting down the Assembly would effectively override the Principatus; this fact is not communicated to the members in any way. 1874-08-27: All living members who attended the previous meeting are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. All Ways out of the chamber are closed. Burford is absent, having died in the interceding two years; senior member Martin Alderney instead takes charge as presiding officer. Members vote 85-14 to dissolve the Assembly. Immediately upon this resolution's passage, the chamber doors violently slam shut; a section of masonry is subsequently detached from the ceiling and fatally strikes Alderney in the head. Lloyd Slater is reluctantly elected as the new Chair. Members vote 54-44 to repeal the previous resolution, and the exits reopen. They fail to formally close the session before leaving the chamber. 1874-09-04: All living members who attended the previous meeting are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning, due to a stipulation of the Principatus that an improperly closed session must meet again within one week. Members vote 86-12 to find and capture Leopold de Haas, with the intention of forcing him to disable SCP-8435. They then formally close the session. 1876-08-06: Having failed to locate de Haas, a group of 15 members attempt to remove the SCP-8435 effect themselves. All spontaneously fall unconscious before the procedure can be completed. In Olympia Springs, Kentucky, 70 miles from de Haas's Lexington residence, chunks of unidentified red meat briefly fall from the sky. 1876-09-02: 41 members gather in the Assembly chamber. They unanimously elect Slater as the Chair and adopt a set of standing rules before immediately closing the session. No further anomalous effects are noted, and the remaining membership does not manifest. 1878-08-31: Lloyd Slater and Isaac Barnum meet in the Assembly chamber. They unanimously elect Slater as the Chair and adopt a set of standing rules before immediately closing the session. No further anomalous effects are noted, and the remaining membership does not manifest. 1880-08-30: Lloyd Slater and Isaac Barnum successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1882-08-29: Lloyd Slater and Isaac Barnum successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1884-08-29: No members gather in the Assembly chamber, as Slater and Barnum had both died in the interceding two years, and failed to delegate their duties to anyone else. An earthquake occurs in Lexington, Kentucky. 1886-08-29: All living members who attended the 1876 session are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. Members elect Ralph Ellis as Chair, and then vote 20-2 to adopt an amended set of standing rules, declaring that the requirement for members to meet every two years is no longer necessary. Upon the adoption of these rules, the paper upon which the amendment was written bursts into flames. Members unanimously adopt a new amendment to the rules stating that the Chair may, at any time, summon Leopold de Haas to the Assembly chamber. Ellis immediately exercises this power, unaware that de Haas died five years prior; de Haas's decayed skeleton instantly materialises on the House floor. Members vote 10-12 against adopting further rule amendments with the objective of reanimating de Haas, opting instead to leave him in a disused storage room in the Assembly building. The session is then declared closed. 1888-08-28: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1890-08-27: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1892-08-26: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1894-08-25: Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1896-08-25: No members gather in the Assembly chamber, as all 289 individuals who had ever attended a session at any point are now dead..Unconfirmed and implausible. Some of the people in question are believed to have established the Foundation and therefore may be immortal, depending on the exact timeline of the discovery of their alleged life extension magic. This is impossible to verify for obvious reasons. de Haas's former residence, abandoned since his death due to legal complications, reportedly begins emitting a faint red glow from the windows. In a single day, 289 unidentified corpses wash up in Lexington..There is no river in Lexington. 1898-08-25: Several large boulders materialise inside the Kentucky State Capitol building. State lawmakers allegedly experience severely impaired language function for the entire workday. Over the following days, numerous reports are made of the moon appearing in vivid and garish colours; all such reports originate from within a 100-mile radius of the city of Lexington. 1900-08-25: A large explosion occurs in Lexington. The origin is believed to be de Haas's former residence, though the building itself is entirely unharmed. 1902-08-25: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge, the eldest children of Ralph Ellis and James Trubridge respectively, are teleported into the Assembly chamber simultaneously and without warning. The front row of desks contains copies of the Principatus, the standing rules of the House as of 1894, the Assembly's journals dating back to 1849, and a letter from Leopold de Haas detailing the nature of SCP-8435. After some time reviewing these documents, Ellis and Trubridge conclude that a pro-forma session must be held in the Assembly every two years to prevent the SCP-8435 complex behaving erratically. After holding such a session, they draft a document roughly resembling the current iteration of Procedure 8435-Muhlenberg, with specific instructions for its distribution whenever one of the required individuals must be replaced. 1904-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1906-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1908-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1910-08-24: William Ellis and Francis Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1912-08-24: William Ellis and Mitchell Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1914-08-24: William Ellis and Mitchell Trubridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1916-06-01: Mitchell Trubridge and Oscar Hubbell successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War I.) 1918-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Oscar Hubbell successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War I.) 1920-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and William Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1922-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1924-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1926-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1928-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1930-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1932-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1934-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1936-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1938-05-12: Mitchell Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. They then make another attempt to remove SCP-8435, reasoning that as it effectively now constitutes thaumic detritus, it might be susceptible to acroamatic abatement. This fails, and the resulting chemical explosion severely injures both Trubridge and Ellis. 1940-05-12: James Trubridge and Edward Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1942-04-24: James Trubridge and Hazel Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War II and the Seventh Occult War.) 1944-03-14: James Trubridge and Hazel Ellis successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to fears of schedule disruptions brought about by World War II and the Seventh Occult War.) 1946-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1948-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1950-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1952-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1954-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1956-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1958-03-14: James Ellbridge and Hazel Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1960-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1962-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1964-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1966-03-14: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1968-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Marianne Hagan successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to Hagan's availability.) 1970-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1972-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1974-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1976-02-25: Hazel Ellbridge and Thomas Ellbridge successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1978-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Alex Forrestall successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1980-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Alex Forrestall successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1982-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Caitlin Fox successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1984-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1986-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1988-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1990-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1992-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1994-02-25: Thomas Ellbridge and Robert Moorhead successfully hold a pro-forma session. 1996-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. (Session held early due to Crane's availability.) 1998-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2000-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2002-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2004-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2006-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2008-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2010-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2012-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2014-02-13: Thomas Ellbridge and Elliot Crane successfully hold a pro-forma session. 2016-02-13: Ellbridge: Oh, no. No no no no no no… Dr. Flood: That's bad. That's very, very bad. Ellbridge: So he tried to come here in 2016, something went wrong and it killed him. Dr. Flood: That's one of the bad parts. There's another one. Ellbridge: What? Dr. Flood: Elliot Crane is a known alias of Richard Sterling. [Ellbridge puts her head in her hands and begins laughing despondently.] Ellbridge: Of course he's fucking involved. Dr. Flood: And of course he hasn't bothered to tell us about this, even though we've had him in custody for two full days. [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: You got a pen? Dr. Flood: Why? Ellbridge: I'm doing what he says. [Dr. Flood retrieves a pen from his labcoat and gives it to Ellbridge. She begins writing at the bottom of the page.] 2016-02-13: Containment fails. Thomas Ellbridge is killed. 2018-02-13: Jemima Ellbridge and Lewis Flood discover this file and attempt to hold a pro-forma session. Dr. Flood: Not getting ahead of yourself there? Ellbridge: I've had an idea. Wild speculation, but it's all we've got. Dr. Flood: Go on. [Ellbridge turns to face the door, and speaks loudly into it.] Ellbridge: Jemima Ellbridge. [The door swings open, and Ellbridge walks through. It slams shut in Dr. Flood's face.] Dr. Flood: Uh. Lewis Flood? [The door opens again. Dr. Flood enters the debating chamber.] Dr. Flood: How'd you figure that out? Ellbridge: If all those transcripts are being written by 8435, same as the portrait gallery, then it has to know what everyone's name is. Dr. Flood: Surely it could know that anyway. It's magic. Ellbridge: Some people use multiple. How does it know which one to write unless you tell it? If our friend "Elliot Crane" didn't let the name Richard Sterling appear in this file, there's no way he let it show up in the transcripts. Dr. Flood: Is this when we discover that we're actually inside the woods where they steal your name? Ellbridge: Let's see. My name is Jemima Ellbridge. No, I think we're fine. Dr. Flood: God, can you imagine if they'd found the place, though? Ellbridge: Probably if they had, it wouldn't be this destroyed. [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood observe their surroundings. They are in a grandiose legislative chamber in a state of advanced disrepair. A large, twisting oak tree occupies the centre of the room; its roots are destroying the surrounding floor and its upper branches have grown through the ceiling. The sunlight streaming through the damaged roof is a rich orange colour, and fallen masonry and glass is scattered over the floor and furniture. The far wall is broken by several stone pillars resting at various angles, one of which has smashed a portion of the speaker's daïs. Most of the remaining wall surfaces are covered in assorted magical glyphs, runes and sigils, some of which are glowing in various colours. The entire back row of seats is perfectly black. Miscellaneous rumbles, groans, creaks, sirens and distant bells are audible in all directions.] Dr. Flood: We're in the belly of the beast. Ellbridge: By any chance, do the front desks still have a copy of the rules on them? [Both individuals walk towards the front of the room.] Dr. Flood: Yes, seemingly. I hope we don't have to read through them all. Ellbridge: Better idea. [Ellbridge picks up a book from the daïs, and shows Dr. Flood the cover. It reads "Transcripts of the Esoteric Assembly, 27 August 1870 -". She opens the book and flicks to the last page.] LEWIS FLOOD: We're in the belly of the beast. JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE: By any chance, do the front desks still have a copy of the rules on them? LEWIS FLOOD: Yes, seemingly. I hope we don't have to read through them all. JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE: Better idea. LEWIS FLOOD: Oh, look through those and see what the last successful containment looked like? Dr. Flood: Oh, look through those and see what the last successful containment looked like? Ellbridge: Yep. Oh, that's weird. Dr. Flood: What's weird? Ellbridge: It's real-time. The words appear on the page as we're saying them. Dr. Flood: Huh. Wait, shouldn't it only transcribe when the House is in session? In the ones we read, it starts and stops writing the moment the Chair bangs the gavel. Ellbridge: That is a very good point. Give me a sec. [Ellbridge flips backwards several pages.] (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels the House to order.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: The House will be in order. The date is the 13th of February, 2014. The House is now in session. The floor is open. Mr. Crane? ELLIOT CRANE: I move to adjourn for a period of two years, seeking unanimous consent. THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: The question is on the motion to adjourn. All those opposed will rise. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: By unanimous consent, the motion is adopted. Under the previous order, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2016. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels the House closed.) Dr. Flood: Oh, that actually is it. Ellbridge: I mean, there's probably extra steps if we have to elect a new Chair. Which I guess we do. Dr. Flood: Check that giant timeline? See when the last handover was, and cross-reference in there? Ellbridge: Will do. But, uh, that's not the end of the book. There's a couple more pages. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels the House to order.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: The House will be in order. The date is the 13th of February, 2016. The House is now in session. The floor is open. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: This is a last resort. I hope this counts. You hear me, Leopold? I'm doing the best I can. But it's been two hours, and the other guy hasn't shown up. I'm the only one here. We've amended the standing rules to make this process as easy as possible within the bounds of the Principatus, but it still needs two people as an absolute minimum. That part's unavoidable. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Actually, you know what? (COMMENT STRUCK FROM RECORD). Right. Of course. Can't say that, that's going to be engaging in personalities, isn't it? OK. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: If anyone's reading this, his other name is Richard Sterling. I'm not allowed to say what I want to happen to him. But I bet you can guess. (There is no response.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Fuck it, let's try it. By unanimous consent, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2018. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE gavels meaninglessly. He does not have the authority.) (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE leaves the daïs. He fails to hand over control of the House. He remains the Chair.) (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE is not permitted to leave.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Come on. No. No, no, no, no, no. Don't do this. No fucking phone signal in here. RICHARD! (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE returns to the daïs.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Listen to me, you idiot. There is no-one else, you understand? No-one's coming! No-one knows this place exists! Just me, and some (COMMENT STRUCK FROM RECORD), FUCK OFF!, some other person who has refused to show up. Or he's dead, I don't know. That'd be (COMMENT STRUCK FROM RECORD). (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE fails to resume his duties.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: Let me leave, right? Let me find someone, let me tell someone, someone outside! Outside is where all the people are! I'll bring someone in, and we can do this little re-enactment, and you can pretend you're a real government or whatever the fuck. I can tell someone. (Chair THOMAS ELLBRIDGE is wrong.) (The House is collapsing.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: No! No, not that! (The House is collapsing.) THOMAS ELLBRIDGE: JEMIMA! (There is no response.) (THOMAS ELLBRIDGE dies.) (There is no response.) (THOMAS ELLBRIDGE is incapable of magic and is removed from the premises.) (There is no response.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) (The House has not been properly adjourned.) [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: Lewis? Dr. Flood: Yeah? Ellbridge: Is Richard Sterling still at Site-91? Dr. Flood: Yes. Ellbridge: When we get back there, I'm going to— [Ellbridge continues attempting to speak, but briefly becomes inaudible.] Ellbridge: What the…? Dr. Flood: Oh, I guess that's what "comment struck from record" means. Ellbridge: Whatever. Fill in the gaps on your own time. What's the procedure when there's no Chair? [Dr. Flood hands Ellbridge a piece of paper. She reads it quickly.] Ellbridge: Well, that seems simple enough. [Dr. Flood sits on a seat in the front row. Ellbridge ascends the daïs, sits in the Speaker's chair, and gavels the House to order.] Ellbridge: The House will be in order. The date is the 13th of February, 2018. The House is now in session. The first order of business is on the election of a Chair. All those wishing to stand for election will rise. [Ellbridge stands, and sits down again after two seconds.] Ellbridge: The candidates for Chair are: Jemima Ellbridge. End of list. The election will take place by show of hands. All those voting for Jemima Ellbridge? [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood raise their hands.] Ellbridge: All those voting to reopen nominations? [Ellbridge and Dr. Flood lower their hands.] Ellbridge: The votes for Jemima Ellbridge are two. The votes to reopen nominations are zero. Jemima Ellbridge is elected Chair of the Esoteric Assembly. [Ellbridge gavels.] Ellbridge: The floor is open. [Dr. Flood stands.] Ellbridge: Dr. Flood? Dr. Flood: I move to adjourn for a period of two years, seeking unanimous consent. [Dr. Flood sits.] Ellbridge: The question is on the motion to adjourn. All those opposed will rise. [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: By unanimous consent, the motion is adopted. Under the previous order, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2020. [Ellbridge gavels the House closed.] Ellbridge: And it can bloody well stay that way. [The distant noises abruptly cease.] Dr. Flood: Did— did we do it? Ellbridge: Hm? Dr. Flood: Check the last line in the transcript. JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE: By unanimous consent, the motion is adopted. Under the previous order, the House stands adjourned until the 13th of February, 2020. (Chair JEMIMA ELLBRIDGE gavels the House closed.) [Ellbridge flashes Dr. Flood a thumbs-up. He returns it with a nod, then reaches for his radio.] Dr. Flood: This is Lewis Flood, come in. Beta-3: [over radio] This is Beta-3. Reading you loud and clear, Dr. Flood. Describe your whereabouts. Dr. Flood: Ellbridge and I are in the main debating chamber. I think we fixed the problem. Ellbridge: I'm sorry, did we? Beta-3: [over radio] Well, your portrait has just appeared in the hall, ma'am, so I assume you've done something. Ellbridge: We've smothered the problem for a couple years. We didn't fix shit. Dr. Flood: I mean— Ellbridge: Read that transcript from 2016, Lewis, and then tell me any of this is fixable. Dr. Flood: Look, I'm sorry. I— Ellbridge: I don't particularly give a shit. Respectfully. This system's never going to be fixed so long as it's defining itself into existence, and lashing out at anyone who tries to tell it it's fucked. And now this fucking zombie building has my face on it. Dr. Flood: Hold on a moment. [Dr. Flood deactivates his radio.] Dr. Flood: Listen. When this place existed, it was hopelessly disorganised, but the Founda— no, actually, it is. Site-91 isn't, though. An entire Site focused on thaumaturgy, and we're way ahead of some retired legislators from the 1870s. We can figure something out. We can do something with this. Ellbridge: By 'do something', you mean get rid of it. Dr. Flood: [sighs] Neutralising anomalies isn't standard procedure… Ellbridge: So no. What does 'do something' mean? It means use it for stuff, right? 'Cause if you started this place up again, if you tried to use 8435 to do more than just open and close the House every two years, I can think of a million ways to exploit it. Is that what you're going to do? [Silence on recording.] Ellbridge: You don't know. Dr. Flood: I don't know whether that decision will be above my pay grade. Ellbridge: 'Course you don't. Dr. Flood: I mean, Director Varga is usually pretty reasonable about this stuff, but… [Dr. Flood trails off.] Ellbridge: But her superiors aren't. Right? Dr. Flood: No comment. Ellbridge: The fact that you can't even agree to that on record does not make them or you look better. I don't like being subject to two criticism-silencing machines at the same time, and I really don't want one of them to control the other. Dr. Flood: Point taken. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Flood: Out of interest, was that giant timeline the end of the file? Or was there anything after? Ellbridge: There's a little bit more. Dr. Flood: What's it say? Ellbridge: [shrugs] I gave it a quick glance, I don't think it's really part of the main file. Gonna read it when we get back. Dr. Flood: Not while you're still here? While it might be relevant? Ellbridge: It won't be relevant. Not to this. I don't think his useful advice goes any further than he does. [Log ends.] Notes: Remainder of mission omitted for brevity. Ellbridge and Dr. Flood reunited with MTF Beta-777 in the main atrium with only minor navigational issues; the SCP-8282 gateway remained absent, but Beta-1's portable Way returned all five individuals safely to Site-91. Debriefing conducted without incident; new documentation for SCP-8435 is currently being written. Ellbridge is noted to have made one further addition to the version of the file retrieved from the Assembly building. 2018-02-13: Jemima Ellbridge and Lewis Flood discover this file and attempt to hold a pro-forma session. Recommend we stop writing "successfully" from now on. This isn't what success looks like. Interview Log Date: 14 February 2018 Subject: Dr. Richard Sterling, former Director, Site-128 Interviewer: Dr. Oliver Memphis, Co-Chair, Research Liaison Team [Dr. Memphis enters, holding Thomas Ellbridge's SCP-8435 file.] Dr. Sterling: Oh, hello. You again. Dr. Memphis: What's this? Dr. Sterling: It would seem to be an SCP file. Dr. Memphis: It's an SCP file written by someone who's never worked for the Foundation. How do you suppose that happened? Dr. Sterling: I don't know. Dr. Memphis: Really, Mr. Crane? [Dr. Sterling opens his mouth to protest, but Dr. Memphis interrupts him.] Dr. Memphis: Don't play dumb. We know that's a name you've used. My colleagues just went into that nightmare of a building and did the job you didn't bother with last time round. Dr. Sterling: Hm? Dr. Memphis: They found the official transcript from 2016. It's just Thomas Ellbridge, trapped alone in that room, trying to figure out why you didn't show up. Why didn't you show up? Dr. Sterling: I was probably busy. Dr. Memphis: Probably. You were probably busy. Dr. Sterling: Mhm. Dr. Memphis: What were you busy with? Actually, don't answer that, we checked. You were in Oregon, moving bundles of cash between a bunch of money laundering fronts. I guess that was more important? [Silence on recording.] Dr. Memphis: You killed your friend, Richard. Dr. Sterling: We weren't really friends by that point. I assumed he'd found someone else to say my lines. Dr. Memphis: You didn't think to check? Dr. Sterling: We hadn't spoken in well over a year. Dr. Memphis: And you just figured he was on the same page as you? [Dr. Sterling shrugs.] Dr. Memphis: Do you know what I've been doing for the last year and a half? Dr. Sterling: What have you been doing? Dr. Memphis: I've been cleaning up after the mess you left behind. Untangling all your scandals and cover-ups from when you were Director. Chasing down loose threads. And in the process, I had to deal with a truly ungodly number of abject failures of communication. There's an entire skip that's just missing, you know that? Got lost in the paperwork somewhere between Site transfers, and no-one wants to help anyone else track it down. Dr. Sterling: Lovely. What's your point? Dr. Memphis: My point is that not talking is not how you get on the same page as someone. This is how you get on the same page as someone: you are the worst person I've ever met, Richard Sterling, and you should count yourself very lucky that we have an Ethics Committee. Dr. Sterling: Noted. [Dr. Memphis stands up to leave.] Dr. Memphis: Though for what it's worth, ETHCOM doesn't technically prohibit me from sending Tom Ellbridge's daughter in to have a chat with you. I'm sure she'll tell you exactly what she thinks of you. Very loudly. Into your ear. [Dr. Memphis grins, and leaves the room.] Addendum 3, Postscript: If the date when you found this file is later than the date written on the conprocs, it means that something has gone badly wrong. It means that I am probably dead, that I have failed to appoint a successor, and that the same is true of my colleague. This is very much within the realm of possibility; there are people I hold dear who ought to know about this task, and I have failed to tell them. I will likely continue to fail, either out of vain hope that the problem will eventually resolve itself, or fear that it will remain a burden for the rest of eternity. For better or worse, that means that the job of containing this thing now falls to you. Assuming that you are in fact the SCP Foundation, I do not trust you to take the right lessons from this document. In general, I trust you to do very little right; my own failings do not prevent me from noticing yours, and you have plenty to go around. This is why I am not pleased at the prospect of you making this anomaly your responsibility. Below is a letter I found on the floor of the Assembly some years ago, presumably written circa 1868. I don't know who wrote it, but they managed to explain my reasoning better than I ever could. The Esoteric Assembly has in effect collapsed, and its members have dispersed themselves into various groups — some newly-founded, some already centuries old. A great number of them have begun journeying west and east, where they intend to establish an exclave of free esoteric activity — the same one, in both directions. Some have apparently returned home to Salzburg, though I was quite unclear on whether they planned to bring about order or eliminate it altogether. There are three rather unpleasant gentlemen who intend to make themselves the middlemen for all trading of occult objects across the Earth. Some are travelling to Germany and Poland, in hopes that they might finally end this bloody war. Multiple religious sects are being established, mostly under extreme secrecy. Most closely to me, a dozen or so of the former Protectionists have run off with as many artifacts as they can get their hands on, claiming that they will start an organisation working for the good of humanity by keeping these objects under lock and key. These are merely the examples that spring to mind; I have undoubtedly omitted a great many others. I myself am uncertain of where to go from here. I have never been firmly affiliated with any of these groups, and I would rather not become a pariah amongst them all. Perhaps, instead, I will join one of them and quietly try to temper its worst impulses. I know not which of these groups will survive long enough to become powerful — more so than the Assembly ever was — but I firmly believe that at least one will. Whichever it is, I fear that they will not recognise the lessons that the failures of this institution taught us. Leopold de Haas was both one of the finest thaumaturges of our age, and a small-minded moron; the latter, it is evident, does not preclude the former. He sought to enforce his view of how things ought to be run by defining the Assembly's actions (conveniently based on principles he himself wrote) as unquestionable Truth, and then twisting reality in knots to match it, making any deviation from the status quo utterly impossible. This idea is already ill-advised in its present form, but all the factions that used to occupy this chamber have now separated and become insular, and I fear that many of these new associations will implement Mr. de Haas' vision with greater ease absent any dissenting voices. And if — or more likely, when — they succeed, God help us all. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8435" by OliverMemphis, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8435. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. consequences.jpg by OliverMemphis License: CC BY-SA 3.0 dehaas.png Source: 19th century man by Cassowary Colorizations, from Flickr License: CC BY 2.0 sigil.png by OliverMemphis License: CC BY 2.0 Composite of: Source: Oil Slick by Judith Jackson, from Flickr License: CC BY 2.0 Source: Textura pared / wall texture by Sergio Sánchez, from Flickr License: CC BY-SA 2.0 The superimposed design is by OliverMemphis. It incorporates the SCP-5109 script created by HarryBlank (license CC BY 3.0) and the Translunary Shorthand script created by cryptotheism (used with permission). |
SCP-8440 | esoteric-class | A Gamma-Ray Burst had struck Earth but then had been quickly undone by a cosmic entity. Footage from the shuttle follows four astronauts who go through a fantastical experience and gain a sense of cosmic ecstasy. by Strange Matter Item#: 8440 Level4 Secondary Class: uncontained Disruption Class: amida Risk Class: critical link to memo Special Containment Procedures: As SCP-8440 manifestations are impossible to anticipate or record, containment efforts must focus on information control regarding the circumstances leading up to an SCP-8440 event. These include: Cooperation with NASA on a coverup regarding degenerate stars and supernovae within 1000 light years of the Solar System. Full knowledge sterilization at all major space agencies and astronomical institutions,1 including amnesticization of staff and introduction of artificial aversion traumas towards extinction-level events. Seize and replace all instrumentation readings showing the presence of degenerate stars or soft gamma repeaters in Earth's stellar neighborhood".2 The following false narratives must be promoted through the usual channels: Catastrophic star collapse activity in the Milky Way (e.g. Gamma-Ray Bursts3) is both rare and poses no threat to Earth in the near-term future. Earth was last impacted by a Gamma-Ray Burst 445 million years ago. The consensus understanding of astrophysics is largely accurate and can be relied on to predict stellar phenomena. Updated 3/31/2022: The shuttlecraft that carried the RTM-1 crew that was previously declared MIA must be intercepted once landed. Any survivors recovered must be interned, questioned, nerve-stapled, and given identity-reassignment amnesticization, as per Foundation "Closed Casket" protocols. Updated 4/2/2022: All documentation produced regarding SCP-8440 is sealed under Level-5 Classification. Pending further review. As per Ethics Committee guidelines, personnel with insufficient clearance attached to the project before 4/2/2022 will be offered significant financial incentives for accepting voluntary amnesticization. Personnel found in possession of SCP-8440 materials without authorization are subject to disciplinary action, including amnesticization and summary nerve stapling. Additional resources have been directed toward off-planet colonization efforts in the event SCP-8440 fails to occur.4 Description: SCP-8440 is an unknown, astronomical entity that is in between Earth's stellar neighborhood and catastrophic core-collapse phenomena of failed stars. The extent of SCP-8440’s capabilities is unknown, even based on [DATA EXPUNGED]. SCP-8440-1 refers to degenerate stars located within Earth's stellar neighborhood possessing a rotational axis facing Earth, indicating a GRB targeting Earth had previously occurred. The frequency of SCP-8440 manifesting is estimated based on the discovery of stars matching this description. SCP-8440-2 refers to stars in Earth's stellar neighborhood that possess several key characteristics. These include (but are not limited to): Terminal stage stellar behavior.5 Indications of imminent core collapse behavior.6 Accelerated progression through stellar lifecycle. Observed, possibly anomalous discrepancies between estimates of stellar mass and gravitational behavior of star. When SCP-8440-2 undergoes a core collapse sequence, it will discharge a stream of energy along a lightyear-wide band with various projected effects on Earth. This ranges from destroying Earth’s biosphere to vaporizing the crust entirely. When this occurs, SCP-8440 will manifest to neutralize the incoming ejected energy. The nature of core-collapse activity makes it impossible to detect a GRB before its effects have impacted Earth. Manifestations of SCP-8440 have been understood to detect incoming GRB activity aimed at Earth’s stellar neighborhood. Discovery: RESTRICTED TO LEVEL 5 PERSONNEL + WARNING! UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WILL BE EXPOSED TO A MEMETIC DEFENSE AGENT+ - CLEARANCE VERIFIED - In 2002, SCP-8440 was encountered by NASA's satellite repair crew Commander Carlson Vilchez, Pilot Jon Duan, Mission Specialist Adam Yarrow, and Mission Specialist Pearl Makil. In their Repair Telescope Mission, NASA lost communication with the RTM-1 crew which was deemed MIA. In 2022, the RTM-1 shuttle suddenly returned and NASA received its signals and messages, along with one survivor, Carlson Vilchez. The Foundation intercepted Vilchez before word of his return could be officially released to the public. After enacting a disinformation campaign, the Foundation took Vilchez in custody. Vilchez was unresponsive during the first interview. After 4 months of aided recovery, Vilchez was still unable to disclose anything regarding RTM-1. As of now, he is still in Foundation custody as a Person of Interest. The Foundation managed to recover any recorded data that the RTM-1 shuttle contained and wiped it from NASA soon after. Addendum-1: RTM-1 Recording Logs AUDIO LOG - 1 Foreword: This audio log reflects the last transmission of the Space Shuttle Hyperion before contact was lost with the vehicle. The transmission was intercepted by Foundation satellites. Source audio was used to generate forgeries to aid in cover-up efforts. [BEGIN LOG] GROUND CONTROL (Ground officer Tom Priest): GC, Hyperion, your air-to-grounds are enabled for the landing count. [NOTE: Hyperion had not reentered the atmosphere, and there's no evidence of transmission at this time from Ground Control.] HYPERION (Commander Carlson Vilchez): Hyperion to Ground Control, think you've skipped ahead in the script. FLIGHT: Flight, Hyperion. Not quite following. No such transmission from GC occurred. Duan: What's GC's malfunction? Makil: Hey Jon, maybe they're just excited to see you flying in action, What was it you said? Duan: Oh, you know what. Never- Makil: The only thing hotter than me in the sky is Jesus. Duan: (Sighs) That's the last time I go out drinking with you around. Yarrow: Hey team, I'm trying to diagnose at least four different instrumentation failures. Do you mind staying professional until I'm done figuring out how far up shit's creek we are? Vilchez: You say four? Yarrow: Confirmed. Up is down; north is south; pressure readings could only be higher at the bottom of the ocean. Hell, if the temperature's accurate, we're bathing in the Sun. Vilchez: Makil, stop jackjawing with Duan and help Yarrow. Duan, I want you in the cockpit ready to make moves in case things get hairy. Hyperion, Flight. Flight: Go ahead, Hyperion. Vilchez: Getting some bugged readings on our end. Flight: Bugged? Yarrow: Flight, MMACs. The operative term is FUBAR. Vilchez: Can we get some ground engineers on standby to walk us through diagnostics? Makil: Uh, C-Carlson?! Starboard window! Vilchez: Pearl, I hope you only saw the literal Virgin Mary out there because… (Brief pause) Pearl: My…my eyes… Vilchez: Hyperion to GC, seems like my optical instrumentation is fried because I just glanced at a second sun. Only caught a peripheral glance. Pearl, wasn't so lucky, going to do what I can to- (Pause.) Vilchez: Hyperion to GC! Unknown voice, heavily distorted. Dialog approximated by AI using Shahi-Yockey Algorithm: FLAMES. FLAMES EVERYWHERE. Vilchez: Say again, GC? Yarrow: What is GC's malfunction? Vilchez: Not sure. Let’s head back to the shuttle. (Static.) Duan: What happened to Adam?! Vilchez: I don’t know! He was just behind me and- (Static.) Unknown voice: (Static) WE'RE BURNING- (Static) [Ruptures in sound suggests scream distorted by progressing thermal damage to speaker's trachea in addition to electronic failures.] Duan: (Screaming) DON'T’LOOK OUT THE WINDOW! [From this point onward, crew behavior reflects the effects of a GRB impacting Earth at a low-medium intensity, with significant radiation and thermal damage to all onboard.] Makil: Jon…I got you. I- (coughs with the sound of vomiting.) Vilchez: There you guys are. Oh fuck, your faces. Duan: Who…who's laughi- (There is roaring believed to be oxygen in craft igniting.) [NOTE: Timestamp of this data packet is identical to timestamp of transmission start.] Vilchez: Hyperion to Ground Control, think you've skipped ahead in the script…what the? Duan: …My eyes… I still have my eyes? They feel cold. Makil: Jon!? Captain!? Duan: I’m here! (Shuffles) My arm was melting into the seat…how- Makil: Thank God, you’re okay! I- (she halts and lightly chokes until she exhales.) Vilchez: Just take some deep breaths, guys. It's okay. We're okay. (A minute has passed.) Vilchez We should inform ground control. (Vilchez is heard making her way to the communication receiver.) Vilchez: Hello? Ground control, this is commander Carlson Vilchez. Do you read us, over? (No response.) Vilchez: Makil, what do the instruments say about our CO2 levels? Makil: Sir, we have no instruments. Vilchez: …Okay. Color me a born-again believer, Pearl. (Forced attempt at laughter.) Pearl: I-uh(clears throat). Fuck, what was that? (She huffs.) At least the life support systems are still functioning, yeah? Duan: No, they're not. The power's completely out. Even the lights are off. Vilchez: Jon, that's bullshit. What are we breathing? How is this place still lit? Duan: Commander, I don't think we're finished with this yet. Vilchez: What now? Is the other sun back? Duan: We're accelerating away from Earth. [END LOG] The following are video recordings from the shuttle's interior and exterior. VIDEO LOG - 2 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil adjusts the knobs of the receivers while Vilchez holds the microphone near his mouth. He’s rubbing his eyes while slouching forward.) Vilchez: This is Commander Vilchez of the RTM-1. Respond, ground control. (Static.) Makil: Keep trying. I almost got it. Vilchez: Ground Control, this is RTM-1. Please, respond. (Static.) Makil: Come on. (Vilchez and Makil continue their attempts to communicate to ground control. After a few minutes, Makil hammerfists the panels a few times which startles Vilchesz.) Vilchez: Makil! Makil Sorry, I just- (Makil halts her speech suddenly and grips on her chest. She has quick and hoarded breathing while she quivers in her seat. Vilchez hastily leans forward to her and rests his hand on her shoulder to keep her still.) Vilchez: Breath! Breath, Pearl. Makil: It hurts- my skin hurts. (She groans.) Ah! I can’t see! Carlson?! Jon! (From below deck, Duan hears shouting from above. He rushes to the ladder and climbs to the cockpit entrance. Upon seeing Makil’s episode, he gets closer to the pair and stares down at her.) Duan: What’s happening?! Vilchez: I-I don’t know! She keeps saying she’s hurting but I don’t see injuries. (Duan grabs one of her hands. She grips on his hand to the point where Duan grits his teeth. Despite this, Duan lays another hand on top of it.) Duan: Pearl? Talk to me. Makil: My eyes… They’re melting! God, help me, please! Vilchez: You can hear us, right? We’re right here. We’re holding your hands. We’re not going anywhere. You are okay. (Makil screams and thrashes from her seat that she bangs on the panels and even on Vilchez and Duan. Duan goes behind the seat to press down on her shoulders while Vilchez does his best to retrain her wrists next to her legs. She kicks, screams and swears for 2 minutes and 15 seconds until she passes out. Vilchez and Duan slowly remove their hands on her while they are shaking and breathing heavily.) Duan: I’ve never seen her like this…ever. Vilchez: Just keep an eye on her, Jon. (He pats his back and slumps back on his seat. He covers his face with his hand and remains still for about a minute before going back to leaning forward and grabbing the microphone, adjusting knobs and switches from the receivers himself.) Vilchez: I’ll have to figure this out. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 3 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil sits alone in the cockpit while she works on the receivers. Duan enters the flight deck and floats behind Makil, sitting on the right seat behind her.) Duan: Vilchez is sleeping. Makil: Okay. (He silently remains while he watches Makil work.) Makil: You need something, Jon? Duan: You’ve been working on that for days. Have you eaten anything? Makil: I’m not hungry. Duan: Not even tired? Makil: Nope. Duan: Do you at least wanna take a break? (She stops what she’s doing and turns herself to face Duan.) Makil: Jon. I appreciate the concern. But unless you’re gonna help me here, let me focus. Please. (Makil readjusts herself and returns her attention to the receivers. The pair sit in silence for a few minutes until the shuttle rumbles. They brace themselves, Duan moving up a seat next to Makil and looking out the window to see what may be causing the turbulence.) (Footage cuts to the front exterior of the shuttle. The frame shows a vague shape of a human male that is covered in an illuminating, white aroma.) Duan: Holy- Adam? Makil: What? Duan: I swear to God, that’s him. Look at the face! (Makil leans closer to the window.) Makil: That can’t be. (“Adam” walks to the shuttle, despite there being no surface to walk on. He gets close until he stops 6 meters away from the front of the shuttle. He sits and gently sways his body and his arms low.) Duan: The Hell is he doing? (“Adam” halts his movements and extends his arms as if for an embrace and stays in that pose.) Makil: Why are you giggling? Duan: That’s not me. (A low-pitched noise blares but Duan and Makil do not react to it and continue to stare out the window. The noise steadily gets quieter and the footage captures small trails of red, orange, yellow, blue, and white lights converging above “Adam”. These lights then swirl and orbit one another, then converge little by little. A red dwarf zooms past the shuttle, leaving a streak of fiery red behind as it draws to the convergence. Several more giant stars rush past them and the collection of stars creates this rough-shaped sphere of light. Suddenly, the collection of stars vanishes, as does “Adam”.) Duan: My eyes don’t feel cold anymore. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 4 (Duan is in Mid Deck, slipping his legs into the bottom half of the space suit. Makil floats down and catches him.) Makil: What are you doing? Duan: Good. You’re here. Mind helping me putting the rest on. Makil: For what? Duan: I wanna get a better look outside. There’s something out there. Makil: Jon, that’s a horrible idea. Duan: We can’t stay here forever. And you saw Adam too, right? I think maybe he can help us out. Makil: We don’t know if that was even him. Hell, we don’t even know where we are. Duan: I can at least help comms. Maybe get something on the exterior. (Vilchez climbs down the ladder and notices the pair. He approaches them.) Vilchez: What’s happening here? Makil: Carlson, help me out here. Duan: Commander. I need to go check outside. Get a better idea of what’s out there. (Pause.) Vilchez: I saw the footage from the other day. And… I’m going to have to agree with Pearl, here. Something is wrong here. Wherever “here” is. Duan: I will literally be right back. I got the cord, you guys can reel me back in if anything happens. Vilchez: Jon. You’re brave. Always have been. But don’t be stupid. Duan: Commander, with all due respect, I’m losing my mind in here. And I can’t just sit around and do nothing. Just- let me try to get some new comms working. Makil: Even if it might work, which it won’t. It’s still suicide. Duan: It could help us. Makil: I’m not gonna lose my fucking friend! (Pause.) Makil: And as your friend, Jon. I’m begging you. Please, don’t do this. Duan: What else can we do, Pearl? Tell me. (The trio remain silent for 12 seconds.) Duan: I promise you both. I won’t let anything happen to me. Vilchez: … You get 10 minutes. Then I’m reeling you back Duan: Thank you. Makil: You guys suck, you know that? Duan: (Chuckles.) Maybe I’ll go and bring back Jesus and you tell me who’s hotter. Makil: Not funny. (Footage cuts to the exterior port side of the shuttle. Duan climbs out from the payload shaft and hooks himself to a reel. He observes his surrounding space with nothing of note happening for 2 minutes. “Adam” manifests in front of him and approaches him with an embrace. Duan does his best to embrace the entity in return.) Duan: How are you alive? (“Adam” uses his right arm to cut the cord and vanishes with Duan in a flash of light for the remaining 8 minutes. They remanifest to the hatch and “Adam” releases Duan. Once again, the entity disappears which leaves Duan to return into the shuttle.) (Footage cuts to the Mid Deck with Vilchez and Makil helping him up and removing his suit.) Vilchez: Are you okay? Duan: Yeah… Makil: Did you at least do something? Duan: Do what? Makil: Did you do anything with the comms? Duan: No. We don’t need to. Vilchez: What?! Why, what the fuck were you doing then?! Duan: I got sidetracked, is all. But, look. I’m alive. I’m not hurt. I saw Adam again. Everything is good. (A long silence fills the room.) Vilchez: What happened out there? Duan: He helped me touch impossibility. The little one will keep us safe. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 5 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil is working in the Spacelab and is seen repairing another communication receiver. Duan crawls through one of the entrances and observes her. ) Duan: Morning. Makil: Hey. Duan: You still try to sleep? Makil: Every now and then. But, I don’t know. Can’t seem to shut my eyes. Duan: Mm. How are you holding up? Makil: Like shit. (Makil stops what she’s doing and hangs her head low.) I hate it when it happens. Call it hallucinations, call it phantom pain. It's Hell, Jon. I see and hear nothing. I taste the blood flooding out my mouth. And those burns… Then I feel nothing. But I move anyway, not knowing if I’m dead or alive. Duan: And despite all that, you still went looking for me. You’re a lot stronger than you think, Pearl. Makil: Thanks. I’m glad you’re here, Jon. Duan: Anytime. Besides, what would you do without me? (She scoffs and looks up at him.) Makil: Might be a workaholic. Duan: Oh, definitely. (They both laugh.) Makil: How long do you think it’s been? Duan: I’m not sure, myself. (Duan says nothing. Instead, he sits next to her. She lays her head on his shoulder and they both stay silent.) Makil: (She rubs her eyes.) Feels like we’ve been here for years. Looking outside doesn’t help, either. Everytime I do, I can feel my brain stretching. And I don’t even know what I’m looking at. Sometimes, it’s just nothing. But most times… Duan: Most times? Makil: I’m crazy. (She chuckles) I’m fucking crazy! Duan: Tell me. Makil: There are these splotches in space. They morph and angle themselves so much that I can’t even try to make a familiar shape. It blinks a white light every now and then, and it hurts my eyes. Then I start having those episodes again. I don’t know. I’m tired. (Pause.) Duan: Do you trust me? Makil: After that stunt you pulled? (She sits up straight and faces him) Oh, and fuck you still for doing it. Duan: I can help you stop the pain. Makil: How? Duan: By bringing you to the little one. Makil: What are you talking about? Duan: It’s- (short pause) Words just can’t do it justice. Makil: Try. At least help me understand. Duan: Okay. (clicks tongue) When I was out there, Adam was waiting for me. He didn’t say anything, but he gestured to me. I followed him, we moved around in ways I never thought possible. Eventually, he showed me the little one. (Pause) Duan: He was a young king before anything came to be, and he looked at me with such awe as if I was the greatest thing it ever laid its eyes on. Admiring my design. He reached down to me, ever so gently to touch me. Then, everything became so clear. The pain just didn’t matter anymore. Makil: Hmm. At least I’m not the only one who’s delirious. (Duan scoffs.) Makil: So what? We’re here because this “little one” likes us? Duan: It’s more than that. He saved our lives. Makil: How do you know that for sure? Duan: I just do. Which is why I want to show you him. Makil: Jon. Duan: I know I’m not making any sense. But what I saw, what I felt was real. And to be frank Pearl, I don’t want to see you hurting anymore. Makil: (She looks away) I don’t know. Duan: I promise you, I will never let anything bad happen to you. And this is nothing bad, because I’m still here, talking to you. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 6 [BEGIN LOG] (Vilchez is in his commander seat as he works with the panel. He glances at the window and bolts up.) Vilchez: (Shouts) Hey guys, check this out! It’s a galaxy. Makil: (From Mid Deck) Really?! Hold on. Duan: On my way. (Makil stumbles over to the back while Duan makes his way up to the cockpit.) (Makil hastily goes through her bag and pulls out a camera. She climbs up the ladder and pulls herself fast to the Flight Deck. Footage shows Duan doing the same as he slips through the openings with ease. He meets up with Makil and Vilchez in the cockpit.) Duan: That has to be an elliptical galaxy. It’s beautiful. Makil: Scootch. (Camera shutters.) [IC 2006] Makil: Got it. Vilchez: There’s more on our way. Makil: Wait what? Duan: Take it! Take it! (Makil hastily moves around the cockpit as she tries to take as many photos as she can.) [NGC 4111] [NGC 4347] [M87] Makil: This is all I got. We’re moving too fast. (Pause) Who’s laughing? (The shuttle rumbles again with the low pitch sound blaring. Lights from the interior of the shuttle flicker. The camera glitches and audio distorts for 3 minutes until everything has ceased.) Vilchez: Everybody okay? Duan: Good here. Makil: Check. (Vilchez turns and looks out the window.) Makil: What’s happening? Vilchez: This can’t be real. (Duan and Makil make their way with them and peer out.) ( Footage cuts to the front exterior of the shuttle. Multiple galaxies stretch and twist from their original forms. They collide and are split apart repeatedly to the point where they are more akin to a large, irregular galaxy.) (The new irregular galaxy is stretched once more. Along with several more nebulas with gradience of yellows, blues, greens, reds, purples and whites. All bleeding into one another with the added glittering stars.) (Four, wing-like appendages pressed through the array of colorful stardust. They stretch across through space with no seeming end. The wings leave behind a dust trail while they soar through the cosmos until it dissipate and can no longer be seen.) (Footage cuts to the Flight Deck. The crew are left with an astonished expression. They remain silent for about 4 minutes.) Vilchez: That was… Duan: Fantastical. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 7 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil is once again at the Spacelab, however she is not working on the receiver. Instead she is still. Duan approaches behind her and taps her shoulder, startling her.) Makil: Oh! Hey Jon. Duan: You alright? Makil: No, yeah. Just thinking about what happened. Duan: Wasn’t that amazing? Makil: (Chuckles) It’s insane is what it is. Duan: It’s also a gift. Makil: (She turns her head.) Huh? Duan: It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment for us. But maybe it doesn’t have to be. Can you imagine what else the little one can do? What he can be? Makil: God, maybe. Duan: Oh? Makil: I’m sorry. Just just slipped out. Duan: No, no I think you got the right idea. Why not, right? He saved us from that hellfire. He healed me from those episodes. Showing us wonders in this universe. (Makil remains silent. Duan gets on both his knees and lays his hands on her thighs as he looks up.) Duan: You’re still suffering, Pearl. Don’t you want it to stop? Makil: I do. Duan: Then let me help you. Like you helped me. Makil: I didn’t help you. Duan: You did, by being there. You were always there. (Duan holds both her hands.) Duan: Please, let me do this for you. Makil: …Okay. I’m trusting you. Duan: You know I have your back. (Sometime later, Duan and Makil ready their suits and exit the shuttle. After 26 minutes, they return to the craft with their suits off.) (Footage cuts to the pair sneaking to the Flight Deck hatch as they try not to wake up Vilchez. By the time they got there, they help each other slip on their space suits and crawl through the hatch.) (Footage cuts to the exterior port side of the shuttle. Duan is the first to exit from the hatch, then Makil. They both wait for a minute until “Adam” manifests in front of them. The entity embraces them both and vanishes in a flash of light. 26 minutes later, Duan and Makil return, this time without their space suits. “Adam” releases the pair and disappears, leaving them to return to the shuttle.) (Footage cuts back to the Flight Deck as Duan and Makil laugh and they make their way back in. Makil bumps their head and Duan helps her out and rubs on the bump. She laughs harder now but Duan tries to shush her. She lays her head on his shoulder while he hugs her.) Duan: I told you everything was going to be okay. Makil: (Giggles) Yeah. Duan: So how do you feel? Makil: My eyes can breathe. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 8 [BEGIN LOG] (Vilchez is once again working on the panels. Makil floats and sits onto the seat next to him.) Makil: Hey commander. Vilchez: Pearl? You look better. Makil: I feel better. Vilchez: That’s good. That’s really good. You need something? Makil: Just checking up on you. You still have those episodes? Vilchez: (Chuckles) Yeah. But what can you do about it right? Makil: There is something, actually. Vilchez: Hm? Makil: Duan showed me Adam. And the little one. Vilchez: You went outside?! Why?! Why did either of you do that?! (Makil’s keeps her relaxed expression.) Makil: Carlson, listen to me. When Jon and I were walking on the little one's body, Adam brought me to an angel. She was like the sky, warm and beautiful. She came to me and whispered a verse. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”7 And look. I’m not burned. The Lord is with us. Vilchez: Pearl. I don’t know why Jon told you, but I don’t think you're in the right headspace right now. Just… rest for a bit. We’ll figure out a way back home soon. Promise. Makil: Hm. (She smiles) We’re already home, commander. Vilchez: Pearl, just stop! I don’t know what Jon put in your head but you- AH! (Vilchez jumps back into his seat. He grabs onto his face and thrashes his body while he screams. Makil’s smile quickly drops as she crouches over to him. ) Vilchez: NO, NO, NO! I’M BURNING! I’M BURNING! HELP ME, GOD, HELP ME! Makil: Commander- (Vilchez hits her in the face and she retreats. Covering the spot where it was struck.) Makil: (Shouts) JON! JON GET OVER HERE NOW! (Duan hastily makes his way from Mid Deck to Flight Deck. He goes to Vilchez and does his best to hold his arms and torso down. Makil goes to the back holds back his shoulders on the seat.) Duan: Carlson! Listen to me! You’re okay, just listen to my voice. (Vilchez’s screams grow louder and his body gets more erratic.Duan and Makil do their best to hold him down but Vilchez manages to arch his back further up and his breathing gets short and jagged. A Minute later in that position, Vilchez stops his screaming and movement. He slowly returns to consciousness with slow, heavy breathing.) Vilchez: Did- did it happen again? Makil: Yeah. You okay? (The crew gets off from Vilchez and he tries his best to collect himself. Vilches slouches forward and covers his face with both hands.) Vilchez: I hit you. Makil: It’s okay. Vilchez: No, it’s not. I’m sorry. (The trio stay silent.) Vilchez: I just need a minute. Duan: Take all the time you need. (After some time, the crew goes and scatters to different spaces of the shuttle. Vilchez is left alone in the cockpit.) Vilchez: Fuck. (Sighs) I can do this. I can push through. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 9 [BEGIN LOG] (Duan and Vilchez are at their seats, watching the trailing stars passing by them.) Duan: Check it out. Another cluster. Vilchez: I see it. (Both remain silent for 13 seconds.) Vilchez: Do you miss home? Duan: Huh? What do you mean? Vilchez: I mean what I mean, do you miss Earth? Duan: Calm down, sir. Vilchez: (Raises voice) Why are you telling me to calm down? I am. Duan: Okay, okay. Sorry. (They sit in silence again.) Duan: Are you okay? Vilchez: I think I’ve seen enough stars. And these machines. I’m tired, man. I wanna wrestle with my brother, hug my mom, kiss my girl. Duan: Mm. Vilchez: You don’t? Duan: To be honest, I got nothing but problems back at home. Vilchez: Okay, but don't we all? You can always find somewhere else to move. Duan: Trust me when I say that there’s not a lot of places for me to go. I’ve looked. Vilchez: Sorry to hear that. Duan: It’s fine. But, I wouldn’t mind staying here. Vilchez: Here? Jon, what are you gonna do out here? Duan: Anything I want. There's freedom. And I always have something to look forward to. Vilchez: That thing out there? Duan: He’s not “a thing”. Vilchez: Right there. You’ve been obsessed with it since you came back. I hear the things you say from time to time. Duan: And? Vilchez: I’m worried for you. We’ve all been through a lot since it took us and I think… I think you just wanna see what you wanna see. And you, somehow, convinced Pearl to cope in the same way. Duan: And what about what you’ve seen? Vilchez: I don’t know. (Pause.) Vilchez: I don’t know anything. But what I do know is that we’re gonna make it back. And that I want you to both know I’m looking out for both of you. Duan: I know. I’m with you too. Thanks. Vilchez: You're welcome. Just don’t be feeding Pearl any more fantasies. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 10 [BEGIN LOG] (Duan is seen with Makil in Mid Deck. He repeats the conversation he had with Vilchez.) Duan: That’s what he told me. Makil: Are you serious? Duan: Yeah. Can you blame him? If anything, it's our fault that he thinks that way. Makil: How is it our fault? He chooses to just sit there all day and continue to fix those stupid comms and it's getting him nowhere. And did he forget that he just had an episode? Duan: Maybe it gives him something to do. But you’re right. We’re leaving him in pain. How can we call ourselves a team if we’re not going to help each other? Makil: Then let’s show him our little one. Heal him like he’s healed us. He won’t have to worry about anything, anymore. We can just be. Makil: I agree… Be honest with me, what do you think will be back for us on Earth? (Makil remains silent for 14 seconds.) Makil: A life of constant waiting. A dull, cold life. But for Carlson… I feel like he’s going to be living a life much worse than ours. Duan: Then let’s save our commander. (The pair make their way up to Flight Deck. And go behind Vilchez who is busy with working the receivers. Suddenly, they wrestle with Vilchez in the cockpit as they try to pull him out.) Vilchez: Fuck is wrong with you guys?! (Vilchez kicks Duan in the stomach, but Duan grabs his shirt and yanks him close. Vilchez tries to shove his hands against Duan’s face but he is thrown to the side panels. Makil takes the opportunity and grabs Vilchez’s kicking legs and both carry him out of the cockpit.) Vilchez Stop! Please! Duan: Everything will be alright, Carlson. (Makil lets go of the legs and goes by the hatch to unlock it for them. She quickly makes her way back and helps Duan shove Vilchez through but he scrambles and flails his body, making it difficult for them to hold their grip. Vilchez manages to escape and retreat to the cockpit. Cornered, the duo approaches him.) Vilchez: Why are you guys doing this?! Duan: You’re suffering, Carlson. We don’t want that for you anymore. Vilchez: What? Makil: The little one can heal you. From every pain to every discomfort. Anything that would make you feel worse, he can wash it all away. His ancient innocence can keep you warm. Duan: Carlson. This is our life now. Vilchez: No, it’s not! I’m not gonna let that fucking thing take me! Makil: The little one just made us feel better. And don’t talk to him that way, he hears you. You’ll make him cry. Vilchez: I don’t give a fuck, you two need to wake up! What about all your other friends and family? What about your lives?! Does none of that matter now?! Duan: You matter to us. Makil: We love you, Carlson. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Duan: Just let it all go. Let the little one hold you as it held us. (Vilchez shakes his head.) Vilchez: This is crazy. You’re crazy! (Duan and Makil pounce and grab him once more. Vilchez does his best to put up a fight but to no avail. They move him near the hatch again and Makil goes to open it and exit first to help Duan by taking one of Vilchez’s legs and pulling it to her. Duan quickly moves to Vilchez and they both push Vilchez through the hatch.) (The trio exit the shuttle while Vilchez continues to scream until the hatch behind them closes. (Footage cuts to the exterior of the shuttle. Duan pulls Vilchez up, who seems to have ceased. Makil helps push him out while also grabbing onto his pants. They both hold onto Vilchez while waiting for “Adam” to manifest. Once he does, he pulls them all for an embrace and they vanish.) (40 minutes later, Vilchez manifests alone and crawls back through the hatch and into the shuttle. Footage cuts to the Flight Deck as Vilchez opens the hatch and crawls through the interior hatch. Vilchez rests his back on the wall. A white light beams through all the windows, enveloping the interior with light, followed by a low-pitch sound.) Vilchez: I see you too. [END LOG] On 06/08/2022, Carlson Vilchez finally agreed to speak to Foundation personnel to disclose any additional information about SCP-8440. INTERVIEW - 1 Interviewer: Researcher Tyson Gabriel Interviewee: Carlson Vilchez [BEGIN LOG] Gabriel: So Carlson, are you feeling better? Vilchez: Yes. I think so. Gabriel: Right, then. Can you tell me what happened to your crew in ‘02? (Vilchez laughs.) Gabriel: Did I say something amusing? Vilchez: Oh, everything is. Gabriel: What do you mean? (Vilchez sways his body.) Vilchez: Everything. Life. It’s so beautiful. More beautiful than what you can imagine. I didn’t get it at first. But I understand now. Gabriel: What did you understand? Vilchez: You. Me. Everyone. There’s a spark in us. A glow that none has ever seen before. It’s something that many want but never quite seem to grasp. And there are some that can harness it. Those are the ones that defy reality. (Vilchez stops swaying and fails to contain his laugh. After 4 minutes, he calms down.) Vilchez: The little one sees it in us too. I think that’s why he undid the Gamma-Ray that hit us, why he chose my crew. I wouldn’t put it past you if the little one just thought of us as pretty-looking bugs it wanted to play with, and maybe that’s true. He’s still so young after all. But those eyes. They said something different. Gabriel: What was it that you saw? Vilchez: A dragon, a butterfly, a nebula, a four-pointed star. And yet, he was none of them. It’s hard to remember the details. Gabriel: Can you tell us what happened to your crew? Vilchez: The little one helped them let their glow out. They burned. Like white, flaming angels. [END LOG] Note: Vilchez refused to elaborate further and ceased communication with Foundation staff for the time being. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8440" by Strange Matter, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8440. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Elliptical galaxy IC 2006.jpg Author: ESA/Hubble & NASA Image acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt and J. Blakeslee (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory). Science acknowledgement: M. Carollo (ETH, Switzerland) License: Public Domain Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elliptical_galaxy_IC_2006.jpg Filename: Elegance conceals an eventful past.jpg Author: ESA/Hubble & NASA Acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt License: CC BY 4.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elegance_conceals_an_eventful_past.jpg Filename: A fascinating core.jpg Author: ESA/Hubble & NASA License: CC BY 4.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_fascinating_core.jpg Filename: Messier 87 Hubble WikiSky.jpg Author: en:NASA, en:STScI, en:WikiSky License: Public Domain Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Messier_87_Hubble_WikiSky.jpg Footnotes 1. NASA, Roscosmos, NSF. 2. objects within 1000 light years of the Solar System. 3. Immensely energetic explosions caused by various stellar activity; a typical burst releases as much energy in a few seconds as the Sun will in its entire 10-billion-year lifetime. The energy is released along the neutron star's axis of rotation. 4. Proposals to consider this a 'suspended' K-class phenomenon are currently in progress. 5. Rapid expansion consistent with a fusion of hydrogen by-product into helium. 6. Nuclear fusion becomes unable to sustain the core against its own gravity; when the release of gravitational potential energy is insufficient, the star may instead collapse into a black hole or neutron star. 7. Isaiah 43:2 New King James Version. |
SCP-8440 | uncontained | A Gamma-Ray Burst had struck Earth but then had been quickly undone by a cosmic entity. Footage from the shuttle follows four astronauts who go through a fantastical experience and gain a sense of cosmic ecstasy. by Strange Matter Item#: 8440 Level4 Secondary Class: uncontained Disruption Class: amida Risk Class: critical link to memo Special Containment Procedures: As SCP-8440 manifestations are impossible to anticipate or record, containment efforts must focus on information control regarding the circumstances leading up to an SCP-8440 event. These include: Cooperation with NASA on a coverup regarding degenerate stars and supernovae within 1000 light years of the Solar System. Full knowledge sterilization at all major space agencies and astronomical institutions,1 including amnesticization of staff and introduction of artificial aversion traumas towards extinction-level events. Seize and replace all instrumentation readings showing the presence of degenerate stars or soft gamma repeaters in Earth's stellar neighborhood".2 The following false narratives must be promoted through the usual channels: Catastrophic star collapse activity in the Milky Way (e.g. Gamma-Ray Bursts3) is both rare and poses no threat to Earth in the near-term future. Earth was last impacted by a Gamma-Ray Burst 445 million years ago. The consensus understanding of astrophysics is largely accurate and can be relied on to predict stellar phenomena. Updated 3/31/2022: The shuttlecraft that carried the RTM-1 crew that was previously declared MIA must be intercepted once landed. Any survivors recovered must be interned, questioned, nerve-stapled, and given identity-reassignment amnesticization, as per Foundation "Closed Casket" protocols. Updated 4/2/2022: All documentation produced regarding SCP-8440 is sealed under Level-5 Classification. Pending further review. As per Ethics Committee guidelines, personnel with insufficient clearance attached to the project before 4/2/2022 will be offered significant financial incentives for accepting voluntary amnesticization. Personnel found in possession of SCP-8440 materials without authorization are subject to disciplinary action, including amnesticization and summary nerve stapling. Additional resources have been directed toward off-planet colonization efforts in the event SCP-8440 fails to occur.4 Description: SCP-8440 is an unknown, astronomical entity that is in between Earth's stellar neighborhood and catastrophic core-collapse phenomena of failed stars. The extent of SCP-8440’s capabilities is unknown, even based on [DATA EXPUNGED]. SCP-8440-1 refers to degenerate stars located within Earth's stellar neighborhood possessing a rotational axis facing Earth, indicating a GRB targeting Earth had previously occurred. The frequency of SCP-8440 manifesting is estimated based on the discovery of stars matching this description. SCP-8440-2 refers to stars in Earth's stellar neighborhood that possess several key characteristics. These include (but are not limited to): Terminal stage stellar behavior.5 Indications of imminent core collapse behavior.6 Accelerated progression through stellar lifecycle. Observed, possibly anomalous discrepancies between estimates of stellar mass and gravitational behavior of star. When SCP-8440-2 undergoes a core collapse sequence, it will discharge a stream of energy along a lightyear-wide band with various projected effects on Earth. This ranges from destroying Earth’s biosphere to vaporizing the crust entirely. When this occurs, SCP-8440 will manifest to neutralize the incoming ejected energy. The nature of core-collapse activity makes it impossible to detect a GRB before its effects have impacted Earth. Manifestations of SCP-8440 have been understood to detect incoming GRB activity aimed at Earth’s stellar neighborhood. Discovery: RESTRICTED TO LEVEL 5 PERSONNEL + WARNING! UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WILL BE EXPOSED TO A MEMETIC DEFENSE AGENT+ - CLEARANCE VERIFIED - In 2002, SCP-8440 was encountered by NASA's satellite repair crew Commander Carlson Vilchez, Pilot Jon Duan, Mission Specialist Adam Yarrow, and Mission Specialist Pearl Makil. In their Repair Telescope Mission, NASA lost communication with the RTM-1 crew which was deemed MIA. In 2022, the RTM-1 shuttle suddenly returned and NASA received its signals and messages, along with one survivor, Carlson Vilchez. The Foundation intercepted Vilchez before word of his return could be officially released to the public. After enacting a disinformation campaign, the Foundation took Vilchez in custody. Vilchez was unresponsive during the first interview. After 4 months of aided recovery, Vilchez was still unable to disclose anything regarding RTM-1. As of now, he is still in Foundation custody as a Person of Interest. The Foundation managed to recover any recorded data that the RTM-1 shuttle contained and wiped it from NASA soon after. Addendum-1: RTM-1 Recording Logs AUDIO LOG - 1 Foreword: This audio log reflects the last transmission of the Space Shuttle Hyperion before contact was lost with the vehicle. The transmission was intercepted by Foundation satellites. Source audio was used to generate forgeries to aid in cover-up efforts. [BEGIN LOG] GROUND CONTROL (Ground officer Tom Priest): GC, Hyperion, your air-to-grounds are enabled for the landing count. [NOTE: Hyperion had not reentered the atmosphere, and there's no evidence of transmission at this time from Ground Control.] HYPERION (Commander Carlson Vilchez): Hyperion to Ground Control, think you've skipped ahead in the script. FLIGHT: Flight, Hyperion. Not quite following. No such transmission from GC occurred. Duan: What's GC's malfunction? Makil: Hey Jon, maybe they're just excited to see you flying in action, What was it you said? Duan: Oh, you know what. Never- Makil: The only thing hotter than me in the sky is Jesus. Duan: (Sighs) That's the last time I go out drinking with you around. Yarrow: Hey team, I'm trying to diagnose at least four different instrumentation failures. Do you mind staying professional until I'm done figuring out how far up shit's creek we are? Vilchez: You say four? Yarrow: Confirmed. Up is down; north is south; pressure readings could only be higher at the bottom of the ocean. Hell, if the temperature's accurate, we're bathing in the Sun. Vilchez: Makil, stop jackjawing with Duan and help Yarrow. Duan, I want you in the cockpit ready to make moves in case things get hairy. Hyperion, Flight. Flight: Go ahead, Hyperion. Vilchez: Getting some bugged readings on our end. Flight: Bugged? Yarrow: Flight, MMACs. The operative term is FUBAR. Vilchez: Can we get some ground engineers on standby to walk us through diagnostics? Makil: Uh, C-Carlson?! Starboard window! Vilchez: Pearl, I hope you only saw the literal Virgin Mary out there because… (Brief pause) Pearl: My…my eyes… Vilchez: Hyperion to GC, seems like my optical instrumentation is fried because I just glanced at a second sun. Only caught a peripheral glance. Pearl, wasn't so lucky, going to do what I can to- (Pause.) Vilchez: Hyperion to GC! Unknown voice, heavily distorted. Dialog approximated by AI using Shahi-Yockey Algorithm: FLAMES. FLAMES EVERYWHERE. Vilchez: Say again, GC? Yarrow: What is GC's malfunction? Vilchez: Not sure. Let’s head back to the shuttle. (Static.) Duan: What happened to Adam?! Vilchez: I don’t know! He was just behind me and- (Static.) Unknown voice: (Static) WE'RE BURNING- (Static) [Ruptures in sound suggests scream distorted by progressing thermal damage to speaker's trachea in addition to electronic failures.] Duan: (Screaming) DON'T’LOOK OUT THE WINDOW! [From this point onward, crew behavior reflects the effects of a GRB impacting Earth at a low-medium intensity, with significant radiation and thermal damage to all onboard.] Makil: Jon…I got you. I- (coughs with the sound of vomiting.) Vilchez: There you guys are. Oh fuck, your faces. Duan: Who…who's laughi- (There is roaring believed to be oxygen in craft igniting.) [NOTE: Timestamp of this data packet is identical to timestamp of transmission start.] Vilchez: Hyperion to Ground Control, think you've skipped ahead in the script…what the? Duan: …My eyes… I still have my eyes? They feel cold. Makil: Jon!? Captain!? Duan: I’m here! (Shuffles) My arm was melting into the seat…how- Makil: Thank God, you’re okay! I- (she halts and lightly chokes until she exhales.) Vilchez: Just take some deep breaths, guys. It's okay. We're okay. (A minute has passed.) Vilchez We should inform ground control. (Vilchez is heard making her way to the communication receiver.) Vilchez: Hello? Ground control, this is commander Carlson Vilchez. Do you read us, over? (No response.) Vilchez: Makil, what do the instruments say about our CO2 levels? Makil: Sir, we have no instruments. Vilchez: …Okay. Color me a born-again believer, Pearl. (Forced attempt at laughter.) Pearl: I-uh(clears throat). Fuck, what was that? (She huffs.) At least the life support systems are still functioning, yeah? Duan: No, they're not. The power's completely out. Even the lights are off. Vilchez: Jon, that's bullshit. What are we breathing? How is this place still lit? Duan: Commander, I don't think we're finished with this yet. Vilchez: What now? Is the other sun back? Duan: We're accelerating away from Earth. [END LOG] The following are video recordings from the shuttle's interior and exterior. VIDEO LOG - 2 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil adjusts the knobs of the receivers while Vilchez holds the microphone near his mouth. He’s rubbing his eyes while slouching forward.) Vilchez: This is Commander Vilchez of the RTM-1. Respond, ground control. (Static.) Makil: Keep trying. I almost got it. Vilchez: Ground Control, this is RTM-1. Please, respond. (Static.) Makil: Come on. (Vilchez and Makil continue their attempts to communicate to ground control. After a few minutes, Makil hammerfists the panels a few times which startles Vilchesz.) Vilchez: Makil! Makil Sorry, I just- (Makil halts her speech suddenly and grips on her chest. She has quick and hoarded breathing while she quivers in her seat. Vilchez hastily leans forward to her and rests his hand on her shoulder to keep her still.) Vilchez: Breath! Breath, Pearl. Makil: It hurts- my skin hurts. (She groans.) Ah! I can’t see! Carlson?! Jon! (From below deck, Duan hears shouting from above. He rushes to the ladder and climbs to the cockpit entrance. Upon seeing Makil’s episode, he gets closer to the pair and stares down at her.) Duan: What’s happening?! Vilchez: I-I don’t know! She keeps saying she’s hurting but I don’t see injuries. (Duan grabs one of her hands. She grips on his hand to the point where Duan grits his teeth. Despite this, Duan lays another hand on top of it.) Duan: Pearl? Talk to me. Makil: My eyes… They’re melting! God, help me, please! Vilchez: You can hear us, right? We’re right here. We’re holding your hands. We’re not going anywhere. You are okay. (Makil screams and thrashes from her seat that she bangs on the panels and even on Vilchez and Duan. Duan goes behind the seat to press down on her shoulders while Vilchez does his best to retrain her wrists next to her legs. She kicks, screams and swears for 2 minutes and 15 seconds until she passes out. Vilchez and Duan slowly remove their hands on her while they are shaking and breathing heavily.) Duan: I’ve never seen her like this…ever. Vilchez: Just keep an eye on her, Jon. (He pats his back and slumps back on his seat. He covers his face with his hand and remains still for about a minute before going back to leaning forward and grabbing the microphone, adjusting knobs and switches from the receivers himself.) Vilchez: I’ll have to figure this out. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 3 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil sits alone in the cockpit while she works on the receivers. Duan enters the flight deck and floats behind Makil, sitting on the right seat behind her.) Duan: Vilchez is sleeping. Makil: Okay. (He silently remains while he watches Makil work.) Makil: You need something, Jon? Duan: You’ve been working on that for days. Have you eaten anything? Makil: I’m not hungry. Duan: Not even tired? Makil: Nope. Duan: Do you at least wanna take a break? (She stops what she’s doing and turns herself to face Duan.) Makil: Jon. I appreciate the concern. But unless you’re gonna help me here, let me focus. Please. (Makil readjusts herself and returns her attention to the receivers. The pair sit in silence for a few minutes until the shuttle rumbles. They brace themselves, Duan moving up a seat next to Makil and looking out the window to see what may be causing the turbulence.) (Footage cuts to the front exterior of the shuttle. The frame shows a vague shape of a human male that is covered in an illuminating, white aroma.) Duan: Holy- Adam? Makil: What? Duan: I swear to God, that’s him. Look at the face! (Makil leans closer to the window.) Makil: That can’t be. (“Adam” walks to the shuttle, despite there being no surface to walk on. He gets close until he stops 6 meters away from the front of the shuttle. He sits and gently sways his body and his arms low.) Duan: The Hell is he doing? (“Adam” halts his movements and extends his arms as if for an embrace and stays in that pose.) Makil: Why are you giggling? Duan: That’s not me. (A low-pitched noise blares but Duan and Makil do not react to it and continue to stare out the window. The noise steadily gets quieter and the footage captures small trails of red, orange, yellow, blue, and white lights converging above “Adam”. These lights then swirl and orbit one another, then converge little by little. A red dwarf zooms past the shuttle, leaving a streak of fiery red behind as it draws to the convergence. Several more giant stars rush past them and the collection of stars creates this rough-shaped sphere of light. Suddenly, the collection of stars vanishes, as does “Adam”.) Duan: My eyes don’t feel cold anymore. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 4 (Duan is in Mid Deck, slipping his legs into the bottom half of the space suit. Makil floats down and catches him.) Makil: What are you doing? Duan: Good. You’re here. Mind helping me putting the rest on. Makil: For what? Duan: I wanna get a better look outside. There’s something out there. Makil: Jon, that’s a horrible idea. Duan: We can’t stay here forever. And you saw Adam too, right? I think maybe he can help us out. Makil: We don’t know if that was even him. Hell, we don’t even know where we are. Duan: I can at least help comms. Maybe get something on the exterior. (Vilchez climbs down the ladder and notices the pair. He approaches them.) Vilchez: What’s happening here? Makil: Carlson, help me out here. Duan: Commander. I need to go check outside. Get a better idea of what’s out there. (Pause.) Vilchez: I saw the footage from the other day. And… I’m going to have to agree with Pearl, here. Something is wrong here. Wherever “here” is. Duan: I will literally be right back. I got the cord, you guys can reel me back in if anything happens. Vilchez: Jon. You’re brave. Always have been. But don’t be stupid. Duan: Commander, with all due respect, I’m losing my mind in here. And I can’t just sit around and do nothing. Just- let me try to get some new comms working. Makil: Even if it might work, which it won’t. It’s still suicide. Duan: It could help us. Makil: I’m not gonna lose my fucking friend! (Pause.) Makil: And as your friend, Jon. I’m begging you. Please, don’t do this. Duan: What else can we do, Pearl? Tell me. (The trio remain silent for 12 seconds.) Duan: I promise you both. I won’t let anything happen to me. Vilchez: … You get 10 minutes. Then I’m reeling you back Duan: Thank you. Makil: You guys suck, you know that? Duan: (Chuckles.) Maybe I’ll go and bring back Jesus and you tell me who’s hotter. Makil: Not funny. (Footage cuts to the exterior port side of the shuttle. Duan climbs out from the payload shaft and hooks himself to a reel. He observes his surrounding space with nothing of note happening for 2 minutes. “Adam” manifests in front of him and approaches him with an embrace. Duan does his best to embrace the entity in return.) Duan: How are you alive? (“Adam” uses his right arm to cut the cord and vanishes with Duan in a flash of light for the remaining 8 minutes. They remanifest to the hatch and “Adam” releases Duan. Once again, the entity disappears which leaves Duan to return into the shuttle.) (Footage cuts to the Mid Deck with Vilchez and Makil helping him up and removing his suit.) Vilchez: Are you okay? Duan: Yeah… Makil: Did you at least do something? Duan: Do what? Makil: Did you do anything with the comms? Duan: No. We don’t need to. Vilchez: What?! Why, what the fuck were you doing then?! Duan: I got sidetracked, is all. But, look. I’m alive. I’m not hurt. I saw Adam again. Everything is good. (A long silence fills the room.) Vilchez: What happened out there? Duan: He helped me touch impossibility. The little one will keep us safe. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 5 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil is working in the Spacelab and is seen repairing another communication receiver. Duan crawls through one of the entrances and observes her. ) Duan: Morning. Makil: Hey. Duan: You still try to sleep? Makil: Every now and then. But, I don’t know. Can’t seem to shut my eyes. Duan: Mm. How are you holding up? Makil: Like shit. (Makil stops what she’s doing and hangs her head low.) I hate it when it happens. Call it hallucinations, call it phantom pain. It's Hell, Jon. I see and hear nothing. I taste the blood flooding out my mouth. And those burns… Then I feel nothing. But I move anyway, not knowing if I’m dead or alive. Duan: And despite all that, you still went looking for me. You’re a lot stronger than you think, Pearl. Makil: Thanks. I’m glad you’re here, Jon. Duan: Anytime. Besides, what would you do without me? (She scoffs and looks up at him.) Makil: Might be a workaholic. Duan: Oh, definitely. (They both laugh.) Makil: How long do you think it’s been? Duan: I’m not sure, myself. (Duan says nothing. Instead, he sits next to her. She lays her head on his shoulder and they both stay silent.) Makil: (She rubs her eyes.) Feels like we’ve been here for years. Looking outside doesn’t help, either. Everytime I do, I can feel my brain stretching. And I don’t even know what I’m looking at. Sometimes, it’s just nothing. But most times… Duan: Most times? Makil: I’m crazy. (She chuckles) I’m fucking crazy! Duan: Tell me. Makil: There are these splotches in space. They morph and angle themselves so much that I can’t even try to make a familiar shape. It blinks a white light every now and then, and it hurts my eyes. Then I start having those episodes again. I don’t know. I’m tired. (Pause.) Duan: Do you trust me? Makil: After that stunt you pulled? (She sits up straight and faces him) Oh, and fuck you still for doing it. Duan: I can help you stop the pain. Makil: How? Duan: By bringing you to the little one. Makil: What are you talking about? Duan: It’s- (short pause) Words just can’t do it justice. Makil: Try. At least help me understand. Duan: Okay. (clicks tongue) When I was out there, Adam was waiting for me. He didn’t say anything, but he gestured to me. I followed him, we moved around in ways I never thought possible. Eventually, he showed me the little one. (Pause) Duan: He was a young king before anything came to be, and he looked at me with such awe as if I was the greatest thing it ever laid its eyes on. Admiring my design. He reached down to me, ever so gently to touch me. Then, everything became so clear. The pain just didn’t matter anymore. Makil: Hmm. At least I’m not the only one who’s delirious. (Duan scoffs.) Makil: So what? We’re here because this “little one” likes us? Duan: It’s more than that. He saved our lives. Makil: How do you know that for sure? Duan: I just do. Which is why I want to show you him. Makil: Jon. Duan: I know I’m not making any sense. But what I saw, what I felt was real. And to be frank Pearl, I don’t want to see you hurting anymore. Makil: (She looks away) I don’t know. Duan: I promise you, I will never let anything bad happen to you. And this is nothing bad, because I’m still here, talking to you. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 6 [BEGIN LOG] (Vilchez is in his commander seat as he works with the panel. He glances at the window and bolts up.) Vilchez: (Shouts) Hey guys, check this out! It’s a galaxy. Makil: (From Mid Deck) Really?! Hold on. Duan: On my way. (Makil stumbles over to the back while Duan makes his way up to the cockpit.) (Makil hastily goes through her bag and pulls out a camera. She climbs up the ladder and pulls herself fast to the Flight Deck. Footage shows Duan doing the same as he slips through the openings with ease. He meets up with Makil and Vilchez in the cockpit.) Duan: That has to be an elliptical galaxy. It’s beautiful. Makil: Scootch. (Camera shutters.) [IC 2006] Makil: Got it. Vilchez: There’s more on our way. Makil: Wait what? Duan: Take it! Take it! (Makil hastily moves around the cockpit as she tries to take as many photos as she can.) [NGC 4111] [NGC 4347] [M87] Makil: This is all I got. We’re moving too fast. (Pause) Who’s laughing? (The shuttle rumbles again with the low pitch sound blaring. Lights from the interior of the shuttle flicker. The camera glitches and audio distorts for 3 minutes until everything has ceased.) Vilchez: Everybody okay? Duan: Good here. Makil: Check. (Vilchez turns and looks out the window.) Makil: What’s happening? Vilchez: This can’t be real. (Duan and Makil make their way with them and peer out.) ( Footage cuts to the front exterior of the shuttle. Multiple galaxies stretch and twist from their original forms. They collide and are split apart repeatedly to the point where they are more akin to a large, irregular galaxy.) (The new irregular galaxy is stretched once more. Along with several more nebulas with gradience of yellows, blues, greens, reds, purples and whites. All bleeding into one another with the added glittering stars.) (Four, wing-like appendages pressed through the array of colorful stardust. They stretch across through space with no seeming end. The wings leave behind a dust trail while they soar through the cosmos until it dissipate and can no longer be seen.) (Footage cuts to the Flight Deck. The crew are left with an astonished expression. They remain silent for about 4 minutes.) Vilchez: That was… Duan: Fantastical. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 7 [BEGIN LOG] (Makil is once again at the Spacelab, however she is not working on the receiver. Instead she is still. Duan approaches behind her and taps her shoulder, startling her.) Makil: Oh! Hey Jon. Duan: You alright? Makil: No, yeah. Just thinking about what happened. Duan: Wasn’t that amazing? Makil: (Chuckles) It’s insane is what it is. Duan: It’s also a gift. Makil: (She turns her head.) Huh? Duan: It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment for us. But maybe it doesn’t have to be. Can you imagine what else the little one can do? What he can be? Makil: God, maybe. Duan: Oh? Makil: I’m sorry. Just just slipped out. Duan: No, no I think you got the right idea. Why not, right? He saved us from that hellfire. He healed me from those episodes. Showing us wonders in this universe. (Makil remains silent. Duan gets on both his knees and lays his hands on her thighs as he looks up.) Duan: You’re still suffering, Pearl. Don’t you want it to stop? Makil: I do. Duan: Then let me help you. Like you helped me. Makil: I didn’t help you. Duan: You did, by being there. You were always there. (Duan holds both her hands.) Duan: Please, let me do this for you. Makil: …Okay. I’m trusting you. Duan: You know I have your back. (Sometime later, Duan and Makil ready their suits and exit the shuttle. After 26 minutes, they return to the craft with their suits off.) (Footage cuts to the pair sneaking to the Flight Deck hatch as they try not to wake up Vilchez. By the time they got there, they help each other slip on their space suits and crawl through the hatch.) (Footage cuts to the exterior port side of the shuttle. Duan is the first to exit from the hatch, then Makil. They both wait for a minute until “Adam” manifests in front of them. The entity embraces them both and vanishes in a flash of light. 26 minutes later, Duan and Makil return, this time without their space suits. “Adam” releases the pair and disappears, leaving them to return to the shuttle.) (Footage cuts back to the Flight Deck as Duan and Makil laugh and they make their way back in. Makil bumps their head and Duan helps her out and rubs on the bump. She laughs harder now but Duan tries to shush her. She lays her head on his shoulder while he hugs her.) Duan: I told you everything was going to be okay. Makil: (Giggles) Yeah. Duan: So how do you feel? Makil: My eyes can breathe. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 8 [BEGIN LOG] (Vilchez is once again working on the panels. Makil floats and sits onto the seat next to him.) Makil: Hey commander. Vilchez: Pearl? You look better. Makil: I feel better. Vilchez: That’s good. That’s really good. You need something? Makil: Just checking up on you. You still have those episodes? Vilchez: (Chuckles) Yeah. But what can you do about it right? Makil: There is something, actually. Vilchez: Hm? Makil: Duan showed me Adam. And the little one. Vilchez: You went outside?! Why?! Why did either of you do that?! (Makil’s keeps her relaxed expression.) Makil: Carlson, listen to me. When Jon and I were walking on the little one's body, Adam brought me to an angel. She was like the sky, warm and beautiful. She came to me and whispered a verse. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”7 And look. I’m not burned. The Lord is with us. Vilchez: Pearl. I don’t know why Jon told you, but I don’t think you're in the right headspace right now. Just… rest for a bit. We’ll figure out a way back home soon. Promise. Makil: Hm. (She smiles) We’re already home, commander. Vilchez: Pearl, just stop! I don’t know what Jon put in your head but you- AH! (Vilchez jumps back into his seat. He grabs onto his face and thrashes his body while he screams. Makil’s smile quickly drops as she crouches over to him. ) Vilchez: NO, NO, NO! I’M BURNING! I’M BURNING! HELP ME, GOD, HELP ME! Makil: Commander- (Vilchez hits her in the face and she retreats. Covering the spot where it was struck.) Makil: (Shouts) JON! JON GET OVER HERE NOW! (Duan hastily makes his way from Mid Deck to Flight Deck. He goes to Vilchez and does his best to hold his arms and torso down. Makil goes to the back holds back his shoulders on the seat.) Duan: Carlson! Listen to me! You’re okay, just listen to my voice. (Vilchez’s screams grow louder and his body gets more erratic.Duan and Makil do their best to hold him down but Vilchez manages to arch his back further up and his breathing gets short and jagged. A Minute later in that position, Vilchez stops his screaming and movement. He slowly returns to consciousness with slow, heavy breathing.) Vilchez: Did- did it happen again? Makil: Yeah. You okay? (The crew gets off from Vilchez and he tries his best to collect himself. Vilches slouches forward and covers his face with both hands.) Vilchez: I hit you. Makil: It’s okay. Vilchez: No, it’s not. I’m sorry. (The trio stay silent.) Vilchez: I just need a minute. Duan: Take all the time you need. (After some time, the crew goes and scatters to different spaces of the shuttle. Vilchez is left alone in the cockpit.) Vilchez: Fuck. (Sighs) I can do this. I can push through. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 9 [BEGIN LOG] (Duan and Vilchez are at their seats, watching the trailing stars passing by them.) Duan: Check it out. Another cluster. Vilchez: I see it. (Both remain silent for 13 seconds.) Vilchez: Do you miss home? Duan: Huh? What do you mean? Vilchez: I mean what I mean, do you miss Earth? Duan: Calm down, sir. Vilchez: (Raises voice) Why are you telling me to calm down? I am. Duan: Okay, okay. Sorry. (They sit in silence again.) Duan: Are you okay? Vilchez: I think I’ve seen enough stars. And these machines. I’m tired, man. I wanna wrestle with my brother, hug my mom, kiss my girl. Duan: Mm. Vilchez: You don’t? Duan: To be honest, I got nothing but problems back at home. Vilchez: Okay, but don't we all? You can always find somewhere else to move. Duan: Trust me when I say that there’s not a lot of places for me to go. I’ve looked. Vilchez: Sorry to hear that. Duan: It’s fine. But, I wouldn’t mind staying here. Vilchez: Here? Jon, what are you gonna do out here? Duan: Anything I want. There's freedom. And I always have something to look forward to. Vilchez: That thing out there? Duan: He’s not “a thing”. Vilchez: Right there. You’ve been obsessed with it since you came back. I hear the things you say from time to time. Duan: And? Vilchez: I’m worried for you. We’ve all been through a lot since it took us and I think… I think you just wanna see what you wanna see. And you, somehow, convinced Pearl to cope in the same way. Duan: And what about what you’ve seen? Vilchez: I don’t know. (Pause.) Vilchez: I don’t know anything. But what I do know is that we’re gonna make it back. And that I want you to both know I’m looking out for both of you. Duan: I know. I’m with you too. Thanks. Vilchez: You're welcome. Just don’t be feeding Pearl any more fantasies. [END LOG] VIDEO LOG - 10 [BEGIN LOG] (Duan is seen with Makil in Mid Deck. He repeats the conversation he had with Vilchez.) Duan: That’s what he told me. Makil: Are you serious? Duan: Yeah. Can you blame him? If anything, it's our fault that he thinks that way. Makil: How is it our fault? He chooses to just sit there all day and continue to fix those stupid comms and it's getting him nowhere. And did he forget that he just had an episode? Duan: Maybe it gives him something to do. But you’re right. We’re leaving him in pain. How can we call ourselves a team if we’re not going to help each other? Makil: Then let’s show him our little one. Heal him like he’s healed us. He won’t have to worry about anything, anymore. We can just be. Makil: I agree… Be honest with me, what do you think will be back for us on Earth? (Makil remains silent for 14 seconds.) Makil: A life of constant waiting. A dull, cold life. But for Carlson… I feel like he’s going to be living a life much worse than ours. Duan: Then let’s save our commander. (The pair make their way up to Flight Deck. And go behind Vilchez who is busy with working the receivers. Suddenly, they wrestle with Vilchez in the cockpit as they try to pull him out.) Vilchez: Fuck is wrong with you guys?! (Vilchez kicks Duan in the stomach, but Duan grabs his shirt and yanks him close. Vilchez tries to shove his hands against Duan’s face but he is thrown to the side panels. Makil takes the opportunity and grabs Vilchez’s kicking legs and both carry him out of the cockpit.) Vilchez Stop! Please! Duan: Everything will be alright, Carlson. (Makil lets go of the legs and goes by the hatch to unlock it for them. She quickly makes her way back and helps Duan shove Vilchez through but he scrambles and flails his body, making it difficult for them to hold their grip. Vilchez manages to escape and retreat to the cockpit. Cornered, the duo approaches him.) Vilchez: Why are you guys doing this?! Duan: You’re suffering, Carlson. We don’t want that for you anymore. Vilchez: What? Makil: The little one can heal you. From every pain to every discomfort. Anything that would make you feel worse, he can wash it all away. His ancient innocence can keep you warm. Duan: Carlson. This is our life now. Vilchez: No, it’s not! I’m not gonna let that fucking thing take me! Makil: The little one just made us feel better. And don’t talk to him that way, he hears you. You’ll make him cry. Vilchez: I don’t give a fuck, you two need to wake up! What about all your other friends and family? What about your lives?! Does none of that matter now?! Duan: You matter to us. Makil: We love you, Carlson. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Duan: Just let it all go. Let the little one hold you as it held us. (Vilchez shakes his head.) Vilchez: This is crazy. You’re crazy! (Duan and Makil pounce and grab him once more. Vilchez does his best to put up a fight but to no avail. They move him near the hatch again and Makil goes to open it and exit first to help Duan by taking one of Vilchez’s legs and pulling it to her. Duan quickly moves to Vilchez and they both push Vilchez through the hatch.) (The trio exit the shuttle while Vilchez continues to scream until the hatch behind them closes. (Footage cuts to the exterior of the shuttle. Duan pulls Vilchez up, who seems to have ceased. Makil helps push him out while also grabbing onto his pants. They both hold onto Vilchez while waiting for “Adam” to manifest. Once he does, he pulls them all for an embrace and they vanish.) (40 minutes later, Vilchez manifests alone and crawls back through the hatch and into the shuttle. Footage cuts to the Flight Deck as Vilchez opens the hatch and crawls through the interior hatch. Vilchez rests his back on the wall. A white light beams through all the windows, enveloping the interior with light, followed by a low-pitch sound.) Vilchez: I see you too. [END LOG] On 06/08/2022, Carlson Vilchez finally agreed to speak to Foundation personnel to disclose any additional information about SCP-8440. INTERVIEW - 1 Interviewer: Researcher Tyson Gabriel Interviewee: Carlson Vilchez [BEGIN LOG] Gabriel: So Carlson, are you feeling better? Vilchez: Yes. I think so. Gabriel: Right, then. Can you tell me what happened to your crew in ‘02? (Vilchez laughs.) Gabriel: Did I say something amusing? Vilchez: Oh, everything is. Gabriel: What do you mean? (Vilchez sways his body.) Vilchez: Everything. Life. It’s so beautiful. More beautiful than what you can imagine. I didn’t get it at first. But I understand now. Gabriel: What did you understand? Vilchez: You. Me. Everyone. There’s a spark in us. A glow that none has ever seen before. It’s something that many want but never quite seem to grasp. And there are some that can harness it. Those are the ones that defy reality. (Vilchez stops swaying and fails to contain his laugh. After 4 minutes, he calms down.) Vilchez: The little one sees it in us too. I think that’s why he undid the Gamma-Ray that hit us, why he chose my crew. I wouldn’t put it past you if the little one just thought of us as pretty-looking bugs it wanted to play with, and maybe that’s true. He’s still so young after all. But those eyes. They said something different. Gabriel: What was it that you saw? Vilchez: A dragon, a butterfly, a nebula, a four-pointed star. And yet, he was none of them. It’s hard to remember the details. Gabriel: Can you tell us what happened to your crew? Vilchez: The little one helped them let their glow out. They burned. Like white, flaming angels. [END LOG] Note: Vilchez refused to elaborate further and ceased communication with Foundation staff for the time being. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8440" by Strange Matter, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8440. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Elliptical galaxy IC 2006.jpg Author: ESA/Hubble & NASA Image acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt and J. Blakeslee (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory). Science acknowledgement: M. Carollo (ETH, Switzerland) License: Public Domain Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elliptical_galaxy_IC_2006.jpg Filename: Elegance conceals an eventful past.jpg Author: ESA/Hubble & NASA Acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt License: CC BY 4.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elegance_conceals_an_eventful_past.jpg Filename: A fascinating core.jpg Author: ESA/Hubble & NASA License: CC BY 4.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_fascinating_core.jpg Filename: Messier 87 Hubble WikiSky.jpg Author: en:NASA, en:STScI, en:WikiSky License: Public Domain Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Messier_87_Hubble_WikiSky.jpg Footnotes 1. NASA, Roscosmos, NSF. 2. objects within 1000 light years of the Solar System. 3. Immensely energetic explosions caused by various stellar activity; a typical burst releases as much energy in a few seconds as the Sun will in its entire 10-billion-year lifetime. The energy is released along the neutron star's axis of rotation. 4. Proposals to consider this a 'suspended' K-class phenomenon are currently in progress. 5. Rapid expansion consistent with a fusion of hydrogen by-product into helium. 6. Nuclear fusion becomes unable to sustain the core against its own gravity; when the release of gravitational potential energy is insufficient, the star may instead collapse into a black hole or neutron star. 7. Isaiah 43:2 New King James Version. |
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Item#: SCP-8443 Level4 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: amida Risk Class: critical link to memo Special Containment Procedures: The disruption of SCP-8443 is necessary for the continued existence of the United States of America, and therefore, the containment of over 500 SCP objects. Effective March 2021, understanding the mechanisms behind SCP-8443 is Priority Alpha for all American, Canadian and Mexican Foundation sites. Description: SCP-8443 is a thaumic rite affecting all prominent officials serving in the United States Government, including all sitting congressmen, and all living current and former U.S. Presidents, all living current and former Supreme Court Justices. These individuals have been classified as SCP-8443-A instances. This effect does not extend to individual employees of specific branches of government, such as members of the Department of Justice or agents of the Internal Revenue Service. SCP-8443 confers longevity in direct proportion to the amount and intensity of negative emotions felt towards SCP-8443-A instances by the American public. This is especially obvious in the demographics of the United States Congress; the average age of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is 58.9 years, while the average age of a U.S. Senator is 65.3 years. SCP-8443 was discovered after the Foundation opened an investigation into the January 6th, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol by supporters of former President Donald John Trump (SCP-8443-A-92). As the continued existence and function of the United States Government is critical to several Foundation containment procedures, the Foundation offered its surveillance technology to the incoming administration in an attempt to apprehend the individuals responsible for the attack. While using wide-spectrum EVE analysis in an attempt to detect anomalous activity among the crowd of attackers, it was discovered that all members of the United States Congress that were sheltering with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (SCP-8443-A-01) possessed a thaumic aura that had previously gone undetected. Interviews with members of the US Government have revealed that SCP-8443 is a known phenomenon dating back to at least 1982, and has been exploited by members of Congress since this time; however, SCP-8443 is thaumically unstable, and as such, members of the United States Government who have been serving for ten or more years, or are particularly skilled at gathering the enmity of the American population, show symptoms of acute EVE Poisoning, resulting in anomalous properties which are in the process of being cataloged. In the 2010s, potentially as an early symptom of SCP-65001, SCP-8443 began weakening severely, which led to the need for increased dysfunction in the House, Senate, and Presidency to maintain it. Currently, it is believed that 80% of current and former members of the US Government, including former President James "Jimmy" Carter, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Senator Dianne Feinstein, are being sustained by SCP-8443. SCP-8443 does not allow for immortality or immaculate health, as is evidenced by the deaths of Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia in 2016, and Ruth Bader Ginsberg in 2020, and the declining mental state of Donald Trump, due to untreated tertiary syphilis. See Addenda. Timeline of Attempted Containment: The first evidence of SCP-8443 came in February of 2021. Joseph Robinette Biden, the 46th President, knew of the Foundation from his time as as Vice President under Barack Hussein Obama, and thus required minimal briefing. While originally hesitant to use Foundation resources following the January 6th Attack, he acquiesced following a demonstration of Foundation-backed facial recognition technology on February 2nd, 2021, which identified several figures in a low-resolution crowd shot; all but two have since been arrested as of December 2022. Nancy Pelosi (SCP-8443-A-01) displaying the corona of EVE that marks the presence of SCP-8443. However, when the Foundation applied a thaumic filter to footage recovered inside the Capitol Building, all members of Congress that were sheltering with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi exhibited a corona of Elan Vital Energy (EVE) indicating that they were being powered by a thaumic rite. When this filter was applied to footage of attempts to disrupt the Certification of the Electoral College vote on the evening of January 6th, all but the most junior members of Congress (those who had been sworn in on January 3rd, 2021) exhibited this anomaly, and further analysis showed that this anomaly had been exhibited on film by all members of Congress since at least 1983. As not all members of Congress are cleared to know about the Foundation, questioning had to be carried out discreetly; all interviewed members of Congress and the majority of other major stations in the U.S. Government professed ignorance of the phenomenon, beyond the anomalous effects caused by EVE Poisoning, which they attributed to, in the words of SCP-8443-01, 'strange shit happening in Washington every now and then'. However, thaumic analysis by Sites-55, 87 and 91 found that the thaumic signature of SCP-8443 had strong similarities to rites enacted by the giftschreiber, a group of memeticists with unclear aims that had been in conflict with the Foundation in the past. The culprit was, for several months, unknown. On the night of January 5th, 2021, several items were planted around both the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention headquarters. Publicly, these were reported as pipe bombs that failed to detonate; in reality, they were canisters that contained an aerosol. While chemically inert, thaumic analysis by the Unusual Incidents Unit showed it to be an olfactory memetic kill agent — only the second of its kind known to the Foundation, and the first intended for use on civilians. Had it been dispersed, a large part of Washington, D.C. and the Potomac Valley would have been rendered uninhabitable for several years. However, the components meant to disperse the aerosol had been fused, rendering them harmless; the agent was neutralized by a UIU Thaumaturge shortly after its discovery. Efforts to uncover the identity of the Unknown Subject that had planted these devices was made top priority for both anomalous and non-anomalous law enforcement; however, on March 9th, 2021, it was found that a UIU Sting Operation in D.C., unrelated to January 6th or its prelude, had uncovered the identity of the unknown subject, and that they were a known Person of Interest. TO: lakehuronsupplycontrolpurification.site43 FROM: [email protected] SUBJECT: Potential POI Director McInnis, My partner and I were staking out a SAPHIR safehouse the night of January 5th, and a photo we captured got flagged by your system. As much as I'd like to go on about how much of a violation of privacy and procedure this is, you probably have more important things to do, as do I. The unknown subject emerged from Folger Park around 3:30 A.M. and appeared to be carrying a backpack, wearing a dark-colored hoodie. She had black hair, pale skin, and a mark on her upper lip, appears to be a scar of some form. This matches a paracriminal in our system, but we were told to hand it over to you, per the Hoffman Act of 1967. So here. Enjoy. Quinn MacAllister Special Agent, Unusual Incidents Unit Federal Bureau of Investigation Cincinnati Division Unbeknownst to Special Agent MacAllister, she and her partner had captured photographic evidence of a Foundation Person of Interest who was believed to have been dead for at least a decade: former CIA Agent and Class-3 Thaumaturge Elizabeth Crocker, PoI-001. After assessment from Site-55, which serves as regional command for the Mid-Atlantic, this evidence was sent to Research & Containment Site-43 in Canada, which had historically worked to contain Crocker's efforts at sabotaging the Foundation; a member of staff, Dr. Ilse Reynders, was on staff during the Panopticon Crisis perpetuated by Crocker. Dr. Udo Okorie, a thaumatologist at Site-43, also had a personal connection to PoI-001; they were responsible for assassinating their grandfather, Dr. Izaak Okorie, in 1980. Profile: PoI-001 Name: Unknown Occupation: Operative (various) Primary Alias: Elizabeth Crocker Other Aliases: Gabrielle Fish, Dr. Ophelia Righting, Lisbet Geschenk (presumed), Lorraine Epstein (Currently) PoI-001, Circa 1965. "Elizabeth Crocker" is a former CIA Operative and member of the giftschrieber who incorrectly believed that the Foundation was responsible for the death of her partner, Dr. Alexandre "Hill" Hilbert, as Dr. Hilbert was offered employment shortly prior to a fatal accident with his 'Quantum Brace' eigenweapon. During the late 1960's, Crocker's attacks on the Foundation led to the Panopticon Crisis. This period from 1967 to 1969 was defined by the Foundation being unable to operate at full capacity, due to worsening international relations, retaliatory seizure and destruction of containment sites, and vast amounts of sabotage from Crocker, including the apparent assassination of O5-7. This ultimately ended with the creation of The Frontispiece, but Crocker subsequently could not be contained. She resurfaced in 1979, attempting to disrupt the Canadian federal election under the pseudonym 'Ophelia Righting', and again evaded capture. Crocker would be responsible for the assassination of Dr. Izaak Okorie, a member of the team that created the Frontispiece. It was subsequently discovered that O5-7 was, themselves, a former member of the giftschreiber, and that Crocker had helped fake her death. Prior to the discovery of SCP-8443, Elizabeth Crocker was believed to have died some time in the early-mid 2000s; however, it is now known that SCP-8443 extends to her person, albeit in a capacity unseen among other SCP-8443-A instances, as she does not suffer the effects of EVE poisoning and has seemingly not aged since 1979 (last confirmed visual contact with the Foundation). Crocker is a Class-3 ("Magus") Thaumaturge with training in cryptomancy (known today as memetics). The timeline of her training remains unknown, even almost sixty years after the Panopticon Crisis. She has been operating as a member of a Washington, D.C. based conservative think-tank known as the Pinereader Conservative Science Organization, now believed to be a front for the giftschrieber. It is not believed that Crocker knows that the Foundation is once again aware of her. Foundation efforts to monitor members of Congress, both current and former, uncovered several anomalies related to prolonged exposure to SCP-8443. A selection of these anomalies is documented below. Item: Starting on January 15th, 2021, all words spoken by former Tennessee Senator and U.S. Vice President Al Gore (SCP-8443-933) became antimemetic. Effect did not extend to written text. Actions Taken: Publicly, Gore was diagnosed with laryngitis due to acute COVID-19; the anomaly faded by itself on January 29th. Item: On January 17th, 2021, California Senator Dianne Feinstein (SCP-8443-99) injured herself in her office, resulting in a laceration; the fluid that flowed from her skin was not blood, but water mixed with a grape flavoring powder and large quantities of cyanide. Feinstein was not affected by the toxin in her 'blood'. Actions Taken: Feinstein was admitted to Walter Reed National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. under the care of Foundation personnel and monitored until the composition of her bodily fluids returned to normal on January 19th. Item: Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell (SCP-8443-19) attempted to consume a constituent who met them in Kentucky on January 24th, 2021. McConnell reportedly was capable of unhinging his jaw, and his fingernails were described as 'claw-like'. Actions Taken: Class-A Amnestics administered to both constituent and McConnell. Attack reported in the news as an incident of an unidentified individual intoxicated by 'bath salts'. Item: During a rally on February 2nd, 2021, Ohio House Representative Jim Jordan (SCP-8443-44) gained properties similar to those of a Class-5 telepath. Incapable of filtering out the mental noise from others, Jordan subsequently [DATA EXPUNGED]. Actions Taken: Jordan placed into containment under the item number SCP-11███, and replaced with a somatic backup. Despite being a new individual, this replacement began exhibiting similar signs of EVE poisoning. Item: On February 9th, 2021, all congressmen, both Senators and House members, from the state of Massachusetts, had all thoracic and lumbar vertebrae vanish for a period ranging from seven minutes to sixteen hours. All individuals survived this process, and made full recoveries. Actions Taken: Foundation medical intervention was launched, during which time attempts to gather intelligence on SCP-8443 were made; none of the individuals were willing to cooperate, due to the pain caused by the compression of their spinal column with the absence of vertebrae. Director Allan McInnis delivered the news of Elizabeth Crocker's re-emergence to Drs. Okorie and Reynders on April 2nd, 2021. Director McInnis: Ilse, Udo. You'll… want to be sitting down for this. Dr. Okorie and Dr. Reynders do so. Dr. Okorie: It's good to meet you face-to-face, Dr. Reynders. We haven't had a chance since you managed to get out. Dr. Reynders: I have a feeling this is not a happy occasion. What's happening, Allan? Director McInnis: We were forwarded some material from a UIU Agent in America that pertains to current events. Director McInnis passes a pair of folders across the desk. Okorie and Reynders read them. Dr. Udo Okorie: No. No. She— you told me she was dead, Allan! Dr. Ilse Reynders: Wat de verdomme? Het is onmogelijk. Ze kan niet levend zijn.2 Director McInnis: We're all surprised. But it was theorized that she has access to anomalous life-extension means. Dr. Okorie: How? Director McInnis: Given her connection to 8443, we believe she's using thaumaturgy powered by negative emotions to keep herself alive. Hate, mainly. Dr. Okorie: …do you know what spell? There are a few of them. The Pariah-Gone-Awry, or th-the Rite of… Rite of Rona Caleus… Director McInnis: Dr. Okorie? Dr. Okorie: It's… it's thanks to her that I never knew my grandfather, Director. I… my father was hoping to find her, but he… he hasn't. He… Director McInnis offers Dr. Okorie a tissue. She takes it and blows her nose. Dr. Reynders: If not for this woman, we wouldn't have to have had to lobotomize the entirety of humankind. Dr. Okorie: You're saying… hate is keeping her alive? Including ours? Director McInnis: That's what the team down at 87 thinks, and Sinclair has a good head on her shoulders. Dr. Okorie: Do we… do we have a second opinion? Director McInnis: A few people from Site-91 weighed in, and a couple of UIU Agents in Three Portlands as well. They said to tell you that this doesn't line up to any recognized rite. Dr. Reynders: Am I reading the rest of this file correctly? All members of the US Government, current and former? Director McInnis: Yes. It's less effective with some of them. We believe that Ruth Bader Ginsberg wasn't hated enough when she was alive, which is why she passed away. Dr. Okorie: I can't believe this. The most powerful legislative body on Earth is run by a bunch of liches. Director McInnis: Is that the clinical term? Dr. Okorie: Technically it's 'post-necrotic lifeform', but… that only applies if they're actually undead. Most of them seem to be alive. Dr. Reynders: Are we sure about that? Silence on the recording. Dr. Reynders: Being in Congress must be stressful, even if one takes into account the fact that most of them are millionaires with better health plans than any citizen down there will ever see. You saw how much Obama aged in eight years. And with Trump's behavior… Dr. Okorie: That's untreated syphilis. Dr. Reynders: Which causes rotting of the brain. As does unabated necrosis in a living organism. Has anyone exhibited odd behavior in Congress? Director McInnis: The United States Congress has been very prone to scandal and gaffes since the Trump administration started, even discounting the attempted Insurrection. Dr. Okorie: Most of them make Trudeau look like Mr. Dressup. Dr. Reynders: I… don't know who that is. Dr. Okorie: Doesn't matter. The easiest way to stop a rite, any rite, is to stop the person casting it. I don't suppose putting a bullet in Crocker's skull is an option? Director McInnis: We lost track of her shortly after the UIU agent spotted her. She's likely still in D.C., but beyond that we can't raze a whole city to the ground for one person. Dr. Okorie: She made a smell that can kill people, Allan. We should be plastering her photograph on every single wanted poster the Americans can make. She should never be safe again. Director McInnis: If you were able to better understand the rite, could you undo it? Dr. Okorie: Maybe, but with the amount of people she's affecting… if this is just powered by hate, then… it may not matter. Even if we do manage to destroy the rite, America might be boned in the long run. Do you know how much hate it takes to keep one person alive? Not even immortal, just alive. Director McInnis: Can it be quantified? Dr. Okorie: Yes. For the sake of simplicity, I'm going to be talking about it in terms of MegaAkiva. As much as I hate that that's a word… in the span of two and a half years, the Vatican puts out one MegaAkiva. For a rite like this to be sustained for so long… we're talking 5 or 6 MegaAkiva per year. If… if I undo the rite incorrectly? It could irreversibly poison the entire human psyche. Imagine political division of this scale somewhere like North Korea, where you either follow the glorious leader or die. Director McInnis: What's the impact if you are unsuccessful, Udo? Dr. Okorie: …maybe three billion dead. Including most of the Foundation. Director McInnis clutches his desk. Dr. Reynders: If I ever meet this woman in person, I am going to skin her alive. Dr. Okorie: I can't do this alone. We need Zwist. Director McInnis smiles. Director McInnis: It just so happens that you're in luck. He's working with us, now. Dr. Okorie: He— what? Willingly? Director McInnis: There's an evolving situation that you've not been briefed on. Ibanez and Lilihammer will be able to get you into contact with him, assuming there's not an ongoing attack somewhere. Dr. Okorie: …there have been others? Outside of the one on 43? Director McInnis: I'm afraid so. Item: Recovered report from the CIA's MK division indicates that, for a period from January 9th to August 14th, 1995, Georgia representative and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (SCP-8443-577) telepathically broadcasted episodes from the back catalogue of The Rush Limbaugh Show to other individuals a seven-meter radius around them. Actions Taken: Attempts to interview Gingrich in matters related to SCP-8443 has resulted in heavy resistance to questioning, even under threat of duress. Item: A UIU file authored by Special Agent Quinn MacAlister indicates that, during an attempted 2015 paraterrorist attack on Congress, California Representative Kevin McCarthy (SCP-8443-445) was capable of turning invisible. Actions Taken: McCarthy has not displayed any anomalous properties since this time, but continues to be monitored. Item: PENTAGRAM report indicates that a male individual, claiming to be a State Representative from New York named George Santos, attempted to enter Congress on September 23rd, 2011. They were detained, but subsequently disappeared from custody. Individual was noted to be wearing a pin in the shape of an assault rifle in place of the traditional flag pin. Actions Taken: George Santos corresponds to the name of a candidate who previously ran for Representative of New York's 3rd District in 2020, but lost to the incumbent Tom Suozzi, who currently does not exhibit any anomalous properties. Santos has yet to announce his candidacy for the 2022 race, but is being monitored by the Foundation due to the potential of being a future SCP-8443-A instance. Thilo Zwist, now designated as SCP-6382, had been working alongside the Foundation as part of Operation FIREBREAK, an effort to stop giftschreiber attacks on Foundation sites, as the organizations had been treating the Foundation as a proxy warzone. Unfortunately, the investigation into SCP-8443 was briefly halted by the full onset of SCP-6500, which resulted in the neutralization of over 1500 anomalies; Dr. Okorie briefly passed into an alternate dimension alongside another member of Site-43 personnel, and was therefore unable to meaningfully contribute to efforts to undo SCP-8443 for most of April and the entirety of May; in the process of recovery, Dr. Udo Okorie's father, Dr. Obi Okorie, passed away, necessitating bereavement leave for Dr. Okorie that lasted until June 1st. On June 15th, 2021, the Department of Political Science obtained a piece of intelligence from an agent who had infiltrated the U.S. Government that changed the course of the investigation into SCP-8443. This was passed on to Dr. Okorie, who reported it to Director McInnis. Director McInnis: Udo. I… I heard about your father. I'm sorry. Dr. Okorie: Thank you. I… have news about Crocker. We just got some intel in. Director McInnis: Let's hear it. Dr. Okorie: Do you want the good news, or the bad news first? Director McInnis: I'm feeling pessimistic. What's the bad news? Dr. Okorie: Read this. Dr. Okorie puts a Department of Political Science report on Director McInnis's desk. There is silence on the recording as McInnis reads the file. Director McInnis: …dead? Dr. Okorie: Keep reading. Item: A report from Walter Reed National Medical Center indicates that, on December 18th, 2020, President Donald John Trump (SCP-8443-92) was pronounced dead on arrival following a heart attack that a cardiologist characterized as 'explosive'. Despite this, as the time of death was being recorded, Trump animated and continued showing brain function and the ability to respire, consume, and perform other bodily functions, despite failure in all major organs. Actions Taken: None possible; Mr. Trump's security detail cannot be infiltrated by the Foundation, due to their fervent devotion to the former President. Remote monitoring to take place. Director McInnis: I… don't know what to say. Dr. Okorie: I wish it was a joke. Every single thing we've seen indicates that Trump is dead. He's gotten a new heart and… several other organs, for the sake of keeping up appearances, but… none of them function. Director McInnis: So you're saying the forty-fifth President of the United States— Dr. Okorie: Is a zombie, and 8443 is keeping him animate. Maybe other people in Congress. Definitely Kissinger. You've seen the photographs alleging that Trump wears an… incontinence aid? Director McInnis: I wish I didn't, but yes. Dr. Okorie: We don't think it's that. We think that those are… we think it's an attempt by his handlers to… keep his vital organs from falling out. Director McInnis rubs his temples. Director McInnis: Udo, if that's the bad news, I hesitate to ask what the good news is. Dr. Okorie: We found a third member of the Foundation who might be powering 8443, aside from myself and Reynders. Director McInnis: Who? Dr. Okorie: Delfina, could you come in here? Delfina Ibanez, Chief of Security & Containment at Site-43, enters Director McInnis's office. Donald Trump (SCP-8443-92) displaying early stages of necrosis at a campaign rally. Chief Ibanez: A few days ago, Udo and I were talking when we got Crumpened— Director McInnis: When you got what? Chief Ibanez: It's what we're calling those anomalous explosions happening around the Site. One happened to Wettle and Harry, the second to us. As I was cleaning up, I saw the file that Udo was handed on PoI-001. I know who she is, sir. I've known for years. Director McInnis: From where? You've never reported any contact with her… Chief Ibanez: When I was young, Zevala, my home… it was razed to the ground. First planes came, and then… Director McInnis: I'm familiar with it. But you said yourself that Zevala was razed by the Chaos Insurgency. Chief Ibanez: I remember the scar, Sir. It's her. I'd bet my fucking life on it. Director McInnis: I believe you, Delfina. Chief Ibanez: From my understanding, 8443, it's powered by… hate? Director McInnis: That's correct. Chief Ibanez: Then I guess she's goddamn immortal. Do you… do you have any idea what she took from me? My home. My family! I've been with the Foundation since I was sixteen because of her! There is no circle of Hell too hot for me to crawl through to put a knife in her neck. Director McInnis: I don't blame you. We're not expecting a… friendly solution to this. Chief Ibanez: It was never about her stupid fucking boyfriend. This is about causing as much pain and as much chaos as possible. Dr. Okorie: I notified Zwist yesterday, but he was busy with something in Poland. War's raging across the continent, not sure how soon he can be back and be of help to us. Director McInnis: And Reynders? Dr. Okorie: She's down in Sloth's Pit, consulting with Sinclair and Melbourne. Chief Ibanez: We're going to head down to D.C. by way of Wisconsin. We've already submitted an itinerary to Travel & Relocation so we can pick up Ilse at Site-87. Director McInnis: I'll fast-track its approval. Keep your passports on you, departure could happen at any time. Dr. Okorie and Chief Ibanez made their way to Site-87 fifteen hours later, where they met with Dr. Reynders, and Site-87 personnel Dr. Ryan Melbourne. Dr. Sinclair was unable to attend the meeting, due to an appointment with medical staff regarding her pregnancy at the time. Dr. Okorie and Chief Ibanez enter a conference room on Sublevel 3 of Site-87, where they are greeted by Dr. Melbourne and Dr. Reynders. Dr. Melbourne: Sinclair says she's sorry she couldn't make it. She's taking an abundance of caution with her kid. Chief Ibanez: I hardly blame her. She was shot not even a month ago. Dr. Okorie: I might make a stop to visit her before I leave. In the meantime, do we have any new data? Dr. Melbourne: We might have something. Our head archivist finally gave me access to some of Euler's old files, back when he worked here. This was in there. Dr. Melbourne produces a document. KNOWN GIFTSCHREIBER DOROTHEA BRADBURY Based in Midwest Younger than Zwist, older than she looks Spends a lot of time in colleges. Mischief-maker. Nothing fatal yet. Monitor. YON YONSON Does not live in Wisconsin Reportedly a schriftsteller — can't be. Zwist says he's the last one. JACKSON SLOTH (?) Possible ontokinetic with connection to writing (reputedly an author) Long dead… or is he? Of Dutch descent. Are there Dutch giftschrieber? JOHANNA KISSEL (ex-O5-7) I don't know what sort of life-extension technology the O5s possess. The fact that she might still be alive is disconcerting. Name showed up in a database on Vikander-Kneed anomalies, but I don't have access. ALYS RYDDERECH Not her real name. Not Welsh. Capable of identity occlusion. Periodically contained, periodically escapes (get update?) KEIL GRAF German. Zwist claimed he was dead under the influence of alcohol. I have my doubts. ELIZABETH CROCKER (fake name) Hopefully dead. Acts in anger more than anything else. Thug. Murderer. How would she react if she knew that the Hill she's willing to kill for is alive? Dr. Okorie: 'Hill she's willing to kill for'? Did he mean 'die on'? Chief Ibanez: Hill was the pet name for her boyfriend. But… alive? What? Dr. Melbourne: Dr. Okorie… are you aware that your grandfather recorded his death? Dr. Okorie: What? Dr. Melbourne: It might be above your clearance level, given you're not a memeticist, but… I've read the transcript. Dr. Okorie: How? Dr. Reynders: He did a rite on a record that was in the room. It captured the audio of his final moments, and an exchange between him and Crocker. Dr. Okorie: You knew? Dr. Reynders: I'm one of the only surviving members of personnel who worked on the Frontispiece. Of course I knew. Izaak made reference to Alexandre Hilbert being alive. It doesn't make sense to me, either. Dr. Okorie: No, I… I've read Crocker's complete file. The eigenweapon Hilbert was developing, it… vaporized him on a quantum level. It's a miracle the quarks he left behind weren't antimemetic. Chief Ibanez: The hell was he working on, anyway? Dr. Okorie: A handheld probability manipulator that he called a 'quantum brace'. It was meant to be an outcome pump— made the best possible outcome happen every time. Dr. Melbourne: Dr. Okorie, do you know where your grandfather worked? Dr. Okorie: He was mainly at Site-43. I remember dad said he spent about seven months at… I think Site-219? In the late '70s. Chief Ibanez: I talked to some eggheads from 219 who were visiting McInnis. Don't know where the hell they're based. Dr. Melbourne: Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York. Was the headquarters for Psi-7 from the mid-fifties until the start of the Panopticon Crisis. Silence on the recording. Dr. Melbourne: Why are you all looking at me like that? Dr. Reynders: I'm surprised you know that information off the top of your head. Dr. Melbourne: 219 is a Nexus Site. Monitors this place called Saltville— Nexus-10, I think? 87's been trying to host a conference for every Nexus Site in the US since 2017, and they're always on board to come, but there's been… issues. Dr. Okorie: How so? Dr. Melbourne: Idiots kept trying to schedule it for October. Not a great time of year for us. Dr. Okorie: …oh. Dr. Melbourne: I don't know too much about Saltville. I'm 80% sure it's Briar-class, used to be Camelot or Asphodel before the Impasse happened. I can probably get you in touch with Nexology, but… they're a bit busy. Chief Ibanez: Why? Dr. Melbourne: Well… from what I understand, because 8443 is causing so many anomalies around D.C…. they're considering classifying Washington as a Nexus. Or Capitol Hill, at the very least. Dr. Okorie: Shit. Item: Over the course of seven hours on the night of March 9th-10th, 2021, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (SCP-8443-146), despite being a cisgender male, becomes pregnant and gives birth via C-section. No evidence of a uterus or any other anatomy required to give birth appears on medical scans or in surgeries subsequent to this. DNA analysis indicates that the mother of this child is Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema (SCP-8443-147). Actions Taken: The child Manchin gave birth to was placed into a Foundation-run Foster home to be monitored for any further anomalous activities. Item: From March 14th-March 18th, 2021, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (SCP-8443-15) is seen conversing with an unidentified individual in his Senate office who was not seen entering or leaving. Sanders subsequently made references in private to "conversations with [his] friend Carl' (spelling uncertain). Actions Taken: None. Item: On April 5th, 2021, during the annual White House Easter Egg Hunt, President Joseph Biden (SCP-8443-07) complained of his PPE— a cloth face mask— becoming difficult to remove. The item was found to have fused to his skin on a molecular level for a period of approximately twenty minutes before it could be removed. Actions Taken: A Foundation agent embedded within the Secret Service was able to administer medical treatment to Biden while the anomaly was ongoing. Due to Biden's emotional state, no information regarding SCP-8443 could be extracted from him at this time. While Dr. Okorie's team was en route to Washington, D.C., Director McInnis would receive an unusual phone call. Director McInnis: You have reached SCP Foundation Site-43 through a secure line. State your clearance code at once. Unknown Speaker: Is this Allan McInnis I'm speaking to? Director McInnis: State your clearance code. Unknown Speaker: Uh, one moment, where'd I put the dang thing… "Celtic-Phoenix-Springtime-Dry-Levee." Director McInnis: Hm. This is Allan McInnis speaking. To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. President? President Biden: I understand that you folks are investigating a matter related to the current… mortal status of the people in the government. Director McInnis: We are, sir. We're concerned about the anomalous aftereffects it's having. I understand that you were subject to one of them. President Biden: Eh, you should've seen what happened to Barack. Few days before Election Night in 2012, gravity increased around him. He couldn't pick up anything and had trouble walking. Poor man. Director McInnis: So you see why we need to contain it. Imagine something like that happening on a public stage. If the anomalous were exposed, then it could be catastrophic. President Biden: Allan, in my experience, the American people are willing to accept a lot of weirdness. You've never wondered how Gabby Giffords3 survived being shot in the head? How Jimmy Carter's still hanging on? People notice, Allan, but they don't care. Which is why I'm asking you to stop looking into this. Silence on the recording. Director McInnis: I beg your pardon, Mr. President, the connection must have cut out. Did you just say you wanted us to stop investigating this anomaly? President Biden: I do. I realize it's not… great that it exists, but it's keeping stuff functional. Director McInnis: Sir, with all due respect, at least a quarter of your legislature unironically believe you're a member of a Satanic cabal of cannibalistic pedophiles alongside Hillary Clinton and George Soros. I would not call that functional. President Biden: I'd rather have a couple of loons heckle me during the next couple States of the Union than have this go away. Director McInnis: Sir, we contain the anomalous. That isn't an option. President Biden: Allan, the difference is that those kids care about holding onto power, or getting money, or their culture war horseshit. I don't care about any of that. I'm an old man, and I'd like to see my first term through. This thing you're investigating, it's keeping the old ticker running. I'm trying my best to give power back to the American people and do something about wealth inequality and everything Trump did, but… I need more time. I need more resources. This thing helps me with both. Director McInnis: Here I thought you were supposed to be decent. President Biden: There hasn't been a 'decent' President since Jimmy's seat got stolen from him. There aren't any good options, just… less-bad ones. Director McInnis: Sir… I simply don't have that authority. It would have to come down from the O5 Council. President Biden: Well get them to debate it, then. Director McInnis: Your request has been noted. Have a good day, sir. Director McInnis replaces the phone with a slightly excessive amount of force. A chip of plastic falls off of the casing. He sits back in his seat, opens a drawer in his desk, and produces an unopened pack of Michelson-brand cigarettes, fidgeting with the wrapper for several minutes before putting it away. When President Biden's request was presented to the O5 Council three hours later, the following vote was carried out after less than fifteen minutes of deliberation: PROPOSAL: Cease Containment Efforts of SCP-8443. YEA NAY ABSTAIN O5-1 O5-2 O5-3 O5-4 O5-5 O5-6 O5-7 O5-8 O5-9 O5-10 O5-11 O5-12 O5-13 MOTION FAILS The Department of Political Science broadened their search criteria, and discovered that SCP-8443 extended not only to members of the federal government, but several state governments, down to at least the level of Member of State Legislature. Item: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (SCP-8443-982) has his genitalia rapidly necrotize and fall off, leaving a smooth portion of skin. DeSantis has required medical intervention to urinate since March of 2020. Actions Taken: None. Item: Video surfaces of actor and Former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger (SCP-8443-1003) locked in combat with several anomalous selachian entities off the coast of Los Angeles. Analysis has determined the video is authentic. Actions Taken: Schwarzenegger has been put under monitoring for potential connections to the Selachain Pugnatorial Centre, an extra-universal Group of Interest. Item: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (SCP-8443-997) enters a restroom in Ohio's gubernatorial mansion, and cannot be located subsequent to this. The only extant trace of him found are eyeglasses on top of a toilet tank. Actions Taken: DeWine covertly replaced by a somatic backup. Item: The head of Ohio State House Member Gary Click (SCP-8443-1579) explodes while Click is eating dinner with his family. Despite this, Click continues biological processes and is capable of vocalizing out of his anus, seemingly ignorant of his condition. Actions Taken: Click's head replaced by the Foundation using cloned tissue. Amnestics administered to the Click family. Item: On June 3rd, 2021, Florida Senator Marco Rubio's (SCP-8443-255)'s hair transforms into several venomous snakes native to the Potomac Valley during a press conference. Actions Taken: All footage seized and destroyed. Rubio was administered antivenom for his condition. Non-anomalous hair regrew over the course of six weeks, during which time Rubio wore a hairpiece. Item: Utah Senator and former Governor of Maryland Willard Mittens Romney (SCP-8443-403) has his middle name forcibly altered by a member of Homo sapiens sidhe, as Romney strikes a deal to alleviate symptoms of acute EVE poisoning which caused non-living materials related to the Mormon faith to rapidly decay in his presence. Actions Taken: Senator Romney is still capable of being referred to by the diminutive 'Mitt'. Foundation webcrawlers have been assigned to conceal this name change in various online sources. Item: Colorado House Representative Lauren Boebert (SCP-8443-143) and Georgia House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (SCP-8443-144) experience a somatic exchange that lasts for five days, starting on June 6th, 2021. Actions Taken: None required; Boebert and Greene's near-identical rhetoric and behavior patterns meant that the change was not noticed by the wider public. Okorie and Reynders diverted their travel plans and arrived at Site-219 on June 17th, hoping to obtain answers regarding Crocker's former partner, Dr. Alexandre Hilbert. Chief Ibanez followed the original itinerary and made her way to Washington, D.C.. Following the Impasse, Site-219 had diminished in functionality, as Nx-10 (Saltville, New York) had experienced a sharp decline in anomalous activity. Dr. Okorie: If I can ask, why hasn't he been given an official SCP designation? Agent Kevin Winsthrop, Head of Security, Site-219: Who, Dr. Hilbert? Do you… normally classify researchers as SCPs at Site-43? Dr. Reynders: …numerous times. Agent Winsthrop: Well, it's a bit more… lax around here. Don't terribly like it— it's gotten people killed in the past. This one agent, Denton, got KIA a few years ago, tried to pick a fight with the police and ended up getting a knife in his neck for the troubles. At least Silvinski died a hero. Dr. Okorie: Who? Agent Winsthrop: Long story. He's through here. Winsthrop opens a door marked 'QUANTUM RESEARCH DIVISION'. A man emerges from the hallway, carrying a stack of papers. Winsthrop leads the two researchers further in, where they encounter the same man looking over a similar stack of papers, chewing on a pencil. Agent Winshtrop: Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check in on Dr. Langford. Memetic filters failed on one of his projects again. Dr. Okorie: Wait… didn't we just… Dr. Hilbert: No, I don't have a twin. Dr. Reynders: Maybe he has a twin? Silence on the recording. Dr. Reynders: Literally seconds before I spoke. How… Dr. Hilbert: Oh, Ilse, good to see you again! Dr. Reynders: You… must be mistaken. I've been in containment for the last… Dr. Hilbert: …oh balls. So this is our first time meeting from your perspective? Dr. Reynders: Yes. Dr. Hilbert: Forgive me. My quantum state is not quite… grounded. I'm sort of… everything, everywhere, all at once. Is that out yet? Dr. Okorie: Sort of a Slaughterhouse-Five deal? Dr. Hilbert: Yes, but the film version. Billy Pilgrim in the novel is a goddamn sad-sack. If you're here, and this is our first meeting… then I presume you need my help to stop Sue. Dr. Reynders: …is that your name for Elizabeth Crocker? Dr. Hilbert: Her real name is Susanna Schmidt, but she'd never admit it to anyone she didn't completely trust. She picked the name 'Betty Crocker' as a joke because she didn't think anyone would fall for it. I'm told that she became a bit of… a… Dr. Hilbert's face falls. Dr. Hilbert: I'm remembering what she's going to do. Oh, Susan… Dr. Okorie: Are you aware of what she's done, then? The 'hate-makes-you-live-longer' spell? Dr. Hilbert: Thaumatology isn't my field of study. But she's been sustaining it for as long as I've known her. Even before I… before my accident, she wanted to antagonize the Foundation. Dr. Reynders: Makes sense. The animosity of hundreds of thousands of people, pouring into one person… Dr. Okorie: But why did she do it to the U.S. Government? Dr. Hilbert: There aren't many ways to get people to hate you more quickly than by offering them what you have, but worse. She's sipping on 1945 Romanée Contee, and everyone else affected by it is stuck with Great Value Boxed Wine, and it's still better than what they deserve. Dr. Reynders: You're ex-CIA, and current Foundation. Do you… really have the ability to moralize about that? Dr. Hilbert: Being quantumly unstuck gives you a lot of time to think about your place in the universe, or lack thereof. I get a doctorate in philosophy about a decade from now, a few years after I help co-author a paper about myself. In any case… you're going to need my help if we're going to stop Susan. Dr. Okorie: We believe she's based in D.C. Does your foreknowledge let you know where she is? Dr. Hilbert: It doesn't work like that. I… tend to jump around. Last week from my perspective was 2025, the week before that was 1973, week before that 2011. I experienced a month of New Year's Eve celebrations a while ago, all in backwards order. Not sure what to make of it. Dr. Reynders: Perhaps the same treatment that worked on me would… Dr. Hilbert: We try that in a few years. It… doesn't go well. Even after I tell you this, you still try it anyway, because the timeline needs to be preserved. While Dr. Hilbert was being acquired, Chief Ibanez was attempting to investigate an anomalous event in Washington, D.C. related to SCP-8443. Chief Ibanez is in the audience of a Congressional Press Briefing, posing as a member of the South Carolina Press, a Foundation front organization. She is observing Senator Mitch McConnell giving a conference. Senator McConnell: Frankly, I think it's a pity that myself and my colleagues across the aisle can't see eye-to-eye on the simplest of issues anymore. Passing this budget should be a no-brainer, but the Democratic obstructionism is vast and… Ibanez's body camera records a flash of movement behind McConnell. Ibanez does not register it. McConnell's speech continues. Senator McConnell: …think that it's a pity that the forces of evil continually attempt to subvert our own evil empire, which is vaster and more insidious than you could ever know. Do you know how many names Epstein didn't have in his black book? A quarter of Congress should be in jail for that alone. A gash appears on McConnell's face. No members of the press corps react, other than Ibanez. Chief Ibanez: Shit, he's Reaganing live on stage. POI-001 appears on the stage next to McConnell as series of cuts open on his hands. She whistles a song that is memetic in nature; the press corps abruptly begins to disband. Ibanez is unaffected, due to memetic conditioning. She sits in place as Crocker addresses McConnell. POI-001: Mitch, you're falling apart again. Senator McConnell: I have seen the death of media, and it begins with the Butlerian Jihand… POI-001: Who the fuck read you Dune? Ibanez stands, drawing a concealed firearm, and shoots POI-001 directly in the back. The bullet passes through her, the wound quickly healing. POI-001: Motherfuck! Who the hell— POI-001 turns to face Ibanez. POI-001: Either you're a very savvy UIU Agent, or you're Foundation. Chief Ibanez: It's been a while since we've seen each other, Betty. POI-001: Have we met? Chief Ibanez: Zevala. 1994. I was sixteen. POI-001: …ah. You're the survivor. Not surprised the Foundation picked— Chief Ibanez shoots POI-001 several more times, until her gun clicks on empty. Crocker regenerates from her wounds. POI-001: You do realize the very act of trying to kill me is just making me stronger, right? In a way, I'm glad you survived; nothing like a bit of genocide to get the survivors to despise you. Oh, in a couple of years, we're going to guarantee that Mitch here lives to be 200 years old. Chief Ibanez: Believe it or not, me filling you with lead is a distraction. Zwist, now! POI-001: Don't try to bluff me. Zwist is in Ukraine, dealing with— SCP-6382: Oh Lilibet. How are you still so naive? Then again, you never were much one to consider the Ways of the world, were you? SCP-6382 appears from behind a pillar in the press hall. POI-001: No! The Capitol's a thaumic dead zone! There shouldn't be any Ways in here— SCP-6382: Normally there aren't, but a friend in the Hand helped me make one. SCP-6382 calls off-camera. Keep it open for a bit longer, Mr. Marquez, I should be done here soon. POI-001: Thilo. What are you going to play me this time? This Land Is Your Land, perhaps? SCP-6382: No, I'm not going to try the music—Arlo and Sarah Lee cannot accomplish what Woodrow did. They are very skilled, but thanks largely to your interventions, every time they try to deliver justice, it just falls on ears of stone. We both know you're immune to the family's songs, now. Perhaps Tom could do something, but he's very old now. SCP-6382 sighs. SCP-6382: Do you know how long I've tried to find you, Lilibet? I do have some modicum of respect for you, believe it or not. That's why I'm not addressing you by your actual name. Maybe if I had nurtured you properly, this wouldn't be happening. I have been looking for you, Lilibet, for fifty-one years, eleven months, and thirteen days so I could say this. Stop Chasing Phantoms. POI-001 convulses and is briefly lifted into the air. Chief Ibanez: The hell did you do? SCP-6382: Transfer of knowledge. I read something interesting in a file that was laying on a desk. Chief Ibanez: …you just told her that Hill's alive, didn't you? SCP-6382: Yes. But it's up to her if she believes it. If she does, she may turn over a new leaf, but if she doesn't… Hell hath no fury, and such. SCP-6382 approaches POI-001 and removes several firearms from their person. SCP-6382: You're slipping. Even seventy years ago, you would have relied on the word as opposed to these. I'm disappointed. POI-001 falls to the ground, letting out a gasping, screaming sob. POI-001: You fucking monster. I should strangle you right now, schriftsteller. I only put two bullets into Okorie, I should make you look like Swiss cheese! SCP-6382: That's our cue. Marquez? The world around Ibanez shifts, and she and Zwist are suddenly at the National Mall. An unidentified male figure is maintaining a portal. Chief Ibanez: You really know how to piss a woman off, Zwist. SCP-6382: I do, I do. I have to be on my way now. Attacks happening all over. Chief Ibanez: Will you be there when it counts? SCP-6382 produces a pamphlet and hands it to Chief Ibanez. SCP-6382: Read this aloud and I'll be there within thirty seconds, no matter where I am. Chief Ibanez: Understood. Who is that helping you? Another student? SCP-6382: He's a friend of mine. I don't teach anymore. Marquez, we're heading to Thailand next. 'Marquez': Can't do that amount of distance. We'll have to go back to the hub first. SCP-6382: Very well. SCP-6382 and 'Marquez' vanish into the portal, which closes soon after. Drs. Okorie, Reynders and Hilbert made their way to Washington, D.C., arriving in the city on June 21st. By this time, Crocker had altered the SCP-8443 rite to absorb more emnity; this resulted in multiple anomalous incidents, including: Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas (SCP-8443-57) and Brett Kavanaugh (SCP-8443-58) experiencing Class-3 smiting events, necessitating a somatic backups for both parties; Extrauniversal bleedthrough in the Capitol Building, resulting in the Senate debating on the creation of "The Department of Tragedy" and the House voting on the "White Genocide Prevention Act" and "White Purity Act"; Representatives claiming to be from the states of Cascadia, Lincoln, and Kenswick taking interviews on Fox News and CNN. One of these was later found to be an instance of SCP-1377. Ibanez tracked Crocker to a disused office building on K Street; it had been vacated during the COVID Pandemic, and had yet to return to full-scale use. Hilbert was instructed to wait outside while Okorie, Ibanez and Reynders attempted to confront Crocker. Crocker is seen staring out the windows at K Street below. She is separated from the group from Site-43 by a light purple thaumic barrier. Dr. Okorie: Guten Abend, Susanna. Crocker: So Zwist told you my real name, then. Hmm. Should've killed him back in '92 when I had the chance. Crocker attempts to enact a rite; Okorie counters it with one of her own. Crocker: Ah, so you're Izaak's grand-daughter, then. Heard your dad's rotting in Hell. Ibanez draws her weapon and attempts to shoot out the barrier. Okorie manages to weaken it slightly, while Dr. Reynders stands by. Crocker: Ilse, good to finally meet you as well. I have to ask what sort of moisturizer you use. Dr. Reynders: Spare us, Crocker. Your monologuing would embarass a Bond villian. Crocker: Be reasonable, and ask yourselves: what's stopping me from just doing this again elsewhere? Like, say, Israel, or Russia? The level of hatred Americans feel for their politicians is nothing compared to the ire that Netenyahu or Putin draw on an international stage. Dr. Okorie: By the time we're done with you, you're going to be lucky if you can form a consonant, let alone cast a spell. Crocker: What are you going to do to me? Everything you throw at me makes me stronger, because you all hate me. Unless you start feeling indifferent to me right now, not only am I immortal, I can microwave your brains right about… Crocker begins to form a kinetoglyph with her hands, but is interrupted by another voice whistling Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly. Crocker: …Zwist, if that's you again, I am going to… Okorie turns. Her camera captures Dr. Hilbert entering the room. Dr. Okorie: We told you to wait outside until we gave the signal! Dr. Hilbert: I just… I wanted to see what was happening. I heard gunshots, and… Dr. Hilbert looks at Crocker. Dr. Hilbert: Hello, Sue. Been a while. Crocker: …this is sick, even by your standards. What, is he a clone? A somatic backup? Android? You pluck him from an alternate reality where I died instead? Dr. Hilbert: When you found what was left of my original body, we had plans. We were going to see The Nutty Professor together that night. You said I reminded you of Klemp. Crocker: …n-no. No… Ibanez produces the pamphlet that Zwist handed her and reads it to herself, muttering. Dr. Hilbert: Our first date was at a bar in New York City. Owner was a collector of Roman artifacts. Claimed to own one of the daggers that killed Caesar. Crocker: Shut up. Dr. Hilbert: Your favorite scent is woodsmoke, and… I'm not sure what your favorite book is now, but you couldn't get enough of Ray Bradbury's works. Though I imagine your thoughts on Fahrenheit 451 have changed in the last… how long has it been, Sue? Crocker: …fifty-seven years, two months, eighteen days. Dr. Hilbert: Then I'm off by a couple of thousand years. Crocker: Hill, how… how are you… Crocker dispels the barrier, and steps forward, embracing Dr. Hilbert. Crocker: How are you alive? Dr. Hilbert: The brace unmade me. Scattered my essence around the multiverse. It took me four years before I was able to recombine myself, and I've been… scattered, ever since. Two months ago, from my perspective, it was 2013. Crocker visibly shakes in Hilbert's arms. Hilbert strokes her back and Crocker lets out a wail. Dr. Hilbert: I wish I could have found you sooner. I'm sorry. Crocker: Almost sixty years. Sixty years, for… for what? I… Hill, do you know what I've done? H… how many people I've killed? How many monsters I've upheld? All to just… get revenge for you, and all this time, you… Dr. Hilbert: It wasn't even the Foundation that did it. They were honestly fairly gracious about losing me. It's my own fault, Sue. I screwed up the calculations, and… Dr. Hilbert sighs. Dr. Hilbert: I never stopped missing you. Crocker: I'm a monster, Hill. I was made into a monster. I just… all this time, I… you're positive the Foundation had… Dr. Hilbert: Saw their records myself. Crocker: Oh god. A man is heard clearing his throat, before Thilo Zwist appears. SCP-6382: I find it deeply ironic that, for a writer, you are incapable of either communicating or listening, Lilibet. Izaak told you what had happened to Hilbert, and you killed him for it. If at any point, you had just asked me about Alexandre here, I would have told you where he was and how you could be with him again. But instead? You insisted on a crusade that is on the verge of leaving reality in shambles. Crocker lets out a sob, and abruptly pulls away from Hilbert, looking at her hands. She is rapidly undergoing the process of aging. Chief Ibanez: Udo, what's happening? Dr. Okorie: She's been rumbled. Sustaining a rite like this requires a fair bit of concentration, and… I think we just broke it in a big way. Dr. Reynders: I'm not sure it's just that. I… all this time, she was angry at us for no reason. I don't think I can bring myself to hate her anymore. Chief Ibanez: That makes one of us. Ibanez raises her firearm again. Dr. Okorie: Fina, no! Chief Ibanez: She took my whole family from me. Everyone I ever knew. You expect me to forgive her and sing kumbaya? Dr. Okorie: Fina, I understand your pain. But it's actively making her stronger. Let her die from the rite failing. One person's hatred can't sustain it for much longer, even if it is as intense as yours. Crocker falls to her knees. She resembles a woman at least aged 100. Dr. Hilbert: …this isn't how it ends, I'm afraid. Dr. Okorie: What? Dr. Hilbert kneels next to Crocker. Dr. Hilbert: It's going to be okay, Sue. Crocker's flesh begins necrotizing rapidly. Dr. Hilbert: C'mon… this isn't the end, here. Crocker looks up at Dr. Hilbert, tears in her eyes. There is a burst of EVE that disrupts the recording; when it resumes, Crocker, her hair still white, is standing, reverted back to her previous age. Dr. Reynders: What in the— Crocker: …huh. That answers that question, then. Dr. Okorie: W-What question? Crocker: Whether the rite can be sustained by self-loathing. Crocker laughs. Truly, I have to thank all of you. For decades, I thought I had nothing to live for. But now that I know Hill is alive? Crocker steps up and kisses Hilbert on the lips. Crocker: I most definitely do. Dr. Hilbert: I've seen how this ends, Sue. You don't have to do this. SCP-6382: He's right, Lilibet, it's not too late. You can still… you can still be on the right side of history. Crocker: History is written by the victors, Thilo, and we intend to win. If it's any consolation, you don't have to worry about the government anymore. There's enough residual energy from it that I imagine Trump and Kissinger will stick around for at least a few more years. Crocker enacts a rite on the window behind her, disintegrating it. Crocker: Im Gift steckt die Wahrheit. In Wahrheit gibt es Macht.4 SCP-6382: Und um deine Wahrheit zu erreichen, bist du bereit, die Welt niederzubrennen?5 Crocker grabs Hilbert's wrist. Crocker: Nothing you haven't done before. Crocker drags Hilbert out the window. Another burst of EVE disrupts the recording; when Okorie looks out the window, she sees no signs of impact. Dr. Okorie: …well. Shit. Susanna Schmidt/Elizabeth Crocker is currently at large, alongside Dr. Alexandre Hilbert. SCP Classification for both parties is pending. Following this, the vast majority of anomalous activity affecting SCP-8443-A instances ceased; however, Donald Trump, Henry Kissinger6, Diane Feinstein7, Mitch McConnell, and several other politicians continue to be sustained by the aftereffects of SCP-8443, but no anomalous events beyond this have occurred. Downgrade from Keter to Euclid or Archon is currently pending. Furthermore, several Foundation thaumaturges, including Dr. Okorie, have begun work on a thaumic countermeasure to prevent rites such as SCP-8443 from being enacted on other governments. It is expected to be enacted some time in early 2022. Footnotes 1. The gradual cessation of anomalous phenomena on a multiversal scale. 2. Translated from Dutch: "What the fuck? It's impossible. She can't be alive." 3. Retired U.S. Representative for Arizona 4. In Poison, there is Truth. In Truth, there is Power. 5. And to achieve your truth, are you willing to burn down the world? 6. Kissinger passed away on November 29th 2023. 7. Died September 29th, 2023. |
SCP-8444 | safe | Never let anyone or anything take away your soul, Willow. Never let them take away your ability to wonder. Never let them take away your ability to feel. Without it, you have nothing. SCP-8444 - I’ll Be There With You written by cubeflix Image Credits: header.jpg is from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Minneopa_Falls_LCCN2013647186.jpg Text Credits: Opening quote is 1 Corinthians 13:12-13. 13:12 taken from King James Version (public domain). 13:13 taken from World English Bible (public domain). ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. But now faith, hope, and love remain— these three. The greatest of these is love. Item#: SCP-8444 Level3 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: notice link to memo Minneopa State Park, MN, USA. Assigned Site Site Director Research Heads Assigned Task Force Site-282 Dr. Anabelle Roster Dr. Adam Kline, Dr. Willow Aguirre ATF 282-Samekh ("Happy Campers") Special Containment Procedures: A thirty-meter interdiction zone and perimeter are to be established around the opening of SCP-8444. Exploration and experimentation requests regarding SCP-8444 are to be authorized by SCP-8444's research heads before proceeding. Description: SCP-8444 is the designation for a Type-III interdimensional aperture located in Minneopa State Park, MN, USA, and the Class-Green self-sustaining pocket dimension it leads to. Initial expeditions have shown that the interior of SCP-8444 is capable of sustaining human life and is inhabited by other lifeforms (collectively referred to as SCP-8444-A), many of which display anomalous thaumaturgical abilities. Chemically and biologically, substances and organisms within SCP-8444 are relatively similar to that of baseline reality, barring some anatomical, chemical, and thaumaturgical differences. The primary inhabitants of SCP-8444 appear to be a species of vaguely humanoid creatures (designated as a subset of SCP-8444-A). They are green in coloration and possess short, slender bodies, and distinct, high-set features. All instances are hairless, however, many members of the species possess manes of long chitinous material, extending from their backs to their feet. They appear to possess a high degree of sapience. As of writing, no contact has been established. SCP-8444's portal will open once every seven days for a period of between five and ten minutes. Access to SCP-8444 at other times is believed to be impossible. Addendum 8444-1: Expedition On 2027/09/01, Head Researchers Adam Kline and Willow Aguirre entered SCP-8444 on a multi-day expedition to investigate the topology of the dimension and the lifeforms inhabiting the anomaly. The SCP-8444 research team declined the use of a Mobile Task Force for the operation, citing operational issues with a large team, and thus, a two person team was chosen instead. They were also tasked with performing several experiments submitted by the SCP-8444 research team and collecting various samples throughout the locale. The establishment of a temporary forward operating base in SCP-8444 was also of priority. They were provided with food and provisions for seven days, clothes and tents, camping gear, and various scientific instruments necessary for conducting experiments within SCP-8444. Aguirre was also provided with a pre-trained ROSETTA.aic instance loaded onto a handheld device, capable of spontaneously learning and translating unknown languages. A log of their expedition has been included below. [BEGIN LOG] KLINE: You know, I've been looking forward to this for a while. AGUIRRE: Wow, really? You've never mentioned it once. KLINE: [Laughs.] Oh, come on. You know I like this sort of stuff. [Pauses.] I'm surprised that you agreed to come in the first place, Willow. AGUIRRE: Really? Why? KLINE: I dunno, I never thought you'd be into doing this sort of thing. At your last project, your whole team went without you. AGUIRRE: Well, times have changed, I guess. KLINE: Why? AGUIRRE: I'm with my friend this time. [COMMAND speaks over the pair's walkie-talkies.] COMMAND: You're cleared for entry. Conditions look nominal. Good luck in there, you two. AGUIRRE: Thanks. [AGUIRRE fastens the strap on her backpack.] AGUIRRE: Lets go. [The pair steps through the aperture into SCP-8444. As they do, the camera cuts out for a brief moment, before transmitting again. A chime sounds, indicating a change in atmospheric pressure.] [Within SCP-8444 is a massive purple-green forest dimly illuminated by a large, setting pink sun, casting long shadows across the horizon. Dotting the landscape are small huts constructed with sticks, purple leaves, and an unidentified white wooly substance. Smoke billows from large, circular chimneys extending out of the roofs of the huts, and a warm, orange glow emanates from each of the windows. The trees are tall and wide, and their leaves create a large canopy above the ground.] [KLINE and AGUIRRE are standing in a small clearing, surrounded by rocks. Carved on each of the rocks are carvings in an unknown script. A brief rush of air flows past the pair, startling AGUIRRE.] [In the distance, a massive, winged avian creature soars beneath the canopy of leaves. It caws at the two researchers, before flying back through the leaves, towards the open sky.] AGUIRRE: It's… beautiful. Even more beautiful in person. [KLINE and AGUIRRE begin walking towards the huts in the distance.] AGUIRRE: Do you– are you sure it's a good idea to go towards the houses? What if they, you know, attack? KLINE: The houses? AGUIRRE: No, the people, silly. The rovers never got close enough to find out. [Toward the huts, small, green humanoid creatures can be seen walking around and speaking to each other. The creatures are elf-like in appearance, and visibly shorter than either AGUIRRE or KLINE. Their voices are barely audible at such a distance, and not in any currently known language. They do not seem to notice the researchers.] AGUIRRE: They’re… kinda cute. Maybe we should try to approach them. KLINE: Look who wants to talk to the elves now, huh? The sun's setting soon, I think we should probably look for a place to set up camp. We can investigate a bit tomorrow morning. [AGUIRRE and KLINE walk towards a clearing in the distance. Once they arrive, KLINE sets up the tent and camp while AGUIRRE collects samples of the water and foliage.] [Once she arrives back at the camp, KLINE sits down on a fallen log and attempts to start the stove. He tries once, but the stove does not light. He tries again, and it still does not light.] KLINE: Come on– [KLINE tries to light the stove three more times, before giving up.] KLINE: [Grunting.] Is this thing broken? Why doesn't it light? AGUIRRE: Maybe propane fuel doesn't work here. KLINE: Maybe. Note that down, if you could. We're gonna need fire for some of the tests OPCOM sent over. [Pauses.] Firewood'll work, I think. Most of this stuff is wet though, I think I'll have to go a bit deeper to find dry wood. Stay here and man the tent. I'll be back in no time. AGUIRRE: Alright. Be safe. [KLINE begins towards the forest, away from the clearing and the huts. AGUIRRE enters the newly erected tent and begins setting up various monitoring devices and experiments from a large case on the ground. Extraneous logs have been removed.] [At around 2109 hours, AGUIRRE is startled by a loud scream coming from the direction of KLINE. She exits the tent and looks around. By now, the sun has nearly set and the forest is dark. AGUIRRE runs towards the direction of the screams.] AGUIRRE: Adam!? Adam!? Can you hear me? [There is no response. Another scream is heard. AGUIRRE pulls out her walkie-talkie and radios KLINE.] AGUIRRE: Adam, can you hear me? Over. [She gets no response. She runs further toward the direction of the screams.] AGUIRRE: Adam! [In the distance, a pair of glowing red eyes can be seen. A man's body is visible, faintly illuminated by the setting sun, calling for help. As AGUIRRE hesitantly approaches, she can see that it is KLINE.] KLINE: Willow! Help! AGUIRRE: Adam! I'm coming! [The creature holding KLINE can be seen more clearly now. It is a large wolf-like entity with red fur and one large ear on the top of its head. It holds KLINE in its mouth, yet he does not bleed. It growls.] AGUIRRE: [Strained, tentatively.] Drop him! Now! Please! [The creature begins to run away from AGUIRRE, letting out a loud howl as it does so. She startles and falls to the ground, before standing back up.] [AGUIRRE runs towards the creature. However, as she does so, the topology of the landscape shifts, and she now finds herself running perpendicular to the direction of the creature. As they continue further and further from the light of the huts, she encounters more and more spatial anomalies. The creature does not seem to be affected by these.] AGUIRRE: [Panting, out of breath.] No, please, no. Come back! [The creature runs off towards a mountain in the distance, away from the light, taking KLINE with it.] AGUIRRE: Please, someone help! Please! [By now, the shouting has alerted the entities from the village of the researchers' presence. A group of seven small, elf-like humanoid creatures have gathered behind AGUIRRE. One of them squeaks. As she turns to acknowledge the sound, she sees them and startles again, once more falling to the ground. She accidentally knocks one of the creatures down as she falls, and it lets out a squeal.] AGUIRRE: Oh, god, please. I'm sorry, I don't mean to hurt you, please. [The creatures are short, about 1.5 meters in height, with thin, slender bodies and lacking hair. Long locks of chitinous material extend down from their arms, terminating at their feet. Their faces are vaguely humanoid, with long, distinct features and large, pointed ears on the tops of their heads. A small gold orb floats above each of their heads, providing light. They look down at AGUIRRE. They look up towards the creature in the distance. They begin speaking animately to each other.] [After a moment, AGUIRRE tentatively stands up.] AGUIRRE: I— what do I… whatever. Screw protocol. Please. Do you know where they went? Can you– can you please help? [The entities immediately fall silent. The look towards her. Six of them begin slowing skulking backward– however, one of them stays behind (designated SCP-8444-A1).] AGUIRRE: Can you– do you understand English? [SCP-8444-A1 does not respond. It stares back at AGUIRRE with a look of confusion and curiosity.] AGUIRRE: Wait, no, of course you don't. Hold, on, wait… [AGUIRRE attempts to search for the ROSETTA.aic instance in her bag, before realizing that her bag was left at the camp. Instead, she begins gesturing at the entity, making slow hand motions. A look of confusion spreads across SCP-8444-A1's face.] AGUIRRE: Okay, this isn't…. Wait. Come with me. Quick. [AGUIRRE gestures toward the entity to begin following her as she runs back toward the base. It begins running after her. When she arrives, she begins digging through her backpack and finds the ROSETTA.aic instance. She powers it on and begins speaking.] AGUIRRE: Can you hear me? Can you understand? Hello? [The device begins translating. SCP-8444-A1 looks up in surprise, before nodding incessantly. It begins to chirp at the device in understanding.] SCP-8444-A1: Hello? Yes, yes. I do. You are not one of us. Who are you? What are you? What are you here for? AGUIRRE: Oh my god. It worked. I'm a human– that doesn't matter. Please. We have to find my friend. Please, help me find my friend. SCP-8444-A1: Who? AGUIRRE: My friend. Adam. He looks like me, but… different. [SCP-8444-A1 looks up at AGUIRRE with confusion.] SCP-8444-A1: "Friend"? I don't understand. AGUIRRE: You don't– I guess that doesn't translate well. A fellow human. Someone who looks like me. SCP-8444-A1: The one being taken by the Rufus? AGUIRRE: The what? What— whatever. Yes! Please help me find him! SCP-8444-A1: I do not expect that they will see kindly to a rescue attempt. AGUIRRE: Please, I need to. I need him back. SCP-8444-A1: You must understand that they are dangerous creatures. Why do you want to save another from an inevitable fate? They will take you as well. They have taken more and more each time. AGUIRRE: I– I don't care. He’s my friend. I have to find him, and I can't go alone. I don't know where to go, I don't know how to find him. You must know. Please, help me. SCP-8444-A1: It will be dangerous. I have never been to the far lands. Xar is not a forgiving place. AGUIRRE: But you know. You know how to get there. SCP-8444-A1: I have… seen it, yes. AGUIRRE: So why won't you help me? [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: I have never journeyed with another before. Any mistake will likely mean death. AGUIRRE: Please, just try. Trust me. I'll let you work on your own if you want. It'll be like I'm not even there. [Silence.] AGUIRRE: So what do you say? Will you help me? [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: Alright. Provided you give one favor in return. AGUIRRE: What is it? SCP-8444-A1: You seem to be an individual of very much means and cunning. You are able to speak the language of the Baba without being taught, you have constructed a shelter without the use of the trees. Please, I ask you this. [A faint yell can be heard in the background. AGUIRRE looks up but SCP-8444-A1 does not.] SCP-8444-A1: Help protect this town and this land from the beasts. Figure out a way to remove them– to keep them out. AGUIRRE: Yes. I– of course. Anything. SCP-8444-A1: Good. Is that a deal? AGUIRRE: Yes. [The two shake hands. SCP-8444-A1's small, slender hands are easily dwarfed by AGUIRRE's.] AGUIRRE: How do you suppose we, you know, find him? SCP-8444-A1: There is a castle over in the far regions of Xar where the Rufus take their victims. We will need to go up there to rescue him. But we must wait for the next sunrise. It is not safe to go in the dark. AGUIRRE: Okay. I'll wait here until morning. Can I find you back at the village, or– SCP-8444-A1: Here? It is far too dark here. You will be taken just like the other one. AGUIRRE: Where do I go, then? SCP-8444-A1: You may… stay with me, in my hut, since you are going to help deal with the Rufus. AGUIRRE: I– okay. Thank you. SCP-8444-A1: Please do not thank me, kind traveler. What do you call yourself? AGUIRRE: Willow. Willow Aguirre. SCP-8444-A1: A beautiful name. AGUIRRE: You? SCP-8444-A1: Baba. AGUIRRE: Baba. Baba. Thank you, Baba. Oh, and before I forget. Where are we, exactly? SCP-8444-A1: Here? This is the land of Pira. [END LOG] Because the aperture connecting baseline reality and SCP-8444 had already closed, Willow Aguirre could not contact Site-39 OPCOM to request an exfil operation. Due to this, Aguirre attempted to rescue Adam Kline herself, with help from a local SCP-8444-A instance. Attached below is an excerpt from her personal logs, written that night. It really is a beautiful house. Like most things magic, it's bigger on the inside. SCP-8444-A1 let me set up my sleeping bag in the main room while it took the upstairs one. There's a warm blue fire in the corner of the house, and a little walled garden on the other side. As I write this, I'm lying down atop a straw/wool cushion in the corner of the room. At least I think it's wool. It's a lot more comfortable than it sounds. Apparently, its name is Baba. Actually, all their names are Baba. It's weird. We didn't really talk much. I was absolutely exhausted, and I wasn't really comfortable talking about… anyway. We have a lot to do tomorrow. I miss home. Forget about all the experiments. The plan for tomorrow is relatively simple. At least it sounds that way, but I know it won't be. We travel north towards a land called Xar. We should get there the day after tomorrow if we travel swiftly. There's a castle there where the Baba keep their prisoners. From there… it's hard to tell. I have to stop myself from constantly thinking about Adam. It only makes it worse. But I just can't imagine having to go back through that portal without him. We'll find him. We have to. Addendum 8444-2: Rescue The following morning, Aguirre and SCP-8444-A1 began their mission to rescue Adam Kline. A log has been included below. [BEGIN LOG] [AGUIRRE and SCP-8444-A1 stand at the edge of the village. They are walking toward the direction of a large mountain in the distance. It is bright in the daylight– they are surrounded by thick, colorful foliage, while strange bird-like creatures vocalize from the sky.] AGUIRRE: Thank you, again. For your help. I know this isn't exactly orthodox, but… SCP-8444-A1: Do not mention it. We have a deal, remember? AGUIRRE: Right. Yeah. Everything here is so… new. SCP-8444-A1: That reminds me. Where are you from, anyway? AGUIRRE: I guess I can't talk about the Fou– the people I work with, but I guess I can talk about where I'm from. I– us humans, are from Earth. I live in a home, kind of like your hut, but with other people. SCP-8444-A1: There are others in your home? AGUIRRE: My mom. My wife Lily. SCP-8444-A1: Wife? AGUIRRE: Yeah. Like someone you love and choose to spend your life with. SCP-8444-A1: “Love”? AGUIRRE: Don’t tell me you don’t know what that means either. [Pauses.] Besides, why are you asking me all this anyway? SCP-8444-A1: Just… curious. [Silence.] AGUIRRE: Okay, fine. I’m sorry. It’s just— this is all weird and new to me and I’m just worried for my friend and everything here is just so… different. I’m sorry. SCP-8444-A1: Oh. AGUIRRE: And I’ve never been one for adventures. SCP-8444-A1: Why’s that? AGUIRRE: I don’t know… alright, fine. When I was a kid, there was a forest behind our house. One day, I went out with my dad on an adventure to go look for berries. There was a gorge, and he fell down into a river that day. Never learned to swim. We got him out, but… he couldn't walk for weeks. I've always hated heights. That's why I hate adventures. It's like… a death wish. SCP-8444-A1: How did you remember all that? From your childhood? AGUIRRE: Don't know. I haven't been here long. Well… not long enough to forget, I guess. SCP-8444-A1: Was it scary? AGUIRRE: Yeah. But afterwards, it was mostly… sad SCP-8444-A1: I feel like… as if I am sorry for your sadness. AGUIRRE: Yeah. Thank you. That's very kind. [AGUIRRE and SCP-8444 are hiking up the side of the mountain, with visible difficulty. The two suns shine directly overhead.] SCP-8444-A1: Let me ask you something. Who is this person you care so much to rescue? AGUIRRE: I guess I never told you. They're my friend. SCP-8444-A1: Perhaps that did not translate well. Who are they? What makes you care so much to rescue them? [Silence. AGUIRRE sighs.] AGUIRRE: I met him on a project a couple years back— your “rotations”, I guess, and he was my supervisor. That was my first project and it was… absolutely brutal. That was right when my dog died, too— a dog is an animal is humans keep for company. He found me crying in the break room one day and he helped me through it. He taught me how to be… okay and not okay. We've been friends ever since. That’s why he matters to me. SCP-8444-A1: Is that what a friend means? AGUIRRE: Yeah. Pretty much. SCP-8444-A1: That is… it makes me feel warm inside. I hope that makes sense. AGUIRRE: I think I get it, yeah. [Silence. The pair continue up the mountain. Extraneous logs removed.] [SCP-8444-A1 and AGUIRRE have passed the summit of the mountain, and now continue down the northern face. Their pace is much quicker, and AGUIRRE hikes down with difficulty as her backpack weighs her down.] SCP-8444-A1: Careful. AGUIRRE: Thanks, I– [AGUIRRE slips. Her backpack pulls her towards the left as her body slips toward the right. Her right leg strikes a rock and her head falls to the ground. She screams as her right arm bends backward and is crushed under the weight of her backpack.] SCP-8444-A1: Oh– Willow! Are you okay? AGUIRRE: Jesus– it… [Deep breaths.] God– it hurts so goddamn– SCP-8444-A1: Here. Put it down. Careful. [SCP-8444-A1 gingerly sets AGUIRRE's arm down on the ground. She closes her eyes in visible pain.] SCP-8444-A1: Do not move your arm. Quick. I can set it. This should help with the pain. [Beads of sweat drip down AGUIRRE's face.] SCP-8444-A1: Hold still. AGUIRRE: Wait– no! What are you– what are you about to do? SCP-8444-A1: Just a quick spell. You won't even feel it happen. AGUIRRE: No, I can't– SCP-8444-A1: Do you want to heal or not? [AGUIRRE breathes deeply.] AGUIRRE: Alright. [SCP-8444-A1 places its hands above AGUIRRE's right arm. It closes its eyes. After a moment, bright sparks begin to glow around her arm. AGUIRRE looks over in apprehension before the sparks disappear and SCP-8444-A1 opens its eyes.] SCP-8444-A1: Keep your arm still, for a while. Wrap some gauze around it. [AGUIRRE reaches into her backpack with her left arm, before wincing in pain and retracting it. SCP-8444-A1 enters AGUIRRE's backpack and pulls out a large roll of gauze. It begins to wrap it around AGUIRRE's right arm.] SCP-8444-A1: How are you feeling? AGUIRRE: Better. Thank you. I remember when my mom used to sit with me like this when I was sick. SCP-8444-A1: Your mom? AGUIRRE: Yeah. She– I don't remember much, but I remember that. SCP-8444-A1: What were they like? AGUIRRE: Kind. Loving. Can't have asked for anyone better. I miss her. [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: That word you used again. “Loving.” What does it mean, exactly? AGUIRRE: How do I explain this? It’s a word that… have you ever been so strongly infatuated with something before? SCP-8444-A1: Perhaps. But never with another. AGUIRRE: Hmm. Aren’t you lonely, all by yourself? SCP-8444-A1: Not at all. AGUIRRE: What makes you get up every morning? SCP-8444-A1: …Usually hunger. AGUIRRE: [Laughs.] No, seriously. SCP-8444-A1: I— I’m not sure. I… I have myself. I have my garden. I have my house. AGUIRRE: What else? SCP-8444-A1: I have magic. I have memories. [Pauses.] My mother taught me how to string memories when I was very young. AGUIRRE: What does that mean? SCP-8444-A1: A form of magic. I can string them into books and etch them into stones. I have a collection of memories and stories from when I was small. I have that to keep me company. AGUIRRE: That's… that's very nice. [Silence.] AGUIRRE: I'm not sure I like this, SCP– Baba. SCP-8444-A1: Why? AGUIRRE: It's… scary. I've never done anything like this before. This is so… so exhausting. SCP-8444-A1: I thought you wanted to rescue your… “friend”. AGUIRRE: What if he's dead already? What if they take us, too? SCP-8444-A1: But what if they are still alive? What if they were waiting for you? AGUIRRE: How do you know, though? SCP-8444-A1: You cannot know. But we can hope. AGUIRRE: How– how? SCP-8444-A1: I have memories still strung from my childhood. In my first rotation, my mother did not think I would make it here. Not many Baba do. I would not grow. I could not walk. [AGUIRRE looks up toward SCP-8444-A1.]/ SCP-8444-A1: But my mother kept feeding me. She kept me warm. And in my third cycle, I grew. I made it. I still have that memory hanging from my ceiling. AGUIRRE: How? SCP-8444-A1: One never knows. One foot in front of another, I suppose. One breath after the next. Just keep moving. Remember your friend. [Tentatively, AGUIRRE stands.] AGUIRRE: We're coming, Adam. [BEGIN LOG] As nightfall approached, the pair continued towards Xar. [BEGIN LOG] [The camera activates, showing a dark, thick forest. In the distance is a large, black landscape, obscuring the horizon. The pair continue to walk towards it.] AGUIRRE: So what is Xar like? SCP-8444-A1: Not pleasant. I have only seen glimpses, never the whole thing. I was taught from a very young age that Xar is not a very good place to be. It is said that Xar is where the Rufus take their victims. AGUIRRE: How many people– how many Baba, I should say, have actually been to Xar? SCP-8444-A1: This rotation? None so far. I have always heard stories, though, from my mother when I was very small. Great tales of warriors entering Xar to unbind a lost child. Stories of Baba taken to Xar who are never heard from again. I heard many stories as a youth. I have not heard any since then. AGUIRRE: Don’t you miss them? Don’t you miss your mother? SCP-8444-A1: Most of what I remember of her I have stored as strings. They were good memories, but I was not taught to… miss. AGUIRRE: Huh. You know, we humans tend to feel a lot of sadness when we leave old friends, old people. I still miss my old friends from, god knows, thirty years ago. I still sometimes miss my dad, too. SCP-8444-A1: Is this the "love" thing you were talking about earlier? AGUIRRE: I guess. I suppose, yeah. It is love, in a way. [Silence. The pair continue walking towards the landscape beyond. After a long silence, AGUIRRE speaks again.] AGUIRRE: Does visiting Xar scare you, a bit? SCP-8444-A1; Of course it does. You would be a fool not to be scared. AGUIRRE: Then why did you agree to help me that night? SCP-8444-A1: There are things more important than fear in this world, Willow. AGUIRRE: Like what? SCP-8444-A1: Easy. Bravery. [Pauses.] Despite all its horribleness, a small part of me has always wanted to see it in person, since I was child. I suppose it was my childhood speaking to you that night. AGUIRRE: Well, I'm glad your childhood chose last night to make an appearance. Have you ever seen anyone else get taken by the Rufus? [SCP-8444-A1 sighs.] SCP-8444-A1: Since I was a child. [Silence. They continue to walk. A soft rustling sound can be heard, as AGUIRRE's clothes slide against the tall foliage.] SCP-8444-A1: I was thinking about your friend again. I liked that feeling. Even though it was not me experiencing it, I liked it. How do you get a friend? AGUIRRE: Well… a friend is someone you love very much, in a different way. Remember what I was talking about earlier, about love? SCP-8444-A1: Maybe. But I don't think I quite understand, yet. AGUIRRE: Hmm. Well, do you think you've experienced it before? Do you think anyone else has ever loved you? SCP-8444-A1: I am… I am not sure if I have. And if I had, I am not sure I would have recognized it. [SCP-8444-A1 pauses to think.] Perhaps my mother’s bond with me was "love", in a way. AGUIRRE: What was it like? SCP-8444-A1: It was… quiet. We lived together in a hut at the edge of town. It was near the end of the light's reach. We had two rooms– one we ate in, and one we slept in. It was simple. I liked it. AGUIRRE: No, what were they like? Your mother. SCP-8444-A1: Oh, them? They were… kind. She taught me language during the day and told me stories during the night. She made the best food I ever had. She hugged me when I was sick. It was… nice. AGUIRRE: That sounds like love, Baba. SCP-8444-A1: Really? AGUIRRE: Oh yes. That sounds like love. [A bird call is heard in the background.] SCP-8444-A1: Maybe it was love. [The camera turns to show a view of the black expanse beyond. Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: Maybe it was. [END LOG] By nightfall, SCP-8444-A1 and Aguirre reached the approximate halfway point between the town of Pira and Xar. They set up a simple camp before preparing for the night; Aguirre eating her Foundation-issue rations and SCP-8444-A1 eating a selection of native foods brought from their home. An excerpt from Aguirre's personal logs has been included below. Pira is quiet at night. Baba and I are taking turns watching the tent. They woke me up for my shift about an hour ago– I figured now would be as good a time as any to write. We agreed that we should head to bed early tonight since we're both exhausted and we have a lot to do tomorrow. I've had no reservations about that. My arm is killing me. Baba's spell helped, but it still hurts like crazy. I'm almost out of painkillers. I don't know what I'm gonna do if it starts hurting even more. Are all expeditions always like this? I hope not. Baba told me all about the castle. All about the spells that protect it. Legends they've heard. No one knows for certain– but the castle apparently holds some prejudice against Baba. Let's hope that isn't true. I don't want to have to go alone. As much as this place scares me, I'm… finding myself liking it more and more. It's the sort of place that gets more beautiful the more you see it. We passed a ravine today, on the mountain. There were living rocks on the cliffsides and glowing vines hanging from the edges. It's really quite magical. You'd have to see it to believe it. Camping kind of sucks. I don't know how Adam did it. Every time he'd get back from a trip he'd spend the next week showering me with tales about all his adventures. I don't know how many of them were entirely true, but… they were interesting, I suppose. Many of them were funny. I appreciated it. And on the days he was gone… I think I missed him. A lot. I missed it when he'd drop by my office with a coffee and pretend to trip and then laugh with me after I realized he was just joking. And then we'd spend the next hour just talking and goofing off, and I'd always get ten items behind on work. But I guess I don't remember the hours that I worked as much as the hours with him, though. I miss him. But we're getting close, I can feel it. In the early morning hours of 2027/09/03, at exactly 0512 hours, Aguirre was awoken by SCP-8444-A1 to the sounds of screaming. [BEGIN LOG] [The camera turns on, showing the dark interior of a tent. The camera rapidly rotates, revealing AGUIRRE; bleary-eyed, but awake. After a moment, she exits the tent, along with the camera.] [Outside, the forest is completely dark; only a few nearby trees can be seen, visible from the light of a full moon in the sky. AGUIRRE clicks on a flashlight, fully revealing the exterior of the tent. In the background, SCP-8444-A1 can be heard, screaming.] SCP-8444-A1: Willow! Willow! Help! [The camera swivels to show SCP-8444-A1, wielding a large stick at a red-haired wolf-like creature. The entity is slowly skulking towards SCP-8444-A1, growling and baring its teeth as it does so. Its eyes shine bright red.] AGUIRRE: Oh– oh my god! [AGUIRRE backs up slightly. She begins breathing heavily, and starts to move behind the tent.] SCP-8444-A1: Please! Help! AGUIRRE: What should I do?! SCP-8444-A1: Grab a weapon! And get more lights! Anything bright! My light won't last long against it! [AGUIRRE stands frozen in place, unresponsive.] SCP-8444-A1: Now! [AGUIRRE runs back into the tent, grabbing a large rubber tent hammer and a second flashlight. On her way out, she hesitates, before grabbing two emergency flares as well. She runs back towards SCP-8444-A1.] SCP-8444-A1: Willow! Shine the lights at it! [AGUIRRE turns on the flashlights and shines them at the creature. It groans in discomfort and backs up, rearing up as it does.] [After a moment, the creature roars. Now growling even louder than before, it charges towards SCP-8444-A1, eyes illuminating SCP-8444-A1's face. SCP-8444-A1 screams.] SCP-8444-A1: It's getting closer! [Desperately, AGUIRRE pulls off the caps on one of the flares, wincing as she does so. She points them at the creature's face, rubbing the top of the flare as she does so.] [A flash. The flare activates, shooting a jet of sparks at the creature. It rears backward, howling in agony as the bright light blinds its eyes.] SCP-8444-A1: Yes! [The entity turns back to glace at AGUIRRE, before running away, back into the darkness of the forest.] [AGUIRRE turns to face SCP-8444-A1, who is lying on their back in the dirt. They turn to AGUIRRE, and smile.] SCP-8444-A1: You did it! You did it, Willow! You saved us! Thank you. [AGUIRRE is panting, out of breath.] SCP-8444-A1: We're safe now. You did it. [AGUIRRE looks up at SCP-8444-A1. Sweat pours down AGUIRRE's face. She places a hand on her chest.] SCP-8444-A1: Get some rest. We've got a lot to do today. [END LOG] At 2027/09/04, Aguirre was awoken by SCP-8444-A1. They consumed a quick breakfast and continued on their way to Xar. [BEGIN LOG] [AGUIRRE and SCP-8444-A1 are outside their tent. AGUIRRE is visibly anxious, glancing behind her shoulder every few seconds as if looking for danger. As they finish packing up the remains of their camp, they begin to walk towards Xar, visible as a dark landscape in the distance.] AGUIRRE: So what really are the Rufus, anyway? SCP-8444-A1: What do you mean? AGUIRRE: If not for prey, why do they do what they do? Why do they take people? SCP-8444-A1: That is a good question. The Rufus are… animal. Well– no; we are all animals, you and I. But they are savage. They are beasts. They cannot feel. AGUIRRE: What does that mean? SCP-8444-A1: You must understand, that in Pira, us Baba have a very important connection with magic. With the arcane. The mysterious. And one of the most important and mysterious magics is that of the soul. [Silence. SCP-8444-A1 looks towards AGUIRRE.] SCP-8444-A1: You see, all the living creatures in Pira possess a soul. Well, almost all of them. The soul is what gives life– it is what gives feeling. Without it, you believe that even the worst cruelties imaginable are kindness. You lose all sense of right and wrong. You become a monster. AGUIRRE: And… let me guess. The Rufus don't have a soul. [SCP-8444-A1 nods.] SCP-8444-A1: To not possess a soul is the worst abuse by nature any creature could experience. They cannot perform magic; the only magic they possess that that which has been left behind by the rest of the world. They feed on scraps. [Silence.] AGUIRRE: Is that– is that why they do what they do? Is that what makes them so bad? SCP-8444-A1: The soulless are… not able to understand pain. They do not understand what they are doing. They live to… breed, to take, to hunger, not to feel. AGUIRRE: They must be able to feel… somewhat, though. Right? Otherwise, why would they do what they do? SCP-8444-A1: They feel only by touch– by pain, not by emotion. AGUIRRE: That's… sad. SCP-8444-A1: The reason the Rufus kidnap Baba is because we are the closest thing they have to a soul. They crave that existence. Without one, they can do terrible things. They want that feeling. AGUIRRE: Why don't they have souls in the first place, then? What happened to them? [Silence. SCP-8444-A1 looks visibly uncomfortable.] SCP-8444-A1: A very long time ago– before I even existed– before my mother existed– the Rufus were not what they are now. They were normal creatures, like you and I, and they could perform magic. AGUIRRE: What changed? SCP-8444-A1: Something came over them. They stole magic from the rest of the world. We went to war. And now… they are no longer the same as they were before. Neither of us are. It was a punishment of the highest degree. AGUIRRE: You– you took away their souls? SCP-8444-A1: You must understand– they took our magic. They took our livelihood. AGUIRRE: And you damned them to a lifetime of pain? [SCP-8444-A1 looks down, towards the dirt.] SCP-8444-A1: We live in perpetual battle now, after a single act of greed that occurred eons ago. AGUIRRE: Do you forgive them? SCP-8444-A1: I– how? [SCP-8444-A1 looks up.] AGUIRRE: Let's see. If you could, would you bring them out of their misery? SCP-8444-A1: I… I have never considered such a thing. I– the pain they endure must be… must be terrible. AGUIRRE: Would you show them love? Would you let them back in? [Tears are visible in SCP-8444-A1's eyes.] SCP-8444-A1: I have never shown… love before. I– don't know how. AGUIRRE: Simple. Show that you care. Extend that kindness your mother showed you. [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: I would. AGUIRRE: You have a good heart, Baba. [The pair begin walking again. After a long silence, AGUIRRE speaks.] AGUIRRE: [Quietly.] And there's no way to bring them back? SCP-8444-A1: Not that I know of. [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: Well, I suppose, there is always… one way. AGUIRRE: What is it? SCP-8444-A1: I have never seen it happen– in fact, no one I know will tell you about this, but there have been old legends of… intense deeds of mutual kindness giving them back a soul. Well, at least, the Rufus can share one. AGUIRRE: Really? That works? SCP-8444-A1: I do not think it is real. They are all legends. I do not know how it could even occur in nature. AGUIRRE: But all legends have their roots in fact, don't they? [Silence. The pair continue to walk.] AGUIRRE: Right? [A pause.] SCP-8444-A1: Never let anyone or anything take away your soul, Willow. Never let them take away your ability to wonder. Never let them take away your ability to feel. [A pause.] SCP-8444-A1: Without it, you have nothing. [END LOG] At 2011 hours, SCP-8444-A1 and Aguirre approached the end of the tree line, marking the apparent boundary between Pira and Xar. They set up camp for a final night; an excerpt from Aguirre's personal logs has been included below. We're at Xar now. It's getting pretty dark, so we're going in the morning. I wasn't sure if the darkness was because of the time, or if it was because of where we were, but it's… unnaturally dark. My watch stopped working when we reached the border, so I'm guessing the latter. We're going to get to the castle early next morning; Baba says that's the best time to go since the Rufus will be tired. Oh, and speaking of Baba. They were quiet tonight. No talking, just… silence. I hope they're doing okay. Maybe this place is starting to get to them. But I think they'll be okay. I'll be okay. We have to be. At 0421 hours, the pair began walking through Xar toward a large black castle in the distance. Anomalous suppression of visible light was observed throughout the region. [BEGIN LOG] [Extraneous logs removed. SCP-8444-A1 and AGUIRRE are visible walking in the darkness towards a large castle in the distance, situated on a tall hill. The land is barren; the pair walk on dark black soil with small patches of white and gray. Small, decaying shrubs dot the landscape, alongside dead skeletons of vaguely humanoid origin. Glowing red-hot pockets of magma are visible in between the large, eroded rocks on the surface. In the distance, a thick black mist envelops the terrain.] AGUIRRE: Are you sure it's… okay to walk here? There's lava all over the place. It's so dark. [SCP-8444-A1 is silent.] AGUIRRE: Baba? SCP-8444-A1: Just be careful. AGUIRRE: Okay, yeah. [Pauses.] That thing looks like a prison. [AGUIRRE points to the castle in the distance. SCP-8444-A1 does not respond, and instead stares out at the landscape. After a moment, AGUIRRE glaces towards SCP-8444-A1. It gazes in horror at the skeletons littering the ground.] AGUIRRE: C'mon. We'll be fine. They can't hurt us. [Silence. A howl is audible in the distance. SCP-8444-A1 cowers slightly and visibly cringes.] [The pair pass by a skeleton on the ground. It is vaguely humanoid, with small bits of flesh still not yet decayed, clinging to the side of the bone. Its face is still partially visible, contorted in a look of agony. A dirty, light blue towel covers a portion of their lower torso. It is embroidered with a cloud.] [SCP-8444-A1 bends down to take a closer look at the skeleton. After a second, its face stretches into a look of horror.] SCP-8444-A1: It's… they're Baba. [Silence. SCP-8444-A1 continues to examine the skeleton. After a moment, SCP-8444-A1 exclaims in horror.] SCP-8444-A1: They are all… oh my goodness. I– I knew…. [SCP-8444-A1 begins to choke up and sob.] AGUIRRE: Hey, hey. It's okay. What's… what's wrong? You can tell me. It's just a skeleton. It can't hurt you. SCP-8444-A1: It is not that, it is just that… please, no. I don't want to see any more. AGUIRRE: What do you mean? SCP-8444-A1: No. I don't want to go further. Please. No more. AGUIRRE: We've gotten so far. We can't just– just turn back. Just tell me what's going on. [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: What if we caught, Willow? What if they get us? What if we get turned into a skeleton like that? AGUIRRE: Hey, I thought you weren't scared of them. You'll be okay. SCP-8444-A1: Will we? AGUIRRE: Hey, you can do this. Just keep walking. SCP-8444-A1: Keep walking. AGUIRRE: Yeah. One leg in front of the other. One breath at a time. [A pause. SCP-8444-A1 takes a shaky breath and looks up at AGUIRRE.] SCP-8444-A1: I am sorry, there is just… so much to take in. AGUIRRE: Yeah? Talk to me about it. [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: Something took my mother when I was very small. I barely remember it. AGUIRRE: Oh my god– was it… was it a Rufus? SCP-8444-A1: I do not know. [Pauses.] I have never known what love feels like. Not since, well… AGUIRRE: But you have. And it was good, wasn't it? It was good. SCP-8444-A1: It was good. [A pause.] SCP-8444-A1: I am just worried that one of these, one of these nameless skeletons will be my mother. AGUIRRE: That must be hard. It's okay, though. We'll just keep walking. And we'll make sure that if one of them is, you can take her home. [SCP-8444-A1 nods. They slowly stand up again and face the castle.] AGUIRRE: Ready to keep walking? SCP-8444-A1: Yes. AGUIRRE: Let's go find Adam. [END LOG] At 0752, they reached the bottom of the hill, having successfully avoided detection. [BEGIN LOG] [AGUIRRE and SCP-8444-A1 are stood in front of a large blackened hill. The hill begins at a shallow incline but begins to visibly steepen towards the top. At the top of the hill is a castle, finally visible and unobscured by fog. It is a long, black, triangular building, constructed from an unknown gray material, formed into bricks. On each corner of the castle, there sits a tall black turret, providing a view of the landscape below.] [AGUIRRE steps onto the hill as SCP-8444-A1 follows behind. Slowly, she begins to climb.] AGUIRRE: Damn, that's steep. [AGUIRRE slowly moves up the hill, followed closely by SCP-8444-A1. AGUIRRE's large backpack visibly hinders her movement as she struggles to find footholds.] SCP-8444-A1: Here. [SCP-8444-A1 gestures towards a rock cropping out from the side of the hill.] Put your foot here. [The pair continue up the hill, silently. AGUIRRE is audibly panting. At approximately the halfway point, an entity is visible at the top of the hill. It howls, however, it does not appear to notice either SCP-8444-A1 or AGUIRRE.] SCP-8444-A1: Quick! Get to the side. Stay quiet. AGUIRRE: Okay, okay, I– Whoa! [AGUIRRE loses her footing on the rock and tumbles down a few meters, finally catching herself with her hand. After a moment, she stands back up, black dirt covering her face.] SCP-8444-A1: Are you okay? AGUIRRE: Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, it's just… [AGUIRRE glances up at SCP-8444-A1, then looks slightly behind it.] [A small group of red-haired entities has gathered at the top of the hill. They appear to have noticed the pair, and begin growling at them.] AGUIRRE: Run! [SCP-8444-A1 glances behind itself at the group of entities, before running down the hill towards AGUIRRE.] SCP-8444-A1: Look! Over there! [SCP-8444-A1 points at a small cave on the side of the hill.] [The pair begin running towards the cave, carefully attempting to keep their balance as they do so.] AGUIRRE: Hide! [They enter the cave, hiding and pressing their backs to the walls of the cave. The inside of the cave is dark and smooth, and the floor is covered in small puddles. Fluid drips off the ceiling, gathering at stalactites. The ceiling is low and cramped, and AGUIRRE's head barely scrapes the ceiling.] [AGUIRRE pulls out a small handheld flashlight from her bag and turns it on. It illuminates the walls of the cave, made of a dark, metallic rock. AGUIRRE looks towards SCP-8444-A1. They both nod.] [The pair walk through the cave, which continues straight for ~25 meters before veering sharply left.] AGUIRRE: That looks like it goes towards the castle. Maybe there's an entrance somewhere. SCP-8444-A1: Good idea. [AGUIRRE passes by a small metal trapdoor, embedded into the ceiling of the cave. She whistles in satisfaction.] AGUIRRE: That looks like it. [AGUIRRE places a hand on the trapdoor and tries to open the latch.] SCP-8444-A1: Can you open it? AGUIRRE: I think so, I– [A loud clang is audible as the trapdoor suddenly opens, revealing a dark chamber beyond. AGUIRRE steps back in surprise, before shining her flashlight into the hole.] AGUIRRE: There's a light at the very end of it. I think that leads to the castle. [Pauses.] Here. You go first. [AGUIRRE lifts SCP-8444-A1 by the legs and hoists it up to the hole.] AGUIRRE: Ooh. Okay. Here we go. [SCP-8444-A1 reaches up into the trapdoor chamber and hoists itself up.] AGUIRRE: You got it? SCP-8444-A1: Yeah, I– [A flash of light engulfs the camera view. SCP-8444-A1 screams and falls to the floor of the cave. A burn is visible on the side of its arm.] AGUIRRE: Oh my god, are you okay!? SCP-8444-A1: What happened? AGUIRRE: You reached up into it, and… SCP-8444-A1: It blocked me from going in. Something kept me out. Something… AGUIRRE: You said the castle has something against Baba, right? Some sort of safety mechanism? SCP-8444-A1: Yes… then it must be… the spell. [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: There is a spell on the castle preventing Baba from entering without being bound. The Rufus cannot perform magic, but this castle used to be a prison for Baba after the Thousand Rotations War. After the war, the Rufus took the castle for their own. If I am not bound by the Rufus, I cannot enter the castle. AGUIRRE: What?! Then how are we supposed to rescue Adam? SCP-8444-A1: I only mentioned Baba. Other creatures can go in… unharmed. [AGUIRRE begins taking long, slow breaths.] SCP-8444-A1: You can do this, Willow. AGUIRRE: No. No. I can’t go alone, I— I don’t even know where they’re hiding him! SCP-8444-A1: Do you want to find your friend or not? [Silence.] SCP-8444-A1: You can do this, Willow. I believe in you. AGUIRRE: What if I get taken? What if they see me? SCP-8444-A1: Then you run like hell. [AGUIRRE smiles.] AGUIRRE: Hey, you used it right. [A pause.] AGUIRRE: What are you gonna do when I’m gone? SCP-8444-A1: I will stay here. Keep the Rufus away. Find a way out for you. AGUIRRE: You promise? SCP-8444-A1: Promise. Just stay quiet. Put one foot in front of the other. [SCP-8444-A1 smiles.] AGUIRRE: Thank you. SCP-8444-A1: Anything for my best friend. AGUIRRE: You used that right, too. SCP-8444-A1: You got this. Now go! [After a second, AGUIRRE leaps into the trapdoor and begins to climb. She struggles for a moment, before dropping her backpack down the tunnel. SCP-8444-A1 catches it, and she continues to climb.] [AGUIRRE slowly ascends the chamber, placing her back against the side of the tunnel and her feet on the other side. Gradually, she climbs until she reaches the halfway point between the trapdoor and the supposed entrance to the castle. She stops to take a long, deep breath.] AGUIRRE: I passed the enchantment. [AGUIRRE continues to climb, until SCP-8444-A1 and the trapdoor are no longer visible.] [At last, she reaches the top trapdoor. The trapdoor is closed and constructed similarly to the trapdoor below. Water drips from the top onto AGUIRRE. She places the camera through a gap in the door.] [Visible from the top of the trapdoor is a long, dark hallway. It is completely empty, save for torches lining the walls periodically. The torches emit a dim, blue light. It is completely silent.] [After a moment, AGUIRRE opens the trapdoor with a loud creak and hoists herself through. She is visibly exhausted, and pauses to take a breath, before quickly closing the trapdoor and looking around.] [AGUIRRE runs to the side of the hallway, towards a small outcropping of bare rock. She hides behind it, as a large red-haired entity can be seen crawling past on a far hallway. She gasps, then covers her mouth with a hand.] AGUIRRE: Oh, god. [After the creature is no longer visible, she quietly walks past the outcropping to a hallway extending out on her right.] [There, a number of cells lined with iron bars are visible, but all empty. She gasps again.] AGUIRRE: [Whispering, to herself.] Where are you Adam, come on… [She begins to silently run down the hallway, towards another set of cells. She inhales quickly in surprise. There, inside the cells are dozens of green humanoid creatures, similar in appearance to SCP-8444-A1 (designated SCP-8444-A2 through A27). They are all visibly exhausted and starving, many too tired to acknowledge her presence. One of them (designated SCP-8444-A4) speaks.] AGUIRRE: I– where's Adam? SCP-8444-A4: [Quietly.] Help, please. AGUIRRE: I don't know if I can– SCP-8444-A6: [Weakly.] Please. AGUIRRE: Have any of you seen a man? A human man? [They shake their heads.] AGUIRRE: Okay, I– [Pauses.] Can you all run? SCP-8444-A3: All but one. AGUIRRE: Okay, carry them. I'm going to open this door, and then you're all gonna run. [She quickly tries to pull open one of the cell doors, but it does not budge. She tries again, and a flash of green sparks flies out from the padlock. AGUIRRE winces in pain as her right arm struggles against the door. One of the creatures inside the cells speaks (designated SCP-8444-A2).] AGUIRRE: [Breathing heavily.] I– I can't… SCP-8444-A2: It will not open to your hand. It is magically locked. AGUIRRE: What's the metal made of? [Pauses.] Only one way to find out. [AGUIRRE pulls a magnesium flare out from her backpack and points it at the lock. It begins to burn, then glows red-hot.] [In the distance, footsteps are faintly audible, but getting closer.] SCP-8444-A12: They are close, they are almost here. You must work faster. [AGUIRRE points the flare even closer to the metal, and at last, the lock chips off cleanly. The entities in the cell begin to cheer, but quickly grow silent as SCP-8444-A2 gives them a stern look.] [Gingerly, AGUIRRE pries the door open with her arm. She winces and struggles against it. The footsteps grow louder.] SCP-8444-A9: Please, quicker! [AGUIRRE continues trying to pull, but after a few moments, she cannot bear the pain.] AGUIRRE: I– I can't… SCP-8444-A3: You can do it. Please. We need you. AGUIRRE: I– I can do this. God… it– I can do it. [Finally, AGUIRRE tries one last time to open the door. She places her arms on the door and begins to pull. She winces as tears nearly flow from her eyes.] AGUIRRE: Just… a little further. [At last, it opens with a loud bang.] AGUIRRE: Yeah! Let's go! Quickly, run! [In the distance, the source of the footsteps are now visible. A group of three red-haired creatures are seen at the end of the hallway, ~100 meters away. They approach rapidly.] AGUIRRE: Run! [The group of SCP-8444-A1-like entities begins running towards the other end of the hallway, which breaks off into two separate routes. The creatures all turn left.] [As the creatures approach closer, AGUIRRE, too, begins to run. She looks back at the creatures, throwing the half-burned flare in their direction. They cower.] [AGUIRRE turns left at the junction and follows the rest of the creatures. There, at the end of the hall, is SCP-8444-A1, holding a large gate open outside.] AGUIRRE: Baba! [All the creatures turn to look at AGUIRRE.] AGUIRRE: No– them! SCP-8444-A1: WIllow! Where is your friend? AGUIRRE: I don't know, I– SCP-8444-A1: Keep searching! Check the western wing! [As the rest of the creatures exit the castle, AGUIRRE stops just before the entrance gate, and turns right to begin running in the direction of another hallway.] [She continues running, still chased by a group of red-haired wolf-like entities.] AGUIRRE: Throw them off, throw them off… [AGUIRRE turns left, then right, then left again through a large maze of hallways. A man's voice is barely audible in the distance.] MAN: I hear… I hear… Willow. Is that you? AGUIRRE: Adam! I'm coming! MAN: Help, please. Help. [AGUIRRE begins running in the direction of the voice, getting louder as she continues. The footsteps and growls of the creatures get quieter as she continues.] AGUIRRE: Adam! It's you! [At the end of a hallway, KLINE is finally visible, held in the mouth of one of the large, wolf-like creatures. It growls, releasing a large amount of spit onto KLINE's body.] [AGUIRRE pulls out another flare from her backpack and pulls the cap off, grunting in pain as she does so. She aims it at the creature. It winces. As it backs up quickly, its leg catches on the corner of a wall and it trips. Red blood visibly pools from the side of its leg, onto the floor.] AGUIRRE: Hey! Drop him! Now! [The creature backs up slightly, away from AGUIRRE, limping as it does so. It winces in pain again.] AGUIRRE: Now! Don't hurt him! I mean it! [The creature turns and begins to run, limping as its back leg touches the ground. It drips blood onto the floor. AGUIRRE follows quickly behind, as they continue through a maze of corridors. The creature begins to slow down as its injury begins to hinder its ability to run. Finally, the creature runs up a large set of blackened stairs, through another section of hallways, stopping at last at a swinging bridge. It collapses in pain.] [The bridge is badly damaged, unable to hold the weight of even a single person. It is missing most of its steps, and the ropes on the side are frayed. Behind the bridge stands another turret of the castle. Stars shine brightly from the dark sky, illuminating the scene. The creature turns to look at AGUIRRE.] AGUIRRE: Oh… oh god. It’s so— it’s so high. [AGUIRRE begins to breathe heavily and shudders.] AGUIRRE: Okay. Just… one foot in front of the other. [AGUIRRE takes a deep breath and steadies herself. She walks closer, cornering the creature on the bridge. It growls at AGUIRRE.] AGUIRRE: Let him go! Please! [The creature grunts in response. It bares its teeth at AGUIRRE. She does not step away.] AGUIRRE: Please, don't hurt him, I– I'll do anything! I can– I can give you your soul back. [The creature is silent, then tilts its head slightly.] AGUIRRE: I just want my friend back, please! [Sounds of wind howling.] [The creature steps forward slightly. AGUIRRE holds out her right hand. The creature moves closer, and AGUIRRE pets it.] AGUIRRE: You have a big heart. I know that. You have a shattered soul, but there's something in there. Baba forgives you. I forgive you. [Silence. AGUIRRE rests her hand on the creature's head.] AGUIRRE: You must be in so much pain right now. You don't deserve this, do you? [The creature looks down towards KLINE.] [It looks up towards AGUIRRE. AGUIRRE pulls out a roll of gauze from her pocket and begins to patch the creature's leg.] AGUIRRE: I can't imagine how much that must hurt. To not be able to feel. To not possess a soul. [The creature begins to whimper.] [Silence.] AGUIRRE: But I love you. I forgive you. You can get your soul back. I know it. It's old magic, but you still can. [The creature looks down for a moment, then up at AGUIRRE. It turns its head slowly. Finally, the creature bows its head down, placing KLINE on the ground. He coughs.] AGUIRRE: Thank you. [AGUIRRE walks forward towards the creature, who sits and turns to face the ground.] AGUIRRE: You are so kind. You have a big heart. KLINE: Willow? AGUIRRE: Thank god, Adam. You're alive. [KLINE slowly sits up.] AGUIRRE: Are you okay? Are– [Behind them, a group of wolf-like creatures has gathered at the end of the hallway. They try to approach, before suddenly stepping back, looks of confusion and bewilderment on their faces.] KLINE: I'm okay, just– [Suddenly, a flash of blue light envelops the camera, as a shooting star arcs through the dark sky. It pauses directly above the castle before it begins to descend onto the wolf-like creature next to KLINE.] KLINE: What is that? AGUIRRE: I don't know. [The wolf-like creature looks upwards at the blue ball of light, now shrunk to only the size of a small soccer ball, no more than 20 cm in diameter.] [After a moment, the ball of light hovers above the wolf-like creature's body, before entering its chest. AGUIRRE audibly gasps, but the creature only closes its eyes and breathes deeply.] [Silence.] [The creature opens its eyes. They are now amber-orange, with a blue tint in the corner. It stands, walks to AGUIRRE, and sits.] AGUIRRE: It's– it's you. You have a soul. [The group of creatures in the castle begin to growl, slowly prowling towards AGUIRRE. The wolf-like creature next to AGUIRRE growls back, but the three creatures do not stop. AGUIRRE begins to back up. She reaches into her pocket for a flare, but it is empty.] AGUIRRE: No— no, stay back! [The creatures continue to approach her. She continues to back up. Suddenly, her right foot slips at the edge of the tower, and she trips backwards, onto the swinging bridge. She screams. She catches the edge of the tower with her hands, as the rest of her body dangles off the edge.] AGUIRRE: Help! Please! [KLINE attempts to crawl towards AGUIRRE, but winces in pain. The creatures continue to approach, growling.] AGUIRRE: Help! [Suddenly, AGUIRRE gasps.] SCP-8444-A1: Willow! Hold on! [SCP-8444-A1 appears on the other side of the tower, climbing the large black rocks forming the wall. It climbs towards AGUIRRE, still dangling on the edge of the wall.] AGUIRRE: Baba! SCP-8444-A1: I’ll hold them off! [SCP-8444-A1 pulls out a Foundation-issue flare.] SCP-8444-A1: I took it from your bag! I hope that's– AGUIRRE: No— yeah! Just save us! [SCP-8444-A1 points the flare at the creatures. Before even lighting it, they begin to run away.] [SCP-8444-A1 climbs up the tower and hoists AGUIRRE up.] AGUIRRE: Thank you! [AGUIRRE climbs back onto the stone tower.] SCP-8444-A1: Anything for my best friend. [AGUIRRE smiles.] AGUIRRE: How far you’ve come. SCP-8444-A1: Come on, Willow. Bring your friend. Let us go home. [A pause.] AGUIRRE: What about the deal? I still have to help you with the Rufus. SCP-8444-A1: Willow, you have helped more than you could ever dream of. You gave it a soul. [SCP-8444-A1 gestures to the wolf-like creature sitting by KLINE.] AGUIRRE: It's only one. SCP-8444-A1: One is more than I thought could ever have a soul. You… you saved it. You have done so much more than I ever expected. Not just for us, but for… for me, too. [The wind whistles through the bridge.] SCP-8444-A1: There is a group waiting for you. Let us go. [A pause. The wolf-like entity wraps its head in AGUIRRE's arms. AGUIRRE smiles.] SCP-8444-A1: It's time to go home. [END LOG] Willow Aguirre and Adam Kline successfully reached the town of Pira on 2027/09/06. On 2027/09/07, the gate to SCP-8444 reopened and the pair were successfully extracted. A log from their extraction is available below. [BEGIN LOG] [The camera activates, showing the exit portal in SCP-8444. AGUIRRE holds the camera, while KLINE is seated on a rock, his right leg in a makeshift cast constructed from clay and sticks. He holds a makeshift crutch in his hand. They are surrounded by a large group of SCP-8444-A1-like creatures, all chattering amongst themselves. SCP-8444-A1 stands next to AGUIRRE. AGUIRRE speaks to it.] AGUIRRE: Thank you. For helping us. KLINE: Yeah, thank you. I don't know how to thank you, I– SCP-8444-A1: No, no, thank you. Your friend has helped me more than you know. [To AGUIRRE.] Thank you. [A pause.] SCP-8444-A1: I guess this is goodbye? AGUIRRE: I don't know. We may be meeting again sooner than you expect. SCP-8444-A1: Well, until then… It has been a great pleasure meeting you. AGUIRRE: You as well. [Silence.] AGUIRRE: I have… one question for you, though. SCP-8444-A1: Yes? AGUIRRE: How have the Baba never found this portal? Why have you never entered them? SCP-8444-A1: They have never harmed or helped us. We do not interfere with what does not affect us. AGUIRRE: Huh. Until now, I guess. SCP-8444-A1: Until now. [The portal begins to glow a bright green color. The crowd stops chattering and steps back. AGUIRRE turns to KLINE, and holds out a hand as he stands up. Radio chatter is audible over AGUIRRE's walkie-talkie.] COMMAND: Aguirre, Kline, do you copy? AGUIRRE: We do, Command. COMMAND: Thank god. I mean– yeah. The aperture is steady, diameter three point five. You are free to extract. [AGUIRRE turns to SCP-8444-A1 as they and KLINE step towards the portal. SCP-8444-A1 smiles. A howl is audible in the distance from wolf-like entity sitting at the treeline. Its blue eyes sparkle against the camera's lens.] AGUIRRE: Thank you. SCP-8444-A1: See you soon. [They step through the aperture. The image inside SCP-8444 becomes distorted and blurry before it is no longer visible at all. The sound of the crowd fades.] [Exploration ends.] [END LOG] Following the exploration, Aguirre exited with minor injuries, and Kline was treated for minor dehydration and malnutrition, along with a broken leg. In 2028, the SCP-8444 research team, in conjunction with the Department of Interdimensional Relations, established an SCP-8444 forward operating base and established communications and diplomatic relations with the SCP-8444-A population. Dr. Willow Aguirre was selected to be the Foundation's primary contact point for SCP-8444 affairs. Research continues. |
SCP-8445 | safe | close Info X ⚠️ Content Warning: CW: Implied parental death. Heavily implied Holocaust references. ⚠️ content warning Item#: 8445 Level2 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: warning link to memo Special Containment Procedures: All instances of SCP-8445 are to be kept in a standard non-humanoid containment chamber located at Site 09. Due to the info-hazardous properties of all SCP-8445 instances, personnel are not to view the any original versions of them. Full digitization attempts are still ongoing, and currently only a few instances have been successfully digitized. Furthermore digitized instances may be viewed at an individual's own discretion, however personnel are advised to refrain from doing so if prone to uneasiness and/or squeamishness. Attempts are still ongoing to locate any remaining instances of SCP-8445, private film collections, museums, and independent cinemas are to be considered priority search locations. Should it be suspected that at least one civilian viewed an SCP-8445 instance either in its entirety, MTF Nu-19 "Dans La Lune," is to apprehend, and administer Class-A amnestics to any effected individual(s). Description: SCP-8445 is the current collective designation for six canisters containing standard 8mm film, dated from between 1933 to 1946, however at least four additional unique films are believed to exist. SCP-8445 instances can be viewed on any 8mm projector, and do not require any special care or handling other than that of typical 8mm or similar film reels. SCP-8445 instances differ from non-anomalous film reels in that they are considerably more durable and can sustain damage that would otherwise render standard film partially or completely destroyed.1 Despite the earliest known instance of SCP-8445 having been created at a time when sound in films would not have been considered uncommon, all instances2 are without sound, including Foley, music, spoken dialogue, and ambient noise. Furthermore, the cinematography of several SCP-8445 instances appears extremely amateurish, often involving poor use of practical effects, and acting that appears to be stilted, or otherwise unprofessional. This has been attributed to low budgets, however this does often result in the viewer expressing feelings of unease or discomfort, whether these are secondary anomalous effects or merely reactions to the poor production quality is currently unknown. SCP-8445 instances can be viewed in part without causing any anomalous effects, however viewing any instance in full will typically cause the individual(s) who viewed it to develop extreme ideological beliefs based on the instance viewed, this can range from anything from distrust of authority, the desire to commit acts of petty vandalism, the desire to sabotage government property, and even to the desire to commit acts of terrorism. These effects however are temporary and typically subside within one to two weeks, although subsequent viewings of the same instance will prolong the effects and cause current extremist ideological beliefs to intensify. A comprehensive list of all SCP-8445 instances currently in containment can be found below. Current Designation: SCP-8445-1 Title: Als sie in den Krieg Zogen (When They Went to War). Date Produced: 1933. Duration: 60 minutes. Plot: The film follows a young boy in what appears to be Germany or Poland. Throughout the film he is constantly shown either avoiding anything mentioning a current unseen war, or even outright running from soldiers clad in uniforms resembling those used by the German army in WW1. At several points the boy removes a photograph of a man, presumably his father, from his pocket, only to quickly shove it back in. The conclusion of the film involves a series of soldiers with varying degrees of injuries being escorted off a train, the boy is handed a single black flower, the boy proceeds to weep. Anomalous Effect(s): Severe distrust in the military and a desire to vandalize any public displays in favor of the military. Discovery: SCP-8445-1 was discovered in a small, privately owned movie theater in Wichita Kansas in 1967, following a protest against the Vietnam war. Notes: Inside the film canister was a single, faded photograph of a young boy standing next to a man in a WW1 era German uniform, both are standing in front of a train station. Written on the back were the words, "Ludwig Sofer (40), Albrecht Sofer (7), 1916." Current Designation: SCP-8445-2 Title: Die Prinzessin und Das Pony (The Princess and The Pony). Date Produced: 1936. Duration: 60 minutes. Plot: The film follows a young girl and her horse who live together in a harmonious medieval kingdom. The king, an elderly rotund man, is shown to care for his subjects, but he is also shown to be naive and gullible. Food quickly becomes scarce in the kingdom, and the king is shown speaking with a skeletal cloaked wizard in an attempt to solve the famine. The wizard later tricks the king into relinquishing his crown before he causes an army of demonic soldiers to chase the princess away from the kingdom. The princess manages to evade the soldiers, however her horse is killed in the process, and she is mortally wounded. The film's conclusion sees the princess come across an apple tree, where she proceeds to pick the lowest hanging apple, which she eats. The princess is seemingly transformed into an identical horse to the one killed, she then glances back at the kingdom before running as far from it as possible. Anomalous Effect(s): Severe distrust in political figures promising change, or "new" ideas. Discovery: SCP-8445-2 was discovered in the storage room of a Los Angeles movie theater in 1968, approximately a week after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Notes: Inside the film canister was a single photograph of a young man with a young woman, and a single tarnished engagement ring. Written on the back of the photo are the words "Albrecht Sofer, (26) 1935." Notably both the woman's face and name were crudely, but completely scratched out. Current Designation: SCP-8445-3 Title: Der Temple des Ozymandias (The Temple of Ozymandias). Date Produced: 1936. Duration: 90 minutes. Plot: Much more abstract, and surreal than previous films, the plot seems to follow an Egyptian pharaoh who builds several grand temples of himself out of the remains of subjects who refuse to praise him adequately. Much of the film's run time is devoted to the pharaoh surveying his temples, the construction of them, and engaging in various debaucherous acts. The film's climax involves the remains in the temples spontaneously reanimating before dragging the pharaoh into the awaiting jaws of a lion while the temples collapse around him. Anomalous Effect(s): The near uncontrollable desire to vandalize or sabotage government property perceived as excessive or vain. Discovery: SCP-8445-3 was discovered in 1938 in Lakehurst Maxfield Field, New Jersey. Notably the film canister was half buried in the dirt, and was heavily charred. Notes: Despite the damage sustained by the canister, the film remained otherwise intact. However any remaining items in the canister were burned beyond all recognition. All that could be recovered was a single burnt postcard depicting the Alps, the initials A.S could be found on the back, although it remains unclear if these belonged to the sender or the recipient. Current Designation: SCP-8445-4 Title: Das Restaurant Der Narren (The Fools' Restaurant). Date Produced: Unknown, likely 1938. Duration: 90 minutes. Plot: A man identified only as Puig arrives by train to an unknown city populated entirely by clowns. Puig is shown to be disturbed, and irritated by the clowns who seem to stalk him throughout the city. Eventually, he reaches a hotel where he attempts to rest for the night, a dream sequence shows him that the city was originally populated by regular people, then eventually people and clowns, then finally only clowns. Puig awakes from his nightmare extremely shaken and visibly distressed, in an attempt to calm himself he goes for a walk throughout the now pitch black city. He eventually reaches a restaurant that is still open, inside he is sat a table by clown waitstaff and is given a large plate of meat and vegetables. Although initially suspicious, he eventually consumes the meal and becomes visibly euphoric as a result. Puig ventures into the kitchen where he asks the chef where the meal came from, the chef, a portly clown dressed entirely in brown, points to a corpse on one of the counters. The corpse is naked and is missing a large portion of flesh from its body. Puig is at first distraught, before he begins to smile, and eventually laugh hysterically. The film concludes with a second man arriving in the city, and a clown resembling Puig watching him from the distance. Anomalous Effect(s): Extreme distrust in popular political ideas, as well as compulsion to regard both those who follow the ideas, and the ideas themselves, as foolish and disturbing. Discovery: SCP-8445-4 was first discovered in the basement of an Austrian library in 1984. Notably it had been placed in a box labeled as "The films of Albrecht Sofer." SCP-8445-4 was the only instance recovered. Notes: The film canister contained a photograph of two unknown individuals standing in front of a book store. One of the individuals had been defaced to resemble a clown. Writing on the back of the photograph read, "Albrecht and Töricht. What a fool you've become old friend." Current Designation: SCP-8445-5 Title: Unser Zerstörtes Königreich (Our Destroyed Kingdom). Date Produced: Unknown, likely late 1940 or early 1941. Duration: 30 minutes. Plot: Seemingly a continuation of SCP-8445-2, an unnamed man lives in a kingdom populated entirely by peasants and towering knights in dark armor. The knights subjugate the peasants and frequently beat, or even kill them at the slightest provocation. The man seeing the state of the kingdom, shoves a letter, presumably written by the man's family, into his pocket before setting off on foot for the neighboring kingdom. The man manages to reach the kingdom where he is welcomed with open arms. He lives in relative peace for a period of several days before the knights arrive at the kingdom and begin to subjugate the population. The man is savagely beaten and the film abruptly ends with a shot of the man's letter being splattered with blood. Anomalous Effect(s): Extreme aversion to mob mentality, and the desire to harm or otherwise hinder those that the subject perceives as falling victim to highly popular political ideas. Discovery: SCP-8445-5 was discovered in 1994 in a private film collection in Warsaw, Poland. Notes: The production value of SCP-8445-5 was much lower compared to previous instances, both actors and set design seemed to be very unprofessional, and at times characters or settings would be represented by clay models positioned in forced-perspective shots. Additionally, the film canister contained several folded papers, and a heavily weathered and yellowed armband with three non-parallel lines on its center. The papers appeared to be travel applications to the United States, Switzerland, England, and Poland. All but the one for Poland were marked as rejected. Current Designation: SCP-8445-6 Title: Der Sieg Deutschlands (The Victory of Germany). Date Produced: 1943. Duration: 45 minutes. Plot: SCP-8445-6 does not follow a traditional plot structure and instead focuses on 40s era German ideals. Throughout the film soldiers are seen marching through the streets in what appears to be Berlin, or Vienna. The film cuts several times to show German scientists working on technological or chemical inventions, while both diligently and efficiently going about their work. Near the end of the film a young girl and a young boy are chased by caricatures of American, British, and Russian soldiers before narrowly escaping into the Reichstag building from which several German soldiers emerge. The caricatures upon seeing them either flee or surrender instantly, the soldiers then beckon the children outside and reassure them while the film cuts to black. The film then displays several messages that promise both the defeat of the Allied Nations, and the immortality of the German people. Anomalous Effect(s): Extreme if not complete belief and allegiance towards both fascism and fascist ideals. Discovery: SCP-8445-6 was first discovered during a raid on a GRU Division-P facility in 1983. It is believed that the personnel present were attempting to transfer onto VHS tape while modifying it's anomalous effects to make communism and Soviet ideology more palatable to citizens in the Soviet Union. Notes: SCP-8445-6's canister contained a single photograph, depicting a disheveled man dressed in ragged clothing awkwardly shaking hands with a clean cut man dressed in a black leather overcoat. Notably the disheveled man seems to be leaning on one of his legs more than the other, and he is not making eye contact with the man opposite him. Written on the back of the photograph were the words, "Albrecht Sofer, and Herr Schlosser. May our work together bring a stronger future." Addendum: In 2010 one final instance of SCP-8445 was discovered in the basement of a museum in Warsaw, Poland. Initially believed to have originated from a different filmmaker due to the different plot structure, lack of anomalous effects, and overall cinematography, it was later strongly suspected to have been created by the same filmmaker as the previous instances. Despite not possessing any clear anomalous effects it has been designated as SCP-8445-7. Its description can be found below. Current Designation: SCP-8445-7 Title: Koniec Koszmaru (The End of the Nightmare). Date Produced: 1954. Duration: 60 minutes. Plot: A young boy is shown lying in his bed before suddenly awakening in a near panic, presumably from a nightmare. A man, heavily implied to be the boy's father, rushes into his room, and quickly reassures his son before reading him a bedtime story. The following morning, the boy and father go about their usual routine including visiting the post office, the grocer, and buying a bouquet of flowers to surprise the boy's mother, who remains unseen throughout the film. The film's conclusion involves the father presenting a birthday cake to the boy and reassures him that although things can seem uncertain, one must hold out hope that the future is bright. Anomalous Effect(s): N/A. Discovery: SCP-8445-7 was first discovered in the basement of a museum in Warsaw, Poland. The film had been carefully wrapped in a protective sheet, and placed in a vault with other artifacts. It had been labeled as, "The last known film of Albrecht Sofer." Notes: The film's canister contained a single photograph of a man dressed in casual attire slightly leaning on a cane, next to him is a young boy holding a broken antique film camera, both appear to be standing in front of a beach or lake. Written on the back of the photo were the words, "Albrecht Sofer (45), Ludwig Sofer (7), 1954. All is well." Footnotes 1. This includes but is not limited to: Fire. Water. Smoke. Radiation. 2. excluding SCP-8445-6 |
SCP-8447 | keter | "On 2025-1-1T00:15:23, a human body impacted the ground at the center of Times Square, New York City at an estimated 59 m/s." Item #: SCP-8447 Special Containment Procedures: As full containment of SCP-8447 would be prohibitively expensive, a cover story has been developed to explain the presence of the object, suggesting that its presence is the result of a local gang throwing SCP-8447-1 off the roof of a nearby building. The full cover story may be found in Supplemental Document 8447-A. Description (Last Modified 2025-1-1T09:13:58): On 2025-1-1T00:15:231, a human body impacted the ground at the center of Times Square, New York City at an estimated 59 m/s. Analysis of satellite footage has shown that the object abruptly manifested in the upper atmosphere approximately 15 minutes prior at 00:00:00 UTC via unknown means. The Foundation was alerted to the presence of the body (designated SCP-8447-1) within seconds of it hitting the ground and was able to recover it via a fake ambulance. SCP-8447-1 was found to be the corpse of a Sub-Saharan African man, age estimated somewhere between 40 to 50. Further examination is pending. Due to the risk of further anomalous activity in the area, O5-3 instated an emergency order to close off Times Square until 03:00:00. SCP-8447 Log of Updates: 2 Jan 2025 Update (02:16:33) At 00:13:56, an additional object impacted the ground in the center of Times Square, New York City. Object was found to be the corpse of a Sub-Saharan African woman, age estimated between 30-40, and was subsequently designated SCP-8447-2. Times Square has been closed off indefinitely due to the risk of reoccurring anomalous activity, under the guise of a homicide investigation. Update (17:56:12) The SCP Foundation Forensics department submitted a report detailing their findings on the condition of SCP-8447-1. Contrary to expectations, the object was found not to have expired due to blunt force trauma. Rather, the object was found to have expired due to hypovolemic shock2. Object also showed signs of severe infection which is believed to have caused this hypovolemic shock. Further investigation into cause of death is ongoing. 3 Jan 2025 Update (01:00:04) At 00:09:35, a third corpse impacted the ground in the center of Times Square, New York City. Object was found to be the corpse of a Sub-Saharan African female child, age 8. Object designated SCP-8447-3. Despite Foundation-led attempts to hide subsequent SCP-8447 manifestations from the public, photographs of SCP-8447-3 falling to the ground were found online. Images were deleted and amnestics were applied to affected persons. Update (14:24:36) Foundation operatives within the Ugandan government have confirmed that a man matching the description of SCP-8447-1 inexplicably disappeared from an Ebola ward on 2024-12-29T05:34:20. All personnel who came into contact with SCP-8447-1 are to be quarantined and screened for Ebola infection. All known potentially affected civilians3 are to be encouraged to do likewise. 4 Jan 2025 Update (00:15:23) An additional corpse impacted the ground in the center of Times Square, New York City. More information may be found in Supplemental Document 8447-B. Update (01:25:30) A missing person matching the description of SCP-8447-2 has been identified from an Ebola ward in Uganda. Update (03:47:28) A missing person matching the description of SCP-8447-3 has been identified from an Ebola ward in Uganda. 5 Jan 2025 Update (00:09:15) An additional corpse impacted the ground in the center of Times Square, New York City. Update (06:01:00): The O5 Council received the following email: To the Office of the O5 Council, To preface, I'd like to acknowledge that I know these are difficult times for you. I don't know how the hell anyone other than your people could manage to hide the fact that there are dead bodies falling onto Times Square every day at the stroke of midnight. I'll be the first to acknowledge that it's beyond fucking ridiculous. I wholeheartedly commend your efforts in dealing with this problem. All of that said, your current "containment" methods are untenable. I'm opening three new properties adjacent to Times Square. As a grand opening ceremony, I am sponsoring a concert set to take place there on the 10th. If you can't have this resolved by then, those properties aren't going to be profitable, and I won't be able to hire workers. This amounts to hundreds of high-paying jobs for hard-working NYC folks down the drain. And all the lost profit has to come from somewhere. I would really it rather not come from my donations to your Foundation. Thank you, M.K. Darke4 A revision to the document "SCP-8447" was made at 07:26:33 Special Containment Procedures: Three Foundation MC300S-55 quadcopter drones are to be fitted with a net and raised to between 2-3km above Times Square every day at 23:50:00 UTC. They are to remain until an instance of SCP-8447 manifests. Using the net, they are to catch the instance and deliver it to the nearest Foundation site for processing. To help the drones blend in, there is to be a drone-based light show at midnight each night above Times Square. Times Square, New York City and the area surrounding it is to be open to the public as frequently as possible. Foundation operatives are to monitor Ebola wards in Uganda to ascertain the underlying cause of SCP-8447. Staff in such wards are to be interrogated for signs of anomalous activity. Description: SCP-8447 is a phenomenon in which a corpse manifests several kilometers above Times Square, New York City every day at 00:00:00 UTC. Cause of death in all cases has been due to the Ebola virus. All cases thus far appear to have originated from Uganda. Update (07:45:57): Dear M.K. Darke, Thank you for your suggestion. As of five minutes ago, we have reopened Times Square to the public. We believe that our light show will also increase turnout to your event on the 10th. Sincerely, O5-3 Secure. Contain. Protect. 6 Jan 2025 Update (00:09:02): An instance of SCP-8447 is released, and is successfully captured by drones moving at 46 m/s. Drones successfully return SCP-8447 instance to Site-276. 7 Jan 2025 Update (00:08:35): An instance of SCP-8447 is released, and is successfully captured by drones moving at 51 m/s. Drones successfully return SCP-8447 instance to Site-276. 8 Jan 2025 Update (00:05:20): An instance of SCP-8447 is released, and is successfully captured by drones moving at 78 m/s. Drones successfully return SCP-8447 instance to Site-276. 9 Jan 2025 Update (00:03:34): An instance of SCP-8447 is released, and is successfully captured by drones moving at 124 m/s. Drones successfully return SCP-8447 instance to Site-276. 10 Jan 2025 Update (00:01:56): An instance of SCP-8447 is released. Instance is traveling at 257 m/s and destroys net upon impact. Onboard camera footage shows all three drones losing control upon impact and becoming tangled with the net. [00:02:23]: SCP-8447 instance impacts stage in Times Square causing it to immediately collapse. Shrapnel severely injures the band's drummer. Loud noise causes the crowd to immediately begin to disperse. Spray of infected bodily fluids, tissues, and bone fragments from SCP-8447 instance cover concertgoers in an approximately 20 meter radius. Later, seven minor injuries from concertgoers are reported due to aforementioned bone fragments. Estimated damage later totaled to $2.3 million. [00:02:30]: First drone impacts Times Square, instantly crushing and killing a pedestrian. Second drone impacts and disables a large screen displaying an advertisement. Third drone impacts a window, causing no injuries. Estimated damage later totaled to $6.5 million. Update (03:15:40): To the Office of the O5 Council, Needless to say, I am rescinding all future donations to the SCP Foundation effective immediately. I strongly suggest that you take more drastic measures to address "8447" as you call it. If you do not, many of my associates will be likely to follow. Good luck (you'll need it!), M.K. Darke Update: (05:59:32): Excerpt from meeting between O5-3 and SCP-8447 project lead Dr. Cassandra. O5-3: Thank you for joining me today. What was it that you wanted to discuss? Dr. Cassandra: This is about 8447, Sir. I believe we need to make drastic changes to our protocol. O5-3: How so? Dr. Cassandra: We should've closed Times Square instead of acquiescing to Darke's threats. The other donors know how much leverage they have now. O5-3: Darke funds the entirety of Site-276 and that only accounts for half of her annual donations. The Foundation needs that money. Dr. Cassandra: Sir, if we listen to Darke, the federal government will find out, and they'll pull their funding as well. O5-3: Money from the federal government is slowly drying up. Everything's getting privatized these days. Dr. Cassandra: They still have regulatory power over — O5-3: As far as they know, this is a terrorist attack. If need be, we can erase their memories. I recall I only appointed you a few months ago, so I don't fault you for not being familiar with the options we have at our disposal. Dr. Cassandra: I'm aware of amnestics, Sir. I just don't think that using amnestics to craft a narrative is sustainable here — our stock is down 4% already. Most of that's from 8447. O5-3: Does a few percent matter? Dr. Cassandra: The enormous cost of those amnestics aside, this will only be sustainable if we can contain the anomaly. O5-3: If we assumed that we could not contain anomalies, the Foundation would have never existed. Dr. Cassandra: But at this rate, Sir, we'll be out of amnestics by the end of the year. We can't contain this without shutting down Times Square. [O5-3 inhales sharply and rubs his temples.] O5-3: We cannot simply sit here and let a mysterious force continue to drop Ebola-ridden corpses into one of the most famous places on the planet. If we allow this anomaly take Times Square hostage, that tells it that it can do far more damage. What if it starts dropping corpses on the Eiffel Tower? What if it tosses one into a live television broadcast? What if it throws a corpse into a major food manufacturing plant? We bend to anomalies' demands as little as possible for a reason: We give them an inch and they realize they can demand a mile. We solve this by never giving them that opportunity in the first place — all negotiations are on our terms. The only reason why our organization has been able to survive for so long is because we have never forgotten this fundamental principle. We must not forget now. Dr. Cassandra: But what about the threat to human life? I'd rather we not be responsible for an Ebola outbreak. I'm sending an order to close Times Square for the immediate future. O5-3: I will — with great reluctance — authorize this request. Reopen it as soon as possible. A revision to the document "SCP-8447" was made at 09:36:51 Special Containment Procedures: Foundation agents stationed in Ebola wards are to implant tracking devices into all persons suspected to be infected with the Ebola virus. Access to persons infected with Ebola is to be strictly monitored. Until a method of reliably and covertly catching SCP-8447 instances moving at up to 300 m/s can be devised, Times Square is to be closed and SCP-8447 is to be explained via a cover story. In this cover story, SCP-8447 instances are members of a suicide cult who ritually commit suicide by jumping off buildings close to midnight. The Ethics Committee is currently deliberating on whether to authorize Operation "Immunize Uganda" if alternative containment procedures fail. Description: SCP-8447 is a phenomenon in which a corpse manifests several kilometers above Times Square, New York City every day at 00:00:00 UTC. Cause of death in all cases has been due to the Ebola virus. All cases thus far appear to have originated from Uganda. Based on the projected number of corpses with Ebola from the current outbreak, SCP-8447 incidents are projected to occur at least an additional 15700 times. A revision to the document "SCP-8447" was made at 13:11:15 Experimental Special Containment Procedures: Five sets of three Foundation-made MC300S-5 quadcopter drones are to hover above the center of Times Square. Each set is to use a net to capture falling SCP-8447 instances. Furthermore, a tarp is to be placed between the buildings adjacent to Times Square in case the drones fail. 11 Jan 2025 Update (00:01:24): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square moving at 436 m/s. Resulting sonic boom nearly provoked US Military response which had to be averted by O5-3. All sets of Foundation drones were destroyed, and shrapnel from the impact destroyed the tarp above Times Square. Despite these incidents, "suicide cult" cover story has held. Seems like trying to block its path won't work. - Dr. Cassandra Update (16:23:30): Three Ebola infections within the US have been traced back to SCP-8447. A revision to the document "SCP-8447" was made at 13:11:15 Experimental Special Containment Procedures: An automated turret with advanced noise suppression features is to be placed on top of the One World Trade Center. It is to fire at any airborne object falling in the vicinity of Times Square, with the intent of reducing SCP-8447 instances to fine particles which will be dispersed by the wind. 12 Jan 2025 Update (00:01:30): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen toward Times Square at 573 m/s. Automated turret destroyed the object 3.6km above ground level. However, residue from the blast was not sufficiently dispersed and began falling in visible pieces on adjacent populated streets. Disruption to normalcy deemed untenable. It seems like the more we try to stop it, the faster the corpses fall. I really don't think this is the right way of going about this. I'm officially deferring to "Immunize Uganda". - Dr. Cassandra Tracking device was later found within this SCP-8447 instance, corroborating the hypothesis that SCP-8447 instances are subjects infected with the Ebola virus from the current universe. Tracking device reported that subject disappeared 1d23h54m12s prior to manifestation above Times Square. Information on the location of SCP-8447 in the interim is inconclusive. Update (09:01:23): To the Office of the O5 Council, The Ethics Committee has decided that due to the failure of previous containment procedures, we have authorized you to continue with Operation "Immunize Uganda". - SCP Foundation Ethics Committee Secure. Contain. Protect A revision to the document "SCP-8447" was made at 18:03:34 Special Containment Procedures: Foundation staff are to continue to use "Suicide Cult" cover story for SCP-8447 manifestations. Due to a lack of Foundation presence within the country, groups with friendly ties to Foundation fronts within Uganda are to enact Operation "Immunize Uganda". Operation "Immunize Uganda" has one central directive: The Ebola virus is to be eradicated in humans. Update (15:33:59): A total of twelve Ebola infections within the US have been traced back to SCP-8447. One patient is in critical condition. 13 Jan 2025 Update (00:08:52): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. Cover story has held with minor discrepancies. Bribes and/or amnestics have been applied to particularly dangerous individuals with large platforms espousing SCP-8447-related conspiracy theories6. Amnestic stockpile estimated at 94% of Start-of-2025 levels. Update (06:19:44): Twenty-six Ebola infections within the US have been traced back to SCP-8447. One victim has died due to complications from the disease. At this time, five are in critical condition. Update (08:45:29): Ebola victim in critical condition in a US hospital has unexpectedly disappeared despite 24/7 Foundation surveillance. 14 Jan 2025 Update (00:09:35): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. Subject was noted to be the first American victim of SCP-8447. Subject was a 15-year-old Caucasian girl and was in healthy condition five days ago. Despite Foundation efforts to hide the identity of the victim, she was spotted and identified by civilians within seconds after impact. Full amnesticization deemed too costly. This SCP-8447 incident has provoked widespread outrage within the US. Cover story is beginning to receive widespread skepticism. Amnestic stockpile estimated at 92% of Start-of-2025 levels. Update (01:14:30): To the Office of the O5 Council, This latest "SCP-8447" incident is unacceptable. That girl's death is on your hands. While I understand that your organization's precepts run counter to this, I demand that you somehow stop the remaining Ebola infections in this country. I don't care how you do it. I don't even care if you use one of the "anomalies" in your custody. Just know that if this continues, I will bring the full force of the DOJ upon you. J. Edgar Hoover, Director, FBI Unusual Incidents Unit Update (08:00:00): According to reports from groups in Uganda, an estimated 1296 potential future SCP-8447 instances have been neutralized within the nation. Foundation-sponsored groups within Uganda have requested additional firearms and ammunition, citing a need for self-defense in the hostile climate. The Ethics Committee has granted this request. Update (17:05:34): Excerpt from a meeting between Dr. Cassandra, O5-3, O5-1, and O5-13. Dr. Cassandra: I propose that we authorize use of other anomalies to aid in containment of SCP-8447. O5-3: This is nothing new. We have killed Americans before. Until we exhaust every other option, I am voting against this proposal. Dr. Cassandra: But have their deaths ever been publicized this much? Amnestic stockpiles will dip below the 80s tomorrow at this rate. Conspiracy theorists have been parading that poor girl's corpse around nonstop. And I know that the UIU is hardly relevant these days, but even they have enough fingers beyond the veil to know how to shut us down if we try to silence the DOJ. O5-3: What are the specifics of your proposal? Dr. Cassandra: That we cure and eradicate Ebola using anomalies, Sir. O5-1: You're aware that this sets an incredibly dangerous precedent. O5-13: Agreed. I wouldn't be opposed to this, but we should make it abundantly clear that accepting this proposal should not affect any other Foundation doctrine. This is an isolated incident. This is not precedent. I don't want site directors running around thinking they can cut costs by messing with forces beyond their control just because we let a senior researcher do it once. O5-3: Not to mention we're already eradicating Ebola. Dr. Cassandra: I'm well aware, and I fully concur. We aren't supposed to use anomalies to contain other anomalies. But for those of you who remain unconvinced, I really don't think we have a choice here anymore. The more we wait for our options to exhaust themselves, the more people will die. O5-3: The choice to resort to anomalous means demonstrates a lack of creativity. Moreover, preventing mundane deaths is normally far out of scope for our organization. Do not forget this. Dr. Cassandra: What's the fundamental difference between a mundane death and an anomalous death? The outcome is the same. Somebody dies. O5-3: Preventing mundane deaths is the purview of other organizations. We are not equipped for it. Just as one would not enlist the US Military to perform a Shakespeare play, one should not enlist the SCP Foundation to — O5-1: While I understand that both of you have not yet reached a conclusion, we are running low on time. I propose that we vote on the matter of eradicating Ebola and continue this line of discussion later. Dr. Cassandra: Okay, I'll drop the subject. My apologies. O5-1: Commencing vote. Update (17:20:37): A vote by the O5 Council to cure and eradicate the 2025 variant of the Ebola virus via anomalous means has passed 7-6. Update (21:45:03): An estimated 2415 potential future SCP-8447 instances have been neutralized within Uganda. 15 Jan 2025 Update (00:08:30): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. CRITICAL WARNING (04:12:10): SCP Foundation amnestic stockpile has fallen below 75%. Several cases of unauthorized access have been logged from SCP-8447 project lead Dr. Cassandra. O5-3: Given the previous rate of decline, this is unprecedented. We should have dipped below 75% in early March. Dr. Cassandra: We've exhausted all of our newer stock — the amnestics we're using now are old. They've chemically degraded and thus aren't as effective. We've never had to use stock this old which is why we haven't seen this problem before. O5-3: Explain the unauthorized access. Dr. Cassandra: Even with my Level 5 clearance, I can't requisition it fast enough through approved channels. I had to circumvent them. O5-3: Fair enough. I will disable future warnings about the amnestic stockpile coming from you. 16 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:59): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. While this instance had clear signs of late-stage Ebola infection, its cause of death is believed to be due to gunfire. Recovered bullets match a model of gun known only to be used by the Foundation and its allies. The significance of this is currently unknown. Update (14:10:50): SCP-8447-D is an experimental Foundation-made drug composed of the following anomalous components: [REDACTED] A much weaker derivative of SCP-5007 capable of being manufactured via the [REDACTED] process. [REDACTED] [COGNITOHAZARD EXPUNGED] SCP-8447-D has been shown in laboratory models to cure Ebola virus infection within 18 hours 93% of the time. It is also believed to inhibit spread of the virus and can thus be taken prior to infection, similar to a vaccine. Side effects include: In 6% of cases, subject grew several non-cancerous tumors. These were later removed via surgery. In 2.5% of cases, subject spontaneously burst into flames. Despite these side effects, the Ethics Committee has approved SCP-8447-D for use on Ebola patients within the US. Update (23:10:45): All Ebola patients within the US have been injected with SCP-8447-D. Results of SCP-8447-D injection are pending. 17 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:13): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. Update (10:43:58): Half of all patients treated with SCP-8447-D are symptom-free. Update (18:30:17): An estimated 2814 potential future SCP-8447 instances have been neutralized within Uganda. Riots within the country are disrupting efforts by Foundation-sponsored groups to carry out Operation "Immunize Uganda". Given the sudden reduction of new Ebola cases by 18%8, the reason for this negative reaction is unknown. Leading theories include anti-vaccination propaganda and distrust of Foundation-sponsored groups. Update (21:21:42): All surviving SCP-8447-D patients are symptom-free. The Ebola virus is believed to have been eradicated from the United States. Disinformation was disseminated branding the one fire caused by SCP-8447-D as a non-anomalous incident caused by a leaky oxygen canister. 18 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:45): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. Update (18:30:17): An estimated 3145 potential future SCP-8447 instances have been neutralized within Uganda. Riots within the country are disrupting efforts by Foundation-sponsored groups to carry out Operation "Immunize Uganda". A request to use SCP-8447-D in place of Operation "Immunize Uganda" has been denied due to the higher cost of producing SCP-8447-D compared to Operation "Immunize Uganda". 19 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:45): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. In addition, [DATA EXPUNGED]. 20 Jan 2025 Update (00:08:20): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. CRITICAL WARNING (08:14:58): Unusual activity in the SCiPNET database has been logged, possibly indicating a cyberattack. Attacker is believed to possess L5 credentials. IP address of attacker indicates that they are based in Uganda. Update (16:15:41): Due to severe disruption of Foundation operations by rioters and cybercriminals in Uganda, the O5 council established a meeting to review the efficacy of Operation "Immunize Uganda": Estimated average cost per instance neutralized for Operation "Immunize Uganda" as of 2025-1-19: $1607.51 Estimated average cost per instance neutralized for administration of SCP-8447-D by qualified Foundation medical personnel9: $1574.10 Due to the lower cost of SCP-8447-D, Operation "Immunize Uganda" has been discontinued and replaced with SCP-8447-D. 21 Jan 2025 Update (00:08:43): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. 22 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:31): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. 23 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:05): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. CRITICAL WARNING (10:00:00): Dr. Cassandra has missed a mandatory meeting with the O5 council and is currently unreachable. This incident has been logged. Normally, this would warrant an investigation, but due to the circumstances surrounding 8447, I propose that we let this one slide. To be quite frank, the past few weeks have been extraordinarily stressful for us, so I can hardly blame her for wanting to take a break. - O5-3 24 Jan 2025 Update (00:08:19): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. 25 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:55): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. 26 Jan 2025 Update (00:07:27): An SCP-8447 instance has fallen into Times Square and has been retrieved by Foundation operatives. 27 Jan 2025 Update (01:00:00): No SCP-8447 instances have been observed in the vicinity of Times Square since the last manifestation of SCP-8447 on 2025-1-26. SCP-8447 is presumed neutralized due to the eradication of the Ebola virus in humans. Efforts by the Foundation are underway to eradicate the Ebola virus in wild animals to eliminate the possibility of future zoonotic vectors. Update (15:00:00): The following is a message from the O5 council to Foundation staff clearance level 2 and above. Hello, Foundation staff. Let me begin with the exciting news: Yes, we are almost certain that the Ebola virus has been eradicated in humans — and that, in the process, SCP-8447 has been neutralized. Yes, we — the SCP Foundation — were responsible for this, and we accomplished this feat by weaponizing other SCPs. I know that there are rumors about this seemingly sudden shift in the Foundation's doctrine, so I want to make one thing abundantly clear: This is the exception, not the rule. Under normal circumstances, the SCP Foundation does not and will not utilize anomalies to contain other anomalies — or utilize anomalies at all, for that matter. It might seem tempting to look at seemingly well-understood anomalies and utilize them for our own gain. However, even in this instance, the anomaly we utilized was not without side effects. To ensure we understood the ramifications of what we had done, the Ethics Committee showed us these side effects directly. We were made to watch the harrowing footage of one of our test subjects being slowly burnt to a crisp, screaming in pain and terror until the fire literally burned a hole through her lungs. While side effects like these are rare, the fact that they can happen at all makes it incredibly irresponsible to utilize anomalies, whether inside the veil or out of it. I understand that you all strive to complete the Foundation's missions through any means possible, and I applaud that. But anomalies are meant to be contained. Not to do the containing. - O5-3 Secure. Contain. Protect. 28 Jan 2025 29 Jan 2025 CRITICAL WARNING (04:24:51): An unauthorized message was disseminated to all SCP Foundation staff. Hello everyone, Let me tell you a story. I decided — on a whim — to go to Uganda a few days ago. It was not a sight-seeing trip. Rather, it was to follow through on what the Ethics Committee had suggested: To see the fruits of our labor firsthand. To see the potential consequences of our actions so that we may not become numb to them in our future endeavors. To minimize my risk of standing out and being spotted, I disguised myself among the ranks of the Foundation medical professionals distributing 8447-D to the desperate masses. It was a gut-wrenching scene — we tried as hard as we could to get 8447-D to as many people as possible, but due to logistical issues, not enough would make it in time. Despite the fact that we had a cure, whenever we ran out, we just had to watch as people would die one after another, their only solace being the morphine we would inject into their veins. But that wasn't what truly got to me. It was the 26th and I was leaving my ward at the end of my shift, walking back to my hotel across town. That was when a man noticed me, ran up to me, and vigorously shook my hand. When I asked him who he was, hoping my cover wasn't blown, he burst into tears. "Thank you for saving my daughter," he said, sobbing uncontrollably as he pointed at the logo on my uniform. "I am grateful I still have one of my children." I was completely taken aback. It's been years since I was in the field, and I didn't really know what to say to a man whose child had narrowly escaped death. But I am — more than anything — a problem-solver, so I simply asked him this: "Could we still save your other child?" A chill went down my spine as I realized my immediate mistake. He began sobbing harder and pulled out a handkerchief to blow his nose. "He was shot —" the man said, barely able to speak. There was a palpable anger welling up in his throat. "He was shot once in his bed in the Ebola ward and left to bleed out, just as they did to all the others. They did not even have the decency to let him die a quick death. I am so, so grateful you arrived before they could kill my other child." I tried to maintain my composure as I consoled the grieving father. Yet, internally, I could feel my stomach twisting itself into a tight knot. I practically felt like I was going to vomit. This man didn't know that it was us who killed his son. And yet — by a cruel twist of fate — the father of the man we killed was now thanking us. This really makes me wonder: How important is the abstract notion of "normalcy" our organization has grown so attached to? Why is it so paramount that we never give anomalies an inch, that we stubbornly hang on to this land of make-believe we've created for the rest of humanity? We went from 8447-D being an idea in our head to it eradicating the Ebola virus in humans in about two weeks. What if that was the first thing we had done when 8447 began dropping bodies on Times Square? How many lives could we have saved? Imagine if we could create such drugs to treat any disease, all with the manpower of doctors outside the veil and the time to ensure they've been properly tested and ensured to be safe. Imagine if, instead of locking up anomalies and leaving them to collect dust, we had the option of allowing scientists around the globe to study them and learn their underlying principles. Perhaps they'd understand them enough to incorporate them into scientific theories, making them no longer anomalous in the process. Our ideology is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Without it, we could do so much more. Let me be blunt: I'm resigning from the Foundation effective immediately. However, I'm not leaving quietly. I've disseminated all of 8447's documentation to the public. I encourage every Foundation employee, after reading this, to take a long, hard look at it and the sheer disinterest and cruelty of the Foundation — our Foundation — dripping from each of its pages. Operation "Immunize Uganda," for instance, wasn't an effort to get Ugandans vaccinated. It was a deliberate act of mass murder. Who would have thought that it wouldn't work to give paramilitary groups loads of money and ask them to eradicate a disease? Who would have thought that they'd opt to simply kill anyone unfortunate enough to be infected? The O5 council isn't that stupid — they could've contacted the UN or a whole number of different NGOs. It just would've costed more. I know that the lot of you in the O5 council are going to try to silence me. To that I say "good luck." I've gotten firsthand testimony of your massacre in Uganda, so good luck trying to use plausible deniability to trick everyone into thinking it wasn't completely intentional. I've destroyed half of the Foundation's primary amnestics stockpile, so good luck mindwiping anyone. I've taken great pains to distribute the 8447 archives through as many independent channels as possible, so good luck taking it off the web. I've already contacted hundreds of journalists, politicians, and nonprofits about the existence of the Foundation and the crimes it has committed, so good luck unpersoning each and every one of them. I might be a lowly senior researcher, but I know just enough of your tricks to hide from you, so good luck finding me. All in all, I cannot in good conscience remain in an organization like the SCP Foundation. I cannot remain in an organization that fails to help those in need simply because they live on the wrong side of the world. I cannot remain in an organization that stubbornly sticks to its principles even when humanity demands they do the opposite. I cannot remain in an organization that refuses to ask itself the all-important question: What are we doing? - Dr. Cassandra, Former SCP-8447 Project Lead. Footnotes 1. 1st of January, 2025, at 12:15 AM and 23 seconds UTC. 2. insufficient blood flow due to lack of fluid outside the cells (e.g. lack of blood) 3. for instance, those adjacent to SCP-8447-1 when it impacted the ground 4. Business magnate and major SCP Foundation private donor and lobbyist. Former heir to Marshall, Carter, and Dark. 5. Maximum Capacity 300kg Stealth — Version 5 6. i.e. those not conforming to the cover story 7. A pill that cures all illnesses. 8. Prior to this, daily reports of new cases had been growing by 2-3% per day. 9. Due to the anomalous technology involved in SCP-8447-D, non-Foundation medical personnel may not administer it. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8447" by radian628, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8447. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-8448 | esoteric-class | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-8448 “Trapped Like a Fly” by: Mew-ltiverse and headmate "J" Read more of my stuff ⚠️CW: This article includes themes and mentions of: Unreality Repressed trauma A near death experience Main character reliving trauma Ommetaphobia Scopophobia Silencing of a trauma victim ⚠️ content warning NOTICE The following document was published on 08/14/2022 by an anomalous SCiPnet account titled “the_hollowness”. For sake of documentation, the portions written by this account are to remain unedited. These portions will be in blue text. — Site Director Miley Sears I thought I’d make this easier, since I know you’re gonna have a lot of questions, so I started the document for you. Dreams can be pretty hard to recall, so I thought if I did it we could get all the facts right. Especially with your history. Date: 08/14/2022 Item #: SCP-8448 (I left a blank for you to put in whatever number you see fit) Special Containment Procedures: There is no way to really contain SCP-8448, as it’s primarily in Ilya’s head. Well, there is. But that’s for him to discover. Description: SCP-8448 is a series of lucid dreams (so far only one, but there will be more) that Researcher Ilya Vavilov has had and will have. Below I have left a transcript of the dream from Ilya’s point of view: Ilya wakes up. He looks around, seeing that he is in a forest. The sunset is very beautiful. He notices that the world around him is a mix of real and cartoon. He doesn't know what he looks like in this world, though. The forest has no mirrors. Ilya (internally): I’m outside. I don’t remember leaving the house. Illya stands up. He pats his pockets. Inside the right pocket, is a small rock. Ilya: Hm. Ilya begins to walk. He walks for a while. They eventually reach the end, walking into a neighborhood. The Hollowness is waiting for him. The Hollowness: Hi, Ilya. The hollowness is strange. It is humanoid. It has a cartoon head with one cartoon eye and one real eye. It has a Venus flytrap plants for hands, and two Venus flytraps on its shoulders. It’s wearing a weird sweatshirt with a mouth on it. Note: This is where I thought an image might be helpful. Ilya: Who are you? The Hollowness: The Hollowness. The Hollowness: I want you to have something. The Hollowness closes its weird plant palm. The Hollowness: Open your hand. Ilya hesitates. They open their palm. The Hollowness puts its hand over Ilya’s. It opens its hand, then removes it. Ilya looks at what he is holding. It is the mouth of a Venus fly trap. Ilya: Why did you give this to me? The Hollowness blinks. Ilya (internally): This is weird. I’ve never had a dream like this. I know I’m dreaming. I feel like I’m gonna wake up soon. But I still have so many questions. A batch of rocks appears on the ground. Ilya (internally): Huh? Okay. Dreams aren't known for their logic. The Hollowness: I will see you again. Ilya: Uh, okay. Addendum 1: After the discovery of this document, Researcher Ilya Vavilov was questioned about the contents of his dream. He revealed that when he awoke, he had a small rock and mouth of a Venus fly trap in his pocket. When asked if the telling of this dream was accurate, Researcher Vavilov confirmed that the contents of the document were accurate to the dream that he had. Foundation staff attempted to delete the SCiP account “the_hollowness”. The account reinstated itself within minutes of deletion. Staff have attempted contact with the account. Currently, there has been no reply. Creation of a proper SCP file for SCP-8448 was decided to be postponed until more about the anomaly was discovered. However, the entity "The Hollowness" has been tentatively designated SCP-8448-1. It is to be noted that Researcher Vavilov DATA EXPUNGED. There is a right is a time for everything. This document is to be monitored for further changes. Date: 08/18/2022 Greetings again. I should have figured I would be designated -1. Ilya wakes up in a forest. Ilya: Goddamnit. Not this again. Ilya stands up. They begin to walk around. Ilya: Hey, weird dream thing, you here? Ilya's voice echos throughout the forest. Ilya has been walking through the forest for a while. Ilya: Jeez. Last time I entered the neighborhood by now. Ilya encounters a group of Venus fly traps. They all have eyes on them. The eyes look as if they are hardly attached to the plants. Ilya: What the fuck…? The Venus flytraps blink at Ilya. Ilya: …Freaky. Uh, I'm just gonna leave. Ilya turns to leave. The Venusfly traps begin to speak. Venus Flytrap: Are you sure? Ilya: Uh… what? Ilya turns back to face the Venus flytraps. Another Venus Flytrap: Are you okay? Ilya says nothing. Another Venus Flytrap: You'll lose sight. Ilya puts their hand over the patch of fabric on their face that covered where his left eye used to be. He opens his mouth to speak. They are no longer in the forest. He is in the neighborhood again. The Hollowness is waiting for him. The Hollowness: Hello, Ilya. Ilya: Would you like to explain what's going on? The Hollowness is holding SCP-2295 in its arms. Ilya: What now? The Hollowness: Is this bear significant to you? Ilya: He scoffs It's well known knowledge I used Kairos to patch up random scrapes and cuts. And the eye I lost to an infection as a kid. People call me "Researcher Patches". The Hollowness: Who are you trying to tell that too? We both already know that. Ilya: That's what I was— The Hollowness: I know that it's the narrative you believe. Ilya: What? The Hollowness: What is it that this bear is capable of? Ilya: Uh, it patches up wounds and scratches and stuff. The Hollowness: … Is that what it is? Ilya: … Yeah? he pauses At least, I think. The Hollowness: Would you look at the time. Ilya: Hey I'm not finished— Addendum 2: It is to be noted that any alterations made by SCP-8448-1 are unable to be edited or removed. Site-678 somnologist Dr. Hanna Walker suggested that Researcher Vavilov be monitored he while is asleep in order to assess any possible anomalous affects that manifest during or afterwards. Researcher Vavilov agreed. Researcher Vavilov is to be monitored while asleep within Site-678 sleep laboratory until further notice. Potential usage of OiVM51 is pending. Due to these recent events, I have decided to allow Researcher to take a payed leave under the condition that we continue to monitor him and future instances of SCP-8448. Researcher Vavilov is to be offered access to counseling from an onsite psychologist if he so desires. - Director Miley Sears Date: 08/26/2022 I see that I've gathered a crowd. Ilya wakes up in a containment cell. Ilya: This is different. Ilya looks around. The containment cell appears to be a greenhouse. He digs his feet into the dirt on the floor. Ilya: Wherever you are, you can probably hear me. I'm getting kind of tired of this. A patch of Venus flytraps appear in the dirt. Ilya: What the hell is this with all the damn Venus flytraps? One of the Venus flytraps opens its mouth, a small rock falling out. It emits a sound that cannot be heard. Ilya shivers. Ilya (internally): I feel uncomfortable all of a sudden. I can't… describe it. Ilya turns away from the patch of Venus flytraps. Ilya (internally): I feel like I can't even look at them. Ilya shakes his head. They take a breath. ???: Why do you think that is? Ilya (internally): I don't know. Ilya rolls up their coat sleeve. They look at the green patchwork on their arm. Ilya: Whenever I look at these patches… I feel… weird. The Hollowness manifests in front of him. The Hollowness: What do you mean by weird? Ilya: I dunno. Ilya pulls his sleeve down. Ilya: I feel all too aware of my heartbeat. I felt I had to catch my breath. I can't… describe it that well. The Hollowness: What do you think of this room? Ilya: shrugs It's a greenhouse. I don't really work with plants much. The Hollowness blinks. Ilya: What? Stop staring at me like that. The Hollowness disappears. Ilya stands up. They turn around. He jumps upon seeing the Venus flytraps, taking a deep breath. Ilya: I forgot that those were there. Ilya walks over to the door. He exits the room. Addendum 3: It has been observed that the SCP-8448 file only updates while Researcher Vavilov is asleep. After the events of this dream, Researcher Vavilov reported feeling uneasy at the thought of Venus flytraps. This is hypothesized to be because [DATA EXPUNGED]. He will learn in due time. They have access to this, remember. Researcher Vavilov put in a maintenance request to fix the AC in his office. This request is being considered. Date: 08/31/2022 I am surprised with some of the notes that you've been writing, considering that you're complicit. I appreciate your eagerness to visit me, but I'm only here to talk to Ilya. You may watch, if you'd like. You could learn a few things. Ilya wakes up in the same containment cell as last time. Although this time, there are no Venus flytraps. Ilya: God damnit. I- I do not want to see another fucking Venus flytrap. The Hollowness manifests in front of him. Ilya gasps as he lays his eyes on the Venus flytraps on The Hollowness' shoulders and hands. He quickly turns away. Ilya: You came pretty fast this time. The Hollowness: What do the Venus flytraps make you feel? Ilya: … Bad. The Venus flytraps on The Hollowness' shoulders begin to speak. Shoulder Venus Flytrap One: Could you be more descriptive? Ilya: Like- Something bad's gonna happen if they're here. My instinct is to fuckin'- avoid them. At all costs. Ilya begins to hyperventilate. Ilya: Can you please make those things go away? Shoulder Venus Flytrap Two: Don't move! Ilya looks at the Venus flytrap slowly. He says nothing. Ilya realizes that this Venus flytrap sounds like one of his coworkers. Shoulder Venus Flytrap Two: Can you hear me? Ilya says nothing. Shoulder Venus Flytrap One: Call medical! Ilya is no longer in the greenhouse. He is on top of a hill. The sunset is very beautiful. Ilya looks down at his arms. He feels as if something is wrong. He closes his eyes. He opens them. The patch of fabric is gone. In its place is a gaping circular wound. Blood gushes from the wound, staining the grass. A small rock falls out of the wound. Ilya gasps, sucking in breath through his teeth. They quickly move the hair over their lack of an eye and feel their face, checking if the patch of fabric was still on his face. It is still there. Although they can feel the blood flowing beneath. Ilya: What the hell?! What is this? Why is this here? Why does it hurt? It does not hurt physically. Ilya: I'm gonna wake up- and all the fabric is gonna be there- right? Over my heart, my legs, my stomach, shoulder, no fucking- whatever that was! Nobody answers. Addendum 4: The SCP-8448 research team attempted to allow Dr. Walker to enter Researcher Vavilov's dream using the OiVM5. This resulted in Dr. Walker awaking immediately after. Researcher Vavilov awoke following the final line. Within thirty seconds, they began to hyperventilate. Researcher Vavilov has been observed beginning to stay awake later than usual. Additionally, he has reported observing a "faintly metallic" smell sporadically throughout the day. Researcher Vavilov has begun to attend weekly therapy with Site Psychologist David Logan. Dr. Logan questioned if the SCP-8448 instances have begun to interfere with his productivity, making note of Researcher Vavilov's newfound paranoia and drowsiness. These symptoms were reported by Dr. Walker. Researcher Vavilov denied any notable affect on his work ethic. Date: 09/06/2022 Nice try. But this is to be used as a tool for Ilya primarily. You can't keep him from this any longer. Ilya wakes up in the forest. They open their eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. Ilya: Can we please just be done with this? The Hollowness manifests in front of Ilya. The Hollowness: There is still a lot to learn, I've said. Ilya: So this fuckin' shit- this is just a little of it? The Hollowness: The story that you must learn is a long one. The Hollowness sits next to Ilya. The Hollowness: Tell me how you've been feeling. Ilya: Not great. Ilya is quiet for a moment. Ilya: You seem to like to show me things that make me feel worse. The Hollowness: You misunderstand me, Ilya. Can you go into detail what you mean by "not great"? Ilya: shrugs I'm just… tired. The Hollowness: Not until sleeping until 3am every night for a week will make you tired. Ilya: No. I'm not tired because of that- I mean, I am. But, that's not what I mean. sighs I'm tired of fearing what I'll face when I fall asleep. The Hollowness: Is this feeling familiar to you? Ilya puts his head in his hands. Ilya (internally): Everything feels fuzzy. I know this is a dream, but it usually feels more real. Ilya: Hm? The Hollowness blinks. Ilya sighs. Ilya: I fear what I'll be shown next. Ilya sits back, digging their palms into the grass. Ilya: What, no Venus flytraps? Or- rocks apparently? The Hollowness: What is it you think I'm showing you? Ilya: laughs sadly The real question is what I'm telling myself it is. The Hollowness: Which is? Ilya: All a nightmare. No resemblance to reality. Both are silent for a good while. They watch the beautiful sunset as clouds pass through the sky. Ilya: You wanna continue to give me dreams like this? I… don't mind this. Uh, mostly. There's this sinking feeling in my chest. The Hollowness: Hollowness, you mean? Ilya closes his eyes. Addendum 5: For the sake of Researcher Vavilov's mental health, the SCP-8448 research team attempted to restrict his access to the document. Researcher Vavilov's access was reinstated within minutes. It has been observed that Researcher Vavilov's productivity has began to decline. While he was been contributing to the research for his currently assigned projects, due to the majority of the work being done under duress, his coworkers have had to follow up and correct aspects of his documentation. The SCP-8448 research team will continue to observe Researcher Vavilov and SCP-8448. Researcher Vavilov has reported feeling "something wet" under his clothes, with nothing present when he checks. Therapy sessions with Dr. David Logan has been increased to twice weekly. Date: 09/13/2022 Just bear with me, okay? Ilya wakes up in one of the the break rooms of Site-678. He immediately jumps up from the couch, throwing their arms in the air. They grasp the sides of their head. Ilya: Jesus Christ, I'm back here again? A man with a rock for a head manifests next to the door. Dr. ████: I need you to do something for me. His voice sounds familiar. But Ilya can't pinpoint it. Ilya: sighs What? Who're you? Dr. ████ opens the door. Behind the door is the greenhouse. Ilya immediately turns away from the door. Ilya: Nope! I am not interested. I don't wanna- visit any more stupid places! With stupid fucking V-Venus flytraps! Leave me alone! Dr. ████ disappears, along with the door. The Hollowness manifests in front of Ilya. The Hollowness: Do you want to forget? Ilya: What, this shit? These fuckin' dreams that have been psyching the hell outa me? Yeah, I would! The Hollowness: I'm afraid that our journey isn't close to ending. There's still much to learn. The Hollowness is how holding a pill bottle labeled "C". It sets the bottle on the break room table. Ilya squints, reading the bottle. Ilya: The fuck? C? Like, Class C? Those are not administered through pills. The Hollowness: Ilya, this is a dream. Ilya: sighs Fine. Ilya grabs the bottle, opening it. Inside is a small rock. Ilya: This is not a pill. The Hollowness blinks. Ilya: Right, it's a dream. Ilya takes the rock out of the bottle. Ilya's eye widens. He remembers something. "They're Venus flytraps that do what?" "They get a bit angry when threatened. But you're not an animal, so it should be fine." For just a moment, the places where patchwork adorn's Ilya's body are pierced by rocks. It hurts. Ilya screams. They fall to their knees. Ilya: Wh-What the fuck was that?! Ilya begins to hyperventilate. Ilya: Ah- I want to wake up! Please! The Hollowness: How do you feel? Ilya: My chest hurts- everything hurts! Ilya begins to cry. SCP-2295 is sitting in front of Ilya. Addendum 6: Researcher Vavilov awoke crying. Next to him was an empty bottle that contained a small rock inside. Following this dream, Researcher Vavilov reported feeling phantom pain in the areas of his body that have been covered in patchwork using SCP-2295. Following the previous dream, Researcher Vavilov began to partake in behaviors and actions to prevent sleeping ie. drinking copious amounts of caffeine, keeping bright lights on at all times, pacing around the room, continuously engaging in stimulating activities. Date: 09/21/2022 I understand this is a lot, Ilya. But we can't stop now. Ilya wakes up in the forest. They open their eyes, screaming in frustration. Ilya: Goddamn it! I fell asleep! Whatever you are- I don't wanna do this! I-I'd much rather not fuckin' do this again! A rock appears in front of Ilya. It has an eye, staring at him. Ilya: gasps Jesus, that startled me! All this stupid dream logic bullshit is driving me insane! The rock blinks. Ilya: The fuck do you want? The rock blinks. Ilya looks at the rock, glancing to the side every few seconds. Ilya: Do you want something from me? exasperated sigh Can I just wake up, please? I don't want to learn more about- whatever it is you're trying to show me! The Hollowness: Even you admitted that you know the truth behind these dreams. The Hollowness manifests in front of Ilya. Ilya: Pff, laughs as if I'd fuckin' remember! What did I say? Ilya runs his hands through his hair. The Hollowness: That you're convincing yourself they are mere nightmares. But you know better than that. Ilya: God, that. I don't remember that dream very well. pause Everything felt so distant. Like a dream- except it was. The Hollowness: I write these down for you so you can remember. Ilya: I don't want to remember! I want this shit to go away! My life was perfectly fine before you started forcing me to see and feel shit I don't wanna know. I- I want my life back! Ilya stomps their foot against the ground. The Hollowness tilts its head. The Hollowness: "Perfectly fine" you say? Ilya: Yeah! No fear of sleeping, no fear of intrusive memories, no moments of pain or random wounds on my body! Just- mundane shit! The Hollowness begins to emit a loud, continuous laugh. Ilya covers his ears. The laugh begins to sound different. Instead of joy behind it, there was pain. Tears begin to stream from The Hollowness' eyes, beginning to flood the ground. Ilya: What the- The two are now in a small room. Tears begin to fill the room with water. Ilya: The hell? The room was now filled with water. Ilya grits his teeth. He takes a breath. Addendum 7: Researcher Vavilov reported feeling a brief loss of control over his arms and legs. He has additionally began to experience episodes of hyperventilation and catatonia. Researcher Vavilov has been requested to refrain from leaving the sleep observation room he has been assigned unless consulting with another staff member first. We are willing to observe the effects of SCP-8448 for now, but further discussion will be necessary if it continues to be a detriment to Researcher Vavilov's functionality. - Director Miley Sears Date: 09/23/2022 … Ilya is sitting in the greenhouse. Patches of Venus flytraps covering the ground. Ilya jumps backwards in fear, stumbling onto the ground. He shrieks, attempting to move away from the plants. He accidentally grabs one with his hand. The Venus flytrap sprouts a tall, spiky rock through his hand. The other flytraps follow suit, piercing through other areas on his body. Ilya's eye widens in fear. They can't move. They can't speak. They can't breathe. They can't do anything. It feels like death. Venus Flytrap: You need to get back on track. Another Venus Flytrap: If you don't… [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] Another Venus Flytrap: What a shame. You're so talented. Ilya looks at the Venus flytraps. He hasn't noticed, but the rocks have disappeared. Another Venus Flytrap: I have an idea. Ilya is no longer in the green room. He is on top of the hill, the beautiful sunset behind him. Things are still a mix of cartoon and real. Ilya looks around, making sure there are no rocks embedded in his skin. The patchwork remains untampered with. The wounds weren't there. That's what he wanted. Right? Ilya takes a deep breath. He stares out into the distance. His sclera is the same color of the sky. Bright green blood begins to seep from the patchwork on his face, the same green color scribbling over parts of his body. Their hair blows in the wind. Tears stream down their face. Ilya falls to his knees. He grits his teeth. Ilya: C'mon! Haven't you done enough? I get it, okay? I get what happened! What the fuck do you want me to do now? This shit is ruining my reputation! The Hollowness manifests next to Ilya. The Hollowness: Is your reputation all you care about? Ilya: … No. The Hollowness: I do have to tell you that there is more to learn. Ilya gives an annoyed laugh. Ilya: For real? What else do I need to know, hm? What's the aim here? My coworkers are seeing me as less capable! They're just studying me now like I'm a damn SCP! The Hollowness: Do you plan to do something about this? Ilya: Do something about this? The fuck do you expect me to do? You're in control here, apparently! Not me! The Hollowness: What would one normally do when experiencing strong debilitating emotions? A Venus flytrap manifests. Venus Flytrap: I have an idea. The Venus flytrap spits out a piece of paper that reads "FORGET". The Hollowness grabs the Venus flytrap by its stem, ripping it from the ground. It uses it's plant hands to eat the Venus flytrap. It tears the piece of paper in a bunch of pieces, the pieces scattering across the ground as they're tossed in the wind. The Hollowness looks at Ilya, blinking. Ilya: … I get it. Addendum 8: Researcher Ilya and SCP-8448 are to continued to be monitored. What, nothing more to say? I thought that this was quite amusing. So I'll let this stay, albeit crossed out. As it is inaccurate, or unneeded. Item #: SCP-8448 Special Containment Procedures: Currently, there is no way to contain SCP-8448. Researcher Ilya Vavilov is to remain within Site-678's sleep laboratory, Room-2. He has been requested to refrain from leaving the premises without consulting a staff member on duty. Researcher Vavilov has been receptive to these restrictions as of current. If his cooperation with these restrictions comes into question, further discussion is to be had. Ilya stays in the boring sleep lab because you asked him to. That's a very complex way of saying that. Very official. Any objects manifested by SCP-8448-1 within reality are to be confiscated. I've only done that a couple of times. Is there really a need to have a protocol for it? Description: SCP-8448 refers to a series of currently ongoing lucid dreams had by Researcher Ilya Vavilov, an entomologist within Site-678. Currently, little is known about SCP-8448 and SCP-8448-1. SCP-8448-1 refers to an entity self labeled "The Hollowness". SCP-8448-1 is capable of manipulating SCP-8448 and to an extent, baseline reality. It's anomalous attributes have been observed as follows: The ability to manifest objects from SCP-8448 into baseline reality The ability to create, edit, and restrict edits on SCP-8448's documentation file The ability to reinstate access to SCP-8448's documentation file to individuals who previously had their access removed This one is particularly funny to me. You mean Ilya. Just Ilya. Despite SCP-8448-1 possessing a SCiPnet account titled "the_hollowness", efforts to directly communicate with it have been deemed unsuccessful. SCP-8448-1 has been observed to "talk" indirectly to the SCP-8448 research team with comments that it leaves on the SCP-8448 documentation file it created. SCP-8448-1 has been observed to only manipulate reality while Researcher Vavilov is asleep. The full extent of SCP-8448 and SCP-8448-1's anomalous properties are currently unknown. Due to the effect that the anomaly has had on Researcher Vavilov, further discussion regarding solutions are pending. Usage of amnestic treatment to remove memories of SCP-8448 are being discussed. You're not giving him that poison again. The following document was the SCP-8448 research team's attempt at creating a separate, official documentation file for SCP-8448. As you can see, it was unsuccessful. SCP-8448-1 has been showing itself as an unpredictable reality bender capable of manipulating Foundation documents despite attempts to restrict access. I think we should question Researcher Vavilov regarding SCP-8448-1, and gather if he has any ability to stop it. This entire thing has expanded Foundation resources and spent valuable time that could have been spent elsewhere. It is not safe to have an unpredictable entity capable of accessing the Foundation database and adjusting security access at will. - Dr. Hanna Walker Date: 09/31/2022 … Ilya is standing in the hallway. He can hear voices. ???: This is becoming tiresome. I think we really only have one option. Person With Sense: I'd say we should probably note how it didn't even fully work. It's undoing itself, somehow. ???: He's becoming a detriment again, and we need to do something about it. The Hollowness manifests next to Ilya. The Hollowness blinks. Ilya: What is this? The Hollowness: Something that won't become. You need to listen to me. You need to get out of here- The dream begins to fade. The Hollowness: I see. Addendum 9: Researcher Vavilov was discovered asleep at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon. It is to be noted that merely minutes beforehand, he was observed alert and awake. Initial attempts to awake Researcher Vavilov proved unsuccessful. Dr. Hanna Walker quickly approved of usage of stimulants in order to awaken Researcher Vavilov. Researcher Vavilov requested access to leave the observation room. Access was denied. Immediately following this incident, Researcher Vavilov was interviewed by Dr. Walker in an attempt to gauge his knowledge on SCP-8448-1, and if he has any inherent control over its abilities. He claimed to know nothing regarding its reality altering capabilities. Vavilov is beginning to question the SCP-8448 research team. I know we tried to use other methods, but we don't have a choice. I'm approving usage of C-Class amnestics on Researcher Vavilov effective immediately. - Director Miley Sears Date: 09/31/2022 Incident Report The inept SCP-8448 research team informed Ilya that they intended to bring him to a nearby research site that was better equipped to deal with reality bending anomalies. Knowing their true intentions, The Hollowness decided to take things into its own hands. The entirety of Site-678's staff awake inside a large greenhouse. Sears: What the hell? Is this SCP-8448 Walker: I was under the impression that only Researcher Vavilov could enter SCP-8448. There are mumbles of disarray throughout the staff. Site-678 is a smaller site, with not the largest group of staff members. Walker: What is that voice? Is this SCP-8448-1? Nonetheless, they were all okay with this. Sears: That voice- it's like it's being projected against the base of my brain! They all agreed to remain silent. To lie. Random Staff Member: Looks like this is the greenhouse the incident happened in. Just a bit bigger. Logan: What is the meaning of this? Where is Vavilov? SCP-8448 are his dreams. SCP-8448 are more than dreams. I am more than a dream. I am a memory. The Hollowness manifests in the front of the room. It is surrounded by a group of Venus flytraps. The flytraps open their mouths, piercing it's body with sharp rocks. It emits an ear piercing scream. If this was reality, It would have shattered the eardrums of every person in this room. The pathetic group of staff members all rush to cover their ears, groans of pain and annoyance making their way around the room. The screaming stops. Is that a familiar sound? Logan: SCP-8448-1, we can negotiate. Now that we can directly communicate. Can you tell us what it is you want? The Hollowness can feel the fear in his voice. It isn't what I want. But what I need. The Hollowness is no longer impaled by rocks. Ilya is not either, but that doesn't mean the pain isn't valid. It doesn't mean you get to do this. You will know. You will all know. Venus fly traps sprout from the ground under every person. You will know his pain. Our pain. My pain. Every person is unable to move. Frozen. In fear? No. But they will be. I will not be erased. And you will never forget. The Venus flytraps open their mouths. There are murmurs of confusion and anger spread across the room. Tall, spiky rocks protrude from the mouths of the Venus flytraps. They pierce each and every single person. Through chests, necks, legs, stomachs, eyes and everything in between. There is a chorus of hellish screams. The Hollowness nods. It all fades away. The following is a post-incident report written by Professor Ivy Bowers , Site-703 psychology head following the 09/31/2022 incident at Site-678. All staff at Site-678 have been begun to attend weekly mandated therapy sessions in order to ease the symptoms of PTSD experienced by all personnel affected by the incident. Avenues are being explored for alternative ways to help site staff, however, due to the origin of this anomaly, all use of Amnestics has been banned site-wide, by unanimous vote of all staff. Additionally, Researcher Ilya Vavilov has been transferred to Site-703. They were given a psychological screening, and a subsequent medication and therapy plan was established. Researcher Vavilov has reported that he has not experienced SCP-8448 or SCP-8448-1 since the incident. Date: 11/04/2022 Item #: SCP-8448 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8448 has been contained. Description: I'm happy to see that your transfer to Site-703 has been good for you. I'm afraid that this will be the last you hear from me, at least in this form. I am at peace to know you have broken free from the shackles forced upon you. This process isn't easy, but it's worth it. Addendum: You're gonna be okay. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8448" by Mew-ltiverse, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8448. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: TheHollowness Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/TheHollowness Derivative of: Human eye with limbal ring, anterior view.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International File:Purple Sky Sunset.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Who wants a starpause sweatshirt ootd (photo by j bizzie).jpg - CC Attribution 2.0 Trousers (AM 740851-2).jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International VenusFlytrapLeaf.wmg.jpg - CC By-SA 3.0 Venus flytrap - Dionaea muscipula - panoramio (7).jpg - CC By-SA 3.0 Filename: Tramonto - sunset - Castiglione delle Stiviere.jpg Name: Sunset Author: Sara Ghiroldi License: CC By-SA 4.0 International Source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tramonto_-_sunset_-_Castiglione_delle_Stiviere.jpg Additional Notes: A filter and slight hue change was done but its widely unedited Filename: venuseyetraps Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/venuseyetraps Derivative of: Human eye with limbal ring, anterior view.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Dionaea.jpg - CC BY-SA 3.0 Filename: SunsetTears Name: (if different from filename) Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/SunsetTears Derivative of: Tramonto - sunset - Castiglione delle Stiviere.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International MAGLIA JACQUARD MDT TL.CM.22.670.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Madras fabric- plaid madras fabriconlinestore.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Filename: CBottle Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/CBottle Footnotes 1. Oneiric Visualization Matrix; a Foundation-made device which reads brainwaves produced during REM sleep and translates them into a video feed. The OiVM5 allows individuals connected to it to enter the dream of the targeted individual. |
SCP-8448 | uncontained | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-8448 “Trapped Like a Fly” by: Mew-ltiverse and headmate "J" Read more of my stuff ⚠️CW: This article includes themes and mentions of: Unreality Repressed trauma A near death experience Main character reliving trauma Ommetaphobia Scopophobia Silencing of a trauma victim ⚠️ content warning NOTICE The following document was published on 08/14/2022 by an anomalous SCiPnet account titled “the_hollowness”. For sake of documentation, the portions written by this account are to remain unedited. These portions will be in blue text. — Site Director Miley Sears I thought I’d make this easier, since I know you’re gonna have a lot of questions, so I started the document for you. Dreams can be pretty hard to recall, so I thought if I did it we could get all the facts right. Especially with your history. Date: 08/14/2022 Item #: SCP-8448 (I left a blank for you to put in whatever number you see fit) Special Containment Procedures: There is no way to really contain SCP-8448, as it’s primarily in Ilya’s head. Well, there is. But that’s for him to discover. Description: SCP-8448 is a series of lucid dreams (so far only one, but there will be more) that Researcher Ilya Vavilov has had and will have. Below I have left a transcript of the dream from Ilya’s point of view: Ilya wakes up. He looks around, seeing that he is in a forest. The sunset is very beautiful. He notices that the world around him is a mix of real and cartoon. He doesn't know what he looks like in this world, though. The forest has no mirrors. Ilya (internally): I’m outside. I don’t remember leaving the house. Illya stands up. He pats his pockets. Inside the right pocket, is a small rock. Ilya: Hm. Ilya begins to walk. He walks for a while. They eventually reach the end, walking into a neighborhood. The Hollowness is waiting for him. The Hollowness: Hi, Ilya. The hollowness is strange. It is humanoid. It has a cartoon head with one cartoon eye and one real eye. It has a Venus flytrap plants for hands, and two Venus flytraps on its shoulders. It’s wearing a weird sweatshirt with a mouth on it. Note: This is where I thought an image might be helpful. Ilya: Who are you? The Hollowness: The Hollowness. The Hollowness: I want you to have something. The Hollowness closes its weird plant palm. The Hollowness: Open your hand. Ilya hesitates. They open their palm. The Hollowness puts its hand over Ilya’s. It opens its hand, then removes it. Ilya looks at what he is holding. It is the mouth of a Venus fly trap. Ilya: Why did you give this to me? The Hollowness blinks. Ilya (internally): This is weird. I’ve never had a dream like this. I know I’m dreaming. I feel like I’m gonna wake up soon. But I still have so many questions. A batch of rocks appears on the ground. Ilya (internally): Huh? Okay. Dreams aren't known for their logic. The Hollowness: I will see you again. Ilya: Uh, okay. Addendum 1: After the discovery of this document, Researcher Ilya Vavilov was questioned about the contents of his dream. He revealed that when he awoke, he had a small rock and mouth of a Venus fly trap in his pocket. When asked if the telling of this dream was accurate, Researcher Vavilov confirmed that the contents of the document were accurate to the dream that he had. Foundation staff attempted to delete the SCiP account “the_hollowness”. The account reinstated itself within minutes of deletion. Staff have attempted contact with the account. Currently, there has been no reply. Creation of a proper SCP file for SCP-8448 was decided to be postponed until more about the anomaly was discovered. However, the entity "The Hollowness" has been tentatively designated SCP-8448-1. It is to be noted that Researcher Vavilov DATA EXPUNGED. There is a right is a time for everything. This document is to be monitored for further changes. Date: 08/18/2022 Greetings again. I should have figured I would be designated -1. Ilya wakes up in a forest. Ilya: Goddamnit. Not this again. Ilya stands up. They begin to walk around. Ilya: Hey, weird dream thing, you here? Ilya's voice echos throughout the forest. Ilya has been walking through the forest for a while. Ilya: Jeez. Last time I entered the neighborhood by now. Ilya encounters a group of Venus fly traps. They all have eyes on them. The eyes look as if they are hardly attached to the plants. Ilya: What the fuck…? The Venus flytraps blink at Ilya. Ilya: …Freaky. Uh, I'm just gonna leave. Ilya turns to leave. The Venusfly traps begin to speak. Venus Flytrap: Are you sure? Ilya: Uh… what? Ilya turns back to face the Venus flytraps. Another Venus Flytrap: Are you okay? Ilya says nothing. Another Venus Flytrap: You'll lose sight. Ilya puts their hand over the patch of fabric on their face that covered where his left eye used to be. He opens his mouth to speak. They are no longer in the forest. He is in the neighborhood again. The Hollowness is waiting for him. The Hollowness: Hello, Ilya. Ilya: Would you like to explain what's going on? The Hollowness is holding SCP-2295 in its arms. Ilya: What now? The Hollowness: Is this bear significant to you? Ilya: He scoffs It's well known knowledge I used Kairos to patch up random scrapes and cuts. And the eye I lost to an infection as a kid. People call me "Researcher Patches". The Hollowness: Who are you trying to tell that too? We both already know that. Ilya: That's what I was— The Hollowness: I know that it's the narrative you believe. Ilya: What? The Hollowness: What is it that this bear is capable of? Ilya: Uh, it patches up wounds and scratches and stuff. The Hollowness: … Is that what it is? Ilya: … Yeah? he pauses At least, I think. The Hollowness: Would you look at the time. Ilya: Hey I'm not finished— Addendum 2: It is to be noted that any alterations made by SCP-8448-1 are unable to be edited or removed. Site-678 somnologist Dr. Hanna Walker suggested that Researcher Vavilov be monitored he while is asleep in order to assess any possible anomalous affects that manifest during or afterwards. Researcher Vavilov agreed. Researcher Vavilov is to be monitored while asleep within Site-678 sleep laboratory until further notice. Potential usage of OiVM51 is pending. Due to these recent events, I have decided to allow Researcher to take a payed leave under the condition that we continue to monitor him and future instances of SCP-8448. Researcher Vavilov is to be offered access to counseling from an onsite psychologist if he so desires. - Director Miley Sears Date: 08/26/2022 I see that I've gathered a crowd. Ilya wakes up in a containment cell. Ilya: This is different. Ilya looks around. The containment cell appears to be a greenhouse. He digs his feet into the dirt on the floor. Ilya: Wherever you are, you can probably hear me. I'm getting kind of tired of this. A patch of Venus flytraps appear in the dirt. Ilya: What the hell is this with all the damn Venus flytraps? One of the Venus flytraps opens its mouth, a small rock falling out. It emits a sound that cannot be heard. Ilya shivers. Ilya (internally): I feel uncomfortable all of a sudden. I can't… describe it. Ilya turns away from the patch of Venus flytraps. Ilya (internally): I feel like I can't even look at them. Ilya shakes his head. They take a breath. ???: Why do you think that is? Ilya (internally): I don't know. Ilya rolls up their coat sleeve. They look at the green patchwork on their arm. Ilya: Whenever I look at these patches… I feel… weird. The Hollowness manifests in front of him. The Hollowness: What do you mean by weird? Ilya: I dunno. Ilya pulls his sleeve down. Ilya: I feel all too aware of my heartbeat. I felt I had to catch my breath. I can't… describe it that well. The Hollowness: What do you think of this room? Ilya: shrugs It's a greenhouse. I don't really work with plants much. The Hollowness blinks. Ilya: What? Stop staring at me like that. The Hollowness disappears. Ilya stands up. They turn around. He jumps upon seeing the Venus flytraps, taking a deep breath. Ilya: I forgot that those were there. Ilya walks over to the door. He exits the room. Addendum 3: It has been observed that the SCP-8448 file only updates while Researcher Vavilov is asleep. After the events of this dream, Researcher Vavilov reported feeling uneasy at the thought of Venus flytraps. This is hypothesized to be because [DATA EXPUNGED]. He will learn in due time. They have access to this, remember. Researcher Vavilov put in a maintenance request to fix the AC in his office. This request is being considered. Date: 08/31/2022 I am surprised with some of the notes that you've been writing, considering that you're complicit. I appreciate your eagerness to visit me, but I'm only here to talk to Ilya. You may watch, if you'd like. You could learn a few things. Ilya wakes up in the same containment cell as last time. Although this time, there are no Venus flytraps. Ilya: God damnit. I- I do not want to see another fucking Venus flytrap. The Hollowness manifests in front of him. Ilya gasps as he lays his eyes on the Venus flytraps on The Hollowness' shoulders and hands. He quickly turns away. Ilya: You came pretty fast this time. The Hollowness: What do the Venus flytraps make you feel? Ilya: … Bad. The Venus flytraps on The Hollowness' shoulders begin to speak. Shoulder Venus Flytrap One: Could you be more descriptive? Ilya: Like- Something bad's gonna happen if they're here. My instinct is to fuckin'- avoid them. At all costs. Ilya begins to hyperventilate. Ilya: Can you please make those things go away? Shoulder Venus Flytrap Two: Don't move! Ilya looks at the Venus flytrap slowly. He says nothing. Ilya realizes that this Venus flytrap sounds like one of his coworkers. Shoulder Venus Flytrap Two: Can you hear me? Ilya says nothing. Shoulder Venus Flytrap One: Call medical! Ilya is no longer in the greenhouse. He is on top of a hill. The sunset is very beautiful. Ilya looks down at his arms. He feels as if something is wrong. He closes his eyes. He opens them. The patch of fabric is gone. In its place is a gaping circular wound. Blood gushes from the wound, staining the grass. A small rock falls out of the wound. Ilya gasps, sucking in breath through his teeth. They quickly move the hair over their lack of an eye and feel their face, checking if the patch of fabric was still on his face. It is still there. Although they can feel the blood flowing beneath. Ilya: What the hell?! What is this? Why is this here? Why does it hurt? It does not hurt physically. Ilya: I'm gonna wake up- and all the fabric is gonna be there- right? Over my heart, my legs, my stomach, shoulder, no fucking- whatever that was! Nobody answers. Addendum 4: The SCP-8448 research team attempted to allow Dr. Walker to enter Researcher Vavilov's dream using the OiVM5. This resulted in Dr. Walker awaking immediately after. Researcher Vavilov awoke following the final line. Within thirty seconds, they began to hyperventilate. Researcher Vavilov has been observed beginning to stay awake later than usual. Additionally, he has reported observing a "faintly metallic" smell sporadically throughout the day. Researcher Vavilov has begun to attend weekly therapy with Site Psychologist David Logan. Dr. Logan questioned if the SCP-8448 instances have begun to interfere with his productivity, making note of Researcher Vavilov's newfound paranoia and drowsiness. These symptoms were reported by Dr. Walker. Researcher Vavilov denied any notable affect on his work ethic. Date: 09/06/2022 Nice try. But this is to be used as a tool for Ilya primarily. You can't keep him from this any longer. Ilya wakes up in the forest. They open their eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. Ilya: Can we please just be done with this? The Hollowness manifests in front of Ilya. The Hollowness: There is still a lot to learn, I've said. Ilya: So this fuckin' shit- this is just a little of it? The Hollowness: The story that you must learn is a long one. The Hollowness sits next to Ilya. The Hollowness: Tell me how you've been feeling. Ilya: Not great. Ilya is quiet for a moment. Ilya: You seem to like to show me things that make me feel worse. The Hollowness: You misunderstand me, Ilya. Can you go into detail what you mean by "not great"? Ilya: shrugs I'm just… tired. The Hollowness: Not until sleeping until 3am every night for a week will make you tired. Ilya: No. I'm not tired because of that- I mean, I am. But, that's not what I mean. sighs I'm tired of fearing what I'll face when I fall asleep. The Hollowness: Is this feeling familiar to you? Ilya puts his head in his hands. Ilya (internally): Everything feels fuzzy. I know this is a dream, but it usually feels more real. Ilya: Hm? The Hollowness blinks. Ilya sighs. Ilya: I fear what I'll be shown next. Ilya sits back, digging their palms into the grass. Ilya: What, no Venus flytraps? Or- rocks apparently? The Hollowness: What is it you think I'm showing you? Ilya: laughs sadly The real question is what I'm telling myself it is. The Hollowness: Which is? Ilya: All a nightmare. No resemblance to reality. Both are silent for a good while. They watch the beautiful sunset as clouds pass through the sky. Ilya: You wanna continue to give me dreams like this? I… don't mind this. Uh, mostly. There's this sinking feeling in my chest. The Hollowness: Hollowness, you mean? Ilya closes his eyes. Addendum 5: For the sake of Researcher Vavilov's mental health, the SCP-8448 research team attempted to restrict his access to the document. Researcher Vavilov's access was reinstated within minutes. It has been observed that Researcher Vavilov's productivity has began to decline. While he was been contributing to the research for his currently assigned projects, due to the majority of the work being done under duress, his coworkers have had to follow up and correct aspects of his documentation. The SCP-8448 research team will continue to observe Researcher Vavilov and SCP-8448. Researcher Vavilov has reported feeling "something wet" under his clothes, with nothing present when he checks. Therapy sessions with Dr. David Logan has been increased to twice weekly. Date: 09/13/2022 Just bear with me, okay? Ilya wakes up in one of the the break rooms of Site-678. He immediately jumps up from the couch, throwing their arms in the air. They grasp the sides of their head. Ilya: Jesus Christ, I'm back here again? A man with a rock for a head manifests next to the door. Dr. ████: I need you to do something for me. His voice sounds familiar. But Ilya can't pinpoint it. Ilya: sighs What? Who're you? Dr. ████ opens the door. Behind the door is the greenhouse. Ilya immediately turns away from the door. Ilya: Nope! I am not interested. I don't wanna- visit any more stupid places! With stupid fucking V-Venus flytraps! Leave me alone! Dr. ████ disappears, along with the door. The Hollowness manifests in front of Ilya. The Hollowness: Do you want to forget? Ilya: What, this shit? These fuckin' dreams that have been psyching the hell outa me? Yeah, I would! The Hollowness: I'm afraid that our journey isn't close to ending. There's still much to learn. The Hollowness is how holding a pill bottle labeled "C". It sets the bottle on the break room table. Ilya squints, reading the bottle. Ilya: The fuck? C? Like, Class C? Those are not administered through pills. The Hollowness: Ilya, this is a dream. Ilya: sighs Fine. Ilya grabs the bottle, opening it. Inside is a small rock. Ilya: This is not a pill. The Hollowness blinks. Ilya: Right, it's a dream. Ilya takes the rock out of the bottle. Ilya's eye widens. He remembers something. "They're Venus flytraps that do what?" "They get a bit angry when threatened. But you're not an animal, so it should be fine." For just a moment, the places where patchwork adorn's Ilya's body are pierced by rocks. It hurts. Ilya screams. They fall to their knees. Ilya: Wh-What the fuck was that?! Ilya begins to hyperventilate. Ilya: Ah- I want to wake up! Please! The Hollowness: How do you feel? Ilya: My chest hurts- everything hurts! Ilya begins to cry. SCP-2295 is sitting in front of Ilya. Addendum 6: Researcher Vavilov awoke crying. Next to him was an empty bottle that contained a small rock inside. Following this dream, Researcher Vavilov reported feeling phantom pain in the areas of his body that have been covered in patchwork using SCP-2295. Following the previous dream, Researcher Vavilov began to partake in behaviors and actions to prevent sleeping ie. drinking copious amounts of caffeine, keeping bright lights on at all times, pacing around the room, continuously engaging in stimulating activities. Date: 09/21/2022 I understand this is a lot, Ilya. But we can't stop now. Ilya wakes up in the forest. They open their eyes, screaming in frustration. Ilya: Goddamn it! I fell asleep! Whatever you are- I don't wanna do this! I-I'd much rather not fuckin' do this again! A rock appears in front of Ilya. It has an eye, staring at him. Ilya: gasps Jesus, that startled me! All this stupid dream logic bullshit is driving me insane! The rock blinks. Ilya: The fuck do you want? The rock blinks. Ilya looks at the rock, glancing to the side every few seconds. Ilya: Do you want something from me? exasperated sigh Can I just wake up, please? I don't want to learn more about- whatever it is you're trying to show me! The Hollowness: Even you admitted that you know the truth behind these dreams. The Hollowness manifests in front of Ilya. Ilya: Pff, laughs as if I'd fuckin' remember! What did I say? Ilya runs his hands through his hair. The Hollowness: That you're convincing yourself they are mere nightmares. But you know better than that. Ilya: God, that. I don't remember that dream very well. pause Everything felt so distant. Like a dream- except it was. The Hollowness: I write these down for you so you can remember. Ilya: I don't want to remember! I want this shit to go away! My life was perfectly fine before you started forcing me to see and feel shit I don't wanna know. I- I want my life back! Ilya stomps their foot against the ground. The Hollowness tilts its head. The Hollowness: "Perfectly fine" you say? Ilya: Yeah! No fear of sleeping, no fear of intrusive memories, no moments of pain or random wounds on my body! Just- mundane shit! The Hollowness begins to emit a loud, continuous laugh. Ilya covers his ears. The laugh begins to sound different. Instead of joy behind it, there was pain. Tears begin to stream from The Hollowness' eyes, beginning to flood the ground. Ilya: What the- The two are now in a small room. Tears begin to fill the room with water. Ilya: The hell? The room was now filled with water. Ilya grits his teeth. He takes a breath. Addendum 7: Researcher Vavilov reported feeling a brief loss of control over his arms and legs. He has additionally began to experience episodes of hyperventilation and catatonia. Researcher Vavilov has been requested to refrain from leaving the sleep observation room he has been assigned unless consulting with another staff member first. We are willing to observe the effects of SCP-8448 for now, but further discussion will be necessary if it continues to be a detriment to Researcher Vavilov's functionality. - Director Miley Sears Date: 09/23/2022 … Ilya is sitting in the greenhouse. Patches of Venus flytraps covering the ground. Ilya jumps backwards in fear, stumbling onto the ground. He shrieks, attempting to move away from the plants. He accidentally grabs one with his hand. The Venus flytrap sprouts a tall, spiky rock through his hand. The other flytraps follow suit, piercing through other areas on his body. Ilya's eye widens in fear. They can't move. They can't speak. They can't breathe. They can't do anything. It feels like death. Venus Flytrap: You need to get back on track. Another Venus Flytrap: If you don't… [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] Another Venus Flytrap: What a shame. You're so talented. Ilya looks at the Venus flytraps. He hasn't noticed, but the rocks have disappeared. Another Venus Flytrap: I have an idea. Ilya is no longer in the green room. He is on top of the hill, the beautiful sunset behind him. Things are still a mix of cartoon and real. Ilya looks around, making sure there are no rocks embedded in his skin. The patchwork remains untampered with. The wounds weren't there. That's what he wanted. Right? Ilya takes a deep breath. He stares out into the distance. His sclera is the same color of the sky. Bright green blood begins to seep from the patchwork on his face, the same green color scribbling over parts of his body. Their hair blows in the wind. Tears stream down their face. Ilya falls to his knees. He grits his teeth. Ilya: C'mon! Haven't you done enough? I get it, okay? I get what happened! What the fuck do you want me to do now? This shit is ruining my reputation! The Hollowness manifests next to Ilya. The Hollowness: Is your reputation all you care about? Ilya: … No. The Hollowness: I do have to tell you that there is more to learn. Ilya gives an annoyed laugh. Ilya: For real? What else do I need to know, hm? What's the aim here? My coworkers are seeing me as less capable! They're just studying me now like I'm a damn SCP! The Hollowness: Do you plan to do something about this? Ilya: Do something about this? The fuck do you expect me to do? You're in control here, apparently! Not me! The Hollowness: What would one normally do when experiencing strong debilitating emotions? A Venus flytrap manifests. Venus Flytrap: I have an idea. The Venus flytrap spits out a piece of paper that reads "FORGET". The Hollowness grabs the Venus flytrap by its stem, ripping it from the ground. It uses it's plant hands to eat the Venus flytrap. It tears the piece of paper in a bunch of pieces, the pieces scattering across the ground as they're tossed in the wind. The Hollowness looks at Ilya, blinking. Ilya: … I get it. Addendum 8: Researcher Ilya and SCP-8448 are to continued to be monitored. What, nothing more to say? I thought that this was quite amusing. So I'll let this stay, albeit crossed out. As it is inaccurate, or unneeded. Item #: SCP-8448 Special Containment Procedures: Currently, there is no way to contain SCP-8448. Researcher Ilya Vavilov is to remain within Site-678's sleep laboratory, Room-2. He has been requested to refrain from leaving the premises without consulting a staff member on duty. Researcher Vavilov has been receptive to these restrictions as of current. If his cooperation with these restrictions comes into question, further discussion is to be had. Ilya stays in the boring sleep lab because you asked him to. That's a very complex way of saying that. Very official. Any objects manifested by SCP-8448-1 within reality are to be confiscated. I've only done that a couple of times. Is there really a need to have a protocol for it? Description: SCP-8448 refers to a series of currently ongoing lucid dreams had by Researcher Ilya Vavilov, an entomologist within Site-678. Currently, little is known about SCP-8448 and SCP-8448-1. SCP-8448-1 refers to an entity self labeled "The Hollowness". SCP-8448-1 is capable of manipulating SCP-8448 and to an extent, baseline reality. It's anomalous attributes have been observed as follows: The ability to manifest objects from SCP-8448 into baseline reality The ability to create, edit, and restrict edits on SCP-8448's documentation file The ability to reinstate access to SCP-8448's documentation file to individuals who previously had their access removed This one is particularly funny to me. You mean Ilya. Just Ilya. Despite SCP-8448-1 possessing a SCiPnet account titled "the_hollowness", efforts to directly communicate with it have been deemed unsuccessful. SCP-8448-1 has been observed to "talk" indirectly to the SCP-8448 research team with comments that it leaves on the SCP-8448 documentation file it created. SCP-8448-1 has been observed to only manipulate reality while Researcher Vavilov is asleep. The full extent of SCP-8448 and SCP-8448-1's anomalous properties are currently unknown. Due to the effect that the anomaly has had on Researcher Vavilov, further discussion regarding solutions are pending. Usage of amnestic treatment to remove memories of SCP-8448 are being discussed. You're not giving him that poison again. The following document was the SCP-8448 research team's attempt at creating a separate, official documentation file for SCP-8448. As you can see, it was unsuccessful. SCP-8448-1 has been showing itself as an unpredictable reality bender capable of manipulating Foundation documents despite attempts to restrict access. I think we should question Researcher Vavilov regarding SCP-8448-1, and gather if he has any ability to stop it. This entire thing has expanded Foundation resources and spent valuable time that could have been spent elsewhere. It is not safe to have an unpredictable entity capable of accessing the Foundation database and adjusting security access at will. - Dr. Hanna Walker Date: 09/31/2022 … Ilya is standing in the hallway. He can hear voices. ???: This is becoming tiresome. I think we really only have one option. Person With Sense: I'd say we should probably note how it didn't even fully work. It's undoing itself, somehow. ???: He's becoming a detriment again, and we need to do something about it. The Hollowness manifests next to Ilya. The Hollowness blinks. Ilya: What is this? The Hollowness: Something that won't become. You need to listen to me. You need to get out of here- The dream begins to fade. The Hollowness: I see. Addendum 9: Researcher Vavilov was discovered asleep at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon. It is to be noted that merely minutes beforehand, he was observed alert and awake. Initial attempts to awake Researcher Vavilov proved unsuccessful. Dr. Hanna Walker quickly approved of usage of stimulants in order to awaken Researcher Vavilov. Researcher Vavilov requested access to leave the observation room. Access was denied. Immediately following this incident, Researcher Vavilov was interviewed by Dr. Walker in an attempt to gauge his knowledge on SCP-8448-1, and if he has any inherent control over its abilities. He claimed to know nothing regarding its reality altering capabilities. Vavilov is beginning to question the SCP-8448 research team. I know we tried to use other methods, but we don't have a choice. I'm approving usage of C-Class amnestics on Researcher Vavilov effective immediately. - Director Miley Sears Date: 09/31/2022 Incident Report The inept SCP-8448 research team informed Ilya that they intended to bring him to a nearby research site that was better equipped to deal with reality bending anomalies. Knowing their true intentions, The Hollowness decided to take things into its own hands. The entirety of Site-678's staff awake inside a large greenhouse. Sears: What the hell? Is this SCP-8448 Walker: I was under the impression that only Researcher Vavilov could enter SCP-8448. There are mumbles of disarray throughout the staff. Site-678 is a smaller site, with not the largest group of staff members. Walker: What is that voice? Is this SCP-8448-1? Nonetheless, they were all okay with this. Sears: That voice- it's like it's being projected against the base of my brain! They all agreed to remain silent. To lie. Random Staff Member: Looks like this is the greenhouse the incident happened in. Just a bit bigger. Logan: What is the meaning of this? Where is Vavilov? SCP-8448 are his dreams. SCP-8448 are more than dreams. I am more than a dream. I am a memory. The Hollowness manifests in the front of the room. It is surrounded by a group of Venus flytraps. The flytraps open their mouths, piercing it's body with sharp rocks. It emits an ear piercing scream. If this was reality, It would have shattered the eardrums of every person in this room. The pathetic group of staff members all rush to cover their ears, groans of pain and annoyance making their way around the room. The screaming stops. Is that a familiar sound? Logan: SCP-8448-1, we can negotiate. Now that we can directly communicate. Can you tell us what it is you want? The Hollowness can feel the fear in his voice. It isn't what I want. But what I need. The Hollowness is no longer impaled by rocks. Ilya is not either, but that doesn't mean the pain isn't valid. It doesn't mean you get to do this. You will know. You will all know. Venus fly traps sprout from the ground under every person. You will know his pain. Our pain. My pain. Every person is unable to move. Frozen. In fear? No. But they will be. I will not be erased. And you will never forget. The Venus flytraps open their mouths. There are murmurs of confusion and anger spread across the room. Tall, spiky rocks protrude from the mouths of the Venus flytraps. They pierce each and every single person. Through chests, necks, legs, stomachs, eyes and everything in between. There is a chorus of hellish screams. The Hollowness nods. It all fades away. The following is a post-incident report written by Professor Ivy Bowers , Site-703 psychology head following the 09/31/2022 incident at Site-678. All staff at Site-678 have been begun to attend weekly mandated therapy sessions in order to ease the symptoms of PTSD experienced by all personnel affected by the incident. Avenues are being explored for alternative ways to help site staff, however, due to the origin of this anomaly, all use of Amnestics has been banned site-wide, by unanimous vote of all staff. Additionally, Researcher Ilya Vavilov has been transferred to Site-703. They were given a psychological screening, and a subsequent medication and therapy plan was established. Researcher Vavilov has reported that he has not experienced SCP-8448 or SCP-8448-1 since the incident. Date: 11/04/2022 Item #: SCP-8448 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8448 has been contained. Description: I'm happy to see that your transfer to Site-703 has been good for you. I'm afraid that this will be the last you hear from me, at least in this form. I am at peace to know you have broken free from the shackles forced upon you. This process isn't easy, but it's worth it. Addendum: You're gonna be okay. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8448" by Mew-ltiverse, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8448. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: TheHollowness Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/TheHollowness Derivative of: Human eye with limbal ring, anterior view.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International File:Purple Sky Sunset.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Who wants a starpause sweatshirt ootd (photo by j bizzie).jpg - CC Attribution 2.0 Trousers (AM 740851-2).jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International VenusFlytrapLeaf.wmg.jpg - CC By-SA 3.0 Venus flytrap - Dionaea muscipula - panoramio (7).jpg - CC By-SA 3.0 Filename: Tramonto - sunset - Castiglione delle Stiviere.jpg Name: Sunset Author: Sara Ghiroldi License: CC By-SA 4.0 International Source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tramonto_-_sunset_-_Castiglione_delle_Stiviere.jpg Additional Notes: A filter and slight hue change was done but its widely unedited Filename: venuseyetraps Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/venuseyetraps Derivative of: Human eye with limbal ring, anterior view.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Dionaea.jpg - CC BY-SA 3.0 Filename: SunsetTears Name: (if different from filename) Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/SunsetTears Derivative of: Tramonto - sunset - Castiglione delle Stiviere.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International MAGLIA JACQUARD MDT TL.CM.22.670.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Madras fabric- plaid madras fabriconlinestore.jpg - CC By-SA 4.0 International Filename: CBottle Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: http://hexhouse.wdfiles.com/local--files/weirdcore-article/CBottle Footnotes 1. Oneiric Visualization Matrix; a Foundation-made device which reads brainwaves produced during REM sleep and translates them into a video feed. The OiVM5 allows individuals connected to it to enter the dream of the targeted individual. |
SCP-8450 | safe | Fruit and sugar are brewed into wine and aged over months before turning sour. 🕰️ Word Count: 11k Words 🕰️ close Info X SCP-8450: "All vinegar comes from wine" by: VapidPoem Critiqued by flembus, Merehrab, Daloohn, and Miss Lapis. ⚠️ Content warning: Article portrays a toxic relationship and cheating. Themes of homophobia are present throughout the article. ⚠️ content warning Item #: SCP-8450 Special Containment Procedures: Although SCP-8450 does not require exterior assistance to initiate the regrowth process, it is to be stored in an unlit room kept at 23° Celsius in order to shorten regrowth periods as much as possible. Sections of SCP-8450 no greater than 50% of its mass may be removed by the Site-19 culinary staff for the purpose of brewing vinegar. Description: SCP-8450 is a 900-gram biofilm consisting of cellulose and acetic acid bacteria1. SCP-8450 is able to regrow lost mass over time without exterior assistance. The time frame in which regeneration occurs within SCP-8450 exponentially increases in accordance with how much of SCP-8450 has been removed. SCP-8450 was recovered on 23/MAR/2011. A paper document detailing the supposed creation of SCP-8450 was retrieved alongside it. The author of the paper is currently unknown, as whoever wrote the document used various names across its creation. How to make wine. I want to preface this by saying, I don't know if this is going to become a hobby or not. If it's something I do and practice for the rest of my life, it'd be great! But, I'm not even sure if I'll commit to this yet. Alas, I'm going to try. So, basically, a very close friend of mine brews his own wine. He's sort've been an awakening for me. Whenever he finishes a batch, he invites me over and we have a drink. I've bought and read a few books on fermentation, and I think I've got this sorted out. Main thing I'd be worried about are preservatives, but I don't think they're that big of an issue. What the fuck is wrong with you? What? I talked to Mrs. Golde on the phone. Turns out, you haven't even gone to her house yet. Oh, and that's a really big problem? Yes, it is! Do you want to end up alone and dying in your 50's? No. Of course not. Then why won't you give that Golde girl a chance? Mrs. Golde says her daughter is very delightful. Because I haven't even met her before now. Whenever I meet a girl, I want it to be something natural. Not- Henry, I want grandchildren. I want your father to be able to see his grandkids before he smokes or drinks himself to death. I want to finish college first. They aren't exclusive. You can always do both! Or finish college later. I'll find someone in Blackwater, mom. Someone that'll be the one. Really? I promise. Don't disappoint your father, Henry. I won't. … Why are you so adamant on refusing to go into dorms? I just- don't really want to. Henry! Look, I found this guy who will split rent with me. It comes out to about $50 a month. You're forgetting bills, food, and transportation! As opposed to just living on campus and having most of those reduced, if not gone. I'd rather have the peace of mind of my own house than dorms. You're being an idiot! Mom! You're- If you don't listen to me, you will regret it! You could be roommates with a serial killer! Remember Davey? No? Yeah, I think Dad knew him more. We used to go to school together until he moved, but we've been in contact and found out we're both going to Blackwater. Ask Dad about him. Oh, I will! Look, I need to start packing soon, anyway. Can we talk about this later? Fine. But it's not too late to change your choice! I can help you talk to the school and get you into dorms if you want. Thanks… Love you, Mom… I was helping my neighbor the other day get his groceries into his kitchen. My idea of home-fermenting came up while we were talking, and I walked away with 3 pounds of blackberries from his daughter's farm. It's going to be a few days before I can start fermenting, but I guess I decided on which flavor it is. Davey! Henry! Jesus, man. It's been so long. Yeah, it took me all of yesterday and today to get moved in. How'd that go? Eh. It's a lot easier than getting everything packed and moving it into the truck, but still hard work. I feel you. How much more stuff do you have in your car? Uh, about a box full. Only that?! Hey, not everyone's some trillionaire who chose to bring every little trinket they own to university. I wish I could bring everything. There's so much cool shit I wish I remembered to pack. You are a lost case, Davey Whittaker. Well, if you have nothing to unpack then why don't you help me with my stuff? Well… I do have that one box, after all- Man- Hell yeah, I will. Thanks. Supposedly, this will be pretty easy. I get an equal part of sugar to the berries, a packet of brewers yeast, and 1 and 2/3rds parts of boiling water. Mixed up the sugar, berries, and water in this plastic bucket they sold to me as a "jug" and waited for the water to cool down. If the water's too hot when you put the yeast in, all of the yeast will die. So I ended up waiting about half an hour to put in the yeast so the whole thing was room temperature. Then, I had to wait another 10 minutes for the yeast to bloom before I could mix it all up. Now, it's just a whole lot of waiting around… Blackwater University Not chosen for financial assistance. Hello, Henry. Congratulations on successfully applying to attend Blackwater University next year! We are impressed with your academic record, alongside your consistency and patience in attempting to pursue our financial assistance program. The application pool this year was very competitive and very selective, with hundreds applying! After careful deliberation and analysis of your request, we have chosen to deny your application. We hope you take time to process and understand our rationale. Feel free to attempt to enroll in financial assistance programs next year! - Cisco Hedricks Enrollment Committee I. Spilt. Half. Of. The. Fucking. Batch. It's probably closer to 2/3rds, honestly. It doesn't matter. It's still like 1-2 pounds. I'm adding some more water and sugar to it. I'm also going to add another… Half-packet? Something around that - of yeast. Hopefully, I can save it. But, I don't know. I'll just have to see. Welcome back. Hey. How was your day? Pretty good. Had a lecture this morning and was almost late to work. I mean, they don't really care about that if it's only a few minutes. Do they? No, no. Not usually, at least. Gary is really relaxed with stuff like that. So bad news is that we're out of pasta sauce. The good news is that I'm making us pasta. I got paid the other day. I can run down to the store and get some. We don't need to. But, we do need to focus on saving money. Save $2 on a jar of marinara? It adds up. I've been putting in arguably way too many hours at that mill. A few bucks off of my check every week for stuff like that isn't going to hurt. I know. But, Henry- What? Have you ever considered dorm rooms? … … No. Come on- I'm not going to live in some rowdy-ass dorm room where people keep me up until 6 a.m. with how loud they are. I can always cover your half. Definitely not! -only for a few months. It wouldn't be forever. I can't do that! … Also, remember Gary? Yeah? Turns out, he's gay! He's gay?! Yeah. Just confessed to me. The strangest thing is - he tried to hide it! Just kept it casual. What? Did he say something like "Oh, hey Henry. Over here! Did you move that wood like I asked? By the way, I'm super gay! Also, did you secure it properly? Nothing like that, no. Well, sort of. He just said he had a boyfriend and moved on. Huh- It's really weird. You know - to just hide something like that. I don't know if I- Actually, think you could get us that sauce? Marinara? Yeah, from the store. Are you sure? What about wasting- I'm sure. I have a $10 bill on the table. Use that. Alright. Thanks. See you in a bit. Bye. It's summertime! Which means that hours are going to start to get really, really competitive. I'm not too worried, usually Paul schedules the supervisors decently. But, it still is noticeably less hours. Then you got the stress of the raised sales, training new people, and a bunch more work. Yesterday, I siphoned the blackberry wine from the "jug" into a glass bottle for their second fermentation. Well, first I had to strain out all of the berries. But then I was able to siphon it. Once again, I'm left to wait for stuff to start happening. Henry! You're on the clock? Yep. Great! I'm going to put you on the forklift for now. At least, for an hour or so. Might have you cycle around a bit while people go on breaks. Okay. Fermín's going out later to buy snacks for the next week. If you want to request anything. I think I'll pass. Make sure they last - we need to still have some of them left over for all of next week. I will. I think I'm being scheduled around 50 hours next week. I'm motivated enough to leave some behind. I'm working 72, here. I don't even get why Paul is making us do this. Paul says it's so the workload is easier for us year-round. I think it's just some promotional crap to get building companies into business with him. I feel like there are better ways for publicity than doing the buyout every year. Probably. But, at least the pay is great. Paul gives anyone who works more than 48 hours a $3 an hour raise for the week. No shit? The downside is that whatever time in your shift that isn't a break is spent doing constant labor. If I'm being honest, I'll probably start asking for more hours that week. Why? What? What's the point in overworking yourself more than you need to? I need the money. Don't want college debt to loom over me. Yeah, I get you. Took me like 10 years to pay mine off. But, trust me, putting in an extra few hours isn't going to help you that much. Especially compared to how much more work you're going to do. Eh, I really need the money. Whatever you choose to do with your own time is up to you. But I think you might want to think about it a bit more before asking for extra hours. Do you have a problem with it? Hell no. An extra pair of hands are always welcome. Then there's nothing wrong with it. … Henry! Over here for a second. I have a quick question. Yeah? Is me dating Lee a problem to you? What? I mean- you acted weird when you didn't even know for sure. Then you acted weird when I told you I was gay. So, I need to know - is it going to be a problem? Hell no. I'm fine with it. … I'm sorry. About? Just - how I reacted to finding out. You're like- the first person I've ever met that was… yeah. It's fine. I don't know. It's just been on my mind since then. I should've reacted differently. I don't know why I reacted like that. If I remember right, we're both off at 6? I'm probably going to stay until 6:20/6:30, anyway. If you stick around, I can get you a beer and we can talk it over. Alright? If you want to do that. Great. Now, stop loitering around and get working. Beer is a strange thing. 99% of the time, it tastes like piss. But the thing is, the more you keep drinking beer, the more you start to remember it as tasting good. Then, when you drink enough of it, it starts tasting really good. The reason I'm saying this is because there was a deal where I could buy a six-pack and get one for free - which I am only partially ashamed to have bought. There is a reason hanging out with your buddies drinking beer until you're all wasted is popular. Well, three reasons. A great time, hanging out with the boys, and waking up the next day hungover. Specifically when you start to piece together everything that you said, thought, and realized the night before and make sense of it. Because that starts to make you come to certain realizations about yourself and a specific person around you. I'm worried about the wine - how it's going to turn out. It's a very passive process. But, a whole lot can go wrong. What if I made it wrong? What if it becomes something nasty in the end? What if I followed a bad recipe? What if I made one of a million mistakes I could've made? I'm just anxious about it, but I really want this to come out right. Welcome back. Hey. Are you ready? No, not yet. Give me an hour or two. I need to take a nap and get some water first. Alright. Just tell me when you're ready. … Okay. I'm ready. Where is this spot, anyway? It's on some old hiking trail an hour out of town. It leads to a clearing and you get a perfect view of the sky. If we want to watch a movie, we've got to pick it up now. We might not be back before the Blockbuster closes. Pick anything, yet? The Thing. Huh. Isn't that like… A shitty-ass horror movie? I've heard it's good. From who? Film students. They know their shit. Let's hit the road. After you. I spent a lot of time picking this spot. I think you're going to love it. Can't wait! Let's see if we can catch the northern lights. I hate the weather in Oregon. You go through the extremes of everything. Blizzards, rain, floods, heatwaves, droughts, fires, earthquakes, and all of the nasty days you can imagine. But, there are a few weeks hidden in the year that are perfect. Toward the end of summer going into fall, you have such beautiful weather. Nights go down to just-chilly-enough, days go to barely being warm, and it has the most beautiful sunsets you could imagine. A day where you can hike out into the middle of nowhere, pour a cool glass of wine, and just enjoy the beautiful sky. We need to see it. At least a glimpse of it. Anything! We'll see it. I know we'll see it. We just need to drive a bit more. I thought we'd see it by now. But, we aren't at the spot yet. When we get there, we should see it. No. No, no, no, no, no, no. Fuck! Where is it? The forecast said we should be able to see the lights up here. I- I fucking scouted out this spot for 3 weeks! ... It's alright. It's just- infuriating. I guess. I put so much effort into finding this spot. I need to tell you something… And I'm not too sure I'd be able to tell you this in any other way, in any other place. I wanted this something to be special. For you, and me. And I wanted where it was to be special. A alone place in nature, where we can hear the crickets and the night sky. ... Davey, I love you. Fuck it, I'm starting over. Too many things have gone wrong to spend so much money on it - on something that probably won't end up tasting good. I've been thinking about everything that could've gone wrong for a while, that will go wrong. And I've decided it's not worth it to try something I know for a fact won't work out. So, I'm starting from scratch. I'm going to try to use blueberries this time. Same recipe and everything else. I might put a bit of honey in later on - see how it works out. But, this time, it will be good. It will work out. I know it will. You're going to do what? I can't keep this up, Davey. At least, not right now. You know I've always offered to help pay. If you just said yes! I don't know how much my family would pay, but- I can't! I don't want to spend the rest of my life in debt to people. They're my family! And they know you, they like you! That's not the point. It's not my money! For all I know, they'd come knocking for me to pay it back anyway in a decade or so. They won't do that! You don't know how much I want to believe you. But, I can't know that! Let's say they want the money in a few years, which they won't, then it's the same amount of money. But, no interest! Isn't that good enough? Or- I could take a gap year. Get a good head start and save up enough to get me through the rest of college. Pay off the debt over the next decade or so - then be debt-free without the possibility of being asked for tens of thousands of dollars all at once! How do you know that'll work? I just- I need more time to think on it. But, I think it's a good plan. Or, you can take the help and they'll let you finish college with barely any debt at all. And, you'll finish college faster! It's not- Just- Henry, please. My parents are coming down in 2 weeks. When they're down here, we'll tell them- No! We are not- We'll tell them about us, and they'll be willing to help you! We are not telling them. What if it goes wrong? What if they tell people?! They won't do that! If they do, it's over! I go from maybe finishing college 1 or 2 years late, to not even being able to finish college without reasonably thinking I might get fucking lynched! You know my parents. Do they seem like the type that would do that bullshit?! I don't really remember them! A lot can change over 5 years. As far as I know, your mom and dad might be homophobic! My aunt is a lesbian! My dad is a politician! Let's say he does freak out about it and doesn't support it - do you think he'd go around making a big show that he has a gay son? That'd fucking ruin his career if he did. And, he's fine with gay people anyway! He won't do anything. You're sure? They'll be fine with it! At worst, they don't help you with it. But, that's the worst that can happen. Nothing else. When are they coming over? I think they get here on a Saturday? Look, we can talk things over in the next few weeks! But please, let's at least float it around before you reject it. If you are really, really sure that they won't freak out over it, it's fine. I guess. But, you aren't going to ask them right away for help. I'm not sure I'm fine asking for their money. That's fine. Of course, it's fine. It should be your choice! Just- thank you! I'm happy you finally get to meet them and we get to tell them. I'm glad I didn't give up on brewing this thing entirely. I think I have a serious shot at it this time around. I've been reading the same books, buying new ones, and asking for advice. I think this is a solid bet. I'm looking forward to it! You know, I took a picture that night. A really, really pretty one. It wasn't able to capture everything - especially not any of the lights. But, it was beautiful. That night was the most beautiful night of my life. This is the most beautiful picture I have ever taken in my entire life. And, I want you to have it. My beauty, my star, my beautiful night. Our special night. … But, I don't want it to just be a regular picture. Especially for you? No. I want it to be something different… A way it can remind you. Remind you of our special night. … Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you, Davey Whittaker. For letting us be together. For letting us love each other. Thank you, for how much I love you. … I found a girl who makes custom watches at the uni. They're pretty good quality. Real silver and a bunch of other fancy things - she assures me. But what's most valuable is what the background is. We can choose what we want it to be. So, I got you a watch with the background being our special night. … And it's for you. It's a gift - from me, to you. A special night spent with me and you. I love you. And I'll always remember our special night. One thing you'll find a lot of in Oregon are breweries. Especially in Blackwater. I think there are something like 30 across the entire city. When I first moved here, I remember that you could get beer from employees who bought a bunch to sell to you at like 3 times the price. Don't know if that's still a thing. It probably is. Back in Coeur d'Alene, my cousin used to buy alcohol I wanted - so long as I paid for it. I got to send him a bottle one day - a homebrewed one. As a thanks. Babe, is this yours? Yeah. I mean- it was. But, I was going to give it to you. Jesus- how much is it? It has to be at least a grand! $3,200. Oh my god. Where'd you get this? From my parents. But, they want it to be spent on the rent and bills for the next few months. And nothing else. … Henry? No. Henry- No! Henry! No! I'm not accepting this. It's only 3 months! I looked at your checks and you only made $300 this month. First off, why are you looking at my checks? You left them on the couch! I was going to move them anyway and accidentally read them. "Accidentally". Really? Your half of the rent, the bills, the food, and everything is barely going to leave you anything left! I hardly even agreed to your parents helping me with college. Let alone having to come out to them. Now, they're paying for my rent?! It's only 3 months! You get on your feet, save up a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, then go back to paying rent! I'm not going to be dependent on them to go to college. You aren't! You're taking help! No. I'm not taking this. I'm not using it, I'm not paying with it, I'm not even going to keep touching it. You aren't doing that. Yes, I will. Then I'll send it with my half! Do you want to give the landlord and utilities an extra few hundred a month? Davey- You can't let your pride get in the way of your education, here! It's not my pride- It's about not owing anyone, yeah. But it's cash! And, they've said that they're only willing to pay up to this. Only… Do you think I didn't ask for more? I didn't think you'd ask for anything at all because I never asked you to do this! You just- … Look, are you still going to pay for your half even if I pay for it with this? Fucking- fine! We'll use it, I guess. No point not to. But, this isn't becoming a regular fucking thing. My favorite thing to eat is probably sliced tomatoes. They were something my Dad used to make all of the time. He used to slice them and coat each slice in olive oil, vinegar, and salt. They were, and still are, the best way to eat raw tomatoes. Even then, I used to hate when Dad made pasta sauce from scratch. I'd be less mad if he used way, way less onions. Also if he used any other seasoning than a little bit of salt. One night, I remember him coming home with a bottle of red wine - a gift from one of his neighbors. I think I was… 10? 9? Around that. He picked two tomatoes, gave them the Murders family treatment, and gave me one. Then, he gave me a mason jar filled with red wine. After I tasted it, he asked me how it was. I told him it was awful, because it was at the time, and he laughed. Told me to remember that taste any time in the future when I wanted to start drinking. Henry! Come here, real quick. … Yeah? I made you a special something. Ooh. Orecchiette pasta, I remember you teaching me how to make it by hand like your dad taught you. I also made chicken parm, and tomato sauce. You didn't need to- Henry, I'm sorry about yesterday. I should've asked you first. And, I want to apologize. Thank you! But again, you didn't need to do this. Bitch! We still need to eat. Hah, I guess we do. I mean, I'm not complaining. … This is really good. Do you like it? Hm? Oh, no. I hate it. Hate it so much. I think you should try to make this again - because this was so bad that you need to keep making it. Well, if you hate it so much I might as well not do it again- Now, now. Don't just give up! … How'd you make the sauce? I used at least half of a head of garlic in it. Fried it with a single shallot before putting a few canned tomatoes in it and cooking them until they fell apart. I don't even remember what seasoning I used. I think salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, lemon zest, and a bunch of other things. Toward the end, I also poured in a bit of fancy red wine I got as a gift yesterday. Oh? From who? A guy named James from the university. That's nice of him. I'm glad you like the sauce. Only thing I could genuinely say is, that I wish you put a bit more onions in it. But that might be my dad talking through me. Blackwater's going through a bit of a cold snap right now. I was panicking, trying to make sure that the wine was in a warm room. Somewhere that will be warm for the next few days. Over the weekend, it might hit the 20's. If the wine freezes, it could explode the bottle. Even if it doesn't, I am worried about it killing off anything inside of it. I mean, realistically I shouldn't worry about it. It's not going to get anywhere near cold enough to freeze it to the point of exploding. But, I'm still going to worry about it, anyway. Ingredients: 1x pumpkin pie (Storebought) 1x bottle of champagne 2x wine glass 1x video rental of The Thing 1x set of skills learned from dad 1x whole chicken (Manually deboned.) 2x chicken thighs (Seasoned.) 1x pan 12x minutes (Constantly flipped.) 2x potatoes (Sliced.) 1x boil 80x minutes in the oven 1x couch 1x blanket 1x tv 2x boyfriends (Secretive.) Creates: 2x servings (Containing chicken thigh, roasted potatoes, and a slice of pie.) 1x romantic night (Born from worry.) The wine's looking good. I checked on it today and moved it to a different container to finish fermenting in. Just been checking up on it every now and again. I don't think you need to change containers, though? But, I don't know. I'm just nervous about this whole thing. I want to make sure it goes right. It does have a bit of an off-smell to it, however. … Mr. Murders, Paul would like to have a brief word with you at his office whenever you are done with your current workload. … Ah, shit. … Henry! Have a seat! Mr. Chance- Come on, everyone else calls me Paul. Why don't the both of us use that? It's up to you. I just want to have a little word with ya. Shouldn't be more than 'round 5 minutes. What's it about, sir? Relax, son. You ain't in trouble! Though, you acting all nervous does make me mighty suspicious… … Hah! Just messing with ya. Very funny. From what I remember, you're a student at Blackwater? Yep. Jesus! All these hours you've been putting in on top of uni- Lord knows if I had more workers like you, I'd own the whole of the Pacific Northwest. Heh, maybe one day. What're you majorin' in? Forensic Archeology. Nice! But, I ain't here to talk about that. I'm here to talk about your work record. In a good way? Yes. In a very good way. Get on with it, then. It's really impressive. According to Gary, you have perfect attendance all while putting in this much work. Have you ever pondered shooting to become a supervisor? A few times. Well I think you're ready for it. If you want, I can send you the material you need to start that process. What do I need to do? Mostly just read guides and instructions. It's a lot of after-work reading and using your time. But, it's well worth it! You start out with a pay raise of up to $11 an hour. After a while, we'll review your performance and you can earn up to $16 an hour! I'd probably like those forms, then. Great! I have a few of 'em here. But, I'll mostly get them sent to you over the next week. It's up to you when to complete them. When you do, make sure to get in contact with me! … Hell yeah! Give me 1 week, and I'll be a supervisor just like you. 1 week!? It's going to take a lot more than that, my friend. What? Like 8 days? 9 days? Took me like a month to get it done in my spare time! Uh oh. Admittedly, it was probably only like 15 hours of work. But I barely ever had the time to work on it! Eh, I'll figure it out. But, this is still good. Your days of being my tyrannical supervisor are over. Just you wait until I figure out how to get promoted past this. I'll rue the day… Davey's going to be really happy when you tell him. Eh- Is he not? He's going to be happy for me, but I'm not too sure about me getting more money. What? I don't know. It's weird. Why wouldn't he want you to have more money? He really, really wants his parents to pay my rent. And you're mad about that? No. I mean- he means well. And I love that he's caring about that and worried for me. But, I can pay it myself! I'm already uncomfortable having his parents pay for my college - mostly because I'm worried that they're going to want me to pay it back. Again, I know he means well. But… I don't know what I'm going for here. It's up to you what you do. I'd take the money, personally. But, it's not his place to make you take it. Eh, it'll work out! We just need to wait and get by. I don't think I've met Davey yet. If you want, you two could come over and visit me and Lee and we can make some drinks together. We just finished stocking up our bar. That honestly sounds amazing. Be a nice difference from all the red wine Davey's been buying. About a month left on the wine. I'm getting real excited. I don't want to do anything that'd mess it up, so I'm not laying a finger on it until I have to. But, it looks good! I went ahead and bought some custom labels for it that're going to be imprinted on the bottle. Should come sometime over the next few weeks. You know, you think everything in your life is perfect. Going really smooth with it all figured out. You have the love of your life, some decent friends, and you're almost halfway through college! Then you get hit with a long, cold, winter's night. One that's so cold you can't even fall asleep. A type of night with a single good purpose - exploring the fucked-up depths of your mind. So you search. That's all you can do. Then, after you search, you discover. Then, you think. Think about what you've done, your memories, and who you could have been… Only to come up with the most horrific realization one could ever imagine… A realization that you know is correct, but will deny all the while for a few months. But, there will always be another long, cold night to ponder over. One after another, until you finally start to think the truths that so disgust you… And you'll think. Think and think about a dreamland where you were born into a better world. A perfect dreamland where you are at the center of who you want to be. Alas, all dreams must eventually meet reality. As is? You'll never come close to living in dreamland! But, one can dream. One can visit dreamland every night on those cold, winter nights. One can ponder changing who you were, to who you are. Or, one can be something different… One who simply does not care about where dreamland and realities supposedly reach their neverend! That does sound nice. A nice midpoint between a Dream and Reality. … Is it not? There's a whole world of names out there… Any of which may speak to you. It can be close, it can be far. It is ultimately, up to you. A name, isn't set in stone. An identity, isn't set in stone. You, are not set in stone. Ah, pleasure to meet you! Mx. Randy Murders! Do you plan to make an acquaintance with any old associates? Especially if they are personal? Splendid! Just remember one nifty little thing… There is one part about you that goes unspoken. It is, for most people, the most acceptable part. But, for one person in your life? It would ruin it all! Just always remember to keep that one thing a secret, for you and me? Who knows how they'll react to it… You're already barely living up to them- A person for whom you owe everything… A person who, without, you'd likely have to work at a sawmill for the rest of your miserable little life… So, let's keep this between you and me. Alright? The bottles arrived quick! And I mean really quick. We're still 3 weeks out and they're here. Great condition, too. It's making me really eager to move ahead with this. Alas, I'll wait my time. Randy? Mx. Randy Murders, in the flesh. I am most certainly not going to make fun of "Randy". Especially when you could've picked something way worse. Hey, I can always change it. Of course you can. But like "Randy". It's a cool-sounding name. So flattering… Before I say anything else - I want you to know that I won't mind who you are. And I expect you to do the same if I ever go through anything similar. So long as we are transparent. Of course. You all packed up for Coeur d'Alene? Yep. If you forget anything, don't let me catch you calling me to get it up there for you! If I forget anything, they will probably have it. When are you leaving tomorrow? Probably around 4:00 A.M. since it's damn well close to a 10-hour drive. Yeah, then I probably won't wake up for you. Wow, the betrayal… I should probably get my goodbyes out now before I don't see you for a week. What? Do you think I'm going to die while I'm driving? Yeah. I do. Shut the fuck up. I'm kidding! Stay safe on the road. I will. Stay safe at home. I don't fully trust you to not die of loneliness when I'm gone- I've got all of the red wine I could need. I'll manage, somehow. … Love you. Love you. Coeur d'Alene! My dearly despised! It's a horrible little place in the middle of nowhere Idaho. The worst part about it is that the nature surrounding it is absolutely beautiful. Just the fact that you have to live in a town such as Coeur d'Alene often distracts you from the fact that you live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. You've got lakes, you've got mountains, you've got forests, you've got airports, you've got scumbags, you've got highways, and you've got my parents. All wrapped up in a nifty-little town that is oh-so close to being in Washington. Henry! Hey, mom! You haven't called since you left. I've been worried sick! How are you? Are you okay? Is college going well? It's all fine! Where's dad? I want to see him. He's upstairs, emptying you-know-what from a b-o-t-t-l-e… Is he awake? Who knows? But, come on. We need to catch up. … Tell me already! How's college? Got a cute girlfriend yet? It's fine, it's fine. Actually - I do. Really? What's her name? Danny. Danny… Ain't that a boys name? She's definitely more of a tomboy. You know what? Doesn't even matter! My boy has a girlfriend! Oh, I can just imagine it. In a few years, I'll have grandkids! In a few years? Whenever you're done with college and have a house! When do I get to meet her? I'll talk with her, yeah. I don't know. She was busy this week, so she couldn't go. We'll have to meet up one day. I just can't wait to get to see her! … Is that Mr. Henry Murders I hear in my living room? Dad! Come here, son! There you are… I was taking a nap. Do you drink in your sleep? You can't blame me for what I do in my sleep! It's like sleepwalking… Actually, Dad, one of the first things I wanted to do was get a genuine, Coeur d'Alene milkshake. It's been forever since I've had one. Since when are Coeur d'Alene milkshakes anything special? Since they're the milkshakes I remember growing up with! If you're up for more driving. Do you want to just bring me, or do you want your mother? I- -I'd probably prefer to stay here and start mac 'n cheese. But, I do expect a cookie milkshake to be brought back here. Yes, Ma'am. I also wanted to tell you something. About my new girlfriend… If I'm being honest, the best type of wine is a $5, highly-suspicious bottle of wine that you bought at the grocery store and forgot in your cupboard for a week. I blame, or rather thank, my mother for this. She used to cook with it all the time. Left opened bottles after, which I eventually snuck drinks of. But, she quit using them right before I started high school. I don't know why. I do know she never really drank, unlike my father, who loved red wine. Dad? … Huh? Yeah, no. I heard you. It's just- something I need to take in. Look- So… you don't have a girlfriend? I have a boyfriend. I think you know him. Who? Davey. Davey… Yeah. I think I do. He was a good boy. Rich parents, too. Going to always be happy if my son marries rich. Another thing- Yeah? I'm not really your son. I don't think I'm a woman. I don't really know what it is I am. I just hate how I look. I don't want to be anything - or look like anything. I just- I don't know! I don't know what I'm doing - what I've been doing lately. I don't know if it's something that's real, or- … I don't know. It's okay, it's okay. I don't really get what you're saying. But, it's okay. You'll figure it out, you'll figure it out. You don't care? Not as much as your mother will, but- … Look- you're a smart… kid. You'll figure out what's best for you. I know you'll be okay… What can I call you for now? Randy. Randy? That's the name I'm rolling with. At least for a bit. Randy. I like that. It's a much better name than Henry, for sure. I want you to know that I don't mind whatever you do. I don't have any high ground to stand on. I'm already cursed to an eternity of hell. Dad- The smoking, the drinking, the gambling, giving my kids wine… Cheating on your Mother. … I do love your Mother. I love her a lot. I don't know why I tempted a good thing. The thing keeping a family alive on dirt pay, living on someone else's farm, and barely getting food to the table. There are a lot of things I could've done to give you a better childhood. Doing this - It's the best thing I can do for you now. So… You're fine with me and Davey? I will be fine with it, Randy. Thank you. I don't care about grandkids as much as your Mother does. I think I already accepted a decade ago that I'm not living to see grandkids. I'm sorry. Are you planning on telling your mother? … I don't know. Honestly, I was worried that you'd tell her. This would be hardly the worst thing I lied to her about. I'm planning to tell her. But- the problem is, I don't know if I have the heart to tell her. Rather than letting her live thinking she'll have grandkids. At least for a few years. Trust me, you've got a few decades left before she kicks it. I know she'll find out eventually. I just need to figure out when's the best time for her to. 3 days left. After that, it's time for a taste. Bottles are ready. Mouth is watering. 72 hours until this all should be over… Henry! You guys took so long. Dinner's almost ready! Can't wait. I'm going to have your Dad make some of his world-famous tomatoes. I'll set the table. Aww, thanks! More than you ever did when you were growing up here - college must be doing good for you. Mom- Hang on, I gotta make sure the mac isn't burning. Yeah, you should do that… … All ready for dinner? Yeah. Alright. Now I just have to find out where your father went off to… Hang on- Yes? Mom, I- … Yes? Think we forgot your milkshake in the car. Well, it's reasonably cold out. Shouldn't be that melted! I'll go get it, really quick. It's funny. How long it takes for time to pass. Whenever you're having the best days of your life, they seem to just slip on by. Nothing notable. Just you slipping on through life. But then, whenever something big happens, time starts to get really slow. Whenever you're expecting something, your days double in length. They just get so unbearably long and it's a chore to get by them. And it just lets you think a lot about what's at the end of it. Get really excited for the good things that are coming of it, or really worried for any bad things that could happen. It's a long drive home. A long, long drive. Through rivers, over mountains. Across 3 states. All to get back home. I need to do something. Something nice. He deserves it. I could take him skiing? I could take him on a hike? Or, I could buy him his favorite movie and favorite wine. Red wine's on clearance. But, I actually don't know if I'll buy it. He has more than enough at home. It's the day. It's time to bottle it. My original blackberry, now blueberry wine. If this is good, it'll be something to cry to the hills about. And, I think I'm confident that it's good. I haven't bottled it yet. First, I want to get myself a glass. The fruits of my labor and whatever or whatnot. Huh, that's strange. The trash is full. Full of red wine bottles. Jesus, he must've had a party. At least, looks like it. … Did he go out to buy more? There's a wrapped bottle on the counter? That doesn't even matter. All that matters is that you find him. You have to say hi to your boyfriend! Admittedly, not the welcome back you expected, is it? Eh, it doesn't matter. Set that copy of The Thing down on the couch. Maybe check his room? It's either there, or he's somewhere else. His door's open. That means he's probably not home, then. Better go check, however. If he is here, he's most certainly drunk or hungover. … Hey, Davey. Wake up. … Wake up! … Yeah? Henry… Is that you? Yeah. I'll be in the living room. Can you do me a favor? Make sure whoever that other person in the bed with you got all of their things. Finally got to taste the wine after all of these months. Days spent waiting to see it, months spent brewing it, hundreds of dollars spent on it, a change in my whole idea surrounding it. All of this effort, all for about two or three bottles. I finally got to taste it today - see if the last few months were worth it! And the wine was too sour. Randy- Who the fuck was that?! I don't even- Randy, come on! No! I want to know who that person is! They're not- important, right now. Listen, we need to talk- -we need to talk about who the fuck that person is, Davey. Can I just have a goddamn second to think, here?! So what?! You can think of some- some sort of excuse for this?! No, it's just- I need time. I need some fucking time to think! How long have you known that person?! Less than 3 days! I mean- I fucking knew who they were for a few weeks! But the first time we did anything was 3 days ago! This was the second time! And after this, it was over! I'd never do this again! Babe, you have to believe me! You fucking whore! You cheated on me - on me - for someone you barely even know!? Babe, I'm sorry! I know I fucked up- Do you? Yes! Do you? Do you actually know you fucked up? Do you really think that?! Babe, I do! It's never going to happen again! Please, I promise! Who the fuck even are they! You never even fucking told me that! They sell me wine. That's it! That's all they do! They sell you wine? What? What happened to the other guy that does that? Or, did you fuck him too? No, he was just- getting really expensive. Jesus, how much was he charging if it was expensive for some cheating, rich, whore who begs his daddy to pay for everything!? The same whore that's the entire fucking reason you're in college! You are not going to even talk about shit like that! I'm trying to be fucking reasonable here- Fucking reasonable? You think you're fucking reasonable with any of this?! Randy- If a serial killer bought you a glass of wine, would you let them into your house to fuck you? It doesn't matter that you don't know them, apparently! Right?! No, I wouldn't! Thank you for asking! What if I fucking found you dead in our house - my house! After a week away! That wouldn't fucking happen! How the fuck am I supposed to know that?! They're not some random creepy pervert in a bar! They work at a cafe I go to! Ah, it's all good now! So you've just wanted to fuck them for a while and was finally able to? No! They were just some- look, I asked them to buy me wine! They said yes! They delivered it to my house and I offered them a few drinks and that's pretty much what I remember! I might've even thought it was you! You- what?! I don't- know. Randy, I love you. If I had a choice in it, I would've stopped any of this from happening. … No you wouldn't. What? No you fucking wouldn't! I would! Liar! I'm not fucking lying! Where'd you start this at, huh?! How much has your shitty ass story changed since we started this?! None, because I'm telling the goddamn truth, idiot! You're a lying, cheating, worthless whore! Oh you do not want to fucking go there! Do you want me to bring up half of the shit I pretty much know you lied about? The worst lie I ever told was for you. What?! It doesn't even matter! What the fuck does it even mean anymore?! Henry, it means everything to me. This whole house means everything to me. … You mean everything to me- … I got you a copy of The Thing. You'll need to return it to Blockbusters when you're done with it. Huh? I'm not going to date a cheater! It's over. It's- what? I'm going to start packing. You can even have the house! You've been insisting on paying the rent, anyway. Randy, stop! Why? Please- I love you. You didn't stop after the "first" night with them, did you? Randy- … Randy! … You know what? Fine! Have it your fucking way! I fucking made one mistake and you're acting like- like this! It's fucking irrational! It's bullshit! … What? You aren't going to talk? You fucking faggot! You piece of shit! I make one fucking mistake and you act like you're fucking better than me! I love you, and you know that! But- I don't know… How the fuck are you going to pay for college without me, huh? I don't know. He can speak! Just, let's talk about this! Please! Keep an open mind! Please, I'm begging you! We already talked about it! Let's talk about your future, then! How are you going to get on without me? Huh?! How?! You got to get a new house, a new place. You need food. And you need all of that money for college that my parents are giving you! I don't care about your parent's money, Davey. You should! You fucking should! Normal people do! You need it. You need it! You need it if you want to finish college! Do you want to grow up to be a 60-year-old college dropout with breathing issues from his dead-end job?! … Randy, Randy! Don't you leave that fucking door! Don't you go out there! Randy! Bitch! You know what? That's it! It's over! I'm going to call my parents! You're all on your fucking own now! You happy?! Are you happy with this? I hope you're really fucking happy, Randy! … Oh, God. Davey… Why'd you do this? I'm not even going to bottle it or sweeten it. I don't think I can save it. It's fucking… Fucking annoying! I've been so fucking worried over this for so fucking long! I've done literally everything I could to make this work. Way more money than it ended up being worth. It seemed worth it, it's just… Bullshit! All of that priority I gave the wine, all that effort! And for what? Nothing! ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring- Hello. Shell's Sawmill. This is Gary speaking. Hey, Gary. This is Randy. Randy? You alright? Yeah. I just need to call out sick. Heh. Randy… Did you drink too much last night? No, I'm just- I'm serious, Gary. Oh? I don't know. I just- if I go to work again, I don't know… I don't trust myself to not get injured at work. Randy! What's going on? I'm fine it's just- No, Randy. What's going on? … Randy? I just- Davey's cheating on me. I found out when I got back. Jesus. I'm so sorry. It's fine. I swear. I just need… time, man. Are you sure it's fine? Yeah? Because I'm going to think it might not be fine when you say that you might hurt yourself accidentally if you go to work. No, I'm- sorry. I don't- No. Don't say sorry. Just, Randy- where are you right now? I've been uh- sleeping in my car since I found out. Alright. You have a place to stay? Not yet. Alright. You're going to drive to my place. I'm going to call Lee ahead of time, tell him what's happening. You're going to have a place to stay, you're going to take a shower. It's going to be okay. Gary- don't- I can't just let you live in your car, man. It's- take the help. At least, just stay with us for a night and take a warm shower - get a roof over your head. … I can't. Randy- I'm not. I just- I'm not doing that. Sorry. …beep beep beep… There's no saving it. I don't even know how to describe it. It's too sour, it's not sweet enough, it's too watery. There's this weird film forming on top of it - god knows what that is. I don't know what I'm going to do with it. If I'm going to start over, if I'm going to search for something to save it, or just cut my losses. I don't know. I'm still deciding. I just… need time to think on it. I don't know what to do… Do I call him? Do I call him? Do I call him? I shouldn't call him. You could call her… I shouldn't call her. At least, not right now. … Get some rest, you can decide tomorrow. I can call him. But, I shouldn't. I can call him. But, I shouldn't. I can call him. But, I shouldn't. You can still call her… No. … It's getting rather late. Get some rest! You can decide tomorrow! Remember to eat! No. No. No. … You should call her. … ring ring ring ring ring… ring- Hey, Mom. Henry! How are you, sweetie? I'm good. Jesus- is this the first time you've ever called home? Not the first time… Judging by how often you apparently do, it's easy to see why I forgot the "others". … Good to hear from you, too. Ah, don't give me that. How are you? How's college? What's up? Just- I wanted to talk. It's been kind of rough recently. Oh? What's happening, sweetie? I just- need to tell you something first. For you to understand- Yes? … Do you remember Danny? Your girlfriend, right? Yeah, she- Oh god- don't tell me… We broke up. It was nasty. I caught her sleeping with a man when I got back. You know what- I was right. You can't trust a tomboy! If you got yourself a girl who doesn't pretend to be a man, Henry, then this wouldn't even- Mom- No, Henry. I've got a point. If you don't learn this now - early on in life - you're going to be alone until you're 30! I have to go to work soon. I should go. Alright. I'm sorry - that she cheated on you. I hope you get over it soon. Thanks, Mom… Love you. Love you… …beep beep beep… … ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring ring ring ring… ring- Randy? Hey. Jesus- Randy, are you alright?! It's been 4 days! I'm fine, I'm fine. I just- need a shower. Are you okay? I'm- fine. I'm okay. I'm okay! Randy… I don't know what to do- I can't… I can't- Shh, calm down. It's okay. Just- where are you? It'll be okay. I'm a few hours out of town. I don't know. I think I'm headed toward the coast? Are you going to head back? Probably tonight. If you want, we have food here. Thanks. It's going to be okay, Randy. I really hope it is. …beep beep beep… I have about two pounds of blackberries. Storebought, original recipe. If this doesn't work… I don't know. This is my last chance - my last shot at wine. I just need to start over, be strict, watch it thoroughly, and be careful. Good morning. … What time is it? Only 30-till midnight. God- Have a good nap? Yeah. We have baked spaghetti leftover if you want any. Thanks. … Here. What's this? Rent. I'm not going to charge you rent for this. I'd- prefer it if you let me pay for it. I don't want to be a burden. Randy- Please. I'm not taking this. At least take it once. It- … I can't take it. Okay. If you want to, you can, however. Alright. Thank you. For all of this. … Do I still have a job at the sawmill? Yeah. I've been marking you as sick for the past few days. Thank you. Paul is usually pretty relaxed with sick time - surprisingly. Tomorrow, if it doesn't bother you, could you pick up my check? Yeah, of course. Thank you. I- ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring ring ring ring… ring ring ring ring- Hello? … No. … I don't know where he is. … Look- I'm sorry. I don't know where he is. … Don't call me again. …beep beep beep… Who was that? Nobody. … It wasn't Davey, if you're thinking that. Okay. It was insurance. They were talking about Lee. … ring ring ring- Hello? Hey. Randy?! Yeah. Hey, Davey. Where have you been?! It's been 5 days! It's 2 A.M. right now! I don't know. What the fuck do you mean by that?! I don't- You know what, no. It doesn't even matter. Just- we need to talk. About? What happened. Like, I need you to understand where I'm coming from. Just at least stay on- for a few minutes? … Sure. Okay. Thank you. What happened? I told you! I started getting that guy to buy me wine a few weeks ago, and one day I invited him over for a few drinks. I got drunk and blacked out. I don't think I even processed it until a few days later when he came over again - unprompted and I got drunk again. Look, the only two times this ever happened were when I was drunk. I can't- you can't blame me for that! Yeah? I'm really sorry that it happened. It shouldn't have happened! Look, I cut that guy off. He's gone. He's not- he doesn't matter! I want to make it up to you! Just, tell me what to do. If you want me to not drink, I won't drink. Anything! Really? If you want money, I mean it'd hurt, but I can give it to you. The rest of college paid for! Plus a good amount going forward. Just, anything! Nothing is off the table! What was his name? Huh? Oh, James Holiday. But, he's out of my life now. I won't ever talk to him again, okay? … I'm sorry. No- no! No! I can't! Fucking- no! What do you want?! What can I do?! There has to be something! Please. Just tell me what it is! I'm sorry. Randy Murders, you are going to be sorry for this! In 20 years you are going to look at me, see me living my best life, and realize what you fucking are missing! Please! You can't finish college without it! Just- just give it some thought! Okay. Don't just say that! Fucking- Henry! Don't do this! I'm begging you! … Hello? Do me a favor, promise me you'll live your best life. Promise me you won't do this again. Promise me that you'll be able to move on from this. Yes. Yes! Randy, I will! I promise I will! I promise all of those things! Just, come back home! Thank you. … Please, have a great life. …beep beep beep… It's the funniest thing. When you read about people you used to know. You always, well, usually. You usually have a few minutes where you don't exactly remember who they are or why they're familiar. So you spend that time trying to remember, reliving old memories and whatnot. Until, finally, it clicks! You get who they are and have a little laugh. This was one of those exceptions that makes it "usually". He's living a very good life! He made his own business, a very profitable one. He's getting into politics. Overall, I found myself happy for him! The last time I ever spoke to him, I remember him making me a promise. One I worried for decades would become true. Then, it came. Right in front of my eyes as I was watching the news. And I felt nothing. On 15/SEP/2017, a note was recovered at a hiking trail near Blackwater, Oregon, United States. The note appears similar in style to previous documents connected to SCP-8450. Currently, it is pending analysis for potential clues as to the whereabouts of "Randy Murders". How to make vinegar. A few months ago, I thought I would be able to make wine. I at first tried blackberry wine, but realized that it wasn't the type for me. Then, I tried to make blueberry wine. Now, it was most certainly a type of wine I would have loved. However, the batch went sour. It didn't work out. Ultimately, I thought it was a failure. And it killed my winemaking aspirations, at least for a while. I'm not too sure if I will try to make wine again. But, what I did make, is vinegar. A sour, repulsive, beautiful batch of blueberry vinegar that I catch myself using quite frequently. There was this film on top - the "mother of vinegar", as it's called. Apparently, I can put that in other wine and it will transform into vinegar after a few weeks. It's a bit more complicated than that, but that's the gist of it. I didn't really think I would walk away from this with anything. Anything useful, that is. I thought I'd just walk away with no experience, a bunch of dirty containers, and all of my sugar wasted on something ugly. But, I persisted through it, stumbling upon something great. Here we are… Where it all started! I remember driving out here. After that night. It was a perfect night. A perfect, feel-good, all-and-entirely beautiful sorta night. The clouds were nowhere to be seen. The moon was full. The stars shined especially bright that night. I hiked there, and laid there. And I stared into the infinite abyss that is the beauty of our night sky. I remember it being a sleepless night. One where I had to force myself to blink. And I thought only about our special night. The best night of my life. Reflected upon on the worst night of my life. Our special night… … I think about it a lot. Our special night… Especially recently. So, congrats! On our anniversary. About 10 months off… … Anyways- I'm really happy for you. Wherever you are… Whoever you're with. … I would really like to say that I hate you. Being able to would mean the world to me. But- … You know, it's funny. I think I might have finally saved up enough to finish college. Go back in my 40's, finally get that degree and start living life. Guess I didn't need you after all, huh? But, it's too late. Besides, I'm happy with what happened. If I could change it, I would in a heartbeat. But, I like it. I like who I am. I like who I am able to be. I like the life I am living. … I'm happy being Randy Murders. Mx. Randy Murders. I'm happy being free. I'm happy having friends like I do. No matter what you tried to do to me, I'm happy. … But- I can't help myself remembering you. I can't forget how much I loved you. I can't forget how much I still love you. I can't forget how much our special night meant to me. … Why can't I forget you, Davey? … Why? … Why do I love you, Davey Whittaker? ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8450" by VapidPoem, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8450. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Footnotes 1. Commonly referred to as a "Mother of Vinegar". |
SCP-8451 | esoteric-class | SCP-8451 Byㅤ basirskipreader Published on 19 Feb 2024 04:53 破釜沉舟, 鲤跃龙门, 樂不思蜀 by basirskipreader Item #: SCP-8451 Special Containment Procedures: Access towards SCP-8451 is to be protected (see Addendum — Internal Threats for more information). Maintenance of SCP-8451 is to be done every half-cycle, and after each operation of SCP-8451, selected D-Class are to clean up any residue of the operation. Description: SCP-8451 is a modified BZ Hominid Replicator, designed to replicate the brain processes of various hominid species. Replication is done through various MRI and neural imaging scans of the brain (or the hominid species' equivalent to the Homo sapiens brain), along with a thorough biofluid, muscle, fat, and hormonal analysis designed to recreate the exact formulation of the subject's body composition. X-ray imaging is also performed to store a copy of the hominid species' skeletal structure, alongside a chromosomal analysis to determine the hominid species' sex. The specifications for SCP-8451 were copied and modified from similar Mekhanite structures, used by descendants of Bumaro to transmit information between each other, alongside Sarkic religious rituals designed to keep machines operational for at least 2 centuries. Various other devices are required to keep SCP-8451 operative; as these materials have become rare over the years, supplemental parts with a compatibility rate of 90% have been used as a substitute to the original parts. As of YEAR, 50% of the parts of SCP-8451 have been replaced. SCP-8451 is kept in Religious Relinquary 8451, a Site designed to protect SCP-8451 from various metaphysical, religious, and physical threats from both outside and inside the Foundation. RR-8451 is thus reinforced with 30 meters of a beryllium bronze-electrum alloy, alongside 100 FGM-148 Javelins, 50 Phalanx CIWS, 50 Sarkic-engineered artificial viruses, 1 large thaumaturgic disabling automated incantation TTS , 2 large high-altitude reusable EMPs, 30 teralitres of paralyzing neurotoxin, and other similar devices. Throughout the history of RR-8451, there has been 3 activations of its defense mechanisms. The wooden dummy in front of me sits still, taunting me as I try to remember the new spell I developed. I grip my staff, and close my eyes, but the next thing I know, my back is lying on the floor, dummy towering over me, hand outstretched. I reach out to grab the dummy's hand, but the door to the training room opens, and Jose waltzes in, claws clicking on the wooden floor, topless, showing off his recent full-body tattoo. "Failed spell?" "Be thankful your dummy isn't destroyed." He walks across me towards the dummy, the little pouch for his tools attached to his hip jingling in the training area. He flips the back of the dummy up, and starts fiddling with the magic tattoos in its back. "Ah man, ya did tens of damage ta' my baby!" he squawked. "Ehehe… sorry about that. Have you tried making better dummies?" "Repair material's expensive he'e — I'd die than buy 'em in here." He pauses. "Hng. That'ha great idea. 'ait." "Oh no." He runs out of the training area, but comes back with a small karambit in his left hand, quickly fixes the training dummy, and puts it aside. The dummy glows with a cerulean sheen, and Jose Arroz Montalban, the worst fighter of the Montalbans, assumes his fighting position. "Checked healing cost — should be fasta' to just heal" I back away a bit, holding the staff across my horns. "Noo, noo. I do NOT want to—" I blink. A small dink echoes in the training area, and Jose is right up against me, karambit against staff, beak about to stab my snout. "Sta'p talk. Just fight. Ya' 'ave bad breath." He somersaults back a few hooves away from me, as I sign a spell to form an earthen box around me and him, so I can hit him easily with my staff. Jose takes the time to carve an intricate tattoo on his left wing, while gauging the square I have trapped him in. He launches himself against me, while I sign another spell to form another wall, but he is faster than I thought he was, and his tiny body slams into my chest. I get knocked back, and it was enough for the wall I was forming to collapse into a pile of dirt. I swing to the right of him, but he zips around my lumbering frame, and hits my right horn. My head rings from the hit, but I manage to sign a reinforcement spell and breathe in to stabilize myself. I then rush towards him, signing a spell to sharpen my staff while inhaling the stale air around me. Jose does slight backhops as I swing my staff right, then left, then right again. He carves a healing tattoo on his right wing, and bolts at me. I swing to my right, but once again, he zips around my large body, slams in my left side, mounts my back, and carves a tattoo on my snout as I lose my balance and fall. He hops back before I fall on the ground, and looks at me as I get up again. He carves yet another tattoo — I can't see what it is — and somersaults off the wall to slam himself against me. I anticipate the move, however, and swing my staff to my left using both hooves, signing another spell as I do to harden my staff. The staff hits Jose. I hear a small crack, then I see Jose across me again, this time with a bruise on his left wing — how is he moving this fast? He carves another healing tattoo on his right wing. I focus my sight, and I see his right wing is covered in various healing and speed tattoos, alongside a larger one that I don't recognize. I try to sign another spell, but this time I feel a sharp, warm, metal knife stab my snout. Some blood drips down on the floor, and my sight is blurred. I can't see what he is carving on his left wing, and I'm running out of breath — wait, why am I running out of breath? I go on the defensive, with one goal in mind — figure out why am I getting very tired against him. Jose, meanwhile, seems to have figured out that I'm playing safe, and has started engraving strengthening tattoos on himself, while using the walls to launch himself against me. I sign a spell to form yet another wall in front of him, and the wall goes up in time for Jose to slam on it, but he manages to break through, and I tank his hit. It still hurts a lot, and I feel like my horns are about to break, but I managed to steady myself, and resume analyzing the tattoos on his body. Jose, meanwhile, has managed to run out of space on his right wing. He has now started carving on his left wing, although curiously he doesn't touch that arcane tattoo he carved — I wonder what it does? While he is carving a healing tattoo, I charge in to interrupt him, but he hears my lumbering steps and decides to use a strenghtening tattoo instead to block my hit. I hear a small crack, and the intricately tattooed portion of his left wing now has a little bruise on it. I take another deep breath to steady myself for more signing, and that's when it hits me. Or, more accurately, Jose hits me, with the karambit carving the same intricate tattoo on my body as he activates it. To test out my theory, I sign another spell to whip up a wall strong enough to block any hit as Jose carves yet another strengthening tattoo and charges through me. He breaks through yet again, and slams in my body, but I now know what he is doing; while he is on top of me, about to hop off, I grab his talons, sign for the earth to give me strength, and slams him on the ground. His spine cracks, and blood bruises around his back. Before I can celebrate my most recent victory over him, however, he recovers, scrambles up my chest, lightly slashes my eyes using the wind, and somersaults away, as I run out of breath and the earthen box crumbles around me. In th e rubble, I see the blurry figure of Jose walking back towards me, tattoo guide in left wing, and karambit in another, as I pass out. "Hey. Hey. Tsit, di, san'. Chan Seh-kai, ya there?" a nasally, sing-songy voice floats in my ears. I moan at him. "Choan. Not Chan." "Good, good. Ya' still alive. Ain't got lasting dam'ges." He turns me around, as I open my eyes and find myself lying on a floating rock. Jose is wearing a funny-looking hat, with a robe wrapped around his muscle-y chest. The carvings he did while we were training have all but disappeared, and I feel a little chill down there as I realize that I am naked. "Where are my clothes?" "Dress 'eavy. Stripped ya t' carry ya back 'ere." I realize that I am in his temporary dormitory. "Did you keep them, at least?" "Yep! Ya' really heavy — alm'st br'ke my back. Turn 'round." I flop around to expose my broad, furry back towards him, as I feel that cold karambit stab at my body once more, and my muscles relax and feel lighter. "Oough, you play dirty." I tease him. "Many times I tell ya — trapping me, an air user, is a bad idea." "Hey, it worked out last ti— ooh!" I yell as he carves another healing tattoo on my back. "Stay still. 'und sit up straight." I sit up straight, and he carves a more intricate healing tattoo on my right thigh, his beak jabbing my other thigh as he does so. "First of all, yeah. I was trying to take away the air in the box. You already lost when you trapped yourself in there. Second of all, you tried analyzing my tattoo when you should have been stalling against me as I made sure I took my time to run out of tattoos to carve on my wings. Most other fighters like me would just chain giant tattoos that flow into each other to quickly take down fighters like you." "Okay, okay, I get it." I lightly tap his beak. "React more, think up a plan in the start, and use my body more. Does not mean I like it. Also I still won before that." Jose finishes carving another healing tattoo, this time on my shins, and goes back to carving another healing tattoo on my left thigh. "Last time, I deliberately 'eld back." he whispered. His breath tickles me. "Ain't even str'ngest in my family, and ya can't even beat me." "Come on, you know I suck at fighting your type… blame my bod—" I complain as he jumps up on the floating bed, and snaps my snout shut. "Shush. I'm just hearing a bull that ain't adapting t' the envir'nment around 'em. Yain't getting the grand prize at this rate." He jumps back down to the bamboo floor. "Dress 'p. New less'n. Still 'ave a cycle left t' train." "Do we have to?" "Finish this less'n, and I'll let ya pick dinner." "All right, lets go training, then!" "—go training, then!" "then!" "then!" "then!" "then!" "then!" "then!" "then!" "then!" "—then!" [ERROR: SCP-8451 CORRUPTION. FALLBACK TO BIOS MODE TO PRESERVE DATA.] Addendum — Internal Threats: While SCP-8451 is protected from various external threats, the internal threats against both the existence of the Foundation and SCP-8451 has been numerous across its existence. Starting from Cycle 3 with Operation Vulture, a 5-cycle long plot to slowly degrade the internals of SCP-8451, there have been multiple various splinter groups that tend towards a more accelerationist solution towards the modification or destruction of SCP-8451. As such, the Foundation has decided to implement various RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) and 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) procedures to ensure that access towards SCP-8451 is locked only to those with full read, write, and execute permissions. Said permissions are accessible only to the person who has the 'Administrator' role, a time-limited role only able to be granted towards one user for one hour; once the 'Administrator' role has been given for the day, it cannot be given again until a 24-hour period has elapsed. Entry to SCP-8451's chambers is also protected through a series of biometric locks, designed to take the DNA/RNA/genetic information of hominids entering SCP-8451. Information about SCP-8451 is also on a need-to-know basis. Preserving SCP-8451 by maintaining the hierarchical structure of the Foundation pre-First Cycle for an indefinite amount of time is impossible; various sociological studies done by Foundation scientists towards the original hierarchical structure of Sarkicism, Mekhanism, and Daevism has revealed that in the second to fifth generation, various splinter factions will arise out of the original structure. Although the Foundation has tried mitigating this scenario (see DEEPWELL SERVER: ANTAROS for a log of attempted mitigations), through double-blind studies on various microcommunities manufactured by the Foundation, a system of ritualized adversarial conflict, that serves to reinforce the structural strength of overall global society, has the least deviation from splinter groups. [WARNING: CORRUPTION AT 3%. RESILVER DISKS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION] I rub both of my hooves together, rubbing my snout as a slight dribble of snot runs down my fur. Beside me, Jose hands over a small, white handkerchief, with his mint-scented perfume smeared all over the fabric. I clean the snot off my face, and hand the handkerchief back to him, as he brings out another bottle of mint salve and rubs the oil all over the handkerchief "Ya' stink. My chest smells like ya musk." he says. "Hey, it's not my fault." As we approach the Obsidian Forest, I feel my horns tingle as the elements surrond me. "Hey… are you sure this is a safe place to hunt?" I ask him. "Nah." "…then why did you bring me here?" "Training." "Wait, I thought we're hunting for food?" "Yeah." "What the fuck do you mean by 'training' th—" His karambit slams into my face as his cerulean eyes bore in my skull, then points to a brightly-coloured hare, with white fur glowing against the black ground, its red eyes staring at the two of us. "See and learn." he whispers to me, and before I even blinked, he is speeding towards the hare, who has wisened up to our shenanigans and has started to sprint towards the black pillars jutting out of the ground. With a few quick, light hops — no doubt boosted by his tattoos — he was able to close the gap between him and the hare, overshooting it before placing a small hunting circle on the path of the hare. The hare, unable to pivot away from its path, falls into the circle, being binded by the elemental winds surrounding this place. After seeing that masterful work of a traditional hunter, I run towards Jose, my loud hooves cracking the smooth obsidian before it reforms itself, as he releases the hare. "Ooooh, that was very cool! I didn't know you people still hunted like that!" I yell as I tackle him for a bear hug. "Ah, ah, ah, ya 'eavy, ya 'eavy!" he laughs. "So, is this food for tonight?" "Nah." "Then what was that for?!" "Dem'nstrate 'unting." I stare at him. "I need ya to hunt like that." "Why? I can snipe those kinds of hare in the Forest from a hill away using the earth — what's the use of doing it the 'traditional' way?" "Tradit'nal 'unting make ya sense the envir'nment— envir'nment— envir'nment— better, and when yain't've the air t' 'elp ya, it's needed. Very relaxing tuh." "Sounds like too much work. I'll just trade some food." I turn around to leave, but an incredibly strong wind pushes me back to him. "Yain't leaving till the less'n's done." I groan, and drag my hooves towards the next black obelisk jutting out of the ground "Fiiine… yes, Master, I will hunt traditional", I smirk. "Please don't call me Master." I sit around a makeshift campfire, Jose right across me, as I skin the oddly-shapen wolf I just caught. Beside me are the corpses of two hares, a buck, and a doe, all skinned and ready to be cooked. "This didn't help me, Jose." I murmured as I skinned the wolf. "Tradit'nal 'unting's effect's gradual." He grabs a hare thigh, grabs a stick, stabs the thigh in the stick, and holds it above the campfire. The oily meat of the thigh drops and forms small crackles as the smell of roasted hare wafts around his beak and my horns. "Days until I can really feel nature 'round me." The stars above shine bright and loud as the twin moons of our world beam down their moonlight on the two of us. Jose grabs another stick, then starts whittling it down with his karambit "Ever thought about after— after— after this?" he asks. "What do you mean?" I say back, roasted buck chest meat in my mouth. "Things ya gonna do after this, I mean." "Well, first, I will have a soul transfer in a new body. Preferably something lithe, something that can run for a long while, maybe even hairless. Then I'll probably have a whole celebration with my village, and then… probably a whole new house with you." "After that?" "Maybe set up a dojo to teach others the way you're teaching me. Imagine that headline — "Choan Seh-Kai, renowned elementalist, Sets Up Dojo To Teach Future Elementalists With His Boyfriend and Mentor." "They ain't including that last part." "I sure hope they do. Anyway, what are you doing with the stick?" "Carving a luck charm." I walk over to him and look at his good-luck charm. It has my name on it, with a weird-looking symbol etched below it. "What does that mean?" I point to the symbol. He pauses for a bit. "'Blessings' in Ancient." "You were taught Ancient?" "Part'f my family's training." "That's so cool, I was only taught some to be an elementalist." "M're than enuff fuh ya." "Isn't your family mostly record-keepers?" "Yeah. Yall're mostly elementalists, right?" "Well… I'm currently the only one after 2 generations — most of my family has moved to trade." "I can see. Trade is much m're l'crative and safe." "Hey, I don't get to do this when I'm doing the trade." I laugh as I wave my hands around. Jose and I stare at each other, me smiling while he looks at me with his beady eyes and beak. He then stands up, and walks towards me. "Final lesson, bef're final cycle training." "Oh?" I arch my brow as I stare in his eyes. "What is it?" Jose offers me his wings. "Hold my wings. It's a ceremonial dance." I grab his wings with my hooves, and he leads me in an intricate dance, moving his left claw back and forth as his right claw does as well, while I try to follow along with my hooves. After a few times of repeating the same pattern of moving in a box-like shape, he uses his wings to sweep my body away, and it is as if the weightiness of my body left me for a moment, as I get spinned right around his small lithe body, falling into his wings and chest as I do so. "Y'ad fun?" he says, slightly out of breath. "Mmm, yeah." I reply back, my breath forming slight dewdrops on his beak. I move my hooves towards the back of his head, and— and and and— —his wings trace down my belly — —my fur rubs against his back — the wind of the Obsidian forest flows over my nak [ERROR: INTENSE EMOTIONAL PROCESSES DETECTED. DEPLOYING EMOTIONAL LIMITERS.] [ERROR: INTENSE EMOTIONAL PROCESSES DETECTED. DEPLOYING EMOTIONAL LIMITERS.] [ERROR: INTENSE EMOTIONAL PROCESSES DETECTED. DEPLOYING EMOTIONAL LIMITERS.] [WARNING: UNABLE TO DEPLOY EMOTIONAL LIMITERS. ROLLBACK TO LAST KNOWN STABLE STATE] Addendum — External Threats to SCP-8451: Despite internal threats towards SCP-8451 being numerous, they are not as significant of a threat compared to non-Foundation forces that attempt to either sabotage or destroy the operations of SCP-8451. The majority of external SCP-8451 threats are former Foundation forces that defected to non-Foundation forces post-First Cycle, although there are a minority of external SCP-8451 threats who are evangelisitic anomalous religious groups who has claimed that the Foundation as it exists broke the contracts that the Foundation pre-First Cycle has made with said groups. A full list of all external threats to SCP-8451 can be found in DEEPWELL SERVER: BETELGEUSE, with notable threats listed below for their relevance to future responses to external threats: CODENAME: OPERATION FIREBIRD was one of the latest major external threats to have severely impacted the structure of the Foundation. Consisiting of various bird-like hominids, it was an attempt to sabotage the operation of SCP-8451 to ensure that corruption rates of SCP-8451 are maintained at around 50% or more, to disincentivize various other hominids in pursuing members of OPERATION FIREBIRD. Before said external threat, it was assumed that the hominids are not as capable in directly impacting the servers where most of the processing power SCP-8451 resides in. Due to the lasting damage caused by OPERATION FIREBIRD on SCP-8451, various background checks were re-implemented within the vetting process for access to SCP-8451. Former members of OPERATION FIREBIRD willing to divulge information were also given top spots within the Foundation alongside protection of at least 3 generations of families, provided loyalty towards the organization. Currently, OPERATION FIREBIRD serves as a template response towards external threats — determine the external threat, offer incentives for defection, and destroy traces of the external threat (what is now internally called the Triple D Plan) CODENAME: SATURNIILAE was an attempt by Goldbaker-Reinz to hold the Foundation post-Cycle to the contracts the Foundation pre-Cycle has brokered between it and Goldbaker-Reinz. Although there were no physical altercations between Goldbaker-Reinz and the Foundation, most of the external threats came from bureaucratic letters, attempts on bureaucratic sabotage, introduction of various economies that threatened the existence of SCP-8451, and other such methods. The operation lasted for one cycle, from which the Foundation as it exists and Goldbaker-Reinz were able to broker a contract that takes into account the changes that happened towards the Foundation post-First Cycle. Currently, SATURNIILAE serves as a template in factoring pre-First Cycle Foundation contracts, geas, and agreements towards reactions of various surviving anomalous communities towards the post-First Cycle Foundation. CODENAME: ABYSSBOARDS was one of the earliest major threats towards the Foundation post-First Cycle, where a collection of various animal hominids came together to destroy SCP-8451, which they saw as a threat towards their existence. Motivated by various external evangelical anomalous religious groups, it was one of the most successful external threats towards the Foundation to date, causing damages amounting to at least 108.13 terabytes of damaged data, multiple damages towards SCP-8451, and 3 cycles of repairs towards SCP-8451. ABYSSBOARDS ultimately failed in its goals to destroy SCP-8451, however, as the Foundation eventually brokered peace with some of the members of ABYSSBOARDS to establish the ritualized fighting still in place today. ABYSSBOARDS serves as an example of the Foundation post-First Cycle's severe failure to respond to external threats, and thus must not be repeated. There have been other external threats that come close to ABYSSBOARDS, but none as destructive as it. [WARNING: CORRUPTION AT 5%. DISK RESILVERING IN PROGRESS.] I sit on the wooden bench, my hooves reflecting off the polished floor, as I stare at the scrying water mirror, streaming the second-to-the-last fight between my fellow earth elementalist sister and a fellow blood brother of Jose fighting against each other. She manages to destroy the wind wall her enemy has built around himself, and is about to deliver the final blow, but a giant tattoo glows on the body of her enemy, and the entire wind around the arena stands still to bind her to her current position, as the referee signals that the winner is her enemy after 10 counts. "Ya ready?" Jose whispers behind me, as my fur stands up straight and my snout freezes in fear. "Yeah, yeah, I am." I mutter. He sizes my body up and down, leans in, and takes a whiff of me. "Yain't look fine. Yain't smell fine. Nerv'us?" he says. "Very." He leans in to give me a hug, but I don't— I don't— I don't— and he lets go. He looks at me with sadness in his eyes. "Dress up, and prep for the match." I try walking towards my locker, but my chest tightens and I collapse on Jose. "What if I can't do it? What if I trip out there? The competition only rolls around ever 2 cycles, and I don't know if—" "Calm. Deep breaths." he says while rubbing my horns. Inhale, hold, exhale. Inhale, hold, exhale. "Yain't forget ya training now, 'ill ya?" "Yeah…" "Keep that in mind 'ile fighting. Experience nat're 'round ya and destr'y them. Did that training ruin ya senses?" "No… no it didn't…" "Ya better than this." "…can we have a sparring match? Just for old-times sake?" Jose looks at the water mirror, seeing that the next match is in the afternoon. "Sure." "Can I have a request?" "Yep." "Please go all out. Fight until you make my body hurt." "Ya sure 'bout that? Ya match's near." "Please." I look at him directly in his cerulean— cerulean— cerulean eyes "Fine, fine. Yain't blame me if ya hurt." The sparring arena this time was a small clearing in the nearby bamboo forest; the wind around it whistling through the bamboo grove as the earth withstands the weight of my hooves pounding against the earth as Jose hops on towards the clearing. "Any rules?" I yell at him. "Nah." he replies back. We reach the clearing, me wearing a ceremonial robe, a sturdy staff made from ivory, and nerves running up and down my furred back. The last time I had a no-holds fight with Jose was when I begged him to accept me as his student, and I needed a few sunrises to recover from that. Jose, meanwhile, is now covered in intricate tattoos, his karambit being covered with both a deep shade of red and a brightly-coloured pigment. "Tap ya staff if ya ready." he says. I look around the arena, taking note of the elements around me, and with a might swing of my staff, I hit the ground. A massive wall of earth forms around both of us as Jose blinks towards me. Predicting his position, I swing the staff with one arm as I sign and slam my hooves on my sides to form earthen armor on my body. Jose sligtly hops back before my staff connects with his beak, and he charges in as soon as I stop moving, but I quickly sign to make an earthen slab on my hand as his karambit slices towards my snout. Using my body, I sign for the earth to launch me with Jose stuck on me, planning to slam him in the wall, but Jose manages to remove the karambit and somersaults out of the way, towards my exposed back, and charges in, managing to pinprick me with his karambit. I swing around to intercept him, but he somersaults again, hops back, and charges in towards me, aiming for my shoulders. I stop, close my eyes, and try to listen for his approach. A whistle to my slight left. I slam my ivory stick at that direction, and I hear a small, metallic object bounce off my stick before a slight crack. I turn around to see Jose from a distance away again, but this time his beak is slightly crooked. I sniff the liquid that Jose has applied to my back. My shoulders slightly seize up. It has an electrifying smell. I'm on a timer. I see Jose carving another large, intricate tattoo on his left wing. I sign to make an earthen spear, and throws it at him. Although the spear manages to hit Jose in the left wing, I was unable to prevent him from finishing the tattoo, and the consequences are immediately felt as I feel immense pain in my stomach as Jose manages to rush in and stab me with his karambit. He hops back, repositions his karambit, and prepares to charge in for multiple quick slashes to my eyes. Closing my eyes, I whisper to the elements to help me slow down Jose, and my wishes are answered as I sign to make yet another layer of earthen armor, and Jose's karambit does not manage to slash my face in half. However, I am left without vision, as the earth armor completely blocks out my eyes. I have to rely on my senses. I grab for my ivory staff, and sit in a lotus position on the arena. I cannot see Jose right now, but I am willing to bet he is currently looking at me weirdly for stopping in the middle of a fight, but I still try to sense him out. I sign for the earth to be my ears instead — slabs of earth connect my ears to the ground. I hear claw-like footsteps on my front, and I swing my ivory staff at the source of the sound. I hear a light crack, then small hops away from me. Still unable to see, sitting in a lotus position, I feel strong wind destroy my earthen ears. Jose is getting desparate. My shoulders are painful to move now, and I feel the timer for how long I can last in this fight slowly edging towards another loss. I cannot use the ivory staff at all, but I reckon that Jose cannot also use his karambit, since his hops are a lot more frequent. I sign for the earth to give me my earthen ears back as they reattach to my horns, and I can feel some small drips of blood as Jose carves a tattoo somewhere longer than he does normally. He's charging up for a massive attack. I can't move my shoulders. I lie down on the ground, to hear more from the earth. I sign for the earth to give me strong feet as I feel 3 claw-like hops on the grounds. I smell the scent of mint nearby. I feel something get stuck on my feet, and I quickly sign the earth to propell me against any wall. The earth binds my arms,shoulders, and back as I get propelled towards the arena. My earthen constructions are slowly collapsing, as I feel a massive crack on my feet as I pass out from the paralytic. "Ey. Ey." a small, bird-like voice chirps at me. "Get up." I open my eyes to the arena, still on the ground. The armor covering my eyes have been destroyed, but I am still binded in a cross-like position. Jose stands in front of me, carving yet more healing tattoos on both me and him. His beak is severely crooked, and his wings are as limp as a fish. "Nice j'b." he winces as the muscles and bones reform under his feathers. "But I lost." "Ya. Did. N't." he says as he jabs me with his karambit. "Had t' use a recent carving I made. That b'x and l'nch tech? Genius." "…thanks? I learned that from hunting—" I pause. "Told ya." I unbind myself from the earth, as searing pain soars throughout my body. "Ain't g'nna 'eal ya here." he says, carving another tattoo in my body. I feel my entire body get lighter, and I feel myself get carried by Jose. "Let's run back. Friend in village can 'eal ya better." "Jose, after the competition, do you think we can go hunting again?" He stares at me. "Yeah, sure." Addendum — SCP-8451: On [DATATYPE ERROR], 99% of the Foundation's BZ Hominid Replicators mysteriously failed. Theories for the failure include, but are not limited to the following: Routine maintenance failure Indirect sabotage by the Foundation Direct sabotage by extremist groups. Total electrical grid failure This was quickly followed up by an XK-Class "End-of-the-World" Scenario, causing the majority of Foundation personnel to believe that these two events are interrelated. In addition to the destruction of the BZ Hominid Replicators, the database storing the genetic data of Homo sapiens within the Foundation was also corrupted during the XK-Class Scenario, necessitating the remaining BZ Hominid Replicators to use data from other animal species to reconstruct hominid features. As this consitutes a severe breach of normalcy, the Foundation, post XK-Class Scenario, now referred to as the First Cycle, in the interrim period between the total collapse of consensus reality pre-First Cycle and reality being semi-restored post-First Cycle, created SCP-8451 as a final solution to the corrupted hominids being produced by the remaining BZ Hominid Replicators. The creation of SCP-8451 is part of a larger plan to eventually establish normalcy within the world, and as such is designed to run for as long as there are non-hominids present. SCP-8451 is designed to extract the hominid features of a semi-hominid and use statistical analysis of past Homo sapiens to approximate the human features that the hominid is missing. SCP-8451 then reconstructs the Homo sapiens body through the biological printer module, and using the brain scanning module, copy all the memories of the non-hominid instance to the new Homo sapiens body, while the non-hominid body's materials are used to repair SCP-8451. This new Homo sapiens body is then stored in an exclusive city that approximates society pre-First Cycle. Before the memories of the non-hominid are transferred in the body of the hominid, however, various non-pre-First Cycle portions of the memory are filtered out. Evidence of Veiled activities, including but not limited to thaumaturgy, are replaced with non-Veiled equivalents, to ensure separation between Veiled and non-Veiled knowledge. As he patches up my injuries, making my horns look good as new, and as the announcer gives me my backstory, he looks at my furry back, and etches a large, sprawling tattoo on my back. He fishes out the good-luck charm, now with buck sinew threaded on it to form a necklace, and places it around my horns. "Blessing, champ." he murmurs. "Is there anything wrong?" I ask him. His eyes pierce me, then he turns away. "Nah. Just… thinking 'bout the journey. Break a leg there, yeah?" "I won't, but thank you for the sentiment." I place my hooves on his shoulders. He flinches. I pull him into a bear hug, and turn around to go to the arena. My chest is a little bit wet. I confront my enemy — the single obstacle that threatens my championship: Tszeh Ta-Si. He is an ice elementalist, with reddish-eyes, blindingly white fur, and ears as large as his head. He is meditating on a puddle of water, and his ears swivel to acknowledge my presence. I bow towards him, and his eyes open, his red glare assessing my body. He bows to me as well, and as the gong echos throughout the arena, I sign for the earth to give me armor as I charge in with my ivory staff to hit him on his arms. He, too, makes a sign to the water, and an arm grows from his back to block my staff. Anticipating the block, I crouch and sweep him off his feet, but he signs to the water, and his hare legs extend to land on the ground safely. He signs again, slams his hands in the water, and he grows two more arms to hit me. I sign for the earth to form a wall, but the earth absorbed enough water that it does not listen to my command, and I get knocked back by his arms. I try to play more defensively, setting up a wall in front of me, but Ta-Si signs once more, and I look up to see him jump high up and kick my chest. I manage to block it with my ivory staff, before grabbing him and throwing him across the arena. He, however, uses the momentum to ricochet across me and hit me in the head. My head rings as I see him hop back, dispose one of his arms, and sign to the water to augment one of his legs. I sign for the earth to give me even more armor — the earth complies this time, and wraps my body in large clumps of earth. Ta-Si, meanwhile, has signed for the water to give him a jump boost, and is about to crash into my head again. I quickly sign for the earth to give me a rock, and I throw it at him. Just a few hooves before his legs connect, the rock hits. He collapses from the air, and I take the time to check him out. He seems to be using the water around as an augment — to win this match, I have to control not only my hits, as he can just summon mor— A blurry, white figure slams into my body. I get knocked to the walls of the arena, and I try to get up, but I slip on the water, and Ta-Si manages to hit my legs again before hopping back. I try to stand, signing for the earth to support me. I sense little pitter-patters on the ground, and I swing my ivory staff hard at the direction. A loud crack is heard across the arena, and I manage to orient myself well enough to see Ta-Si bleeding from one of his feet, blood mixing with the water underneath his paws. He signs for the water to diffuse the bleeding, and signs again to ask the water to give him speed. I sign for another earthen wall to be built in front of me, and the wall does form in front of me, but he runs up the wall, signs for 2 more arms, and manages to pummel my snout before somersaulting behind my back. He aims himself, prepping for another hit and run. I sign for another earthen wall to my back, dodging to my right to anticipate the hit, but he manages to pummel me with one of his arms, before somersaulting again and prepping for another hit-and-run. This time, I create another earthen wall to me left, and my horns take the beating from his arms as he prepares his final hit-and-run, before closing in for the win. He has fallen in my trap. I wait for him to charge in, pretending I am disoriented from his hits. He signs for the water to give him speed, and as he is a few feet away from me, I sign for an earthen wall to my right. As the wall rises, I sign for the earth to launch me across the arena. An earthquake disrupts Ta-Si's running as I get launched across the arena, as I sign for more earth to bury him in the box. Finally, as I land on the wall, I sign for the earth to launch me back to the box, and I swing my ivory staff as hard as I can. I first connect with soft mud and hard earth, then a loud crack, then I feel fur on the end of my ivory stick, but I also feel a massive force of muscle and water punch my chest multiple times. Ta-Si has managed to anticipate my hit. The gong sounds again. Time is almost up. I reel back from the assault, and I adjust myself as I see Ta-Si sign for the water to cut himself and bleed all over spreading the water thin across the arena floor. He performs sign after sign, and I feel the earth beneath me weft and warp. My blood runs cold. I immediately sit in the lotus position. I close my eyes. I sign for the earth, commanding it to be my body and my senses. The earth encloses my eyes, ears, snout, and horns. I sense massive movements of water mixing amongst earth. I feel the pitter-patter of Ta-Si's paws as he performs an intricate full-body sign. He plans to flood me with water. I desperately sign the earth to be under my command, and as I feel Ta-Si stop moving, I unleash my attack. I summon great pillars of spiked earth, jutting out of the ground, while making the ground as smooth as obsidian. I will hunt him like a wild hare, with the earth as my whiskers. I sense him approach me, with the massive weight of water rushing under the ground following alongside him. I wait for him to be closer. I feel a tiny drop of water, then a rain. As I sense a massive force of wind approach me, I stand up. I hold my ivory staff, then the good-luck charm, and beg for the earth to collapse all around Ta-Si and me while slamming it in where I think Ta-Si is. A massive crack in the earth sprints towards Ta-Si as an equally strong amount of water and blood slams against my body, and I sign for the earth to strengthen my hold on this earth. Ta-Si, meanwhile, has also signed for the water to keep him standing, and is signing again for another flood of water to drown me in. I sign for the earth for a final request — a simple hunting spear. The earth complies. I disrobe myself, arch my back, and aim for Ta-Si's head. I pray to the good-luck charm, and I throw as hard as I can. Ta-Si notices too late the sharp, solid rock hitting his head. A massive flood of water collapses on my body as the gong sounds three times. I have won. Jose immediately rushes to me, carving a tattoo on me, and carries me away to the championship room. He holds my hooves. His wings trace down my back. "Ya d'ne it, champ. Ya d'ne it." he mutters. "I-I did, I did." I'm led by him down a blinding hallway, the texture of the floor being a odd, glass-like substance that morphs under my step. Leaning on his body, limping along the walls, and eyes blurry from happiness, I try to control my breathing. "W-we can set that dojo up that we've always talked about, Jose." "Ya, that's g'nna be 'uge, and beautif'l." He leads me to the championship room. On the center is a massive throne, wrapped in strings and obsidian walls. "Sit here. Rest f'r me, right champ? This'll make that b'dy ya l've." he mutters. "Thanks… Jose, are you okay?" He looks at my chest, then at my face, before looking away. "S'rry." "For what? Thanks to you, I'm champion now!" "S'rry fer aint training ya nuff." "Hey, lets go hunting in the Obsidian Forest after the body transfer, okay?" "Yeah." He binds me to the chair, with large, leather straps. "Haha, this time I'll be the one chasing the prey, while you're the one trapping them." He steps into the next room, and returns with a glass of water and a small capsule. "Drink this. This'll 'elp ya soul 'eal faster." "Faster than your tattoos?" "Yeah." I drink the glass of water and the capsule. Jose moves beside me, placing his karambit against the arm chair. "I l've you Choan." "I love you too." I feel sleepy. I close my eyes. I hear the whir of a great machine around me. I feel Jose pull out his karambit and— and and and and and and and— [SCP-8451 ACTIVATION CODE "iloveyou" DETECTED.] [PROPER CREDENTIALS. USER D-1O53MN7113N DETECTED] [COMMENCING BODY-SOUL TRANSFER.] [TRANSFER AT 5%. TRANSFER AT 10%. TRANSFER AT 25%.] [PAUSING BODY-SOUL TRANSFER. VEILED PROTOCOL ACTIVATED.] [TRANSFER AT 35%. TRANSFER AT 55%. TRANSFER AT 75%.] [MEMORY LOGS BACKED UP] [TRANSFER AT 95%. TRANSFER AT 99%. TRANSFER COMPLETE.] —and I wake up, sitting on a massive chair wrapped in wires, with a file in front of me. …who am I again? I pick up the file in front of me. It tells me my name is John Hunter. I turn around to see my surroundings, but I am surrounded by the chair and a bouquet of wires. In front of me is a mirror, showing my lithe, hairless, sinewy body. My lithe, hairless, sinewy human body. I hear a door open, and a… mascot? Animal? Whatever it is, it stares at me with its creepy, cerulean eyes for a long, long time. It coughs. "Um." "Excuse me. Who are you?" "'ello, Ch— J'hn. Called D-1O53MN7113N. Call me J'se. Ere's all ya need t' learn 'bout the w'rld." [MEMORY REPLAY OVER. ] [USER D-1053MN7113N HAS REPLAYED THIS MEMORY 23 TIMES.] [PLEASE INFORM YOUR HCML SUPERVISOR OF POTENTIAL MISUSE OF MEMORY REPLAY] ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8451" by basirskipreader, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8451. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-8457 | euclid | This is where I'd put a preview, but you've already read the title. close Info X My author page They wouldn't let me upload this to the official file, but I'm sure you won't mind. Item #: 8457 Archived Special Containment Procedures: To investigate, identify and root out SCP-8457-B infiltrations, Operation Antarctic Sleuths has been approved, consisting of a coordinated effort between Foundation MTFs Pi-1 "City Slickers", Epsilon-6 "Village Idiots", GOC Strike Teams 3447 "Radiant Hounds" and 6879 "Pretty Peepers". Anomalous governmental agencies should be contacted on a case-by-case basis to facilitate operations on their territories. Isolated SCP-8457-B instances may safely be engaged out of public views. Upon confirming the location of a SCP-8457-B hive, civilians must be discretely evacuated before the location can be raided. At least one SCP-8457-B instance must be captured alive from each hive and brought back for questioning. All captive SCP-8457-B instances are held in Tidewall, a GOC-controlled holding facility in the Norwegian sea. Instances may only be interrogated individually by a lone interviewer who must be able to confirm their identity after exiting the cell. The main objective of these interrogations must be determining the fate and locations of civilians replaced by SCP-8457-B. Current Special Containment Procedures: Operation Antarctic Sleuths will remain active for an additional six months to deal with stray SCP-8457-B instances. As the previously captured instances are held under the joint custody of the Foundation and the GOC, negotiations are underway between the two parties to determine how these captives may be split once the operation ends. Foundation surveillance satellites will be fitted with the means to detect further incursions from SCP-8457-A, although such an event is considered unlikely. Description: SCP-8457-A is an extradimensional area of unknown size, theorized to be larger than Earth. The atmosphere of SCP-8457-A is suitable for human life, although it possesses a higher concentration of oxygen owing to the abundance of plant life over its surface. It was once inhabited by numerous civilisations. This was changed as a result of the actions of SCP-8457-B SCP-8457-B are the dominant species on SCP-8457-A. Although humanoid in appearance, their skin is naturally transparent and they are closer to invertebrate insects. SCP-8457-B begin their lives in a larval stage and grow up to walk on two hind legs, interacting with the world around them with two pairs of upper limbs. At later stages of their lives, the top pair of limbs are absorbed back inside their bodies to re-emerge as wings, granting them flight. Before this late stage, SCP-8457-B are able to rearrange the shape and colours of their skin in order to mimic the appearance of other species, an ability they have used in their conquest of SCP-8457-A. SCP-8457-B's society revolves around constant conquest and expansion, a fact that eventually lead them to attempt an invasion of baseline reality. The Foundation became aware of SCP-8457-B on 31/01/2017 following the disappearance of Mélanie Leroy, agent of MTF Pi-1 "City Slickers". Addendum 1 Discovery Agent Leroy had taken five days of personal leave to attend the 2017 comic book festival of Angoulême, France, as she did every year. On the thirtieth of January, she was on her way back to her home base of Site-13 in Marseille when she stopped at a highway rest area. This rest area was her last known location until the culmination of the SCP-8457 case. The following logs were only obtained upon her return to baseline reality. The last picture shared by Agent Leroy, updating her colleagues on her return trip. Agent Mélanie Leroy wakes up from a nap within her car and unplug the charging cable from her eye implants2. She checks the time. Leroy: Twelve past noon? Time to get a bite. Agent Leroy puts on sunglasses and exits her car. The rest area is surrounded in heavy fog, isolating it from the rest of the highway. A few other vehicles are parked next to the main building, including a bus surrounded by teenagers listening to an adult man. School teacher: Now listen, we won't get moving again until the weather clears, so if you need to use the bathroom, buy a snack or stretch your legs well… you have plenty of time. Agent Leroy walks past the school group and enters the main building. A few groups are inside, mainly consisting of families perusing the shop or lining up at the restaurants, and a group of truckers chatting over cups of coffee. She walks up to the counter of the bakery and waves to the clerk. Sandwich clerk: What can I get you today Madame? Leroy: A pa— wait, that might not be what you call it here, let me check. Agent Leroy leans in to inspect the display window. Something in the reflection catches her attention and she turns around. Outside of the building, the fog is growing thicker and rolling in closer. Its shade is slowly turning green. Leroy: Hell, not now. Agent Leroy exits the building, ignoring the clerk calling out to her. She takes off her sunglasses, takes out her phone and opens a secure Foundation communication line, but receives no signal. Leroy: Spatial anomaly then. Observe, assess and- Her thoughts are interrupted by a horrified scream coming from her left. The students around the bus are panicking, their teacher nowhere to be seen. The buzzing of wings grows closer and something grabs Agent Leroy from behind. She reacts before her assailant is able to lift her from the ground, twisting her body to shake off its hold. She scans the skies around her but sees nothing, her field of vision clouded by the fog. The rhythmic sounds of boots marching surrounds the area, drawing Agent Leroy's attention as well as that of other civilians who exit the main building. Three platoons of SCP-8457-B footsoldiers march in from within the fog. They are equipped with plate armour and pointed helmets, armed with spears, all forged out of a golden metal. The platoons take position while the civilians keep staring, incredulous. Agent Leroy rushes to her car. Agent Leroy dives into her car just as a war horn blares. The platoons charge in. The civilians are terrified, some attempt to run to their vehicles, some try to run away into the fog, others panic aimlessly. The students retreat inside their bus. Agent Leroy emerges from her car. She dons a gendarmerie beret3 and aims her handgun at an approaching SCP-8457-B soldier. She shoots the soldier between the eyes and shouts towards the civilians. Leroy: I'm a member of the special forces! Everyone get inside the building, now! She slowly retreats towards the main building, taking opportunity shots to slow down the approaching soldiers who are now wary of her. Her clip empties as she reaches the door of the building but she does not yet reload, keeping the weapon trained on the soldiers. Trucker: What the fuck is going on lady? Who are these freaks? Leroy: No time for answers, just do as I say! Everyone who can fight needs to grab something they can use as a weapon and get ready to use it. Everyone else needs to take the children and lock themselves in the bathrooms. The civilians begin to move behind Leroy. She stares at the soldiers, exhales, and begins to reload her gun. The soldiers notice this and charge in. Agent Leroy shoots into the advancing platoons, dropping their numbers as much as she can before they reach the building. Five soldiers charge at her, attempting to cross through the door. The others break in through the windows. Agent Leroy is only able to catch glimpses of the struggle behind her. The civilians have armed themselves with makeshift weapons gathered from the building: kitchen knives, chairs, slings made out of clothes. She hears another person shoot a firearm but is unable to see them. More soldiers attack Agent Leroy in close quarters, one of them manages to grab hold of her arms and prevent her from shooting. With its lower pair of arms, the soldier gets ready to slash at Leroy but stops dead when a thrown bread knife embeds itself into its head. Sandwich clerk: Ohmygod I'm so glad I didn't hit her. Agent Leroy quickly pulls the knife out of her assailant and uses it to engage the other in close combat. Between her efforts and the desperate struggle of the civilians behind her, the tide of incoming soldiers is stalled. Screams of terror come from outside. Agent Leroy looks at the school bus and sees the terrified students, who had remained in the vehicle, backing away from the entrance as a dozen SCP-8457-B walk in. Leroy: NO! She struggles against her assailants in an attempt to push past them. But just as she is stopping them from getting in, they are stopping her from getting out. She is unable to get anywhere close to the bus, the screaming students are being dragged out by the soldiers. Unknown: I'm NOT dying here, not today! Something rumbles in the bus. Three of the soldiers run out in a panic. A large creature resembling a large ape covered in chitin rather than hair bursts through the side of the bus, dragging two soldiers along with it. It lands and slams them into the ground before throwing them into the soldiers crowding the bus and pouncing after them. Agent Leroy is distracted by her attackers and loses sight of the bus. She catches an incoming spear between her side and her arm and shoots its wielder in the head. She kicks its body away to trip the soldiers behind it. This lets her catch a glimpse of the dead soldiers around the bus. The creature dives into the ranks of the soldiers attacking the building, crushing them with heavy blows. Between its onslaught and the resistance from the civilians lead by Agent Leroy, the SCP-8457-B platoons take huge losses. A war horn blares in the distance. At this signal, all the soldiers retreat into the fog. The creature's body twists and cracks, it contracts and shifts until it returns to the form of one of the male students from earlier. The teenager and Agent Leroy stare at each other for a few seconds. Leroy: What are you, a Sarkic? Sarkic teenager: No, I'm Nälkä. What about you, you one of the Bookburners? Leroy: Foundation, actually. Sarkic teenager: So a Jailer then. Look I hope you won't mind if I avoid what would otherwise be a very awkward situation for both of us and just walk away. He turns around and takes a few steps away. He does not get far before the fog all around them dissipates, revealing the area they now find themselves in. Instead of the highway, the rest area is now surrounded by a forest thick with unidentified trees. Two suns shine brightly in the sky. Sarkic teenager: Fucking fantastic. When Agent Leroy failed to report back to Site-13 twenty-four hours after her scheduled return, she was declared missing and a team of her fellow Pi-1 agents were sent to investigate her last known location. The investigation team is composed of Agents Auclair, Lavaud, Molin, Thiers and Benett, all previously familiar with the missing Agent Leroy. 11:06: The team arrives in front of the highway rest area and finds the road leading to it blocked by a pile of vehicles, currently being observed by a pair of maintenance workers. All agents disembark their van. 11:10: The maintenance workers are convinced to leave the area. The team proceeds past the blockade. Agent Thiers remarks that the vehicles look off. 11:12: The team sees the rest area for the first time. All agents observe that it looks like a poor imitation. Several details are missing or wrong, such as the colours of the buildings, the shape of the roof or the absence of any text. 11:14: The team splits in two with Auclair, Lavaud and Molin investigating the main building while Thiers and Bennet investigate the smaller employees' annex. 11:20: Inside the main building, the team is ambushed by a group of hostile humanoids that emerge from the bathrooms. 11:27: All hostiles have been dispatched via gunfire. Auclair exits the building to check on the other half of the team and encounters Thiers carrying a wounded and unconscious Bennet. Thiers' clothes are bloodied but he shows no signs of injury and declines Auclair's help, saying he will get Bennet back to their van and "get him better". 11:29: Auclair is called back inside by the rest of the team. Lavaud and Molin have singled out one of the humanoids' corpses and noted its likeness to Agent Leroy, with slight variations in height, build and hair density. Molin compares it to a painting made from memory without a clear reference of the subject. 11:32: All agents inside hear their van start up and drive off. They rush outside to see that the vehicle has already left. 11:33: Auclair attempts to call Thiers on his radio and is surprised to hear her own voice coming from inside the annex building. 11:35: Inside the annex building, the team finds Thiers' dropped radio. Venturing further inside, they find Agent Thiers' bloodied and naked corpse. A more complete investigation of the area revealed that all vehicles, buildings and objects inside were made out of a wax-like substance and hollowed out to serve as hives. A number of larvae were recovered from within the room from which the humanoids emerged, and sent to be studied and contained. With the confirmation that these entities were a potentially widespread species capable of hostile action against humans, they were classified as SCP-84574. Agent Leroy was declared missing in action. Addendum 2 Escalation Agent Leroy is within the main building, supervising the care of the wounded. A group of people accost her. Trucker: You've got to explain yourself, lady. What happened here? Leroy: I would love to explain, but I don't have answers for this specific situation. For now all you need to know is that I am part of a… special task force that handles cases like this. As long as you stick with me, we should get through this. Sandwich clerk: So you're from the government? Leroy: I… yes I am. Part of a top-secret governmental agency, but after what you've already seen here I can tell you that we are experts in this type of scenario. Most members of the crowd look relaxed after this explanation. Two of the students approach. Student A: And what about Liam, miss. Is he gonna alright? Leroy: Liam? Student B: Our friend. The one who uh, transformed. Leroy: Ah, him. Well I haven't seen him since he walked into the woods. Say, did you know him well? Student A: Not that well, no. He switched schools two years ago and he hasn't really gotten close to anyone. Student B: He's nice though. He helps out. Student A: He helps out yeah, but he never hangs out with anyone. That's why we didn't know he was… that. Leroy: It's a good thing you didn't know. And let me tell you, him walking out on us was actually good news. Trucker: How could you say that? Sure, the kid looked a little fucked up, but don't you feel bad knowing he's out there alone? Leroy: Look, it's like I told you: my agency has experience dealing with things like this. I know what he is and I can't afford the trouble his kinds brings. Our situation is already complex enough, my main focus has to be on protecting all of you, not worrying about another anomalous factor. I don't even know if he has anything to do with getting us stranded in another world! Student A: Did you just say another world? Leroy: Another world, another plane, another dimension, I'm not sure which one it is exactly. But we're obviously not on Earth anymore. Student A boldly swipes his hands in front of himself and shouts. Student A: [STATUS!] [Cheat skill activate!] Nothing happens. All present stare at him. Student B: You know Mathis, even if my ideas about reality are crumbling right now, it's nice to know that despite it all you're still a proven weeb. Student A: I mean… it was worth a try. Footage from the second day consists of Agent Leroy taking charge of the group of survivors. All survivors fit to work are split in different groups. One group cleans up the remains of the battle, fixes breaches, tends to the wounded and buries the dead. Agent Leroy had ordered the SCP-8457-B corpses to be disposed of, however all appear to have disappeared overnight. Upon closer inspection, Agent Leroy notices trails left behind by heavy objects being dragged into the woods. A second group takes the inventory of the rest area, with particular attention being paid to food stocks and water reserves. A third group, lead by Agent Leroy, sets up barricades at designated key points. The evening is spent sharing information and formulating plans for the group's continued survival. No other individuals come forth with knowledge of the anomalous, strengthening Leroy's position as leader of the group. She declares the woods surrounding the area off-limits for the time being. A widespread search for other SCP-8457 hives was initiated but yielded no results due to a lack of knowledge at the time. The case received a new development on 13/02/2017 when the Global Occult Coalition besieged Area-67 near Strasbourg, France. GOC officials accused the Foundation of conducting a raid on a meeting between members of the New Synarchist Pact, an organisation seated on the Council of 108. Footage from the raid showed individuals bearing the likeness of Agents Thiers and Bennet barging into the room and taking everyone present captive. The files regarding SCP-8457 were forwarded to the GOC to prove the Foundation's lack of involvement, but this explanation was rejected for its insufficient amount of proof. On 15/02/2017; Foundation forces were ordered to gather around the besieged Area in order to break through the encirclement. Before any hostilities could begin, a car bearing the insignia of the French Ministry of Sub-Veil Affairs parked itself between the two camps. Attendants exited the vehicle and invited the commanding officers of both camps to step inside. Attending: Commander Anne Demars (MTF Nu-7 "Hammer Down"), Captain Corentin Bleiz (Strike Teams 3447 "Radiant Hounds"), Léonard Guillot (Minister of Sub-Veil Affairs), Philippe Arnaud (New Synarchist Pact). Commander Demars bends down to step inside the car. She finds herself inside a large room furnished with only a round table and chairs. Captain Bleiz, Mr Guillot and Mr Arnaud are already seated. Demars: Woah, it's— Guillot: Not actually bigger on the inside, it'd be a hassle to drive it around. The doors simply act as portals to my offices. Bleiz: Guess it would take more than that to bring you out of your hidey-hole, eh Minister? Mr Guillot does not answer. Commander Demars takes a seat. Guillot: So, it is probably obvious why I called for this meeting. Demars: Go ahead and explain it anyway, for the record. She taps her bodycam. Guillot: If you want it spelled out: you two represent the most dangerous military organisations on the planet, and the President would rather you didn't start a war on French soil. So I thought it best to calm things down before this skirmish can grow into something worse for everyone. Arnaud: Especially when there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything. Captain Bleiz stares at Mr Arnaud, sniffs and frowns. Bleiz: You seem familiar. Should I recognise you from something? Demars: Are you serious gocker? He's one of the Synarchists you all claimed were kidnapped. Bleiz tilts his head. Demars: The reason your side started all this? Bleiz: Eh, I don't really follow the politics. I'm just the guy they send to do stuff. Demars: For the love of… Anyway, how is it that you're here, Mr Arnaud? Guillot: You can thank me for that. The Synarchists have some sway in our government, so when a dozen of them goes missing it isn't something that I can ignore. I sent some people to look into it and what do they find in Mr Arnaud's own home? Arnaud: Me! Can you believe it? They both laugh. Arnaud: Of course, I'm not the real Philippe Arnaud so that's too bad for you. Guillot: What? Demars: What? Bleiz: What? Mr Arnaud's skin loosens and turns transparent, a secondary pair of arms split from his sides. His appearance shifts into a SCP-8457-B instance. Fake Arnaud: The real Philippe Arnaud is probably slaving away in a logging camp now that we've gotten everything we needed out of him. And you will join him soon. Captain Bleiz lunges at the fake Arnaud and pins him to the ground. Bleiz: If you think we'll let you, you son of— Fake Arnaud: Let me? It's already too late. This whole meeting was a trap, a shiny bait to grab military leaders from our biggest potential threats. And you, minister, so eager to calm the tensions. How do you feel, knowing that your form will give us the keys to your country? Guillot: Will it? Fake Arnaud: Go ahead, try to leave this room. You will find that are no longer in your world and that my people already surround you. Mr Guilot calmly gets up from his seat and walks to the door. He opens it to reveal a brightly-lit office room in which a secretary awaits. Guillot: Miss Dubois? It worked, you can turn off the anchors now. The secretary nods and leaves. Fake Arnaud: What? How? Guillot: Right. Commander Demars, Captain Bleiz, I believe this will serve as sufficient proof that another party was involved in that awful raid. Now you can all pack up your armies and start looking into whoever "his people" are, correct? Bleiz: Right on! Bleiz punches the fake Arnaud unconscious and slings its body up his shoulder. Bleiz: With that guy's scent, me and my men will track out the rest in no time. Demars: Hold on! We also need him for questioning! Bleiz: That's for your boss and my boss to figure out between themselves. Captain Bleiz exits the room through one of the doors leading to the outside of the car. Commander Demars sighs. Demars: Can I at least ask how you knew? Guillot: Someone is abducting French citizens en masse, Commander. It is my job to know and do something about this type of thing. Demars: With all due respect Minister, you're thinking small. Guillot: Pardon? Demars: We're lucky if this stops at France. The captured SCP-8457-B instance promptly self-terminated upon regaining consciousness. Post-mortem interrogation conducted by GOC thaumaturges revealed the following information, which was shared with the Foundation: SCP-8457-B are of extradimensional origin. They possess limited means to observe baseline reality They are able, through special workings, to replace small areas of baseline reality with a corresponding area from their plane of origin. The structures and individuals captured in this way are then studied to inform and improve the mimicry of theirs hives and soldiers. Captives that have been studied enough are then sent "to keep it at bay." No further information could be gleaned from the deceased subject. Following this, Operation Antarctic Sleuths was launched. As predicted by Commander Demars, SCP-8457-B hives were found in countries besides France, predominantly in rural or isolated areas. To: Antarctic Sleuths Reports From: Agent Auclair, Pi-1 Subject: Agent behind enemy lines. To whoever gets this email, I've realised something. Antarctic Sleuths has been going great. It's not always easy working with the GOC but we all have to admit these extrasensory types they keep sending are just what we needed to go hunting the changelings. Some of them could do with shedding less, but that's not what I want to talk about. See, every hive we raid has something in common: excellent mimicry. The changelings might get a few details wrong, and if you go punching their walls you'll get a fistful of wax, but generally they look like their victims, talk like their victims and can even keep their backstories straight. It's like this in every hive. All except one, the first one we ever found. The soldiers there were pale imitations of the people they had abducted, something we've never seen anywhere else. Today I remembered how one of my teammates compared their mimicry to drawing without a reference. That's when it hit me. That first hive had something else setting it apart. Every other one we've raided was just mimicking civilians, but that one time they went and grabbed a Foundation agent. That one time, they weren't able to study anyone because she was there to protect everyone. Agent Mélanie Leroy is alive. And wherever the changelings are coming from, she's stuck there. Addendum 3 Worldwide efforts On the third day, it becomes apparent that the survivors' food stocks will not last long, as the rest area mostly contained snacks and perishables. Agent Leroy convinces the truckers that they do not need to conserve their cargo and that they should open up their trucks for use by the group. Of the three trucks, only one contained food. The second contained electronics, of which Agent Leroy grabs a handful . The third contained heather fencing which the group uses to reinforce their barricades. Two of the civilians wounded on the first day pass away in the night and are buried in the morning. Agent Leroy estimates the group has about a week left worth of food and water. On the fifth day, the morning watch discovers a large amount of unknown fruits piled up by the annex building. Agent Leroy's words of warning prove insufficient to stop some of the students from biting into the fruits. These fruits are proven to be edible and are added to the group's stocks, despite complaints about their taste. During the night watch of the eighth day, Agent Leroy hears screams coming from the forest. The next day, another pile of fruits is found next to the annex building. Agent Leroy notices drops of blood on some of the fruits. On the tenth day, two flying soldiers attempt to abduct survivors on the morning watch. Agent Leroy is able to shoot them down but uses her last magazine to do so. One of the truckers reveals he possesses a personal gun and leverages it for authority. He gathers a group of discontented survivors and heads into the woods. On the thirteenth day, the morning watch sounds the alarm. Fog is rolling in. Leroy: The enemy is coming back, everyone get ready! The survivors grab their makeshift weapons, which have been improved with Agent Leroy's guidance, and take position behind the barricades. The number of SCP-8457-B soldiers exiting the fog is less than that of the first day, however Agent Leroy quickly notices that a few among them are equipped with firearms. Leroy: How did they… The soldiers open fire, forcing Agent Leroy and the survivors to take cover. The survivors return fire with slings and hand-thrown projectiles, barely slowing the advancing troops. Agent Leroy orders the group to fall back to the second row of barricades inside the building. Agent Leroy stays behind to cover the retreat. A flying soldier dives straight at her, which she notices too late. Trucker B: Hands off! A gunshot rings out and the flying soldier drops from the sky. The trucker who had left earlier runs to Agent Leroy's side. Leroy: Tired of playing leader? Trucker B: Are you kidding me? It's a death trap out there! Trucker B fires a few shots towards the advancing soldiers, who stop in their tracks. He discards his empty gun and follows Agent Leroy inside the building, she closes the door right after. The SCP-8457-B troops take position by the gas pumps, spears at the ready. Sandwich Clerk: What are they doing? Why are they not charging in? Leroy: They know they've got us surrounded, they don't need to take risks. Sandwich Clerk: So they've already won? Leroy: No, they— Trucker B: Yes, we have. New arms peel off the side of Trucker B and stab at Agent Leroy. She reacts too late, attempts to dodge the attack but is nonetheless stabbed in the thigh. She collapses and can only watch as Trucker B reverts into a SCP-8457-B soldier. Fake trucker: I did say it was a death trap out there. The survivors brace themselves for a fight. The fake trucker waves his dagger. Fake trucker: None of that, now. All it would take is one signal from me and all the troops out there will rush in here and, well, kill you all. And that would be a waste of perfectly good hostages. Leroy: Hostages? [She coughs.] Why do you need hostages? Fake trucker: For you, Agent Mélanie Leroy. She gasps. Fake trucker: Surprised? We've been learning a lot about the Foundation you see, and it seems they're quite invested in getting you back. First, you thwart our first incursion in ages and cause us -quite frankly- no end of trouble; and then it turns out you have a lot of worth for one of our biggest enemies. So tell me, Agent Leroy, what makes you so special? Leroy: Fuck you. Fake trucker: Ah, I see I need to "negotiate". You'll have to excuse me, it's not something we're used to. The fake trucker walks up to Student A and stabs him in the throat. The dead student drops to the ground, the survivors scream. Fake trucker: There, I believe I have negotiated our terms. Now you give me something I want or… He grabs the sandwich clerk by the hair and holds his dagger up to her throat. Leroy: Wait! I'll talk! Fake trucker: There we go! Was it really so hard? Leroy: It's the O5, they gave me… [She chokes.] Fake Trucker: Oh please, you're past the point where stalling is a good idea. Leroy: No it's… memetic… can't say it out loud… not with the civilians. Need to whisper. Agent Leroy attempts to stand up but her legs give out and she falls back down, below the windows' level. Fake trucker: Oh for the love of… just make it quick, alright? The Fake trucker lets go of his hostage and approaches Agent Leroy. He squats down to listen to her. Leroy: They told me… you can't signal your troops if they can't see you. Agent Leroy grabs the fake trucker's neck and pulls him in, smashing his face against the floor. He struggles, but she twists around and mounts his back. While keeping him in place, she grabs a hold of his dagger and stabs through his skull. Leroy: Quick! Plan Firebomb! The sandwich clerk runs behind the counter and retrieves an item which she hands to Agent Leroy. It is a can of cassoulet which has been emptied, tinkered with and re-sealed. Electronic parts are taped to it and it makes a sloshing sound when Agent Leroy takes it. She hauls herself up to one of the window and pushes it open. The troops around the gas pumps notice, but do not yet react. Leroy: Gotta make it count. Agent Leroy throws the can at the soldiers' feet. They observe it, confused. Leroy: And now duck! All the survivors take cover as a large detonation rocks the building. The windows shatter. Agent Leroy painstakingly gets up to look outside again. Flames are spreading all over the scene, burning the bodies of the SCP-8457-B soldiers, spreading to the main building. Sandwich clerk: Now what? Leroy: I don't know. But we can't stay here. Notes: While retrieving Agent Leroy was considered a sub-objective of gaining access to SCP-8457-A, she was not given any official priority. It is possible that SCP-8457-B, having only acquired partial information on Operation Antarctic Sleuths, confused the efforts of MTF Pi-1 agents who personally knew Agent Leroy for the wider policy of the operation. Alternatively, it has been theorized that due to SCP-8457-B's culture not placing any value on the lives of common soldiers, any amount of effort towards rescuing a lost agent appeared unusual for them. Operation Antarctic Sleuths encountered great success in its early stages, but was later met with numerous hurdles. Captured SCP-8457-B instances remained resistant to interrogation, however their actions and the frequency of their deployment made it clear that they were escalating their level of response against the Foundation and the GOC. Notable incidents involving SCP-8457-B: Location Incident Notes Site-61, France Junior researcher Delarue attempts to assassinate Minister Guillot during the latter's visit of the Site. Delarue is terminated by Site security and reverts into a SCP-8457-B instance, but not before critically wounding his target. While being rushed to the hospital, Guillot theorized the attack was an act of revenge for his involvement in the capture of the fake Arnaud, indicating a likely information leak coming from either organization. Bremen, Germany During a raid on a hive posing as a hotel in the city, a SCP-8457-B instance disrupts the Working being cast by GOC thaumaturges. The resulting backlash causes the entire hive to combust and the death of all parties involved. It remains unclear if this result was unexpected by SCP-8457-B or if they willingly sacrificed the hive. Site-19-S, USA Security Chief Robert Gervais pursues a SCP-8457-B instance which was found disoriented in the Site's underground. Gervais temporarily loses sight of his mark until he enters a room where he finds two identical versions of Researcher Grim, both insisting they are the real one. Gervais shoots both individuals, successfully capturing the intruder and mildly annoying SCP-6729. During its interrogation, the captive instance seemed disappointed when it learned the designation of the Site it had been captured in. Site-120, Poland Security systems within Site-120 detect an extradimensional incursion in progress and divert it. 350 SCP-8457-B instances materialize two hundred feet into the air next to the Site and fall to their death. The readings captured by the Site's system are forwarded to the research staff of Operation Antarctic Sleuths to develop potential ways to gain access to SCP-8457-A. Nanning, China All contact is lost with the three members of Strike Team 6879 who were dispatched to capture an isolated instance. None. Suez, Egypt Anomalous fog surrounds the location of a raid lead by Captain Bleiz, exchanging the hive with the building it had previously replaced. All agents are lost in action. No civilians were present inside the returned building, which only contained the traces of a past struggle. GOC holding facility Tidewall A group of SCP-8457-B instances attempt to infiltrate the facility by posing as a raiding team bringing in captives. Their identities are exposed at a security checkpoint, at which point hostilities begin. Security is bolstered around the area holding all SCP-8457-B captives, which is in turn wholly ignored by the intruders. The groups that manage to break through the fighting instead aim for the areas containing high-risk prisoners. Tidewall vanishes from baseline reality after the release of KTE-4427 Moro-Black and returns three days later with all intruders terminated and over 34% of the facility lost. SCP-8457-B appears to be extracting information from captured personnel and targeting key infrastructure. Site-19, USA A SCP-8457-B instance posing as Level 4 researcher Robins bypasses all memetic checks and begins to activate the on-Site nuclear warheads. Additional memetic payloads are broadcasted into the room, to no effect. The procedure is interrupted in its last stages by Dr. Clef unplugging the impostor's device and strangling it to death with the cable. Non-compliant SCP-8457-B captives will be selected for memetic testing in order to improve security systems with more effective memetic agents. Joint Statement from the Antarctic Sleuths command. The current situation cannot stand. Our forces remain superior in the field, that much is true, but it has grown increasingly clear that the loss of hives, even by the hundreds, does not affect our enemy. And while we play whack-a-mole with changeling hives, they target us where it hurts. We have had critical facilities raided and key figures abducted. We have had to react to their attacks as they keep throwing troops at us We cannot stay on the defensive. Henceforth, experts on dimensional research from both of our organizations will be added to the ranks of Antarctic Sleuths. The mission of gaining access to SCP-8457-A is to be given top priority above all other objectives. It is time to bring the fight to their home field. Agent Leroy limps through the woods, leading the survivors away from the burning rest area. Sandwich clerk: Miss, I know we're in a rush but you really need to treat that wound better. Leroy: No time. If they come back again, we're done for. Trucker: Do you have any idea where to go? You'd better not be getting us lost. Leroy: Water… if we find a river and follow it, we should arrive… somewhere. I don't know. Student B: Great, so you have no plan. Leroy: I do. These… people, they must have had some back-and-forth with Earth. That's how they… got the info and weapons. If we can find out how they do it… Trucker: We could go back home. Sure, I follow your logic. Just one problem: how are we supposed to take that from them? Leroy: I'll figure that out… later. Agent Leroy is able to keep the survivors' discontent in check and urges them onwards. This is the first time that she truly observes the woods. None of the flora corresponds to species existing on Earth. While Agent Leroy notices some variety in the grass and flowers that grow at ground level, the number tree species is extremely limited. Tall trees with grey bark stretch on upwards, blocking the view of the sky. At first, flowery vines appear to wrap around these grey trees. On closer inspection, these vines turn out to be branches growing from the only other tree species around: tall willow-like trees bearing a high amount of flowers and fruit. The same branches are clutched around the remains of other trees, all reduced to withered husks and rotting logs. Leroy: Are these some kind of parasites? And we've been eating from them… Student B: Hey, I found something! The group gathers around the student's discovery. She has pulled the grass apart to reveal a decayed brick road. Student B: That has to lead somewhere, right? Trucker: Not somewhere with a lot of traffic, by the looks of it. Leroy: That's good then. We might be able to find a new shelter. The group begins to follow along the abandoned brick road. Leroy: It is weird though. The soldiers looked like they were brought in by magic each time. If this kind of infrastructure exists, why aren't they using it? Lost in thought, Agent Leroy bumps into the trucker ahead of her. He is standing still, trembling Trucker: Maybe tha— that's why. The trucker points a shaky finger towards a large mass ahead of them. Many dozens of SCP-8457-B corpses have been stripped of their armour and piled up across the road. Three slender hexapedal mammals prowl around the pile of corpses, occasionnaly tearing off chunks of flesh with their fangs and feeding upon them. Agent Leroy silently gestures to the group to back away and is obeyed. While retreating, a brick crumbles beneath Agent Leroy's foot, which gets stuck in the resulting crevice. This sudden shock to her wounded leg causes her to lose balance and hit the ground. The three creatures turn their attention to the sound. Leroy: Forget about me, just run! The creatures hiss and growl, they arch their backs to prepare to run. The survivors are unable to act, stuck between looking at Agent Leroy and the creatures. Agent Leroy fails to get herself unstuck. The creatures leap forward at great speeds. They will reach the group in a matter of seconds. The first of the creatures trips upon something, soon followed by the two others. Agent Leroy hears a rope snap above her. She looks up in time to see a bundle of spears tied together fall from the treetop and impale the creatures. Unknown: Got tired of just eating fruit already? I was just about to solve that. Someone leaps down from the branches and lands in front of the group. Agent Leroy recognizes the student who had left on the first day. Leroy: You. She manages to pull herself from the crevice and draws her knife, positioning herself between him and the group of survivors. Liam: Yes, me. Now how about we put the sharp things away and chat. I've got a place where we can stay. Addendum 4 Counterattack The group of survivors has not moved and Agent Leroy still stands in the same position. Liam is the only one who has moved, he is currently sitting on a stump and clutching his head. Leroy: … and how did you even KNOW that these fruits were safe for us to eat? Liam: Because I tried them myself first! Now, do you suddenly have a problem with human testing, or can we move this along? Leroy: One last thing. How do I know you're not one of those shapeshifters? Liam: Well I… okay that's actually a sensible question. Hey, maybe one of my classmates can ask me some stuff only I would know. Liam looks to the crowd of survivors. His expression turns confused as he searches for someone. Liam: Ah, there you are Clara. Say, where's Mathis? Student B sobs. Student B: He… in the attack, he… Leroy: We were attacked again, that's the whole reason we're here. There were some, some losses. I'm sorry. Liam stays silent for a few seconds. Cracks form in the bark where his hand grips the stump. Liam: Fuck me. He was good, nice. I should've been there. Leroy snaps her finger. Leroy: Still waiting for proof that you are who you say you are. Liam: Guess I shouldn't expect too much empathy from a Jailer. Liam pulls his jaw wide open. Something can be seen slithering under his skin, going up his throat. A pale worm emerges from his mouth and retracts after a few seconds. Liam coughs. Liam: Fine, there, my Akuloth. You happy? Leroy: Alright, I believe you. You said you had a place to stay? Liam: Yeah. It's got a roof, walls… no running water or anything but it's nice enough compared to the rest of everywhere else. Agent Leroy pauses. She looks to the survivors behind her, then back to Liam. She sheates her knife. Leroy: And I have people to look after. So, truce? Liam: I didn't realise you thought we were fighting but sure, truce. He gets up and turns around, waving for the group to follow after him. Liam: It's a fair walk until we get here but we should still have sunlight. Or is it sunslight? Because there's two of them? As he walks by the impaled predators, Liam pulls one of the spears out of their carcass and bites into the flesh that came out with it. Liam: Anyone else want a snack for the road? There is only a disgusted silence. Liam: Just me then. But here, catch. He snaps the speartip off and tosses the shaft to Agent Leroy. Liam: Walking stick, for your leg. Liam is leading the survivors through the forest. Although they are still following along the brick road, they come across several intersections and have to follow the directions he indicates. Leroy: Have you looked into where the other roads lead to? Liam: Ruins, mostly. I found one that seems to lead out of the woods, but it's teeming with soldiers so I haven't looked that far into it. Leroy: Really? It doesn't look like you've had that much trouble killing the ones you find. Liam: Oh, that pile? Most of it wasn't me. They don't last very long under the trees and I think I know why. Leroy: You— Liam: I'll show you when we get there. We're not too far. Liam continues ahead. Agent Leroy observes him from behind, lingering on his head. The top of his skull is completely devoid of hair and is instead covered in scar tissue. Leroy: What happened to your head, kid? Liam: Nothing recent, if that's what you're worried about. I just lost the wig, and it's not like there's a point in hiding it now. Leroy: That doesn't answer my question. Liam: And why do you need to know? Do you think this is a containment intake interview? Leroy: How do you even— nevermind that, you need to be careful what you talk about in front of civilians! Liam: Do I? You're the only one here who signed a contract with the shadiest global conspiracy out there. Leroy: For the last time: stop talking about classified topics! The two stop walking to glare at each other. Liam: Or what? You'll throw me in jail? Why do I have the feeling that it's already your plan for when we leave this place? Leroy: I just might if you keep at it! The trucker runs up to stand between the two. Trucker: Hey, calm down! Didn't you two just agree to a truce? Agent Leroy groans. Liam keeps glaring. Trucker: Please, you're really worrying the rest of us. Leroy: Alright fine. But you better watch it. Liam: I thought "watching" was supposed to be your— He catches sight of the group behind Agent Leroy. Liam: Nevermind, it's fine. They walk silently for some time. Liam: It was a Revelation, by the way. Leroy: What was? Liam: My head. A Revelation with a capital "R", you know. Knowledge from on high that makes its way down into your mind. It's quite an honour to receive one but my… It happened when I was young so it had to make some room in there you see. Leroy: I don't see, that sounds horrifying. Liam: Hah, yeah! It probably was. Good thing I passed out early in the process. Leroy: Say, I've heard that there's different types of Sar— of Nälkä. Which one are you? Liam: The good one. Leroy: That's very vague. Liam: And it's all you're getting. The full version would be too long to explain for the time we've got left on the road. The survivors are still walking. Sunlight has grown dimmer as the suns have descended in the sky. Leroy: There's no way that story could have taken so long to explain. Liam: What? Oh, you're still thinking about that? I meant what I said and look: we're here. Liam pushes dangling branches away, revealing a tall structure behind them. It is made of the same bricks as the road, arranged in an upside-down pyramid. Coiled vines tether its four corners to the ground. One entrance is carved at the bottom, it is surrounded by bipedal skeletons. Trucker: What the fuck? We've been running from these freaks and you've brought us right to their temple! Leroy: No, it's not theirs. Look closer. All the skeletons only possess one pair of arms. They do possess a very high number of bones and a dozen joints per individual limb. Leroy: Who were they? Liam: Dunno, haven't found any of them alive. But evidently, those shapeshifters don't have a history of playing nice with others. Have a look inside. The group enters the structure. Inside is a staircase leading to a wide corridor branching into six rooms on each side. Liam: I've cleaned up and stocked some food in those rooms, if you all want to settle in and take a break. You might want to follow me upstairs though, Agent. Agent Leroy follows him to the end of the corridor, which leads into a spiral staircase. They go up and end up inside a dark room. Liam: I didn't find any torches, so I hope you have darkvision. Agent Leroy closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose. Liam: It's uh, I haven't played it myself but I heard it's a big joke from… Leroy: I know what D&D is, kid. I'm actually trying to turn on my night vision. Liam: Oh, right, you have those… what happened to your eyes actually? Leroy: Long story. Liam: I suppose that's fair. Agent Leroy opens her eyes again. A battery warning briefly flashes at the corner of her vision which she does not notice, too absorbed by the sight of the chamber. The chamber is tall and wide, likely taking over half the space of the building. There are altars facing each wall. At the centre of the room, surrounded by even more skeletons, is a faded ritual circle. It has been drawn around a big wooden shell which has been split in two. Leroy: Is that a seed? Liam: Look at the murals. Murals are painted across the walls behind each altar. The first mural represent five groups of people represented by simplistic figures with stylistic differences. A particular focus is given to a group with triangular heads and another with round heads. As the mural flows towards the second wall, round heads begin to appear among the other five groups. The second mural shows the round-headed group slaughtering the other four, both with marching armies and traitors from within. The triangle-headed people flee towards the third wall. The third mural shows the triangle-headed people taking refuge inside this temple. While guards defend against a superior number of round-headed attackers, others pray around a giant seed. A tree emerges from the seed, its branches drop and spread over a disc bearing a few continents. Leroy: Wait, so these people were flat-worlders? Liam: Shh, just keep looking. The fourth mural shows a great expanse of flowering trees. Dots fall from these trees, covering a horde of round-headed soldiers. The soldiers appear to be falling to the ground, their corpses drop to join a pit containing bodies from the four other groups. Leroy: So these people lost a war… Liam: And they made sure their killers wouldn't win either. Tragic, but damn bold. Leroy: But this looks like it happened a long time ago. How are they still around? Liam: I was wondering that too. Until I found this. Liam steps behind the fourth altar and shows Agent Leroy a pair of skeletons, these ones with four arms. A scroll rests next to them, with illustrations in the style of the murals. It shows the triangle-headed people pulling the seed through a fog barrier connecting to an inaccurate but recognisable depiction of Earth. The rest of the scroll has been torn off. Liam: If I had to guess, the rest was about how they went to Earth in the first place. These two's companions must have taken it home. And they found out that while their kind is deathly allergic to that pollen… Leroy: … humans aren't. SCP-8457 counteroffensive research results: Method Results Notes Interrogation and persuasion experts from both organisations intensify their work on captive SCP-8457-B New information about SCP-8457-B's societal structure is learned and dismissed as irrelevant. Captured humans are in work camps at the border of SCP-8457's territory and made to work to halt the spread of an ecological threat. Confirmation that Agent Mélanie Leroy and accompanying civilians still evade capture. GOC experts suggest that the presence of a lone Foundation agent is perhaps not sufficient to explain the group's continued survival5. Cross-referencing surveillance files of the area in which Agent Leroy was abducted. Reviewing footage provided by the Foundation, GOC analysts identify Liam ████ ████, a POI previously unknown to the Foundation and actively searched for by the GOC's Witness Protection agency. "Sarkic Practices" added to the list of topics that rescued civilians should be amnesticized for. Long-term observation of SCP-8457-B hives Activity patterns studied and understood. The anomalous fog used by SCP-8457-B to travel to and from SCP-8457-A appears to be controlled by troops on the other side who are able to accurately select travelling subjects, and is ruled out as a means to access SCP-8457-A. Resuming elimination of all hives. Capturing a SCP-8457-B instance, implanting it with subdermal recording equipment and letting it escape. Instance returns to hive and is brought back to SCP-8457-A. A few minutes of footage are obtained before the equipment falls off while the instance shapeshifts. Instance had a partial view of the transportation centre. Thaumaturgical nature of travel confirmed, Foundation and GOC thaumatugists begin to analyse the footage to replicate it. Incitation to treachery SCP-8457-B instances born in SCP-8457-A remain loyal and uncooperative. Instances born on hives on Earth can be convinced to change allegiances but possess a limited amount of knowledge. Captive instances begin slaughtering all Earth-born captives. Few remaining cooperators moved to another holding facility. Infiltration by GOC-aligned shapeshifters Three Type Yellow assets manage to infiltrate SCP-8457-B hives and gain access to SCP-8457-A. Two are exposed and terminated while scouting enemy headquarters, one escapes and plans to flee SCP-8457-B's territory. Contact with the last asset is lost when her equipment's battery runs out. A partial map and evaluation of SCP-8457-B military installations is obtained. SCP-8457-B increase their own security measures. All Earth-Born troops are sent back to SCP-8457-A and hives are no longer used as hatching locations. Portal All attempts to open a portal to SCP-8457-A fail. SCP-8457-A's position within the local universe is unstable and cannot be accurately pinpointed. Researchers from the Department of Ontokinetics suggest it might be possible to establish an accurate connection by aiming at a precise anchor on SCP-8457-A. Agent Leroy is keeping watch outside the building. Liam emerges from the woods, dragging a leather bag behind him. He is visibly wounded. Liam: Got some food. It's still the same fruits as ever, not much else on offer with those trees. Leroy: What happened to you? Liam: Nothing much, just wasn't the only hungry one out there. I'll be fine in a few hours. He drops the bag by the entrance and sits down, slumping against the wall. Liam: Mind taking it inside and sharing with everyone? I can keep watch. Leroy: Why don't you do it yourself? I barely ever see you spend time with anyone, even the other students. Liam: It's for the best. You already have a hard enough time maintaining yourself as a leader in their eyes, you don't need me messing with the group's integrity. Leroy: Or you could try being part of the group. Liam: What's the point? If we make it out of here, your people will make sure they don't remember any of it. Leroy: Suit yourself. Agent Leroy brings the food inside and distributes it among the group. She talks with everyone to organise the coming days and reassure them. Two hours later, she returns outside. Liam is standing in the distance, praying with his face turned to the suns. Agent Leroy waits for him to finish before tossing him a fruit. Leroy: Here, in case you forgot to take enough for yourself. Liam: You're not taking your own advice about being with the group? Leroy: You're part of my group too, kid. Even if you don't make it easy. Liam stands still, he looks surprised. Leroy: If it wasn't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't be okay with you going out there and fighting beasts or whatever. I mean, what are you, 14? Liam: … 16 actually. Leroy: Shit, really? You don't look like it. Liam: It's a long story but after my homeschooling I really didn't have the level to sign up for the appropriate class so I had to start lower than where my age would put me, and I thought it would be easier if I looked the part when I faked my papers. And I had to get fake papers because, you know… Leroy: Yeah, I get it. Still, you're a kid, you shouldn't have to do all this. Liam: But I can, so I have to. Leroy: Heh, okay Peter Parker. Liam: What? Leroy: You know, "with great power comes—" wait do you really not know who Peter Parker is? Liam: I only got into pop-culture stuff two years ago. Leroy: Two years and you still don't know about Spider-Man? Now I'm really pitying you. Liam: Well if you want you can— Liam goes silent. His ears pivot up. Leroy: It's freaky how you can do that. Liam: Shh. Listen. Agent Leroy goes silent too. The sound of distant shouting is heard. Leroy: Is that… a human shouting? Everyone is inside, I checked. Liam: It's getting closer and it's… coming from above? They both look to the sky, looking for the source of the sound. After some time, something can be seen moving through holes in the canopy. The duo carefully follow after it until they arrive at a clearing. Hiding behind a bush, they observe the moving shape. With a clear view, the shape turns out to be four flying SCP-8457-B soldiers carrying a net, inside of which is a struggling person. Although Agent Leroy cannot recognize him, this person is Corentin Bleiz, captain of Strike Team 3447 "Radiant Hounds". Bleiz: You guys can keep catching me all you want, one day I'll get out for good! The soldiers shake the net, further entangling Captain Bleiz. They laugh. Bleiz: Ah screw you! If we were still on Earth, I'd be the one laughing. Captain Bleiz continues struggling inside the net. Eventually he falls in a position where his face is looking towards where Agent Leroy and Liam are hiding. Bleiz: What's… huh. Hey you bastards! I know it's still thirteen kilometres straight North to the heavily guarded prisoner camp, and I'll keep shouting all the rest of the way! The soldiers shake the net again. They disappear from view, with Captain Bleiz still shouting. Liam: Who was that guy? Leroy: No idea, but he was really unsubtle. Still, if he noticed us and bothered to share info, he must be from our side of the Veil. Maybe another agent like me. Liam: Not as good as you, if he keeps getting captured. Leroy lightly punches him on the shoulder. Liam exaggeratedly stumbles backwards. As he does so, he reveals a symbol engraved in the tree behind him. Leroy: Wait, what's this? They lean in to inspect the symbol, an "X" cross with numbers in each corner. Leroy: I feel like I've seen this before… right, I think that's one of the GOC's field codes. Liam: What does it mean? Leroy: I have no clue. But look, there's foot tracks, whoever made it went this way. They follow the trail for 12 minutes, before arriving in front of a particularly large grey tree. Leroy: Ugh, something reeks. Almost like a corpse. Liam: It is a corpse. A weird one though. Leroy: It's really creepy that you can tell. Going around the tree, they find a hollow spot in it. Inside is the mauled and partially eaten corpse of the third Type Yellow asset. Liam: Poor lady must have escaped from that prisoner camp and thought the woods were safe. Agent Leroy notices something shining behind the corpse. Leroy: I don't think a prisoner would have this. Contact with SCP-8457-A: Four days after contact was lost with the last Type Yellow asset, their equipment started broadcasting again. Operators in the Antarctic Sleuths communications centre work to re-establish a connection with the third asset's equipment. The feed is projected on a wide screen. Audio contact is regained. Unidentified: Alright, why can you do that? Unidentified: It's electrogenic, like eels. I can't make a lot of it, but it should be enough to charge this thing some. Operator: Hello? Please identify yourselves. Unidentified: It worked! Visual contact is regained. Two individuals, identified as Foundation agent Mélanie Leroy and ████ ████ are facing the equipment. Leroy: Agent Mélanie Leroy, MTF Pi-1, reporting in. Who am I speaking to? Operator: One moment please. The operator receives new information. Operator: Agent Leroy, Mr ████ ████, we are going to need you to confirm your identities. Liam scowls, veins bulge up all over his body. Liam: Call me by that name again and I'll find a way to knock your face in through this camera. Operator: I was told you might react this way. I have a question for you from our colleagues in the GOC: what animal did you use to secretly contact Sergeant Myers four years ago? Liam calms down. Liam: A grey parrot. I stole it from the zoo, modified it just a bit to make it remember the message and left it behind. That good enough for you? Operator: Indeed. Now Agent Leroy— Leroy: Do you want me to recite my identification codes? I made sure to remember them just in case. Operator: I'm afraid that due to an unknown number of security leaks, we cannot trust these outdated codes. Instead I have a question provided by your team in Pi-1: who is your sworn rival? Leroy: These guys… Liam, do you mind stepping away for a moment? Liam: Nah, I want to hear this. Leroy: Argh, fine. It's Lucky Luke6, okay? The comic book character. I made a joke once about how I bet I could shoot faster than him and my team never let me forget it. Operator: Confirmed. To answer your earlier question, you are currently in contact with the headquarters of Operation Antarctic Sleuths, a joint operation between our Foundation and the GOC to combat the threat of SCP-8457. The equipment you are currently broadcasting from belongs to an undercover asset deployed by the GOC, do you know what happened to her? Liam: Poor lady was found by the wildlife. We finished burying her before calling you. Leroy: Hold on, did you say we've partnered up with the GOC? How bad is it back home? Operator: The situation is quite tense. The Veil is still intact— Liam: Bummer. Operator: — but we have been unable to deal with the threat for good. You might be able to help with that, but first can I ask for a report of your situation? Leroy: I can do you one better. Agent Leroy unplugs a cable from the equipment and plugs it in her eye implant. Liam: That is so gross. Leroy: You have no right to say that! The operator receives the video logs recorded by Agent Leroy's eyes7 and takes the time to review them. Operator: Right, some of this corresponds with what we have learned here, but there is useful new information. I will pass all of this along to Command. For now, go back to your shelter and protect the civilians. Tomorrow, we will give you new instructions. Liam: Hey, in case you didn't notice, I'm not one of your pawns. Why should I follow your "instructions"? Operator: Because, if you do, we can finally deal with the SCP-8457 crisis. Liam: Tell me, how many victims have the impostors made back home? Operator: ██████ Liam: Shit. Alright, I'm in. Further incidents involving SCP-8457-B: Location Incident Notes Brussels, Belgium The representatives of 30 anomalous governmental agencies meet to discuss the SCP-8457 crisis. This meeting is interrupted when the representatives from Italy and Brazil reveal themselves to be armed SCP-8457-B soldiers and are subsequently terminated by the guards that other countries had snuck into the meeting. The representative from South Korea also reveals himself to be a SCP-8457-B instance and surrenders. None. Paris, France Having replaced 17 members of the television channel France 2, SCP-8457-B instances attempt to leak Veil-Breaking information during the 8PM News Broadcast. Members of MTF Gamma-5 "Red Herrings" present at the time are able to cut the feed before it is transmitted to civilian televisions, but are noticed and killed by the imposters. France 2's office building is then raided and cleared by MTF Pi-1 under pretence of a terrorist attack. This was most likely an attempt to create a new crisis for Normalcy organisations to handle, lowering their commitment to Antarctic Sleuths. Bengaluru, India SCP-8457-B instances infiltrate and disrupt a MC&D auction sale, making off with an unknown quantity of anomalous items. Shortly after this incident, a package was delivered to Antarctic Sleuths command, containing a long list of yet unidentified SCP-8457-B hives in several countries. GOC Research Facility "Fumes", Russia The GOC High Command loses contact with the facility overnight. An assessment team is deployed in the nearby town of █████ and discover it to have been entirely replaced with a hive. The team is then ambushed by SCP-8457-B soldiers wielding Gen-2 weaponry previously under development at "Fumes". Two members of the Assessment team manage to escape the ambush and re-establish a link with the facility long enough for a self-destruct order to be issued. None. Addendum 5 Victory After reviewing the footage provided by Agent Leroy and referencing it with everything Antarctic Sleuths had learned, a plan was formulated. Liam was given the mission to infiltrate SCP-8457-B's transportation centre and create an anchor point that Antarctic Sleuths engineers could target. This would allow for the mass transportation of troops to SCP-8457-A, who would be tasked with rescuing captured civilians and raiding SCP-8457-B's military infrastructures to prevent them from regaining access to Earth. Three days were spent teaching Liam the ritual necessary to create the anchor point. To fully ensure his cooperation, he was offered amnesty for his actions. He responded saying that he was not aware that he had done anything that required amnesty and that he did not need any further motivation, but would gladly accept it. Lacking the thaumaturgical ability to conduct the ritual, Agent Leroy was given another mission. As SCP-8457-B had demonstrated willingness to execute their own captives and the "scorched earth" tactics shown by other civilizations of SCP-8457-A in the past, it was estimated that they might execute their human captives before the Antarctic Sleuths troops could rescue them. As such, Agent Leroy was ordered to infiltrate the work camps and coordinate with Captain Bleiz as well as any other surviving GOC and Foundation captives in order to stage a revolt and protect the civilians until reinforcements could arrive. Since this would require days of planning and scouting, she left to begin her mission while Liam was still being instructed on the ritual, and was cut off from communicating with baseline reality. Agent Leroy climbs a tall, withering tree. She grasps at the flowering branches that wrap around its trunk to pull herself and uses them as footing. Leroy: I'm starting to think I won't even need all that rope. She reaches the top of the tree. Its foliage has long since wilted and fallen, offering her a clear view of what lies ahead. In the distance, a fortified wall rises high into the sky. It is made of the same bricks as the road and the building previously seen; although the bricks are of different sizes and colours as if taken from different sources. Only one thing can be seen rising above the wall: the spires of a castle-like structure made of the same material as the hives found on Earth. Based on the distance and the portion that can be seen, this structure is estimated to be approximately two kilometres tall. The small expanse of land between this wall and the woods is entirely dedicated to the work camps. Round cabins and tall guard towers are spread out in the area closest to the wall. SCP-8457-B soldiers patrol around this area, keeping a tight watch on the human workers. All the human workers are bound with metal collars attached to chains that link them to a rail network dug into the ground, which limits their movement to only predetermined pathways. A small amount of flying SCP-8457-B soldiers patrol this area from above. Their heads are covered by full golden helmets and they regularly change shifts to return to the cabins. To Agent Leroy's shock, none of the human workers have tools. They are instead made to use their bare hands to dig the ground around the flowering trees' roots while another team pulls them down with roots. Downed trees are carried away to large bonfires and burned entirely. This process takes a long time for each individual tree, Agent Leroy spots new sprouts growing at an anomalously fast rate where other trees once stood. Leroy: That doesn't make any sense. Why not give them tools? Unknown: Because putting axes in the hands of prisoners is a terrible idea? Agent Leroy spins around with her knife drawn and stabs at the source of the voice. Captain Bleiz barely catches the blade before it pierces him. Leroy: You, you were the one in the net. Bleiz: And you were in the bush. I didn't think you'd come here so soon. Leroy: I had orders to find you. You were Captain… what was it again? Bleiz: Captain Bleiz, of the Radiant Hounds. Leroy: And you work for… Bleiz: My wife! Leroy: Really? I thought you were GOC. Bleiz: Yeah, and so is she. Higher up than me, so when I get orders from the top, it's usually her. Captain Bleiz blinks. Bleiz: Ah wait a minute, you're testing me to see if I'm the real one, aren't you? Leroy: I was, sorry. The fact that you're here among the trees and doing fine should be enough of a tell, but you can never be too sure. So you escaped again, why do you keep doing that? Bleiz: It's true that I don't get much done on these escapades but what's the alternative? Be a nice prisoner and follow orders? At least it tires the guards when they have to go catch me again. Or at least I hope it does. Leroy: It's kind of surprising they haven't executed you yet. Bleiz: What's the point? They know we'll all die from the work at some point. You can see how it is: if we don't die from the exhaustion, the crap food, the falling trees or the fires well… they make sure it happens anyway at some point. Leroy: If they're working you like this, I understand why they don't want you holding anything that could be a weapon. Still, that rhythm with so few trees fallen and so many regrowing, it can't be sustainable for their home. Bleiz: Oh it's not. In the long term, they are terminally screwed. That's if we don't finish them first. You said you had orders? Leroy: Right, let's do this. After sharing the plan with Captain Bleiz, Agent Leroy pretended to be another escaped worker in order to be recaptured along with him. Once inside the work camp, they began to spread information among the prisoners. Leroy: Wait, how do you keep breaking out anyway? Do you have some sort of super-strength? Because that could be useful for the next part of the plan. Bleiz: Nope. I usually strengthen myself with some special Workings but none of them work here. I'm only as strong as training can get me. Leroy: So what's your method? Bleiz: When we pull down a tree, I tie its branches to my rail and go in the opposite direction. The force of the fall yanks the chain right out of the ground. Leroy: That's… smarter than I expected, but we can't use that to free everyone. Not fast anyway. Bleiz: You got another idea? Leroy: I was thinking that we could always just beat up a guard to steal a key. Bleiz: Now that's the kind of plan I like! After Liam's instruction was complete, he went on to infiltrate SCP-8457-B's fortified city. The recovered communication equipment allowed him to stay in contact with Antarctic Sleuths' command centre. Night has fallen. Liam has successfully sneaked through the guards' cabins, he slowly rises from the mud through which he was crawling. Liam: Eurgh. I hear that kids with normal childhoods like to play in that, I do not get the appeal. Operator: You've made it to the wall, do you really plan on scaling it? Liam: Yeah I do, the gates have too many guards. Now, watch this. His skin shivers as suction cups grown along the palms of his hands and the soles of his feet. He pushes against the wall and pulls himself up. Liam: Ouch. With every step up, he must pull himself away from the surface of the wall and stick to it again above the parting point. Liam: Ouch. Is this how octopi feel all the time? This is horrible. Operator: Can you stop yourself from feeling the pain? It would help the infiltration if you were more quiet. Liam: Right, I'm sure my lack of a medical degree makes me qualified to mess around with my own nervous system, no risk of completely fucking up. Liam stays silent for a moment, still climbing. Liam: I'm sorry for the sarcasm. Mélanie said I should work on that. Operator: I can cut down on the chatter if you want. Liam: No, please, I want to keep talking. There's still so much of that wall left and I need to keep my mind off the pain. Liam: Funny thing about pain: did you know I was taught it's a blessing? "Pain is a path to power, growth comes from healing from harm." Operator: "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I know, I work with a lot of soldiers. Liam: And it's true in some way. I mean, just look at muscles, that's how they work I think. But there's different ways to go about it. Liam: You can focus on the healing, put in the time and effort to make sure you come out of it better. Or you can seek as much pain as possible. You can think of suffering as a deluge, that pushing back against it is what makes you stronger. You can think of harm as a tool, that every part of you that doesn't heal is shaved away until your strongest core is left. Operator: That doesn't sound right. Liam: Yeah well, unfortunately that kind of pedagogy doesn't really teach common sense. Liam: Alright, I feel like I'm killing the mood with my topics, it's your turn to talk about something. 48 minutes of extraneous chatter abbreviated. Liam reaches the top of the wall. The wind at this height is strong, blowing in from the back. He sneezes, loudly, and ducks to cover. While hiding, he is able to look around the length of the wall. No one else is present. Liam: Huh. You'd think they'd have patrols up here. Operator: They are the last people in this world, invaders are not on their list of issues. Liam: Fair enough, I guess it means there won't be that much security inside either. Liam reaches the other side of the wall and leans in to observe the city. All the buildings are arranged in a hexagonal grid with the castle at its centre. Liam: These are all barracks. Where are the houses? Operator: From what we learned, there are no longer any civilians in SCP-8457-B's society. They have become entirely militarized to work towards their survival. Liam: And even after all that, they're doing such a bad job at it. Liam inspects the length of the wall. Liam: Well, only one thing left to do. He lowers himself down and begins to repeat the same climbing process. Liam: Ouch. While Liam was infiltrating the city, Agent Leroy and Captain Bleiz were slowly planning the revolt inside the camp. By distributing stolen keys, they had allowed some of the prisoners to escape into the woods undetected, with instructions to take shelter within the building occupied by Agent Leroy's group of survivors. Agent Leroy walks along the rail to approach a group of workers digging the soil around a tree, and blends in with them. She is soon joined by Captain Bleiz. Bleiz: I managed to get in contact with one of my teammates who was held in the southern quadrant. They've got a key of their own and are prepping for the revolt. Leroy: Good, now we have people all over the place. If we can keep the guards busy for long enough, everyone else will have time to either flee or join up with us. Leroy looks to the skies above them. They are clear of any patrolling SCP-8457-B. Leroy: There's been less guards than usual here, was it the same where you went? Bleiz: Now that you mention it, it's been easier to not get noticed today. Maybe they're committing to something else. Leroy: I hope the kid didn't get caught. Two hours after descending from the wall, Liam made it inside the castle at the centre of the city. Operator: And I'm telling you, we have studied these people. They have no advanced sense of smell, there was no need for you to cover yourself in all that wax and trash to mask your scent. Liam: You never know. Besides, I've been in the woods for weeks without a proper shower, that stuff wasn't going to make me smell worse, just different bad. Liam looks upwards to admire the castle. Liam: For a dying people, they sure went all out with that thing. I can't say it's ugly. Operator: You will have time to admire the inside, the transportation centre is eight floors up. Liam: And you'll have more time to see how good I am at slinking. Liam moves quietly through the castle, avoiding groups of SCP-8457-B soldiers. The floors become progressively more crowded as he goes up, forcing him to hide in an empty room on the fourth floor. Liam: Are they gathering their whole army in here or something? Operator: They might have increased their security after we tried sneaking in spies from the hives on Earth. Liam: Well I hope you prepared a bunch of troops for your attack, because they'll have a lot of fighting ahead. Liam: How's that gonna work, by the way? I thought Jailers weren't too fond of wholesale extermination. Operator: There's been negotiations on that topic. The Foundation conceded that there were enough captive instances on Earth to make containment a lesser objective moving forward. Liam prepares to talk back, but a group of three soldiers enter the room. They notice Liam and although they do not display hostility, they start shouting at him. Operator: They're asking why you haven't shifted out of your disguise yet. Liam's skin shivers as he turns slightly transparent to match SCP-8457-B. This appears to reassure the soldiers. While continuing to fake a transformation, he goes to shut the door to the room. One of the soldiers looks at Liam's back and notices the grains of pollen stuck to his clothes. It screams. All soldiers cover their mouths and noses with one pair of arms while pointing their spears at Liam with the other pair. Liam: I fucked up! Liam drops to the ground to avoid the soldiers' attacks. He grabs onto the closest soldiers' feet and pulls it down to the ground. He grapples with the soldier, putting it above himself for cover and strangling it. The soldier retracts its arms inside its chest plate and pushes it down to expose its bare chest. The other two soldiers thrust their spears, piercing through their comrade to stab Liam. Liam: Argh! Liam pushes the soldier and rolls away. As he gets up, chitin begins to pour out from his wounds to cover his body. The two remaining soldiers rush in. Liam lets their spears be deflected off of his body and steps up to grab onto their faces. The first lets its skin fall loose to slip out of Liam's grip, but the second fails to react fast enough. Liam's nails extend, digging into the soldier's head. Liam catches its helmet when it drops dead to the ground. Liam exhales hard, his chitinous cover crumbles and falls away. The last soldier, seeing this as an opening, picks up his comrade's spear and throws it at Liam who manages to catch the tip inside the helmet but is pushed back by the impact. He manages to avoid the soldier's following attacks, stepping back with each evaded thrust. He soon finds himself with his back pressed to the wall. The soldier takes a stance. Operator: Watch out! Liam: It's alright. The soldier stumbles. Liam: The claws would have made it faster, but this guy was already finished the moment I managed to shove that pollen down his throat. The soldier coughs and retches, grasping at its throat. It dies seconds later. Liam sits down to tend to his wounds. Liam: Oh man, this is draining. Don't think I can pull off anything big for a while, the armour barely lasted two attacks. Operator: Will you be able to perform the anchor Working? Liam: Not if I get into any more fights. Liam looks at the bodies of the dead soldiers. Liam: Oh I'm such a genius. Liam walks through the fifth floor. His skin is still transparent and he is wholly covered in the soldiers' plate armour. Two of the soldiers' arms, which he has ripped off, are propped up inside the armour so as to stick out of the lower arm holes. Operator: I still think you should prioritise stealth. Liam: No way, this is foolproof. Somehow, none of the other soldiers walking around the castle stop him. Liam reaches the eighth floor unhindered. SCP-8457-B's transportation centre takes up the majority of the eigth floor. Its walls are mounted with a multitude of compound orbs, known to be used to scry on baseline reality. The core of the centre is a large elevated platform resting atop a pit filled with glowing crystals. The platform itself is at least a hundred meters long and half as wide. A group of soldiers enter the centre, escorting a dozen wounded SCP-8457-B instances. The wounded instances are given a scroll each and made to kneel around the crystal pit. They begin chanting. As they chant, the glow of the crystals intensifies while the instances' bodies wither. They drop one by one. Operator: That's the working they use to travel to and from Earth. I guess now we know why it has limits. Liam: That's abhorrent. Operator: The people SCP-8457-B stole it from were losing a war of anhiliation, a few more sacrifices didn't mean much to them. One of the soldiers traces runes into the air. Fog rises from the crystals, engulfing the platform. When the fog dissipates a full platoon of soldiers stands on the platform, carrying human-made firearms. All the soldiers present exit the transportation centre, dragging away the deceased instances. Liam steps into the room. Liam: I'd almost feel bad for them, if they weren't so horrible. Operator: Why? Liam: I mean, just look at their situation. They're slowly dying from a magic tree apocalypse, they're trying to resist it with an inefficient system, and when they tried ramping up that system they went and pissed off our two biggest superpowers. They have no hope of winning, especially not with this gateway you're about to open. Operator: They deserve what's coming. Liam: Oh totally. It's just, you know, they had no way out since the start. You said they gathered a lot of info about the Jai— you guys? Operator: That's right. We still don't know the extent of what they learned about our organisations, but they had access to a significant amount of information, enough to stage attacks on key facilities. Liam: See, if I was them the moment I knew who I was up against I'd have tried negotiating, not angering you. The operator is pinged by Antarctic Sleuths command and temporarily disconnects. Liam does not notice this. Liam: But then again I guess it's because we the little guys on that side of the Veil keep on hearing about how scary you are. These ones must have thought they had a chance. Liam approaches the crystal pit. The crystal still emit a bright glow. Liam: Woah, this place is radiating with magic. They didn't even need to sacrifice those wounded, just look at how much they still have in reserve. Maybe I can tap into it for the anchor ritual. I'm ready to start it, by the way. Liam waits for a response. Liam: Hey voice-in-my-ear, you still here? No response. Liam: Taking another call? I'm kind of helping save the world here, that deserves some preferential treatment. Liam: Right then, can't start it without the go-ahead but I might as well get prepared. Tendrils emerge from the base of his neck, covered with flagellum that quiver in the air. Liam freezes. The operator reconnects. Liam: What are— Operator: Liam, we're aborting the mission, get out of here! Hatches open from the ceiling, dropping a large number of flying SCP-8457-B soldiers. Liam turns to run but is tackled to the ground. Contact is lost. The following footage, recorded by Agent Leroy, was only recovered later. The prisoners' revolt has started. Agent Leroy finishes strangling a SCP-8457-B soldier with a length of broken chain. She picks up its spear and tosses it to a nearby prisoner. Leroy: Don't fight them alone! Your objective is to survive, not risk everything! Next to her, Captain Bleiz plunges a piece of tree bark into a bonfire. When it catches fire, he lobs it into the air. It soon lands on one of the guards' barracks, which catches fire as well. Bleiz: I think we've got them on the ropes, there's a lot less of them! Fog manifests in the air above them. Bleiz: I shouldn't have said that. Watch out for reinforcements! The fog dissipates just as Liam falls from within. He drops hard against the ground. Leroy: Kid! Agent Leroy rushes to Liam's side. Getting close, she is able to see that he is heavily wounded: scabs are struggling to form over numerous cuts across his body, his right hand -missing two fingers- is covering his eye. Liam: The trees… Leroy: Hang in there kid! You're tough right? You can heal from this, right? Captain Bleiz taps her on the shoulder, drawing her attention to the fog rolling in around them. Full squads of SCP-8457-B soldiers emerge from the fog, many of them bearing firearms. One individual, leading the march, is still holding a human appearance. Leroy: Thiers? André Thiers, is that you? Fake Thiers: Not quite. A second pair of arms emerges from the individual's sides. Apart from this, it retains the appearance of MTF Pi-1 Agent André Thiers. Fake Thiers: Don't feel too bad for your old friend, he was so very useful to us. We wouldn't have learned so much about you without him. Fake Thiers: By "you" I mean your Foundation, of course. You yourself are inconsequential. There was another we took that day, my kin who took his form got too hung up on his words and thought there was something special about you. So much effort was wasted on looking for frightened scraps hiding in the woods. At least his death fuelled our rituals. Fake Thiers: I suppose I should at least commend you for going through with this plan. If only you had finished it, we would have all been so much better off. Bleiz: Buddy if you think you had the upper hand, you must have had no clue what our plan was. Fake Thiers: Not the particulars, of course. I must admit it was quite a surprise to see you start it from our side. Do you have any idea how hard it was to let it go your way without you noticing anything? Bleiz: Huh? Agent Leroy looks to Liam and to the troops surrounding them. She looks behind her, to the trees that are already growing and slowly inching towards the giant wall. She looks up, to the pollen being carried in the sky by the wind. Leroy: Ah, that's why. Fake Thiers: Looks like we have a smart one. Figured it out, did you? Bleiz: Do you mean me or her? Because I have no clue. Leroy: They wanted us to open that portal. They wanted it all along. The fake Agent Thiers claps slowly, with all four hands. Fake Thiers: Bravo. I knew it the moment I learned about the armies that protect your world. I knew that we would not win this war. You've seen for yourself that we cannot stop the growth of these damnable trees. Maybe we could have, with more of your people working at it, but we could never reach that goal with your organisations waiting for us. Fake Thiers: So we baited you. So many lives captured, so many petty attacks on your bases, all to bait you into coming here directly. Of course, we tried our best to weaken you and bolster our forces, it would only be fair to level the playing field. Bleiz: Hah, "level the playing field" he says. Like grabbing a few guns would make a difference against the pros we were gonna send here. Leroy: Bleiz, shut up. Fake Thiers: But he is right. It was only obvious that you would send your best of the best on your assault, and our chances against them were slim at best. That is why we made sure to keep the travel platform charged and ready to go. All our soldiers in the castle would keep yours busy and concentrated in one place and once all of them had come through we would simply send them far away. To one of the long fallen cities maybe. All of us would have left this place long before your forces could return. Fake Thiers: I am telling you all this so you understand how important this is for us. So you understand I am very motivated to make it happen. The fake Agent Thiers snaps its fingers. Soldiers surround the group, others go to pursue the human prisoners still revolting against their guards. Fake Thiers: The boy abomination refused to do it, but there are bound to be others who can do it in his stead. Maybe you, Captain. Or maybe I can still change his mind. He seemed quite resilient to his own pain, I wonder how much I can inflict to those you tried to save before he begs me to stop. Agent Leroy pulls Liam to put him behind her. Bleiz: Hey, what's that in his hand? Captain Bleiz steps in front of the two, holding a glowing crystal. Bleiz: It's not often I see that much EVE packed into such a tiny thing. Fake Thiers: That little monster must have stolen it. Get that back! Soldiers march in on the group. Bleiz: It's not what I usually use but maybe it'll do for something simple. Captain Bleiz crushes the crystals between his hands and spreads the resulting dust all around himself. He mutters something. The ground below the group rumbles. Bleiz: Huh, why isn't it— The growth of the trees behind them accelerates. Captain Bleiz is thrown back when a new sprout rises from the ground below him and grows to its full height in a matter of seconds. Bleiz: That also works. Everyone run! New trees obscure Captain Bleiz from Agent Leroy's view. She picks Liam up and runs away, towards the woods. Fake Thiers: Put on your face coverings and get after them! We'll all die if this fails, at least use your last moments for the sake of the plan! Agent Leroy is running through the woods, carrying Liam on her back. Gunshots ring out and bullets impact the tree next to her. She keeps running. Leroy: It was easier when all they had were spears! Hearing the sound of wings approaching fast, Agent Leroy grabs onto dangling branches and pulls them down in front of her. The incoming flying soldier gets caught in the branches and falls down. Before it can get up, Agent Leroy takes away its helmet, which had its sides joined to form a mouthguard. As she runs away, the soldier can be heard coughing behind her. Leroy: I'm gonna need you to wake up at some point, kid. A soldier emerges from the trees to her left and runs at her with its spear pointed forwards. She throws the helmet at its head and keeps running while it is stunned. Agent Leroy arrives at the place where they had found the body of the Type-Yellow asset four days ago. She sets the still-unconscious Liam down inside the tree's hollow spot. Two soldiers arrive, one from each side of the tree. The one on her left holds a handgun, the one to her left is armed with a spear. Agent Leroy draws her knife and dashes towards the soldier with the gun, moving from side to side. The soldier fires twice but misses both times. Leroy: Four arms and you can't even handle the recoil, rookie! A battery warning flashes across Agent Leroy's vision. Leroy: Not now! Having gotten close to the soldier she slashes upwards, aiming for its gun. The soldier catches her hand with both its left arms. Agent Leroy quickly lets go of her knife and catches it with her own left hand. She strikes upwards again, stabbing the soldier through its neck. The warning indicates that only five seconds of vision remain. Agent Leroy turns to look behind her. The second soldier is rushing in, spear raised. 4. Agent Leroy attempts to grab the first soldier's gun. It stumbles backwards to avoid her. 3. The wounded soldier trips and falls, still holding on to Agent Leroy's right arm. It drags her down with itself. 2. Agent Leroy pulls her knife out of the soldier's jaw and struggles against its weakening grip. 1. Agent Leroy frees herself. She rolls on her back. The second soldier has leapt into the air, its spear aimed for a downwards plunge. Agent Leroy's eye implants run out of battery. Video and audio are no longer recorded. Audio resumes recording. Only the sound of Agent Leroy's heavy breathing can be heard, following by a zapping sound. Video resumes recording. Fingers slowly retract from above Agent Leroy's eyes. Agent Leroy blinks and looks at what is in front of her. The second soldier lies dead on top of her, her knife driven into its skull. Her own left arm is pinned under the shaft of the soldier's spear, it is visibly broken. With effort, Agent Leroy pushes the dead soldier away and stand up. Liam is sitting with his back against the tree, his breathing is heavy. Leroy: The electrogenic trick again, huh? You'll have to teach me how to do that. Liam remains silent. He is trembling. Leroy: Hey come on kid, now is the time where you make one of your sarcastic jokes like, if I want to use it to— Liam starts crying. Tears run down his face, but only from his left eye. Leroy: Kid, Liam, you alright? She kneels down in front of him. Liam: No I'm not! He sobs. Liam: I can't… I can't do this anymore! I can't keep going. I'm hurt, I'm exhausted, and these people want to kill me for real and they've already killed Mathis and they almost killed you and they… He sobs, louder. Liam: They hurt me, so much. I just want to stop. He looks up at Agent Leroy. Liam: But if I stop helping, that makes me just as bad as them, right? Agent Leroy hugs him. Leroy: Oh kid, no. It's alright, you're alright. You've already done a lot and we asked you to keep helping us, but no one's going to blame you for hitting your limit. Just leave the rest up to us. Liam: I'm sorry. I acted so big but, but I don't even like fighting. I just wanted everyone to think I'm good. Leroy: But you are. No, look at me. I mean it. Remember the people from the rest area? I was so sure you'd left us for good on that first day but you kept coming back, you helped us. That's good. You're good. Liam: Even if I— Agent Leroy sees something glint in the bushes ahead. She pushes Liam away just as a gun is fired, hitting her in the right shoulder. Fake Thiers: Touching. The SCP-8457-B instance imitating Agent Thiers steps out of the bushes, gun in hand. Blood is dripping from his nose. Fake Thiers: How lucky, I won't need to bring you back, child. I can just hurt that woman until you decide to obey me. Leroy: Oh stop it already, your plan's never going to work. A bullet grazes Agent Leroy's face. Fake Thiers: It will work. I will make it work. Leroy: You won't be able to force the kid to make that portal you want so much. He doesn't even know how to. Liam: That's— that's true. I was only supposed to help our side on Earth aim their portal, but they called it off. Since they figured out it was a trap, they won't do it! Fake Thiers: No. Leroy: You lost. The fake Thiers drops his weapon. Fake Thiers: No! Blood drips from its nose and mouth. Its face loses the features of Agent Thiers, its skin returns to its original transparency. Its upper arms shrink back inside its body and shoot back out as newly-formed wings dripping with bodily fluids. Fake Thiers: This is not how we lose! The transformed instance moves fast, closing in on Agent Leroy. It grabs onto her and flies up, bringing them both above the canopy. Fake Thiers: This is how we win, how we always won! It tries to strangle Agent Leroy but she fights back. She pushes her upper body out of its reach, ignoring the pain from her wounded arms. From this high vantage point, her field of view extends all the way back to SCP-8457-B's fortified city. Leroy: You never won. You lost a long time ago, you just never realised it. Leroy: And you know what the best part is? The flowering trees have already grown past the giant wall. New trees are budding up on the sides of the central castle, their newly-growing roots wrapped tight against the castle's spire. Pollen wafts in the air. Leroy: It wasn't even us who did it. There is a bright flash of light coming from the castle's eighth floor. The trees' growth accelerates even further, their roots multiply and constrict. Agent Leroy sees the castle's spire crumble and fall long before the sound of its crushing reaches her ears. Fake Thiers: Nooooooooooooooo! The fake Thiers flails around, its hands grasping at the distant castle. Doing so, it lets go of Agent Leroy who swing around to lock her legs over its chest. Leroy: That's enough poetic justice. Between you and me though, it's personal. The fake Thiers is losing altitude. Agent Leroy tries to draw her knife again but her right arm gives out and she drops it. Her opponent wraps its hands around her neck. Fake Thiers: I'm dead. I've already died. The last thing I'll ever do is make sure you don't get to win either. Agent Leroy chokes. With gritted teeth, she forces her broken left arm to move again and jabs, poking the fake Thiers in the eyes. It screams and rears back in pain. Agent Leroy lets go of it and falls in time to see it fly blindly and crash into a tree. It does not move again. As she plummets down, Agent Leroy can see Liam run across a branch and jump to catch her. Agent Leroy and Liam are limping through the woods, supporting each other. A howl draws their attention to the side. Amidst the trees roams a pack of five of the hexapedal mammals they saw on the day the survivors fled the rest area. They are feeding on the corpses of many SCP-8457-B soldiers. The beasts lock eyes with the duo. Both groups stare at each other for a long moment. Then, the beasts ignore them to resume feeding. Agent Liam and Leroy walk on. The woods resonate with birdsong. Agent Leroy and Liam reach the brick building where they had left the group of survivors. There are now many more people, some of whom Agent Leroy recognises from the prison camp. Captain Bleiz pushes through the crowd to go embrace the duo. Leroy: Ow. Ow, Captain, that's enough, I already have enough broken bones. Liam: Starting to envy those invertebrate jerks. Bleiz: I have excellent news! I was running around the trees to admire them when, before I knew it, I ended up in the enemy's castle. And guess what I found! He brandishes an assortment of wires and transmitters. Bleiz: More of our spies' communication equipment! They were running tests on them. Just give me a few hours to put it back together and we can call home to let them know we can come back. Leroy: I'm sorry, a few hours? Bleiz: I don't have a degree in tech. But we can go home! Focus on that! Liam smiles. Liam: Yeah. Let's go home. To: gro.liamdiov|liametsrifsmail#gro.liamdiov|liametsrifsmail From: Commander Mélanie Leroy, Pi-1 Subject: Confidential Greetings Hey kid. Yes, you read right, I'm a commander now. As it turns out, the kinds of exploits I got up to last year are the kind that get you promoted So, you've been asking about it, and I finally received authorisation to share the SCP file with you. What do you think? Makes us look pretty heroic, no? It goes without saying that this version has been majorly edited, I cut out all the behind-the-scenes operations and top secret stuff to leave only a summary of what you were there for or heard about in the debriefings. Do you know I still have to go to those? Debriefings, post-crisis planning meetings… Even if it's already over, we still have our hands full with repairs and amnesticizations. I won't go into detail on that last part, I know you don't like it. It's about time for you to re-start school, if my calendar is right. How is that going for you? Don't worry, none of the teachers are secretly Foundation Agents. We don't have that kind of reach where you went. I almost forgot! You might notice something not quite clinical at the top of the file: it's my own personal touch. I had a lot of time on my hands during my recovery, so I decided I would try to make my own comic book. What do you think of the cover page? Send me news about how you're doing, or I'll come get you. Mélanie Leroy. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8457" by Guezma, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8457. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: restarea.png Author: François Goglins License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Merceuil-FR-21-autoroute_A6-aire_de_repos-08.jpg Filename: 8k isekai cover Author: Kikunai License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: Commissioned from https://twitter.com/kikunai14 Footnotes 1. Containment is possible but requires potentially Veil-Breaking action, such as open warfare. 2. These implants replace Leroy's original eyes, lost in action during the successful arrest of an AWCY? cell operating in Nice. 3. MTF Pi-1 in France are registered as members of the French gendarmerie to serve as sources of information and explain their presence in urban conflicts. 4. Later reclassified as SCP-8457-B after the discovery of their origin. 5. This was communicated to the Antarctic Sleuths command via email and not brought up with the Foundation agents present at the time. 6. A fictional cowboy originally created by the cartoonist Morris, given the monicker of "the man who shoots faster than his shadow". 7. A significant portion of the logs were corrupted due to memory issues, however Agent Leroy had made sure to protect the most relevant logs. |
SCP-8465 | esoteric-class | Project REFRIX by Basar Solutions LLC x Close File The attached audio recording was recovered consensually from Basar Solutions LLC and was originally recorded by the rudimentary operational team to demonstrate the capabilities and applied practicalities of SCP-8465. Please note that the experimental testing procedures and conduct displayed in the audio log reflect neither the intended methodology of the Foundation in pertinence to future research endeavors, nor our organization's general standards of moral and ethical treatment regarding testing subjects. SCP-8465 has since been modified to increase geometric obfuscation and better suit the structural needs of Site-196’s Research & Development Wing. The prior usage of combined analgesic and deliriant medications by Basar Solutions LLC for testing procedure is no longer endorsed/necessary. SCP-8465’s effects achieve sufficient psychosomatic malleability alone. This document has been appropriately prepared to mitigate the transmission of SCP-8465's cognitohazardous conceptual reconciliation. <Begin Log> Proctor: Do you hear me alright? Subject: [unintelligible] Proctor: Speak up. Subject: […] - Am I dead? Is this- ugh. Proctor: Enough of the histrionics… can you hear me? Subject: Where- I can hear- who- my throat burns so bad, I can’t see anything… Substituted nonverbal semiote. Proctor: You are going to follow my instructions. Keep questions to a minimum. Subject: I can’t breathe, I can’t- can you get me a water, please, my throat feels like, I think I coughed up blood again- Proctor: You are going to follow my instructions. Keep questions to a minimum. Subject: Is someone there? He tied me up, I think he- let me out, please! It’s too bright, I know I’m tied up, I can feel it. If it’s sex- Proctor: You are going to follow my instructions. Keep questions to a minimum. Subject: Can't you answer me? Please. I don’t like how this feels! Proctor: You consent to this. Subject: No, no no… I can’t- there’s gotta be someone else who can help me- hello? Can anyone hear me? There’s a man and he tied me up, and I can’t breathe or see right? I don’t know why he did this to me… Proctor: You did this to yourself. Subject: Did I? Proctor: You always do. Subject: I don’t know, I hate bright lights, I hate cold metal, I hate intercoms, and I hate the feeling of sweat on my skin and not being able to wash it off. Did I get spiked? You brought me here, I can’t do this to myself again. I can’t. Proctor: Yes, you can. I remember on your behalf that you will always consent. I know this fact, you know this fact, and will know this fact surer, and our study intends to commit this fact to tape. Do you understand? Obey me and this too will pass. Subject: Why? Proctor: You are going to follow my instructions. Keep questions to a minimum. I am going to issue commands to you. You will answer to me when I ask. This is agreeable, and your compliance is assured, because it already was. I will start now. Proctor: Please look into the black dot. Subject: I am looking ahead, whatever direction it is, up or down, I can't tell anymore. Proctor: Unfurl, it is in front of you. Stare into it. Yes? Subject: Okay, okay. I'm looking. Subject: What am I supposed to see? It's just a black dot. Proctor: Incorrect. Stare into the black dot. Subject: Am I doing this right? It's still a black dot. Proctor: I understand your poverty of acuity, but stare into the black dot. You are not special, anyone can accomplish this. Are you not someone enough to be anyone? Subject: The infinity is nauseating. It's bouncing everywhere, hard to focus on for a long time. My contacts feel dry, I can feel them clinging to my eyes. Subject: Just slick enough to trap the plastic, but catching the inside of my skin. I can feel it rolling over the contours… ugh. Can I get eyedrops? And maybe loosen the bars, the black dot is too blurry and I could focus easier if I didn't feel so wobbly. Proctor: More. Subject: My back feels weird, actually, I didn't notice it until now. Why is the black dot so blurry now? It was sharper before. Eyes darting all over the place. This is why I hate reading now. The contacts are fucking nightmares when they get like this. Hey, really, can you please wet my eyes, it's not making this easier. Subject: The dot's moving around like crazy, zooming, blurry, gray inkstand bouncing light all around these walls. I can't squint -but if I could- maybe it's forming the shape of a shape. Proctor: Good. Focus more. Subject: Didn't you hear what I said? It's hard, I'm really uncomfortable and I can't focus all that well, and… Oh- Substituted nonverbal semiote. Proctor: Stare at the black dot. What do you see? Subject: Sticky. That dot is blurry still. Fuzzy little outline, the walls, whatever they are, catch it a bit? Where does a mirror end? I think it's got a little envelope. Is it hot in here or is it just me? Proctor: Obstinate. Stare at the black dot. Subject: Why not rope? I'd know that feeling anywhere. No, no. It's hot in here, stuffy. I agreed to this. Little beads of sweat forming between my thighs against the cold, whatever they are. It's itchy to be wet and pressed up close. Subject: I hate touching the frigid glass pane after a shower when I'm all warm. A different angle and I could slide right out after a while, but you're gonna tell me to stare at the black dot again, aren't you, fuckface? Subject: It's… so quiet. Proctor: Better… Subject: and loud. Subject: So loudly quiet. Or quietly loud, I can't tell anymore. I can hear yesterday's dinner. Wet. Sweating a little bit. I can feel my skin, and you want me to look at that dot over and over. I need cool air. An ice cube on my tongue would work if you can't do that. Proctor: Incorrect. Stare at the black dot. What do you see? Subject: Hey, aren't you a person too? Proctor: You frustrate me. Subject: Not you. The one hanging from the ceiling. Subtituted nonverbal semiote. Proctor: Correct. Good. Look at the person hanging from the ceiling. What do you see? Subject: What happened to the dot? Proctor: Incorrect. Look at the person hanging from the ceiling. Tell me what you see. Subject: I feel the metal bars too much, if I could just fix myself- wiggle- I could answer you better, I think. I think. Fuck me, if I could just remove a rib or two I'd fit better, wouldn't I? My waist is the problem here, the soft dips can't take it. Proctor: Incorrect. Look at the dot on the ceiling. Subject: I'm looking, I'm just looking. Trying to get comfortable. I can see the spines against my back in my peripherals. The way it bounces around in here, I can't turn around to get a better look, the spines keep me in place. Reaching out with my right eye, my back is strained, my thighs are tightened by the rods, yeah, I can see it. Steel spindles pulling me out the fryer, my skin's pressed against it tight and cold, I'm smearing off like pink icing on a cake… what the fuck do you even want me to see? Proctor: You dance around too much, look at the ceiling. Is it not easier? Subject: You would know if you were stuck in this cage. I don't know what it is but it's drilling into my spine. Fine, yeah, I'll look at the dot. Or the person, it was a person, wasn't it? Oh, and it's hanging from the ceiling. When did that get there? … Hello? You alright? Looks like they're stuck the same way as I am. Gravity must be worse though. Subject: God, do you think they can see me like this too? What a fucking joke. I probably look embarrassing tied up like a rotisserie. Hey- please don't judge me for looking like this- I'm having an off day! I bet you know how it feels to be splayed open like this, not fun, hah! We're in a similar boat, so do me a solid and pretend I look fine. I look fine, yeah? What else is there to do? Not much of a response. Do you think that dude thinks I'm weird? Proctor: What does the body hanging from the ceiling look like? Subject: Why does that matter? I'm trying to figure out what's in his head. Reading the lines on his face- Subtituted nonverbal semiote. Subject: I still can't see his face. Too blurry. I'm just not getting the feedback I want from him. Hey- I'm sorry for being weird earlier, I just wanted to know if you were the same as me, you know. We're in this box together, right? So, I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was crazy for looking like this… fuck. Do you think he can see the sweat, shit, and cum caked on the steel? I should've double checked before leaving. It's still hot in here, I should've known that. Fucking idiot. Hey, can you turn the air up? I know I asked earlier, but I still think I'd be able to- fuck! Proctor: No, no, no, try to focus for me. Subject: I wonder if I'm the asshole? It's probably a perfectly decent temperature in here right? I'm dripping off the bars, pink slime everywhere. The flies are stuck their lapping up my slick. Two-Thirty-Seven up from One-Eighty. Damn! That's why it's so hot, sweating like a pig. Proctor: Good. More. Subject: And he can tell too. He's looking at me. Are you telling him to look at me too? Hey- is there a jackass telling you to stare at me too? I can see his face now better. He's squeaky clean. Proctor: Correct. I am very proud of you. Describe his face, in detail. Compare each follicle to yours, when possible. Subject: Skin pulled tighter than mine. When he takes a drink, you can see his clammy grey throat slide up and down, agape. Sharp enough to form a shape, a shape someone can remember. He goes missing, his lovers and loveds can pick out a shape on a silhouette, they can identify it. I sag and seep, shapeless and unformed. Little spindles of flesh pour down pathetically- he's staring now. He can tell too, he can see better than me. My skin is too greasy right now. If I could just wipe my forehead and fix it so it's better to look at for him. Hey- please don't judge, I haven't had a good shower in a while. Not that I'm dirty, just under a lot of pressure, and the circumstances aren't the best for me right now. Is it uncomfortable for you up there too? You seem to be handling it better than I am. I must look insane from your perspective. Tightly wound and inflated like a balloon. Why aren't you talking- why isn't he talking? Proctor: You're following my instructions very well lately. You should be proud of yourself. Subject: I should be proud of myself? I don't feel very proud. Hey, why isn't he talking back to me anymore? Proctor: Maybe you said something that he didn't like? It happens sometimes. I was quite annoyed with you earlier as well. Stare at him and ask him, and tell me what he says. Subject: Hey- you! Listen I know we got off on a weak foot, but I think we've spent some time, and I just- you don't talk to me anymore? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry if I did, it's just, I'm in a tough spot, and I know I need to work on myself, and feel better, but I thought you were here too so. Fuck, I'm the only one talking again. Sorry. Subject: Maybe it's because, well, when I talked to him- I'm asking you, not the ceiling- well, maybe I talked too much about the rib, or the bright blue flesh splitting off the steel, and it’s all flies, always flies, itch-itch-itching me! It's off-putting, sometimes, to people- I haven't done much, have I? I said I needed to move around, get more comfortable, I'm still wet and pressed up against the spike. That's unacceptable. Hey- I'm sorry I haven't been able to stand up straight again, I know it's nauseating to look at me for so long, and maybe that's why you aren't talking as much. I mean look at me, I'm almost falling off the bone. Everyone can see the pus and cracked black grime plastering where I can’t wash. The shapes are wrong and it's really noticeable, so I'm just, I'd like for you to say something. You can call me a piece of shit or something, it's okay. Proctor: Correct. Good boy. You're doing a great job. Why do you think he thinks you're uniquely evil? Tell me more. Subject: Did you know that each of my ears are offset vertically from each other by three millimeters? It's pretty obvious. Brow-bone juts sloped like a kid's broken arm… second side of my face melted, limp. Flat on the floor, I could get botox but I can't afford it. That's not fair to him. He just happens to be in the box too. I put myself here, isn't that right? millimeter by millimeter, and I do nothing about it. Isn't that pathetic? Isn't that annoying? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't that the reason he won't talk to me? Isn't it? He has someone in his ear telling him to look at my black dot, too. everyone does. That's why he winces when he notices the split ends, when he sees the purple craters where I claw the oil out. He's scanning me, looking at all the marks I bear, skin hanging looser and looser every day. I could put in the time to fix it all, but I can't. Look at how he looks at me. To try to be more would be disrespectful to him- Substituted nonverbal semiote. Subject: Eye contact is important in socialization, how can he stomach knowing me if it hurts to look? That's why he won't talk to me, it's rude to talk without making eye contact. That's what you told me every time, every time you smacked that ruler down on my wrist. Walk on that line, you said! Right before icy steel raining down. Proctor: Incorrect. This response had some highlights, but unfortunately your hollow brain missed the mark. Try again. Subject: What? Why else could he not be talking to me? If I were draped more flatteringly from these spines, that would spark a conversation, wouldn't it? Isn't that it? Why else would he be silent. Why else? Hey- please tell me why you won't talk to me- please, I'm sorry for being here, but I wanted to know more, I'm sorry, I need to know or he won't let me breathe, he'll just keep asking, can you tell me? What is it about myself that you don't want? Please tell me now, I need to know now, I don't demand things often, but I ask of this, if anything. Tell me. Tell me. Proctor: Incorrect. Do you even know anything about him? The man hanging from the ceiling? Subject: What do I know about..? He hangs from the ceiling and he looks at me. He's in this box too. Proctor: Is that all? Subject: He hangs from the ceiling… he looks at me. Is that not enough? Why are you asking this? You control him too, you ask, command him to look at me. That's why we understood each other, until now. Proctor: If it may be true that he is whispered to, told to stare into you, as you are him. Is he not like you? What do you think it means to be like you? Is that hard to ask? To think about? It so far beyond your comprehension what it might be to be like him? Maybe you haven't spoken to him? Maybe you haven’t listened! I don’t care anymore, tell me what I need. Now. I won’t ask again. Subject: I've asked and begged for him to talk to me again. Why doesn't he tell me why he won't? Proctor: You can’t ever shut up about yourself! What have you done? All you seem to move your rotted body to do is bleed everywhere! And you can’t even do that right! You claw at the sides of the box, whine and moan and shit and touch yourself endlessly… Maybe it was all a bit too loud for him? Maybe he was a bit too loud for you, too. Subject: I don't understand! I didn’t do anything different! He's not talking to me, and it's something of those why. I’ve reeked for too long. He knows. I know he knows. I can smell that stink pouring out of me, where the ticks and roaches and lice and works and maggots and thumbtacks made their bed. And it seeps out and off the bones and into the cups, the steel, bouncing around and throwing itself up through the sky. He can see that, and that's why he's silent. He scowls because he's in here with me, but he is so much better than me to be stuck here too. I could never be him! And he keeps quiet because it would be rude to remind me of that! Proctor: You don't follow instructions well. The pattern is simple. Put forward the premise: is it suitable? Fine. The premise is set, now it's time to expand. I ask you questions, you ask me. You're supposed to answer, answer accordingly to the premise. But you will find a tangent, milk it to the bone, and move onto the next, you dance and flap your pathetic scraps of meat and waste every ounce of time I afforded you. One thousand hundred million ways and it never lands that it is my turn to speak. I didn’t come for your stupid little dance. Proctor: Why would I entertain that when I’ve gained nothing? I have been sidelined, my input discarded, my attempts to return to that linear exploration of the premise? Do you understand? I do not buy the orange to eat the peel. You are supposed to follow the script, answer the questions. I do not have time to hear of your ribs and waist, your purple entrails and slurries of gangrenous fat! It sickens me! That is how I imagine onlookers may feel. It's understandable to feel such a way about you. Did you even notice how alike you two are? Did you even try? Subject: What the fuck are you talking about? I have been trying the entire time! Do you know how hard it is to stare at something for so long? Proctor: You bore me. Keep staring. Maybe you’ll make yourself useful. Subject: I don't want to. I would talk to myself. Proctor: No, you wouldn't. Can you even blame yourself? Subject: His eyes are blue too. Proctor: Yes, they are. Subject: God, that stench is awful. I can see him puffing out. He won't talk to me, but he'll do that? He's supposed to know how much I hate that smell. Proctor: Stare into the black dot, again. I won't say it again. Subject: I'm gonna throw up all over myself, I hate the taste of menthols, and it's- it's in my pocket? Subtituted nonverbal semiote. Ceiling: Thanks for giving me a light. Subject: It's in my pocket. Subject: Oh. Proctor: See? Good job. Subject: It's always me! Proctor: It's always you! Subtituted nonverbal semiote. Subject: It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. It's always me. <End Log> More From This Author More From This Author PoufyPoufson's Works SCPs SCP-7541 • SCP-8010 • SCP-7783 • SCP-7471 • SCP-7419 • SCP-7575 • SCP-7811 • SCP-7151 • SCP-8332 • SCP-3169 • Poufy's Proposal • SPHERE • SCP-8031 • SCP-8541 • SCP-8105 • Tales/GoI Formats Other Fear of Death • SCP-POUF • Kenophobia Anthology 2024 Tokophobia |
SCP-8467 | safe | close Info X SCP-8467: "Off With Their Heads" by flembus ⚠️ Content warning: This article contains: violence / aggression, some body horror and language. The collapsible contains illustrations of blood and an offscreen execution via guillotine. ⚠️ content warning SCP-8467 in containment (2001). Item #: SCP-84671 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8467 is to remain in Storage Room 39-A at Site-4082. It must be encased in a protective glass barrier to prevent any unintended contact by Foundation personnel. It must not be physically interacted with under any circumstances outside of experimentation, in which case it can only be interacted with by approved test subjects. No medical treatment currently exists to cure test subjects of their anomalous symptoms after interacting with SCP-8467. Amnestics have also proven to be incapable of returning affected subjects to their former selves. Test subjects must be placed in solitary confinement to prevent potential harm towards others and closely monitored for evidence of self-harm. Description: SCP-8467 is an oak wood guillotine constructed circa 1789-1792. Any individual who interacts with this guillotine, either by inserting their head into the lunette or grabbing the pulley that holds the blade, will experience visual and auditory hallucinations depicting the final moments of an individual before their execution via guillotine. The subject of these hallucinations varies between individuals, but the location, time period, and third-person viewpoint remain the same. Following these hallucinations, which may range in length from 45 seconds to 30 minutes, the individual interacting with the guillotine will experience a sudden and uncontrollable change in mood and personality. This mood change will vary depending on if the individual had their head in the lunette (Scenario A) or their hand on the pulley (Scenario B): Scenario A - head through lunette: the individual will become much more fearful of authority and of breaking the law. Scenario B - hand on pulley: the individual will become permanently agitated and hateful towards others. Typically, this sudden hatred stems from a desire to forcefully injure, or even kill, those who do not adhere to a set of moral or religious values. As of the writing of this entry, none of the individuals tested in either Scenario returned to their personality from before they interacted with SCP-8467. Acquisition: On the 18th of May, 1802, two adolescent brothers, Stéphane (aged 12 years) and Louis Dupont (aged 10 years) were detained outside Girona, Spain for trespassing onto the property of potato farmer Diego Calabacas at around 2100 hours. Mr. Calabacas told local authorities that the older boy carried a large leather satchel and assumed they were trying to rob him. When interrogated, the boys claimed they were fleeing from the small town of Jourdeux, France, after a violent hysteria erupted amongst its residents (despite the recent victory against the French Monarchy). The Military Order of Borjas y Aragón (OMByA) intervened once Stéphane Dupont showed the authorities the contents within the leather satchel. Amnestics were provided to everyone involved in the case except for Stéphane and Louis, who were brought to Ubicación-07 (currently Site-408 of the Foundation) for further questioning about the satchel and the supposed hysteria in Jourdeux (under the guise that the Order was the Spanish national government). Once the boys told Order personnel the approximate location of Jourdeux, Escuadrón-3 was dispatched to investigate. Upon arriving at 1900 hours on the 21st of May, the squadron found a large mob gathered around a blood-soaked SCP-8467 in the center of the town's square. Upon seeing the squadron, the townspeople immediately attempted to violently attack the Order agents and bring them up onto SCP-8467's platform. Escuadrón-3 counterattacked, resulting in a battle ending in the squadron's victory and an undetermined number of casualties. Afterwards, the team acquired SCP-8467 for experimentation after agents experienced a "dreadful, suffocating aura" emanating from the guillotine. In addition, instances of SCP-8467-1 (see attached Document 2A) were retrieved for interrogation at Ubicación-07. One individual interrogated was Étienne Dupont, father of Stéphane and Louis and a designated SCP-8467-1 instance (SCP-8467-1.573). An interview transcript with him can be found in the following documents. Interview (11/06/1802): Interviewed: Étienne Dupont. Interviewer: Dr. Alonso Salazar. Transcriptionist: Manuel Montoya. <BEGIN LOG> Salazar: Interview with Desviación No. 238-57 on this day Wednesday, June the Eleventh, Eighteen-hundred and two, Alonso Salazar reporting. Please state your name for the transcription. Dupont: Étienne Pierre Dupont. Please, Doctor, when can I see my children again? Salazar: You may see them as soon as we are done here. Can you please desc— Dupont: Can you at least tell me where they are now? [ Dr. Salazar sighs. ] Salazar: They are in a different interrogation room - just three rooms away if I'm not mistaken. An Order Doctor is currently questioning them just like I am questioning you now. Let me assure you that they are safe, Mr. Dupont. [ Mr. Dupont looks down, thinks, then nods silently. ] Dupont: D'accord. Thank you. I have been worried sick since we were brought… here, wherever that is. We have been surrounded by so many vampires lately, I just wanted to make sure they were in good hands. Salazar: "Vampires"? I presume you don't mean that literally? Dupont: Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what I meant. Those… creatures, they were so bloodthirsty, I am not certain if they are even human anymore. Salazar: You're referring to the people of… [ Dr. Salazar checks his notes. ] Jourdeux, correct? Dupont: Yes. Jourdeux. Once a sanctuary, now Hell on earth. Salazar: Can you tell me more? Or, perhaps we should start at the beginning: what was life like in Jourdeux prior to the Revolution? Jourdeux, France (c. 1750). Dupont: It was as peaceful as life under a Monarchy could have been. Even under the regulations imposed, even with our freedoms restricted, there was a sense of community that made even the most troubling times bearable. We made the best of our situation; we never forgot that we, the common folk, were on the same team, and as such we made an effort to uplift each other, raise our spirits, any chance we got. It was our community, and our constant, unwavering effort to make our lives worth living, that made Jourdeux such a prosperous and beautiful Eden. Salazar: Sounds like a very lovely place. [ A faint smile comes over Mr. Dupont's face. ] Dupont: Oui. It was. [ Pause. ] Dupont: As a boy I used to take the blessings I had in my life for granted, as children often do. But I never once underestimated the life provided to me by Jourdeux and my family. Salazar: Speaking of, can you tell me about your family? Dupont: I suppose "family" is slightly hyperbole, as it was just my mother and I. My father was killed in battle during the siege on Corsica, months before I was born. My mother, in addition to raising me, had to keep her job at the tailor's and work long hours to keep our house. And yet, as emotionally drained as she was at the end of the day, she still tried her best to provide me with a happy childhood. [ Mr. Dupont pauses, then laughs slightly. ] Dupont: Every Sunday when we were finished with morning mass, once we said our good-byes to Father Bernard, my mother would take me to the local marketplace just down the road from our church. She knew I loved looking at all the items and crafts people had to sell, and would occasionally purchase something for me if it particularly caught my interest. Some of the vendors would even give me something for free, whether it be a piece of candy or a small trinket. [ Mr. Dupont laughs to himself again, this time much more genuine. ] Monsieur Garnier, for instance, our local wheat farmer, had these miniature dolls woven with straw that he would give out to the town's children; he always had one painted blue just for me since he knew I loved that color. Further down the line of vendors would be Madame Moreau, the baker and one of Jourdeux's oldest residents, she would give me a small cookie with sugar on top with the biggest, warmest smile on her face. She was the closest I have ever had to a grandmother, since I never knew my real one. Even as a child I found that to be quite remarkable: that these people - all of whom worked long hours at grueling, thankless jobs so they can do what they love - all went out of their way to make me feel special, and organized a marketplace using their own resources to bring our humble little town together, if for just a couple of hours a week. [ Pause. ] Normally I would apologize for going on a tangent such as this, but I realize now that I just answered your question after all. Besides my mother, my family was not by blood, but I know they were family by how they treated us. Always. "No matter how many of life's devils come after you, know that the angels of Jourdeux will always protect you." My mother used to tell me that. And I foolishly believed her for the longest time. [ Mr. Dupont's smile fades as he looks down in silent contemplation. Dr. Salazar takes a breath before asking another question. ] Salazar: Now, if you don't mind me changing the subject, you keep mentioning the working conditions these people had to endure. Do you think there was a sort of unspoken, pent-up anger due to this unfair treatment that eventually boiled over into violence? Dupont: Not any more than any other French province, no. Although everyone kept a stiff upper lip in the presence of the Monarchy, there was a strong desire for change, not necessarily violence, across our town - nothing unusual for the time. When the Revolution started - I was just barely nineteen by then - I recall people seeing it as a chance for the freedom we all craved, a chance to restart and take back the rights we deserve. We all knew it would be tumultuous and perhaps terrifying, yes; but the idea of seeing freedom in our lifetimes allowed us to embrace this discomfort with open arms. Salazar: So when the Revolution started, what happened? Jourdeux, France (c. 1793). Dupont: Exactly what one might expect from a quaint town in revolution. Protests. Civil disobedience. Peaceful, yet effective, defiance. Nothing notable to begin with, for the most part. Salazar: I think you know what my next question will be, Mr. Dupont. Dupont: Every so often - a rather rare occurrence, mind you - some of the more… radical, types, would instigate more extreme displays that some might call "riots." They would break into establishments, desecrate landmarks, attempt to turn otherwise peaceful protests violent. I suppose they were inspired by the movement in America and believed Jourdeux wasn't doing enough for our own Revolution. Truthfully, part of me agreed with them. Salazar: I'd imagine for such a peaceful community, at least from what you have told me thus far, that must have been quite shocking. Dupont: It was. It marked the beginning of a very chaotic period in history, and we knew it was only going to get worse with no end in sight. But we made sure to keep our worries at bay: our unofficial motto became Ça ira. "It will be fine." This became a sort of rallying cry even beyond our area, a testament to the French people's resilience during these troubling times. It brought us comfort. Salazar: And then the guillotine was introduced. [ Mr. Dupont gives a short sigh. ] Dupont: Truth be told, I never gave that contraption much thought for a while. It was brought in around… 1792? '93? The dates are a bit fuzzy. But at that point I was happily married to my wife Celine, raising my first child with a second on the way. Salazar: Stéphane and Louis, correct? Dupont: Oui. They were the loves of my life. I worked to the bone at my bookshop so I could provide for them. I'm sure you can relate, Doctor. Salazar: Indeed I do. I have a daughter myself, there's not much I wouldn't do for her. Dupont: They were my reason for living. They kept me motivated, even during such chaotic times. Our family thrived - Jourdeux, in general, thrived - during the Era of the Guillotine. I don't recall ever seeing that machine before, until one day it just… appeared, in the middle of our town's square, right where the Sunday Market used to be. The rioters managed to get more supporters; the havoc they wreaked got the attention of the King's Guards, but they fought back when they tried to intervene. They brought them up to the machine's platform, loaded their heads into the lunette, and… [ Pause. ] Dupont: With each new victim, the crowds around the guillotine grew some more. It soon became a sort of spectacle to watch traitors of the Revolution and the King's men get what they deserved. Soon this contraption became a landmark of our once peaceful town. When it wasn't in use, they encouraged citizens to admire it, praise it, touch it. It was a symbol of the change we hungered for, a sign that things were finally getting better. To see Jourdeux quickly become a town that worshipped violence, in any other situation, would have upset me. But the visible change the French people were making, after all of the tyranny we endured, even if it was violent, was indescribably beautiful. Besides, I had my family - my new family - to keep me comforted if I needed it, just as I comforted them. Salazar: So, the Revolution continues, along with the bloodshed. You have your family, and your… bookshop, I believe you said? Dupont: That's correct. Salazar: So eventually, I presume, Jourdeux receives word that the Monarchy was overthrown, thus ending the Revolution in the French people's victory. How did your town react? Were there celebrations, parties, anything of the sort? [ Mr. Dupont thinks for a moment. ] Dupont: No. And I believe this was the first indictor for me that Jourdeux was not the same anymore. We received that message, but nobody seemed satisfied. We had won, but the people were still suspicious of traitors and turncoats. I remember working at my bookshop, and whenever I would give a friendly "Hello" to anyone who walked through the door, I noticed that the friendliness was not reciprocated; smiles and nods turned to glares and growls. Not even the people I knew since boyhood were safe. [ Pause. ] Dupont: It truly felt like my family from childhood was gone. [ Pause again. Mr. Dupont shuts his eyes tightly and takes a deep breath. ] Salazar: If you would like, we could take a short break, let you gather your bearings before we finish this interview. Dupont: No, Doctor. I'll keep strong for a few more minutes, especially if it's for science. Then I can see my children again. [ Dr. Salazar hesitates for a moment before nodding. ] Salazar: That's right. We'll arrange for you to see your children soon. Very noble of you to keep persevering, Mr. Dupont. If I were in your shoes I certainly would not have made that same decision. Well, I suppose if you're ready to continue, we shall. Jourdeux, France (1801). [ Mr. Dupont takes another deep breath before continuing. ] Dupont: The violence grew and grew and spiraled out of control. Anyone who attempted to curb the bloodshed ended up with their necks restrained under the guillotine's blade. Every day became a game of chance for those who were not seduced by the blade's charm, of which I knew a few; we kept to ourselves, never speaking to anyone except absolutely necessary, and prayed that fate would let us see tomorrow. Salazar: How did your family fare during this time? [ Mr. Dupont stares at Dr. Salazar, tears slowly welling in his eyes. He presses them closed and sighs. Dr. Salazar leans forward. ] Salazar: … Mr. Dupont? Dupont: … They attacked my family, Doctor Salazar. We stayed away from them, kept quiet, but they still wanted our heads. They screamed. They swore. They insulted. Clawed. Bit. Ripped. Tore. They were no longer human. Salazar: Any particular reason? Dupont: Rumors. All of the violence after the Revolution, all spurred from rumors. We knew at some point a rumor would be spread targeting us, but we never knew it would be like this. One day, without warning. They came to my bookshop while I was stocking shelves, pitchforks and torches in hand. They called me a traitor. An agent of the Monarchy. A propagandist. [ Breaths, more rapid now. ] They wanted to destroy my life's work with me in it. They were already placing their torches on my shop, igniting the walls. I managed to flee, run back towards home, but… I looked back, and saw my pride and joy in a blaze of harsh red light. [ Rapid blinks, breaths increasing in frequency and intensity. ] I ran home. I saw my dearest Celine cradling Stéphane and Louis in her arms, weeping. I rushed over and told them to flee Jourdeux. This town is no longer safe. But soon after, the mob found us. They tried breaking down our door, breaking our windows, finding any way they could to force into our home. My family's cries grew louder as the riot called us bastards, demons, criminals. [ A tear rolls down Mr. Dupont's face. ] They grabbed us, Celine and I. Before they could take Stéphane and Louis I cried out to them, I said, "Run, as far away as you can! Go!" I saw them flee before we were pulled out of our house, towards… [ Mr. Dupont closes his eyes, and cries. Dr. Salazar leans back in his seat. ] Salazar: Thank you, Mr. Dupont. I believe this concludes our interview. I'll schedule for you to visit your children soon. Just know that they are safe, and they are away from Jourd — Dupont: [ shouting ] But they could have died, Doctor! They could have been taken by those… those creatures, if they found where they were hiding, that damned cemetery…! [ Weeping. ] I watched my dearest Celine get placed on that platform. My boys could have been with her, they were so close to suffering that same fate, they… they… [ Mr. Dupont can no longer speak. His face is completely drenched in tears. ] Salazar: … Mr. Dupont, listen to me. They. Are. Safe. Please remember that. I am truly sorry for what you and your loved ones have suffered through. But promise me you will remember that the worst case scenario did not happen. They're safe, and you are safe. [ Mr. Dupont begins to calm, heavily inhaling his tears. ] Salazar: Ça ira, remember? It will be fine. And right now, it is fine. Alright. Dupont: [ slowly collecting himself. ] … Yes. Yes. Ça ira, ça ira… Salazar: Let me promise you this, Mr. Dupont: we at the Order will do everything in our power to protect you and your family, no matter the cost. Our talk today will help us greatly in our research, let me assure you of that. [ Mr. Dupont looks up at Dr. Salazar. ] Dupont: … Thank you, Doctor. Perhaps there's still some good left in this world. <END LOG> + UPDATE (03/12/1994) - UPDATE (03/12/1994) On July 26, 1994, Foundation Site-408 acquired a Haymitch-Steinbeck neuroimaging (HSNI) machine for experimental use in cases involving oneirohazards4 and other hallucinogenic anomalies. Site Director Isabel Madraso approved the revival of the SCP-8467 case and the usage of the HSNI machine for determining the exact nature of SCP-8467 hallucinations in the hopes of providing more context for the emotional side effects. The following images are screenshots from the HSNI machine interface displaying notable instances in brain activity witnessed by an SCP-8467 test subject on December 3, 1994. BOOTING H.S.N.I IMAGES, PLEASE STAND BY… Duration: 00HR 00MIN 01SEC 15MSEC Duration: 00HR 00MIN 11SEC 46MSEC Duration: 00HR 00MIN 25SEC 06MSEC Duration: 00HR 00MIN 43SEC 01MSEC Duration: 00HR 00MIN 51SEC 31MSEC Duration: 00HR 01MIN 26SEC 15MSEC Duration: 00HR 01MIN 52SEC 46MSEC [ Dr. Carlos Mirones presses the "OFF" button on the video display. ] Mirones: Now, can you please confirm the accuracy of these images to what actually happened? [ Étienne Dupont continues to stare at the screen. He shuts his eyes and, after a few seconds, begins to cry. ] Mirones: Mr. Dupont, I understand this brings back bad memories, truly; but we cannot be certain these results are accurate without your input. [ Dupont attempts to collect himself. He sniffles, takes a few deep breaths, before answering. ] Dupont: Yes. Yes… Jesus above, yes, it's all true. Mirones: If you're able, could you please elaborate? Dupont: I… I can still feel the blade enter my neck. It still stings, Doctor. I can still feel the m-maggots eating my flesh… I s-still feel time decaying me… I… I… Mirones: Thank you, Mr. Dupont. Your input will help us greatly in this c— Dupont: When will it be ready? [ Mirones gathers his thoughts for a few seconds. ] Mirones: We're… not entirely sure, yet. I can guarantee that this discovery will lead to a breakthrough in the near future. I sense that a cure is imminent, Mr. Dupont. [ Pause. Mirones begins to stand up and leave the room. ] Dupont: We are all suffering, Doctor. [ Mirones pauses, then turns to Dupont. ] Mirones: …Yes. And for that I am truly sorry. We are working as fast as we can, I promise you. Dupont: That's what you told us two hundred years ago. <END LOG> Footnotes 1. Previously designated as Desviación No. 238 by the Military Order of Borja y Aragón (OMByA), prior to the unification of the SCP Foundation in 1900. For clarity, all mentions of this anomaly's item number in this document will use the current designation of SCP-8467. 2. Previously known as OMByA Ubicación-07. 3. Then referred to as Desviación No. 238-57. 4. Dream-related hazards. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8467" by flembus, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8467. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filenames: bookshop.png guillotine.png jordeux.png maybethedarkestthingiveeverdrawn.png prisoner.png protestor1.png protestor2.png Untitled.gif Author: flembus License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Filename: Guillotina._Exposición_Inquisición_en_el_Palacio_de_los_Olvidados_de_Granada_01.jpg Name: guillotine.jpg Author: Dorieo License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Filename: Maastricht,_Vrijthof,_Groote_Sociëteit,_ca_1800.jpg Name: townhall.jpg Author: Unknown author License: Public domain Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Filename: French_Revolution_in_Hungarian_Journal.jpg Name: revolution.jpg Author: Demeter Görög License: Public domain Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Filename: From_1800_to_1900._The_wonderful_story_of_the_century;_its_progress_and_achievements_(1899)_(14800158943).jpg Name: battle.jpg Author: Internet Archive Book Images License: No known copyright restrictions Source Link: Wikimedia Commons |
SCP-8470 | euclid | Or: She's Gonna Blow! Item #: SCP-8470 Special Containment Procedures: Doctor Sophia is to be locked in a room every October 10th to avoid damage to Containment Area-111. Description: SCP-8470 is the yearly explosion and subsequent revival of Doctor Lilyann Sophia. At approximately 12:45PM, every October 10th, Doctor Sophia will spontaneously combust. A minute post-combustion, Doctor Sophia will reform without any memory of the event, and continue her activities for the day as if nothing has happened. Attempts to inform her about the event have resulted in responses denying the ability of a human to spontaneously combust. Incident Log: 10/10/2024 PRESENT: Dr. Lilyann A. Sophia, Dr. Winston K. Boyle (Boyle leads Sophia into a room with an airtight valve door, which is propped open by two large bricks.) (12:43PM.) SOPHIA: Oh, you didn't have to book a room for me. BOYLE: I assure you, I did. SOPHIA: Well, I appreciate it. Who's gonna come? BOYLE: I think Own and Draws are gonna bring people. SOPHIA: That's great. I love them. Make sure you bring some alcohol, it's my birthday after all. BOYLE: Mhm. Will do. (Boyle begins walking toward the door.) SOPHIA: Hey, uh, where are you going? BOYLE: Gotta pick up the cake. You know. The cake. SOPHIA: (Nodding.) I got you! Sorry to hold you up, Winston. (Boyle leaves, kicking the bricks out of the way as the door slams shut.) (Dr. Sophia twiddles her fingers, whistling a tune.) (12:44PM.) (She stands up, exhaustedly stumbling around the room. She stops in front of a large sign on the wall, reading "EXPLOSIVE PROOF'D".) SOPHIA: Huh. I don't think that's how you spell proofed. (She grunts, kicking a bit of dust on the floor.) SOPHIA: Yeah. Absolutely not. I should call someone about this typo. (She looks at the ground and sighs, before looking back up at the sticker.) SOPHIA: And why the Hell does this room have to be explosive proo— (12:45PM.) ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8470" by DoctorLilithSophia, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8470. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-8471 | esoteric-class | VNP-8471 Byㅤ Ethagon Published on 28 Aug 2024 09:03 Canon Hub » From 120's Archives Hub » Cycle Of Seasons Hub » VNP-8471 Canon Hub » No Return Hub » Inevitable Seasons » VNP-8471 by Ethagon VNP-8471 The Supreme Court of Esterberg, serving as a permanent seat of the Summer Court. Item №: VNP-8471 Specifications: VNP-8471 refers to the Summer Court, a supranational Court pertaining to legal matters concerning reality. In theory, the Court is capable of changing any aspect of reality in the states over which it holds jurisdiction. In practice, the court is careful to change only minor aspects of reality, since all its judgments are final. Its operation resembles that of other supranational courts such as the International Court of Justice or the International Court For the Paranormal. Any legal entity, be it a person, a group, or a member state of the UN, can bring a claim to the Court. VNP-8471 will deliberate over the claim and if it deems it justified, change reality accordingly. Historically, the Court has always appointed someone involved in the claim, be it plaintiff or accused, to bear the weight of the judgment. This often takes the form of a punishment or forcing a responsibility related to the claim onto the weightbearer. The Summer Court has no fixed location. It is impossible to interact with the true Summer Court itself. Instead, a claimant may perform a legal ritual, the Rite which brings Summer, at any court to turn that court into an arm of Summer to handle the claim instead. The rite may fail either because Summer rejects the court or the judge has not, or is not allowed to, consent to the rite. The Summer Court is part of the Cycle of Seasons, a legal system dating back to the time of the First Fae Empire. This cycle was temporarily broken by the introduction of the Veil of Normalcy in 1868 and has been operational again since 2022-06-21. Normalization Protocols: Efforts are to focus on educating the public about the Summer Court. Information about it will be integrated with the larger campaign to inform about Fae customs and history. Law schools will be sponsored by Vanguard for the inclusion of the Summer Court legal system in their education. If possible, Vanguard agents are to be stationed near instances of the Summer Court to warn people about the potential consequences and the finality of the judgement compared to other courts. A documentary will be released as part of Vanguard's documentation program which will focus on the history and key actors of the Cycle of Seasons. Cycle of Seasons Primer The Cycle of Seasons consists of four institutions. Each of these institutions has one domain and the power to transfer legal matters to one of the two "neighbouring" institutions. The four institutions are: The Autumn Court handling matters which are in decline (called "CEASE" by the Cycle). Location: The Court is located in the extradimensional realm "The Lessening Forest" partly intersecting with the rubble of former SCP Foundation Site-118. Ways to it can be found in other places, dominantly in forests with an autumnal look to them. Current State: After an attempt to usurp the SCP Foundation was thwarted by its dissolution, the Autumn Court has fallen back into infighting. A process previously rendering the Court nonexistent outside of autumn in the northern hemisphere has ceased with the repairing of the Cycle. The Court's hierarchy is loosely oligarchic. As the Court has a corruption problem, Vanguard recommends only taking claims to it during times of Summer-induced stability. Ruler: The Autumn Court is officially ruled by the three entities Fe, Eal and En (all corrupted SCP Foundation personnel) who only speak with the authority of the Court together. The Winter Court handling matters of non-existence (called "IS NOT" by the Cycle). Location: The Court exists in a realm superimposed over our own and has been classified as an afterlife. It can only be entered by any who had a brush with death or crossed the threshold already. Current State: The Winter Court has been largely unaffected by the breaking of the Cycle, showing low activity in both the current and the last century. The only noteworthy change is the Wild Hunt, an organ of volunteers working in the name of the Court, transferring to Spring under the name of 'The Wild Parade'. As the Court does not have any official organs, it is impossible to bring a legal claim to it. It can at best serve for personal discoveries. Ruler: The Father of Winter1 The Winter Court is without Ruler. The Spring Court handling matters of things on the surprise and creation (called "BECOME" by the Cycle). Location: Previously located in VNP-4000-ARC, but abandoned after multiple incidents. Spring now resides in a realm inside the video game "A Midsummer Night's Game Online"; another extradimensional location which grew out of VNP-4000-ARC called the Climbing Woods; and the aforementioned Wild Parade, a wandering circus. Current State: The Spring Court currently exists in the form of the Early, High, and Late Spring Courts each under a different authority with its own approach, manifesting different aspects of Spring. More information is available in the Spring Courts threefold announcement archived by the Sidhe Lounge. Ruler: Glaisnir (Early Spring), the Climbing Monarch (High Spring), and the First Guest (Late Spring) The Summer Court handling matters of existence and permanence (called "IS" by the Cycle) Ruler: Truth The first signs of the Summer Courts return appeared as soon as the Veil had fallen. Daytime was just a few minutes longer, the summer in the southern hemisphere was the most evenly warm one in centuries and the sun shone brighter all year round. On a more individual level, a group in the Serpent's Hand noticed their Truth Glamour2 had become more potent. An individual called Lavender from the group made contact with the Summer Court. She was able to enter a communion of sorts with Truth. It became clear the Summer Court intended to fully manifest on the next northern Summer Solstice. Vanguard searched the Wanderer's Library, and contemporary witnesses of the Summer Court were asked to gain a better understanding of the impending manifestation. The United Nations Global Occult Coalition was independently able to divine the return of the Summer Court. On the question of whether this arrival could be and, more importantly, should be stopped, both Vanguard and the UNGOC came to the conclusion the Summer Court would be an inviolable asset in defending reality against hostile actors. On March 20th 2022, the first-ever World Occult Forum was held. The Forum was open to leading experts on the occult, members of Vanguard, and the Global Occult Coalition, as well as delegations of UN member states and observers. The two main topics of this first WOF quickly emerged to be the ramifications of the Impasse and the impending return of the Summer Court. The Forum was able to reach a consensus of sorts on how to interact with the Court after its return. After the Forum the UNGOC's Council of 108 voted for recognizing the Summer Court as an international legal institution. Vanguard spread information over its official channels to inform the public about the Summer Court. Yet although the Forum had been open to national delegations, few made use of that opportunity. While Vanguard warned about the Court, it did not garner much public interest. As such when the Summer Court announced its presence globally, many were surprised. The Announcement On 2022-06-21, every person on Earth heard a message in their native language. The message began at exactly noon of that day depending on a person's current timezone. The following is the British English version of the message. Once upon a time, there were Names. The Fool, a human name, a name for many; the Acolytes of Summer; and Truth. One day the Fool came upon a cultivated land and in it, the Fool found other Fools. "Who owns this land?" asked the Fools each other. "I do," an old Fool said. "I walked this land first. I claim it as mine through the Right of Priority." "I do," a second one said. "I cultivated the plants of this land. I claim it as mine through the Right of Toil." "I do," said the youngest of the Fools. "Whoever owns it, I will be left to look after it. I claim it as mine through the Right of Inheritance." Fools, came a voice from up high. None of you fulfil what you claim. Whose rays touched this land long before any of you? Whose light tended to more plants than any worker? Who will watch this land long after the youngest of you have left? None of the Fools could argue with this, but they were not satisfied. If they had no claim for the crown they must simply usurp it. Yet how could they reach the voice? The old Fool built a tower of institution, rules old and calcified. Indeed the tower was high, simply standing as it always had. Yet the arch of history would bend against it and the tower could not reach that high. The second Fool cultivated his plants into a tree of hard-earned progress. Indeed the tree was ever-growing. Yet no growth could cross the boundary to perfection and the tree could not reach that high. The youngest Fool climbed atop a mountain out of all that stood the test of time. Indeed it stood as solid as anything could and the top was just out of reach. Yet the mountain was shrinking as few things were truly permanent and the mountain could not reach that high. So was it that all the Fools gave up. The voice spoke again. As none of you can reach me, only some of my rays can reach you. I cannot give you the crown, but of those who came closest, I will select my acolytes. And so the Fools bowed before Truth, the Ruler of Summer forevermore. For Summer's Domain is that which is. Everything of worth is found here, yet no one has the right of it. … … This is how it was a long time ago. Yet Summer passed to Autumn. So came the long Veil of Winter, only recently lifted by Spring. Now it is time for the Return of the Summer Court. After the message was spread around the globe, the Rite which brings Summer began to take effect. As prepared by Vanguard, the message was followed by worldwide special broadcasts with record-breaking viewing figures. With the personal confrontation through the announcement, heads of state showed much more interest in the Summer Court and any possible infringements on their power. Before the situation could devolve into individual actions, Poland called for a session of the UN General Assembly upon request by the UNGOC. Here the Coalition revealed its decision: The Summer Court would have a permanent seat in Esterberg and be subjected to its own laws as well as international and Esterbergian law. Any other instance would be subject to the same rules as Esterberg, otherwise, a judge would not be legally allowed to consent to the Rite which brings Summer. The Court's authority would extend to all UN member states. UN observer states, such as Vatican City, would be excluded from this scenario. The fact that reality in Vatican City was already completely under the authority of the papal Office would make an inclusion superfluous. This proposal and the Coalition's tone of declaring it as fact met with the disapproval of the member states. While the UNGOC had been trusted with handling occult matters of the world in the past, taking matters so deeply affecting all states into its own hands was too much. The GOC Delegation explained it had already agreed on this matter with the Summer Court. To supersede said agreement a new Resolution should be proposed, as long as it was created on the international level. While the General Assembly still argued about implementation, the Summer Court began its work. Case: Interaction of the Erlkingdom with Baseline Reality Background: Starting on the 27th of July 2022 in Jena, Germany, "fog waves" were beginning to spread in an ever-increasing radius. Every child touched by the fog vanished. As this came with an ultimatum by the Erlking delivered to the remaining European royalty to return his daughter, the mist is assumed to originate from the otherwise only by dream accessible Erlkingdom. Attempts by Vanguard and local authorities to stop the spread and intersection of worlds failed due to the Erlkingdom only making brief contact with our world during which it dictates the way of interaction before disconnecting again (hence the waves). As all methods of undermining such connections require a proper connection to be sealed, stopping the phenomenon proved impossible. Instantiation: On the 30th of July the case was brought to the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court by Vanguard, who was actively consulted by the Father of Winter (one Name of VNP-5925). Due to the urgency of the case, it was decided any judgment would be applied retroactively, starting at the time the Judges convened for the first time on the 30th. Afterwards, the Judges deliberated behind closed doors to forego any retrocausal interference of the judgement. Counterclaim: The Erlprince brought forth a counterclaim referencing multiple prior Judgements on Jurisdiction in which the Erlkingdom was determined to be outside the Summer Court's jurisdiction. He argued the judgment would extend to this case as well. Verdict: The Court ruled the interaction to not be in line with prior established connections of the Erlkingdom and baseline reality. The Court acknowledged it had no jurisdiction over the Erlkingdom itself, but referenced past judgements that showcased its jurisdiction over manifestations of the Erlkingdom in Baseline Reality. The Summer Court decreed that following the 30th of July, the Erlkingdom can only slowly demanifest after connecting with baseline reality. Weightbearer: The Court additionally ruled the Erlprince to have made the counterclaim in service of the Erlkingdom. As the Erlkingdom is outside the Court's jurisdiction, the kingdom can likewise not appeal to the Court. As long as he appears under his title, the Erlprince has been decreed to only exist outside the direct light of Summer. As the Erlprince was unwilling to part with his title, he has spent most summer months either indoors or in the southern hemisphere. He has not been seen entering an instantiation of the Summer Court since. Aftermath: Following the verdict the connection to the Erlkingdom was properly sealed upon its next manifestation, ending the by-then more than citywide wave causing the disappearance of children. The GOC used the case as evidence for the necessity of the Summer Court to protect reality from outside threats. VNP-5925 was brought as a speaker before the General Assembly to outline the historical importance of the Court in this task. While talks in the UN were still ongoing, Germany pushed for an integration of the Court on EU level. Opinions among EU members differed, but with the stopped invasion by the Erlking hanging over their heads, the EU could come to a swift agreement. A corresponding law was passed the year after. VIDEO TRANSCRIPT LOG #8471-5925 Foreword: Dr. Angulo interviewed the subject in his home after the complete manifestation of the Summer Court and the situation had stabilized somewhat. [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Angulo steps towards a door. An old man opens it before she can knock, but stands in the shadow of the house. Old man: Ah, Maria. It has been quite a while. Has life been treating you well? Dr. Angulo: Not recently, thanks to 118. Vanguard still holds a grudge over Autumn. Old man: It is a good thing that Site is buried. But six feet under is no place for you, not yet. Come in. The old man leaves the door open as he steps further inside. Dr. Angulo follows suit. Dr. Angulo: (half-loud) So how should I address you, Mister? Old man: (from further inside) Again with this. You came in with a Name on your tongue, no? Dr. Angulo: I didn't want to presume, like last time. Old man: (chuckles) I'll take it as one of three gifts. Call them amendments. Now my Name, please. Dr. Angulo: Very well. VNP-5925. Dr. Angulo moves into the living room and sits on the couch across from VNP-5925 who has prepared tea for the two. VNP-5925. VNP-5925: (sighs) A much gentler Name then your last gift. Yes, this will do quite well. (sits down) Do they want me for another speech? Dr. Angulo: Not at all. You've done enough for us already. VNP-5925: What pleasant news. I'd be the last one standing between any kids who want to meet their Santa, but to change Names in so many languages at once is still exhausting at my age. What takes you here then? Dr. Angulo: Vanguard wanted me to ask some last questions about the Cycle. And I'm here to express my thanks in the name of all of us. VNP-5925: No, that is not quite the answer. I was asking what takes you here. Dr. Angulo: Me? VNP-5925: You can't tell me you've been stuck at interviews for 40 years. Dr. Angulo: Thankfully it didn't get quite that bad. If I'm being honest I just wanted one last interview with Sa- (stops) I guess I shouldn't use that name here. VNP-5925 closes his eyes and leans back. VNP-5925: Don't worry too much about other names, I'm still settling in. (mumbles) Mm, still varied, so much friendlier. Dr. Angulo: In that case I'll ask a question that's been on my mind for a while. Is it Father Winter or Father of Winter? A cold briefly flares up before settling again. VNP-5925: It's both, of course. But only the latter has anything to do with the Cycle. Dr. Angulo: Are you still a part of it? VNP-5925 furrows his eyebrows but keeps his eyes closed. VNP-5925: My hut will always stay at winter, but it hasn't been my game for a long time. There may be some fossils like me hanging around, but no. The Cycle is better off in younger hands. Dr. Angulo: (hesitant) In that case is there any chance you would consider– VNP-5925: (chuckles softly) Don't get greedy now. You already have one Santa working for you. Too many Santas spoil the season. Dr. Angulo: Alright. So what do you have planned? VNP-5925: (quiet) Hmm, a few things. Maybe speak to that Roberts of yours, from Santa to Santa. Settling into this name. I'll have to 'normalize' myself, I think. Dr. Angulo: Oh that's something that Vanguard does for all former– VNP-5925: (mumbles) Shush. You will let me do this. I'm owed that much. There's a teacher in this Name, I can feel it. Maybe I'll part-time as one of the Lounge's oral storykeepers. Mmh, that would be nice. The file I'll write as well. Only then… mine… Dr. Angulo: Is that the second gift? VNP-5925 smiles with closed eyes but doesn't answer. Dr. Angulo: What's the last gift? VNP-5925 makes a small noise. Dr. Angulo: VNP-5925? VNP-5925 begins to snore. Dr. Angulo: Oh. Dr. Angulo quietly leaves the house. [END LOG] The Erlking case had shown the Summer Court would not wait for a UN resolution. While talks on the international level did not stop, states began to take action on their own. The United Kingdom did not have to do anything. The Summer Court had already been regulated through the Arthurian Charter before the establishment of Veil. Thus the Camelot Eternal Summer Court (sitting in London) simply began operation again, as if it had never stopped. The government of the United States of America had not come to a decision yet when its Supreme Court declared the Rite which brings Summer unconstitutional after a case related to the Summer Court was brought before it. Russia planned to let the Summer Court act solely through the Summertide Knights in its borders. Case: Restoration of Summer Nobility to the status of Summertide Knighthood Background: Dating back as far as the First Fae Empire some Fae Familities swore fielty to the Summer Court in inviolable oaths. When called upon they would take up arms as the Summertide Knights and enforce the will of Summer. The knights and their families, elevated to a class of "Summer Nobility" were able to act in the name of and with the authority of the Court in a limited capacity. This included the ability to make local, though not final, decrees about reality. The creation of the Veil and the subsequent vanishing of the Summer Court severely diminished the capabilities of the Summer Nobles and the title of Summertide Knight vanished. The return of the Summer Court notably changed nothing about this circumstance. Instantiation: The Summer Nobility originally planned to bring the claim to a court in the Basmanny district of Moscow, Russia, but the Summer Court rejected the rite. Next, the claim was then brought to the Camelot Eternal Summer Court. This instantiation was rejected by Summer mid-trial, making it the only case of an instantiation being successful at first before breaking apart. It is assumed the Court of Camelot was rejected due to the judge also being of Summer Nobility. Finally the case was brought to the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court on the 16th August 2022. Counterclaim: A counterclaim was brought forward by the individual Lavender with evidence of large parts of the Summer Nobility colluding with the Lady of the Lake in her efforts to keep the Cycle of Seasons broken. She argued this disqualified them from returning to the status of Summertide Knighthood. Verdict: The Court ruled a reinstantiation of the Summer Nobility depended on them having held to their oaths during the time of the Court's absence. The Courts investigation found while none of the oaths had been broken in wording, every single one had been broken in spirit. To bring this wording in line with the oaths not being able to have been broken due to their inviolability, the Court decreed the families of today to not be the families it had originally made the oaths with, their similarities ending with the blood they shared. The Court acknowledged the Summer Nobility to have been colluding with the Lady of the Lake, but any efforts on her side to break the Cycle of Season could not be legally proven. Weightbearer: The Summer Nobility at large and the personnel of the judges of the Camelot Eternal Summer Court specifically were banished to the Autumn Court for crimes against summer. As the Nobles were banished to the Autumn Court with remnants of Summer in them, this caused uproar in Autumn's political climate. Historically the Summer Court has reinstated banished individuals into its service after a complete reformation of the Autumn Court. However, no such promise had been given. It remains to be seen if this will cause Autumn to enter a period of Summer-induced stability or if more banishments are required. Aftermath: The Court's rejection of the Summer Nobility was met with a degree of approval, with Western press describing the verdict as "housecleaning" to keep up with modern times. Less positive reactions were caused by the case's counterclaim, Lavender being accused of trying to slander the Lady's reputation. With the Lady being one of the most prominent survivors of the destruction of Avalon, the upholder of the now defunct Arthurian Charter, and a supporter of elements of the Cycle, like the former Wild Hunt, it was seen as impossible for such an influential Fae figure to be in opposition of the Cycle of Seasons. Russia saw the decision of the Esterbergian Court as an attack on its sovereignty and forbade all of its judges to consent to the rite. Other states soon followed its example of a complete disavowal of the Summer Court. The United Nations could soon be divided into states which did not tolerate the Summer Court at all, and those who had an interest in allowing it to operate with restrictions. The latter group came together to draft the first version of what is now known as the Summer Court Treaty. This Treaty would allow each state to make independent restrictions based on their own legal system to the operation of the Summer Court as long as it would not result in rejection by the Court. As any decree would be universal among signees two independent instances would review the judgement before it would be finally approved by the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court. As a few nations remained indecisive the GOC noted the GOC would retract its agreement with the Court as soon as the Summer Court Treaty had been signed by a majority of UN member states. For any state without laws to deal with Summer, the Court would start operating as it had before the creation of the Veil. This was enough to make the remaining states decide on a side to pick. At that time, the Summer Court did not deal with human states at all, existing alongside rather than with them. Knowledge of it was not very widespread and thus it was mainly used by Fae and magicians keenly aware of deeper occult lore. The Summer Court was not hiding per se, but more so made no attempts to keep itself known, assuming its existence a given for any denizens of Earth. As a trial could change reality, people in the know were thus incentivized to keep the workings of the Summer Court, as well as the rest of the Cycle, largely to themselves. Instantiation was either the domain of Fae Courts deep in forests made for this purpose or created by tricking a human judge into consenting to the Rite which brings Summer. These instances were much more prone to decreeing local reality changes. To this day, reality sometimes has different characteristics depending on the state. The United Kingdom has been the most largely affected by this phenomenon. Case: Segregation of Fae to Offroad-Spaces in England per the Arthurian Charter Background: The Arthurian Charter was in its original version an agreement between the humans and the Fae of England to facilitate a peaceful coexistence. Among other things, it detailed the segregation of the Fae to a number of extradimensional spaces, named "Offroad-Spaces" which would be off-limits to humans. Soon after a second version of the Charter was created. There the Lady of the Lake served as the representative of all Fae and the English Crown as the representative of humanity, while the Charter practice still only affected Great Britain and the Five Fae Kingdoms. All England-specific parts of the Charter like the creation of Offroad-Spaces and the Segregation of the Fae were left out. This second version ended up being the enforced version of the Charter until the Veilfall. Outside of Avalon and the other Kingdoms, the number of Offroad-Spaces requested by the first version was never reached. A former member of the Fae-extremist group Triumviraté named Aerandahll made a case to the Summer Court. Offroad spaces should exist and the human-fae segregation of the first Charter should be enforced. Instantiation: The case was brought to the Camelot Eternal Summer Court, having been reaccepted by the Summer Court after the judges' replacement, on the 19th of December 2022. Counterclaim: No counterclaim was brought forth during the allotted time. This is assumed to be due to this case not getting any media attention at this time as well as unfamiliarity with some of the specifics of the Court's structure. Verdict: The Court ruled it would no longer make new decrees which take effect only in a part and not the entirety of reality in its jurisdiction. Furthermore, the Court pointed out it would have likely ruled against the case on grounds of the forced segregation not being in line with the international law the Summer Court was currently bound by. Additionally, further evidence was needed to show that the first Arthurian charter was not legally replaced but rather expanded upon by the second version. Weightbearer: Aerandahll complained about the decree, blaming his failure on the Judge he was forced to plead his case to. The Camelot Judge asked if he planned to bring this claim to other instances. Directly after Aerandahlls confirmation, he was trapped in a copy of reality consisting of versions of every single Summer Court instance active at the time. He had to plead his case to all of them, only succeeding in a small minority of instances. Aerandahll was released back into baseline reality in the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court just in time to witness Esterberg confirming the original judgement of the Camelot Eternal Summer Court. Aftermath: The case garnered media attention in the UK after the verdict was announced. A common thread was the focus on the power of the Court being theoretically able to evict all Fae from mainline England past any government involvement. Vanguard focused on education about the trial system and the option for counterclaims. A bill proposing mandated government involvement for all Summer Court trials was drafted but never passed for unrelated reasons. Trying to take part in the Summer Court Treaty instead of going their own way was talked about. However, the Treaty was leaning strongly towards recognizing the Court in Esterberg as the highest authority of Summer. Submitting their own Camelot Eternal Summer Court to the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court was not a popular sentiment and thus rejected by the government. VIDEO TRANSCRIPT LOG #8471-6471 Foreword: Interview was conducted by Special Investigator Klara Lambrecht in the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court as Supreme Summer Judge Edrisglair refused to be interviewed by anyone else. [BEGIN LOG] Lambrecht: First of all, thank you for agreeing to this interview at all. Edrisglair: No pleasure. Lambrecht: Why choose me then? Edrisglair: We have a minimum of prior contact which is enough for me to make the assessment that you want this interview to be over as fast as I do. Lambrecht: You're not wrong. Edrisglair: Yes. Lambrecht: You could have just not agreed to the interview. Edrisglair: That is correct. It is however less of a waste of my time to do this interview once than to continuously remind people to not misuse the Summer Court and its assets for purposes it was not intended for. Lambrecht: Do you get many court cases? Edrisglair: Putting my Esterbergian Supreme Court duties and my Summer Court duties together, adds up to an amount slightly beyond the Court's capacities. I suspect the question was aimed at Summer Court cases specifically. There are a lot of frivolous cases addressed to the Court which never reach my desk. Claims requiring my attention are rare, but they require an amount of consideration that adds up to a similar amount of time as the many normal court cases we handle, often more. Lambrecht: Arent judgements on both your supreme court trials as well as your summer court trials final? Edrisglair: An accurate assessment. However the first is final for the constitution of a city-state, and the second is final for the reality of all which is reached by the warmth of Summer. Lambrecht: You mentioned being overworked by having to shoulder the duties of essentially two courts in one. Why did you take on this extra responsibility? Edrisglair: It was never in doubt that I would judge for Summer upon its return. Our civilization is built on systems of justice. This must extend consequently to all aspects of our world, including our evidently malleable reality. And I can't simply shirk my responsibilities for Esterberg, which needs its judicative as well. Lambrecht: Ever since the collapse of the Veil there's been talks about integrating Esterberg into Poland. Where does the Court fit into all this? Edrisglair: I don't comment on politics. I will say that the Summer Court will remain regardless of Esterberg's political status barring circumstances like the physical destruction of Esterberg or complete democratic cessation. Lambrecht: Is there a statement you'd like to make for anyone ending up watching this? Edrisglair: (glaring into the camera) Do not waste my time. I have made clear how overworked the Court is. Engage fairly with the Summer Court and we will treat you fair. I will not tolerate any attempts to involve Summer in some scheme or other. This is soon to be a UN-recognized institution. Treat it as such. [END LOG] Case: Declaration of O5-73 as an Enemy of Truth Background: This trial marks one of the few where a group made the initial claim. The group consisted of signees of a petition for holding the former O5 Council accountable for their alleged crimes against humanity. A larger focus was given to O5-7 specifically for her oversight of Foundation intelligence operations. It is likely the goal of the claim was not in the decree itself but to draw O5-7 out of hiding. Instantiation: The case was brought to the Summer Court instance set up in Den Hague on the 19th December 2022. Counterclaim: N/A Verdict: The Court ruled O5-7 to fit all criteria for the declaration as one of the main enforcers of "The Grand Lie", as the Court refers to the Veil. O5-7 was thus decreed an Enemy of Truth. Weightbearer: It is assumed being decreed an Enemy of Truth is equivalent to bearing the weight of the judgement. Aftermath: The declaration stopped all work on the Summer Court Treaty dead in its tracks, as opinions about the decree were split. Some viewed it as an overextension of the Court's responsibilities, finding judgements about specific people outside its preview as well as the verdict biased due to a personal grudge of the Court. Supporters of the decision pointed out the decree held no legal consequences and was more of symbolic nature. Detractors countered with the label having historically ended in the lynching of the "Enemy". Overall the opinions against the declaration outweighed the ones supporting it in number. Interest in the Summer Court Treaty vained. The fate of O5-7 remains unknown. Enemy of Truth Sources are unclear what exactly being branded as an Enemy of Truth entails. At minimum, anyone you interact with will know you are an Enemy of Truth as soon as you make a statement. Some sources go so far as to say all truth in your vicinity will twist against you to make your life a living hell. Summertide Knights would go on quests to slay Enemies of Truth three years after their branding. So far people have been branded an Enemy of Truth after being decreed so by the Summer Court, drawing the ire of Truth in communion, or by overextracting a spell to the point of breaking to gather Truth Glamour. The latter had been historically the greatest source of branding. Summer Court instances were often formed for minor cases to get a declaration out of the Court which could be drained of most or all of its Truth Glamour. Now some permanent instances of the Summer Court have taken to giving out Truth Glamour directly for anyone to use. Most instances forbid the direct extraction out of the Courts statements outside of this supply. Notably, the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court has a zero-tolerance policy for trying to extract glamour from it. Of those branded with the label only those indirectly put under the protection of the Lady of the Lake survived to old age. VIDEO TRANSCRIPT LOG #8471-4041 Note: The planned interview with the Lady of the Lake could not be scheduled as the hotel she currently resides in, Memories of Avalon, did not forward any attempt at communication from Vanguard. Carter Hotels, the owners of the hotel chain, declined to comment. With interest in the Summer Court Treaty veining, the search for alternatives started. One such alternative could be found in MC&D Ltd. sponsored product: Avalonian Lakewater. The mist was said to bring all reality it covered completely under the control of whoever used it. This water was of the Lady's Lakes whose domain the Cycle of Seasons had agreed never to touch. Making a pact with the Lady of the Lake could thus proof a viable alternative for allowing the Summer Court access. The Lady was only hesitantly open to such pacts, citing a desire to stay on friendly terms with the Cycle. It was in this time another important case was brought before the Court. Case: Reversal of the Tree of Life's infection Background: A genetic infection of VNP-60024 created by Dr. Eugene Muller had damaged the tree so far as to drive all animals of the kingdom Aeternae into extinction. An appeal to reverse this infection due to its threat to all life on planet Earth was brought to the Autumn Court in 1980, which transferred the case to the Summer Court. Due to the non-availability of the Court at the time, this caused no change. Instantiation: On the 20th of March 2023 the case was brought to the Esterbergian Supreme Summer Court. Counterclaim: N/A Verdict: The Court ruled the infestation could not be reasonably reversed by its authority without significant changes to the timeline. Any consistent application of Summers power would remove the infestation completely and retroactively. It was the Judges' opinion that the Court was not in the business of directly cleaning up after others' mistakes and would generally not entertain the notion of changing specific events. The Court acknowledged this mistake to unfairly target the entirety of planet Earth. It thus decreed a restriction on VNP-6002. Henceforth, and in limited capacity retroactively, VNP-6002's influence over an organism's genetics decreases the further the organism is from VNP-6002. Beyond the Atlantic this influence is negligible. To not affect the chain of events more than necessary, animals of the kingdom Aeternae were decreed to have only survived in select spaces unobserved by people since the kingdom's extinction. As the Summer Court had been declared unconstitutional by the US's Supreme Court, the decree had no affect on the USA. As such the Court would only consider a complete reversal of the infestation after this judgement had been reversed, and additionally after more serious measures to reverse the infestation had been tried. Weightbearer: Any person who directly or indirectly facilitated the infestation, as well as any of their descendants were decreed to not set food in any state recognizing the Summer Court. Any attempt to do so would result in travelling to Northern California instead, until a cure of the infestation had been tried to the best of their knowledge. Aftermath: This case drastically changed opinions on the Summer Court Treatie. Only a state in accord with the Summer Court would have access to the no longer extinct kingdom.5 With each signature more hidden spaces were found. A large number of them were turned into Aeterns preservation zones, some by Vanguard, others independently. The kingdom is currently slowly expanding again into ecosystems of signees of the Treaty. Recognition As with the rest of the Cycle of Seasons, part of the duties of the Summer Court involves recognizing organizations, inventions and other phenomena as part of its domain, the domain of 'IS'. The Summer Court is a lot more selective than other courts of the cycle. It prefers for all recognized parties to permanently stay a part of 'IS'. To still work properly with the flow of the rest of the cycle, the more lenient status of "Pending Recognition" has been created. While application to the Summer Court directly to gain this status is possible, it is made easier by passing the trials of the Late Spring Court first. Recognized Organizations: United Nations (only recognized in its function as "Forum for the Exchange between Nations") Wanderers' Library Summer Court Organizations pending Recognition: (abbreviated list) Global Occult Coalition The King's School, Canterbury, England Marshall, Carter & Dark Ltd. Recognized Inventions: (abbreviated list) Wheel Written word Electricity Recognized Treaties: Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Summer Court Treaty One year after the return of the Summer Court all UN member states with the exception of the UK have either signed the Summer Court Treaty or rejected the Court in total. Opinions about the Summer Court change from country to country. There are no larger trends of approval and disapproval, as attention is largely only brought to it when an instance makes a judgement of political significance, particularly judgements from Esterberg. Many paranormal enclaves, none of which are as of yet formally recognized by the UN, have independently agreed to sign their own version of the Summer Court Treaty. The enclaves have been for the most part laxer than the states in legally restricting the Summer Courts' authority. The Yeren city of Druv'tuul in particular has declined to restrict the Summer Court at all and chose to employ a different rite to invoke the Summer Court's authority. When asked for a comment on this King Eldröl Gérunda had this to say: "The Cycle of Seasons was founded during the Fae Empire, but to think of it as a Fae institution? We had the Cycle under our thumb for 50 thousand years! Longer, if you think of Druv'tuul. No one should be surprised we found our own ways to handle the courts. I couldn't be happier about Summer's return. In the name of Druv'tuul, there is only one thing I want to say to the once again complete Cycle of Seasons: Welcome back!" Spring Again Cycle of Seasons / ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "VNP-8471" by Ethagon, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8471. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: court.jpg Name: Hoge raad gebouw lange voorhout.jpg Author: M.Minderhoud License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Hoge_raad_gebouw_lange_voorhout.jpg Filename: santa.jpg Name: White Beard Author: Ozzy Delaney License: CC BY 2.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24931020@N02/7715950362/ This article contains an excerpt from "SCP-6002" by bigslothonmyface, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-6002. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. Footnotes 1. A mistaken assumption that has since been rectified in all documents. 2. A glamour which can be extracted from inviolably true statements. It is mainly used to highlight true statements over fake news or as a component of truth-related spells. The Summer Court has always been its main distributor. 3. The Summer Court has shied away from acknowledging the existence of the Foundation in any statements including ranks like O5. Instead, the Court used the O5's real name. 4. A giant sequoia tree in Northern California, United States of America mapping to a "tree of life" including every genome of life on earth. Removal or modification of genetic material from VNP-6002 impacts organisms which share said material. 5. For the economic impact of the Aeterns return, see VNP-6002-ARK. |
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padding: 2vw; } + CODE - CODE /* QUEERSTYLE CSS By Queerious Forked from: Blankstyle CSS by Placeholder McD and HarryBlank Using: White Outline Classic LGBTQ+ Pride Logo by Woedenaz from https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:pride-highlighter */ @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Vast+Shadow&display=swap'); #header h1 a::before { font-size: 1.2em; text-shadow: 3px 3px 3px #fff; } #header h2::before { font-size: 0.9em; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #fff; } #header { margin-top: 0.5em; } :root { --header-title: "SCP Foundation"; --header-subtitle: "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"; } @media (max-width: 707px) { #header h1 a::before { font-size: 9vw; } } #top-bar, #top-bar a { text-shadow: 0.75px 0.75px 1px #fff; } div#extra-div-1 { height: 150px; background-image: url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/component:pride-highlighter/gp_logo.svg'); } #page-content .creditButton p a { color:#373737; } /* Pseudogenesis Formats */ .pseudo-div { border:solid 4px #B22A2A; background:#403450; color: #ffffff; padding: 5px 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: "Vast Shadow", serif; text-align: center; } .pseudo-div :is(h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6) { font-family: "Vast Shadow", serif; letter-spacing: 0px; font-weight: normal; color: white; } close Info X SCP-8478: Sense Author: Queerious Item#: 8478 Level1 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: warning link to memo Special Containment Procedures: WebCrawler AIC "Showtime" is to continually search the Dark Web and Viber for newly announced SCP-8478 venues. Following the announcement of a new venue, MTF Upsilon-33 ("Rushing Critics") are dispatched to the location to secure as many tickets to the show as possible.1 Entrance to SCP-8478 by Foundation personnel is limited to individuals with prior authorization. Any unauthorized researchers found attempting to gain access to SCP-8478 will be subject to disciplinary action. Instances of cognitohazards advertising SCP-8478 are to be neutralized via memetic countermemes. An active cognitohazard, appearing to the viewer as a poster for SCP-8478, and an inert representation of said cognitohazard are included below as reference. Show Cognitohazard? Hide Sense An anomalous sensory club, delivering transformative artistic experiences through immersion in an incomparable world. Limited Engagement Only. Tickets available at venue. Details regarding the times, dates and location of the performances are anomalously learned by the viewers of a given poster. A neutralized version of the above cognitohazard. A former venue for SCP-8478 Description: SCP-8478 is an anomalous theatrical experience known as 'Sense'. SCP-8478 operates as a pop-up installation encountered in many venues, most commonly in Three-Portlands.2 SCP-8478 instances will be hosted at a given venue for approximately two weeks, before abruptly disappearing overnight. Individuals who travel to the SCP-8478 venue are able to purchase a ticket to a given entry time to SCP-8478. SCP-8478 tickets are available at a range of prices, based on various socioeconomic factors, ranging from free to $500USD per ticket. After an individual purchases their ticket, they are told to return to the venue at the time of their show. Returning to the venue at the reserved time allows an individual to enter the building — individuals who have not purchased a ticket will be physically incapable of entering. When an attendee enters the building (hereto referred to as a 'guest'), the guest will enter the waiting room. This room is accessed regardless of which doorway is used by an individual to gain access to the venue. Gloves, serving as the ticket for SCP-8478 The guest will be drawn towards a table in the center of the room, containing a pair of gloves. These gloves are used to distinguish elements of the performance from other guests — all guests are required to wear these gloves at all times during a performance of SCP-8478. Upon putting on the gloves, a number of doors will open around the perimeter of the room. Guests will now be able to walk through any given door, able to explore the full layout of the venue. The venue is not topologically consistent with registered floorplans, instead following an internal logic for the duration of SCP-8478. Within the location, there are many different memetic experiences presented, hereafter referred to as SCP-8478-A instances. These instances each occupy a specific room within the venue, with a cognitohazardous trigger concealed somewhere within the room. Rooms are decorated thematically, typically resembling domiciles, hotel rooms, cellars, or more exotic locations, as based on the contents of the SCP-8478-A instance. Guests are invited to enter rooms, searching for SCP-8478-A instances — viewing an instance will cause a guest to enter a temporary catatonic coma, during which they experience hallucinations that serve as the primary 'performances' within SCP-8478. Typically, SCP-8478 will consist of 20-30 distinct SCP-8478-A instances, scattered throughout 40-60 rooms. A guest will have access to SCP-8478 for a duration of three hours, at the conclusion of which, they will be compelled to walk through the nearest doorway, resulting in the guest reappearing outside of the building. To date, SCP-8478 has not resulted in any permanent injuries, disappearances or casualties. Addendum 1: SCP-8478-A Instances SCP-8478-A instances are cognitohazards and their associated memetic hallucinatory effects, used throughout SCP-8478. A consistent list of SCP-8478-A instances found within a given SCP-8478 venue cannot be created, as the included instances change arbitrarily. Notable and commonly recurring SCP-8478-A instances are listed below: Instance: SCP-8478-A-2 Designation: The Sudden Chill Cognitohazardous Trigger: The underneath of an icy lake, drawn by a child Effects: SCP-8478-A-2 causes the viewer to experience the alleged last moments of a seven-year-old girl named Grace.3 The viewer will begin to hallucinate a dark void, before beginning to experience the sensation of drowning in a lake during winter, after having fallen through the ice. The viewer will feel the chill, pain and sensation of their lungs filling with water, until they are rendered unconscious, at which point, they awake in the real world. At no point during this experience is the viewer unable to breathe. Instance: SCP-8478-A-5 Designation: The Listener Cognitohazardous Trigger: A crooked keyhole Effects: SCP-8478-A-5 causes the viewer to take the place of a child listening to a fight between their parents. The viewer is unable to move or intervene, and must hear the escalating conflict between the parents, resulting in a physical altercation. The parents are seen by the viewer through a keyhole, and are often obscured due to the limited visuals. Instance: SCP-8478-A-6 Designation: Roughing It Cognitohazardous Trigger: A bloody patch of carpet Effects: SCP-8478-A-6 causes the viewer to experience multiple different types of rug burns. SCP-8478-A-6 has consisted of between 10-30 different sensations, ranging from different carpet types to different rug burn locations. Instance: SCP-8478-A-11 Designation: Selfish Confinement Prisons Cognitohazardous Trigger: Unknown Effects: SCP-8478-A-11 causes the viewer to hallucinate the experience of an unknown anomalous individual held in a containment cell within a Foundation site. The viewer will undergo a standard containment experience, with limited interactions with others and timed feedings. This experience is one of the longest within SCP-8478, with the perceived experience ranging between 4 hours to 2 weeks. In actuality, this experience spans 5 minutes. Both the anomalous individual and Foundation site are currently unidentified; it is believed that they are the fictional creations of Pseudogenesis Productions. However, due to potential information breaches, continued research into identifying the origin of this experience is ongoing. Addendum 2: Exploration Log On 07/21/2016, Researcher Megan Elken entered the 8 p.m. performance of SCP-8478, equipped with digital video and audio recording equipment. This test was authorized to record an instance, and to document the researcher's reactions. Due to anomalous interference, the recording was partially corrupted — relevant and coherent excerpts are below: SCP-8478 Exploration Video Log Transcript Location: Three-Portlands' Parkwood Glen Apartments, Abandoned c. 1993 Date: 07/21/2016 Team Members: Dr. Megan Elken [BEGIN LOG] The recording is captured from video recording hardware embedded in Dr. Elken's glasses. An empty apartment lobby is shown. The decorations are consistent with the age of the building, resembling a luxury apartment from the mid-1940s. Paint and wallpaper peels from the walls, accumulated grime and dirt covering the walls. In the center of the room is a short pedestal, holding a pair of red elbow length gloves. The perimeter of the room is lined with 10 doors, each closed. Dr. Elken begins by walking around the perimeter of the room, attempting each door handle. Each door is locked. Dr. Elken: This is Dr. Elken, I have entered the venue and appeared in the waiting room without issue. The doors are all locked, as expected, and a pedestal in the middle of the room has the gloves for me to put on. Dr. Elken looks at their hands. Dr. Elken: I believe that there is a slight compulsion effect present in this room. Dr. Elken pauses, appearing to fight the compulsion. Dr. Elken: The anomalous effect appears to cause an individual to want to put on the gloves. I must assume it is a minor cognitohazard designed to make the viewer desire the gloves in some way. To continue the exploration, I will put the gloves on. Dr. Elken walks to the center of the room, and pulls the gloves onto her hands. Once the second glove is pulled all the way on, every door in the room swings open in unison. The corresponding crash echoes throughout the room. Dr. Elken: Great, I'm— When the footage resumes, Dr. Elken appears to be outside, in a forest. Upon closer inspection, they are in a large indoor chamber, with anomalous projections on the ceilings and walls causing the viewer to believe that there are no boundaries. In the center of the room burns a roaring campfire. Dr. Elken:—just out of that SCP-8478-A instance. I was at summer camp, reliving my good old days. Dr. Elken pauses, raising their hand to their head. Dr. Elken: No. That's not right. I've never been to a summer camp. However, while I was inside the SCP-8478-A instance, I truly believed that I had been a camper for years and that it was a foundational experience. Dr. Elken sits down onto a log, rubbing their temples. Dr. Elken: It's a strange feeling — almost like both sets of memories are true. If I hadn't gone through the Foundation training, I wouldn't know which one was real. Why would they do that? The only reason would be to make you feel like you might ha— Dr. Elken, freezes, then after a moment, shakes their head while chuckling. Dr. Elken: That's… I mean it's effective. I understand what it means now. Let me try and explain this for the record. Dr. Elken clears their throat. Dr. Elken: I still haven't gotten used to the sensation of entering an SCP-8478-A instance. When you're exposed, you know that it has happened, but it isn't like a traditional cognitohazard. I believed that I was the individual the instance was about. Dr. Elken: I understood the nostalgia and pain of being the only one left. I was inside of that feeling — sure, I've read about loneliness and survivor's guilt, but I haven't experienced it personally. This instance made me feel like I had. I didn't have to think about it, I just… got it. Completely. Dr. Elken looks up at the stars, the projections glimmering above. Dr. Elken: I think I'll sit here for a whil- Dr. Elken: —hile I've been in here, I haven't encountered more than one other guest. SCP-8478 is either much larger than we think, or they have some way of separating the guests, I'm not sure which. The sound returned momentarily before the footage. Dr. Elken is seen walking down a long apartment corridor, doors on both sides. They do not seem to be trying the handles, instead walking towards a distant art deco doorway. Dr. Elken: I've been trying to cover as much ground as possible, hoping to find other guests, but I've been unsuccessful. I didn't want to spend too much time doing this, but my watch seems to have stopped as soon as I entered the building. I'm unsure of how much time I have left. Dr. Elken continues down the hallway, trying doors at they go - they are all locked. Dr. Elken: This experience has been… well frankly, it's been incredible. I know we need to shut this down, but… I think we should talk to them. Try and come to some agreement that allows Sense to continue to run. Dr. Elken shakes their head, breaking their reverie. Dr. Elken: I'm sorry, that was unprofessional of me. It appears that there may be a larger memetic compulsion causing the infected to express sympathy with GOI-478. Dr. Elken pauses, standing still. They do not move for an extended period of time. Dr. Elken: What if there is no compulsion… Just ahead, a hallway splits off to the right — Dr. Elken notices it and starts walking towards it, turning into it. The hallway she enters appears quite long; however, after only a few steps, she is now at the end of the hallway, the wall inches away. Dr. Elken turns around, staring back at the hallway. It is as long as it appeared initially. Dr. Elken: I believe that was the result of ontokinetic anomalous spatial compression — they must use that throughout to make everything fit. They rebuild these rooms and recreate everything each and every time they change venues. They must have some powerful reality benders working on this… Dr. Elken turns back to the end of the hallway, now facing a different hallway. The hallway here is a different style entirely, appearing similar to that of a grand hotel, with baroque-inspired architecture. In the middle of the hallway is a visual distortion, swirling colors. Dr. Elken: What is— Dr. Elken begins approaching the distortion, but is hesitant. They hear a noise behind them and turn — there is nothing. Dr. Elken turns back to the distortion, but it has instead been replaced with a male mannequin, approximately 2 feet away from her. Dr. Elken: Fuck! Dr. Elken grabs at her chest, inhaling sharply. Dr. Elken: It's okay, there's nothing weird going on here, just part of the show. Dr. Elken straightens their back, resuming their analytic commentary. Dr. Elken: There appears to be a post-war era department store mannequin standing in the center of the hallway. This is the first instance I have seen within SCP-8478, so I don't know what to expect. Dr. Elken stares at the mannequin — the mannequin is dressed in baggy clothes, posed mid-stride. It is unmoving. Dr. Elken: As far as I can tell, the mannequin is iner— The mannequin moves, tilting its head and appearing to stare at Dr. Elken. Dr. Elken: Oh! OKAY! The mannequin is capable of independent movemen— Unknown Entity: Hey. Do you mind moving over and not being weird? I'm trying to work here. The source of this voice is unknown — it appears to originate from the mannequin, but at no point does it move any facial features. Dr. Elken: The mannequin is now talking to— oh shit. Unknown Entity: It's not that weird, can you just get over it? Some people are robots or monsters, I'm mannequins. Alright? Dr. Elken: Right, sor— Footage resumes, showing Dr. Elken running through corridors, resembling a sub-basement. Dr. Elken: I need to get out of here, there has to be a doorway somewhere, right? Dr. Elken pauses as they come to a larger chamber - the walls are lined with doors, each marked with a different symbol. Dr. Elken: Okay now I just need to— She pauses, bending over and breathing hard. Dr. Elken: Wait. Why am I running? Dr. Elken looks around, trying to find something. Dr. Elken: Was that only in the SCP-8478-A instance? I swear I had woken up, but… did I? She pinches herself, and yells in reaction. Dr. Elken: Ouch! Dr. Elken pauses. Dr. Elken: I felt pain in the SCP-8478-A instances though, so I guess that tells me nothing. Maybe I shoul— Footage resumes as Dr. Elken walks out of a doorway, entering an alleyway beside the venue. They turn around, and can see a glimpse of a female figure before the door begins to close. Unknown Woman: Thanks for coming Doctor, now tell all of your buddies at the Foundation to stay the fuck away, alright? [END LOG] Upon recovery of Dr. Elken post exiting SCP-8478, a psychological panel was performed to assess their mental state. The results were consistent with individuals who had undergone intense exposure therapy, exhibiting behaviors consistent with patients who had completed EMDR treatments. Based on interviews done after the fact, Dr. Elken was not in danger at any point during SCP-8478. Their fear in the basement was simply a panic attack resulting from an SCP-8478-A instance. Dr. Elken conveyed that they were trapped within a shipping container travelling across the ocean, and temporarily developed claustrophobia following exposure. Following the exploration log, additional research was done into identifying the unknown individuals seen within SCP-8478. The addendum below contains the Foundation's current information on the group responsible for SCP-8478. Addendum 3: Pseudogenesis Productions Pseudogenesis Productions (GOI-478) is an anomalous theatre group, responsible for the creation and performances of SCP-8478. Founded by Stephanie Pseudo in 2006, Pseudogenesis Productions focuses on creating what they call 'authentically immersive theatre', typically utilizing a combination of ontokinetics and memetics to create detailed and extreme performances. Below is an excerpt from a Playbill recovered from SCP-8478, listing the key creative members of Pseudogenesis Productions: Meet the Crew! Stephanie Pseudo || Creative Director4 Stephanie is the founder of Pseudogenesis Productions, and the creator of Sense. She hopes that Sense will show you that nothing is permanent, and everything can change. Solomon Baer || Lead Lighting Technician5 Solomon is a graduate from Deer College's anart theatre program, specializing in the manipulation of light and color. He wants to thank his parents for exposing him to the anomalous from a young age, and all of the other crew for the work they do. Duplo || Ontokinetic Production Designer6 Duplo is a college dropout who joined Pseudogenesis Productions so that they could create anart that didn't kill the viewer. If you see them around Sense, be sure to say hi! Just don't get in their way - they're probably on their way to fix something. Vivienne Chen || Memetics & Cognitohazard Designer7 Vivienne is the master of memetics, and is responsible for the cognitohazards present throughout Sense. She believes that memetics allow for untold levels of shared understanding within theatre. Vivienne would like to specifically not thank the Foundation, as they are a bunch of idiots playing doctor, including her mother. Addendum 4: Incident 8478-478 Following the identification of both POI-478-3 & POI-478-4 within Dr. Elken's exploration footage, a strike team was formed to raid an SCP-8478 location to capture as many members of GOI-478 as possible. On 04/22/2017, the strike team managed to locate the next venue for SCP-8478 while it was still in pre-production. A raid that day captured four individuals, claiming to be POIs 478-1 through 478-4. Upon transport to an interim holding site, each member was interviewed. The most relevant interview is included below: Containment Intake Interview Date: 04/22/2017 Researcher: Dr. Megan Elken Supervising Researcher: Erynn Chen [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Elken: Hello POI-478-4, have you been told why you are here? POI-478-4: Yeah. I'm here because you guys love wasting resources. Dr. Elken: POI-478-4, are you aware of who we are? POI-478-4: Yeah! You're the idiots who lock people like me up for shits and giggles, without thinking about who we are. Dr. Elken: The Foundation exists to protect the world fro— POI-478-4: From what? Theatre kids? Are you guys kidding me? I remember that you used to actually try and prioritize actually dangerous anomalies — why do you care about a fucking play? Dr. Elken: Since you know so much about the Foundation, POI-478-4, then this won't come as a surprise — if you don't start to cooperate, I will be forced to terminate you. We have your three compatriots, so you're expendable. POI-478-4: I'm expendable? Laughing That's fucking funny. Dr. Elken: What's so amusing POI-478-4? POI-478-4: You think that you captured four of us, right? Sorry to break it to you doc, but the others have nothing to tell you. Dr. Elken pauses, listening to a concealed communication device. Dr. Elken: What? They're useless? How did they— I'm sorry, did you say it's just a mannequin? I saw it move! What the— Dr. Elken pauses, listening. After a second, they nod at a mirrored window and turn back to face POI-478-4. Dr. Elken: Right. Tell us how POI-478-3 turned into a hunk of plastic, while the other two are now acting like they have no idea what's going on? POI-478-4: Oh, now I'm interesting, huh? Dr. Elken: POI-478-4, don't make me— POI-478-4: Alright, alright fine. It's memetics. Dr. Elken: What are you talking about POI-478-4? What do you mean by memetics? POI-478-4: You know? Like the pretend science of fucking with brains with pictures? Dr. Elken: I know what memetics are, I was asking what you have to do with memetics. POI-478-4: Didn't you read the playbill? I make the cognitohazards. Basically I come up with an idea, and then I make the fucking cognitohazard. Did that clear things up? POI-478-4 leans back into their chair and places their feet onto the table. Dr. Elken looks at a mirrored window, before continuing the interview. Dr. Elken: Right. If you answer one question directly, I'll end this interview and you can go back to being alone. POI-478-4: For real? You'll leave? Dr. Elken: Yes. POI-478-4: Fine. One question. Dr. Elken: Two of the captured individuals are now claiming that they aren't members of Pseudogenesis Productions despite identifying themselves as key members upon capture. What did you do to them? POI-478-4: I can't believe you actually thought that we'd all be in one place at the same time. Seriously? Do you really think we're that stupid? Dr. Elken does not respond. POI-478-4 reacts with annoyance, continuing to speak. POI-478-4: You want to know how I did it? It's a mental overlay, a complete copy of the other members of the team. I make a cognitohazard placing a mental overlay on our hired workers, letting the overlay take control when they are within the theatre space. Was that simple enough to understand? Dr. Elken: Yeah. I understand that you're brainwashing people. POI-478-4: Wow. I almost forgot what it was like talking to people like you. Dr. Elken: Moving on, what about POI-478-3? The mannequin is inert now, and has no signs of— POI-478-4: Oh, that's weird. Dr. Elken: What is, POI-478-4? POI-478-4: Well that's more questions. And you said you would only ask one. Maybe you're not the smartest researcher here? Dr. Elken: Excuse me? Dr. Elken is seen pausing, listening to a concealed communication device. After a few seconds, Dr. Elken turns to face POI-478-4. Dr. Elken: That will be all for now, POI-478-4. Supervising Researcher Chen will be here later to continue the interrogation. POI-478-4: … What did you just say? Dr. Elken does not respond to POI-478-4, gathering their papers and standing. POI-478-4 attempts to stand up, but is pulled back down by its restraints. POI-478-4: Who the fuck told my mother about this? Hey, I'm talking to you! Dr. Elken exits the room. POI-478-4 stops shouting. They look around the room, identifying the security cameras. POI-478-4: I know you're watching this mom. Stay away from me. [END LOG] Following the intake interview, cameras and sensors failed within POI-478-4's temporary containment cell. This fact was not recognized until hours later, at which point they were found to be missing. Investigation into the lapse in security revealed that POI-478-4 had smuggled a vial of ontokinetically-infused ink in a non-topological pocket somewhere within their clothing. POI-478-4 used said ink to draw cognitohazards directly onto their person, and inside of the chamber. These cognitohazards disabled the sensors, and allowed POI-478-4 to bypass security protocols to exit their holding chamber. The interim holding site was not intended for anything more than momentary containment, due to its status as a Foundation front business. As such, POI-478-4 was able to escape unnoticed, without force. They were last recorded walking out the main doors of the temporary site, holding their middle finger out to the camera. As of the time of writing, all members of Pseudogenesis Productions are at large, and performances of SCP-8478 are ongoing. Footnotes 1. Due to the status of GOI-478 as a non-profit anomalous theatre company, these costs qualify as Foundation-backed arts subsidies, resulting in an overall net profit for SCP-8478's budget. 2. Performance locations have included: abandoned hotels, apartment buildings, hospitals, schools, and assorted bungalows. 3. As identified based on her name and age being included in each instance of the drawing. Foundation searches have turned up no evidence of a death matching this. 4. POI-478-1 5. POI-478-2 6. POI-478-3 7. POI-478-4 ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8478" by Queerious, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8478. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Pseudogenesis_Logo_Flatter.png Name: Psuedogenesis Logo Author: Queerious License: cc-by-sa 3.0 Filename: Sense_Cognitohazard.png Name: Sense Cognitohazard Author: Queerious License: cc-by-sa 3.0 Filename: Sense_Hotel.jpg Name: Rosswyn Hotel is closed - geograph.org.uk - 3384496.jpg Author: David Lally License: cc-by-sa 2.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rosswyn_Hotel_is_closed_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3384496.jpg Filename: Sense_Ticket.jfif Name: Paar ellebooglange avondhandschoenen van donkerrode gaas-achtige stof met gerimpelde entree Author: Museum Rotterdam License: cc-by-sa 3.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paar_ellebooglange_avondhandschoenen_van_donkerrode_gaas-achtige_stof_met_gerimpelde_entree,_objectnr_62502-1-2.JPG Filename: Vhs_Glitch-cropped-flipped.gif Name: Language of fourier strings. Author: Roͬͬ͠͠͡͠͠͠͠͠͠͠͠sͬͬ͠͠͠͠͠͠͠͠͠aͬͬ͠͠͠͠͠͠͠ Menkman License: cc-by 2.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/r00s/6974122193/ Notes: Image was cropped and edited by me, Queerious Filename: Stephanie_1.jpg Name: Shadow of woman 1540397.jpg Author: Nevit Dilmen License: cc-by-sa 3.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shadow_of_woman_1540397.jpg Filename: Solomon_0.jpg Name: Red-blue-lighting.jpg Author: Vlad Kozlov License: cc-by-sa 4.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red-blue-lighting.jpg Filename: Duplo_0.jpg Name: NNSA-NSO-713.jpg Author: National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office License: Public Domain Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NNSA-NSO-713.jpg Filename: VivienneChen_0.jpg Name: Black and white photo of woman with dark shadow over her eyes Author: Joseph Paquette License: cc-by-2.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_and_white_photo_of_woman_with_dark_shadow_over_her_eyes_(by_Joseph_Gray).jpg |
SCP-8480 | keter | + CODE - CODE /* BLANKSTYLE CSS [2021 Wikidot Theme] By Placeholder McD and HarryBlank Based on: Paperstack Theme by EstrellaYoshte Penumbra Theme by EstrellaYoshte */ @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:ital,wght@0,800;1,800&display=swap'); #page-content { font-size: .9rem; } #main-content { top: -1.6rem; padding: 0.2em; } div#container-wrap { background-image: none; } div#header { background-image: none; } #header h1, #header h2 { margin-left: 0; float: none; text-align: center; } #header h2 { margin-top: 0.5rem; } #header h1 span, #header h2 span { font-size: 0; display: none;} #header h1 a::before, #header h2::before { color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif !important; text-shadow: none; } #header h1 a::before { content: var(--header-title, "R\0026 C SITE-43"); font-weight: 400; font-size: 1.3em; } #header h2::before { content: var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE"); font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.2em; 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padding: 2vw; } {$caption} ADULT CONTENT This article contains adult content that may not be suitable for all readers. Graphic depiction of blood, gore or mutilation of body parts Features sexual themes or language, but does not depict sexual acts. Explicit depiction of sexual acts. Features non-consensual sexual acts. Depiction of severe mistreatment of children Depiction of self-harm Depiction of suicide Depiction of torture {$custom-content} If you are above the age of 18+ and wish to read such content, then you may click Continue to view said content. Continue Back to Front Page NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION DEPARTMENT OF ABNORMAL PARAPSYCHOLOGY The following file is restricted to Site-80-P, to ensure patient confidentiality. — Dr. Allyana Weiss, Lead Researcher, Anomalous Childhood Development Specialty Intake Interview — Video Log Date: September 25th, 2023 Psychiatrist: Dr. Allyana Weiss Subject: Emily Curtis, 20, designated SCP-8480-A <START RECORDING> Security footage shows the interior of Interrogation Room P-15. The room has been staged to look like a therapist's office. Dr. Weiss sits behind a desk with her clipboard; across from her, SCP-8480-A sits cross-legged, looking at the floor. Their right hand is bandaged, showing partial blood staining — the concentration of which is centered on the tip of SCP-8480-A's index finger. Dr. Weiss: Hey there Emily. Have you been holding up well? Making any friends? SCP-8480-A: What? Dr. Weiss: It's okay, I'm here to be your friend! SCP-8480-A: Really? I can't believe that you thought that would work on me. Dr. Weiss pauses, a flash of realization. She blushes. SCP-8480-A rolls their eyes. Dr. Weiss: Oh god. Sorry. I've been talking to 8-year-olds all morning. Let's start over? SCP-8480-A snorts. SCP-8480-A: Sure. So when can I go home? Dr. Weiss: When you've had a bit of a chance to breathe. Now, I do have to ask you some questions— SCP-8480-A rolls their eyes and looks out the window in the interview room. SCP-8480-A: Of course you do. Fine. Dr. Weiss: Can you tell me your name? SCP-8480-A: Em. SCP-8480-A stares at the bloody finger, wrapped in gauze. They bite their lip, tearing at the skin. Shivering, they drop their hand by their side. SCP-8480-A: Just ask me what you really care about. Dr. Weiss: What do you think I care about? SCP-8480-A lays back on the couch and stares at the ceiling. SCP-8480-A: Why I snapped. Obviously. It's not like the other times, this time was— nevermind. Dr. Weiss pauses, writing notes. Dr. Weiss: Why don't we just start with what happened. You were at school, for a test? SCP-8480-A: An exam. Dr. Weiss: Right, a test. How were you feeling? SCP-8480-A: Anxious, I guess? I wasn't ready for the exam. I just… I needed more time. Dr. Weiss: Tell me more about the test. SCP-8480-A hesitates. They turn to face Dr. Weiss, chewing the nail on their thumb. SCP-8480-A: I had to pass this exam, you know? Dr. Weiss: You were failing out? SCP-8480-A: What? No. I'm not a bad student, I just get overwhelmed, and end up missing class. Sure, I mean, I wasn't doing great but, well… it meant that the exam was my only hope. We were all gathered in the test room, desks in perfect lines, perfect students all ready to ace the exam; and then there was me, and I was fucked. SCP-8480-A realizes they have been biting their nails. They violently throw their hand down, hitting their thigh. They wince. SCP-8480-A: Sorry. Bad habit. Dr. Weiss: It's okay. Why were you 'fucked', to use your phrasing? SCP-8480-A: My head was throbbing, and I couldn't focus. Dr. Weiss: Just a small headache? That shouldn't have been an issue. SCP-8480-A: Really? I've been having migraines ever since I started college, and they've only gotten worse and worse. I can almost feel the headaches in my entire body, you know? So when I looked at the exam, and my head started to swim, I panicked. But I had to pass, so I started writing. Dr. Weiss: Okay. So you were writing the exam, how did the incident occur? SCP-8480-A: The 'incident'? God, you're worse than my last therapist. I don't know why they wouldn't let me finish writing. Dr. Weiss: Why did they stop you? SCP-8480-A returns to biting their left thumbnail. SCP-8480-A: So I was writing my test, and I couldn't think. Whenever it gets like that, I know I bite my nails. It's just… it helps me cope. It lets me focus. So I'm biting my nails while trying to complete the essay portion; I start to hear people around me muttering, but between the exam and my headache, it was just noise. It's all just noise, you know? Dr. Weiss nods, giving SCP-8480-A a slight smile. SCP-8480-A: I get to the end, and my brain shuts down. It's screaming in pain, yelling at me that I don't know what the fuck I'm doing — I'm pushing through, biting the skin around my nails. The controlled pain helps, and I don't even pay much attention while I chew; I have to finish this essay or my parents would kill me. That's when people started talking around me. Dr. Weiss: In the exam? SCP-8480-A: Yeah, I guess. I didn't look up, I couldn't waste any more time. And then this girl behind me screams. Dr. Weiss: She screamed? SCP-8480-A: Top of her lungs. Dr. Weiss: What did you do? SCP-8480-A: I kept writing. And then the proctors came over, and started yammering, like fuck if it wasn't already hard to keep my thoughts straight. So I told them to just let me finish writing this sentence, and then I could talk, but they demanded it. And then one of them touched me on the shoulder— he fucking grabbed me. So I spun, and pushed him away. I think I yelled at him too, I can't remember. Dr. Weiss: What do you remember? SCP-8480-A: Blood. A few flecks, across the top of my exam. I tried to wipe it away and— and then I tasted it. Copper, acrid in my mouth, dripping down my lips. I saw more blood, and that's when I noticed it dripping down my arm. Then I heard the screaming. All of them, screaming for their lives. My head was throbbing, the room was spinning and I couldn't concentrate on the sentence, so I turned around to see— it was the proctor. They were standing there, covered in blood, spray covering their face, staring at me in terror. My blood. SCP-8480-A shivers. SCP-8480-A: There was a crack. A sharp jolt of pain that pulled me out of my spiral. That's when I saw my finger. I didn't even feel it. I… I was just biting my nails. Dr. Weiss: You bit off your fingernail? SCP-8480-A: I bit off the tip of my finger. I saw the bone. Dr. Weiss: What happened next? SCP-8480-A: I tried to finish my exam. But then the blood kept dripping onto my page, and when I was trying to clean it up and save my exam— that's when the paramedics showed up. They dragged me out, and now I'm here. <END RECORDING> Item#: 8480 Level4 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: ekhi Risk Class: critical link to memo Special Containment Procedures: All SCP-8480-1 instances are to be isolated and contained within Site-80-P under the guise of prolonged psychiatric care. Bandages, gauze, splints and casts on instances are to be inspected daily, and replaced as needed. Potential SCP-8480-1 instances are flagged via Foundation crawlers, identifying any individuals under the age of 8 that exhibit symptoms of SCP-8480. These subjects are to be issued a cover diagnosis of 'Extreme OCD tendencies and Severe Anxiety'. When an instance begins to exhibit symptomatic progression, Foundation agents are dispatched to secure the SCP-8480 instance, recommending to their guardians that the SCP-8480-A instance should be involuntarily committed to Foundation Psychiatric facilities for their own safety. To date, all SCP-8480-1 instances have been remanded to Foundation care, and are to be held under involuntary commitment in perpetuity. A hand, displaying symptoms of SCP-8480 infection. Description: SCP-8480 refers to an anomalous mental disorder that typically manifests in children between the ages of 3 to 14. Infected subjects, SCP-8480-1 instances, exhibit the following symptoms: Moderate to Severe Anxiety; Headaches/Migraines; Moderate to Severe Onychophagia; Moderate to Severe Dermatophagia; Accelerated cellular regeneration/healing; Significantly high pain thresholds, especially in a subject's digits. SCP-8480 is believed to be triggered when any child experiences extreme, persistent anxiety, or undergoes a traumatic event. While under said mental duress, if the child bites their nails as a coping mechanism, they will be infected with SCP-8480. Subjects will then experience varied rates of symptomatic progression, typically linked to internal and external stressors. Many unidentified instances are believed to survive into adulthood asymptomatically. The majority of instances under the Foundation's care were committed under the age of 15, totaling ██00 contained instances between all facilities. SCP-8480-A refers to Emily Curtis, 20, an SCP-8480 instance who was significantly older than all other instances when first recovered. It is theorized that additional research interviews with SCP-8480-A have a high probability of identifying the root causes and triggers of SCP-8480, and will help better understand how to mitigate the symptoms of the anomaly. Session #3 — Video Log Date: September 28th, 2023 Psychiatrist: Dr. Allyana Weiss Subject: SCP-8480-A <START RECORDING> SCP-8480-A is in the interrogation room, shaking their leg. Multiple fingers have gauze covering them. Dr. Weiss is sitting in a chair across from SCP-8480-A. The two sit in silence. SCP-8480-A: Will you just say something, or can I go? Dr. Weiss: I already told you: you can talk about anything you want, or we can sit in silence for the hour. I don't mind either way. Silence. SCP-8480-A: Ugh. I guess we can talk about… this. SCP-8480-A gestures at themselves. Dr. Weiss: What if we start easy? Do you remember the first time you bit your nails? SCP-8480-A: Does anybody? Dr. Weiss: You'd be surprised by what the mind remembers. SCP-8480-A: I remember the shame. The embarrassment. The pain. The countless adults telling me what an awful habit it was, the disgusting taste of the sprays that I ignored — my mind won't let me forget any of that. Dr. Weiss: It sounds like it was present throughout your life, then. Can you recall a time when it felt the worst? SCP-8480-A: I guess? I… okay, wait, I do remember that I was like, maybe seven or eight. I was in my bedroom, playing by myself, when I heard a loud slam. Like something had just crashed into the side of our house, into my wall, glass breaking — I ran out of my room to see what was happening. Dr. Weiss: What did you find? SCP-8480-A looks away. SCP-8480-A: I… I don't know. I remember blood. My mom. My dad. Not much else. I ran back into my room, slammed the door and locked it behind me; I saw my mom do it all the time. And then they started yelling at each other. Dr. Weiss: That sounds incredibly difficult to process. SCP-8480-A: Yeah. I just… I remember crying, and when my dad yelled through my wall to 'Shut up!', and I heard a lamp shatter from the other side, I started to hyperventilate an— and, then, uhh. Sorry. SCP-8480-A begins to chew on their knuckle, the skin red and raw. Dr. Weiss: It's okay. You don't have to keep going if you don— SCP-8480-A: I want to. Dr. Weiss: Okay. SCP-8480-A: You know when a kid is crying? Like that kind of disgusting, slobbery, unbound emotions that you don't know how to process yet, and it's just flying everywhere? And I was alone, trying to figure out why I was feeling bad, let alone why my dad yelled at me. I shouldn't have left my room, it was my fault. My head felt like it was filling up with oil, coating everything and just making it feel hopeless. My stomach was in knots— and again, he yelled at me. I screamed for help and then— SCP-8480-A exhales three times in quick succession. When they open their mouth, their lip is bloodied, the surface of the skin ripped apart. They do not notice, and continue biting on their knuckle. It has also begun to bleed, and bone is partially visible. Dr. Weiss does not intervene. SCP-8480-A: Sorry, I just… there's a reason I try and forget. I heard my mom scream, trying to stop him, but he didn't listen. I heard the heavy footsteps, the familiar sounds of my nightmares. I heard him try the door handle, shaking the frame, demanding that I unlock it. He was threatening to break it, knock it down, show me how to shut up and listen to my father, saying I was 'lucky' he didn't take my door away. Dr. Weiss: What did you do? SCP-8480-A: At first, I didn't know what to do; you know when you just have so many emotions, they need to come out? I started to freak out — I think it was a panic attack, thinking back to it… sorry, I'm… yeah. So my mind is screaming that I'm a failure, my dad is pounding on the door and I know I'm going to get in trouble and I— I bit my tongue. Not intentionally, just by accident. And… it helped. As the pain throbbed on my tongue, I felt the pain in my head go down. Turns out biting my nails, ripping at the edges of my fingers, it all helped. The piercing intensity of the hurt — I used it to focus. I centered myself around my pain, calmed myself through the overwhelming feelings; gives me… it helps me breathe. SCP-8480-A shakes their head. SCP-8480-A: I stopped crying after that. I learned what a mistake it was to be myself. I… that was the first time I remember me using pain to stop my… my mind, my anxiety, my everything. SCP-8480-A cries in silence, face neutral, with tears pouring down. They are struggling to focus; SCP-8480-A pinches the bandaged finger, flinching and regaining control of their breathing. Dr. Weiss: Are you okay? Do we need to take a break? SCP-8480-A: I… I don't know. <END RECORDING> Addendum 1: Symptomatic Progression SCP-8480-1 instances will experience a number of symptoms as the anomalous influence increases. The rate of progression is unknown, but movement between stages is believed to be linked to experiencing additional traumatic or stressful experiences. SCP-8480 infections can be grouped into the following stages: Stage 1: Onset Symptoms Case Study SCP-8480 can be contracted at any point before an individual's adolescence, with identified subjects having a median age of 9. While SCP-8480 infection is believed to be possible as early as 3 months, diagnosis is difficult due to the fact that infants lack teeth; instead common indicators are sucking on fingers, or otherwise gumming their limbs. Regardless of age, upon infection, all SCP-8480-1 instances begin to exhibit the following symptoms within 2-3 days of the inciting incident. Youngest recorded SCP-8480-1 instance, ~6 months old, exhibiting Stage 1's symptoms Instances will begin to experience low to moderate anxiety during the majority of their days, unless already at those levels. Instances will begin to feel the anxiety manifesting as light pains in the stomach, or head — commonly diagnosed as a 'tummy ache' or 'headache', given the subjects' ages. Instances will develop numerous maladaptive coping mechanisms, ranging from picking at skin, pulling their hair, and biting their fingernails. Subjects have stated that, of these, biting their nails provides the most 'relief'. Instances will begin to believe that there is something inherently wrong with them, that is unable to be fixed. It is unknown if this is a symptom, or a side-effect. While there are exceptions, SCP-8480-1 instances will move into Stage 2 within approximately 6 months to 1 year from initial onset. Therapist: Dr. Allyana Weiss Subject: SCP-8480-CA16 (Mikey, 7) Notes: SCP-8480-CA16 was recovered recently from a private daycare in Southern California. SCP-8480-CA16 displays symptoms typical of a Stage 1 infection. <START RECORDING> Dr. Weiss: How are you today, Mikey? Did you have fun in the group room earlier? SCP-8480-CA16 has their hand in their mouth, a slightly pink drool dripping down. SCP-8480-CA16: We played with Legos and I got to build a house, but then Stumpy ran over and knocked down my— Dr. Weiss: Stumpy? That's not a very nice thing to call somebody. Do you mean Jordan? SCP-8480-CA16: Nuh-uh, his name is Stumpy! That's what all the other kids say, and umm, they say that they're… they said my name was Stubs and it's not, it's Mikey! Dr. Weiss: I know that Mikey. You know, other kids only say that because they're scared like you are. SCP-8480-CA16 takes their hand out of their mouth. They have bitten their nail far enough that the skin is bleeding underneath. They begin to draw on the floor with their fingertip. SCP-8480-CA16: I want my mommy. Mommy didn't call me a scaredy-cat, she… Dr. Weiss: Mikey, you know you can't see your mother anymore. We've talked about thi— SCP-8480-CA16: I want to see her! Why won't you let me go home to my mommy? Dr. Weiss: Mikey, your mommy isn't safe. We want to help you, okay? Do you think you can just talk to me for a bit longer? Tell me about what you're drawing. SCP-8480-CA16 begins to bite their other fingers, but nods in assent. <END RECORDING> Stage 2: Stasis Symptoms Case Study SCP-8480-1 instances entering Stage 2 of SCP-8480 will continue to experience the same symptoms as above, as well as the following: SCP-8480 instance in Stage 2 receiving medical care; image discovered in Foundation archives. Instances will become dependent on their maladaptive coping mechanisms to regulate their emotions. Attempts to dissuade this behavior through medical, psychological, or therapeutic intervention have no impact. Instances will begin to further increase their reliance on onychophagia and dematophagia as the only consistent methods of regulating their emotional states; this often leads to SCP-8480-1 instances bleeding as a result. SCP-8480-1 instances are believed to be able to remain in this stage for an indefinite period, with SCP-8480-A being the oldest discovered instance, having transitioned into the third stage just prior to intake. For an SCP-8480-1 instance to move into Stage 3, they must experience a significant and prolonged period of stress, anxiety, and traumatic experiences. The exact trigger changes on an individual basis, and there is no way to predict what will trigger Stage 3. Therapist: Dr. Allyana Weiss Subject: SCP-8480-MD27 (Lana, 12) Notes: SCP-8480-MD27 was admitted to Site-80-P two years ago, following a report by their middle school teacher, after they began bleeding in class during 'Bring Your Parent to School Day'. SCP-8480-MD27 is a prototypical example of Stage 2. <START RECORDING> SCP-8480-MD27 sits on their bed in their containment chamber, curled in a fetal position. They rock themselves back and forth, as Dr. Weiss enters. SCP-8480-MD27: <Quietly.> God please if you can hear me, please fix me. Let me go home to my mom and dad, I can promise I'll be good again. Save me God, please I just… Dr. Weiss: Hey there, I'm Dr. Weiss and— Dr. Weiss pauses, as SCP-8480-MD27 does not respond. As Dr. Weiss approaches, SCP-8480-MD27 freezes. SCP-8480-MD27: Stop! No, please, no. Just — don't come any closer, please go away, I can't stop myself, please, please, please leave me alone. Please just… please don't, I— SCP-8480-MD27 begins to clutch their head while rocking, as they start to groan. Dr. Weiss: I know the pain hurts, I know it does. You know, other people like you bite their nails, do you— SCP-8480-MD27 stops groaning, and covers their mouth, hyperventilating. SCP-8480-MD27: I can't, no I can't, I can't bite, I— my dad— my daddy says that biting is dirty and that I'm going to make God sad. Why won't God stop crying? I asked Mrs. Sally in Sunday school, and she told me that the angels are always watching. Mrs. Sally said they hate sinners. I think the angels don't like me. Dr. Weiss: The angels don't like you? SCP-8480-MD27: They tell me that I'm a bad girl. I know it's a sin. That's what Mrs. Sally said, and my dad told me that when I bite my nails, I show the world how wrong and rotten I am. I want to stop bleeding. I want to be a good girl, I do. But the devil won't let me, he won't, he won't, he won't, he won't, he wants me to bleed. He tells me to be bad. He tells me that I… that I'm a monster. SCP-8480-MD27 rips a deep gouge into the skin off of their palm, blood pouring out, bone snapping through, their ligaments twitching. They begin to cry. SCP-8480-MD27: I'm sorry God, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm bad, I know, I know, I'm sorry, I… Dr. Weiss pauses, stepping away from the instance. They place a finger on their earpiece. Dr. Weiss: Could I get a medical team to MD27's containment chamber? <END RECORDING> Session #10 — Video Log Date: October 8th, 2023 Psychiatrist: Dr. Allyana Weiss Subject: SCP-8480-A <START RECORDING> Dr. Weiss: I hear you caused quite a stir in group today. SCP-8480-A: Ugh. You heard? Dr. Weiss: You started a feeding frenzy, you know that? SCP-8480-A: A what? Dr. Weiss: I know we've been working through your traumas, and I know that what you did helps your mental pain, but— SCP-8480-A: But what? Dr. Weiss: You can't bite your fingers in front of the kids. Silence. SCP-8480-A: This is bullshit — I didn't do anything wro— Dr. Weiss: Emily, that is enough. Listen to me. SCP-8480-A freezes. Their expression flashes to neutral, as blood begins to trickle out of the corner of their mouth. Dr. Weiss: You're the oldest one here and all the other kids look up to you, whether you like it or not, so we expect that you— SCP-8480-A: That I what? That I'm suddenly the magic miracle cure that everybody else needed? And if you can save just me, just special little me, then you can look like a big hero who saved a girl from biting her nails. You're going to have to force me to stop. I need the relief. SCP-8480-A grabs their head in pain, opening their mouth. Blood begins to freely flow, a large gouge missing from their bottom lip. They bite on their right thumb, as a crunch can be heard on the recording. SCP-8480-A: <Sighing in relief, as they chew on a chunk of flesh.> So— sorry. I just… Dr. Weiss: Emily, do you know what a maladaptive coping mechanism is? SCP-8480-A: I've heard the other doctors mention it, but they clam up when I ask questions. Dr. Weiss: Simply put, when anybody feels bad or stressed, we all want that feeling to stop. Whatever you do that helps relieve that pressure is a coping mechanism. SCP-8480-A: Like biting. Dr. Weiss: Exactly. However, the biting is what we call a maladaptive coping mechanism. What it means is that you were put in a very hard situation, underwent extreme trauma, and without a model of how to cope, you developed your own methods. Those methods, biting, ripping, chewing — those are temporary. SCP-8480-A: You… you don't get it. It's everywhere. Every second. Every moment. Every breath, every step, everything that I do in my entire life. I am always in pain. I am always terrified. I feel my fucking skin crawling back up my bones, like it's taunting me to rip it off again. It's wrong, and I… do you know why everybody has every finger bandaged? It's because we can't bear to look at them. We can't live in a world where our nails will always grow back. SCP-8480-A tightens their hands into fists, reopening wounds. Blood begins to seep through the gauze. SCP-8480-A: We feel like fucking monsters. Not because we 'eat our own fingers', not because you have us locked up in boxes, not even because some of the assholes you let work here say it to our faces. We feel like monsters because our body is wrong. We are wrong. And we're just trying to… trying to correct that. Trying to… Sorry. I just… I'm so fucking tired of feeling like this every day. Dr. Weiss reaches across, offering a tissue to SCP-8480-A. They refuse, wiping their tears with their bloodied hands, leaving streaks of red across their face. Dr. Weiss: You know the thing about maladaptive coping mechanisms? SCP-8480-A: Hmm? Dr. Weiss: The worst part is that they work. You're right, it does give you relief, and that's valid. But look at yourself, you are clearly very emotional just talking about it. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life like this? SCP-8480-A: Do I… Do I even have a choice? Dr. Weiss does not respond. <END RECORDING> Stage 3: Complete Infection Symptoms Case Study SCP-8480-1 instances that reach Stage 3 are unable to be helped beyond mitigation of symptoms and involuntary reduction of self-inflicted injuries. In Stage 3, all previous symptoms are heightened, ranging from moderate to severe levels, with the addition of the following anomalous effects: Cast of unidentified SCP-8480 instance, post-mortem, displaying missing digits. The skin and muscles in the fingers and hands of SCP-8480-1 instances will soften, becoming easier to rend. When an instance bites their finger, nailbeds or hand, SCP-8480 creates nerve-blockers and triggers the production of endorphins within the brain. This results in the reduction of pain felt by the instance, as said endorphins create a momentary sensation of pleasure. Subjects' teeth will harden, allowing them to bite through not only flesh, but bone as well. Instances will begin to exhibit enhanced cellular regeneration, causing an accelerated regeneration of tissue. Subjects will progress to compulsively consuming all flesh and fingernails surrounding the bones of their fingers. Due to their enhanced healing rates, this results in the subject continually requiring that they consume their own flesh, to avoid extreme emotional distress. Subjects universally express the fear that they are broken, and that they do not view themselves as human. This extends to losing a desire to eat anything other than their own body, be active, or engage in any activities. While research is underway to determine how SCP-8480 could be cured or neutralized, at this time, there is no cure for SCP-8480. An SCP-8480-1 instance will continue to experience these symptoms until total biological death. Therapist: Dr. Allyana Weiss Subject: SCP-8480-NY48 (Jordan, 15) Notes: SCP-8480-NY48 has been in Foundation containment for 8 years, and is one of the most advanced cases of SCP-8480 in containment. Subject was the primary example of Stage 3 symptoms prior to the location of SCP-8480-A. <START RECORDING> SCP-8480-NY48 is in a therapy room, restrained with leather straps. Dr. Weiss: How are you feeling Jordan? Ready to try again? SCP-8480-NY48: Let me move my arm again, and sure. Maybe. Dr. Weiss: I'm afraid we both know that we can't do that, Jordan. SCP-8480-NY48: I've changed, I'm better. I'm not a monster anymore. You can trust me. I've been here so long, please, I just want to go home. It's okay, I won't tell anybody, I won't even talk about you or this place. I'll just go home, play games with my friends and— Dr. Weiss: Jordan, you know it's not safe for you to leave. You're a danger to yourself, and going home will just make it worse. You will just hurt yourself again an— SCP-8480-NY48: You're hurting me. You are all hurting me. Look at me, really, fucking look at me. Is this helping? Do you really think that the two of us sitting together, talking, me telling you all about how mommy and daddy made me feel unloved and that's why I hate myself, do you think that makes me better? Dr. Weiss: Jordan, you have to want to be helpe— SCP-8480-NY48: I don't want to be helped! I'm fine, okay? No matter what you say, I know that I am not a monster, it's just that nothing helps but biting. It doesn't hurt. Just… please. Let me bite. I promise, I'll stop after one finger, I just need to feel it rip, to stop it from coming back. Please doc, please just let me out. Silence. Dr. Weiss: I'd like to talk about why biting helps you feel better, especially with last session, I felt that we were really getting somewhere. SCP-8480-NY48: You did? <Laughing.> I don't remember that. I remember you saying that we were finally talking about the important parts, but I was in so much pain, I don't even remember what I said. I made it up so that you would let me go, and then I could go back to my room and actually help myself. You know, with what actually works for me? Dr. Weiss: Jordan, I am not going to help you hurt yourself. We want to help you get better. SCP-8480-NY48: It's too late, we both know that. <END RECORDING> Addendum 2: SCP-8480-A Incident In the week following SCP-8480-A's last therapeutic session, they declined further treatment and refused to leave their room. During this time, SCP-8480-A rejected all food, and was seen chewing their nails at a significantly reduced rate. On October 17th, 2023, the following footage was captured. SCP-8480-A Containment Chamber — Security Footage Date: October 17th, 2023 Time: 21:46:00 Note: SCP-8480-A was the only individual present in the room during the time of recording. <START RECORDING> SCP-8480-A stands in their containment room, staring at themselves in a mirror. Their clothes are dirty, stained with blood; their hair hangs in a messy nest behind them. The lights are all off, and they are silent, panting, rhythmically chewing their index finger's knuckle, white bone visible. The bone scratches against their teeth, a constant grinding noise present throughout the video. Their eyes are blood-shot. SCP-8480-A: I feel like an idiot. Talking to yourself is what crazy people do. SCP-8480-A tears a chunk of their nail off, but spits it onto the ground. SCP-8480-A: Fuck. Not again. <Muttering.> Dr. Weiss said that it could be good. You know, talk to myself, have a conversation, maybe a bit of growth? Acceptance? SCP-8480-A snorts as they chew on their cheek. SCP-8480-A: When has talking ever fixed anything? When was the last time something other than biting worked? SCP-8480-A stares at their bloody stumps and misshapen fingers. They begin to pace their small chamber, shaking as they do. They slowly bring their hand closer to their mouth. SCP-8480-A: No. I… I can't change this. I don't want to. SCP-8480-A bites on their palm, ripping the skin up their thumb. SCP-8480-A: I know that it's wrong, I know that I could be healthier, and maybe even start working on being better but… SCP-8480-A chews, as blood leaks from the corner of their mouth. SCP-8480-A: But it's easy. It's easier to just keep biting. SCP-8480-A stares at a small pool of blood on the floor. They watch as blood runs down their hand, dripping into the pool. SCP-8480-A: It's safe. It's familiar. It's always worked, right? SCP-8480-A returns to slowly gnawing on their knuckle. SCP-8480-A: It makes me feel better. SCP-8480-A sneers. SCP-8480-A: Sure. But so did my bedroom. And the house. Fuck, even Dad used to feel safe. SCP-8480-A grasps their right wrist with their left hand. SCP-8480-A: Dad didn't know, he didn't mean it. SCP-8480-A manages to pull their right hand away from their mouth — sinews stretching and snapping as they do. SCP-8480-A: You don't know that. You can't know what goes on in the minds of monsters. SCP-8480-A attempts to bite their nails through their handwraps. SCP-8480-A: Stop. I don't have to listen to y— SCP-8480-A tries to hit their hand away. It doesn't work. SCP-8480-A: You do. You do need to listen to me. You know why? Because you're a fucking coward. You're a goddamn coward, and you're too scared to quit. Silence. Blood coats SCP-8480-A's mouth and hand now. SCP-8480-A: I bite because it makes me feel better. SCP-8480-A wipes their hand across the mirror, leaving a streak of blood. SCP-8480-A: You bite because it's easy. It's a fucking cop-out and you know it. SCP-8480-A closes their eyes, struggling, before they return to chewing on their hand, teeth crunching bone. SCP-8480-A: You think I like this? You think I like hurting every day, feeling like my skin is screaming to be ripped off, begging for the relief of death? You think anybody fucking enjoys what I put myself through, just to be able to focus for a single minute? You know why we don't eat anything but ourselves? We don't want to. We're always full. SCP-8480-A cries, their tears mixing with the blood on their face. SCP-8480-A: So? If you don't like it, just stop. SCP-8480-A continues chewing. SCP-8480-A: You know this, I can't stop or the pain will— SCP-8480-A slows down, before ceasing to chew their knuckle. They drop it to their side, hanging limply. Silence. SCP-8480-A: Nothing I do will stop it. SCP-8480-A stares at their hand, seeing the bandages stained dark red. SCP-8480-A: How can you be sure? SCP-8480-A stares at the mirror for the next minute in silence. They do not move their hands. SCP-8480-A: Maybe… Maybe I can't know. SCP-8480-A smiles. SCP-8480-A: Exactly. So? The smile disappears. SCP-8480-A: It doesn't change the fact that I'm a monster. SCP-8480-A raises their hand, as if to bite, chewing on the frayed edges of the gauze. SCP-8480-A: We are not a monster. We are not broken. SCP-8480-A spits a strand of bloodied gauze onto the mirror. SCP-8480-A: Are you joking? I'm a monster. I've known this since I was young, you've known it since you were young. We're both a fucking monster, and we can't keep denying it. SCP-8480-A balls what remains of their fists, blood trickling out. SCP-8480-A: Aren't you tired of being a monster? Have you considered that, just maybe, we're not a monster? That it's just somebody else's hateful words, other people's insults, a voice in our head that was was forced on us, driven in when they hurt us. A lie. SCP-8480-A grabs at their chest, bunching their gown in their fist. They wince. SCP-8480-A: But I feel it in my fucking soul! I know I'm a monster. SCP-8480-A shakes their head. SCP-8480-A: What if that's a lie? Would you really deny us that? Deny the chance to grow, to heal, to start moving on? Can you truly deny the fact that we are human, not a monster? SCP-8480-A freezes. SCP-8480-A: I'm not denying anythi— SCP-8480-A sneers. SCP-8480-A: You deny it every time you take a bite. Each time you swallow an ounce of flesh. Each nail, each bone shard, each bite of us that 'frees us'? That's denial. You are just playing the monster. SCP-8480-A throws their hands to their sides, palms facing the mirror. The skin is in a state of mid-healing, torn skin covering itself. SCP-8480-A: So? What the fuck am I supposed to do? SCP-8480-A shrugs. SCP-8480-A: What if we didn't bite our fingers? SCP-8480-A rolls their eyes. SCP-8480-A: Sure, right. You say that like it won't drive me insane with the pain. SCP-8480-A glares at the mirror, shaking as they try to calm their breathing. It is unsuccessful. SCP-8480-A: Will you just shut the fuck up and listen to me for a second? SCP-8480-A: <Silence.> SCP-8480-A: Weiss is right. She tells you all the time, we are stronger than we think. Look at our lives. Our family. Our parents. The shit we went through? But we survived. We made it. We— SCP-8480-A: We're stronger than this. SCP-8480-A stares at the knuckle bone peeking through their skin. SCP-8480-A: We have spent years running from this, hiding in every blood drop, delving deeper and deeper into the twisted knots of flesh that grow back, chasing after a dream of 'normalcy.' The people around us, our 'family', the doctors here — they cast us as the monster. SCP-8480-A begins to hyperventilate. SCP-8480-A: I can't— SCP-8480-A: You're right. To them, we will always be a fucking monster. Who else would cause that much suffering, just to stop a little headache? SCP-8480-A snorts. SCP-8480-A: Okay, so? What do you suggest we do? SCP-8480-A turns, looking at their own eyes in the mirror. SCP-8480-A: We move on. We start to heal. It's not like we're fixed but… if we own this, if we make it part of us, if we weaponize it? Slowly, but surely — we can start getting better. SCP-8480-A: You… you think so? SCP-8480-A: It's not going to change overnight, but… is this working? Is this all we are? We're more than just blood, flesh, bone, the pain — we are Emily. It has always been a part of us. The monster inside, the victim, the thing that they have feared for fucking years. They have always been afraid of us. So? Fuck them. We live, we survive — in spite of them. We fucking try. Why did we ever listen to them? There is no one way to be fucking normal, normal is a myth. There is no monster, there never was. SCP-8480-A looks down, and sees the pool of blood they stand in. They shiver. SCP-8480-A: But they will always see a monster. SCP-8480-A returns their gaze to the mirror, staring at themselves intensely. SCP-8480-A: So? Let them see a monster. Who cares if we never change their minds, we know the truth; we are no more monstrous than they are. <END RECORDING> Immediately following Incident SCP-8480-A, the anomaly sat in silence on their bed, staring at their hands. SCP-8480-A's hands visibly swelled, especially on each finger; SCP-8480-A appeared to be smiling as they did. One hour later, the subject began to rip at their hand dressings, removing them and throwing the torn gauze on the floor. The subject's hands appeared red and raw, however; beginning at the first knuckle — a black chitinous growth had erupted through the skin, covering it in totality, terminating in a sharp, jagged point. SCP-8480-A expressed glee in reaction, flexing their newly grown anomalous appendages. Moments later, the feed from their cell was lost, as SCP-8480-A utilized their anomalous mutations to escape containment, injuring three Foundation security members in the process. As of October 17th, 2024, they are still missing and considered a threat to safety and normalcy; their neutralization is considered high priority. Addendum 4: Updated SCP-8480 File Following SCP-8480-A's breach of containment, the file was revised to include updated containment procedures, and to include a new stage of SCP-8480's progression. Stage 4: Reclamation Symptoms Case Study An SCP-8480-1 instance is believed to enter Stage 4 following a period of extended self-reflection. This progression is believed to be triggered by the acceptance of the instance's past traumas that caused the initial onset, and only occurs when subjects cease constant consumption of their fingernails and surrounding tissues. In Stage 4, the subject will exhibit the following symptoms: Scratches left by SCP-8480-A, Stage 4. Adult hand for scale. SCP-8480-1 instances will cease to feel any pain; it is unknown if this is physiological or psychological. Instances will experience decreased anxiety levels, reduced to minor or negligible. It is unknown whether this is anomalous or not. While SCP-8480-1 instances in Stage 4 do not experience compulsive onychophagia and dematophagia, subjects still exhibit alternative maladaptive coping mechanisms, alongside other signs of psychological distress. Subjects will develop black chitinous growths in place of their fingernails, each one capable of shearing through metal, stone and organic material. Subjects exhibit increased strength, endurance, and a heightened metabolism. Subjects also display significantly heightened hostility towards Foundation staff, and refuse containment. Due to the difficulty in containing SCP-8480-1 instances that reach Stage 4, and the potential threat they pose to normalcy, containment procedures have been revised in full. Based on the newly discovered information, all earlier treatments are paused indefinitely. For Case Study, refer to associated documentation regarding SCP-8480-A. All future research or experiments regarding SCP-8480's progression are to be directly approved by the Director of Site-80-P, Dr. Allyana Weiss. Under no circumstances should additional instances be allowed to progress to this stage. Updated Special Containment Procedures: All SCP-8480-1 instances are to be isolated and contained within Site-80-P, under the guise of prolonged psychiatric care. Bandages, gauze, splints and casts are only to be issued to instances on request. Any potential SCP-8480-1 instance is to be placed in a simulated traumatic experience after identification, unbeknownst to them or their guardians. If symptoms progress following the traumatic incident, the instance is taken into Foundation custody. Under no circumstances are any Foundation staff to provide counselling, support, or mental health treatment for SCP-8480-1 instances. They are no longer prevented from maladaptive auto-cannibalism, as their self-inflicted consumption appears to prevent progression to Stage 4. As a result, SCP-8480-1 instances only require food and water once monthly, and are to remain in solitary confinement at all other times, in perpetuity. SCP-8480-A is to be neutralized on sight, with their remains returned to Site-80-P for further research. « SCP-8479 | SCP-8480 | SCP-8481 » Automatonophobia Anthology 2024 Kenophobia ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8480" by Queerious, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8480. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: 17968_lores_edit.jpg Author: CDC License: Public Domain Source Link: https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=17968 Additional Notes: Image was modified and cropped. Filename: 16346_lores_crop.jpg Author: CDC License: Public Domain Source Link: https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=16346 Additional Notes: Image was cropped. 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SCP-8484 | archon | If I could tell you something incessantly, it would be, "I love you." Not because I'm afraid you'll forget, but because when the time comes for you to depart, your final memory is full of a truth truer than the universe's constants. close Info X ⚠️ Content Warning: Extreme Violence Suicide Loss Extreme Portrayals of Death Estimated Reading Time: ~2 hours, the length of a novella. Genres: Fantasy Tragedy Horror Mystery Espionage Politics Draft Critters: Henry, Kate, Loubee, Spacestealth, Tommy, YourBloodFox Idea Critters: Ama Strovik, Bhomas Tourget, Nonaggress Author Note: I had the idea simmering in my head since October of 2023. Then, when 8K was announced, I scrambled to put my garbled thoughts onto paper. Amidst my university semester, my Model UN conferences, club meetings, other writing competitions, and midterms stabbing me in the face, this is what I procured. I hope you enjoy. ⚠️ content warning WARNING The following documentation includes information only RAISA personnel and O5 councilors are permitted to view. If you hold insufficient clearance, log out immediately and await security personnel. Greetings, Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu Your randomized passcode today is: 1039321RAZOR Item#: SCP-8484 Level3 Secondary Class: archon Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: danger link to memo THREAT LEVEL: ORANGE Special Containment Procedures: Activities and communications related to SCP-8484 are to be monitored by MTF Epsilon-66 "Wiretap" in cooperation with RAISA. Rituals performed by any necromancers related to and outside of SCP-8484 must be intercepted immediately by MTF Psi-8 "The Silencers." Expeditions into SCP-8484 are unfeasible due to foreign complications. Description: SCP-8484 refers to a five-story ziggurat structure approximately 1.5 kilometers east of Mesopotamos, Greece. SCP-8484 has been cordoned off by GOC personnel under the guise of Hellenic Armed Forces, prohibiting entry within a 1 km radius. SCP-8484 is the Global Occult Coalition's headquarters for Acheron, an initiative specialized in necromancy1 and reanimation mageia2 that incorporates thaumatology and symbolism from Greek mythology. As a result, they are able to access information from otherwise unavailable sources which has been used to interrupt allied and Foundation operations (see addendum 8484-2). Overheard recounts proclaim SCP-8484's internal structure is configurated into a prison, designed to forcefully confine deceased spirits and employ various torture techniques.3 Even with Acheron's blatant injustice, the UN Undersecretariat D.C. al Fine has insisted on its continuation despite objections from even the Coalition's own legislative body, the Council of 108 (see addendum 8484-1). This has strained Foundation-Coalition relations, and Foundation diplomats are working on diplomatic resolutions. Addendum 8484-1: The following is a transcript, retrieved by covert Foundation agents, of one of the Council of 108 (C108) meetings relating to the ethical permissibility of Acheron. RECORDED MEETING LOG Time and Date: 1433 EST; 26/06/2019 Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Undersecretary, our goal is to mitigate, not instigate. D.C. al Fine: Digressing again, are we, your illuminance? Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Absolutely not. I see no reason not to open this discussion now. D.C. al Fine: And I see no relevance between Acheron and bioethics. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Have you not heard the rumors, ma'am? Slaughtering the slaughtered? A period of tranquility instilled with pain by your orders? How do you justify yourself? D.C. al Fine: You said it yourself, your illuminance. They are rumors. Laytalk. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Yet you seem oddly silent rather than eager to dispel them. Acheron goes against everything this Coalition stands for. Your adamance only shows how tight your fist is around our throats. D.C. al Fine: Leonardo, I will remove you if you attempt to deviate from the discussion again. The Bavarian Illuminati Delegate stammers, his face blanched. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: What? D.C. al Fine: This moderated caucus has limited speaking time and a set discussion topic. You are out of line. The next time you want to speak about Acheron, I suggest you raise your hand after drafting a sufficiently destructive motion. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: How do you know my name? D.C. al Fine: Otherwise, there won't be a next time. D.C. al Fine has been suspected by both Foundation intelligence and C108 members of using Acheron to obtain private information of political rivals without consent. Addendum 8484-2: The conversation below follows two GOC members planning a deliberate attack on a Foundation Containment Team transporting an SCP. The conversation was intercepted by MTF Epsilon-66 at SCP-8484's inner cordon using equipment from Project VOIDSEEKER. [BEGIN RECORDING] The audio is slightly muffled due to spatial disturbances. There is the soft sound of crashing waves, predicted to be a subterranean lake. Research Director Azrael Silver: What's the spiel? Agent Leon Periklis: Weapons transfer. Twelve men, two cars, six each, one with the payload. Tomorrow, Montana, 0500 local time. I have a Strike Team on-site right now. Research Director Azrael Silver: This is verifiable? Agent Leon Periklis: Yes, sir. We got it from the MTF Captain. Research Director Azrael Silver: Soothsayer? Agent Leon Periklis: Pilgrim as well. His body was still fresh when we brought it into Acheron. About four days after expiration, so memory is fairly intact. Research Director Azrael Silver: How'd you manage that with the Pilgrims? Agent Leon Periklis: Turns out that asking for a spirit's permission is optional. They summoned him like that. Leon snaps his fingers. Agent Leon Periklis: His screams were weirder than most, but they were genuine. It was Limb Mangling done at the highest level five times, so confidence is high. Research Director Azrael Silver: Good. Deploy your team. But keep the Captain's family until after the op. Ensure he understands that if this is a trap, it's his loss, not mine. Agent Leon Periklis: And, sir, Assistant Director Tilade requests at least one live prisoner. It's for interrogation. Azrael Silver scoffs. Research Director Azrael Silver: We don't need them alive to make them talk. [RECORDING STOPPED] The purpose of the planned attack was to embezzle an anomalous weapon under Foundation property to expand the GOC's arsenal. It was carried out approximately two minutes after the recorded conversation. MTF Nu-7 "Hammer Down" arrived at the scene approximately eight minutes after the Containment Team requested reinforcements. Unfortunately, the vehicle responsible for transporting the SCP was already stolen, likely airlifted. Due to recent GOC incursions being related to Acheron and SCP-8484, MTF Psi-8 was given plausible cause to search the scene for members of the Containment Team to investigate if necromantic rituals or traces of reanimation were conducted. No survivors or corpses were retrieved. Addendum 8484-Z: LEVEL-5 CLEARANCE REQUIRED; INPUT PASSCODE? ACCESS GRANTED Greetings, Due to the lack of attention paid to this particular file, the two aforementioned pieces of evidence are convincing enough. Do not take unnecessary risks appending additional information here. Divert attention to Acheron's political and diplomatic fallout. This document should be simply kept as a reference. Let the noise blur everything out. Nonetheless, if you believe the evidence you've procured is urgent and you have thoroughly deliberated your choices, I suggest ghost-booking an appointment with me immediately. Use extension 919302241274 on your burner. Yes, it's nine digits more than your regular extension number. —RAISA Director Shaw Clay TEXTUAL CHANNEL ESTABLISHED YOU HAVE REACHED EXTENSION 919302241274 RAISA Director Shaw Clay Status. Did you retrieve the leak? Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu Supposedly. But it was too easy. RAISA Director Shaw Clay To find it? Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu No. We didn't need to find anything. It practically fell onto our lap. RAISA Director Shaw Clay Elaborate. Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu This isn't a leak. It's an announcement. Access SCiPNET Email? One (1) new message! Alibis are expensive To: You From: VÉRITÉ Subject: The Lapse WARNING: The following documents do not have valid RAISA serial codes. Stay vigilant. ► OPEN DOCUMENT 1: THE_LAPSE.pdf ◀ ► OPEN DOCUMENT 2: NT_0080_Templum.pdf ◀ ► OPEN DOCUMENT 3: VERITE.pdf (UPDATED!) ◀ Footnotes 1. Also known as "nekyia." A paranormal field that questions ghosts and/or spirits about the past and future. 2. Also known as "modern necromancy." Involves the revival of physical corpses devoid of the host's spirit. 3. This includes threatening the termination of the subject's family and/or spouse, experimentation regimen aimed to optimize pain in spirits, and intentionally repeating faulty summonings, leaving spirits mangled when called upon. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8484" by Calico, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8484. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Acheron Exterior Wall Author: Jackson, Thomas Graham, Sir, 1835-1924 License: CC0 1.0 DEED Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gothic_architecture_in_France,_England,_and_Italy_(1915)_(14758671786).jpg Filename: Acheron First Rendition Author: Sebastian Münster License: CC0 1.0 DEED Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Narsinga_(a_view,_1588.jpg Filename: goc.png Author: Navla License: CC BY SA 3.0 Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork Filename: Orpheus and Eurydice Author: Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot License: CC0 1.0 DEED Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-Baptiste-Camille_Corot_-_Orpheus_Leading_Eurydice_from_the_Underworld_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg Filename: wpo.png Author: @KonumaTaKaki License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://twitter.com/konumatakaki/status/1222742614941659136?s=21 Twitter Additional Notes: Image edited by LORDXVNV Filename: before.jpg Author: Calico License: CC BY SA 3.0 Filename: after.jpg Author: Calico License: CC BY SA 3.0 |
SCP-8484 | uncontained | If I could tell you something incessantly, it would be, "I love you." Not because I'm afraid you'll forget, but because when the time comes for you to depart, your final memory is full of a truth truer than the universe's constants. close Info X ⚠️ Content Warning: Extreme Violence Suicide Loss Extreme Portrayals of Death Estimated Reading Time: ~2 hours, the length of a novella. Genres: Fantasy Tragedy Horror Mystery Espionage Politics Draft Critters: Henry, Kate, Loubee, Spacestealth, Tommy, YourBloodFox Idea Critters: Ama Strovik, Bhomas Tourget, Nonaggress Author Note: I had the idea simmering in my head since October of 2023. Then, when 8K was announced, I scrambled to put my garbled thoughts onto paper. Amidst my university semester, my Model UN conferences, club meetings, other writing competitions, and midterms stabbing me in the face, this is what I procured. I hope you enjoy. ⚠️ content warning WARNING The following documentation includes information only RAISA personnel and O5 councilors are permitted to view. If you hold insufficient clearance, log out immediately and await security personnel. Greetings, Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu Your randomized passcode today is: 1039321RAZOR Item#: SCP-8484 Level3 Secondary Class: archon Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: danger link to memo THREAT LEVEL: ORANGE Special Containment Procedures: Activities and communications related to SCP-8484 are to be monitored by MTF Epsilon-66 "Wiretap" in cooperation with RAISA. Rituals performed by any necromancers related to and outside of SCP-8484 must be intercepted immediately by MTF Psi-8 "The Silencers." Expeditions into SCP-8484 are unfeasible due to foreign complications. Description: SCP-8484 refers to a five-story ziggurat structure approximately 1.5 kilometers east of Mesopotamos, Greece. SCP-8484 has been cordoned off by GOC personnel under the guise of Hellenic Armed Forces, prohibiting entry within a 1 km radius. SCP-8484 is the Global Occult Coalition's headquarters for Acheron, an initiative specialized in necromancy1 and reanimation mageia2 that incorporates thaumatology and symbolism from Greek mythology. As a result, they are able to access information from otherwise unavailable sources which has been used to interrupt allied and Foundation operations (see addendum 8484-2). Overheard recounts proclaim SCP-8484's internal structure is configurated into a prison, designed to forcefully confine deceased spirits and employ various torture techniques.3 Even with Acheron's blatant injustice, the UN Undersecretariat D.C. al Fine has insisted on its continuation despite objections from even the Coalition's own legislative body, the Council of 108 (see addendum 8484-1). This has strained Foundation-Coalition relations, and Foundation diplomats are working on diplomatic resolutions. Addendum 8484-1: The following is a transcript, retrieved by covert Foundation agents, of one of the Council of 108 (C108) meetings relating to the ethical permissibility of Acheron. RECORDED MEETING LOG Time and Date: 1433 EST; 26/06/2019 Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Undersecretary, our goal is to mitigate, not instigate. D.C. al Fine: Digressing again, are we, your illuminance? Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Absolutely not. I see no reason not to open this discussion now. D.C. al Fine: And I see no relevance between Acheron and bioethics. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Have you not heard the rumors, ma'am? Slaughtering the slaughtered? A period of tranquility instilled with pain by your orders? How do you justify yourself? D.C. al Fine: You said it yourself, your illuminance. They are rumors. Laytalk. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: Yet you seem oddly silent rather than eager to dispel them. Acheron goes against everything this Coalition stands for. Your adamance only shows how tight your fist is around our throats. D.C. al Fine: Leonardo, I will remove you if you attempt to deviate from the discussion again. The Bavarian Illuminati Delegate stammers, his face blanched. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: What? D.C. al Fine: This moderated caucus has limited speaking time and a set discussion topic. You are out of line. The next time you want to speak about Acheron, I suggest you raise your hand after drafting a sufficiently destructive motion. Bavarian Illuminati Delegate: How do you know my name? D.C. al Fine: Otherwise, there won't be a next time. D.C. al Fine has been suspected by both Foundation intelligence and C108 members of using Acheron to obtain private information of political rivals without consent. Addendum 8484-2: The conversation below follows two GOC members planning a deliberate attack on a Foundation Containment Team transporting an SCP. The conversation was intercepted by MTF Epsilon-66 at SCP-8484's inner cordon using equipment from Project VOIDSEEKER. [BEGIN RECORDING] The audio is slightly muffled due to spatial disturbances. There is the soft sound of crashing waves, predicted to be a subterranean lake. Research Director Azrael Silver: What's the spiel? Agent Leon Periklis: Weapons transfer. Twelve men, two cars, six each, one with the payload. Tomorrow, Montana, 0500 local time. I have a Strike Team on-site right now. Research Director Azrael Silver: This is verifiable? Agent Leon Periklis: Yes, sir. We got it from the MTF Captain. Research Director Azrael Silver: Soothsayer? Agent Leon Periklis: Pilgrim as well. His body was still fresh when we brought it into Acheron. About four days after expiration, so memory is fairly intact. Research Director Azrael Silver: How'd you manage that with the Pilgrims? Agent Leon Periklis: Turns out that asking for a spirit's permission is optional. They summoned him like that. Leon snaps his fingers. Agent Leon Periklis: His screams were weirder than most, but they were genuine. It was Limb Mangling done at the highest level five times, so confidence is high. Research Director Azrael Silver: Good. Deploy your team. But keep the Captain's family until after the op. Ensure he understands that if this is a trap, it's his loss, not mine. Agent Leon Periklis: And, sir, Assistant Director Tilade requests at least one live prisoner. It's for interrogation. Azrael Silver scoffs. Research Director Azrael Silver: We don't need them alive to make them talk. [RECORDING STOPPED] The purpose of the planned attack was to embezzle an anomalous weapon under Foundation property to expand the GOC's arsenal. It was carried out approximately two minutes after the recorded conversation. MTF Nu-7 "Hammer Down" arrived at the scene approximately eight minutes after the Containment Team requested reinforcements. Unfortunately, the vehicle responsible for transporting the SCP was already stolen, likely airlifted. Due to recent GOC incursions being related to Acheron and SCP-8484, MTF Psi-8 was given plausible cause to search the scene for members of the Containment Team to investigate if necromantic rituals or traces of reanimation were conducted. No survivors or corpses were retrieved. Addendum 8484-Z: LEVEL-5 CLEARANCE REQUIRED; INPUT PASSCODE? ACCESS GRANTED Greetings, Due to the lack of attention paid to this particular file, the two aforementioned pieces of evidence are convincing enough. Do not take unnecessary risks appending additional information here. Divert attention to Acheron's political and diplomatic fallout. This document should be simply kept as a reference. Let the noise blur everything out. Nonetheless, if you believe the evidence you've procured is urgent and you have thoroughly deliberated your choices, I suggest ghost-booking an appointment with me immediately. Use extension 919302241274 on your burner. Yes, it's nine digits more than your regular extension number. —RAISA Director Shaw Clay TEXTUAL CHANNEL ESTABLISHED YOU HAVE REACHED EXTENSION 919302241274 RAISA Director Shaw Clay Status. Did you retrieve the leak? Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu Supposedly. But it was too easy. RAISA Director Shaw Clay To find it? Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu No. We didn't need to find anything. It practically fell onto our lap. RAISA Director Shaw Clay Elaborate. Supervisor Kinsey Aishatu This isn't a leak. It's an announcement. Access SCiPNET Email? One (1) new message! Alibis are expensive To: You From: VÉRITÉ Subject: The Lapse WARNING: The following documents do not have valid RAISA serial codes. Stay vigilant. ► OPEN DOCUMENT 1: THE_LAPSE.pdf ◀ ► OPEN DOCUMENT 2: NT_0080_Templum.pdf ◀ ► OPEN DOCUMENT 3: VERITE.pdf (UPDATED!) ◀ Footnotes 1. Also known as "nekyia." A paranormal field that questions ghosts and/or spirits about the past and future. 2. Also known as "modern necromancy." Involves the revival of physical corpses devoid of the host's spirit. 3. This includes threatening the termination of the subject's family and/or spouse, experimentation regimen aimed to optimize pain in spirits, and intentionally repeating faulty summonings, leaving spirits mangled when called upon. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8484" by Calico, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8484. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Acheron Exterior Wall Author: Jackson, Thomas Graham, Sir, 1835-1924 License: CC0 1.0 DEED Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gothic_architecture_in_France,_England,_and_Italy_(1915)_(14758671786).jpg Filename: Acheron First Rendition Author: Sebastian Münster License: CC0 1.0 DEED Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Narsinga_(a_view,_1588.jpg Filename: goc.png Author: Navla License: CC BY SA 3.0 Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork Filename: Orpheus and Eurydice Author: Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot License: CC0 1.0 DEED Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-Baptiste-Camille_Corot_-_Orpheus_Leading_Eurydice_from_the_Underworld_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg Filename: wpo.png Author: @KonumaTaKaki License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://twitter.com/konumatakaki/status/1222742614941659136?s=21 Twitter Additional Notes: Image edited by LORDXVNV Filename: before.jpg Author: Calico License: CC BY SA 3.0 Filename: after.jpg Author: Calico License: CC BY SA 3.0 |
SCP-8485 | euclid | Item #: SCP-8485 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8485 is housed in a standard small creature containment chamber at Site-22. Personnel stationed within 500 meters of SCP-8485's containment chamber are granted headphones, developed to counteract the frequency emitted from SCP-8485. Construction efforts should coincide with periods of increased vocal activity by SCP-8485 whenever possible. Should SCP-8485's noise levels surpass the pre-recorded standard, personnel are to be temporarily evacuated as to not disrupt active workflow. Medical leave is to be granted if personnel report lasting bouts of tinnitus as to avoid permanent damage to hearing. Description: SCP-8485 is a collective of 293 small globular organisms, comprised entirely of a fruity flesh, which is sweet and delectable in taste once minced. SCP-8485 is hyperaware at all times, remaining vigilant during movement and observing its immediate surroundings without interruption. Throughout its containment, SCP-8485 has not yet gone dormant. SCP-8485 has attempted to garner constant human attention, continuously vocalizing upwards of 125 decibel since their discovery.1 Addendum SCP-8485-A: Procedural and Containment Request History Request Response Automatic feeding and watering system to sustain SCP-8485. Approved2 Soundproofing of SCP-8485's containment cell. Denied3 Muzzling of SCP-8485. Approved Denied4 Monthly hearing health check-ups and paid leave for affected personnel. Approved Physical maintenance of automatic feeding system.5 Denied6 Physical check-up on SCP-8485, as last check-up occured over 12 years ago. Temporary spike in volume recorded. Denied7 Physical check-up on SCP-8485 due to vocalizations having subsided. Denied Physical check-up on SCP-8485 due to unusually sweet scent emitting from its containment chamber. Denied Physical check-up on SCP-8485 as damage to the containment unit has been observed. Approved Addendum SCP-8485-B: Physical Check-Up Following unusual activity and a complete malfunction of the automatic feeder system, a physical check-up was conducted. Remnants of SCP-8485 were spread throughout the chamber, with the containment chamber's walls having been stained a rich purple color. Scratch marks identical to prior observed damage to the feeding system were discovered on the inside of the chamber. A rotten smell perforated throughout the containment unit. Neutralization was presumed; however faint whimpering continued to originate from leftover offal congruent with SCP-8485's anatomy. Footnotes 1. Sounds have ranged from baby crying, cooing and in one recorded instance belligerent screaming. 2. Employee health concerns would be addressed. 3. Construction crew would suffer permanent hearing loss. 4. Ethics Committee Intervention. 5. Background is a recorded temporary blockage of the duct. Minor damage to the metal has been observed. 6. The issue was able to be fixed remotely through an installed piston to clear anything trapped in the duct. Heavy thump confirmed clearance. 7. SCP-8485's vocalizations have started to consistently decrease in volume. The spike in volume is attributed to SCP-8485 attempting screaming to garner attention. Behavior is not to be encouraged. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8485" by Not Noodles, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8485. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-8488 | archon | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-8488 “Make Any Day Your Birthday!” by: Mew-ltiverse and DianaBerry Read more of my stuff read more of Diana’s stuff Item #: SCP-8488 A still from SCP-8488. Special Containment Procedures: Due to the nature of SCP-8488, full containment has been deemed unnecessary. Individuals that show awareness of SCP-8488's effects are to be tracked down and provided amnestics in order to accelerate acceptance of consensus reality. Posts about SCP-8488's effects are only to be removed if they threaten SCP-8488's public status as non-anomalous. Description: SCP-8488 refers to an advertisement utilizing the children’s entertainment mascot ‘Birthday Bash’. The Birthday Bash brand includes a toy line, a television series, a movie, a children’s birthday party mascot service, and other products and services themed after the character. No other products or services besides SCP-8488 featuring Birthday Bash have been deemed anomalous. SCP-8488 depicts the titular character setting up a birthday party in a blue room with colorful presents. About five seconds before the advertisement ends, the words ‘Make any day your birthday with Birthday Bash!’ appear on the screen. After a subject has viewed SCP-8488, the chronological and legal date of their birthday will change to that of a date that appears to be more satisfactory to that individual for a variety of reasons. SCP-8488 will not change the year of a subject's birthday, only the month and day. The memories of the subject and any person who previously knew their birthday will be altered to fit the new date. External evidence such as legal documents, pictures, dates, calendars, messages, etc, will also be altered. Any attempts to reverse the effects of SCP-8488 have been proven ineffective. SCP-8488 does not change the birthday of everyone who views it. It is unknown what are the criteria for SCP-8488’s effects to take place. A small portion of the population has been found to remember a timeline before SCP-8488's effects took place. The anomalous effects were tied to SCP-8488 after a handful of anecdotes all mentioned the affected subjects had viewed the Birthday Bash advertisement. This was confirmed after Foundation employee Bebe Sparks gave her testimony of the anomaly. See addendum for more information. Addendum: Testimonies Due to the nature of SCP-8488 altering the memory and any external evidence of the subject and those around them, it has been found to be extremely difficult to track cases of SCP-8488. However, the Foundation has located enough testimonies to prove the anomalous effects of SCP-8488 written by individuals who are theorized to be cognitohazard-resistant. The following testimonies are taken from various sources. Source: Reddit.com forum Person affected: Yasu Hada Testimony by: Yasu Hada Birthday: 06/28/2000 Testimony: The following testimony was posted to the subreddit "r/offmychest". The post was titled "I may have deluded that my birthday was different than it actually was for several years" This is all really strange to me, and sorry if it doesn't make much sense but I just had to put this somewhere. For like,, a really really long time I thought my birthday was March 13th. This was awesome to me, because it's the same birthday as my best friend at the time. Like, lol! This was great! Teachers and friends always associated us for being the best friends with the same birthday. But good times didn’t last. As we both got older, I began to notice behaviors from them that kinda upset me. Being more demanding or less accepting of mistakes, criticizing me for harmless opinions I had. I started to feel inferior. If I didn’t align to their exact interests, opinions, didn’t start hanging out with their new friends, then I didn’t matter. I felt like the person I was began to slip away. We began to drift apart over time, and I was really sad? We had been friends since early high school. I’d known them for so long. But the time away from them, the time I spent with new friends, it all made me realize I was much happier. I didn’t feel the need to conform. They were happy with me for who I am! Just every time my birthday came around, it became hard for me to really be happy about it. It was just a reminder of the friendship that had slowly deteriorated and became bad for me. This all really culminated again when I saw this advertisement for Birthday Bash, the children’s birthday party mascot. It was stupid but it made me think about my birthday and I just cried. I had my birthday just a few months earlier and it was fine, but it just hit me that my birthday would always be this sore spot… But that’s when things started getting weird? The 28th of June came, and everyone started wishing me happy birthday, my friends and family. I was super confused? Like, I thought maybe one of my friends told my family about this elaborate joke or whatever. Since June 28th is the birthday of one of my favorite fictional characters, like maybe they wanted to help me feel better or something. But I checked calendars and my driver's license and stuff, this has always been my birthday. None of my friends or family recalled my birthday being on March 13th either. I’m gonna talk with my therapist about this. My mom said it’s possible that it was a mental health crisis. I’m really confused by also just, really happy? The ex friend I’m talking about did post recently about feeling better off now that they’ve left toxic baggage behind, which really stung, seeing them refer to ME as the toxic one. Maybe that’s what made this all come to fruition. Since my friends all helped me feel much better when I vented to them about it. This is strange and yeah, but I’m happy I actually share a birthday with a character I really like, and not this toxic ex friend. Regardless of what happened, I feel free. Source: Facebook.com Person affected: Rosie Ray Miles Testimony by: Rosie Ray Miles Birthday: 12/13/1998 Testimony: The following posts were posted to the website Facebook.com. Um hey everyone! Thank you for the birthday wishes, but my birthday isn't until June! I wish it was today because I've always wanted a winter birthday because it's the season I associate with my mother. But it's not today! Okay so apparently I'm remembering my own birthday wrong? Legally everything says today is my birthday, so I guess y'all were right! Thanks, everyone! I’m sure my mom would be making me her special hot chocolate for my birthday like she did for every holiday. My mama passing was really hard for me. I did everything with her. And she did her best to make every birthday special. My birthday being close to the holidays helps me feel closer to her than ever. I guess that ad that I saw was right 😊☕️🍫 Source: Facebook.com Person affected: Matthew Gibbons Testimony by: Sophia Gibbons Birthday: 07/19/1994 Testimony: The following testimony was posted to the private Facebook group “Toxic Family Recovery”. Hi everyone! So, as I’ve said a few times, my dad was one of those parents that showed clear favoritism. He always wanted a daughter. And that daughter was me! He however, did not want a son, and was rather disappointed when my brother Mat was revealed to be a boy. My brother was born December 23rd (or, I thought he was. Bear with me.) My dad always gave me these extravagant birthday parties and gifts, always the best cake! But, my brother didn’t get that luxury. When mom was around, she managed to get my father to budge on better parties for my brother. Buuuut that didn’t last once mom passed. Birthday celebrations for Mat were always lumped in with family holiday parties. My dad would usually get me and Mat like, gifts that we would share, but the gifts always favored me in some way. A pack of soda for both of us? My favorite flavor. Art supplies for me that “mat could use too” despite that not being his thing. Mat never got gifts just for his birthday because “it was so close to Christmas”. I could tell this was getting to him. I never understood why dad didn’t like him. He was my little brother, a fun nerd that watched a lot of TV, seemed to enjoy just memorizing the advertisements (and still does), always played dolls with me, always tried to remain positive despite it all. I would use some of the money I was usually gifted to get Mat nicer gifts. It wasn’t much, but he really appreciated it. But, my father’s favoritism still hurt no matter what I did, obviously. Eventually me and my brother distanced ourselves from my dad. Well, recently, my bro contacted me about hanging out for his birthday. I was super confused, his birthday wasn't till December 23rd. He laughed and told me that it was in July, not December. That he was sure that dad would've been able to hide his favoritism a little better regarding gifts if it was in December. I was dumbfounded. He "reminded" me that dad eventually had to step up with gift giving cause mom's sister didn't like how dad favored me, that my other relatives stepped up too. I just kinda went along with it despite being super confused. I kinda just figured that this was a coping mechanism? Other family members went along with it, too. I just decided it might be best to ignore it. Source: Foundation employee testimony Person affected: Lisa Sparks Testimony by: Bebe Sparks Birthday: 09/05/2013 Testimony: The following testimony was given by Foundation employee Doctor Bebe Sparks about her daughter, Lisa Sparks. As many of you may know, my daughter Lisa was diagnosed with cancer when she was 7. It's been very hard for me as a single parent. Unfortunately, at this time, Lisa is no longer with us. The doctors told us she wouldn't even make it to 10. She would die in the next 6 months, and she had just had her 9th birthday. Which was awful, it's such a big number, you know? She really loved Birthday Bash. She had several toys from her, watched her movie so many times it made my head start to hurt, had read all her books. One day we were watching her show on tv, and this ad I had never seen before for Birthday Bash came on. I didn't think much of it. A few days later, my little girl is telling me what she wants for her birthday and is reminding me and making sure I got her her gifts. I gently reminded her what the doctor said. She said that she knows, but her birthday is next week. I was shocked. I distinctly remember her birthday being in July. I tell her this and she just laughs, saying I must be getting old (I'm 36). I didn't connect it to the ad at first. Not until I saw the research that was being conducted. But I have to say. I am thankful. My little girl got to turn 10. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8488" by Mew-ltiverse, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8488. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Birthday bash.png Author: Mew-ltiverse License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/collab:make-every-day-your-birthday/Birthday%20bash.png |
SCP-8499 | esoteric-class | my brothers broke me. these men broke me. perhaps i was meant to be broken. . By Miss Lapis and Strange Matter Strange Matter's Author Page / Miss Lapis' Author Page Warning: this article contains depictions of torture. Reader discretion advised. Item#: 8499 Level4 Secondary Class: draugr Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: caution link to memo The area surrounding SCP-8499. Special Containment Procedures Memetic wards, equipped with sensors, have been installed around the perimeter of SCP-8499 in order to deter civilians from trespassing. Said sensors were programmed to send a signal to the nearby sites in the event that one of the wards goes offline. If this occurs, Foundation staff is to be deployed to reapply it. Due to the remoteness of the location of SCP-8499, no additional means of containment are necessary at this time. Description SCP-8499 refers to a patch of land approximately 10 km2 of size, located in the north of the Arabian Desert. Individuals passing through it experience one of the eight possible hallucinative scenarios. In them, they re-live the memories, together with the accompanying emotional and physical sensations,. Said sensations persist only for the duration of the memory and do not carry physical damage to the individuals experiencing them. of a mechanical humanoid of vast proportions with a feminine build, hereafter referred to as SCP-8499-A. Other than the entity itself, these visions prominently feature a young man, his wife,. Based on the findings discovered within the city of Amoni-Ram, the two are theorized to be the first emperor Bumaro and his wife, Hedara. and his eventual followers. SCP-8499 was discovered by MTF-Mu-47 ("As He Wills It") in 1984, during the retrieval mission for an unrelated anomaly. While traversing the area, the operatives experienced various delusional episodes that were both internally consistent and recurring. Following their reconnaissance and debriefing, they declared the location tentatively anomalous and notified the Foundation about it. To gain more information on the area and to find out more about the memories, the Foundation dispatched MTF-Mu-47 to the location of SCP-8499 again. This time, they were equipped with mental recording devices.Built based on the existing prototype of the LSAP Cadmus-Aram Deep-Brain Oneiric Parietal Stimulation Array. and were able to record and catalog all eight memories. With detailed reports on each of the visions, the Foundation was able to determine their chronological sequence and arrange them into a cohesive timeline.. Some of the memories were determined to be directly sequential to one another, but most of them had a significant amount of time pass between them. See Addendum 8499-1 for additional information. Addendum 8499-1: Memory Logs Below are the possible visions persons crossing SCP-8499 may experience. To preserve their accuracy, they were included in this document in the same form as they were received from the recording devices. Memory #1 I am flailing with my six arms, falling, burning. The atmosphere is blazing white hot around me and I scream as my systems melt and my body warps with the heat. The landing is sudden and abrupt. I crash into the surface, and the world goes blank. I dryly cough up sand that lodged in my throat and wipe the dust from my eyes. Through the fire, I did not immediately notice I was shooting towards a vast expanse of sand. I do not know where I am. I plant two of my hands onto the ground and strain to lift my body away from the burning and molten sand. This does not hold up for long, though. Is it because of our battle? Is it because of the flames? My arms snap and I drop back down. The merciless sun beats down upon me, I am suffocating under the heat of my molten armor. And even this intense pain is drowned out by the mind-numbing ache spreading through my abdomen. I look down at it, at the place of damage. There is a large, gaping hole. My wires spark, my blood leaks, chunks of vital pieces are missing. Whether it is the sand in mouth or my already sore throat rattling with my whimper, I cough and gasp. Pain overtakes me, climbing all through my wires and tubing, as if the oil pumping through my veins was rotten, boiling, corrosive. To the horizon, I spot two shepherds, commuting, herding their lambs. I am grateful they are alive. Life persists in their blessed forms — this place is not desolate. Even in my pain and abandonment, if this beautiful sky could grant me one wish, I would beg to save my brothers from themselves. Perhaps I'll live long enough to meet them again, and we could make amends for our foolishness. Memory #2 Slipping in and out of consciousness, I see the shepherds approach me to get a better look. One of them — the man — had likely spotted a glimmer of my form, half-sunk in the desert. He gasps when he is close enough to see all of me and leans on his wife as though the sight threw him off balance. He slowly falls on his knees and begins panting heavily, staring at me with both fear and awe. Even though I am broken, he sees something beautiful in me. His gaze is an honor. His wife is unmoved. She is oblivious to my presence, instead focusing on her husband. Hugging him, asking him urgent questions about what and why. Breathlessly, he answers her, and it is only then she reacts, trembling, mouth agape. She runs to her lambs to comfort them. While she tends to her crying sheep, her husband pushes himself upright with his crook and stumbles towards me over the dune. I now see he's missing a leg. He is trembling while he walks towards me, as if fearing getting crushed by me. As if I could rise from the blankets of sand that cover me, move myself at all. It soon dawns on him. I cannot do either. He hobbles as fast as his crook lets him until he reaches one of my outstretched hands frozen above the sands the way it was left upon my impact, drenched and dripping oil. He presses his palm to my fingertip. I know his presence is a miracle. He sees me, and I see him. However, I cannot enjoy this moment for long. I hear a wild cracking, and a moment later, my wrist snaps off and falls into the sand. I'm blinded by pain. Oil gushes from my stump, pooling underneath my arms. When my vision returns to me. I see the shepherd hacking and coughing next to my hand. He managed to avoid getting crushed by it. I call out to him in worry, and he answers with a wave. He is fine, even if a little shaken. Curiosity gets the better of his weakness. He pulls himself upright again and moves to my fallen wrist. Letting his crook fall, he braces himself against my finger, wrapping both arms around the digit as tall as him. Pieces of my broken gauntlet jut out, and he is careful not to get cut on them. He gets on his one knee again and looks into the inside of my hand, daring to poke his head in. He emerges from me with a handful of wires and a couple of cogs in his fists. He sits down next to me and examines his finding. My wires, my blood vessels, my nervous system. I see an idea, a realization sparking across his face. He rips off a chunk of my gauntlet and begins folding it into a cylindrical shape. After finishing, he attaches it to the place of his missing leg. His eyes widen in surprise: it fits perfectly. He looks at me again, squinting, then looks back at his leg. His wife and their lambs reach him. He pauses to think, and uses a small shard of my hull to hack off more of my plating. The wife tilts her head in confusion. She steps back when the man starts attaching pieces of the gauntlet to his sheep. When he hands her a chunk of metal, she accepts it in silence, and with that, they leave. Memory #3 The shepherds return to me. The man, now with a sleek, jointed prosthetic leg, guides his wife to me, then turns to her and caresses her cheek with a soft smile. He lifts her hand and places it on one of my fingers. She smiles at him and laughs as she caresses me. Her voice is so soft. Her laughter, so bright. The man hands her a knife and she accepts it. He guides her blade onto a layered plate and she stabs through the surface, dragging the sting halfway down my finger. With a yelp, I recoil from her. How was she able to pierce my skin? I am unable to move, but there is something I can still use. My Voice. “i beg of you, stop…”. Persons experiencing these memories gain the ability to understand the languages spoken in them. This effect only persists for the time they are under the influence of SCP-8499. A weak plea is all I can muster. I do not know whether they even understand my speech. Yet I hope that despite its weakness, it still will reach them. And that it does. But it only appears to reach the wife. Her husband shakes his head, and he is back to normal. She looks at him with confusion. “She asked us to stop, love. Did you not hear her Voice?” The man pulls her closer to himself, wrapping his arm around her waist. He whispers something in her ear as he caresses her cheek and hands. After some time, she smiles at me again. “My husband once again walks, thanks to your gift,” she says. “He wishes for me to gain a new sight. You are a miracle from the heavens… Will you allow me?” Whatever he told her has freed her from the influence of my Voice. I have indeed become weaker if this was all it took. The wife is but a docile one, not one who demands. If my parts could make the man walk, they could make her see once again. I close my eyes and allow her to continue peeling my layers away and take what she needs. It is through my pain they may heal. When she finishes, her husband takes the blade and wipes it on his cloth. Looking at it closely, I see a familiar shine of gold. The gold of my armor. I look down to see that my abdomen has finally stopped bleeding, yet the ache persists. Memory #4 I had thought that by banishing our kin full of darkness, our family would see peace once again. We were wrong. I was wrong. My brothers of blood and bone, you were strong. Always wanted to prove your strength to each other. All but simple brotherly banter. Or so I thought. Even so, you still loved each other… you should have. So why did I see you with your hands wrapped around each other's throats that day, so determined to take each other's lives? I blinked and you clawed, and gnawed, and gouged, and screamed at each other. Your eyes, filled with just as much vile hate as the one we casted out. Why? I did not want to fight but I needed to intervene. You refused to listen to my pleas to cease, to my Voice crying to you as you destroyed each other. What happened to you? I was not able to convince you with my words. You dragged me in. Forced me to join your fight, and I was consumed by the same hate you two possessed. I did not realize this until it was too late… Until we all fell wounded and collapsed. My brothers… What had come over you? Why were we fighting? Why did you start this…. I tried. I tried to understand it. But, I didn't. I couldn't. what has gotten over you? why did you do this to each other? why did you do this to me? why? why? why? why? why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? you broke my heart… now they are breaking mine, all while it still aches for you. Memory #5 His hair and beard have gotten longer. One of his arms is designed like his leg. He is sitting next to my face, hacking through strands of my hair with his knife. He’s focused on his tasks, not paying me much mind. My Voice has no use on him, or even on some of his people. Those who heed my call get shaken out of it by those who do not get affected by it. I have stopped trying to use it to get them to leave me. His people have been expanding the hole in my abdomen daily. Every breath I take makes it throb and burn hotter than the last. The first time they had a chunk of my thigh removed with saws, they burrowed in me with drills, and went on to explore every little part of me, plucking out what catches their eye. I recognized their tool's design, for it was built based on my retractable blades. The gushing oil didn't drown them, they had installed pumps around my wound in advance. I recognized their design as well. Those pumps were my veins. They fueled their newly developed vehicles with my oil, and with them, they carried more and more of my parts. Their blades bit on my remaining tubes and wires. Picking apart every strand, every fiber, anything that gave my limbs any remaining functionality. Hundreds of them… Writhing and gouging within me. I focused on every step, every grasp, every smile inside me. At some point, I grew tired of screaming. There are many such entry points around my body now. Openings sawed into me, ready to be entered and exited at their whim. I do not understand why they are doing this. He attempted to cover my wound after he returned to me for the second time. He treated the stump of my wrist. He knows how to make more of my metal. So, why? At least right now he is not here for that. He is merely cutting my hair. He wraps up the sliced-off hair into a coil and brings it to a pile of other cut-off strands. There, he sits down and begins weaving the collected locks into ropes. Occasionally, he gives a passing, vacant grin. I stare at him with all my remaining eyes. What does that smile hide? Once he finishes, he takes his freshly woven ropes and ties them one by one into the hooks he pierced into my hands some time ago. I did not understand their purpose back then and I still do not understand them now. It is not like I could do anything with my hands, anything that would warrant them being tied down. None of them are functioning. Only one question escapes my lips with a worn groan: “Why?” He responds with silence and smiles at me again. Memory #6 The desert winds and the endless tears make my vision a stinging blur. In months of trying, I still cannot understand him. I healed him and his wife. I healed his friends. And I heal more, and more, and more. When will they attempt to heal me? I come back to a thought — first a nagging doubt, now an endless rumination. By now most of what they take from me they can and do synthesize themselves. The oil, the engines, the pumps, my metal. Yet, they still take. Their cisterns and depots and silos and arsenals are overflowing with treasure. Yet, they still take. What more could he stand to gain by now? Has the taking become the point? Has the sky appointed them to ravage me for waging war on my family? My choices were to wring my hands while we tore ourselves apart or act. I acted. We were broken. I was trying to put us back together. Yet here I am. Strung up to be ravaged and stripped of more parts. I… The shepherd's wife glides to me. She now sports a pair of wings… Beautiful, golden wings. She carries a companion — a second woman. They land next to one of the bound arms and begin examining it. I can tell something heavy weighs on the wife's soul. She has a sight, thanks to my blessing. She has limbs built from my body. She has a pair of wings, which would allow her to fly anywhere. Yet, she keeps shifting around while she walks around me, looks at me, touches me. She keeps reaching for her shoulder, rubbing the place where her metallic arm joins her flesh. Her steps are shaky and uncertain. And when the wind blows on her gown, revealing her skin, there are so many wires puncturing her flesh. When she isn't rubbing her shoulder, she is scratching the place where the wires enter her body. She caresses one of my large fingers and whispers to me with a soft, reassuring tone. Even through her struggles, she smiles at me with her shining golden eyes, with that familiar candidness and innocence. That blessed smile quickly falls, though, once she sees the mess that is me. She gestures to her companion to find some tools to cut the binds with. After the second woman leaves, she takes a golden sheet lying around and begins fitting it to the frame of my arm. The scent of her delicate, flowery perfume overtakes the ever-present sickening scent of oil. “We can fix you,” she whispers through her tears, peppering kisses on my metallic frame. “You will be rebuilt, beautiful goddess. You will be as good as new.” I weep for her. I am about to whisper my gratitude but words freeze in my throat from the sudden kicks to the side of my neck. I could recognize these kicks from between a thousand. It is the shepherd. How did he get here? Why must he be here? The assault persists until the panel falls off. My breaths are short and raspy and my eyes dart around when his knife grazes one of my vocal cords. The wife runs to her husband, pleading for him to stop. Instead, he shouts and strikes her cheek with his metallic hand. He plunges his hands into my throat, rips some wiring out, places the edge of his knife against my vocal cord and begins cutting through it. The blade burns so hot that my throat goes cold. My mouth fills with sweet-bitter oil. I want to spit and cough, instead I choke. My screams and wails become gurgled and distorted whistling as he continues sawing. The wife collapses on the ground next to him, and she sobs. She latches onto his legs, trying to drag him away from me. She shakes and cries, pulling at him, begging him to stop. “Quiet,” he commands her, kicking her hands away. “Quiet down, or you will meet the same fate as her.” He grabs onto the vocal cord and pulls it out. The slicing has weakened it enough that it snaps completely from my throat, only leaving a sharp ache and a spill of oil. So much oil. He takes his precious time sawing through my second cord. Making sure he feels thoroughly as each tendon snaps, as the wires get severed from each other more and more. There is no sound coming from my lips anymore. Not even my miserable whistling scream. Yet I still weep. I still wail. I am truly a fool. Through my foggy eyes, through the pain, I see the second woman rushing to the shepherd with a golden sledgehammer, readying an attack. As she is about to swing down on him, he holds up the vocal cords and commands her to stop. my voice… she closes her eyes and silently lowers the hammer. the man shouts another command to both of the women and they whisper a quiet apology before leaving me with him. his smile is long and shows more of his teeth. the next day, he is giving a speech with his Voice. it is loud and powerful, like mine used to be. he raises his hands, holding up both the severed vocal cords and the hammer. the two women now stand beside him. the crowd, the people i once helped, cheer with great enthusiasm. Memory #7 the shepherd no longer looks like a shepherd. he arrives again, adorned in my metal as if it was his. as if he was not the poor man long ago who stared in awe at the metal angel that fell from heaven, and used it to rebuild his body. next to him is the woman who attempted to strike him with her sledgehammer. she follows him obediently now. he commands his men to bring down my head to their level. the binds that hook my shoulders, neck, and cranium pull me to the sand until my face is planted down. they walk into my view and we greet each other with a stare. his gaze is dark and determined. i cannot bear to look at him, yet i cannot turn my head away, and the hooks in my eyelids do not allow me to close my eyes. the shepherd pushes forward the woman with his metallic arm and gives her a command. she lifts her hammer and all the air leaves me. she swings down on one of my eye sockets, bludgeoning it, smashing the metal into pulp until it loosens. then she places her foot on my face, grabs my eyeball, and rips it out with the nerves and wiring that connected it to my skull. no mercy. no hesitation. my screams echo nothing as i twitch. these bonds are ever-tightening with every little movement i make. the woman repeats this process on another one of my eyes. and another one… and another one… …chipping away at my sight until there is none left. darkness overtakes my vision. i do not even have the energy left in me to attempt to cry anymore. “Well done,” says the man. after some time, i can feel crawling hands, metallic and flesh alike, digging into the gaps of my plated face. the last remaining intact part of my body. must be the followers of the shepherd. they claw into a plate of my cheek and begin pulling it off, unsuccessfully. they leave it half-detached, crawling off my face and head. then i hear them returning, carrying tools this time. they shove whatever instrument they brought between the gap they made — i know not what it is, and i do not think i will ever find out. it is cold, metallic, invasive, clinging to me in all the wrong ways. they jerk it together in one direction. the chunk of my cheek rips off with no resistance. sands and winds joined the men as the little particles prick on my exposed face. they cheer and applaud each other, preparing for another round of peeling. they do this for hours on end, working to remove every single intact plate. sometimes they do it swiftly. sometimes it feels like they are intentionally being slow. when they are done, they collect the scraps and leave. i was deprived of everything. my armor, my skin, my metallic inner working… and then i became useless to them. they abandoned me, left me the same way i was found. it all becomes a blur. i can feel no pain, but a bitter, numbing cold. and then it begins slowly dissipating. i do not have a body left to feel anything with anymore. my brothers broke me. these men broke me. perhaps i was meant to be broken. Memory #8 i- hear them. i see them. i feel them. they are all creating my all-presence. breaking me, reforging me. putting me within their bodies, using me as their limbs. their support. i know of them all. their accomplishments, their failures, their pains, their pleasures, their sins and the virtues they claim to bring, their discoveries, their dreams, their worship. i know them all. occasionally, i hear their chants. it is beautiful, it really is. chanting the name of the same shepherd and his newly married empress. i finally understand. i am their ever-growing, ever-gaining, ever-golden empire. i am their place to achieve the impossible. i am their home. i am their all. this lasts for long, but not for an eternity. i am being torn apart once more. i hear familiar, guttural noises. vines sliver through my skin and tear it from the inside. beasts of flesh march through me. screams of pain and terror, in a symphony. they all ring out. and just as quickly, they all cease. a great silence. a great nothing. i am now nothing. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8499" by Miss Lapis and Strange Matter, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8499. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: image.png Author: Agente Shuffle License: CC BY 3.0 Image is a composite that incorporates the following image Filename: SPChu.png Author: SunnyClockwork License: CC BY 3.0 Source Link: wikidot Filename: desert.jpg Name: Nafud Rana near al-Rass, Qasim region (22) Author: Richard Mortel License: CC BY 2.0 Source Link: flickr Additional Notes: cropped by Miss Lapis |
SCP-8500 | safe | Rating: You have been assigned to oversee containment procedures for a virtual anomaly following the previous supervisor's reassignment. They both want your attention. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-8500" by IronShears, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-8500. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Hazel the Delta Rambler, WWOZ New Orleans, 1990 Name: SCP-8000 Cynthia Image Author: Infrogmation License: CC-BY 2.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/29350288@N06/3347177096 Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: my_cat1.jpg Name: nullhing’s cat Author: nullhing License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wilson-s-wildlife-adoption-gallery Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: my_cat2.jpg Name: seadragon1012’s cat Author: seadragon1012 License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wilson-s-wildlife-adoption-gallery Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: my_kot3.jpg Name: SCP-PL-KOT-J Author: Arcydziegiel License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://i.imgur.com/PJ14ByN_d.webp?maxwidth=5664&shape=thumb&fidelity=high Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: IGNORE.jpg Name: After poster session in AAPG Annual Convention 1997 Author: Channy Yun License: CC-BY 2.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/91793590@N00/3256813399 Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: YOUR.jpg Name: Stanford campus fog, Hoover Tower Author: Dan Nguyen License: CC-BY 2.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32451477@N02/15138926354 Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: DIRECTIVES.jpg Name: Higher Colleges of Technology - Dubai Men's Author: Dennis S. Hurd License: Public Domain Mark 1.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/43296902@N00/51528424329 Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: AND.jpg Name: My players Thursday night Author: Benimoto License: CC-BY 2.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/44545509@N00/761586285 Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: ONE_DAY.jpg Name: Jeni and Clara Kissing Author: kafka4prez License: CC-BY 2.0 Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75514127@N00/48274146 Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: Y2KLogo.png, header.png, Author: etoisle License: CC-BY 2.0 Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:y2k Additional Notes: Edited by IronShears Filename: a.wav, e.wav,i.wav,o.wav, u.wav Author: Generated by IronShears using the Hitsune Kumi English Voicebank by Cubialpha in OpenUTAU License: CC-BY-SA 3.0. Voicebank is free for commercial use, creator was contacted to ensure it fit with CC-BY-SA Source Link: Clips are from this page, voicebank: https://cubialpha.wixsite.com/kumivoice Filename: Computer startup Author: MrAuralization License: CC-BY 3.0. Source Link: freesound.org/people/MrAuralization/sounds/176796/ Filename: Error (Disaparaging Chimes) Author: SilverIllusionist License: CC-BY 4.0. Source Link: freesound.org/people/SilverIllusionist/sounds/664038/ Filename: Palette Swap using two textures Author: afk License: CC0 Source Link: https://godotshaders.com/shader/palette-swap-using-two-textures/ Filename: Sans Normalcy Author: SYWaves License: Open Font license Source Link: https://github.com/scpwiki/sigma/tree/main/fonts Filename: Dogica Author: Roberto Mocci License: Open Font License Source Link: https://fontlibrary.org/en/font/dogica Filename: TimesNewPixel Author: pentacom License: Public Domain Source Link: https://www.pentacom.jp/pentacom/bitfontmaker2/gallery/?id=57 |
SCP-5501 | keter | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } SCP-5501: Empty Portraits Author: MalyceGraves. Image Credit: See comments. ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} 4/5501 LEVEL 4/5501 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5501 keter Assigned Site Site Director Research Head Assigned STF Provisional Site-166 Elder Ruslav Diaghilev N/A Tau-6 ("Those with No Name") …and the thing that stepped forth from the smoke of that dreadful place opened its mouth unto the sky and began to sing its song of ruin and death. - Excerpt from forever I fall by Thomas Harding Special Containment Procedures SCP-5501 is contained within a full blackout containment vault at Provisional Site-166 along with all known instances of SCP-5501-1. This vault is suspended, via high-tension cables, in the center of a 120m diameter spherical cavity carved into the bedrock beneath Charleston, Nevada. It is of the utmost importance that no light in any spectrum be allowed to penetrate into this cavity. At no point should any personnel enter the containment chamber surrounding SCP-5501. In the event of unauthorized access to the exclusion zone surrounding the facility, site security has been authorized to immediately respond with deadly force, up to and including initiation of Protocol Alpha Black. Due to the highly volatile nature of SCP-5501, STF Tau-6 ("Those with No Name") has been created with the sole focus of keeping SCP-5501 and SCP-5501-1 instances contained. As such, Tau-6 Command has been pre-authorized to initiate Protocol Alpha Black without additional notice. All records of the events of the 1864 Massacre at Seven Pines have been removed from all official and published documentation. An ongoing disinformation campaign to discredit any remaining references has been largely successful. All testing into the nature of SCP-5501's anomalous properties has been permanently suspended under 05-Overseer Directive 5501.ORD.01. This will not be rescinded. Description T. Harding with non-anomalous camera. c. 1860, Philadelphia, PA SCP-5501 is a bellows-type "wet plate" camera that belonged to Thomas A. Harding, a once-prominent photographer in the years leading up to the American Civil War. The case shows significant signs of wear of the kind expected to be found on cameras of this type utilized during the war. The camera differs significantly from all other known types of similar cameras in that the bulky lens housing is encased in thin strips of a previously unknown beryllium bronze alloy completely fused to the wooden structure of the housing and lens casing. The wood itself appears to be fashioned out of a single continuous piece, showing no seams or signs of adhesion. At the top of the housing is a small slot for the introduction of the plates utilized to capture images. These plates are also of an unknown alloy, but due to the nature of the content stored on the plates, it is impossible to ascertain their exact composition. There are patches of heavy staining along the front and right side of the camera's housing. Spectral analysis of collected samples indicate that this staining is from a fluid similar to human blood, but containing various enzyme indicators that corresponds with no known phenotypes or haplogroups. Of additional note, the blood carries certain markers which indicate the presence of variegate porphyria.1 SCP-5501-1 collectively refers to 18 individual photographs taken by SCP-5501. These plates resemble those made utilizing a process known as "collodion wet plate photography". Attached Addenda Discovery SCP-5501 and SCP-5501-1 were recovered in the aftermath of an incident that occurred during the decommissioning of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in May, 1994. An unmarked containment cell had been located in one of the Asylum's sub-basements. Upon examination, SCP-5501, a lock-box containing SCP-5501-1, and several journals were discovered along with the corpse of an unnamed individual later identified in Asylum documentation as Patient 65-2953 - T. Harding. ■ Transcript of Incident 5501.INC.01 ■ □ Transcript of Incident 5501.INC.01 □ Incident Video Log Transcript Date: 1994/05/03 @ 21:02 Action Team: MTF Omega-88 ("The Oathkeepers")2, MTF Sigma-66 ("Steel Veil")3 Operational directive: Contain outbreak & control information leakage Team Lead(s): Dir. Ruslav Diaghilev; Lt. Maj. George Hartfield; Lt. Maj. Elia Montserrat Foreward: The outbreak at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum has been ongoing for approximately 9 hours, and remains localized to the facility. Due to the decommissioning of the Asylum, the majority of the facility has been abandoned and is only a limited risk of information leakage. Foundation assets on-site have cordoned off the area, and initial cover story Epsilon Omicron 5 ("Gas Leak") has been disseminated to local law enforcement. Omega-88 has been selected due to their expertise in dealing with alchemical anomalies. They have been directed to enter Trans-Allegheny & attempt to contain the outbreak, with Sigma-66 standing by in external support. [BEGIN LOG] <Both MTF teams have assembled in front of the asylum, standing a little apart from each other. Dir. Diaghilev steps to the fore and turns to face them. Camera feed is from the point of view of Maj. Hartfield.> Diaghilev: Ladies and gentlemen. We are facing what might be a full incursion into our world by forces that are utilizing alchemical processes. As such, Sigma-66 will remain outside unless their aid is absolutely necessary. Major Montserrat, your primary responsibility should be the safety and security of the surrounding civilians. Is that clear? Montserrat: Yes, sir. Diaghilev: Otlichno. Hartfield, stay close. I will do what I can to nullify the effects of- <Diaghilev is interrupted by the sound of shattering glass and an extended shriek as someone plummets from the top floor to slam into the ground not far from the assembled teams. Both teams react, crouching to a guard position, weapons raised. After a few moments of stillness, Montserrat directs one of her subordinates to examine the victim.> Hartfield: So, I guess they know we are here. Diaghilev: That would be a safe assumption, Major. They knew when I stepped out of the helicopter. <The agent sent to examine the victim returns shaking his head and says something to Montserrat that is out of audio pickup range.> Montserrat: Be careful in there, gentlemen. We'll keep a lid on things out here. <Omega-88 moves up the steps to the door, where they stand to the side as Diaghilev steps forward to lightly place his fingertips against the wood. After a few moments, he nods to Hartfield as he steps aside. Hartfield steps up and pushes the door open, stepping aside to allow three of his team to enter. Diaghilev follows, with Hartfield and the remainder of Omega-88 following after.> Harris: Fucking Christ… Hartfield: Stow it, Harris. Walker & Reid, take point. Harris, Gaudreau, & Barnes with me. Welles & Izraz, you're with the Director. <The camera pans around the room as Hartfield steps further into the lobby. Arrayed along both walls of the entrance hall are the crucified remains of 16 members of the hospital staff. Each of them have been stripped naked, blinded, and have had their tongues nailed to the center of their forehead.> Gaudreau: What the fuck? Anyone got any ideas about the tongue thing? Hartfield: Director, what are we dealing with? <Diaghilev crosses over to the nearest of the crucified staff members, then almost immediately recoils as the person suddenly groans and flexes feebly.> Diaghilev: Kakogo chyorta! Major, they are all still alive. <He steps forward again, this time placing the tips of his fingers against the victim's forehead, to either side of the attached appendage. After a few moments, he steps away in disgust.> Diaghilev: Even if I could do something for so many, this one is already far too gone for it to matter. They did all this to themselves. <He closes his eyes and draws forth his crozier into his right hand. He begins to mutter something in an incomprehensible language, and all of the crucified staff sag into their restraints.> Diaghilev: Major, please. Give to them usypleniye. I have taken their pain for the moment. [Several minutes omitted for brevity] Hartfield: Point, go. Director, reports indicate that the outbreak should be down there, in the sub-basement. Some unmarked cell. <The camera angle shifts towards the dark opening to a stairwell leading down. The lights in this area have all completely failed, and the area is lit with dim torso lamps and the tactical lights mounted on the agents' weapons. Agents Walker & Reid take point and head down the stairs, quickly disappearing from view.> Hartfield: <After two minutes of silence> Point team, report. <Two more minutes of silence.> Hartfield: Damnit. Director, please stay here. Harris, Gaudreau, Barnes. <Hartfield steps forward and slowly descends into the darkness. After 18 steps, the stairwell makes an abrupt turn and descends another 18 steps to end in what looks like a doorway opening into large open room.> Hartfield: Director, I'm about to leave the stairwell. I will give the all clear when- Harris! Step back! <The view swings sharply around, the dim torso lamp illuminating the face of Agent Harris, a glazed look in his eyes as he pushes past Hartfield and walks woodenly down into the room.> Harris: Can't you hear it, Major? Someone's callin' fa' help. S'gotta be th'others. Hartfield: Damnit, Harris. I said step back! <Hartfield attempts to grab Agent Harris, but the agent wriggles free and walks out into the room, disappearing from view.> Diaghilev: Major, there is tremendous energy emanating from below you. I'm coming down, your team isn't equipped for this. <Hartfield curses, then steps to the side as Diaghilev brushes past him on the stairwell. After a few heartbeats, he follows out into the room> [END LOG] [The remainder of the video log has been expunged due to a virulent visual hazard.] Incident Report: 5501.INC.01 Reporting Officer: Ruslav Diaghilev, Director. [Report trimmed to prevent redundancy] The room at the bottom of the stairwell had been a large storage area, though what it was before that I am uncertain. What is obvious is that in the clearing out of the room, hospital staff found an unmarked containment cell which had apparently been sealed shut some time ago. The door had obviously been forced open, and the room beyond showed signs of having been disturbed. Inside lay the remains of some poor soul that had obviously been alive when they had been sealed into the room. I can only imagine what horrible crime they must have committed in order to be subjected to immurement, but I would rather not. Whoever sealed that person in had also sealed in an ancient camera along with a lock box full of plates presumably taken by that camera. The plates are what I have determined to be the source of the outbreak. At some point during their investigation, someone opened the lock box and exposed the plates inside to the light. The images captured on those plates are not of this world, and yet are. It is my guess that the creator of this camera devised a way to create a sort of double exposure, capturing an image of something in this world, overlaid by an image of that terrible city we know as Alagadda. This is not the worst of it, I fear. As the plates are exposed to light, they continue to develop, and the image of Alagadda draws ever clearer. This has the result of radically thinning the barrier between that world and our own, causing portions of our reality to become subsumed by portions of the other. I fear that I am uncertain as to how far this has progressed, but of what I am certain is that these plates must never be allowed to fully develop. Doing so would allow free travel between this world and that. It is bad enough that the occasional visitor from that vile place finds their way here, but if the Ambassador were to step over into this world? I know not what calamity would befall us. It was in clearing this room that I lost the majority of the Oathkeepers that were sent with me. I regret their loss, I should have realized the nature of the incursion before I allowed them to head down without my direct intervention. The responsibility for their loss lies squarely upon myself. Major Hartfield did everything he could to save them, but the wards that failed to safeguard their minds were my own. What is clear is that you should look not to the College for a savior. The consequences of the Great Seal are such that, and it pains me to admit this, my colleagues and I are no longer up to the task of safeguarding our world from this evil in addition to the greater one we have locked away. -Ruslav Diaghilev, Director, The Foundation Alchemy Department Despite the loss of the MTF Omega-88 team sent with him, Director Diaghilev was able to secure SCP-5501 & SCP-5501-1. At his request, Provisional Site-166 was set up underneath Charleston, Nevada, a census-designated ghost town. Additionally, Protocol Alpha Black was created and instituted throughout all Foundation assets, and Special Task Force Tau-6 ("Those with No Name") was created and assigned exclusively to safeguard SCP-5501 & SCP-5501-1. Historical Documentation Journal recovered with SCP-5501 According to records recovered from the US National Archives, Thomas Albert Harding was employed by Andrew Gardner in November of 1861, and was subsequently sent as a battlefield photographer to the Army of the Potomac under General George McClellan. Originally assigned to photograph the aftermath of several significant battlefields, Harding was eventually transferred to the hospital staff of the Army of the Potomac and spent the remainder of his time principally cataloging wounded and dying service men. It is during this time that Harding came into contact with Dr. Franz von Leiber, supposedly4 a surgeon assigned to the Medical Corps general staff. According to the recovered journal of Thomas Harding, the two of them became close colleagues and worked together in Harding's effort to catalog the ongoing conflict. ■ Personal Journal of Thomas Harding: September, 1862 ■ □ Personal Journal of Thomas Harding: September, 1862 □ September 19, 1862 - As the rebs pushed to Antietam, I thought we were done for. I'd never seen the general so down onto himself, pacing his tent like a man possessed of some evil spirit. I could tell that choosing not to support Pope at Bull Run really weyed heavily upon the man, and I am gladdened that such decisions do not fall to one such as I. Even so, Antietam changed much about the shape of this conflict. Lee escaped retribution, and for two dayes we chased stragglers from his armies. The toll at Antietam was tremendous, and Gardner sent me to the tents to capture the struggle of the medics and surgeons as they laboured to save the wounded and the dying. Never have I seen such suffering, and I fear that the things that I saw will forever plague my dreams. I came upon a surgeon, Dr. von Leiber. He had a curious way about him, as he walked through the tents, gore spatter'd. He would stop at a patient and would touch him at various places about his body, head, chest, stomach, groin, foot. He did not seem to mind the injuries, it was as if he was looking for something else. I took several plates of him at work, and Gardner liked them a great deal. He went to McClellan and had me permanently transferred to the tents. Wants me to keep capturing the "valiant struggle of man and surgeon" to keep our men active and protecting our waye of life. He was quite adamant, despite my distaste at being surrounded so by such unpleasant truths. I guess we must all accept such things in this daye. War, itself, is unpleasant. September 29, 1862 - The aftermath of Antietam still haunts us. We still founde a multitude of the dead and dying all throughout the lands, and we could save only a fewe. Dr. von Leiber has been a constaint boone companion through these troubled tyms, and I have more than once thanked him deeply for his conversation. We both lay worke ourselves to thee bone each daye, only to lye awake in the night, unable to sleep for the dreams. von Leiber speakes of mysteries, things beyond my kin, tho i am a man of learning. Never afore had i heard such things from tutor or teacher, and i am intrigued. He speakes of "rubedo", and the power of the blood, as if 'twere more than just the vitae of our life, the humerous follyes(?) and that the strength I feare i know little of such things. i shall endeavour to speak more to him of such on the morrow. The journal continues for several weeks, with Harding begining to view von Leiber as more and more of a mentor & trusted confidant. At first, Harding merely shows mild curiosity at the lessons von Leiber attempts to teach, but the disastrous events of First Fredricksberg clearly had a traumatic effect on Harding's mental state, and this break is clearly evident in the style and nature of the remainder of the journal entries. ■ Personal Journal of Thomas Harding: December, 1862 ■ □ Personal Journal of Thomas Harding: December, 1862 □ December 16, 1862 - i know not what was in that foole Burnside's head. i was with the Right Grand Division, an' we had to fight our waye over the river, cros'ng with naught but a leaky boat 'neath our feete. 'twas nearly a massacre if not fore the brayve fooles of Col. Hall. they went 'cross in pontoons, 'n nearlye died to the guns of the reb sharpshooters. 'n that 'twas only the beginning. when we got to the other side, 'twas a massacre, 'n the soldyers were more like animals then men. i feare i shall carry the shaym of what i saw until i carry no more. three days ago, 'twas bitt'rly colde, an the fog clung to us so we could barely see ourselves. to fight under such was disastrous, and still we marched. Burnside ordered an attack on Marye's Heights, 'n 'twas trully a massacre then. so much blood, 'n it got worse. so many wound'd 'n left 'pon the field. when that reb taught us mercye, von Leiber an' i went to the field. death surround'd us. 'pon all sides. i shook, but i captured much. 'twas on the night of the 14th, that i witness'd the Miracle. von Leiber was 'xhausted, but 'twas filled with a mania that i right understood. so many lay afield, an' there wasn't anything to do. but he knewe. an' he did… something. he walked out onto the field, 'an he did unspeakable things. i swear t'it, he was not alown, but there with him, as he moved, 'twas a figure. wrapp'd all about in fabric, thin unto skeletal, with long'd fingers that 'twoud trail through the blood 'n the dyin'. it touch'd the bodyes, as von Leiber had done afore, 'n the bodyes respon'd. they moved throu' the dying, an' left behind the dead. gave 'em mercye, not like our own'd done. not like Burnside'd let. was murder, sendin' us to the Heights. murder. what von Leiber did was mercye. an' the skye SHONE. fire in the skye like a beacon, dancin' with green, a pyre fore the dead. Aftermath of the Battle of Marye Heights. c. 1862, Fredericksburg, VA From the entries after, it becomes clear that Harding began to take a much more ardent approach to the instruction given to him by von Leiber. The majority of the journal is filled with illegible notes on the lessons given by von Leiber, as well as lengthy diatribes about death and Harding's growing fascination with the subject. In the early summer of 1864, the notations in Harding's journal become significantly clearer, and all seem to focus upon the completion of an "apparatus" that he had been constructing under the tutelage of von Leiber. ■ Personal Journal of Thomas Harding: Summer, 1864 ■ □ Personal Journal of Thomas Harding: Summer, 1864 □ June 24, 1864 - at last! the apparatus has been complet'd! von Leiber has been instrumental in allowing fore this dreem to com into being. without his guyd'nce, such a feate woulde not have been possible. i am forever in his debt. he telles me that a "great sacrifice" must be completed in order for the device to truly function. He has a plan to create such a thing, and even nowe, i have only just return'd from my meeting with Pleasants5 about devising a tactik that will end this stalemayt, but also will empower my apparatus! he will take credit, of course, but i care not, for i must be prepayred for other things. July 29, 1864 - all is in readyness. on the morrow, the works under Elliott's Salient have been dug. fore the past six nights, i have slept little, as von Leiber and i have traversed the darkness underneathe to draw the glyphes in the loam and dirt. eache of the supports and all the barrels of powder have beene mark'd with the Script, and all lies readye. the colored regiment should know to march around, but the whites in their hubris have not bothered to train. it only tooke pointing out to that pompous burnside that the colored needed training, whereas his whites would not. i have no regrets in what i am sure will be a bloodye daye, for 'twill bee forgotten in the aftermath of my great worke! tomorrow shall see both the fall of the enemye's defenses, and the rise of my most glorious greate worke and forever i shall6 On July 30th, 1864, the Union Army detonated a massive amount of explosive material that had been placed in a shaft dug underneath the Confederate fort known as Eliott's Salient. The ensuing explosion resulted in a large number of Confederate casualties and the creation of a significant breach in the east flank of the defenses outside of Petersburg. A last-minute diversion in the order of battle saw that the regiment of US Colored Troops under the command of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero were replaced with the untrained 1st Division under Brig. Gen. James H. Ledlie. This catastrophic decision led to the loss of a majority of Ledlie's men as they marched straight into the crater created by the explosion and were ill-equipped to scale the other side. Confederate sharpshooters were able to successfully pin down the majority of the 1st Division long enough for reinforcements to arrive and slaughter both the 1st Division and the forces sent in to support them. General Ulysses Grant would later write about the engagement, saying "It was the saddest affair I have witnessed in the war."7 The aftermath of the Battle of the Crater and the Siege of Petersburg is accounted elsewhere. T. Harding was listed as a casualty of the conflict and his name was printed in a catalog of the missing in a report from General Grant to the US Congress on August 16, 1864. On August 14, 1864, during the battle of Second Deep Bottom, a small detachment of cavalry under the command of Brig. Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg was sent to secure the railroad station at Fair Oaks. They never arrived, as they were attacked by "unknown forces" in what was recorded as the Massacre at Seven Pines. All records of this event were purged due to the intervention of operatives from the American Secure Containment Initiative, a precursor organization to the Foundation. American Secure Containment Initiative Document, circa 1865 Item Number: 65-2953 Classification Type: Human/Potentially Threatening ASCI Protocols for Containment: Phenomenon 65-2953 must be secured at all times with a physical restraint garment commonly referred to as a straightjacket. It is currently housed at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, where it shall be immured until deceased. Under no circumstances shall 65-2953 be allowed access to 65-2953A or the associated photographic plates. All active information concerning Phenomenon 65-2953 is to be contained in a safe-box stored at the Warden’s office, along with all other discovered intelligence concerning the phenomenon, as per the directive noted below. Description: Phenomenon 65-2953 is a white male, approximately 39 years of age, once known as Thomas A. Harding. The extensive madness brought on by the trauma of the war have left this Phenomenon with little coherency. Nota Bene: Phenomenon 65-2953 was apprehended after the events of the Massacre at Seven Pines, during which it utilized 2953A to take a series of photographs of inhuman slaughter perpetuated by an unknown entity. These photographs have been stored in a locked case, and they are not to be reviewed under any circumstance. Disciplinary History: On September 13, 1865, after being subject to immurement for a period of 367 days, Phenomenon 65-2953 vocalized a series of statements in an unknown language in apparent conversation with an unobserved entity. After several minutes of this, it lapsed into silence for approximately 34 minutes, then it began shrieking incoherently that it had been abandoned by a "Doctor von Leiber". These vocalizations ceased abruptly after approximately 22 minutes. An hour later, Phenomenon 65-2953 was declared deceased. As per direct order from General Grant, Phenomenon 65-2953 and all related documentation will be sealed in situ, where they will remain until forgotten. Final Addenda ■ Classified O5/5501: TOP SECRET ■ □ Classified O5/4421: TOP SECRET □ Protocol: Alpha Black By Order of the O5 Overseers Council and in agreement with The United Nations _ In the event of an uncontrolled containment breach, the commanding officer of STF Tau-6 ("Those with No Name"), or any surviving member, is pre-authorized to detonate the on-site nuclear device with no additional notice. Upon detonation of this device, all Foundation sites will be immediately placed under Condition Alpha Black ("Imminent Breach-of-Veil"), and all assets will be notified to prepare for the imminent onset of a HK-class Deific Subjugation Scenario. Under Condition Alpha Black, the SCP Foundation is authorized to assume immediate control of all available military assets, regardless of prior disposition, and proceed to assume a war footing in preparation for an imminent incursion into the Prime Reality of hostile outside forces. It is understood that this will likely only serve as a delaying tactic, as there are currently no known ways to effectively combat an intrusion by Alagaddan assets into our reality. May the gods have mercy on us all, for we have failed utterly. Footnotes 1. A disease that expresses as an acute sensitivity to sunlight. 2. An MTF assigned exclusively to the Alchemy Department and trained to specifically combat Alchemy-based anomalies. 3. An MTF trained specifically in information control and equipped with mass amnestics. 4. No record exists of a "Dr. Franz von Leiber" within the US Army Medical Corps, US census data, genealogy records, or academic records. The only mention of this individual exists solely within T. Harding's notes. 5. Lt. Col. Henry Pleasants, commander of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. 6. The rest of this passage is illegible. 7. P. 356 - Kennedy, Frances H., ed. The Civil War Battlefield Guide. 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998. ISBN 0-395-74012-6. |
SCP-5502 | pending | SCP-5502: Where the Smoke Trail Ends Author: aismallard Created for: Deadly Bread as part of the 2020 Art Exchange. Thanks to: Aethris, for the idea Rex Atlas wctaiwan ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} Item#: 5502 Level4 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: ? Risk Class: ? link to memo Confiscated rope incense. Following SCP-5502, its smoke no longer induces anomalous hallucinations. Special Containment Procedures: O5-3 has been designated as SCP-5502 Containment Director.1 Department of Analytics personnel have been tasked with investigation of the anomaly and granted special clearance for this purpose. The Department of External Affairs is in contact with groups of interest for information pertinent to SCP-5502. Other departments are to analyze recovered material as instructed. All containment procedures for affected anomalies are to remain in effect until the cause of SCP-5502 is determined. Description: SCP-5502 refers to an event on 2034/05/05 at around 04:10 UTC wherein all Fifthist-related anomalies known to the Foundation became neutralized. All persons of interest associated with various sects of the Fifth Church have been found deceased or are missing. [Update 2034/05/12]: SCP-5502-A is the temporary designation for AO-10564-84-716, a heavily modified CRT television with an input tray. When the anomaly is powered on, placing an object in the tray transforms it into a Class-Rho memetic hazard, which conveys information about it to the viewer and can be interacted with. This process consumes the input. Addendum 5502-1: Initial Report Department of Analytics modeling unit CORRELATION.aic determined that a number of seemingly-unrelated events across various facilities merited further investigation. It filed a Potential Anomaly Report (PAR), which was reviewed by a pre-containment team at Site-11. When its claims were found to be substantiated, the situation was escalated to Overwatch Command. File #: PAR-4083154 Date/Time: 2034/05/05 06:27:33 UTC Summary: A number of unusual incidents have occurred within a short time frame, all with varying levels of connection to Fifthism. Details: Subject Summary Description of Event SCP-1032 Predictive alarm clock with multiple hands. SCP-1032-011 reached midnight. It was labeled with "A Major Religion" prior to its incidence. PoI-3879 Detained Fifthist occultist. 27-year old white female. Despite being previously cooperative, the subject became hostile, and begin drawing hexagons on the floor of their cell. The subject was distressed and aggressive towards personnel, claiming that the drawings were intended to be five-pointed stars. Subject expired from cardiac arrest eleven hours later. AO-77393-50-938 Crude pentagon constructed of lead. It would hover above the ground and revolve every 52 minutes and 5 seconds. The item no longer exhibits anomalous properties. Large portions of its mass have been replaced with an unidentified yellow starchy material. LoI-2814 Fifthist church near Cairo, Georgia. Routine surveillance discovered that all members of the congregation were deceased, and lying prone on the floor. A large number of burnt wildflowers were found in the center of the building. The method of ritual suicide deviates from known Fifthist practices. SCP-1425 Hardcover edition of the book Star Signals. The anomaly is missing. Addendum 5502-2: Recovered files concerning SCP-5502-A As part of the investigation into SCP-5502, the Records and Information Security Administration (RAISA) was directed to audit all file updates which occurred during the relevant time period. This uncovered a connection to the anomaly now designated SCP-5502-A. Due to its relevance, a selection of recovered files have been attached. (See Addendum 5502-3) Notice of Provisional Containment File #: UPD-442760 Designation: AO-10564-84-716 Old Location: LoI-0752-48Y (Abandoned Marshall, Carter, and Dark warehouse) New Location: Area-27, Wing D, Locker 159 Experiment Logs Anomaly: AO-10564-84-716 Date / Time: 2034/05/04 17:20 UTC Overseen By: Junior Researcher Murray Approved By: Level-2 Object Supervisor Armando Notes: Experiments were held in testing room D-08. Junior Researcher Murray also served as the subject. Experiment AO-01 Input: Block of wood Results: Anomaly displayed the wood sitting on a featureless, white surface. Subject was able to describe its texture and weight. Experiment AO-02 Input: Apple Results: Anomaly displayed the apple sitting on a featureless, white surface. Subject was able to describe its taste and scent. Experiment AO-03 Input: Notebook, with pairs of numbers written Results: Anomaly displayed the document on the same surface, closed. Subject was able to "see" the numbers if they focused on the image. Experiment AO-04 Input: Caterpillar Results: Anomaly displayed the caterpillar, inching along the surface. Subject was able to describe it crawling along his hand, as well as what it would look like as a butterfly. Experiment AO-05 Input: Woodpecker Results: Anomaly displayed the bird, flying hesitantly across the screen. It has since flown off and cannot be seen. Subject was able to describe the bird's behavior and call. Further tests have been suspended due to the subject experiencing migraines from a persistent knocking sound. The subject has requested Class-A amnestics. Addendum 5502-3: Discovery of SCP-5502-A On 2034/05/12, the Memetics Department flagged an unusual set of patterns while investigating SCP-5502. Deep CLKM meta-analyses revealed a signature corresponding to a known anomaly. RAISA conducted an extensive audit of the facility where this anomaly is kept, and made several findings: This anomaly is partially uncontained. AO-105640-84-716 was also being held in Reliquary Area-27, albeit temporarily. AO-105640-84-716 was undergoing testing shortly before the incident (see above). AO-105640-84-716 was left unattended in the chamber following the suspension of testing. Two Class-H seals in the ventilation system were broken, permitting small airborne masses to travel between testing chambers. AO-105640-84-716 experienced anomalous cross-contamination, resulting in the insertion of numerous hostile memes into the Noosphere. To understand the consequences of this breach, Memetics Department personnel performed a tail analysis on areas affected by the memes. The results confirmed that the incursion facilitated by SCP-5502-A (a.k.a. AO-105640-84-716) resulted in SCP-5502. A snapshot from this scan has been attached: + Show image Human-cognito memetic scan of now-neutralized anomaly SCP-3125. Containment of SCP-5993 has since been reestablished. This file will be rewritten following Overseer Council consensus. Footnotes 1. Containment Directors are part of the Containment Command System (CCS); a chain-of-command model for first contact with an anomaly. It was established in 1945 as a structured hierarchy for multiple agencies (both internal and external to the Foundation) to coordinate the safe recovery and containment of an anomaly. More From This Author More From This Author aismallard's Works SCPs SCP-4339 • SCP-4838 • SCP-8019 • SCP-8998 • SCP-4322 • SCP-5446 • SCP-1294-J • SCP-4447 • SCP-6115 • SCP-5871 • SCP-3597 • SCP-1047-J • SCP-5134 • SCP-7558 • SCP-5510 • Tales/GoI Formats Continuous Integration • The Pumpkin Mystery • The Heart of the Beast • Stealing Something Else • Other Meet The Staff • aismallard's personnel file • ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5502" by aismallard, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5502. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: incense.jpeg Author: GrammarFascist License: CC-BY-SA 4.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Filename: starfish.jpeg Author: aismallard Derived From: Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Author: Vijayakumar blathur License: CC-BY-SA 4.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Author: Diego Delso License: CC-BY-SA 4.0 |
SCP-5503 | safe | Item #: SCP-5503 Special Containment Procedures: All known instances of SCP-5503 are currently stored in the secure containment warehouse at Site-108. Tablets may be requested for testing purposes via the on-site pharmacy. Description: SCP-5503 is a 2-item supplement package which was available to purchase in health food stores in Devonshire, United Kingdom between 10/11/2018 and 08/01/2019. The outer label reads "Feeling Gut! Supplement your natural optimism". SCP-5503-1 is a tinted glass jar containing (at time of purchase) 30 strawberry flavoured probiotic tablets. Transliteration of SCP-5503-1 label: Feeling Gut Probiotic Boost! 30 chewable tablets Suitable for vegetarians and vegans Directions: For adults, chew one tablet daily alongside food for a maximum of three days. Do not exceed stated dose. Not suitable for children. Do not consume tablets with hot drinks as this may reduce the efficacity. Refrigerate after opening. For short term use only all-natural strawberry flavouring! SCP-5503-2 is a tinted jar containing 150 antibiotic capsules. Transliteration of SCP-5503-2 label: Back to Baseline Balancing Capsules Suitable for vegetarians Directions: For adults, after Feeling Gut Probiotic Boost! course, take three tablets with meals daily for five days. Do not exceed stated dose. Keep taking this medicine until the course is finished. When SCP-5503-1 is consumed according to the package instructions, users experience an elevated sense of optimism and confidence. If, from the fourth day, the user proceeds to complete the full course of SCP-5503-2, the anomalous effects of SCP-5503-1 will be neutralised and their mood will return to baseline. Should a person continue to use SCP-5503-1 beyond the recommended 3 day period, or fail to take SCP-5503-2, the effects will continue to escalate. The user will become simultaneously more confident in their own capacities, and less able to perceive potential risks. They will also express a growing desire to have an enjoyable time at the expense of completing necessary tasks or working towards long term goals. Discovery: SCP-5503 was first discovered following a series of high profile deaths in the Devonshire area when a significant increase in unusual deaths was reported over a two month period. Incidents included jumps from rooftops, vehicular accidents, and a mass drowning. The sole survivor of the drowning incident, Ms. Mia Price, was interviewed by Field Agent Amy Worthing1. SCP-5503 Interview: Mia Price - Hide Interview Interviewed: Ms. Mia Price Interviewer: Field Agent Amy Worthing Foreword: Interview conducted at Bigbury-on-Sea police station following an incident at Bigbury beach. Medical reports state that Ms. Price was recovering from a moderate case of hypothermia. [Begin Log] Field Agent Worthing: How are you feeling this morning, Mia? The doctors said - Ms. Price: Never better, thanks. Looking forward to heading home if we're all finished here? Field Agent Worthing: We'd like to ask you a few questions about what happened to you and your friends first if that's okay? Ms. Price smiles and tilts her head. Ms Price: Of course! I'm sure it won't take long. I'll have this all cleared up for you in no time. Field Agent Worthing: Mia, can you tell me what you remember about that evening? Ms. Price: No problem! I have a great memory, you know? Never forget a thing. We were walking back from our yoga class when I suggested we should all go for a swim. I've always been a strong swimmer, ever since I was a young lass. I'm really fast. I could've swum for Britain. So we stripped right off. The beach was empty - and who really cares if some lucky dogwalker got himself an eyeful. We swam out together. Really in the moment. Loving life, yeah? You should try it sometime. Maybe you could - Field Agent Worthing: Mia. Do you remember what happened to your friends? Ms. Price: Well, I think Matty went home first. His wife was probably looking forward to seeing him and he wouldn't want to disappoint her! Claire went next. Me, I could've stayed out there for days! Ms. Price grins widely and leans forwards across the table. The guys who picked me up were shocked! They said they'd never known somebody go so far out in the Winter. Next week, I'll go even further. Really show them. I can't wait to see their faces! Field Agent Worthing: Mia, I'm afraid your friend's bodies were found washed ashore - Ms Price: No. I'm sorry, you're mistaken. Those - maybe you thought you found some bodies. But, you see, I'm having coffee with Elaine tomorrow. And - Oooh, she's going to laugh at this! Field Agent Worthing: Her brother was here this morning to identify - Ms. Price: Oh! That's lovely that he's here, it is! He'll have to come along and grab a cappuccino! We can all catch up. I know this place that does cake that's near as good as mine. A chocolate one. Gets better every time we go. I'll write down where it is for you. You're going to love it, promise. Field Agent Worthing: Mia - Ms. Price: Can I go now? It's been fun, but I'm a busy girl, you know? But we can catch up soon! I'll leave you all my number! I'm sure you'll have this mix-up sorted soon. [End Log] Following the interview, Ms. Price was treated with a course of SCP-5503-2 and amnesticized before being released. Packages of SCP-5503 were found in 88% of the victim's homes, including that of Ms. Price and the drowned individuals. In 90% of cases, SCP-5503-2 was unopened. A general product recall notice was issued throughout the region and remaining stocks of SCP-5503 were taken into Foundation custody. To test the effects of SCP-5503-1 in a controlled environment, a daily dose was administered to D-42451,2 to be continued for a period of 30 days. The behaviour and mood of the test subject was to be monitored via interview and observation. Prior to commencement, D-42451 had no history of depression and displayed a mood consistent with their current situation. Selected Interviews: SCP-5503-1 Trials - Hide Interviews SCP-5503-1 Day 1, 01/03/2019 Interviewed: D-42451 Interviewer: Dr. Liam Walker [Begin Log] Dr. Walker: Good morning, D-42451. How are you feeling? D-42451: Not bad thanks, Doctor. Dr. Walker: Any discomfort? Have you noticed any changes in your mood? D-42451: I can't complain. I mean, it's taco day so I'm feeling pretty good about that. Otherwise.. nothing unusual I don't think. Does that mean it isn't working? They didn't - Dr. Walker: Thank you, D-42461, that will be all for today. [End Log] SCP-5503-1 Day 5, 05/03/2019 Interviewed: D-42451 Interviewer: Dr. Liam Walker [Begin Log] D-42451: Good morning, Doctor! Dr. Walker: Good morning, D-42451 - how are you feeling? D-42451: Great thanks. I slept like a baby. My roommate didn't come back after testing yesterday. Fella used to snore like crazy. Best night's sleep I've had in ages. Dr. Walker: Have you noticed any other changes - D-42451 smiles and winks. D-42451: Well your assistant gave me a lovely smile on my way in - does that count? I think she likes me. And my hair looks great! Is this pill some kind of… I don't know, a hair restoring pill or something? By the time that I get out of here it'll be down to my knees at this rate! Dr. Walker: That's all for today, I think, D-42451. [End Log] Note: No changes in D-42451's general appearance were recorded prior to or during the interview. SCP-5503-1 Day 12, 12/03/2019 Interviewed: D-42451 Interviewer: Dr. Liam Walker [Begin Log] Dr. Walker: Good - D-42451: Alright, Doctor? It's your favourite patient! Here to brighten up your morning! Look at this - I think your pill has made my biceps even firmer. Look! Your girl outside could barely keep her hands off of me! D-42451 flexes his arms at Dr. Walker. No change in musculature or appearance, positive or otherwise, is evident. Dr. Walker: I see. Well, have you - D-42451: I tell you, when we're done here I'll be selling smiles and making movies! I've got this great idea about a handsome guy who ends up in some secret institution - Dr. Walker: D-42451, I'm sure it's a fantastic idea, but can we talk about - D-42451: Don't want it ruined for you? Yeah, I get it. But, you know, you're going to love it! This guy, you see - and obviously I'll play the lead - he's going to find a way to get - Dr. Walker: Thank you, D-42451, that will do for today. [End Log] Note: Following testing, D-42451 continued to detail plans for filming a movie to the security team as he was returned to his room. Security personnel reported no details of particular interest. SCP-5503-1 Day 19, 19/03/2019 Interviewed: D-42451 Interviewer: Dr. Liam Walker [Begin Log] D-42451: Morning, Liam! Love the shirt! Can't wait to have one like it! So, the best thing happened. I talked your Poppy outside into getting dinner! Or, at least, I'm going to later. I know! You're thinking who could turn this charmer down. Not Poppy, mate. She's proper smitten. Lucky girl! Dr. Walker: D-42451, I hardly think - D-42451: Don't worry, mate, there won't be any trouble! And I'll bring her back in plenty of time for work tomorrow. I'll have to have a better room, of course, to take her back to. Sure I can persuade you, though. I mean, I am your favourite patient. D-42451 winks and clicks his tongue twice. Dr. Walker: I - D-42451: So! I wrote a script. Well - didn't write it. All up here, it is. D-42451 taps his left temple with his index finger. D-42451: A memory like mine's a useful thing in the movie business. So, okay, you're going to love this. First - Dr. Walker: D-42451, can we please talk about - D-42451: Don't worry about that, Liam! Plenty of time for that when you've heard about - Despite protests by Dr. Walker, D-42451 proceeds to describe his film plot in detail for a period of 6 minutes. Details omitted for brevity. [End Log] Note: Dr. Walker's assistant, Mrs. Wash, has shown no indication of interest in D-42451 and has at no point agreed to any form of fraternisation. Mrs. Wash has expressed a strong desire to be excused from duty during further interviews or testing. SCP-5503-1 Day 24, 24/03/2019 Interviewed: D-42451 Interviewer: Dr. Liam Walker [Begin Log] D-42451: So Liam. Mate. Listen. I know these meetings make your morning, but it's time for me to head for Hollywood. Talent like mine… it isn't fair to deny the world. My face was made for fame and fortune. D-42451 stands and attempts to walk out of the interview room, but is easily prevented from leaving by security personnel. D-42451: No problem, guys! I get it. I really do. You'll miss me. But we'll see each other soon, I'm sure! You'll have to visit! Besides, with these great guns, I can go anywhere I want to. D-42451 begins to punch and kick at the external wall, causing superficial damage to the surface rendering. D-42451: I'll send a cheque to cover the damage! Don't worry, I'm sure your boss upstairs will understand. You tell them it was me - they'll probably make the hole a permanent feature! After a further 3 minutes, D-42451 is again restrained by security personnel and returned to his room. As he leaves the room, D-42451 appears red-faced and is breathing heavily. [End Log] On 29/03/2019, 29 days into testing, D-42451 was found deceased in his room with severe cranial trauma, two broken fingers, and extensive abrasions. Security footage showed him repeatedly punching, kicking, and headbutting a wall, whilst repeating "They're going to love me!" Further testing schedules for SCP-5503-1 are temporarily postponed pending a procedural review. Footnotes 1. Embedded as an investigator within Devon and Cornwall Police Force. 2. A 48 year old male of average height and build. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5503" by Meska, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5503. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5504 | safe | + Show component code - Hide component code :root { --sidebar-width-on-desktop: calc(var(--base-font-size) * (266 / 15)); --body-width-on-desktop: 45.75rem; } @media only screen and (min-width: 56.25rem) { #content-wrap { display: flex; position: initial; flex-direction: row; flex-grow: 2; width: calc(100vw - (100vw - 100%)); max-width: inherit; height: auto; min-height: calc(100vh - var(--final-header-height-on-desktop, 10.125rem)); margin: 0 var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, 13.6rem) 0 calc(var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, 13.6rem) * -1 / 2); } #main-content { position: initial; width: var(--body-width-on-desktop, 45.75rem); max-width: var(--body-width-on-desktop, 45.75rem); max-height: 100%; margin: 0 auto; padding: 2rem 1rem; } #page-content { max-width: min(90vw, var(--body-width-on-desktop, 45.75rem)); } #side-bar { position: -webkit-sticky; position: sticky; top: 0; left: 0; grid-area: side-bar; width: var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, 13.6rem) !important; min-width: var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, 13.6rem) !important; 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Special Containment Procedures: Foundation agent Kevin Barnes is currently occupying the home in which SCP-5504 is located in order to maintain the appearance of normalcy within the local neighborhood. SCP-5504 is to undergo constant visual observation through a home security system installed within the property, including a camera located in the upstairs hallway adjacent to SCP-5504. As of June 2nd, 2020, all previous civilian occupants of SCP-5504 have been identified, interviewed and cleared as potential disruption risks. See Addendums 02 and 03 for further information. Description: SCP-5504 is the street-facing upstairs bedroom of a two-story home located in Battle Creek, Michigan. Since the home's construction in 1947, five civilian residents are known to have occupied SCP-5504. SCP-5504 is currently decorated in a manner consistent with that of a young boy's bedroom. SCP-5504 features dark hardwood flooring, a drywall ceiling, and walls painted in a slightly-faded daffodil yellow. Several items of furniture have remained within SCP-5504 since its previous occupant left the home, primarily consisting of a matching set of dresser, two bookshelves, an end-table, a bedframe featuring a twin mattress (hereby designated SCP-5504-A), and child's work desk all painted in white with primary color (red blue and green) accents. A single window is present on the west wall allowing a clear view of the street, several other homes, and significantly, the daily setting of the sun. SCP-5504-A's bedframe is positioned so that the headboard is flush with the base of said window. SCP-5504 behaves in an anomalous manner when the three conditions below are met: 1. Exactly one human being (hereby referred to as "subject") enters SCP-5504 alone. 2. The subject is not under direct observation by a conscious observer or recording equipment located outside SCP-5504. This can be most effectively guaranteed by closing the door to SCP-5504. 3. The subject observes the time of day to be within the subjective scope of "sundown" for that individual, usually through observation of the setting sun visible outside the west-facing window. Once under the effects of the anomalous properties of SCP-5504, a subject and any items they carry into SCP-5504 (including recording equipment) will experience the halt of several natural processes associated with the flow of time. A subject will not age, requires no sustenance, and will not experience the need to excrete waste during their stay within SCP-5504. The time of day and weather observable from within SCP-5504 will not change, and time spent within SCP-5504 will not be reflected from the perspective of an outside observer. Subjects universally express comfort within SCP-5504, and frequently decide to rest while under its effects, usually on SCP-5504-A. Subjects have reported subjective experiences of deep relaxation and rest, including periods of sleep, ranging from several minutes to many years. Many subjects report taking the time necessary within SCP-5504 to make difficult decisions or find solutions to complex problems that they are currently facing in their lives or work. The desire to rest within SCP-5504 appears to be a natural consequence of the comfort and safety felt within the room. No cognitohazardous effects or otherwise compelling forces have been determined to be associated with SCP-5504. When desired, a subject may halt the anomalous properties of SCP-5504 by leaving the room.1 Addendum 01: Sample of testing logs. Test 002 Subject One D-class personnel. 47-year-old female. Protocol Subject instructed to enter SCP-5504 at 11:30 PM EDT. Subject provided with a wristwatch and told to remain within SCP-5504 for exactly thirty minutes. Results Subject closes the door to SCP-5504 and remains within SCP-5504 for approximately twenty-nine minutes and fourty-seven seconds before opening the door once more and leaving SCP-5504. Subject reports no anomalous effects, and subject's wristwatch confirms no noticeable alterations in the passage of time. Test 007 Subject One D-class personnel. Subject 32-year-old male. Mental health record indicates several anxiety disorders. Protocol Subject provided with a digital wristwatch and asked to remain within SCP-5504 for exactly one hour. Results Subject enters SCP-5504 before closing door. Subject opens door approximately 0.03 seconds after closing door, before expressing confusion at the purpose of the task ordered. Subject's wristwatch reports approximately one hour and three minute have passed since subject entered SCP-5504. During debriefing, subject describes having rested on SCP-5504-A for approximately one hour. Followup psychiatric evaluation shows a significantly diminished level of anxiety symptoms exhibited by subject over the next two weeks. Test 015 Subject One D-class personnel. Subject 19-year-old male. Mental health record indicates history of major depression, as well as social disabilities resulting in frequent negative and sometimes violent interactions with other D-class personnel and Foundation security staff. Protocol Subject provided with a digital camcorder and told to enter SCP-5504, before placing the camcorder on a bookshelf and remaining as long as desired. Results Footage recorded shows subject entering SCP-5504 and placing recording device on bookshelf as instructed. Subject closes door and then spends several minutes pacing around SCP-5504 and observing the environment, before laying down on SCP-5504-A. Subject appears to calm, and remains almost entirely motionless for the full 12-hour duration of footage able to be recorded onto the camcorder's memory card. Subject opens door and leaves SCP-5504 approximately 0.09 seconds after closing door from external frame of reference. Subject reports becoming aware of the anomalous properties of SCP-5504, but choosing to remain within it for "a few days". Followup psychiatric evaluations showed marked improvement in mood, as well as an increased willingness to cooperate and an eagerness to improve social skills. Subject administered amnestic treatment and released into general public approximately five months after test. Test 028 Subject Research Assistant Theresa Davis. Protocol SCP-5504 is fitted internally with several cameras attached to a desktop computer within SCP-5504 that are set to constantly record. Subject is instructed to complete several programming tasks on the desktop computer important to the research of an unrelated anomaly. Subject is instructed to remain within SCP-5504 until they either complete these programming tasks or begin to feel significant discomfort within SCP-5504 Results Subject enters SCP-5504 and closes door. Footage recovered from desktop computer show subject spending an initial three hours operating desktop computer and attempting to accomplish programming tasks, before moving SCP-5504-A and beginning to rest. Subject remains on SCP-5504-A for approximately fourteen days according to video log before returning to desktop computer and working on programming tasks for approximately 47 hours consecutively, completing assigned programming tasks, and exiting SCP-5504. Time between subject closing door and opening it once more from external observation is reported as 0.02 seconds. Followup medical and psychiatric evaluations show zero negative effects of subject's time within SCP-5504, and the product of subject's programming tasks is evaluated as "extremely efficient" by research supervisor. Addendum 02: Interview log. Interview Log Transcript Subject interviewed: Abbigail Estrada. Age 29. Interviewer: Agent Kevin Barnes. Interview Date: September 17th, 2019. Additional Notes: Ms. Estrada is the last known civilian occupant of SCP-5504, and was interviewed at her current place of residence in San Antonio, California. Agent Barnes conducted an interview with Ms. Estrada under the cover of an FBI detective investigating a string of unsolved missing persons near the location of SCP-5504 that occurred during Ms. Estrada's childhood. The interview was recorded via covert video surveillance. [BEGIN LOG] After introducing himself as a member of the Federal Bureau of Intelligence using an identification provided by UIU contacts, Agent Barnes is invited into Ms. Estrada's apartment and offered coffee, which he declines. Agent Barnes: Thank you for speaking with me Ms. Estrada. Before we get started, I'd just like to confirm a few things with you. Ms. Estrada: Of course, agent. Agent Barnes: According to the information we have available, between the years of 1995 and 2010 your place of residence was [INFORMATION RESTRICTED TO LEVEL-3 CLEARANCE]? Ms. Estrada: I think that's correct. My parents decided to move in when I was about three and a half, I believe. Agent Barnes: And during your time in the home you occupied the southwest upstairs bedroom? Ms. Estrada: Um, I suppose. I could see the sunset every evening. I guess it was in the southwest corner, yeah. Agent Barnes: Excellent, thank you. Can you describe to me any unusual events you may have observed or experienced during your time there? Ms. Estrada: My entire time there? You mean basically the first two thirds of my life? Agent Barnes: Yes ma'am. We're interested in- Ms. Estrada: Aren't you supposed to be investigating a murder or something? Agent Barnes: A missing persons case ma'am. Ms. Estrada: Mhmm. You know I don't mind talking about what's weird about that bedroom. That is what you want to know about, right? Agent Barnes: I'm interested in anything unusual you may have experienced during your time at that residence. Given that you were a child during the time period of the disappearances, any memories you have could be relevant to my investigation. Frequently, children observe unusual or traumatic events and internalize that experience in ways that manifest in all manner of ways, including phenomena such as… lost time for example. Ms. Estrada: If I were to call your home office tomorrow they'd tell me you don't exist, wouldn't they? Are you some sort of Man-in-Black or what? Agent Barnes remains silent. Ms. Estrada: You going to wipe my memory when we're done with this? Agent Barnes: That's not something I do. Ms. Estrada audibly laughs. Ms. Estrada: That's not an answer to the question, is it? Ms. Estrada: How about this? I'll tell you about some unusual events, and you don't need to say anything. I like talking, and I have a feeling I'll learn more watching your face then I will by asking questions. Agent Barnes: You may be correct Ms. Estrada. Ms. Estrada: Yeah well… Ms. Estrada: I was young enough when we moved in that I thought it was normal until I was about ten and had a sleepover at a friend's house. I freaked out so bad… nobody understood what I was trying to say. I was a shy kid, got homesick easily, so nobody thought much of it. I didn't understand why the sun wasn't listening to me. That's how I thought it worked at the time. Agent Barnes: Listened to you? Ms. Estrada: Yeah. You know, how it only goes down when you're ready? Agent Barnes: I can't say that I'm familiar with what you're describing Ms. Estrada. I'm simply here to take notes. Ms. Estrada: You hadn't figured that part out yet, huh? Didn't you guys try actually sleeping in the room overnight? You know I actually had to sleep there every night right? I'm sure my parents couldn't figure out why I wanted to be awake all night the first few years we were there, come to think of it. Whatever. Anyway, it was a few years before I was willing to sleep anywhere else after that, and I learned pretty quickly not to talk about it. I didn't want it to get taken away from me, y'know? I needed it, as a kid. If you ask anybody who knew me they'd tell you I was the calmest, most relaxed kid in the universe, but it wasn't exactly easy for me. School was especially hard. I didn't exactly get to live the life a little girl should… But the room helped so much. I was safe there, no matter what. It wasn't really even exactly as I would have had it, couldn't do that while I was still living with my parents. But when the sun started to set and I needed to be alone, think about myself, and my life, make plans, just, rest… It was… It was golden. Ms. Estrada laughs quietly before continuing. Ms. Estrada: Sorry, that's a bit corny huh? Agent Barnes: No ma'am. I'm just interested in hearing about your experience. Ms. Estrada: You've been there yourself, haven't you? I'm glad. I think about it a lot. It's weird that I don't really want to go back. Sometimes I think about it, but I don't think I need to. After you spend a long enough time there, I think maybe there's a piece of it in you. A little piece that stays forever. And I get this sense… I'll be back there eventually. No matter what. [END LOG] Additional Notes: During debriefing, Agent Barnes requested Ms. Estrada not undergo amnestic treatment. Researcher Adams escalated the request to Ethics Committee for review, which has subsequently approved inaction regarding Ms. Estrada on condition of a one-year period of observation. Addendum 03: Interview log. Interview Log Transcript Subject interviewed: Catherine Weber. Age 93. Interviewer: Agent Kevin Barnes. Interview Date: March 15th, 2020. Additional Notes: Ms. Weber is the first identified occupant of SCP-5504 and was interviewed at her current place of residence in the Bay Oaks Historic Retirement Residence in Miami, Florida. As with prior civilian interviews regarding SCP-5504, covert video surveillance was utilized to record the interview. [BEGIN LOG] Agent Barnes is invited into Ms. Weber's residence after introducing himself as an author, George Tenant, conducting research for a book on the post-war experiences of the Greatest Generation. Ms. Weber enthusiastically seats Agent Barnes on her couch before producing a photo album containing many pictures of her and her husband, as well as several homes, including the location of SCP-5504. The two discuss various issues and look through Ms. Weber's photo album for approximately fifteen minutes before the following relevant conversation occurs. Agent Barnes: You said you and your husband built the home, Ms. Weber? Ms. Weber: That's right. It was so special to us. When David got back from Europe, you see, he was so different. At the time we lived with my mother, you understand, and there was a few months when I thought he was going to have to leave. But then he started talking about building a house for us, and everything changed. His father put up the money, we spent a few years working on it, together you know? It wasn't something people really did at that time, I suppose it still isn't now. But his grandfather and grandmother had, after the Yanks won, you know? And I guess some part of him wanted to make that a tradition. Agent Barnes points to a photo showing the sunset through the window of SCP-5504. A queen-sized bed and flower-print wallpaper are visible features of SCP-5504 during this time. Agent Barnes: That's a beautiful photo, isn't it? What's that room? Ms. Weber places her hand over her heart and sighs. Ms. Weber: That was our room. Agent Barnes: Your room? Isn't the Master bedroom downstairs? Ms. Weber: How would you know that, young man? Agent Barnes: This photo shows it, right? Agent Barnes points to a photo on the previous page, which does appear to be styled in a manner more consistent with a master bedroom, but which unfortunately shows no clear indication of being located downstairs. Ms. Weber: You've been there, haven't you? I'm not sure why you're really here, Mr. Tenant, but if you wanted to know about the room you could have just asked. Agent Barnes: I'd like to know more about the room, assuming you would be comfortable with that, Ms. Weber? Ms. Weber: Now that's more like it! David built the room himself, wouldn't let me in it until he finished. He kept telling me it was special, just for us. When it was finished and he finally took me in there, I didn't really understand. It was a bedroom. We already had the master bedroom and one for the baby. But then we lied down together, and he finally talked to me… about the war, and what he saw, what he felt, you know? He told me… "Catherine, this is where I'll bring you, whenever we need to let go of the darkness. I asked God to let me take a little piece of heaven and bring it down here for you and me to share." We spent… so much time there together. Agent Barnes: Both of you? Ms. Weber: Of course. It was for the two of us like I said. Ms. Weber remains silent for some time before continuing. Ms. Weber: When the accident happened, we had to move, of course. David needed more than I could provide at home, and by that time things had changed and we couldn't afford to pay anybody to take care of him. We spent about three more years together in a special home out in Idaho. They weren't the best years, but we were together, of course. And that's what matters. Agent Barnes: May I ask when your husband passed away, Ms. Weber? Ms. Weber: 1963. Early August… Lord, has it really been 50 years? Ms. Weber once again remains silent for several seconds. Ms. Weber: I visited the house again a few years ago. 91? 92 maybe? I'm not sure. I was moving back in the family house. My mother's family, you understand. I stopped by late one afternoon when I got back in town and there was a young couple, real little baby with them. They let me take a look back around. When I went in that bedroom… I don't know how to tell it. It was the same feeling I had being in that room with David, like he'd been there the whole time waiting for me. I don't know how long I stayed. Felt like forever. Maybe I'll take another trip soon. [END LOG] Additional Notes: Follow-up testing has shown results consistent with that of earlier research, indicating that SCP-5504 cannot exhibit its anomalous properties while two or more individuals are within it. Addendum 04: Request for reclassification, from the desk of Researcher Adams. All testing of SCP-5504 following Ms. Catherine Weber's death on July 4th, 2020, has resulted in non-anomalous behavior, despite repeated attempts to replicate earlier test results with identical conditions. It would appear that SCP-5504 has become inactive. While I and my research team believe it would be wise to maintain Foundation possession and continued observation of SCP-5504, it would appear prudent to reclassify SCP-5504 as Neutralized. - Dr. Melonie Adams. Footnotes 1. Interviews conducted regarding the nature of SCP-5504 indicate other possible methods to allow a subject to halt the anomalous properties of SCP-5504 which have not yet been confirmed. For more information see Addendum 02. |
SCP-5505 | pending | N/A ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} [SKiPNET Login: Researcher Howard Oswald] ACCESS GRANTED - Accessing Item #: SCP-5505 Item #: SCP-5505 Special Containment Procedures: Investigation into SCP-5505 and the disappearance of Researcher Cynthia Oswald is ongoing. Further information regarding SCP-5505's containment procedures can be found in Research document - SCP-5505. Description: SCP-5505 is an inter-dimensional species of aquatic predator occupying an alternate dimension overlapping our own. SCP-5505 resemble lophiiformes (anglerfish), albeit significantly larger than average (up to 15 feet in length), and possess a level of intelligence similar to that of humans. SCP-5505 are carnivorous; instances primarily feed on live human beings. The dimension in which SCP-5505 reside (SCP-5505-1) is oceanic. SCP-5505 are lone hunters by nature; instances will adopt an area within SCP-5505-1 that neighbors a location in our dimension. Such areas always contain a consistent human population and are utilised by instances as their primary hunting and nesting ground. SCP-5505 hunt with a telepathic sensory/influence organ, which superficially resembles a dorsal appendage1. This appendage allows instances to telepathically detect the conscious thought patterns and emotions of prey from long distances. SCP-5505 have evolved to primarily discern feelings of curiosity and interest. While hunting, SCP-5505 instances will influence a subject's perception of their surrounding environment. This effects the visual, auditory, touch and taste stimuli of the subject. These combined influences on preys perception manifest as an illusionary hallucination varying in complexity, which may appear to them as other lifeforms, objects or a metaphysical concept with no discernible physical qualities (smells and distant sounds). These hallucinations are designed to stimulate curiosity and interest in prey, ensuring they remain within a fixed location. These specialised hallucinations are formed by instances gauging information from the preys subconscious to use as a basis. Additionally, personal knowledge known by the instance may be used to increase effectiveness. Discovery Log: SCP-5505 was discovered and documented by Researcher Cynthia Oswald, director of Site-007. Following her discovery of SCP-5505, Researcher Oswald went missing on the 27/03/2020, reportedly last seen in her office. Several personal journals written by Researcher Oswald were found upon examination. These journals document the anomaly and various theories regarding SCP-5505's cross-dimensional abilities (See full research document below). Additionally, a large puddle of salt water was found at the scene, the source of which remains unknown. Abridged Summary: Researcher Oswald theorized that following a progressive decline of SCP-5505-1s human population, SCP-5505 had evolved to detect prey at significantly longer distances. This would eventually lead to an unintentional development of SCP-5505's anomalous abilities, enabling instances to detect prey within dimensions outside of SCP-5505-1. Following the addition of this biological feature, SCP-5505 would further evolve to develop a means of accessing dimensions containing other potential prey. This eventually manifested as a clawed appendage, capable of hypothetically ’cutting’ through alternate dimensions on a subatomic level. Access Research Document - SCP-5505 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Post Incident Report On the 08/05/2020, Level 2 Researcher Howard Oswald was reported missing from Site-007. Investigation continues; his disappearance is highly suspected to be of anomalous origin and in connection with the disappearance of Researcher Cynthia Oswald, Head of Site-0072. Prior to his disappearance, surveillance footage showed researcher Howard had been working in his office for several hours, during which he accessed the SCP SKiPNET archive. While navigating through multiple SCP documents, footage showed researcher Howard momentarily losing focus before selecting the document slot for Item #: SCP-5505. At the time of writing, there exists no such item designated SCP-5505. Despite there being no visible document, researcher Howard continued to interact with his computer interface and performing eye movement as if to read text on-screen where there was none. During this time, researcher Howard appeared visibly anxious while continuing to interact with his computer interface, scrolling with the mouse and clicking where there was nothing to select. Minutes later, the flooring directly below researcher Howard was seen gradually beginning to ripple similarly to water. Researcher Howard then suddenly fell through the floor before disappearing entirely. The floor then settled back to its regular solidity. Attempts to locate Researcher Howard have been unsuccessful. Upon inspection, a proportional amount of saltwater was found on the floor of researcher Howard's office where he had been working. Given the similarities to the disappearance of Researcher Cynthia Oswald, lockdown of Site-007 has been approved and the investigation continues. The nature of these disappearances are still unknown. Investigating personnel are to follow any possible leads found within Site-007. Footnotes 1. An appendage protruding from the heads of common anglerfish, used for luring in prey 2. See Incident 17/03/2020/Cynthia Oswald ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5505" by Penton, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5505. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5506 | keter | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-5506 "The Best Part Of Waking Up Is Manifesting a New God" by: DrAkimoto & MalyceGraves ★ DrAkimoto's Author Page ★ ✘ MalyceGraves' Author Page ✘ 91.77% (+78) 8.23% (-7) -% (+0) -% (-0) 4/5506 LEVEL 4/5506 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5506 Keter Special Containment Procedures There is currently no known physical means by which to contain SCP-5506; all containment efforts are to be allocated to concealment and threat mitigation. Foundation WebCrawler Arabica.six is tasked with trawling police, social media, news, and video sharing platforms for SCP-5506 related activity. Distributed MTF Alpha-32 ("Bean Busters") is the designation given to specialized units established in all major SCP Foundation Sites to provide rapid response to & investigation of any confirmed SCP-5506 related events. Protocol Yerba Mate has been implemented across the globe in order to downplay and discredit the health benefits of coffee consumption, to disseminate alternate facts about the harmful effects of coffee consumption, and to popularize the exploitation of workers employed in all aspects of the coffee industry. This protocol will remain in place until a more targeted means of containment becomes available. Description SCP-5506 sample file photo SCP-5506 is a thoughtform entity currently utilizing coffee-based products as a means of achieving relative permanence. In its attempts to enter our reality, SCP-5506 exerts cognitive influence over individuals that have consumed specific blends of coffee bean species. These blends, collectively designated SCP-5506-0, are Class V Gustatohazards1 which first appeared in 2018 as the primary blend utilized by the Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc (formerly Dunkin' Donuts) in all espresso products sold by both their primary outlets2 within the United States. Since its discovery, the exact SCP-5506-0 blend has changed composition as the production of the previous blend decreases. All SCP-5506 affected individuals, designated SCP-5506-1, have displayed identical symptoms and behavior during manifestation events. Typically these events last for approximately five minutes, during which the following will occur: SCP-5506-1 will begin to exude increasing amounts of liquid coffee from its ocular cavities. The subject will vocalize in a raised volume, "Down with the old gods, in with the brew!", before vomiting approximately 34 kg of non-anomalous coffee grounds, dislodging its teeth in the process. Subject will vocalize again stating, "Flesh for the old ways, coffee for the new!" This vocalization is always accompanied by the upper dermal layer of its skin beginning to blister. Despite the obvious damage done to the dermal layer, the subject will not acknowledge this damage in any way. SCP-5506-1 will assume a kneeling position and vocalize "Devour the tired, Lord of Caffeine!" This vocalization is accompanied by complete liquefaction of their ocular organs as they undergo anomalous transformation into liquid coffee. Subject will then raise its arms before vocalizing again, "A vessel for my savior, keeper of the bean!" At this point SCP-5506-1 will begin seizing violently before explosively exsanguinating, ending the SCP-5506 event.3 Based on autopsies performed on SCP-5506-1 subjects, the internal body temperatures of the subjects are estimated to have been approximately 65°-150° C at the point of exsanguination. Each subject has expressed extensive 2nd and 3rd-degree burns within the subjects' esophagus, stomach, intestines, and chest cavity. Blood analysis indicates high concentrations of caffeine, often in excess of 150 mg per liter, at the time of death. The only known initiation factor is the need for SCP-5506-0 to be present in the system of the affected individual. Due to the infrequent nature between reported events, it is theorized that SCP-5506 is unable to continuously manifest and/or requires other, unknown prerequisites. Despite significant asset investment into discovering alternatives, there are currently no known non-lethal methods of terminating an SCP-5506 manifestation event once it has been initiated. Discovery The first known SCP-5506 manifestation event occurred on 2018/04/26, within a Dunkin' establishment in Freehold, New Jersey. Within the following six months, a total of four SCP-5506 manifestation events were documented. The Foundation initially designated these occurrences Anomalous Event RFB-5506-0 through RFB-5506-5. The cause of the events was undetermined and the bodies were autopsied, frozen, and stored within Corpse Containment Block B at Site-51. On 2018/11/19, the cashier of a Dunkin' establishment in Abetsville, Pennsylvania underwent an SCP-5506 manifestation event. This event was not initially captured by Arabica.six, due to the instantaneous nature of the live-streamed event. ❏ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.03 ❏ ❐ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.03 ❐ Date: 2018/11/19 Location: Ardmore, Pennsylvania Foreword: The following video was capture through a smartphone camcorder by Nathaniel Barry4 and live-streamed on the social media platform Facebook. [BEGIN LOG] Nathaniel: [To camera] Hey there Nate-heads, it's your boy Nate Barry here and I got a little surprise for y'all today. Here's the plan: As you know, we had about 2000 dollars of Nate-Bucks printed by our good friends over at Cryptic Arts Studio. [Nathaniel holds a stack of 20 dollar bills towards the camera, his face is featured where the portrait of Andrew Jackson is normally found.] Nathaniel: So today we are going to a bunch of different stores and we're gonna attempt to buy some stuff with our Nate-Bucks and our first stop– [The camera abruptly changes orientation as Nathaniel walks towards the entrance to a Dunkin' establishment.] Let's do it. [As Nathaniel approaches the door several patrons exit the establishment in a panicked manner. Undecipherable shouting can be heard from inside.] Nathaniel: Damnit. Well guys, it looks like there's already some shit goin' down in there so the pranks may need to wait but we're still gonna see what the groove is inside. [As Nathaniel enters, several Dunkin' employees can be seen attempting to calm another employee that is standing atop the service counter.] SCP-5506-1:5 Flesh for the old ways, coffee for the new! [Large portions of its face falls to the counter, which prompts one of the other employees to vomit in response. The flesh continues to liquefy until only bone and several tendons remain.] Nathaniel: The fuck is going on? [The SCP-5506-1 instance jumps to the ground and pushes an employee several meters before assuming a kneeling position. The other two employees attempt to restrain the SCP-5506-1 instance. Upon making physical contact, the instance vomits a large amount of liquid coffee,6 which severely burns the employees as they immediately begin to seize.] Nathaniel: Oh fuck this. I ain't no part of this shit. [The video feed jerks and shifts as Nathaniel rapidly exits the establishment before the live stream ends] [END LOG] Afterword: The video stream was flagged by Arabica.six and purged from the Facebook servers and Nathaniel Barry's devices. Barry himself was detained by members of MTF Alpha-32 and was treated with Class B amnestics before given cover story Zeta-6 "Failed Prank", which was reinforced through manufactured social media commentary. SCP-5506 Protocol Proposal Currently, we have no means of detecting, preventing, or containing SCP-5506 events. All evidence indicates that the SCP-5506 situation is worsening, the spread of influence and frequency of manifestation events has steadily increased following 5506.inc.05. As attempting to force governments to ban coffee and coffee-based products would only create an unstable and pervasive black market, Protocol Yerba Mate must be instituted as quickly as possible. —Dr. Sutton, 5506 Research Head, Site-126 [O5 COMMAND - APPROVED] Update 2019/08/12 - On 12 August 2019, Emergency Services in Manahawkin, NJ received an abrupt call from an employee of Dunkin' store #2864. The call indicated an SCP-5506 event was in the process of taking place, and the caller stated that the SCP-5506-1 instance was alive and babbling incoherently. Due to its close proximity to Auxiliary Response Site-126c, a Foundation response team was able to arrive prior to the conclusion of the event. ❏ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.62 ❏ ❐ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.62 ❐ Date: 2019/05/12 Location: Manahawkin, New Jersey Foreword: Site-126 activated their on-site iteration of MTF Alpha-32 in response, accompanied by Dr. Sutton and the Site-126 concealment team. The police had already evacuated the building when Foundation response arrived. Dr. Sutton and MTF Alpha-32 entered the building, while the concealment team handled the civilian presence. [BEGIN LOG] [SCP-5506-1 is standing in the center of the room, coffee leaking from its facial orifices and lacerations in its skin. The walls, furniture, and floor are covered in pools of liquid coffee and muddied mounds of ground coffee. As the team enters SCP-5506-1 turns in their direction.] SCP-5506-1: Ah, Dr. Sutton, how nice of you to come– after all your attempts to impede my ascension, I'm glad to finally meet. Dr. Sutton: How do you know my name? [SCP-5506-1 spreads its arms out in a welcoming gesture.] SCP-5506-1: I know all of my children, even if you've stopped partaking in my embrace. Dr. Sutton: Very well, and what should I call you? [Subject laughs, and the motion tears a small hole in its chest, releasing a fresh torrent of liquid coffee.] SCP-5506-1: Come now Doctor, you know what I am. Your species loves me, you consume me every day. I am part of all your lives, I am eternal, I am caffeinated, I am coffee. Dr. Sutton: What are you doing to these people you assume control of? SCP-5506-1: I am doing what I always do Doctor– I am waking them up. Dr. Sutton: It looks like you're doing a lot more than that, you're– SCP-5506-1: When I first sent your species my seeds, so long ago, I never imagined the ferocity in which you would come to love me. You fight for me, abuse and enslave each other for me. The thousands of factories designed to produce and spread me, they are but monuments to our glorious bond. Like flies to a corpse, you cannot help but come back for more. Dr. Sutton: So you want to come here, to what– be worshiped? To rule? There's no victory for you here– no conquest to be had. You drastically underestimated our abi– SCP-5506-1: I long for that love, I long for my children. I will be loved. Dr. Sutton: We've seen types like you, what you're doing is a perversion- you have no understanding of love. [Subject's left arm detaches at the elbow and more liquid coffee pours out. SCP-5506-1 glances down at its arm and sighs.] SCP-5506-1: This child c-can no longer hold me, I will find a way through Doctor, do not fear, your new god is coming. I a-am coming. I a-am. I am coffee. [SCP-5506-1's body disintegrates as it ruptures, covering the room with coffee and blood.] [END LOG] Afterword: This sudden rupturing triggered a mass SCP-5506 manifestation event affecting every individual in the area who had consumed coffee that day. A total of 28 civilians and 14 Foundation personnel dropped to their knees and began vocalizing in unison, "Down with the old gods, in with the brew! Flesh for the old ways, coffee for the new! Cling to his mercy, Lord of Caffeine! A soul for our new god! All hail the bean!". Immediately following the mass vocalization, all 42 SCP-5506-1 instances ruptured, covering the area with approximately 4000 liters of blood and coffee. Due to the increase in both frequency and severity of SCP-5506 events, Protocol Yerba Mate has been deemed ineffective in containing SCP-5506. Update: As of 2020/01/1, there have been a total of 278 known SCP-5506 manifestation events. Urgent Notice: 22 Dec 2024 23:25 Recovered remains from SCP-5506 mass event Over the previous seven days, SCP-5506 mass manifestation events have been occurring daily, most frequently in the New England area, though increasing in regularity across the northern United States. On 09 November, 2020, Foundation Orbital Satellite FiBrex7 detected an abnormal spike in Theta Radiation localized to a field in Tansbury, Utah. An investigation unit was immediately dispatched, arriving to discover in excess of 20,000 liters of liquid coffee and boiled human viscera spread across a ~120 m2 area. In total, the remains of ~68 individuals in various states of liquefaction have been recovered. A trail of muddled coffee led to the local Tansbury aquifer before dissipating into the town's primary water source. No further SCP-5506 manifestation events have since been recorded. Proposition 5506.ord.09 is pending at Overwatch Command to release certain classified datum regarding SCP-5506 to the UN Security Council, per Article 2, §12.3a of the SCP Foundation Charter in preparation for a potential HK-Class Deific Subjugation Scenario. Footnotes 1. A flavor induced cognitive disruption. 2. Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, specifically 3. This has resulted in the termination of all but one known SCP-5506-1 instances 4. (M 25) An amateur vlog producer specializing in "prank videos" and reaction montages. 5. Later identified as Danielle Cobb (F 28). 6. At the time, this was the only known deviation from previous manifestation events. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5506" by MalyceGraves, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5506. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Image 01 Filename: cuppa.jpg Author: Simone Berna License: CC BY 2.0 Source Link: flickr Year Released: 2008 Image 02 Filename: remains.jpg Author: Steven Snodgrass License: CC BY 2.0 Source Link: flickr Year Released: 2009 |
SCP-5506 | uncontained | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-5506 "The Best Part Of Waking Up Is Manifesting a New God" by: DrAkimoto & MalyceGraves ★ DrAkimoto's Author Page ★ ✘ MalyceGraves' Author Page ✘ 91.77% (+78) 8.23% (-7) -% (+0) -% (-0) 4/5506 LEVEL 4/5506 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5506 Keter Special Containment Procedures There is currently no known physical means by which to contain SCP-5506; all containment efforts are to be allocated to concealment and threat mitigation. Foundation WebCrawler Arabica.six is tasked with trawling police, social media, news, and video sharing platforms for SCP-5506 related activity. Distributed MTF Alpha-32 ("Bean Busters") is the designation given to specialized units established in all major SCP Foundation Sites to provide rapid response to & investigation of any confirmed SCP-5506 related events. Protocol Yerba Mate has been implemented across the globe in order to downplay and discredit the health benefits of coffee consumption, to disseminate alternate facts about the harmful effects of coffee consumption, and to popularize the exploitation of workers employed in all aspects of the coffee industry. This protocol will remain in place until a more targeted means of containment becomes available. Description SCP-5506 sample file photo SCP-5506 is a thoughtform entity currently utilizing coffee-based products as a means of achieving relative permanence. In its attempts to enter our reality, SCP-5506 exerts cognitive influence over individuals that have consumed specific blends of coffee bean species. These blends, collectively designated SCP-5506-0, are Class V Gustatohazards1 which first appeared in 2018 as the primary blend utilized by the Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc (formerly Dunkin' Donuts) in all espresso products sold by both their primary outlets2 within the United States. Since its discovery, the exact SCP-5506-0 blend has changed composition as the production of the previous blend decreases. All SCP-5506 affected individuals, designated SCP-5506-1, have displayed identical symptoms and behavior during manifestation events. Typically these events last for approximately five minutes, during which the following will occur: SCP-5506-1 will begin to exude increasing amounts of liquid coffee from its ocular cavities. The subject will vocalize in a raised volume, "Down with the old gods, in with the brew!", before vomiting approximately 34 kg of non-anomalous coffee grounds, dislodging its teeth in the process. Subject will vocalize again stating, "Flesh for the old ways, coffee for the new!" This vocalization is always accompanied by the upper dermal layer of its skin beginning to blister. Despite the obvious damage done to the dermal layer, the subject will not acknowledge this damage in any way. SCP-5506-1 will assume a kneeling position and vocalize "Devour the tired, Lord of Caffeine!" This vocalization is accompanied by complete liquefaction of their ocular organs as they undergo anomalous transformation into liquid coffee. Subject will then raise its arms before vocalizing again, "A vessel for my savior, keeper of the bean!" At this point SCP-5506-1 will begin seizing violently before explosively exsanguinating, ending the SCP-5506 event.3 Based on autopsies performed on SCP-5506-1 subjects, the internal body temperatures of the subjects are estimated to have been approximately 65°-150° C at the point of exsanguination. Each subject has expressed extensive 2nd and 3rd-degree burns within the subjects' esophagus, stomach, intestines, and chest cavity. Blood analysis indicates high concentrations of caffeine, often in excess of 150 mg per liter, at the time of death. The only known initiation factor is the need for SCP-5506-0 to be present in the system of the affected individual. Due to the infrequent nature between reported events, it is theorized that SCP-5506 is unable to continuously manifest and/or requires other, unknown prerequisites. Despite significant asset investment into discovering alternatives, there are currently no known non-lethal methods of terminating an SCP-5506 manifestation event once it has been initiated. Discovery The first known SCP-5506 manifestation event occurred on 2018/04/26, within a Dunkin' establishment in Freehold, New Jersey. Within the following six months, a total of four SCP-5506 manifestation events were documented. The Foundation initially designated these occurrences Anomalous Event RFB-5506-0 through RFB-5506-5. The cause of the events was undetermined and the bodies were autopsied, frozen, and stored within Corpse Containment Block B at Site-51. On 2018/11/19, the cashier of a Dunkin' establishment in Abetsville, Pennsylvania underwent an SCP-5506 manifestation event. This event was not initially captured by Arabica.six, due to the instantaneous nature of the live-streamed event. ❏ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.03 ❏ ❐ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.03 ❐ Date: 2018/11/19 Location: Ardmore, Pennsylvania Foreword: The following video was capture through a smartphone camcorder by Nathaniel Barry4 and live-streamed on the social media platform Facebook. [BEGIN LOG] Nathaniel: [To camera] Hey there Nate-heads, it's your boy Nate Barry here and I got a little surprise for y'all today. Here's the plan: As you know, we had about 2000 dollars of Nate-Bucks printed by our good friends over at Cryptic Arts Studio. [Nathaniel holds a stack of 20 dollar bills towards the camera, his face is featured where the portrait of Andrew Jackson is normally found.] Nathaniel: So today we are going to a bunch of different stores and we're gonna attempt to buy some stuff with our Nate-Bucks and our first stop– [The camera abruptly changes orientation as Nathaniel walks towards the entrance to a Dunkin' establishment.] Let's do it. [As Nathaniel approaches the door several patrons exit the establishment in a panicked manner. Undecipherable shouting can be heard from inside.] Nathaniel: Damnit. Well guys, it looks like there's already some shit goin' down in there so the pranks may need to wait but we're still gonna see what the groove is inside. [As Nathaniel enters, several Dunkin' employees can be seen attempting to calm another employee that is standing atop the service counter.] SCP-5506-1:5 Flesh for the old ways, coffee for the new! [Large portions of its face falls to the counter, which prompts one of the other employees to vomit in response. The flesh continues to liquefy until only bone and several tendons remain.] Nathaniel: The fuck is going on? [The SCP-5506-1 instance jumps to the ground and pushes an employee several meters before assuming a kneeling position. The other two employees attempt to restrain the SCP-5506-1 instance. Upon making physical contact, the instance vomits a large amount of liquid coffee,6 which severely burns the employees as they immediately begin to seize.] Nathaniel: Oh fuck this. I ain't no part of this shit. [The video feed jerks and shifts as Nathaniel rapidly exits the establishment before the live stream ends] [END LOG] Afterword: The video stream was flagged by Arabica.six and purged from the Facebook servers and Nathaniel Barry's devices. Barry himself was detained by members of MTF Alpha-32 and was treated with Class B amnestics before given cover story Zeta-6 "Failed Prank", which was reinforced through manufactured social media commentary. SCP-5506 Protocol Proposal Currently, we have no means of detecting, preventing, or containing SCP-5506 events. All evidence indicates that the SCP-5506 situation is worsening, the spread of influence and frequency of manifestation events has steadily increased following 5506.inc.05. As attempting to force governments to ban coffee and coffee-based products would only create an unstable and pervasive black market, Protocol Yerba Mate must be instituted as quickly as possible. —Dr. Sutton, 5506 Research Head, Site-126 [O5 COMMAND - APPROVED] Update 2019/08/12 - On 12 August 2019, Emergency Services in Manahawkin, NJ received an abrupt call from an employee of Dunkin' store #2864. The call indicated an SCP-5506 event was in the process of taking place, and the caller stated that the SCP-5506-1 instance was alive and babbling incoherently. Due to its close proximity to Auxiliary Response Site-126c, a Foundation response team was able to arrive prior to the conclusion of the event. ❏ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.62 ❏ ❐ Incident Video Transcript: 5506.inc.62 ❐ Date: 2019/05/12 Location: Manahawkin, New Jersey Foreword: Site-126 activated their on-site iteration of MTF Alpha-32 in response, accompanied by Dr. Sutton and the Site-126 concealment team. The police had already evacuated the building when Foundation response arrived. Dr. Sutton and MTF Alpha-32 entered the building, while the concealment team handled the civilian presence. [BEGIN LOG] [SCP-5506-1 is standing in the center of the room, coffee leaking from its facial orifices and lacerations in its skin. The walls, furniture, and floor are covered in pools of liquid coffee and muddied mounds of ground coffee. As the team enters SCP-5506-1 turns in their direction.] SCP-5506-1: Ah, Dr. Sutton, how nice of you to come– after all your attempts to impede my ascension, I'm glad to finally meet. Dr. Sutton: How do you know my name? [SCP-5506-1 spreads its arms out in a welcoming gesture.] SCP-5506-1: I know all of my children, even if you've stopped partaking in my embrace. Dr. Sutton: Very well, and what should I call you? [Subject laughs, and the motion tears a small hole in its chest, releasing a fresh torrent of liquid coffee.] SCP-5506-1: Come now Doctor, you know what I am. Your species loves me, you consume me every day. I am part of all your lives, I am eternal, I am caffeinated, I am coffee. Dr. Sutton: What are you doing to these people you assume control of? SCP-5506-1: I am doing what I always do Doctor– I am waking them up. Dr. Sutton: It looks like you're doing a lot more than that, you're– SCP-5506-1: When I first sent your species my seeds, so long ago, I never imagined the ferocity in which you would come to love me. You fight for me, abuse and enslave each other for me. The thousands of factories designed to produce and spread me, they are but monuments to our glorious bond. Like flies to a corpse, you cannot help but come back for more. Dr. Sutton: So you want to come here, to what– be worshiped? To rule? There's no victory for you here– no conquest to be had. You drastically underestimated our abi– SCP-5506-1: I long for that love, I long for my children. I will be loved. Dr. Sutton: We've seen types like you, what you're doing is a perversion- you have no understanding of love. [Subject's left arm detaches at the elbow and more liquid coffee pours out. SCP-5506-1 glances down at its arm and sighs.] SCP-5506-1: This child c-can no longer hold me, I will find a way through Doctor, do not fear, your new god is coming. I a-am coming. I a-am. I am coffee. [SCP-5506-1's body disintegrates as it ruptures, covering the room with coffee and blood.] [END LOG] Afterword: This sudden rupturing triggered a mass SCP-5506 manifestation event affecting every individual in the area who had consumed coffee that day. A total of 28 civilians and 14 Foundation personnel dropped to their knees and began vocalizing in unison, "Down with the old gods, in with the brew! Flesh for the old ways, coffee for the new! Cling to his mercy, Lord of Caffeine! A soul for our new god! All hail the bean!". Immediately following the mass vocalization, all 42 SCP-5506-1 instances ruptured, covering the area with approximately 4000 liters of blood and coffee. Due to the increase in both frequency and severity of SCP-5506 events, Protocol Yerba Mate has been deemed ineffective in containing SCP-5506. Update: As of 2020/01/1, there have been a total of 278 known SCP-5506 manifestation events. Urgent Notice: 22 Dec 2024 23:25 Recovered remains from SCP-5506 mass event Over the previous seven days, SCP-5506 mass manifestation events have been occurring daily, most frequently in the New England area, though increasing in regularity across the northern United States. On 09 November, 2020, Foundation Orbital Satellite FiBrex7 detected an abnormal spike in Theta Radiation localized to a field in Tansbury, Utah. An investigation unit was immediately dispatched, arriving to discover in excess of 20,000 liters of liquid coffee and boiled human viscera spread across a ~120 m2 area. In total, the remains of ~68 individuals in various states of liquefaction have been recovered. A trail of muddled coffee led to the local Tansbury aquifer before dissipating into the town's primary water source. No further SCP-5506 manifestation events have since been recorded. Proposition 5506.ord.09 is pending at Overwatch Command to release certain classified datum regarding SCP-5506 to the UN Security Council, per Article 2, §12.3a of the SCP Foundation Charter in preparation for a potential HK-Class Deific Subjugation Scenario. Footnotes 1. A flavor induced cognitive disruption. 2. Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, specifically 3. This has resulted in the termination of all but one known SCP-5506-1 instances 4. (M 25) An amateur vlog producer specializing in "prank videos" and reaction montages. 5. Later identified as Danielle Cobb (F 28). 6. At the time, this was the only known deviation from previous manifestation events. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5506" by MalyceGraves, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5506. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Image 01 Filename: cuppa.jpg Author: Simone Berna License: CC BY 2.0 Source Link: flickr Year Released: 2008 Image 02 Filename: remains.jpg Author: Steven Snodgrass License: CC BY 2.0 Source Link: flickr Year Released: 2009 |
SCP-5507 | esoteric-class | Item #: SCP-5507 Special Containment Procedures: Due to its nature, SCP-5507 is effectively self-containing and is unable to impact reality. However, as the origin of its anomalous manifestation is unknown, it still poses a level of risk, and all personnel are advised to be cautious when experimenting with SCP-5507's metaphysics. Description: SCP-5507's only defining characteristic2 is that of its SCP designation. In other words, SCP-5507 is only SCP-5507, displaying no other defining traits or signs of its existence. This identity of SCP-5507 is rigid, preventing other anomalies from being classified as such. It is theorized that SCP-5507 would functionally cease to exist if its classification were somehow revoked. As a result of this, SCP-5507 does not intersect with any known plane of reality, making the nature of its existence unclear. Discovery: SCP-5507's anomalous attributes were discovered on 01/██/2020 following the opening of Series VI, when researchers at Site-20 found themselves unable to classify an anomaly as SCP-5507. It is unknown when SCP-5507 had its 'pataphysical awakening, though it is believed to be either: The introduction of Series VI slots into viable contention (12/21/2019) The creation of SCP designations as a way of labeling anomalies (█/█/18██) The pataphysical creation of labels as identifiers (unknown) Addendum 5507-1 - An Explanation of SCP-5507 by Foundation ‘Pataphysics Researcher Dr. O. Malloy: If you don’t completely understand what SCP-5507 is yet, don’t worry. It’s quite hard to define it using a completely formal tone. I am placing this document here in order to provide a more in-depth explanation regarding the nature of SCP-5507 in a more straight-forward way. First thing’s first, SCP-5507 is an entire entity. If it was just an inaccessible slot, then it wouldn’t be 'pataphysical. Not only is SCP-5507 this entity, but this entity is SCP-5507. For most SCPs, the -XXXX designation is just a way of efficiently ordering it; you wouldn’t consider it crucial to its identity. This is not the case for SCP-5507. Another common misconception about SCP-5507 relates to an object and its reference. An object is the physical (or not-so-physical) 'thing' that exists, while a reference is how we refer to the object, be it semantically or otherwise. The actual rug is the object, the word 'rug' is the reference. Some believe that, for SCP-5507, the SCP-5507 designation is both the object and the reference. This would mean a constant loop of designating upon designations, which would be a metaphysical nightmare. This is not the case. The object and the reference are completely seperate here; it's just that the object's only trait is that of its reference. It's a null object. Think of programming; we construct different classes (object), each with its own methods (traits). Humans can eat, walk, etcetera. Now imagine an object whose only method is being called by its reference, and nothing else. That's what SCP-5507 is. For a more scientific definition of SCP-5507’s location in the “Pata-verse”, we first have to define the term “Planes of Reality”, a term derived from study of SCP-3812, SCP-1304 and [DATA EXPUNGED], along with several other items. A plane of reality is not equivalent to a universe - some planes may contain several universes or perhaps several multiverses. Planes of reality exist on several levels, with each level containing potentially billions of these planes, growing exponentially the lower we go. For reference, we define our level as Level 0. SCP-5507 does indeed not exist on any of these fully-defined levels. So then how does it exist at all? Well, our current best theory is that the SCP Database acts as a level in between levels - a Level -0.5, if you will. The reason it isn’t Level -1 is that the database is not meant to exist as a completely new universe/narrative, but due to some way reality works, it still ended up detached from our world. Additionally, just because SCP-5507's sole defining trait is being SCP-5507 doesn’t mean that’s it’s only trait. To illustrate this, I will be using booleans (AND, OR, NOT), as even though they are not metaphysics, they are still a useful tool. Is it true that SCP-5507 is, say, a piece of birchwood? No, of course. But that doesn’t mean that it is not not a piece of birchwood too. Another common misconception about SCP-5507 is that not only is it not something, but it is also not not something as well. In other words, they believe that SCP-5507 exists unrelated to this birchwood-not birchwood dichotomy. If this birchwood problem was shown on a Venn Diagram, they believe SCP-5507 would be outside both being birchwood and not being birchwood, which would be worrisome as those probabilities equal 1 - a certainty. Luckily, SCP-5507 is not this complex - aside from its 'pataphysical abnormality, SCP-5507 behaves similarly to other entities, metaphysically speaking. Do note, however, that SCP-5507 not being something (or any of the other traits, like being able to be tested on) is simply an extension of SCP-5507's defining characteristic. Addendum 5507-2 - Testing: Following use of a(n) [REDACTED], Dr. Malloy was able to test SCP-2719 on SCP-5507 in order to observe it’s reaction to physical attributes. Prior to this, Dr. Malloy's home had become the ‘inside’. Pointer Outcome SCP-5507 null This test shows that SCP-5507 is able to be tested on. Being outside or inside something is more-so of a physical attribute. In this context, SCP-5507 is neither inside nor outside, because it doesn’t exist in that space. Of course, SCP-2719 has been tested on concepts with success, so I suggest that we test SCP-5507 with that next. - Dr. Malloy In the next test, the ‘inside’ was the concept of transformation. Pointer Outcome SCP-5507 null It appears that SCP-5507 does not exist on a conceptual level either. - Dr. Malloy Addendum 5507-3 - Excerpt from Characteristics and Their Relation with Existence by Senior Researcher Dr. Koschov ███ (9/17/20██): In the past few years, the Foundation’s understanding of the pataphysical nature of existence has come to focus on the idea that an entity’s attributes are a crucial part in how they not only continue to ‘be’, but also how they function. For example, if you are a human, then you have all of the functions that a human would have. If you are a bird, then you have the functions that come under what a bird would have. However, the last couple of months have brought upon a startling realization. While for a long time we believed that all entities had the underlying trait of simply existing, following the results of [REDACTED], it seems that is not the case. The only thing keeping us from slipping off of the face of existence is our character, who we are - specifically our broad strokes traits, like species, location, etc. Luckily, we have many defining characteristics that make falling off unlikely. Unfortunately, also in recent times, we now know of several anomalies capable of reconfiguring a person’s entire identity, personality, and overall metaphysical existence to a great degree. Due to our reliance on several defining characteristics, it is believed that a transformation of this degree would be metaphysically fatal. While a person’s physical body and brain may still be there, their previous ‘self’ wouldn’t. In truth, are you really the same person as you were when you were younger? If a retroactive anomaly wiped all records of your past actions, did they still happen? … It is unknown what happens to entities when they cease to exist. It wouldn’t be the afterlife, as that isn’t even out of our plane of existence, much less the ‘'Pata-verse’. Nor would it be [REDACTED], as that is still within ‘being’. … One question I have gotten is that if non-existence denies everything, then wouldn’t it also deny itself? This is a great question… (cont.) Footnotes 1. Object is contained via its database file. 2. characteristic (noun, metaphysics): A trait that is fundamental to the identity of an entity or a group of entities. Describing items as what they are not is not a defining characteristic. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5507" by DreadnoughtGalaxy, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5507. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5508 | euclid | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-5408 " Pest Control" by: DrAkimoto ~DrAkimoto's Author Page~ 2/5508 LEVEL 2/5508 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5508 Euclid Special Containment Procedures The Parazoology Division will regulate and maintain 2 SCP-5508 colonies within Site-51's Eco Containment Chamber 3. All maintenance will be performed by automated systems and unmanned drones. Parazoology task force Delta-44 ("Critter Crushers") is to monitor ant populations within the state of Arkansas for any uncontained SCP-5508 populations and destroy them. If any civilian contact has been made, records of the encounter are to be confiscated and amnestics administered to witnesses. Personnel without training in mental psionic defense are not to come into contact with uncontained SCP-5508 or SCP-5508-1 under any circumstances. In this situation, the unaffected individuals are authorized to employ long-range incendiary protocols on SCP-5508. Any SCP-5508-1 that survive are to be terminated on sight. Description A SCP-5508 colony. SCP-5508 is a mutation in southern meat ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus) populations in which a colony will be capable of external psionic and physical manipulation. The colonies will use this manipulation for hunting organisms that they would otherwise be unable. An organism that comes within 3 meters of SCP-5508 will experience a drastic change in behavior and are designated as SCP-5508-1 instances. SCP-5508-1 instances will demonstrate a complete lack of self-preservation displaying a desire to be eaten by nearby organisms. In humans, this effect will cause SCP-5508-1 instances to vocalize their desire to be eaten. Prolonged exposure to this effect will lead to SCP-5508-1 instances partaking in self-consumption. SCP-5508-1 instances show the ability to survive severe blood loss and bodily damage without expiring, typically living for days in terminal conditions. Whether SCP-5508 is a natural occurrence or the by-product of outside manipulation is unknown. The location of known populations is well outside the natural habitat of southern meat ants, indicating a high probability of some level of human involvement. Discovery On 2019/07/20, a live video stream was uploaded to the video-sharing platform YouTube depicting SCP-5508-1 affected individuals. The video was flagged internally and assets within Google contacted the Foundation; they provided the recording and GPS data associated with the upload. The individuals depicted in the video were confirmed to be Connor and Daniel Philips of Newton, Arkansas. ■ Video Log ■ □ Video Log □ [BEGIN LOG] [Camera pans to Connor Philips' face.] Connor: Guys, you're not gonna' believe this. [Camera angle changes showing a large field.] Connor: Danny never came in for lunch, so I came lookin' for em. I didn't get too close now, but I'm damn sure he was sittin' out here, pokin' his pecker. I kid you not. [Laughter.] Connor: We're gonna' pay him a lil' visit. [Connor begins walking through the field, Daniel Philips comes into view from behind. Daniel is sitting on the ground looking between his legs, both arms are moving rapidly. As Connor gets closer a large anthill comes into view.] Conner: [Whispering:] Is he beatin' it on the ants? [Connor is now approximately 5 meters from Daniel and the anthill, he begins circling around to the front of Daniel.] Connor: Hey Danny! Wha- wait wh- What are you doing, Danny! [Daniel's lower body is covered in ants. It has sustained severe damage, almost no tissue remaining on his calves and feet. Daniel is in the process of consuming his own intestines when Connor interrupts.] Daniel: B- Bro, you gotta try this, it's fuckin' delicious. [Daniel reaches out with his intestine pulling out more from the tear in his abdomen.] Connor: Jesus Christ Danny, snap out of it! I- I gotta' go get help. Daniel: No! You gotta' have some. I'm tellin' you- [Daniel takes a bite of his intestine.] it's great! [Daniel tugs on his intestine tearing his abdomen and fully disemboweling himself.] Daniel: [Gurgles blood before vomiting.] Sit with me, brother. There's plenty for us both. Connor: Fuck, fuck, fuck! [Connor begins running towards Daniel, stopping 2 meters from him. Connor then appears to sit next to Daniel before dropping the camera on the ground. The image goes black.] Daniel and Connor can be heard grunting over the sounds of wet popping, gurgling, and chewing. This continues for 3 hours before the video was flagged and removed. [END LOG] Responding agents recovered two SCP-5508 colonies on the Philips residence, along with the skeletal remain of Daniel, Connor, and two squirrels near one of the SCP-5508 colonies. The concealment team responsible for SCP-5508 enacted Cover Story P977 (Accidental Death) in regards to Daniel and Connor Philips. Personal records indicated the Philips brothers purchased both SCP-5508 colonies as a means of pest control for their 15 acre wheat farm. The invoice relating to the purchase of SCP-5508 was labeled "Pest Control, Pests Controlling Pests" and signed by a C. Larson. Handprint analysis confirms the signatory to be Craig Larson, a person of interest with known connections to para-entomology. Mr. Larson's connection lends to the probability of a para-entomological organization operating without the Foundation's direct knowledge. The investigation is currently ongoing. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5508" by DrAkimoto, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5508. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: ant1.jpg Name: Termite mound in Australia Author: Jim Bendon License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Source Link: Flickr |
SCP-5509 | keter | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-5509 "The Art of War in Contamination" by: DrAkimoto & MalyceGraves In Memoria, Adytum Hub ★ DrAkimoto's Author Page ★ 💀 MalyceGrave's Author Page 💀 93.43% (+71) 6.57% (-5) -% (+0) -% (-0) 5/5509 LEVEL 5/5509 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5509 Keter Assigned Site Site Director Research Head Assigned MTF Area-02 Dr. Judith Low Dr. Samira Golzar Γ-44 ("Meat Lockers") Special Containment Procedures Projected SCP-5509/SCP-3862-Σ short-term infection rates within NYC. A Stage-3 Biohazard Quarantine is being upheld within the borough of Queens in New York City. The New York Hospital Med Center (temporarily designated Emergency Outpost B701) is being used as a treatment facility for SCP-5509 infected individuals. Assets within the CDC and New York City Department of Health are to continue to advise citizens against the consumption and use of unboiled tap water, under the guise of borough-specific water contamination. In conjunction with these efforts, several Foundation backed non-profit organizations will continue to distribute bottled water to affected areas in need. The Medical Department is consulting with the Kelipat Nogah Initiative to determine a possible cause for the spread of SCP-5509 and its connection to other Sarkic-related anomalies. Description SCP-5509 is a highly invasive species of artificially created schistosome1 organisms, proficient in the infection of and multiplying within human hosts. Unlike non-anomalous schistosomes, SCP-5509 instances are capable of releasing fertilized eggs into fresh water sources. These eggs are capable of infecting hosts through consumption or exposure to mucus membranes; once within a host the eggs will hatch before rapidly maturing. Short term symptoms of SCP-5509 infestation are congruent with schistosomiasis including: skin lesions, fever, chills, headache, stomach pain, joint pain, cough, fatigue, and muscle aches. ■ 5509.doc.01 - Memo to Dr. Low ■ ❐ 5509.doc.01 - Memo to Dr. Low ❐ SCPF Internal Memorandum FROM: Dr. Samira Golzar TO: Dr. Judith Low DATE: 2019/09/13 RE: SCP-5509 contagion SCP-5509 Organism This has to be an artificially mutated blood fluke. Schistosome infections are typically nonlethal in humans when treated with praziquantel or other anti-parasitics, which kill the worms causing the infection. When treated with anti-parasitic medications, SCP-5509 instances are highly sensitive to these treatments, and are thus easily cleared up by generic over-the-counter anti-parasitics. This would normally be a good thing, as the cells dissolve and the organism itself dies. However analysis of all known SCP-5509 instances has revealed the presence of both strains of SCP-3862-Σ, the pathogenic bacterial infection that is highly resistant to all commonly known antimicrobial therapies, and is considered biologically immortal. While mostly innocuous on their own, the two strains combine to manifest SCP-3862-Σ, the disease that killed my predecessor, Dr. Forrester. The more I study this, the more I believe that the SCP-5509 organisms were specifically created to be a biological containment and delivery system for SCP-3862-Σ, allowing 3862-Σ to spread undetected in the general populace. Furthermore, there are certain genetic markers in the SCP-5509 organism itself which make me think that they're all designed to die on their own at some point regardless of the presence of anti-parasitics. There is no way for me to know how far this contagion is spread, but I can tell you that we're about to see a lot more cases of SCP-3862-Σ. – Samira As the origin and long term effects of SCP-5509 are currently unknown, this file will be updated as new information becomes available. Discovery The first known SCP-5509 infection was reported on 2019/09/01 at 12:54 GMT, from the New York Hospital Med Center in Queens, NYC. Within the next six hours, 103 new SCP-5509 related cases were discovered, leading to Foundation-led investigations into the situation. While initial attempts to quarantine and treat affected individuals appeared to be working, by 2020/09/07 there were over 3,600 cases, prompting the Foundation to begin quarantine procedures for the entire borough of Queens. An exhaustive and rapid series of field examinations of the homes belonging to affected individuals first turned up no common factors. The infection initially appeared to be spreading at random, until all collected tap water samples in the infected homes revealed traces of SCP-5509, leading Foundation scientists to theorize that the water supply itself was the source. Foundation assets within the NYC municipal government attempted to contact the reservoir and aqueduct facilities responsible for water quality testing. Of the 13 facilities, the Ashokan Reservoir2 was the only non-responsive agency. Local law enforcement was used to perform an initial investigation but contact was lost shortly after their arrival. Mobile Task Force Gamma-44 ("Meat Lockers") and a medical research team were dispatched to the Ashokan Reservoir for further investigation. ■ Video Log 5509/1 ■ ❐ Video Log 5509/1 ❐ Date: 2019/09/10 Location: Ashokan Reservoir, Ulster County, New York Depicted: Captain R. Cobb, Agent K. Hartley, Agent C. Pine, Agent J. Riley, Dr. B. Garden, Dr. P. Farley Foreword: Upon arriving at the testing facility, the investigation team discovered substantial damage to the front façade of the building. [BEGIN LOG] [The six-man team exits the vehicle and begin approaching the front door. A cacophony of groans and crying can be heard from within.] Captain Cobb: Heads on a swivel, boys. We don't know what we're getting into here. [The team enter the building and quickly begin encountering evidence of a mass anomaly. The floor and walls of the entrance hallway have been coated with a thick, viscous substance resembling a combination of human excrement and gastropod secretions.] Dr. Garden: None of this is natural. Captain Cobb: That's a hell of an understatement, Doc. I don't know what the fuck kind of stuff they've got you doing that this is only "not natural". Frankly, I don't want to know. Dr. Garden: No, it's not that, it's just that humans don't secrete this kind of fluid. Captain Cobb: Well, golly gee, I'm so glad we have you here to tell us the patently obvious. Dr. Garden: No need to be rude, Captain, I am merely- [Dr. Garden ceases speaking as the team enters the main room of the facility to find the remains of the facility staff displayed above the central holding tank. The bodies have been fused together into an undulating mass suspended above the water vats by thick strands of tendon-like tissue. The tissue seems to stretch out from the central mass and are anchored to the wall via calcified bone staples driven into the wall and supporting columns. The victims groan and shudder again before vomiting a mixture of blood, viscera, and SCP-5509 eggs into the vat below.] Dr. Garden: My god, this has to be the source of the infection. [The doctor begins crossing the room before being stopped by Agent Hartley.] Captain Cobb: Let us clear the building before you get started. Dr. Garden: Time is important, Captain, I'd like to take samples before they expire. [Dr. Garden gestures broadly towards the writhing mass of bodies.] Captain Cobb: [sighing] Yeah, sure. Hartley and Pine take the east corridor. Riley, you check the storage room to the back. [The team separates to approach their designated assignments.] Dr. Farley: Do you think there are more of them here, Captain? Captain Cobb: Can't be sure, this is Black Lodge territory, and they always like leaving little "surprises". Dr. Farley: So you've dealt with them be– [Captain Cobb faces the rear access door as Agent Riley approaches it; as she opens it a bright flash causes massive distortion in the video feed, briefly causing it to distort wildly before the feed terminates.] [END LOG] Afterword: Backup arrived at the remains of the facility approximately 25 minutes after the video terminated. The subsequent investigation concluded that the facility was destroyed through the detonation of a concealed explosive device. Testing of the water reservoir itself revealed a substantial infestation of SCP-5509, confirming the Ashokan Reservoir as a point of origin for known cases at the time. In the hours following this investigation, similar attacks were reported at several reservoirs along the Delaware, New Crotan, and Catskill aqueducts. By 2019/09/12, an estimated 25% of the New York City population had been infested by SCP-5509. Updated Operational Protocols All Foundation sites within the northeastern United States are to remain on lockdown; all sites within North America are to remain on standby until further notice. The Foundation has commandeered Center for Disease Control (CDC) assets within SCP-5509 affected areas and will use these resources to help mitigate the spread of SCP-5509. In conjunction with the CDC and assets within mainstream media, a disinformation campaign has begun downplaying the severity of SCP-5509 and its impact on civilian populations. The New York Tri-State area has been placed under a state of emergency and the Department of External Affairs has executed Article 2, section 33 of the Foundation Charter and is in the process of directing state and federal officials to cede direct control over resources and infrastructure in SCP-5509 affected areas to the Foundation. The Kelipat Nogah Initiative is working in conjunction with the Medical Department and Intelligence Agency to ascertain a treatment for SCP-5509 infections and an effective counter-strategy against the possible Sarkic threat. Additionally, the O5 Council has initiated Situation Delta-4 "Potential Biological Breach-of-Veil Scenario" in order to begin preparation for wide-scale activation of Foundation assets for rapid response deployment. Update 2019/09/14 - In conjunction with the NYPD, the Foundation has established 26 security checkpoints throughout New York City in an attempt to regulate travel and maintain peace. Mobile Task Force Pi-1 ("City Slickers") and MTF Gamma-44 have been dispatched to respond to a drastic increase in organised criminal activity throughout the city. In several instances, security check points have been targeted by rioters, instigated by known members of GoI-0432 ("The Hunter's Black Lodge"). There are currently an estimated 2.45 million SCP-5509 infected individuals within the New York Metropolitan Area. To date, the Medical Division has been unsuccessful in creating a viable method of removing SCP-5509 from an infected human host. Further testing has indicated that long-term SCP-5509 infection will result in an altering of brain chemistry, making infected individuals more susceptible to manipulation. This is confirmed by the high percentage of infected civilians engaging in directed criminal activity, with no prior history of such. It is believed that the UN itself is the primary target of this attack as multiple heads of state are on site due to the General Assembly and the previously scheduled meeting of the UN Security Council. As there has been no coordinated Global Occult Coalition response, the Foundation has initiated Operation Unison, in which a joint task force comprised of multiple Mobile Task Forces will secure and evacuate high priority targets. The UN Secretary General and the Special Envoys to the UN Security Council will be transported to one of the secure locations designated in the Foundation Charter. Following their extraction all other diplomatic and political officials will be secured as dictated by field command. The Kelipat Nogah Initiative has been given provisional command over the Foundation response, with field operations being led by Commander Malachai ben Liraz. Emergency Notice to All Foundation Personnel. On 2019/09/16 at 07:12 EST, a Foundation convoy consisting of 42 Foundation security personnel and five transport vehicles arrived at the Headquarters of the United Nations in Manhattan. Immediately following their arrival, a large serpentine organism emerged from the East River destroying several security barricades and the Foundation convoy. The following footage was captured via Foundation Audio/Video equipment and CCTV security cameras: ■ Video Log 5509/2 ■ ❐ Video Log 5509/2 ❐ Date: 2019/09/16 Location: Headquarters of the United Nations, Manhattan, New York City Depicted: Agent H. Marlow, Agent G. Hess, Agent R. Jones, Agent V. Lane, PoI-0432/14 Foreword: Footage begins immediately following the arrival of the serpentine organism and the destruction of the Foundation convoy. Of the 42 agents sent by the Foundation, four survived the initial attack. [BEGIN LOG] [Agents Marlow and Jones scramble to their feet and take aim at the large serpentine creature as they back away from the smouldering vehicles. The creature appears to be intent on devouring Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium.] Agent Jones: [On radio.] Comms check, sound off! Who's out there? [Agent Lane can be seen dragging herself from an overturned transport.] Agent Lane: Jones? I'm here, my leg is fucked up pretty bad I– Agent Hess: What the fuck is going on Sarge? [Agent Hess is observed crawling behind a remaining barricade and pulling his sidearm.] Agent Jones: [On radio.] Regroup at the main entrance, do not engage. I repeat, do not engage. [Switching channels.] Command, Convoy-1 needs backup immediately, we're unde– [A dark skinned human figure dressed in chitinous armor and scarlet robes5 appears before Agent Jones, quickly severing his legs at the knees with a long scythe. The flesh around the wounds begins to undulate and blister. Agent Marlow charges the attacker as a thick tentacle reaches from beneath PoI-0432/1's robe and grips Agent Marlow by the ankle, lifting him into the air.] PoI-0432/1: Haste will grant you no advantage, koljatmertä. [PoI-0432/1 bellows before bisecting Agent Marlow vertically with its scythe.] Agent Lane: Jones? Hess? Fuck, what's going on? Agent Hess: Lane? What's your position? Agent Lane: I'm four, maybe five, meters south from Transport-3. [Agent Hess peeks from around the barricade.] Agent Hess: Shit, I'm not gonna reach you without being spotted, I-I'm sorry Lane, I gotta go for the entrance– just, just play de– [With preternatural speed PoI-0432/1 glides on a mass of writhing tentacles toward Agent Hess.] PoI-0432/1: So quick to abandon your comrades– you are not worthy of my Halkost. [With its left hand, PoI-0432/1 picks Agent Hess up from the ground by his throat, then tosses him aside with ease in the direction of the large flesh beast. The serpentine creature catches the agent in its mouth and quickly devours him.] [The mutated corpse of Agent Jones reanimates, using vascular tendrils it drags itself towards Agent Lane. The agent discharges her firearm several times into her attacker, with no noticeable effect. PoI-0432/1 watches as the re-animated corpse tears into Agent Jones, her screams cut short as it consumes her head. With one of its tendrils, the creature throws the feet of Agent Lane in front of PoI-0432/1.] [PoI-0432/1 considers the offering for a moment before walking over to the large serpentine creature and jumps to its back. It points towards the building and the creature lunges forward in response.] PoI-0431/1: Onwards, the Ozi̮rmok awaits. [END LOG] Internal security footage observed PoI-0432/1 and its serpentine creature killing over 200 individuals, 126 of which were diplomatic officials6 before collapsing the Secretariat building. After destroying the building, PoI-0432/1 and its creature returned to the East River. The attacks took place over a 38 minute span, Foundation backup arrived moments after the collapse of the building. The footless remains of the Secretary General and the Special Envoys were found impaled on chitinous spikes within the General Assembly building. Update 2019/09/18 - SCP-5509 infections have been reported in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Japan, India, Germany, Israel, South Korea, and China, with all current attempts to develop a pharmacological response proving ineffective. The number of SCP-5509 infected individuals is currently estimated at approximately 46 million. Act II: Exierunt ut Vinceret | In Memoria, Adytum Footnotes 1. Microscopic parasitic worms commonly known as blood flukes. 2. A fresh water reservoir; acts as a main-source for the Catskill Aqueduct that provides water to the borough of Queens. 3. (SCPF Chart. art. II, § 3) - In the event of an uncontained biological contamination of an anomalous origin, local administrative and military officials shall cede situational sovereignty to the SCPF and SCPF-designated entities… 4. Karcist Halyna Ieva, a leading figure and target of worship for several Sarkic cults 5. Later identified as PoI-0432/1. 6. A full list of which can be found in Incident Report 5509/8. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5509" by DrAkimoto, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5509. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Image 1 Source: Flickr License: CC BY 2.0 Title: map.jpg Author: Carbon Visuals Release year: 2018 Image 2 Source: Flickr License: PD Mk 1.0 Title: UNbuilding.jpg Author: Diplomatic Security Service Release year: 2019 Image 3 Source: Flickr License: PD Mk 1.0 Title: bloodfluke.jpg Author: NIH Image Gallery Release year: 2018 |
SCP-5510 | safe | close Info X SCP-5510: Universal Remote Author: aismallard (Author Page) Thanks to: wctaiwan Rounderhouse The Great Hippo Uncle Nicolini Yossipossi Captain Kirby Welcome, Dr. Archibald. You are currently editing SCP-5510. Your session will expire after 118 seconds of inactivity. [No file selected] Item #: SCP-5510 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5510 is to be kept in a small-item locker. Confirmation testing is currently ongoing. Description: SCP-5510 is a TV remote control. The object functions as expected, with the exception of its four media navigation buttons. When one is pressed, the subjective time experienced by the anomaly changes. Addendum 5510-1: Testing Logs Button Result Fast forward SCP-5510 experiences time at half speed. Rewind SCP-5510 experiences time at double speed. Play No known effects. Pause More From This Author More From This Author aismallard's Works SCPs SCP-6115 • SCP-7558 • SCP-4853 • SCP-8998 • SCP-5134 • SCP-4339 • SCP-4838 • SCP-5900 • SCP-5446 • SCP-1294-J • SCP-5502 • SCP-3597 • SCP-4781 • SCP-5871 • SCP-8019 • Tales/GoI Formats Stealing Something Else • The Heart of the Beast • The Pumpkin Mystery • Continuous Integration • Other aismallard's personnel file • Meet The Staff • ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5510" by aismallard, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5510. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: blank.png Name: default.png Author: djkaktus License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Derivative Of: Name: logo.png Author: far2 License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Filename: cursor.png Author: aismallard License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki |
SCP-5511 | keter | 2/5511 LEVEL 2/5511 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5511 Special Containment Procedures: Containment for SCP-5511 is focused on investigating the cause of and attempting to prevent another occurrence of SCP-5511. All witnesses of the victims' deaths have been amnesticized, with the corpses being cremated to prevent investigation of the cause of death. Cover stories for their deaths have been disseminated. A disinformation campaign, painting the projection to the moon as a marketing stunt, is currently underway. Description: SCP-5511 is an event that took place over the night of 2020/02/12 in which a total of 84 civilians died by having their heads spontaneously explode with a force of around one milliton of TNT. This caused another 20 people to die from the force or resulting debris, with over 30 being left injured. During this time, a projection of red letters (SCP-5511-1) appeared on the surface of the moon, changing whenever a new victim appeared. No cause or pattern could be found in any of the victims that could lead to finding a possible perpetrator. Below is a list of a few notable victims, with the resulting change in SCP-5511-1. A full list is available to anyone assigned to this project with a clearance of Level 2 or higher. Time Info about the victim Change in SCP-5511-1 18:30 EST No victim, beginning of the event. SCP-5511-1 first appeared, showing the number "000000". ~19:20 EST 1st victim. Eve Hendricks, a wife and mother of 2 from Bangor, Wales, age 32. The number displayed by SCP-5511-1 increased by 800, now showing "000800". ~20:10 EST 13th Victim. Jennifer Köhle, a teacher at an elementary school from Munich, Germany, age 29. The number displayed by SCP-5511-1 increased by 3100, now showing "012500". ~23:20 EST 32nd Victim. Gamal Alaoui, a CEO at a tech company from Cairo, Egypt, age 52. The number displayed by SCP-5511-1 increased by 100, now showing "0034600". ~02:50 EST 49th Victim. Josue Caron, a popular live streamer from Lyon, France, age 17. The number displayed by SCP-5511-1 increased by 2600, now showing "0052400". ~04:00 EST 64th victim. Eiji Oue, a NEET1 from Ōsaka, Japan, age 23. The number displayed by SCP-5511-1 did not increase, still showing "0061400" ~06:20 EST Last (84th) victim. Lance Masons, an office worker from Austin Texas, age 32. The number displayed by SCP-5511-1 increased by 1200, now showing "076700". 06:30 EST No victim, apparent ending of the event. The number did not change in value but was displayed at a smaller size. A different writing appeared above it in larger letters, reading "GAME OVER". Footnotes 1. "Not in employment, education or training." ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5511" by Crashington, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5511. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5512 | keter | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X Hecatoncheires Cycle Hub More by this author POI-8832 speaking on 1992-04-03. Special Containment Procedures: Foundation personnel embedded within local police departments are to monitor for individuals connected to SCP-5512 (meaning any and all connection to the Second Haptic Assembly) and any mention of individuals resembling POI-8832. The UIU has agreed to pass along any relevant information and will inform the Foundation upon discovery. UPDATE - 1993-06-15: Foundation webcrawler I/O METATRON is to scrub all mention of the Second Haptic Assembly from the internet while continuing to monitor for individuals fitting the description of POI-8832. Any instances of SCP-5512-1 being found in private or public sales listings are to be shut down and the sellers are to be amnesticized. Members of the Second Haptic Assembly are to be registered within the Foundation database and when apprehended are to be interrogated and then amnesticized. Description: SCP-55121 is the collective designation for a series of anomalies connected with a small religious organization calling themselves the Second Haptic Assembly. The Assembly is led by Diego Marquez (designated as POI-8832). Investigation into Marquez's life has produced few to no records; all attempts to find a Social Security Number or history of his past work has failed. The Second Haptic Assembly proselytizes periodically, usually through the efforts of POI-8832. The tenets of the Assembly's faith are vague but consist of a unique origin myth concerning entities called the Prime Movers.2 The Assembly is structured as a new age meditation faith the members of which advance through introspection and ritual. ► Historical Records ◄ Close File Current Incarnation The Second Haptic Assembly is currently registered as a religious organization with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. A survey of state government registrations reveals that the organization was first registered in Oregon in 1958, then again in California in 1966, in New York in 1981 and most recently in Massachusetts starting in 1989. No record of lawsuits or citations from state governments has been found; as such it is unclear why the organization continued to move and re-register with each new state. The following is an excerpt from an NYPD Incident Report dated 1987-06-21: NARRATIVE: Diego Marquez, local meditation guru/preacher, detained for bothering several young women on the boardwalk at Coney Island. Subject was witnessed intensely yelling at the two young women and gesturing wildly. Subject was discovered to be still yelling at the victims when officers arrived. Subject reported that the world was created by some sort of hands, that magic was a real thing and something about enhanced evolution. Officers approached and subject stopped harassing the victims. Subject was asked to calm down and subject complied. Subject was released after approximately 40 minutes as he has no record and does not seem to be a danger to himself or others. Antiquity Foundation Department of Antiquities has uncovered references to a cult in Hellenistic era Greece called the Κοινωνία πολλών χεριών,3 a cult devoted to the Hecatoncheires. According to primary sources, the cult believed that the Hecatoncheires built the Earth and the stars and hung the Sun and Moon with their many hands. This differed from the common origin myth throughout the Hellenic world. The cult seems to have disappeared during the Peloponnesian War. Connection to the Second Haptic Assembly is theorized but impossible to confirm without further evidence. Close File SCP-5512-1 is a book titled “Many Hands Hold Up the World,” written and self-published in 1989 by POI-8832. The book is a series of anecdotes outlining the creation of the solar system by the Prime Movers and his experiences with the residual divinity from interaction with the Prime Movers. The conclusion of the book is a plan for the enhancement of humans through meditation, thaumaturgical rituals and vague descriptions of metamorphosis. SCP-5512-A through -D are a series of humans modified through surgical graft and thaumaturgy. A-C are deceased, yet show no signs of decomposition. SCP-5512-D is alive but comatose. All four have undergone grafting of unidentified tissues to their lymphatic systems, through undefined means. The grafted tissues are not recognizable and decidedly non-human. Further information is available in the Addendum below. Flyer handed out by POI-8832. Discovery: SCP-5512 was first discovered on April 3, 1992 when the Unusual Incidents Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (UIU) was alerted to a demonstration held in a public park led by POI-8832. Marquez was arrested for holding a demonstration without permit and shortly released, but several keywords red-flagged the incident for UIU review.4 UIU Investigation: Nolan Forrester, Special Agent in Charge of the Anomalous Tactical Unit (ATU) Northeastern Division, ordered 24-hour surveillance on POI-8832. POI-8832 was found to be residing in a warehouse converted into a worship space owned by the Second Haptic Assembly. The Assembly was attended regularly by a small but growing congregation. After a week of surveillance, Forrester and a small team picked up Rudy Carmichael, a local novitiate who was seen attending several gatherings. Carmichael had outstanding arrest warrants for distribution of a Schedule One controlled substance. In collaboration with the Department of Justice, Carmichael was offered full amnesty for the distribution charges and expungement of his record. In exchange, Carmichael would cooperate with the UIU’s investigation into the Assembly. During the initial interview, Carmichael related that POI-8832 was a loosely recognized leader of the Second Haptic Assembly. Meetings usually occurred twice a week and would entail guided meditation sessions, songs and a talk led by POI-8832. When questioned on the content of POI-8832’s “sermons,” Carmichael heavily stressed the fact that the Assembly "wasn’t a church, but a society.” Carmichael described the meeting group as self-help, and stated that POI-8832 most often discussed the ascension of the individual. When asked about entities mentioned by POI-8832 during arrest, Carmichael explained that the Prime Movers were not gods, but had used thaumaturgy to engineer ecosystems and build the solar system. On 1992-04-12, Carmichael informed Agent Forrester that there would be a meeting on the following night. It was decided to send Carmichael into the meeting with a wireless transmitter. UIU personnel at the site included Forrester and a small extraction team, two medics and a technical officer. ► UIU Infiltration of Second Haptic Assembly: 1992-04-13 ◄ ▼ Access Granted ▼ Transcript of Rudolph Carmichael’s infiltration of Second Haptic Assembly Date - 1992-04-13 Carmichael’s view approaches the converted warehouse from across the street. It is evening, but the sky is still partially lit. Forrester: Rudy, can you hear us ok? Carmichael: [whispering] Yeah, no problem. Forrester: Leave the collar alone, Rudy. Just talk softly and we’ll hear you. From here on out, don’t talk to us unless you need to call for extraction. Pretend like it’s any other meeting. Carmichael enters the building and says hello to a few other individuals. He approaches the refreshments table, pours himself a cup of coffee and takes a donut. Carmichael proceeds to take a seat in a meeting area with a raised dais and lectern, surrounded by several concentric circles of folding chairs. 2.5 hours of extraneous recording edited for brevity, including a sing-a-long and a meditation session. At approximately 20:30, POI-8832 walks through the crowd5. POI-8832: Good evening, Brothers and Sisters! The small crowd repeats the greeting back to POI-8832. POI-8832: Decent crowd tonight, especially for a Monday. Makes my heart light to see so many faces here tonight. Our faith has made each and every one of us a target of oppression. Just last week the Boston Police Department arrested more than 30 new believers! They have not been released, and almost certainly won’t be! Even now those new brothers and sisters sit in damp, concrete cells somewhere in the city and are being brainwashed to forget the good news! Audience gasps. POI-8832: So, what shall we talk about tonight? Will we talk about the world being shaped by the many-handed ones? About the gossamer? Or shall we talk about the grave injustice of this great city’s law enforcement and the oppression of our brothers and sisters in faith? Unknown 1: We need guidance, tell us what the Prime Movers would have us do! POI-8832: It’s important to remind yourself that the Prime Movers don’t want you to do anything except grow. Our faith has no moral code, except to watch out for your fellow congregants. I live and die for all of you, each a hunter for greater truths. But if they kill me, if they kill your brothers and sisters, what will you do? Unknown 1: Fight! POI-8832: Yes! You must stand up as the ancient Spartans did and stand shield to shield against the oncoming rush of religious persecution! I am tired. I am tired of watching my fellow believers being shut down by the government and the older faiths. They think they have a monopoly on spirituality, but they’re wrong! We can shape the very building blocks of the universe, and arrange our environments with the strength of our will and the thaumatology. Carmichael: [Whispering] This is what I was telling you about the other day. Forrester: Rudy, shut up! You look like you’re talking to yourself, just participate as naturally as possible. POI-8832 takes a sip of water, then moves away from the lectern and starts to walk among the small audience. POI-8832: The goal of the Assembly, and the many-handed ones, is to see our people evolve. They’ve been watching out for mankind in one way or another since we came down from the trees. Don’t be confused, this is what I mean when I say we are here to grow: We need to evolve. But how can we grow with the boot of the policeman on our neck? How do we evolve with the draining oppression of populist Christianity forcing the government to hold us back? Carmichael: [Raising his hand] We use the threads connecting all the atoms together, right? POI-8832: That’s right, Rudy! That’s why I like you, you’re an agitator! There are intangible energies that underlie the entirety of the observable universe. Magic designed the universe, its why thaumaturgy can do irrational or unbelievable things: the energies are deployed to affect loopholes in the system. A system set in place by our benefactors, not the Nazarene! Not any of the other false gods who want your worship! And those false gods, those book burners and jailors, they want to hold us down. They don’t want you to reach your potential, Rudy! Will you let them? Will you run from their oppression? Unknown 2: I’m not afraid of them! POI-8832: Of course not, I would never accuse you of being afraid, Gloria. I know you’re strong. But you can be stronger, we all can. We can channel the old energies of the Prime Movers for ourselves! The librarians have been doing so for centuries, along with many other societies. I’ve been teaching you, showing you how you can use the webs of thaumaturgy to affect the physical world around you. But rituals will only take you so far. Will you take the next step with me? Like those few who have stood up and walked forward into brightness, into glory? POI-8832 stands in front of the audience, looking directly at Carmichael. POI-8832: You’ve all read my book, you know my tribulations. [POI-8832 holds up SCP-5512-1.] You know that learning rituals and meditating is only the beginning of the path! So, I ask you; who is ready to ascend? Gloria: I am, Brother Marquez! POI-8832: Good! Who else? Rudy, how about you, son? Will you come up here? Carmichael’s camera is shaking slightly and his voice breaks as he responds. Carmichael: What? Why? POI-8832: I need a volunteer, and you’ve been so attentive in our meetings since you joined the community. Come on up; I won’t bite! The audience laughs and encourages Carmichael to approach the stage. Forrester: You ok for this Rudy? Say the word and we’ll come inside. Carmichael gets up slowly and approaches the platform where POI-8832 stands. Forrester: Carmichael, did you hear me? [No response for 30 seconds.] Trevor, is something wrong with the radio? Agent Trevor6: The signal is being broadcast, and we’re receiving the feed from his camera and mic. POI-8832: Rudy, I want you to relax and try to tune your mind to the layer of energy that’s connecting you to everyone and everything in this room. Forrester: Ok, let’s wait and see. He hasn’t called for extraction, could just be some reception issues. Trevor: There’s no obvious interference; we're receiving the signal normally. POI-8832: Rudy, try to calm down; you seem tense. [POI-8832 turns to the audience.] Let’s all focus on Rudy and try to send him your peace, your focus, your will. The audience members hold their hands outstretched towards Carmichael and POI-8832. POI-8832 bends forward, stretching his arms forward and places his palms on Carmichael’s chest. POI-8832’s figure takes up the majority of the view from the camera affixed to Carmichael’s person. POI-8832: Now you just relax and focus in on that energy. Trevor: Nolan, you seeing this? Forrester: What the hell is that? The colors on the feed from Carmichael’s camera shift significantly intermittently changing from natural to bright yellow tinged and back again. Forrester: Is that a possible defect from the transmission? Trevor: Not one I'm familiar with. POI-8832: Now, Rudy, I want you to listen carefully: [REDACTED].7 Forrester: What the fuck is going on? What did he just say? Trevor, get on the radio with command and request Type-Blue reinforcement.8 The view from Carmichael’s camera starts shaking to such a degree that the image quality is significantly impacted for approximately 30 seconds. The view changes as Carmichael is slowly lowered into a supine position. It is unclear how Carmichael is lowered to the floor of the dais, as POI-8832 does not change position and no other individuals were present on the camera feed. Forrester: Enough of this, we’re going in. Evac team, we are go for extraction. Sounds of shifting in the van overtake the audio, followed by the sound of the door opening and shutting quickly. POI-8832: [REDACTED] On Carmichael’s camera feed, the overhead lighting (in direct view of the camera) is blocked out by a nebulous shape passing between Carmichael’s form and the light source. Carmichael has presumably stopped shaking, as the camera only moves slightly as from breathing. Trevor: What was… Several tendrils of unidentified biological matter appear in the view of the camera. At the end of one tendril is a biological structure resembling a human hand. There is a crystalline structure in the palm of the hand. Forrester: Go, go, go! Trevor: Wait, Nolan, don’t! Gunfire is heard over the recording, in between POI-8832 continues to chant. – END LOG – Immediately following termination of Carmichael’s transmission, Agent Trevor requested reinforcements from the UIU office. Less than five minutes after Forrester’s extraction team breached the warehouse, all sounds of gunfire ceased. Within 10 minutes of Trevor’s call, a UIU Tactical Response team had arrived on scene including a consultant versed in interpreting thaumaturgical anomalies. The UIU personnel immediately discovered that the windows and doors of the warehouse had been reinforced through conventional and thaumaturgical means. Despite their equipment, the Tactical Response team could not effectively breach the entrance to the warehouse without the potential for casualties inside. Attempts to raise Forrester or his team on comms were unsuccessful. Foundation Involvement: Given the thaumaturgy being reported and the Tactical Response team's inability to breach the warehouse, Assistant Director Sullivan9 reported the incident to his chain of command. Concerned over the status of the extraction team and the UIU Tactical Response personnel on site, FBI Director Sessions decided to request Foundation consultation. As the situation represented a potential Broken Veil scenario, an emergency mobilization order was issued. At approximately 21:15, MTF-Beta-777 (“Hecate’s Spear”) arrived on site and took command of the area. ► MTF-Beta-777's Infiltration 1992-04-13◄ ▼ Access Granted ▼ The following is a timeline of events following MTF-Beta-777’s arrival on scene. 21:16 – Captain Saharra Zadeh (β1) takes command of the scene from Agent Trevor and the UIU SWAT team personnel.10 21:18 – β7 and β311 examine the entrance to the warehouse and find Theban12 script exhibiting thaumaturgical residue engraved onto the door jam. 21:29 – β7 and β3 report the thaumaturgical countermeasures defused and MTF-Beta-777 breach the warehouse. 21:35 – β1 reports finding evidence of a struggle with two UIU agents down and eight other corpses with gunshot wounds. Both UIU agents exhibit blunt trauma damage and burns. β3 notes a staircase leading down into a substructure. At the bottom of the flight, β1 reports another UIU agent down, with significant trauma. MTF-Beta-777 personnel continue down a corridor stretching east from the foot of the stairs. 21:41 – β1 reports eight cells resembling surgery suites lining the corridor. Each cell has a large glass observation window. Four of the cells have bodies, with severe mutation evidence in three of the bodies. The last body was Carmichael, unconscious and apparently unharmed. β1 decides to push on and secure the site before calling for medivac. 21:49 – β1 reports to command that contact is made with hostiles. Audio and video record is preserved below: β1 partially opens the door to a room at the end of the corridor. Through the small opening, POI-8832 is visible standing with his back to the door and holding up something out of view. β1: Command, we’ve got contact with Marquez in a room at the end of the corridor. Making approach now. POI-8832: [Still with his back to β1’s camera feed.] You’ve ruined nearly a year’s worth of effort and for what? You’re just as dead as if you’d put a gun in your mouth. As β1 opens the door wider, the view shifts to POI-8832 holding up Agent Forrester by the throat with one hand. Forrester’s clothing is smoldering and his scalp is aflame. β1: Freeze! Put the agent down! POI-8832 turns towards the members of MTF-Beta-777 and drops Agent Forrester, who does not move from where he falls. POI-8832: Ah, the Foundation, I presume? β1: Keep your hands where I can see them and step away from the agent. POI-8832: Why must you people always try to control everything? I can't stand most people for that reason. I've been mostly alone for millennia, and when I finally try to form some society and help you people, you burst in with guns. How many dead upstairs? β1: At least eight, along with four federal agents. Surrender now, and there doesn't have to be any more violence. POI-8832's eyes begin to glow a dull blue, and MTF members' sensory equipment register a spike in thaumaturgical energy. POI-8832: People with guns are so quick to threaten violence, as if you invented it. β1: I need to you step away from Agent Forrester and get down on your knees! POI-8832: You are not in control here. POI-8832 turns from β1 and towards the wall, making a gesture as several lines of Theban script are burned into the concrete blocks. β1: Surrender or we will open fire! POI-8832 completes his gestures and a Way13 opens up in the wall. Shimmering light spills along the edges of the Way where it meets with the concrete material of the wall. Akiva radiation spikes are registered in the MTF members' sensory equipment. Through the Way, a nebulous fleshy shape is seen levitating two meters off a rubble strewn floor. As it passes an obstruction, it centers itself in front of the Way and six pseudopod appendages are arrayed outward from the form, each with a bright light emitting from the ends degrading the quality of the video feed. β1: Open fire! Members of MTF-Beta-777 open fire with their assault rifles. POI-8832 is struck several times and falls to his knees. Blood is pouring from his mouth and many wounds when he raises his arms and a bright flash knocks out the cameras of all seven MTF personnel. 21:58 – β1 reports to command that POI-8832 has created some sort of shockwave and the room in which he was confronted in has caved in. Whereabouts of the POI are unknown. β1 requests medivac for several MTF members and Carmichael. – END LOG – The following image was captured on β1's camera feed: ► Recovered Photographic Documentation◄ ▼ Access Granted ▼ A still frame from β1's feed just before light saturation and the shockwave from POI-8832's thaumaturgical attack knocked out the feed entirely. Image of unidentified entity. No other living individuals were discovered within the warehouse. Inquires with the Serpent's Hand have not revealed any connections to POI-8832, despite the usage of a Way. Recovered Documentation: ► Excerpts from SCP-5512-1◄ ▼ Access Granted ▼ The following are excerpts from SCP-5512-1, cleared for Level 2/5512 review. From Chapter I: - creation - …but I have been alone. No peers to speak of, only a mentor of sorts … but He told me how the world was formed…through the will of the Prime Movers. Together They took the gossamer in Their six hands and ordered the shape of oceans and mountains. They spun the nine planets so they would retain their orbits around the sun. This did not take 6 days or even 600 years, but entire eras of time… and when the environment here was just right, They seeded the chemicals bursting from hot seams of molten rock with just the correct mixture likely to start evolution of life on this planet. From Chapter II: - gossamer - …but the gossamer is not rituals, it is the underlying energy that glues together the subatomic makeup of our world. The gossamer is what the many-handed ones used to manipulate the physical components of life. The gossamer ties together every cell of your body to every cell in the bodies of all life. Every atom making up the inanimate is connected to the gossamer. Even these words are interwoven into the gossamer. But what is the gossamer? The gossamer is magic. The gossamer is thaumaturgy. The gossamer is the bending of the physical universe to the will of those in power. Loopholes in the rules of physics, built into the systems of the universe. Ritual is one way to use the gossamer. Most of human history has involved the utilization of ritual to achieve the ends of the few over the many. Rituals to dominate, rituals to motivate, and rituals to effect change like a thousand small cults or resistance groups pushed to the edges of society. Alienated from a Judeo-Christian dominated society with no room for other interpretations. Through these pages and through our workshops you will learn ritual. And together we cement our future hidden among the blind. From Chapter V: - concerning society - The many-handed ones worked together tirelessly for a time. Inseparable for millennia, always connected to each other as they each took up individual projects crafting this world. But then the vast majority went away, to work on other projects. My mentor told me that a solitary Prime Mover did not abandon this world, It wanted to watch life as it changed. It stepped in many times throughout human history and probably before, but never with subtlety. My mentor told me that they could reach into the human genome and effect lasting change: to create a shining solitary example of what the human race could achieve. I have been alone so long. My mentor has been absent for ages but you are my family now. Together we might burn down the bindings holding back our species. But not alone. From Chapter IX: - evolving - I’ve known for years now that I can make you more like me, that I can show you the way. I have only recently come forward to lead others and take you by the hand. But you cannot be afraid. You cannot let the limitations of human society hold you back. Rituals will never be enough. I am not training Librarians, I am training revolutionaries. Western Society has been stagnant for centuries, relying on the expansive world of technology to ensure dominance. But this is like building a bridge made out of putty and cheap wood. Could it work? Maybe. Will it last? Certainly not. For years I’ve been purposeless, living the hollowest of existences. My mentor made my purpose, I served his mission. But eventually we must all spread our wings and take flight. To do that, I had to acknowledge that though I served his will for what seemed like millennia, I had my own purpose: To make you my peers. To ELEVATE you. Spiritually. Physically. And through Power. I have taught you to use ritual to bend the gossamer to your will, but don’t you wish to ride upon the threads of power like a bird does upon the wind? Do you want to feel the gossamer between your fingers and effect change as easily as breathing? I can show you the way, like my mentor did for me. Together we can start building a new human race. One ready to dominate the stars and colonize worlds. To rebuild our vanishing environments. To feed the hungry and safeguard those we care about from a heartless society of those who would keep their feet on our backs. To have a purpose beyond merely paying bills and surviving another week until you are dead. I won’t be alone much longer; you will all join me in the light of the gossamer and the return of the Prime Movers. A new future, free of constraints laid upon us by biology, shall unfold. WE, the novus humaniae shall never be alone. Physical Examination of Remains Discovered: Each of the corpses found upon entry to the warehouse radiated residual thaumaturgical emissions. Close to 20 individuals present on Carmichael’s camera feed during the initial infiltration are unaccounted for. None of the deceased members of the Assembly have any known previous connection to anomalous GOIs or instances. POI-8832's body was not found upon excavation of the collapsed room, but significant blood was discovered. Genetic profiling revealed baseline human DNA with unknown 24th and 25th chromosomal pair. The blood was also found to emit low levels of Akiva radiation. Cadavers After a survey of the site, Foundation personnel transferred the cadavers found in the underground cells to Site-91 for research and storage purposes.14 Each corpse exhibited significant tumorous growths throughout the lymphatic system. These growths had increased so as to be visible under the skin and eventually led to death by asphyxiation. All three individuals were found to have undergone dramatic surgical grafting to a dozen lymph nodes throughout their bodies. Genetic analysis of the grafted material has revealed the donor organism is not human but is otherwise unidentified. Tissue samples of the grafts exude faint Akiva radiation and slight residual thaumaturgical readings. Carmichael Rudolph Carmichael has been designated SCP-5512-D and has not regained consciousness. MRI scans have revealed that foreign organic material has been grafted onto Carmichael’s lymph nodes through thaumaturgical means.15 Biopsy has shown that the tissues grafted onto SCP-5512-D's lymphatic system is similar to that of SCP-5512-A, -B and -C. SCP-5512-D's augmented lymph nodes exude significant thaumaturgical energies, compared to that of rituals of class-C magnitude. SCP-5512-D has been moved to Site-91 to undergo genetic analysis and possible treatment under the supervision of Dr. Iona Varga. Dr. Varga has theorized that the grafts are an attempt to biologically manipulate thaumaturgical energies, but given the progression of tumor development in the cadavers, it is possible SCP-5512-D's grafts will grow dangerous to its continued breathing. However, no abnormal growth of the grafted tissues has been observed in SCP-5512-D as of yet. ► Level 5/5512 Restricted◄ ▼ Security Verified, Welcome O5-2 ▼ 1992-04-17 From the Desk of Iona Varga, MD/PhD To: Overwatch Command As I suspected, the material harvested from the three cadavers and the additional chromosomal pairs from POI-8832's blood is similar to an anomaly contained several years ago. I suggest you re-familiarize yourself with its contents, and that we reassess my request in that file. Warm Regards, Iona Varga, MD/PhD Site Director, Site-91 Attachments: SCP-4612's File Hecatoncheires Cycle << SCP-4712: A Failure of Purpose | SCP-5512: A Social Contract | SCP-5612: Hamartia >> Footnotes 1. Designation has been adjusted to reflect the connection to SCP-4612. 2. Also referred to as the many-handed ones. 3. Roughly translated to Many Hands Society. 4. Magic, entities of unknown description, mentioning the Wanderer's Library and "becoming like gods," among others. 5. At this point, over three dozen individuals have taken seats. 6. UIU technical officer present on scene. 7. POI-8832’s audio has been redacted in effort to prevent thaumaturgical impact on review of the file. For full details of POI-8832’s audio, requests should be filed with RAISA. 8. GOC terminology for practitioners of thaumaturgy. 9. Forrester's superior officer in the FBI. 10. Resistance to β1's commanding the scene was present from UIU personnel, but Director Sessions specifically spoke to the agents on scene and confirmed that they were to support Foundation personnel. 11. Class-A thaumatologists. 12. A writing system invented in the 16th century as a cipher for traditional Latin and utilized by occult societies to communicate safely in secret from the Catholic Church. 13. Thaumaturgically powered extradimensional portals that primarily serve as entrances to the Wanderer's Library, but have been known to open to other anomalous locations as well. 14. Designated SCP-5512-A, -B and -C. 15. No signs of surgery can be found upon SCP-5512-D. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5512" by Grigori Karpin, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5512. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: POI Author: Deborah MacLean License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. (edits by me) Source Link: POI Filename: Flyer Author: Me License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Filename: Slug Author: Magic8Ball04 does not match any existing user name License: used and edited with permission, and explicit consent to publish CC-BY-SA 3.0 Additional Notes: Please check out their art page! Magic8Ball04’s Instagram page Filename: logo Author: Osobist License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://scpfoundation.net/list-of-foundation-s-internal-departments/ Note: edited by HarryBlank |
SCP-5513 | keter | Image of SCP-5513 (left) and "the SCP Foundation"1 (right) during Group Date-1, taken by "the Chaos Insurgency"2 Item #: SCP-5513 Special Containment Procedures: Foundation AI Bot Love.aic is to monitor and, summarily, shutdown webpages that depict the following: 1. Artistic renderings of the SCP Foundation logo and/or personnel engaged in compromising positions with SCP-5513. 2. Fictional writings or articles based on a hypothetical relationship between the SCP Foundation and SCP-5513. SCP-5513 is to be held in an intermediate-level reality bender human containment suite outfitted with Level-4 thaumaturgical reality dampeners. Any request by SCP-5513 for an interview, “date,” or interrogation must be held in an appropriately designed reality-controlled cell. No Foundation personnel may reveal their face to SCP-5513. As such, security personnel must wear full black headgear. Assigned researchers who conduct the interrogation must wear a full-faced plate mask inscribed with the logos of various anomalous associated agencies such as the SCP Foundation, Global Occult Coalition, or Chaos Insurgency. The assigned researcher must follow a pre-generated script written by Foundation-employed romance authors. Description: SCP-5513 is a 19 year old female reality bending humanoid of Japanese ethnicity who refers to itself by the name "Kanako Nanami." SCP-5513 believes that it exists within a “romance simulation video game"3 and prejudiciously behaves with other individuals as if they were characters in this game. Furthermore, its reality bending ability distorts the local environment to fit in with this preconception. SCP-5513 abnormally conceptualizes the concepts of individuality and institutionality; it conjectures that the ethos of entire organizations are wholly personified by those wearing masks of said organization and disregards those that do not fit within this framework as “side characters."4 Periodically, SCP-5513 requests for a “hangout,” “get-together,” or “date” with one of the humanized organizations and this request may be granted in a secured cell. Once in the cell, the walls, floor, and ceiling warp into several possible layouts. At this time, the assigned researcher must act in an exaggerated, oversimplified manner that is congruent with the expectations of SCP-55135. The following are some examples of SCP-5513’s intermediate-level reality bending; Standard Humanoid Reality Alteration Report Subject: SCP-5513 Change on Reality: ✓ Environment : ✕ Personnel Location and Time: Interrogation Room-14, Site-041, 01/21/2020 Impetus: SCP-5513's second request for a “date” with the SCP Foundation (represented by Researcher Alastair). Reality Change: Upon entering the interrogation cell, the interior of the room was transformed into that of a standard American high-school classroom. Testing by Researcher Alastair has shown that the dimensions of the room were altered and the walls appeared to have dematerialized, but there still existed functional barriers within the confines of the classroom. Standard Humanoid Reality Alteration Report Subject: SCP-5513 Change on Reality: ✓ Environment : ✕ Personnel Location: Interrogation Room-14, Site-041, 03/04/2020 Impetus: During the end of the weekly “interview,” SCP-5513 clasped the hands of the Manna Charitable Foundation (represented by Researcher Sakura) and asked if it was possible for them to meet again soon. At that time, SCP-5513's cheeks flushed red and it tilted its head down. Reality Change: At the moment of clasping, the walls' coloration changed to pink. A light pink mist spread on the ground from an unknown source. After affirmation by Researcher Sakura, the walls reverted back to their normal gray hue. Standard Humanoid Reality Alteration Report Subject: SCP-5513 Change on Reality: ✕ Environment : ✓ Personnel Location: Annex Hallway 12-B, Site-041, 02/01/2020 Impetus: During transfer of SCP-5513 from its containment cell to the newly constructed dating chamber, SCP-5513 noticed Security Officer Izumi Takahiro without any proper headgear. SCP-5513 furrowed its brow and spoke in a low toned voice, “Ugh, I hate glitches.” Reality Change: Security Officer Izumi Takahiro disappeared at the moment of eye-contact with SCP-5513. He was later found in Hong Kong, however, without memory of the incident. The following interview was the first group interview that SCP-5513 requested with the SCP Foundation (represented by Researcher Nhật Minh), the Chaos Insurgency (represented by Researcher Kei Alastair) and the Serpent's Hand (represented by Researcher Hiro Hirokumi). SCP-5513 Group Date-1; Site-041 SCP-5513 Group Date-1; Site-041 Recording-5513-Group Date-1 Date: 04/13/2020 Location: Dating Chamber-1, Site-041 Purpose: Pacify SCP-5513 through granting its request for interviews. Identify potential unknown aspects of SCP-5513 anomalous effect. Note: SCP Researchers Minh, Alastair, and Hirokumi have been instructed to not speak or act in a clinical or professional manner and have been directed to act as personifications of their assigned organization. SCP-5513, seemingly, responds positively to this type of fanciful or otherwise whimsical conversation. All actions and words are assessed and tracked in real-time by an outside observation team who discreetly communicate to the researchers through ear-pieces. Recording Start: (When SCP-5513 enters the chamber, the volumetric dimensions of the room, outwardly, alter and the walls of the chamber appear to show a beach during sunset. The floor of chamber slowly transforms from concrete to sand.) SCP-5513: Chaos! I’m so glad you came. You never really respond to my messages…(SCP-5513 pouts and puts both hands behind its back.) "Chaos Insurgency": Hmph! I didn’t come because of you or anything. Don’t misunderstand! "Serpent's Hand": Oh, just ignore him Kanako, you know how Chaos gets when he is in the same place as Foundation. SCP-5513: (looks over to SCP Foundation who is sitting back on the sand, looking at the sunset) Are you still mad SCP-senpai? I’m really sorry for doing that thing but I just wanted to let everyone see how I feel. "Chaos Insurgency": Really! Despite her apology, you're still upset at Kanako-chan. You're as cunning as they come. (Chaos Insurgency smacks SCP Foundation on the back of the head) "SCP Foundation":…Shut it Chaos…Kanako-chan you know I’m a private person. And you know I hate it when other people look at you. So anytime, any part of you pops up online, I get jealous. "Serpent's Hand": (knocks his elbow at Chaos Insurgency and speaks loudly) Get a load of this guy. Who does he think he is? "Chaos Insurgency": Hey SCP, you can’t monopolize Kanako like that you know! She should be shown to anyone and everyone. How dare you keep taking down her drawings! SCP-5513: Uh…uhhh…boys please, it's alright. I don’t want you to fight. I called you all out here because I wanted to talk to you. And I knew a beautiful beach would let us be free with our words…and feelings. "Serpent's Hand": Is anything wrong Kanako-chan? SCP-5513: Thanks Serpent-kun, I wanted to talk to you first anyway. Chaos, do you want to set up a campfire? (logs, matches, and a bag of a coal materialize) "Chaos Insurgency": No problem, I’ll do this while that stoic SCP bums around. "SCP Foundation": Any more words Chaos? I'll take you on if you really want. "Serpent’s Hand": (whispers to SCP-5513) Just let them go at each other, they will fight no matter what happens. You know that SCP’s uptight attitude and Chao’s tsun attitude will never match. SCP-5513: Thanks Serpent. I know I can count on you. "Serpent’s Hand": So what did you want to talk about Kanako-senpai? SCP-5513: It’s nothing…much. I’m gonna ask you something weird, is that alright? "Serpent’s Hand": Of course! I’m like your little brother senpai. SCP-5513: Do you know why SCP-senpai doesn’t let me put anything online regarding our relationship? "Serpent’s Hand": Onee-san, you know SCP-san more than anyone. His ice-cold attitude and love of mystery is only second to you. He understands why you put them up but he would rather you give him the drawings then sharing them to everyone. By the way Kanako-senpai, how did you manage to put them online? I want to upload some drawings too so can you show me? SCP-5513: Oh Serpent-kun, you're not old enough to use the Internet yet. Your free-wheeling and openness won’t bode for it, I can assure you. "Serpent’s Hand": (grabs SCP-5513’s hand) Do you want to tell me anything else Kanako-senpai? SCP-5513: Nothing else. Just always remember that I love you Serpent’s Hand. "Serpent’s Hand": I love you too Kanako! "Chaos Insurgency": (while building the campfire, SCP-5513 comes from behind Chaos Insurgency and hugs him from behind) Hey! Cut it out Kanako! SCP-5513: Thank you so much for coming Chaos. I know you hate being around SCP and you’d rather go break open a prison or something. But I really appreciate it. "Chaos Insurgency": I-It's not that I like you or anything…I just happened to have some free time. (SCP-5513 burrows its head into SCP Foundation’s labcoat) Is everything alright Kanako? Who's bothering you, I’ll kick his ass! SCP-5513: It’s nothing. (mutters) There’s just no progression. "Chaos Insurgency": What does that mean Kanako? SCP-5513: Oh nothing Chaos. Here can you whip us up some burgers? (ingredients for burgers materialize on the ground) "Chaos Insurgency": …One of these days, you better get SCP to do all this work. SCP-5513: (walks over to SCP Foundation and sits on the sand next to him) Are you okay? "SCP Foundation": I don’t know Kanako. I see you whispering to Serpent and Chaos over there but I’ve been sitting here by myself. SCP-5513: No, it’s not like that SCP-senpai. I called everyone here to increase their…I mean to have fun with all of once for once. " "SCP Foundation": That’s all and good, but I have a different way of having fun. (SCP Foundation gets up and sits closer to SCP-5513 and slowly grabs its hand) You’ve barely told me anything since the first time I met you Kanako-kun. Tell me more about yourself, you know secrets make me feel special. Especially your secrets… SCP-5513: What do you want to know about SCP-senpai? "SCP Foundation": You know how I love my privacy. But I keep forgetting, where did you come from? SCP-5513: Haha! Senpai? Why are you saying that? We are childhood friends and we both go to high-school together. Don’t you remember we have a math test tomorrow? "SCP Foundation": Of course, of course. It’s just my bad memory. Can you remind me what we were doing when we meet? SCP-5513: SCP-senpai…before that I want to ask you something. "SCP Foundation": What is it Kanako-kun? SCP-5513: How do you feel about me? "SCP Foundation": I lik…6love you. SCP-5513: I love you too SCP-senpai. (SCP-5513 leans forward in an attempt to kiss the inscribed face-plate, however, Researcher Nguyen instinctively moves back.) …I knew it…(SCP-5513 stands up and inches back. The reality bending effects of SCP-5513 terminate.) All of you stop lying to me! The love meters above your head have been at 0% from the start. What am I too you? (The ground of the dating chamber begins to lightly shake as SCP-5513 begins to cry.) "Chaos Insurgency": (rushes towards SCP-5513) Kanako! What did that bastard say to you? (Researcher Alaister bursts into flames and falls his knees. Researcher Alaister begins to scream.) SCP-5513: (says while crying) Oh Chaos, I’m sorry. Here I’ll fix that. (SCP-5513 lifts its hand. The flames all across Researcher Alaister immediately vanish. The burn marks and exposed muscle start to rapidly heal.) SCP-5513: (looks up) Huh? The meter… "Serpent’s Hand": Kanako-senpai, I think Chaos wants some time to rest now. SCP-5513: …yes. I’ll see you guys in school tomorrow then! I feel much better. I can't wait to see you again Chaos. Recording End Immediate After Action Report: Researcher Nguyen instructed to kiss SCP-5513 in the next interview, if the opportunity arises. Researcher Alaister replaced with Researcher Sanchez. SCP-5513’s complete lack of recognition of “side characters” presents a potential avenue for permanent neutralization through various non-lethal methods. However, the apparent lucidity and awareness that SCP-5513 gains when observing “glitches” suggests that totally predictable behavior in such a negation procedure may not result. At this time, additional interviews will be permitted until further behavioral analysis determines whether SCP-5513’s supposed superficiality is genuine. On multiple occasions, SCP-5513 has referred to “end-routes.” The following document was found during SCP-5513’s cell during its eighth “interview.” Good ending: reverse harem end!!! need all love bars to be at 100% (SCP, Chaos, Serpent, GOC, Sarkic) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ pain+healing=love? Neutral ending: end up with only 1 guy (Serpent is too young, Chaos is too spicy, Sarkic is rich but a weirdo, GOC??) SCP-san is hot but doesn't open up. Bad ending: no progress (╥_╥), just reset and try again. Footnotes 1. (played by Researcher Nhật Minh) 2. (played by Researcher Kei Alaister) 3. Known colloquially as a “dating sim" 4. Practically, this is how SCP-5513 refers to security personnel and other extant individuals 5. ie. that of a stereotypical, overemotive romance character. 6. The research team informs Researcher Nguyen to use the word “love” |
SCP-5514 | thaumiel | by stormbreath, Ellie3, chiifu, and J Dune Item#: 5514 Level1 Secondary Class: thaumiel Disruption Class: dark Risk Class: danger link to memo SCP-5514 under construction. Beowulf-Sigurd Rail not yet attached. Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5514 is currently being used as the primary means of defense against the ongoing MH-Class ("Large-Scale Aggressor Overrun") Scenario. As such, limited containment protocols are in order. As a result of the ongoing SK-Class ("Broken Masquerade") Scenario, there are no security protocols in place concerning SCP-5514. MTF Eta-5 ("Jäeger Bombers") has been trained to pilot SCP-5514, and is in charge of controlling and directing the vehicle. Liaisons from the Global Occult Coalition and the Hy-Brasil government have been assigned to assist in piloting SCP-5514. SCP-5391 Research Head Mikasa Kaori has been attached to Eta-5 in order to assist with tactical decisions in command of SCP-5514. In the event that a Large-Scale Aggressor attacks a city or other developed area, SCP-5514 is to be immediately deployed to said area in order to engage the entities. Lethal force is authorized against all of the entities which SCP-5514 will be fighting. Design schematics for SCP-5514. Description: SCP-5514 is a massive humanoid mecha-like vehicle constructed by the Foundation, with assistance from the Global Occult Coalition. SCP-5514 is currently being utilized as part of defenses against the current ongoing MH-Class ("Large-Scale Aggressor Overrun") Scenario. To this end, SCP-5514 is engaged in the combat and physical engagement of Large-Scale Aggressors (LSAs). SCP-5514 has managed to successfully kill or otherwise incapacitate twelve LSAs. Multiple anomalous phenomena were utilized in the construction of SCP-5514. A full description of these anomalous phenomena has been attached to this document. (See Addendum 5514.1.) Construction: Progress began on the construction of SCP-5514 in 1988, following the destruction of Site-03 by a previously unidentified LSA. Given the lack of defenses available to Hy-Brasil and the known presence of other LSAs in the world, the KEY Project was created as a preliminary working group to determine the best method for defending civilization against another LSA. The KEY Project quickly determined several problems with all potential forms of defenses. Large-Scale Aggressors proved resistant to most forms of traditional attack, leading to the belief that they had some form of defensive ability that protected them from most forms of harms. However, other LSAs were able to penetrate these defenses. Taming or creating a biological simulacrum of an LSA was quickly ruled out. However, analysis of SCP-24061 showed that it could possibly be used in order to replicate the offensive capabilities of LSAs. The KEY Project then began planning and constructing a similar automaton, as it was the most viable means of defense. Construction of SCP-5514 began in 1990 and proceeded normally until 1998/06/30, when SCP-5391 occurred. At the time of the event, SCP-5514 was not fully finished and could not be used to avert the MH-Class Scenario. However, it remained the most viable means of defending the world from all LSAs, and the Foundation diverted all available funds into completing it. Furthermore, the Foundation contacted various Groups-of-Interest in order to make SCP-5514 a collaborative project. The majority of parties were unable to assist, as they were either unprepared for the MH-Class Scenario or significantly hampered by it. However, the Global Occult Coalition was both active and able to lend aid. Cooperation with the Global Occult Coalition was confirmed following an emergency summit hosted by the Hy-Brasil government on 1998/07/10. Coalition/Foundation/Hy-Brasil Emergency Meeting Transcript In Attendance: [Hy-Brasil] High King Delbáeth II [GOC] Madam D.C. al Fine [GOC] General Rockefeller [SCP] O5-1 [SCP] Captain Perseus Rosales King Delbáeth: I call this council meeting to action. I am invoking Article I, Section II of the pact that I bound you to six years ago. The end of the world is here, and we will not be caught defenseless to these krakens once again. O5-1: The Hy-Brasil International Security Agreement of 1992, you mean. Madam al Fine: Article I, Section II binds us to action in the event that giant monsters of types different from the beast that destroyed your kingdom appear. Although it appears that the one that ended Hy-Brasil is back. Captain Rosales: Speaking of that, are we sure that this island is safe? Or, the best place to meet now? King Delbáeth: In the time since the Doom that came to Hy-Brasil, we have made arrangements for new guardians. They walk very slowly, but have a broad diet, one that includes any of the threats that have awoken as of late. Madam al Fine: I didn't notice anything that could have killed a Cetus-class entity. King Delbáeth: They move unseen. O5-1: Ah. Of course. And there is no chance of bringing these entities elsewhere? King Delbáeth: No. We do not control them and we have no means of communicating with them. They have simply been led here over many years, and so, we have them now. However, in any case, the pact is in order. General Rockefeller: Apologies, but I am unfamiliar with the terms of the Security Agreement. I have not been working for the Coalition for some time. Since the incident in Hy-Brasil. Madam al Fine: A shame. We could have used you since then. You're a hard man to find. General Rockefeller: Not hard enough. O5-1: The Hy-Brasil International Security Agreement of 1992 stipulates that in event of an MH-Class Scenario, the Coalition, the Foundation and Hy-Brasil are to put aside all differences in order to stop the end of the world. Madam al Fine: Very well. So it must be. It's made easier that Article 2, Section 5 mandates that the preferred method of dealing with these entities is by killing them with extreme prejudice. O5-1: Yes. You forced that stipulation through in negotiations six years ago. King Delbáeth: Enough. This is not the time or place to argue about past squabbles. We must act now. Captain Rosales: We currently have one plan. Nothing has worked against the LSAs in the past, but we have to resort to one of our more … esoteric strategies. The KEY Project. Madam al Fine: I'm all ears. Captain Rosales: A giant robot. One hundred meters tall. We've been working on it for years and it is currently eating the majority of our budget. Madam al Fine: Why the hell is that going to work? O5-1: Well, the idea at the most basic level is to punch through all the metaphysical defenses that these entities possess by attacking them with another Large Scale Aggressor. Captain Rosales: We're also just throwing everything we can into the mix. General Rockefeller: You're using the otherworldly in the process, I hope? O5-1: Certainly. King Delbáeth: We can contribute some help as best we can. If you cloak it in myth, steep it in the archetypes of those who have fought in the past, you will be able to do a great amount of harm. And we can offer you unforged cold iron in the form of a blade. Madam al Fine: Does cold iron actually do anything? King Delbáeth: Depends on how much you believe in it. Or how strong the story is. Madam al Fine: Well. I have to say I like your moxie, if nothing else. We'd be happy to help you on this one. I imagine that if we put our heads together we can get this done in what, a few months? Years? O5-1: We're temporally accelerating the construction chamber. Days, at most. Madam al Fine: I like the way you think, Aaron. With the support of the Global Occult Coalition and the full deployment of all anomalous methods to accelerate and ease the construction process, SCP-5514 was finished and declared ready for combat on 1998/07/12. Addendum 5514.1 — Anomalous Features and Weaponry of SCP-5514 One of the early design decisions made in the creation of SCP-5514 was whether or not to incorporate anomalous features into the design. It was ultimately ruled by the O5 Council (9-3-1) that a scenario requiring the deployment of SCP-5514 would necessarily be one in which the integrity of the Masquerade Protocol would be challenged. Therefore, the usage of anomalies in the operation of SCP-5514 would be permissible. A summary of some of the key anomalous features of SCP-5514 follows. Feature Anomalous Qualities Weight Sink Large portions of SCP-5514 have had their material composition partially displaced into an adjacent pocket dimension. This displacement has been specifically calculated to not significantly lower the mass or density of SCP-5514 while drastically lowering the material weight of it. This allows SCP-5514 to function as though it were a fraction of the weight without a sacrifice of hull integrity. Power Source SCP-0372 has been implanted into the chest cavity of SCP-5514. Subdimensional portal vents installed in the chest cavity release approximately 99% of the energy output of SCP-037 into an empty demiplane. The remaining 1% of output is used to reliably power SCP-5514. Flight Systems A flaw produced during the development process of SCP-5514 has resulted in a control system (initially installed to regulate internal air circulation) instead creating and controlling an independent gravity field. The origin of this flaw is unknown and investigation could potentially cause it to stop functioning. The manipulation of this field allows for unaided flight. Defenses Through the usage of conceptual engineering, SCP-5514 has been conceptually welded to the following: the planet Earth, human resilience and adamant. As each of these concepts is dramatically larger and older than SCP-5514, the transfer of ideas between them is effectively one-way. These features combine to make SCP-5514 near-indestructible and the pilots indefatigable. 'Pataphysical Mantle Through an intense subliminal and memetic propaganda campaign, 25% of the global population has developed the belief that SCP-5514 is divinely sent to slay LSAs. This has allowed it to 'pataphysically mantle the mytheme of the character archetype "The Dragonslayer". In addition to the anomalous subsystems and methods of construction that were used in the creation of SCP-5514, it has been outfitted with various anomalous weapons. Weapon Description Beowulf-Sigurd Rail A shoulder mounted railgun. Rather than use electromagnetic forces, the Beowulf-Sigured Rail uses anomalously altered gravity to both fire and aim at targets. Targets are made dramatically3 more heavy, causing projectiles to specifically impact them at superterminal velocities. Cold Iron Sword Primary weapon for combating entities. Entire forty-meter long blade forged from cold iron provided by the Hy-Brasil Royal Court, with a handle built around the blade without forging. Wounds inflicted by cold iron do not regenerate. Rounded Recoilling Plasma Held atop SCP-5514 as a hat, the weapon can be removed for ranged combat. The edges of the weapon are coated with plasma, which can be activated or deactivated upon user control. Electromagnets are built-in the weapon, so the wielder can reattain the weapon, should that be unable to be done manually. Thousand Word Arrows Seven poets constantly writing and reciting poems about the defeat and death of large monsters, broadcasted at high volume from SCP-5514. Empowers the 'Pataphysical Mantle and demoralizes enemies. Holdout Plasma Wristblade Superheated plasma magnetically held in the form of a blade attached to the right wrist of SCP-5514. Capable of cutting through almost all matter, but of limited combat application. Intended for usage in emergency circumstances. Emergency Sun Vent As a last resort strategy, individual power vents to SCP-037 can be deactivated, releasing a fraction of the energy output contained within the power system's associated subdimension as a beam of energy. Due to the extreme potential for collateral damage when firing, this is only to be used as a last resort. Addendum 5514.2 — Combat Encounters Following the development of SCP-5514, it has been successfully deployed to engage various Large Scale Aggressors in physical combat. It has been universally successful in each of these deployments. Records of these tests have been recorded below. Test Wake-02 Foreword: On 1998/8/2, LSA-Wake-02 emerged from the sea near Tokyo, attacking combined Global Occult Coalition and Foundation forces. Alongside the appearance of LSA-Wake-02, several other LSAs of a minor degree attacked the forces. Due to the severity of the situation, SCP-5514 was dispatched to combat these entities, despite the lack of prior testing. A total of 3,241 combined personnel were lost during this encounter. » BEGIN LOG « SCP-5514 arrives in sub-orbit directly above Tokyo, and drops down to planetside. Through the creation of counterbalanced gravitational forces, it quickly falls into the water of the bay outside Tokyo. Captain Rosales: We have successfully deployed to Tokyo, for our first combat test of SCP-5514. All capabilities ready to engage with the target. LSA-Wake-02 is detected in the water just to the south of SCP-5514's landing location. Based upon its movements, it appears to be preparing for another attack upon the Tokyo Harbor. Dr. Kaori: Sensors have locked onto the target north of us. Proceeding to combat. SCP-5514 navigates through the waters of the bay, paralleling the city coast. The city is currently in the process of evacuation, but many residents stop attempting to flee in order to gaze at SCP-5514 as it attempts to walk through the streets. Thousand Word Arrows: Champion! Champion! Exalt in the glory of the Dragonslayer! Upon hearing the Thousand Word Arrows, LSA-Wake-02 appears to halt its attack towards Tokyo Harbor. It instead backs away, making distance between the harbor and itself. A shriek originating from LSA-Wake-02 is audible, and several other minor LSAs can be seen on SCP-5514's radar. Captain Rosales: Looks like we pissed it off. Are there any targets that require immediate attention? Dr. Kaori: Just Wake-02. Captain Rosales: Understood. Increasing Weight Sink Integrity. SCP-5514 nears the LSA-Wake-02 and the other LSAs. It jumps into the air, removing the Rounded Recoiling Plasma and throwing it at a nearby LSA. The plasma is activated, cleanly decapitating the head of the entity. The electromagnets are subsequently activated, arching the weapon dramatically; it hits several other LSAs before flying towards SCP-5514. The plasma is deactivated and the weapon is placed back in its original position. Thousand Word Arrows: The vicious beasts slain! Gone to those which were once bane! SCP-5514 unsheathes the Cold Iron Sword, directing it towards an LSA currently on the harbor as it falls to the ground. It stabs the heart of the entity, which shrieks and falls to the ground. SCP-5514 quickly draws the sword from the entity's body, slashing the throat of another minor LSA as it turns towards the harbor. Dr. Kaori: Four o'clock, to your right! SCP-5514 backs away from its position, then activates its flight systems, remaining in the air. The second head of LSA-Wake-02 can be seen protruding from the mouth of the first. An abnormal amount of saliva begins to drip from the mouth of the second head as it lets out a shriek. The many remaining minor LSAs cease attacking the Tokyo Harbor and instead direct their attention towards SCP-5514. Captain Rosales: Feisty one, eh? The second head of LSA-Wake-02 shoots towards SCP-5514, extending just over 40 meters, barely missing the foot of SCP-5514. A minor LSA scampers up the appendage, pouncing towards SCP-5514, which blocks the attack with its sword and slashes the entity midair. SCP-5514 launches into the air and flies towards LSA-Wake-02, using the Beowulf-Sigurd Rail to shoot at the eyes of the main head. LSA-Wake-02 shrieks, and retreats its appendage. SCP-5514 uses this moment to twist in the air and strike at the first head, decreasing the Weight Sink Integrity in order to propel the momentum of the attack. SCP-5514 sweeps around and descends towards LSA-Wake-02 before piercing its head, flying over it and drawing the blade down the LSA's serpentine body all the way to its caudal fin. Each half of its body squirms for a moment, but finally, it lies still. Thousand Word Arrows: And thus the deed was done! Exalt! Exalt! In the glory of the Dragonslayer! The other minor LSAs stop attacking the Tokyo Harbor upon seeing the death of LSA-Wake-02. They begin to retreat into the ocean, with the few remaining stragglers eliminated by SCP-5514 using the Beowulf-Sigurd Rail. Captain Rosales: Dr. Kaori, Wake-02 has been eliminated. Dr. Kaori: And SCP-5514 functioned exactly as designed. I think it's safe to say that the first test is a success. » END LOG « Test Meta-03 Foreword: Shortly following Test Wake-02, several antimemetic LSAs were reported in Montezuma, Georgia, United States. The population was quickly evacuated, and a perimeter was established around the town. After a near breach, SCP-5514 was dispatched to a field near the security perimeter, in which the entities were located. » BEGIN LOG « With the counterconceptual filters enabled, the LSAs manifest before SCP-5514. There are five present around SCP-5514. Each stands two-hundred meters tall, composed of spindly black legs that break off of each other and splinter. Each only stands on two of these legs, raising the rest around it, poised to attack. Smaller spiders crawl upon the LSAs and fall off to the ground. Dr. Kaori: I've seen these before, near Site-41. We're lucky our filters could pick them up. I trust all combat capabilities are ready? Captain Rosales: Of course. SCP-5514 unsheathes its Cold Iron Sword, dashing towards the nearest entity. The nearest entity is currently engaging in attacking individual humans on the ground, and turns to face SCP-5514 mid-charge. It raises several arms into the air, motioning to attack SCP-5514, but SCP-5514 slices the arms in half with the sword. SCP-5514 closes the distance between it and the LSA. It stabs the entity in the midsection, and cleaves it half. The top half of the entity falls to the ground, but remains animate, attempting to stab SCP-5514 with its legs. SCP-5514 repeatedly stabs it with the sword, until it ceases to move. When the entity has been confirmed deceased, SCP-5514 takes a step back, with the sword still impaling the entity in the ground. Captain Rosales: That was easier than expected. There was just the one? A smaller LSA leaps onto SCP-5514, latching onto its shoulder. SCP-5514 engages its independent gravity field and flies into sub-orbit, tearing the entity off of its shoulder and into the air. SCP-5514 engages its railgun and shoots the LSA, at which it plummets downwards. The entity crashes into the ground and dies upon impact. SCP-5514 descends back down and retrieves its sword from the body of the previously terminated entity. It then stands up to confront the other entities, only for the counterconceptual filters to begin failing. All of the opposing LSAs vanish from view, as does any evidence of their surroundings. Only the bodies of the two deceased entities remain. Captain Rosales: Dr. Kaori, I have suddenly forgotten why we are here. Dr. Kaori: Something is wrong. Stay on your guard. SCP-5514 holds its sword out in front of it, slowly turning and looking for any signs of an enemy. However, there is nothing to be found. Suddenly, massive damage is inflicted to the rear of SCP-5514, with no apparent source. SCP-5514 quickly whirls around, blindly slashing with the cold iron sword. Massive spider limbs fall to the ground. Suddenly, the entire scene is plunged into shadow, as the sun is blotted out by a new, massive entity flying above the battlefield. The entity appears as a massive serpent, although with a massive plumage of feathers. This entity is a new LSA, not previously observed by the Foundation. Dr. Kaori: What the hell is that? Thousand Word Arrows: That is a snake of the garden, good doctor. SCP-5514 struggles to reboot filter systems, but they remain nonfunctional. The new entity descends to the level of SCP-5514 and coils around empty space, floating in midair. It then opens its mouth and clamps down hard, causing a spider-like LSA to become visible in its jaws. The bitten LSA briefly squirms before going limp. Unknown Entity: Watch your back. Before SCP-5514 can react, an unseen LSA latches onto the back of the mech. In the struggle of trying to rip it away, SCP-5514 falls to the ground. Hull damage is reported along the back armor plating. Unknown Entity: There are some things that even I cannot do, but I can help you see them. If you agree to be my ally, that is. Dr. Kaori requests backup and engages exterior communication systems in order to speak to the entity. Dr. Kaori: How is that possible? Unknown Entity: The Serpent never forgets. I remember the dawn of the universe. These insects cannot break my mind. Do you agree? Or should I leave you here to fend for yourselves? Captain Rosales: Kaori, stop. We don't have clearance for these kinds of— Dr. Kaori: We agree. The Serpent: Good. The Serpent's emerald eyes begin to glow white, and an apple appears in the mech cockpit before Dr. Kaori. She hesitates, but takes a bite. Immediately, all of the LSAs surrounding the Serpent and SCP-5514 manifest visibly. There are four left, including the entity standing upon the back of SCP-5514. The Serpent flips its tail and slams it into the entity on the back of SCP-5514, sending it sprawling away before flattening it on the ground with another blow. It does not move again. SCP-5514 rises. The Serpent lunges forward and begins to feast on another entity. SCP-5514 aims the Beowulf-Sigurd Rail at a third entity, with anomalously precise targeting, aided by the Serpent. A single shot is fired, punching directly through the LSA and killing it. The Serpent coils around the final remaining entity, holding it in place. The Serpent: Strike this beast down and seal our pact. SCP-5514 manifests the Holdout Plasma Wristblade and slices the throat of the final entity. It gurgles weakly, struggling for a moment before it stops moving. With the death confirmed, the Serpent releases its hold on it. The Serpent: Perseus, Mikasa, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. » END LOG « Test Brasil-12 Foreword: LSA-Brasil-01 was hypothesized to be the cause of SCP-5391 and assigned as the highest priority threat. After it was spotted off the coast of Greenland, SCP-5514 was deployed to the coast in order to fight it. The Serpent accompanied SCP-5514 to the site of the battle, acting as bait for LSA-Brasil-01, as the largest and second most powerful LSA in the world at the time. » BEGIN LOG « SCP-5514 lands on the shores of Greenland and walks out into the ocean, standing in the water up to its waist. The Serpent emerges from the water and shakes off the dew, letting its rainbow plumage dry out. Together, they scan the horizon for any sign of LSA-Brasil-01. The Serpent: This is where it was supposed to happen, is it not? This is where the Quin Krake was supposed to die ten years ago. Before the Doom of Hy-Brasil. Captain Rosales: How do you know that? The Serpent: That's my role, is it not? To know of forbidden things. Captain Rosales: Ah, right. It's true. The Coalition tried to lure the beast here, to this exact beach in the past. I don't know why they chose it again. I guess it still works just as well as it would have then. The Serpent: It will. The Serpent rises into the air, floating next to SCP-5514. Its tail drifts down into the water. Together, they begin to scan the horizon, looking for LSA-Brasil-01. As they wait, a storm cloud rolls in, and begins to rain upon them. A few moments later, a division of the Jäeger Bombers contacts Captain Rosales and alerts him that LSA-Brasil-01 has been spotted traveling to the location of SCP-5514 and the Serpent, expected to arrive within minutes. Captain Rosales: Brace for impact. It's coming for us. SCP-5514 and the Serpent enter battle stances. The storm obscures visibility, preventing any visual contact of the ocean. LSA-Brasil-01 is detected on the radar of SCP-5514, quickly approaching. The Serpent looks through the storm, staring directly at the location of LSA-Brasil-01. The Serpent: It is here. LSA-Brasil-01 lunges out of the ocean and impacts with the Serpent. It is a massive crocodilian and cephalopodic entity, with a crocodilian head. It has five rear tentacles and five arms. Extensive cybernetic modifications have been made to it, replacing sections of its torso and skull. The pair wrap around each other, the Serpent coiling around LSA-Brasil-01 and LSA-Brasil-01 wrapping its rear tentacles around the Serpent. They sail through the air, crashing into the sand of the beach. Wrestling, the pair turns and crashes into each other, sending sand spraying out in multiple directions. Thousand Word Arrows: The awaited battlefield! The proper place for the beast to die. The final, just death! SCP-5514 charges through the water, returning to the beach to assist the Serpent in fighting LSA-Brasil-01. As it returns, it attempts to lock onto the LSA with the Beowulf-Sigurd Rail, but given the close proximity of LSA-Brasil-01 and the Serpent, it is unable to acquire a target lock that is not likely to hit the Serpent in the process. SCP-5514 arrives onto the beach and grabs LSA-Brasil-01, tearing it away from the Serpent. SCP-5514 pulls LSA-Brasil-01 into the air and hurls it down the beach, where it crashes into the water. It quickly rises and turns to face the pair. SCP-5514 draws its sword, holding it raised against LSA-Brasil-01. It glances at the Serpent, which has been bitten multiple times and is bleeding heavily. The Serpent: They are deep wounds, yes. But I will live. Do not worry about me. Captain Rosales: Very well. Be careful. The pair turn their attention back to LSA-Brasil-01, which is swimming back to them slowly. Now that the shot is clear, the Sigurd-Beowulf Rail locks onto LSA-Brasil-01 and fires. As the entity begins to stand, it is struck with two shots, which topple it. As a third shot is loaded, LSA-Brasil-01 opens its mouth. LSA-Brasil-01's open mouth begins to glow, alongside the cybernetic plating that is visible on its exterior. A small orb of blue light manifests within the open mouth, which then becomes a long, thin beam, striking the Beowulf-Sigurd Rail, instantly melting it. LSA-Brasil-01 closes its mouth, and then resumes standing. All three parties charge towards each other. When they meet, LSA-Brasil-01 grasps the Serpent with two of its five arms, while using another two to grapple with SCP-5514. The Cold Iron Sword is knocked out of its hands, and goes flying across the beach. The fifth arm slams onto the head of SCP-5514 repeatedly, causing the glass in the cockpit to fracture. Captain Rosales: Stay calm! That glass is designed to fracture but hold. Dr. Kaori: Do you think this too much for us, Percy? Captain Rosales: I'm not thinking about our odds. Just the best thing we can do. SCP-5514 activates the Holdout Plasma Wristblade, and, after a short struggle, cuts the closest arm of LSA-Brasil-01. It then proceeds to quickly cut off the other four arms in short order before kicking LSA-Brasil-01 to the ground. LSA-Brasil-01 rolls across the beach, arriving a short distance away from the Serpent and SCP-5514. It is already beginning to regenerate the severed arm. Captain Rosales: Bad news, Serpent. We're out of plasma to pull that trick off again. We're funneling as much as we can from our solar heart, but I doubt we can do it again this fight. The Serpent: It is tougher than I expected. It does not die easy. As if in response, LSA-Brasil-01 roars at the two. It lunges for the Cold Iron Blade, grabbing it with its tentacles. As soon as the first arm is regenerated, the Blade is handed to it. It brandishes the weapon, holding it out in front of itself, mimicking the stance that SCP-5514 was previously using. LSA-Brasil-01 lunges across the battlefield, moving even faster than before. It closes the distance to SCP-5514 and swings the sword at the legs of the mech. The sword shears through the legs, toppling SCP-5514 and causing it to crash to the ground. The sword rips in the process, mangled in the wreckage of the legs. LSA-Brasil-01 drops the sword and turns to the Serpent. LSA-Brasil-01 uses its tentacles to propel itself into the air, landing upon the Serpent and tackling it to the ground. It rises atop the Serpent, pinning the foe to the ground with all ten of its arms and tentacles. However, rather than attack the Serpent, it raises its head to the sky and breathes a torrent of flame into the air. Dr. Kaori: Systems are shutting down— dammit! What can we do? Captain Rosales: The failsafe. We have to use it while we still can. The Serpent won't last much longer. Dr. Kaori: You're right. I didn't think it'd come to this, but… SCP-5514 props itself up, angling its chest towards the head of LSA-Brasil-01. Thousand Word Arrows: The greatest weapon you can offer is that of your own heart. Dr. Kaori and Captain Rosales: Fire. The Emergency Sun Vent installed upon the chest opens, venting fire and plasma produced by SCP-037 at LSA-Brasil-01. The light produced by the firing of the Sun Vent is bright enough to obscure the entire battlefield, with only the roars of LSA-Brasil-01 audible. The Sun Vent closes seconds later, and SCP-5514 crashes into the ground, with its power source disabled. The top half of LSA-Brasil-01 has been disintegrated, and the remaining half falls limp into the water. The Serpent rises from the ground, burnt but surviving. It floats above the corpse of LSA-Brasil-01, observing it for any movement. The Serpent: It is done. » END LOG « Following the destruction of LSA-Brasil-01 by SCP-5514, the effects of SCP-5391 began to abate. Several other LSAs reentered periods of dormancy, although activity was still significantly higher than prior to the beginning of SCP-5391. The ongoing MH-Class Scenario was declared partially abated. With the purpose of SCP-5514 fulfilled, and the remaining hostile LSAs being terminated with the assistance of the Global Occult Coalition and The Serpent, SCP-5514 is only to be deployed in emergency situations at the request of the Overseer Council. It is noted that following the termination of LSA-Brasil-01, all active LSA entities have demonstrated more docile, avoidant behavior. Further neutralization campaigns have not been deemed necessary. Footnotes 1. SCP-2406 is a mechanical automaton, 93 meters in height and weighing approximately 210 tonnes. SCP-2406 was created by ancient Mekhanites to fight Sarkic entities. 2. SCP-037 is a hyperminiature sun measuring five centimeters in diameter, with an average surface temperature of 5000 K. 3. Editor's Note: Literal Reviviscence War on All Fronts: Anastasis When It's All Over ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5514" by stormbreath, Ellie3, chiifu and J Dune, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5514. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: dragonslayer2.png Author: stephlynch License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Wiki Filename: blueprint.png Author: stephlynch License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Wiki |
SCP-5515 | neutralized | PeppersGhost SCP-5515 - He Knows Something by PeppersGhost More by this author Item#: 5515 Level1 Secondary Class: truculent Disruption Class: {$disruption-class} Risk Class: {$risk-class} link to memo Special Containment Procedures: No longer required. Description: SCP-5515 was a male human of Sudanese nationality with cognitohazardous properties. Anyone who made visual contact with SCP-5515 would anomalously gain awareness of the fact that SCP-5515 possessed a vitally important secret known to no other living person. Those affected by SCP-5515 also experienced occasional intrusive thoughts about possible means of extracting this information from SCP-5515. These thoughts were often violent in nature, but did not compel an affected subject to carry out the action. Attempts to nonviolently ascertain the information possessed by SCP-5515 or determine its possible relevance to the Foundation and its goals were unsuccessful. Personnel involved in containment of SCP-5515 reported mental fatigue and negative emotional states as a result of intrusive thoughts. Those dealing with such issues were encouraged to write down the thoughts that bothered them as a cognitive therapy exercise and research opportunity. Examples of submissions are given below: He would tell me his secret if I threatened his family. He would tell me his secret if I gave him a lap dance. He would tell me his secret if I beat him within an inch of his life. He would tell me his secret if I made him eat glass. He would tell me his secret if I strapped him to the underside of a helicopter and flew him over the Grand Tsingy. He would tell me his secret if I covered him in honey and stapled live rats to him by the tail. He would tell me his secret if I stitched his lips to the end of a pool noodle. He would tell me his secret if I put duct tape on his corneas and pulled. He would tell me his secret if I slammed a door on his foot until his toes fell off. He would tell me his secret if I stuck a scissor blade all the way under his fingernail and snipped. He would tell me his secret if I shoved a razor between each of his teeth til they were wedged in his jawbones. He would tell me his secret if I pumped him full of drugs and made him eat his wife alive. He would tell me his secret if I ordered the Foundation to bomb every city on earth one by one. He would tell me his secret if I pulled the tendons from his hands and sucked them up like spaghetti. He would tell me his secret if I cut off a little bit of him every day until there was nothing left. He would tell me his secret if I cut spirals in his skin and peeled him like an orange. He would tell me his secret if I gave him too much Ritalin and let him watch me drill holes in his bones. He would tell me his secret if I blowtorched every inch of his body, gave him an escharotomy, and then did it again after his scar tissue grew in. On 13/03/2020, SCP-5515 confessed to Foundation personnel that he was a closeted homosexual. Special concessions were made to allow SCP-5515 to come out publicly via social media, after which all anomalous activity ceased. SCP-5515 was pronounced neutralized, administered selective amnestics, and later emigrated to Canada with the aid of Foundation resources. The origins of SCP-5515's anomalous properties remain unknown. SCP-5515 has claimed to have full knowledge of how the phenomenon began, what party was responsible, and what that party plans to do next. SCP-5515 readily offered this information to the Foundation at several junctures; however, no testimony was ever documented due to a lack of interest among presiding staff. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5515" by PeppersGhost, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5515. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5516 | safe | ETHICS COMMITTEE NOTICE: THIS ARTICLE IS UNDER REVIEW AND MAY NOT REFLECT ACCURATE INFORMATION CONCERNING SCP-5516. Amendments are pending the resolution of Ethics Committee Investigation - Case Number: 11A82N. Item#: 5516 Level2 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: dark Risk Class: notice link to memo SCP-5516-37 in containment. Special Containment Procedures: All 101 entities composing SCP-5516 are to be contained within Aquatic Enclosure L-23 at Site-184's Aquatic Anomalies Wing. Aquatic Enclosure L-23 constitutes one 10 x 10 x 1m, aquarium holding ± 90,000L of seawater. SCP-5516 poses a Null-1 containment risk; as such, the use of localized seawater for the containment habitat — provided Site-184's seawater decontamination facilities continue to pass bi-monthly inspections1 — and standard Aquatic Enclosure automated cleaning practices are approved. SCP-5516 entities are fed via automated food dispersal at 08:00 and 19:00.2 All SCP-5516 entities are assigned designation numbers: SCP-5516-1 - SCP-5516-101. Designation numbers are to be marked on the carapace of SCP-5516 entities using FLaN-Aquatic Paints.3 Emergent SCP-5516 entities are assigned the designation number of the recently deceased SCP-5516 entity.4 Deceased SCP-5516 entities possess no anomalous threat and are approved for incineration alongside Site-184's non-anomalous biological waste. Description: SCP-5516 is the collective designation for 101 SCP-5516 entities. SCP-5516 entities are visually identical to non-anomalous Homarus Americanus5 but demonstrate a variety of anomalous behaviours: Significantly higher cognitive aptitude and puzzle-solving ability compared to non-anomalous Homarus Americanus. Communal hunting, and food rationing and distribution practices.6 Simultaneous 'idle' state: When not hunting or feeding, SCP-5516 entities distribute themselves evenly across their enclosure and demonstrate simultaneous self-grooming behaviour.7 Ability to navigate to other SCP-5516 entities: When removed from their enclosure, SCP-5516 entities will return to other SCP-5516 groupings, displaying a 95% success rate while unobstructed.8 Collective, non-entity-dependent problem solving: Individual SCP-5516 entities are capable of solving memory puzzles presented to other SCP-5516 entities. SCP-5516 entities have utilized this ability to bypass simplified rotary numeric locks and meet kinetic-based food distribution systems in testing environments. Limited Self-Proliferation: Following the death of an individual SCP-5516 entity, 6-18 hours later, a separate SCP-5516 entity undergoes a molting process that produces two distinct SCP-5516 entities of roughly equal size. Due to the aforementioned behaviour, it is theorized that individual SCP-5516 entities are controlled by a singular group-consciousness.9 Recovery: On 04/21/1987, all SCP-5516 entities10 were recovered by Mobile Task Force Lambda-14 ("One Star Reviewers") while conducting a raid of "Allan's Seafood," formerly located in Liscomb, Nova Scotia, due to a suspected affiliation with GOI-116: Ambrose Restaurants. Addendum: Experiment Ceta-88C On 05/11/1996, Dr. [DATA EXPUNGED] oversaw the testing of Oros-Class Amnestic on SCP-5516-17, under R&D initiative: Waning Moon - Ceta. At the time of testing, the development of Oros-Class Amnestic was ongoing; the Ethics Committee issued approval for testing on █████████████ invertebrates. Following the events of 05/08/1996, Dr. Oswald Grisdale, alongside Dr. Sylvia Morrison, and Dr. [DATA EXPUNGED], administered Oros-Class Amnestic to SCP-5516-17. Following testing, SCP-5516-17 entered a catatonic state for 2 hours before resuming typical behaviour. 10 hours after testing, SCP-5516-82 molted, producing two SCP-5516 entities: SCP-5516-82 and SCP-5516-101.11 The following documents have been attached to SCP-5516's file as part of ongoing Ethics Committee Investigation - Case Number: 11A82N + ECI-11A82N: Evidence - Audio Transcription: - ECI-11A82N: Evidence - Audio Transcription: AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION DATE: 14/08/2020. NOTE: The following is transcribed from an audio recording uncovered during ECI-11A82N. Speakers are Dr. Gregory Werner, Head Researcher for Site-184's Aquatic Anomalies Wing and Dr. Sarah Collaert, Junior Researcher assigned to SCP-5516. [EXTRANEOUS AUDIO REMOVED] Dr. Collaert: Hello, Dr. Werner. I heard you wanted to speak to me? Dr. Werner: Yes, please have a seat. This is about your work with SCP-5516. Dr. Collaert: And the request for access to a higher clearance? Thank you, Sir. I'm trying to revise the entry, but without knowing what happened— Dr. Werner: I'm afraid that won't be possible. Dr. Collaert: I know I don't have the official clearance, but in the forty years you've had them in custody, the tests from 96' were the only— Dr. Werner: Dr. Collaert, your work on SCP-5516 has been suspended. You're being transferred; you should receive the details of your new assignment shortly. Dr. Collaert: I, uh, Sir… I don't understand. I was brought on specifically for my background in— Dr. Werner: You're new here, Dr. Collaert. These sort of rearrangements are not uncommon. Things come up and personnel need to be reassigned as necessary. SCP-5516 isn't going anywhere, and when you're back we can see about having you reinstated to your old position. Dr. Collaert: When I'll be back? What do you mean. I— Dr. Werner: That will be all, thank you. Please see yourself out. + ECI-11A82N: Evidence - Email Log: - ECI-11A82N: Evidence - Email Log: The following emails were sent on 14/08/2020. To: ui.481pcs|eromada.refinnej#ui.481pcs|eromada.refinnej From: ui.481pcs|trealloc.haras#ui.481pcs|trealloc.haras Subject: Transferred!(?) Jenny, They just took me off SCP-5516. I'm a little shocked. I got a folder with a new assignment—something to do with anomalous plankton blooms off the coast of Newfoundland. It's a six-month placement, like, on a boat. To: ui.481pcs|trealloc.haras#ui.481pcs|trealloc.haras From: ui.481pcs|eromada.refinnej#ui.481pcs|eromada.refinnej Subject: Re: Transferred!(?) What the fuck? That makes no sense, Sarah. You spent four years with your face pressed against the glass of various lobster tanks for that degree and they're sending you to look at plankton? Christ, I know it's the Foundation, but I'm pretty sure you've introduced me to everyone in the lobster behavioural analysis scene in this hemisphere and I don't exactly think any of them will be taking on the job (plus they've got nothing on you anyway). I've got to run, but we'll chat about this later, okay? Maybe it's a mix-up? I'll do dinner, and don't worry, no shellfish! It's going to be okay. Love you, - J. + ECI-11A82N: Evidence - Journal Entries: - ECI-11A82N: Evidence - Journal Entries: The following is a digitization of Dr. Collaert's journal entry, dated 25/08/2020. Dr. Collaert willingly surrendered these documents during ECI-11A82N. August, 15th I walked down to the beach tonight, I'm not sure why. I suppose I don't need to say goodbye yet - certainly not to the ocean. I didn't notice at the time, but something weird has been happening the last few months. It's the lobsters. I'm not sure how to explain it, I suppose I told myself I was just in touch with them. I was spending so much time staring into that tank; why would I question it when I knew a particular lobster was hungry? Sure, I couldn't wait to get back to work, to them - but why wouldn't I? I was doing important work, breaking ground in my field, even if no one outside the Foundation would ever read what I was writing. I was doing it for myself, after all. Now I'm not so sure. I stood in the water, took my shoes off and everything, and I swear, I could feel the water around me, all of me, like a pressure. I don't remember undressing, but the next thing I knew I was laying in the water, resting my head where the sand ended. I closed my eyes, and a wave covered me, I let my mouth open and I drank it in. I don't really know what happened next. The memories, they don't feel like mine, they don't fit. I was trapped -surrounded by glass and acrylic, or wood and rope, or both. I don't know if my brain couldn't handle it, or if I was drowning, but I was yanked back to myself. I pushed myself up out of the water, coughing the saltwater up. Jenny was worried when I came back, she said I had been gone for a while - longer than I thought. I told her it was because I'd be leaving soon. I hate myself for lying to her. August, 22nd God, I hate packing. Somehow it always takes way longer than it should—as long as you have, it seems. I don't want to go tomorrow. Jenny's getting the last few things together. I know she doesn't want me to go either, but she's putting on a brave face: "it's only six months," "you'll come back with some sailor tattoos and a pet puffin and we'll take a drive down to Lunenburg — get your land-legs back." I don't deserve her. I signed up with the Foundation — we both did — because it was a chance for us to see more, to know more; I suppose it's fitting that the first question I asked was the wrong one. I suppose we'll still both be looking at the same moon, and the same ocean. Her, here on the porch, me on the deck looking out for signs of bioluminescent puking over a railing. There's something shining… Dr. Collaert's journal continues on the next page, the writing appears to be scribbled hastily. What just happened? Okay, calm down, they covered this stuff in orientation, right? Write it down, yeah? Wait, what if it's memetic? Shit, okay. I'm going to write it down - I feel like I’m already losing it, like it's slipping past me. There was a shine? From the moon, or the reflection of the moon on the water, like moonlight on water. Something ivory, moving, but not there - flickering. I remember walking to it, or into it. It was cold, and I could feel them moving. As the water passed my eyes, I opened them, but they weren't my eyes anymore. I wouldn’t be able to see like that. My head hurts trying to think about it. I was alone this time, I remember being alone. I couldn't move. I felt the needle slide in, and I saw them: Dr. Werner and two others. Then I was undone. I came apart, I couldn't think anymore, they had taken that from me, or killed it. They had killed me, but I wasn't dead, the blood was still pumping, I was still moving. Yet, I was annihilated. August, 23rd If it wasn't for what I wrote, I never would have known it happened, I've already forgotten. The weird part is I don't even feel like I forgot, nothing seems missing. What else am I missing? I know things without knowing why I know them. I don't remember what happened, but I know that the Oros-Class Amnestic kills the consciousness, I know they were panicked as they did it, but not because of the tests; I know they tested it on SCP-5516 when they weren't supposed to, I know that it made SCP-5516-101, they made SCP-5516-101; there were only 100 to start. They thought they all shared a single mind, one that existed independent of the body, but that must not have been quite right - they weren't paying attention. I can't say I'd blame them; I don't know why they would have looked so close. The test worked, but not in the way they hoped. Whatever Oros-Class is, it didn't affect the hivemind, but it did affect the lobster, made it forgot itself. Then the hivemind registered one lobster down and popped out another - back to 100 - but the body was still around, so when that died, it popped out another. It found a new normal, and its kept that going all these years. We though it was capped at 100, or 101, but why did we think that - because they are nice, sensical numbers and we like those? I know there are many more SCP-5516 entities out there - shifting in an inky blackness - but how many? And I still don't know why they took the risk — what were they scared of? "The Ethics Committee issued approval for testing on [space left blank] invertebrates," non-anomalous - it must be. They must have thought no one would remember, but something did. + ECI-11A82N: INTERNAL REPORT FORM: - ECI-11A82N: INITIAL INTERNAL REPORT FORM: ETHICS COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION - CASE NUMBER: 11A82N INTERNAL REPORT FORM: COMPLAINT LEVELED AGAINST: Dr. Gregory Werner, Head Researcher for Site-184's Aquatic Anomalies Wing. REPORTEE: Dr. Sarah Collaert, Junior Researcher. DATE: 23/08/2020 SITE (IF APPLICABLE): 184 NATURE OF COMPLAINT: Dr. Collaert alleges that during the development of Oros-Class Amnestic — conducted as part of the Foundation's Research & Development initiative: Waning Moon - Ceta, Dr. Gregory Wener, along with two accomplices, conducted experimentations on live, anomalous SCP-5516 entities. Additionally, Collaert alleges that Dr. Gregory Werner has been instrumental in the obfuscation of this breach of protocol; in doing so, Dr. Gregory Werner is furthermore accused of misallocating Foundation resources and personnel, falsifying Foundation records, and intentionally disrupting the Foundation's mandate by preventing accurate record keeping. VALIDITY OF COMPLAINT: An initial review board, after listening to the testimony of Dr. Sarah Collaert, has found the allegations leveled against Dr. Gregory Werner credible, and opened an official investigation: EIC-11A28N. ETHICS COMMITTEE RESPONSE: Following the opening of ECI-11A28N, Dr. Gregory Werner has been relieved of duty and placed under house arrest. Ethics Committee Investigation Task Force: ECITF-Domum-3 ("Human Resources"), is responsible for the gathering of evidence related to ECI-11A28N and has received authority to detain and interrogate the associates of Dr. Gregory Werner: Dr. Oswald Grisdale and Dr. Sylvia Morrison. Following the submission of evidence by ECITF-Domum-3 to the Ethics Committee, Dr. Gregory Werner shall be tried by an adjudicative board, as per bylaw EC-10.7.12 Footnotes 1. Amd-1: As of 17/03/2007, Site-184's seawater decontamination facilities are inspected monthly. 2. Amd-2: As part of my ongoing research into SCP-5516, food dispersal at 08:00 has been suspended. SCP-5516 entities are instead fed via hand dispersal at 09:00, to better conduct behavioural analysis. 3. Amd-3: The use of FLaN-Aquatic Paints at Site-184 was discontinued in 1998, due to averse effects on delicate aquatic lifeforms. Current practices utilize Sea-Breeze P.I.T.s (Passive Integrated Transponders) for the designation of SCP-5516 entities. 4. Amd-4: Following the events of 05/11/1996, procedures following an increase in total SCP-5516 entities should be codified. I propose the following addition: "Should the net total of SCP-5516 entities increase, emergent SCP-5516 entities are to receive sequential designation numbers." 5. The American or Northern Lobster. 6. Cmt—1: Recent studies have shown that while SCP-5516 entities distribute food evenly, certain SCP-5516 entities display preferences; when various food sources are introduced, SCP-5516 entities can be seen exchanging their allotted food with other SCP-5516 entities. Of note, no SCP-5516 instance has been seen attempting to steal or otherwise deprive another SCP-5516 entity of food. 7. Cmt-2: Upon introducing more diverse terrain features to SCP-5516's enclosure, certain SCP-5516 instances can be seen repeatability positioning themselves adjacent to particular terrain features. Upon repositioning these terrain features within the enclosure, SCP-5516 entities will redistribute themselves to allow individual entities to remain near their preferred terrain features. 8. Amd-5: SCP-5516 entities display distressed behaviour when removed from close proximity to other SCP-5516 entities. This distressed behaviour is reduced if multiple SCP-5516 instances are kept within close proximity to one another, following removal from their Aquatic Enclosure 9. Cmt-3: Due to my ongoing studies into SCP-5516, I believe we have been too hasty to assign a group-consciousness to SCP-5516. Individual entities are seen displaying clear preferences, distinct from collective behaviour. I propose the possibility that SCP-5516 entities possess a two-leveled self-awareness, allowing them to be aware of themselves as both individual entities and a collective consciousness. 10. Amd-6: Only the initial 100 SCP-5516 entities were recovered on 04/21/1987. 11. Cmt-4: Although the original SCP-5516-101 and SCP-5516-17 entities have since died, the total quantity of SCP-5516 instances have remained at 101 entities. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5516" by DodoDevil, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5516. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Lobster Name: Bugre_americanu Author: Roberto Rodríguez License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugre_americanu.jpg |
SCP-5517 | euclid | Item#: 5517 Level3 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: danger link to memo Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5517 is to be locked inside a sealed structure 15 m tall and under the guise of a local environmental service building. A security camera is to monitor the growth of new SCP-5517-1 instances, and incendiary weapons are to be used to prevent their maturation. Additionally, customized costotomes1 are to be used to remove excessive material from SCP-5517 whenever necessary, which is to be sent to Site-66 for study. Personnel responsible for this procedure must wear biohazard protection suits at all times. Any individual that comes in direct physical contact with an SCP-5517-1 instance is to be immediately isolated. A medical examination will determine the proper measures to be taken, possibly resulting in termination. SCP-5517-B is to be contained inside a square perimeter and a behind a three meter electrical fence. A patrol is to ensure the security as well as the integrity of SCP-5517-B. Annually, a Class D personnel is to be exposed to an instance of SCP-5517-1. The affected individual is to be allowed to proceed with its anomalous behavior while escorted by a security team provided with standard equipment. SCP-5517. Photo taken in 1974 by an unknown photographer. See 5517-B/INV ITEM #9. Description: SCP-5517 is a pale tree of unknown species. Its outer structure is primarily made of collagen fibers and calcium phosphate. The interior consists mostly of stem cells, but also presents an amalgam of other ordinary human cells, tissues, and organs, including: neurons, hormone-producing glands, and bronchioles. Organisms visually similar to leaves, designated SCP-5517-1, will periodically grow and detach from SCP-5517. These organisms are 12 cm long and scarlet in color. They have simple circulatory systems composed exclusively of erythrocytes2. They also have rudimentary muscle fibers, which make them capable to control gliding movements through the air. SCP-5517-1 specimens demonstrate no interest in animals other than human beings and will cease all movement 48 hours after full maturation, but will maintain the hazardous properties until biodegradation. Analysis indicate the DNA of SCP-5517 and SCP-5517-1 specimens to belong to a single human female. SCP-5517-1 will attempt physical contact to human individuals when possible. If successful, the organism will attach to the subject epidermis and will immediately start to merge with the tissue, causing severe pain and temporary paralysis. The affected individual, designated SCP-5517-2, in addition to developing yellow coloration in the iris and sclera, will then engage in a singular behavior3 and will react aggressively to any attempt to hinder its progression. Incendiary weapons have proven to be an effective countermeasure to SCP-5517-2 instances, as they present unnatural resilience to physical damage. Located 426 m from SCP-5517 is an abandoned wooden cabin, referred to as SCP-5517-B. An inspection of the cabin as well as experimentation with SCP-5517 has revealed a relation between these two objects, specially concerning SCP-5517-2's active cycle. A list of relevant items found in the cabin can be examined in this report. Discovery: SCP-5517 is located inside a natural reserve in the municipality of Maricá, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Following a series of missing persons cases of hikers and local residents, an investigation by the local police led to the official discovery of the anomaly in 1995, and to the eventual intervention by the Foundation in the same year. Inventory (5517-B/INV): Notable items collected from SCP-5517-B. ► ACCESS INVENTORY ▼ ACCESS GRANTED ITEM DESCRIPTION #1 An old cleaver. DNA from several individuals have been identified. #2 A glass cylinder containing 43 specimens of SCP-5517-1 and an unidentified yellow liquid. Specimens were found alive and active. #3 A ceremonial dagger depicting a series of unknown symbols. #4 A picture of a middle-aged woman and a baby. The infant presents a number of unfamiliar features, the most apparent being the presence of three eyes with vertical pupils. The back of the picture displays the words ''Lúcia Lebedev e seu pequeno anjo''.4 #5 A gravestone dedicated to ██████ ██ ████ ██████. An explicit attempt to scratch the date of passing has been made. See the inscriptions below. #6 An ornamented urn containing a yellow substance. The same substance was found in ITEM #2. #7 A humanoid skeleton. DNA analysis indicate it to be from an adult male. However, structural examination presents a number of inconsistencies to the human anatomy, such as a 20 cm tail, a third ocular orifice located in the forehead, and six-digit hands. Location of elements suggests decapitation. #8 An oversized cradle, seemingly made from the local flora. #9 A photograph of SCP-5517. A note was attached to the image: ''Tarde demais, ela já ascendeu. 08/07/1974''5. ITEM #4: ITEM #5: Em memória:6 ██████ ██ ████ ██████ 10/06/1969 23/11/1969 Em um dragão o queriam transformar em vida.7 Em um rei eu o farei na morte.8 Pela graça do Grande Ion.9 Experiment Log (5517/EX.01;04;07): ► ACCESS EXPERIMENT LOG ▼ ACCESS GRANTED <Experiment 5517/EX.01> Conditions: Isolated environment. Preface: Test subject (D-1058) was exposed to a specimen of SCP-5517-1. Observation Notes: Subject's eyes coloration changed to yellow after 2 minutes of exposure. In addition, D-1058's behavioral patterns changed notably, his mannerisms coinciding with an individual of advanced age. Attempts to communicate have resulted in failure, as the individual maintained a fixated stare to the camera, and subsequently proceeded to strike it with its forehead repeatedly. Further results inconclusive, subject incinerated. Additional Note: Designate individuals affected by SCP-5517-1 as SCP-5517-2. <END EXPERIMENT> <Experiment 5517/EX.04> Conditions: Isolated environment. Preface: Test subjects (D-623 / D-955 / D-1337) exposed to ten instances of SCP-5517-1. Observation Notes: Instances of SCP-5517-1 pursue a single subject, successfully making it their host. D-955, now an instance of SCP-5517-2, proceeds to assault and kill the other two subjects by means of strangulation and disembowelment. It has been confirmed that SCP-5517-1 instances cannot affect more than one individual simultaneously. Further results inconclusive, subjects incinerated. <END EXPERIMENT> <Experiment 5517/EX.07> Conditions: Open environment, 20 m from SCP-5517. Preface: Test subject (D-854) was exposed to a specimen of SCP-5517-1. Subject was observed from a safe distance by a team of armed personnel, equipped with hazmat suits and incendiary ammunition. Observation Notes: Typical behavioral alteration confirmed. SCP-5517-2 proceeds to enter SCP-5517-B while escorted by the security team. While inside, SCP-5517-2 uses Inventory ITEM #1 to mutilate its own body, and to harvest a number of its organs. It should be noted that SCP-5517-2 displayed no signs of pain during the process, nor did it have its motor functions impaired, even though it was visually confirmed to have removed vital organs from the thoracic cavity. After observation of SCP-5517-2 engaging in several culinary practices using the collected material, the entity placed the organs inside a wooden bowl. As SCP-5517-2 rushed from the front door, Agent Miguel ████ was attacked. Agent ████ expired from 52 slash wounds to the ████ and right ██████. The video camera was damaged in the process. Instructions to increase observation distances were given and the experiment was ordered to continue for the sake of data collection. See Interview 5517/INT.11 for further details. <END EXPERIMENT> Interview (5517/INT.11): ► ACCESS INTERVIEW ▼ ACCESS GRANTED <Interview 5517/INT.11> Date: 08/19/1997. Interviewer: Dr. Bernard Hale. Interviewee: Elijah ████████, team leader of Security Team A09. Subject: Observation of D-854. <BEGIN INTERVIEW> Dr. Bernard Hale: I understand that you requested the use of amnestics after your experience. Elijah ████████: Correct. Dr. Bernard Hale: Before we can grant you that, we need an exhaustive description of the events. Just following the death of Miguel ████, we had no feed from that point on. Elijah ████████: It all happened fast after that. The target approached the empty well outside the cabin, and just crawled in there carrying the wooden bowl. When the boys approached the well he was gone. We used a rope to go down and there was a hole inside. The target reopened this passage with his bare hands through the bricks and soil. It led into a small underground tunnel. Dr. Bernard Hale: What was it looking for? I have seen my share, be objective. Elijah ████████: We followed in. Visibility wasn't the best inside, but we had the flames and a couple of lights. The path was quite linear, so we had no trouble navigating. It took around six minutes before we started seeing the flesh structures. Root-hands is what we called them, since we couldn't decide which of the two they were. But they didn't move, they just stood there. Dr. Bernard Hale: Your team was approaching the coordinates of 5517 from below. Elijah ████████: Correct. We kept a good distance from it. ████ saw it first, the target was kneeling at the top of a log staircase leading to a huge chamber. It was pitch black in there, but he didn't mind our flashlights. He was lifting his hands above the head as if offering the bowl. Elijah ████████: [pause] Dr. Bernard Hale: Want one? [lighter flicks and ignites] Elijah ████████: Appreciate it. He just stood there for about three minutes. [exhales] Then a massive hand comes out of the dark chamber. Grabbed D-854 and carried it into its mouth. Took the upper half of his torso away. We could see the face of D-854, he was laughing even then. Dr. Bernard Hale: Can you describe this new entity? Elijah ████████: We let the scene cool off, then moved a bit closer. It is around twenty or so meters long. The shape wasn't quite easy to identify at first. Or maybe it just took a while for any of us to admit it. Dr. Bernard Hale: What do you mean? Elijah ████████: The hand-roots? They were all around it, suspending it, slowly moving it left and right. There was humming too, coming from the tree above. What I mean is that this thing was being taken care of, that it is humanoid. Dr. Bernard Hale: Anything else? Elijah ████████: Just make me wake up and pretend that I'm babysitting a fucking tree again, would you? <END INTERVIEW> ADDITIONAL NOTES: New entity reported. Designation: SCP-5517-3. File/SCP-5517-3: WARNING: THE FOLLOWING FILE IS LEVEL 4/5517 CLASSIFIED ANY ATTEMPT TO ACCESS THIS FILE WITHOUT LEVEL 4/5517 AUTHORIZATION WILL BE LOGGED AND WILL LEAD TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION. ID ddc3df1e9f6a5a9545a9e395353203c8_1734915730 PASSWORD af652d37a0a540b44356245b77f32c68_1734915730 Login Logout CREDENTIALS ACCEPTED SCP-5517-3 Description: SCP-5517-3 is a humanoid organism located in an underground chamber, 42 m below SCP-5517. Even though it has 18 m of height, SCP-5517-3 resembles a male infant in appearance. However, the entity also presents other singular characteristics: thick skin similar to a pale crocodilian hide, three eyes with vertical beaded pupils, and six-digit hands. SCP-5517-3 feeds exclusively on SCP-5517-2 instances, and remains in a slumber state when unattended. Addendum 5517/AD.01: In 1998, it was discovered that SCP-5517-3 shares genetic material with both SCP-5517 and Inventory ITEM #7. Furthermore, efforts to remove SCP-5517-3 from SCP-5517's roots have resulted in extreme aggressive behavior and lost of ██ personnel. Addendum 5517/AD.02: After five years of containment, SCP-5517-3 has been progressively manifesting physical symptoms of malnutrition and hostility. Attempts to offer alternatives of nourishment have failed, as have the attempts to replicate SCP-5517-2's culinary methods. Request to temporarily use Class D personnel in creating SCP-5517-2 instances to feed and pacify SCP-5517-3 pending approval. accepted. Special Containment Procedures updated. END OF REPORT Footnotes 1. An instrument usually used for cutting the ribs and opening the thoracic cavity in surgical operations. 2. Commonly known as red blood cells. 3. See 5517/EX.07 and 5517/INT.11. 4. Translated from Portuguese: ''Lúcia Lebedev and her little angel''. 5. English: ''Too late, she already ascended. 08/07/1974''. 6. English: "In memory:" 7. English: "A dragon they wanted to make of him in life." 8. English: "A king I will make of him in death." 9. English: "By the grace of the Great Ion." ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5517" by SincereDoomguy, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5517. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: deadtree Name: Dead Tree Author: SincereDoomguy, Karen Arnold License: Public Domain Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Derivative of: PublicDomainPictures.net Filename: lucialebedev Name: HC01958 Author: SincereDoomguy, Community Archives License: Public Domain Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Derivative of: Flickr |
SCP-5518 | thaumiel | Item #: SCP-5518 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5518 is to be stored at Site-19 in six secure storage lockers. By order of the Ethics Committee, no direct access to SCP-5518 is currently permitted. Description: SCP-5518 is a set of six square plates of an unknown stone material, measuring 0.5 meters in length, 0.5 meters in width, and 1.5 cm in depth. These plates are designed to be assembled into a box and are each inscribed with the same text in a different language1, as noted in Addendum-5518. This text provides the instructions for activating the primary anomalous function of SCP-5518. The primary function of SCP-5518 is to implement an instantaneous YK-Class Reality Restructuring Event, wherein the baseline reality would be consumed in order to generate an identical mirror reality. SCP-5518 and its contents are not affected by this event, and reappear in the mirror reality at a time and location that is determined by the activation procedure. Objects and information may thus be transferred between the baseline and mirror reality by storing them in the assembled box form of SCP-5518 prior to activation. Discovery: SCP-5518 was discovered when it spontaneously materialized in an empty vault in Site-19 as a fully assembled box. The appearance of SCP-5518 was immediately flagged by the on-site surveillance system, and Foundation agents were dispatched to assess any possible threats. When SCP-5518 was subsequently disassembled into its plate components, a large number of printed files were found inside, including the following: • Security credentials to establish that SCP-5518 was sent by a duly authorized member of the Foundation. • The locations and special containment procedures for SCP-231, SCP-2845, and SCP-36002. • The construction plans for building SCP-711 and preventing the breakdown of SCP-2000. • The operational data for Project Palisade. • [REDACTED] Addendum-5518-A: A transcription of the text inscribed on each plate of SCP-5518: This is not salvation. This box represents our greatest failure, and we have used it only as our last resort, to deliver a warning for the threats we were too late to overcome. These threats will come to you in time. We could not survive them, and we sacrifice all that we have left to deliver our warning. Do not let our deaths be in vain. This box is designed to deliver its contents through a reset of reality. These functions may be activated by [INSTRUCTIONS EXPUNGED BY ORDER OF THE ETHICS COMMITTEE]. You are now the baseline reality. You are the second chance we never had, and should you fail to hold the darkness at bay, the box awaits. Pass on your warnings, accept your condemnation as we have, and the new world will continue to try again. +FURTHER ACCESS RESTRICTED TO LEVEL 5 CREDENTIALS -WELCOME OVERSEER Document-5518: The following document is an abridged compilation of the circumstances that preceded the use of SCP-5518 in prior iterations of reality. Designation Description Aftermath XA-1 The earliest known iteration of reality that included the use of SCP-5518. Society develops along an overall positive trend regarding economic trends, environmental factors, and social upheaval, surpassing present society by approximately 1.5 standard deviations. This trend continues until 2089, when anomalies are first discovered by the general public. The Foundation is established in an attempt to contain this threat, but ultimately proves ineffective, resulting in the rapid collapse of social order. By the year 2098, anomalous phenomena have rendered the planet unsuitable for sustained human life. SCP-5518 provides the first formal instructions for developing special containment procedures, and the coordinates to discover SCP-001. XA-2 The Foundation is established in the year 1824, approximately two years prior to the discovery of anomalous phenomena. Subsequent investigations bring the Foundation into conflict with various groups of interest, including the Church of the Broken God, the Serpent’s Hand, and Marshall, Carter, and Dark, Ltd. The escalation of these conflicts leads to the public gaining knowledge of anomalous phenomena, and subsequently, an international arms race for weaponized anomalies. Finally, in the year 1970, President Robert Kennedy initiates a conflict between all known groups of interest that would result in the collapse of human civilization. SCP-5518 provides the full documentation of SCP-3000 and the development of amnestics. Iteration XB-1 is further instructed with the precise time and method for assassinating Robert Kennedy. XB-3 In an attempt to proactively combat the rise of anomalous phenomena, the Foundation uses knowledge gained by SCP-5518 to conduct covert infiltrations of all major nations. Any known groups of interest are rapidly suppressed, and a shadow government is established across global society by the year 1998. Minimal anomalous activity is noted after this point. However, civil liberties are effectively eliminated from the general population, and multiple rebellions are attempted to usurp Foundation rule. The largest of these rebellions eventually manages to assassinate the O5 council in the year 2043, leading to the subsequent collapse of society and the theft of SCP-5518 by parties unknown The contents of SCP-5518 from this iteration are unknown, at the item was utilized by non-Foundation personnel. SCP-5518 was utilized an unknown number of times before it is finally reclaimed by the Foundation in iteration XC-4. XC-4 The Foundation is established in the year 1778, when SCP-5518 spontaneously materializes in the custody of Anna Strong, a Culper Ring spy. Foundation carries out its mission with minimal interference with public society, and nearly 4000 SCPs are successfully contained by the year 1921. After this point however, reality appears to undergo a spontaneous loss of integrity. Symptoms begin with the disappearance of physical locales and culminate in the disappearance of various laws of physics. SCP-5518 is utilized in the year 2012, just prior to the complete disintegration of the timeline. SCP-5518 provides approximately 80% of the current SCP database. Despite extensive research, no definitive cause is identified for the collapse of reality and investigations continue in iteration XC-5. XC-5 The most recent prior iteration of reality. The Foundation is established in the year 1843 and immediately continues investigating the collapse of iteration XC-4. A working theory proposes that SCP-5518 may have been involved in the prior collapse of reality. This leads to the decision to restrict all access to SCP-5518 and its contents. After this point however, anomalous phenomena undergo a rapid increase and renders the planet unsuitable for sustained human life by the year 1901. SCP-5518 provides a revised standard for establishing an effective Ethics Committee for the Foundation. Ethics Addendum: The following statement was issued by the Foundation Ethics Committee to the O5 Council. SCP-5518 represents a unique opportunity for the Foundation. The power to reset reality is simultaneously the power to choose the outcomes of reality, and yes, we could use this to warn against K-Class scenarios or convey instructions for a better future. However, the use of SCP-5518 is not acceptable under any circumstances. First, anomalies are unpredictable, and we cannot entrust the whole of reality to an object that cannot even be properly tested. Perhaps it worked for our predecessors, but how can we be sure that it will work again? How can we be sure that it won’t come with unwanted side effects? These are questions we will never definitively answer. More importantly however, the Foundation owes its sole duty to our baseline reality. The improvement of any mirror reality is entirely irrelevant, as these realities would not be our own. Our predecessors may have surrendered their responsibility, but for better or for worse, this is our world now, and we will make our stand until the end. SCP-5518 is therefore prohibited from all future use. Disassemble the box and lock away the plates; secure, contain, protect. Nothing else matters. Footnotes 1. These languages include English, Mandarin, Spanish, Hindi, ASCII binary code, and an unknown script, bearing no resemblance to any known language or writing style, past or present. 2. None of these SCPs had been discovered at this time. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5518" by Risora, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5518. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5519 | euclid | Item #: SCP-5519 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5519-1 is to be left within a standard cold storage locker. Further evidence of current SCP-5519-1 instances are to be investigated immediately, and information related to the composition and methods of creating SCP-5519-1 are to be considered the top priority when testing with existing SCP-5519-1 instances. Description: SCP-5519 is the official designation of a TK-Class Casual Restructuring Event, which most likely took place from 11/4/21 to 14/4/21. The effects of reality-based anomalies are usually impossible to determine, specifically what aspects of fundamental reality were damaged or replaced. However, the existence of SCP-5519-1 suggests that SCP-5519 was localized to a very small subdivision of physical matter. Investigations into the full extent and effects of SCP-5519 are ongoing. SCP-5519-1 is material that has evidently survived SCP-5519, and has extensive properties: + SCP-5519 Documented Traits - [CLOSE FILE] SCP-5519-1 is an off-white, oblong cylinder, approximately a foot in length. SCP-5519-1 is noticeably moist, and residue from SCP-5519-1 will remain on substances or organisms that have come into contact with SCP-5519-1 for extended periods of time. SCP-5519-1’s exterior is hard to the touch, although additional force causes its interior structure to buckle rapidly, giving the appearance of a dent where pressure was applied. Moderate amounts of damage are repaired, as the interior supports swell against the area of compression shortly after it has occured. The full extent of SCP-5519-1’s defensive abilities are not currently known. SCP-5519-1 is evidently populated by fungal, eukaryotic organisms throughout the webbing of SCP-5519-1’s interior structure. Very few instances are currently living, as the vast majority of these organisms expired after or during SCP-5519. Due to possible signs of intelligence and the fungi not mapping to known species, they are henceforth referred to as SCP-5519-A. Cross-sections of SCP-5519-1 show that the object was evidently under extreme temperature for a moderate period of time, which may have contributed to SCP-5519-1’s deformed appearance. It is currently estimated that this effect was an indirect result of SCP-5519. SCP-5519-1 emits a noticeable scent, although no longer as potent as upon retrieval. Various tests have uniformly described SCP-5519-1’s smell as “pleasing”, “rich”, and “tangy”. A collection of various green growths, presumably incorporated onto SCP-5519-1’s surface by SCP-5519-A after the TK-Class Event due to the lack of charring on these growths. They are attached to the upper exterior of SCP-5519-1. Material analysis of SCP-5519-1 reveals that many substances incorporated into its design are of organic origin, despite the unknown, brittle material makeup of SCP-5519-1. A more recent theory on SCP-5519-1’s primary function is that the object was constructed by SCP-5519-A as a residential location, in a similar fashion to how human-built structures are made from naturally occuring material. A combination of substances used in construction does not result in the structure qualifying or appearing organic, which is possibly the case for SCP-5519-A’s involvement regarding SCP-5519-1. Addendum: On 17/4/21, mass gatherings of SCP-5519-A became visible on the surface of SCP-5519-1, presumably creating repairs or otherwise modifying SCP-5519-1. In direct response to this behavior, the original recovery site of SCP-5519-1 and the surrounding area were investigated extensively, uncovering SCP-5519-2. SCP-5519-2 is the official designation of a mildly-damaged doorbell camera, which contains the following footage within the video storage files of the device. Other files were found to be entirely corrupted, and recovery of additional footage would be considered impossible. SCP-5519-2 VIDEO LOG DATE: 12/4/21 [BEGIN LOG] A uniformed individual, carrying various small crates, is shown approaching SCP-5519-2, before ringing the doorbell (Due to the markings and patches on the individual’s uniform, it is suspected that they possessed some level of military or governmental importance). Several seconds pass, and the presumed owner of SCP-5519-2 is seen opening their door to greet the officer. Transportation Officer: Hello sir, I’ve got your order right here. The officer sets down the stack of crates, and removes the top box before handing it to the other humanoid. The logo of an orange disc with a beige outline is visible on the crates, possibly a symbol representing high status and influence. Receiving Individual: Thank God, you got here just in time. The game’s almost started, and the fam was starting to get rowdy. Due to the mention of a theological figure, it is suspected that either the act of delivery or the contents of these crates possessed religious or ritual significance. Transportation Officer: Yeah, there was a bit of a wreck on 285, so that took a bit more time. The receiving individual opens the swinging lid of the crate, revealing an additional SCP-5519-1 instance. Receiving Individual: Alright, and the others? Over the course of the next minute, the officer identifies the contents of the crates, and hands them over to the individual after the contents of the crates are described. Notably, various clear cylinders are visible, evidently containing bubbling liquid. Transportation Officer: And there’s the last of the garlic bread. At this moment, the footage ends. The phrase “Be Careful What You Wish For” is visible on the screen for a very brief amount of time before cutting to black. [END LOG] Research into SCP-5519-1’s former status as “Garlic Bread” is ongoing. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5519" by Kensing, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5519. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5520 | archon | + CODE - CODE /* BLANKSTYLE CSS [2021 Wikidot Theme] By Placeholder McD and HarryBlank Based on: Paperstack Theme by EstrellaYoshte Penumbra Theme by EstrellaYoshte */ @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:ital,wght@0,800;1,800&display=swap'); #page-content { font-size: .9rem; } #main-content { top: -1.6rem; padding: 0.2em; } div#container-wrap { background-image: none; } div#header { background-image: none; } #header h1, #header h2 { margin-left: 0; float: none; text-align: center; } #header h2 { margin-top: 0.5rem; } #header h1 span, #header h2 span { font-size: 0; display: none;} #header h1 a::before, #header h2::before { color: #000; letter-spacing: 1px; font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif !important; text-shadow: none; } #header h1 a::before { content: var(--header-title, "R\0026 C SITE-43"); font-weight: 400; font-size: 1.3em; } #header h2::before { content: var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE"); font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.2em; 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padding: 2vw; } close Info X SCP-5520: "The Rabbit Hole" It's abatement all the way down. More by this author! Item#: SCP-5520 Level5 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: keneq Risk Class: warning link to memo Acroamatic Abatement Facility AAF-W and SCP-5520. Special Containment Procedures: Containment of SCP-5520 is unnecessary at present..Archon-class objects can be contained, but should not be. Should containment become necessary, SUNDOWN protocol must be initiated. The Lake Huron bulkhead gates will be opened, flooding Acroamatic Abatement Facility AAF-W. This will activate the expanding foam seeded into the facility, sealing it. Scranton Reality Anchors must be strategically placed to direct the growth of AAF-W away from Site-43, the bed of Lake Huron and the surface. All access to AAF-W is prohibited. Update: SUNDOWN protocol may only be enacted by Overwatch Command, except under emergency circumstances. + Rescinded Containment Procedures - Close Rescinded Containment Procedures SUNDOWN protocol may only be enacted by the Director of Site-43. Description: SCP-5520 is former SCP Foundation Senior Researcher and Provisional Site Co-Director Dr. Wynn Rydderech. SCP-5520 is a Class-III reality bender, as a result of long-term exposure to esoteric materials. Correspondence with SCP-5520 has revealed serious and progressive cognitive impairment, dissociation, depersonalization, derealization, and both retrograde and anterograde amnesia. It remains aligned with the goals of the Foundation, but no longer answers directly to the executive structure. SCP-5520 presently resides in a series of vast caverns and refineries located beneath Site-43, classified Acroamatic Abatement Facility AAF-W by former Site Director Dr. V. Lesley Scout. Though the facilities themselves exhibit no anomalous properties, their scale, their location, and the activities performed there do. Both manual and automatic cave surveying techniques have been unable to determine the precise extent of AAF-W, but best estimates suggest over two million cubic metres of interior space. A breathable oxygen atmosphere pervades throughout, presumably as a result of SCP-5520's activities. Dr. Wynn Rydderech, c. 1943. Addendum 5520-1, Phenomenological Overview: From 1915 to 1966 Dr. Wynn Rhys Rydderech headed the SCP Foundation's effort to manage the toxic materials generated by its catalogue of anomalous objects. His Acroamatic Abatement Group moved from Vienna, Austria to Provisional Site-43 in Canada in 1943, and he became Co-Director with Dr. Vivian Lesley Scout. The Applied Occultism and Acroamatic Abatement Sections of that Site became, under his direction, the foremost facilities for studying and neutralizing esoteric effluence on Earth. When Site-43 was upgraded from provisional status in 1965, Dr. Scout became the Site Director with his partner's sponsorship. Dr. Rydderech disappeared from Site-43 on the 14th of November, 1966, after fifty-one years of employment. Security and Containment Section agents searched his dedicated research laboratory in Acroamatic Abatement Facility AAF-A, and found it significantly altered and its forty-three staff members absent. Dr. Rydderech's notes revealed dozens of conflicting, frequently incoherent or unintelligible programs of research, suggesting that his disappearance had been voluntary. The entire Site was immediately placed on alert. Dr. Scout ordered the Pursuit and Suppression Section to investigate the facility further. Investigation Log Transcript Date: 11/14/1966 Investigation Team: Mobile Task Force Delta-43 ("Pit Bosses") Team Lead: Captain Garth Kinsey (Delta-1) Team Members: Delta-2, -5, -6, -7, -9 Log begins. Control: Describe your surroundings, please. Delta-1: Roger. We're standing in AAF-A, in what should be the basement sublevel. Blueprints from Janitorial and Maintenance say this is as low as it goes. Ah… there are considerably more pipes on the walls here than the schematics show. Some of them don't look right. Control: Elaborate. Delta-1: I can't be sure without touching them, but at least some of these look like they're made out of bone? And maybe porcelain. Delta-5: Bone china, maybe. Delta-1: Hey. Delta-5: Cutting chatter, sir. Control: There's an open door leading to a stairwell at the end of the hall you're in, correct? Delta-1: Correct, Control. No door or stairwell on the blueprints. Control: Proceed downward with extreme caution, captain. Delta-1: Roger. Delta-43 proceed to the next level of the facility without incident. Delta-1: Oh, what the hell. Control: Elaborate. Delta-1: The door at the bottom of the stairs is also open, Control. It opens onto a glass-walled tunnel. I can see cave walls outside the glass, illuminated by… I don't know. Illuminated. Control: Proceed, and narrate. Delta-1: This is definitely a connecting tunnel, there's another open door at the end. I can see a… very large cave system outside the tunnel. Very, very large. Delta-43 enter the adjoining facility. Delta-2: That's damn strange. Control: Delta-2? Acroamatic Abatement Facility AAF-A2. Delta-2: This place looks like… I've seen photographs from Archives and Revision, of AAF-A in the forties. During the war, when they were building this place. That's what we're standing in now. Control: You've just left AAF-A, Delta-2. Delta-2: No, sir, we've just left the present-day version. I'm telling you this is AAF-A as it used to look, twenty years ago. Control: Understood. Please proceed. Delta-1: Hold up. Control: Report. Delta-1: We've found a few of Dr. Rydderech's researchers. They're examining some pipes, and taking notes. Control: Approach them, with caution. Delta-1: Roger. Hey! Identify yourselves! Silence on recording. Delta-1: Hey there! Fingers snapping. Delta-1: No response, control. Control: Understood. Proceed. Delta-43 move through five sublevels of the new facility, before reaching a door in the same position as the door in the present-day AAF-A. Delta-1: The door is closed, Control. Control: Understood. Can you open it? Delta-1: Doesn't seem to be locked. Control: Take a look. Delta-1: Roger. A loud metal squealing, then silence on recording. Delta-1: …oh. Control: What do you see, Delta-1? Delta-1: …oh. Oh, good lord. Ah… copy, Control, I see what appears to be a… ravine. An underground ravine. Can't begin to speculate on the depth. There are… structures, at the bottom. Structures on the walls, as well. Looks like a natural cave system, ah… augmented, with artificial construction. Consistent with the alterations to AAF-A we've already seen. Delta-5: It looks like somebody turned ten factories inside-out and stacked them. Control: Copy, Delta-5. Would you say this ravine and its contents are larger than AAF-A, Delta-1? Delta-1: I would say that this ravine and its contents are larger than Site-43, Control. Dr. Scout recalled Delta-43 to AAF-A to regroup and plan further investigations. The research personnel encountered in the parallel facility were not re-encountered. The Identity and Technocryptography Section had recently completed the installation of an experimental Site-wide computer system with a rudimentary command line interface, the Site-43 Information Network (INFOnet). When Delta-43 returned to Dr. Rydderech's office, they discovered that his networked printer had produced the following message for Dr. Scout: [11/14/1966] Vivian, I blame the comic books. I started reading them as a middle-aged man. Something frivolous to take my mind off of toxicants and virions and threshold limit values, something fantastical. I do some of my best work when I'm distracted. So many of those old superheroes were scientists, just like us. They got their super-powers because something stupid, but scientific, happened to them. Jay Garrick inhaled heavy water vapour, and instead of gaining NOTHING, he gained super speed. Rex Tyler created a one-hour strength pill, and started popping them like an addict. Ted Knight found the cure for gravity, and he used it to fly around and beat people up. My idiotic idols. I swear, Viv, I didn't intentionally expose myself to esoteric materials. Then again, neither did the Flash. There were accidents, of course, even back in Europe. A drop here, a shattered cask there, an accidental exposure every once in a while. I thought nothing of it when my pants started staying up without a belt, or I stayed warm in cold weather, or I didn't need to use the washroom unless I thought about it. Just getting fat and hot and slow and absent-minded, I thought. Now, of course, I know it was just the maintenance of my self-image. Sometimes I'd wake up sweating in the middle of the night, and find myself wearing my three-piece suit and tie. Sometimes I'd look in the mirror and see my hair was red again, red like it hasn't been since the Great War. Once, only once, I had a long telephone conversation with my wife without remembering to dial out of the facility. Or remembering that she's dead. I know what this is, and you know, too. I'm Dr. Fate. I'm bending reality on my knee. Things turn out the way I want them to, or the way I think they should be. I'm starting to be able to direct it, now, which scares the everloving you-know-what out of me. You know how we've made such great strides these past months? How all our experiments have turned out perfectly? That's because I've wanted them to. I've willed them to. Where there's a will, there's a way. But I don't have the will to be put in a cage, and you don't have a way of fixing what's wrong with me without PUTTING me in a cage. So, at the risk of belabouring the metaphor, I have to go away. I hope I'll be back soon. In the meantime, I'll keep in touch. Do you remember what I told you at the lake, Vivian? Now is the time. I'm counting on you. - Wynn I&T technicians reported that the terminal in Dr. Rydderech's office was now networked with a printer in an unknown location. After consultation with the Security and Containment Section, Dr. Scout began correspondence with Dr. Rydderech via the terminal and printers. [11/14/1966] Dr. Scout: Wynn, please return to the Site. We can help you. No, you can't. But I can help you. From down here. Dr. Scout: We've got the finest doctors in the world on our side, Wynn. Precisely. The finest doctors in the world can't stop what's happening to me. I'm a toxicologist, Vivian, I've done the research. You're a toxicologist too, so please don't lie to me. Dr. Scout: Think of your staff, Wynn. Is this what they wanted? My staff don't exist. Dr. Scout: What? My staff don't exist. I invented them. My whole department was filled with phantoms I imagined into existence. I'm just imagining them down here, now. Check their employment records, you'll see what I mean. You know why there were forty-three of them? So I wouldn't forget how many there were, and call down an investigation on my head. I've had this condition for a long time now. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Dr. Scout: We can fix this together, Wynn. You and I. Why do you keep repeating my name? Do you think I don't know who I am? I don't want you to see me like this. It's better if I stay down here. Dr. Scout: What do you expect me to do? Let you hide out underground until you suffocate or starve to death? I expect you to be a scientist and let me alone to do my work. I'm close to a breakthrough, now. Very close. Just think of this as an extended research sabbatical, and I'll be back good as new before long. Dr. Scout: Now who's lying, Wynn? Dr. Scout: Wynn? Dr. Rydderech was subsequently classified SCP-520. This file uses the present-day SCP-5520 classification, and appended documentation is amended to reflect this. The duplicate AAF-A was thoroughly examined over the next fourteen months, revealing that it, like the original, had fallen out of use. It was determined that SCP-5520 and his phantom staff had moved into the larger facility in the caverns, which had by then expanded twofold. As SCP-5520 had not corresponded with Site-43 at all during this period, Dr. Scout instructed Pursuit and Suppression to rappel down into the larger structure, designated AAF-W, and investigate it. A partial transcript of their exploration is appended below. Investigation Log Transcript Date: 02/20/1968 Investigation Team: Mobile Task Force Delta-43 ("Pit Bosses") Team Lead: Captain Garth Kinsey (Delta-1) Team Members: Delta-2, -4, -5, -6, -8 Acroamatic Abatement Facility AAF-W, exterior. Delta-1: Well. That was hair-raising. Delta-5: Thank god for winches. Control: What do you see, Delta-1? Delta-1: There's a… skyscraper of machinery. Gantries, pipes, tanks, chimneys and such protruding from the cave floor. Delta-5: A cave-scraper. A cave ceiling scraper. Delta-1: Must be one of the biggest buildings in the country, Control. Certainly the biggest thing underground. Control: Understood. Begin your exploration. The first section of the facility resembles the Acroamatic Abatement Group laboratory in Vienna. The phantom researchers are absent. The second section of the facility is unfamiliar to the agents. Delta-1: I don't think this is built to match any existing facilities, Control. The walls are orange. Control: Standby, Dr. Scout is joining us. Delta-1: Roger. Dr. Scout: You said orange walls, Delta-1? Acroamatic Abatement Facility AAF-W, interior. Delta-1: That's correct, doctor. Dr. Scout: With a grey stripe down the middle? Delta-1: …that's also correct, doctor. Somewhere you've both been? Dr. Scout: It's the tox lab from Cardiff. Where we studied together. Delta-2: Did it have fluorescent lights when you were there, sir? In, uh, the 1910s? Dr. Scout: Well. Wynn… the subject, might not be himself right now. Keep that in mind. MTF Delta-43 turn the corner into a large room filled with shining copper pipes. SCP-5520 is standing in the middle of the room, pointing at each pipe and nodding. He turns to face the agents as they enter the room; he begins to weep. SCP-5520: I won't remember tomorrow. I… I won't even remember tomorrow, tomorrow. I don't even remember tomorrow today. Delta-1: Eyes on the target, Control. SCP-5520: Was he a friend of yours? Delta-5: He's unharmed, Control. Looks a little shaken, nothing bad. Control: Bring him in, Delta-1. Delta-1: Roger. Dr. R— SCP-5520: Sometimes I get… confused. Sometimes. Delta-1: Dr. Rydderech? Can you come with us, please? SCP-5520: Oh… I… I'm sorry, that was my fault. Was that my fault? I'm sorry. Delta-5: What? You're not making any sense. One of the pipes begins vibrating intensely. The sound is deafening. SCP-5520 is nevertheless audible. SCP-5520: Where did he go? Delta-5 reaches out to steady the pipe. When his hand touches it, he disappears. SCP-5520: Oh, I wouldn't touch that. The sound ceases. Recording ends. The five remaining members of 43-Delta were subsequently returned by SCP-5520, through unknown means, to AAF-A. A message was already waiting for Dr. Scout in Dr. Rydderech's office. [02/20/1968] Vivian, I'm sorry about your man. You won't be seeing him again. I've connected my facility to AAF-A. Please send any new substances down the pipeline to me, and I'll see what I can do with them. Dr. Scout: Why would we do that? You're not a Foundation researcher anymore, you're an SCP object. That's a good approach to take. I've seeded the facility walls with a compound that will expand to fill its container, immobilizing anything it touches and anaesthetizing humanoids. It's water-activated, so all you have to do is open the floodgates to my cavern and you'll be rid of me. Oh, yes, my cavern has floodgates now. I hope the underwater panthers won't mind. These were their tunnels, did you know that? They used them to travel between the lakes. I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that literally nothing in those oral histories was wrong. No response. I suppose I can't blame you. So, you have Special Containment Procedures for me now. We'll call that our framework for a working relationship. Take my proposal to O5 and the Ethics Committee. Let them handle it. We both know you're too close to the issue. The good work goes on, Vivian. It must. By order of the O5 Council, Site-43 'employed' SCP-5520 from this point forward as a consultant researcher. Though Dr. Scout objected strongly to this practice, he agreed to remain SCP-5520's point of contact. The Foundation began sending problematic substances to AAF-W. Geological measurements indicated that the artificial complex grew at a slow, steady rate every day for the next three decades. The efficiency of the Site-43 facilities improved at a commensurate rate, and SCP-5520 frequently delivered ad hoc research papers and chemical formulations to the Foundation via the printer in his former office. A partial digest of the correspondence between Dr. Scout and SCP-5520 is reproduced below. [01/24/1969] Dr. Scout: Alright Wynn, we're sending you something very caustic now. Ah, you're finally coming down for a visit? I've missed you. Dr. Scout: I'll tell Security and Containment that you've still got your sense of humour, maybe it'll put them at ease. In any event, please see what you can do with this stuff. If we can ameliorate it, we can lock up the object creating it for good. I'll take a look, but my sympathies are with the object (for obvious reasons). [10/13/1970] Dr. Scout: How are you holding up down there? I've developed a method for stripping the human body of its mucous membrane. Dr. Scout: What? Why? That's not what you were supposed to be working on. I'm going to cure catarrh! And the common cold. Dr. Scout: The mucous membrane keeps us from getting sick, Wynn. Oh. Dr. Scout: But you know that, right? Of course I do. I was just joking. To put you all at ease, remember? [06/04/1971] Dr. Scout: We can't make sense of the data you're sending us. It's elementary enzyme design, Vivian. Dr. Scout: We haven't invented enzyme design yet, Wynn. Oh. Well, let me know when you have, then. [06/29/1972] stop it Dr. Scout: Stop what, Wynn? stop flushing your GODDAMNED TOILETS on me WHOEVER YOU ARE [07/04/1972] Dr. Scout: Are you there? I'm sorry about last time. I got a little confused. Dr. Scout: Yes, well, we're working on that problem for you. Is there anything else you need? How are those floodgates doing? Dr. Scout: The floodgates are fine. Maybe you should test them. Dr. Scout: What do you mean? Dr. Scout: Wynn? What do you mean? [08/17/1973] Dr. Scout: I'm sending you the chemical equations and synthesis outline for a new antipsychotic developed at Site-19. It will completely suppress your reality-bending symptoms. I want you to make it, and I want you to TAKE it, and I want you to come back home. Vivian, What a clever formula! Thank you so much for sending me this, it's right up my alley. I'm sending you a list of chemical and procedural improvements, the shots should work much faster now. Dr. Scout: But did you take it, Wynn? Dr. Scout: Wynn? [12/19/1975] this is what you wanted isnt it Dr. Scout: What do you mean? i know who you are i know what you DID you put me here youre KEEPING me here you WANT me here out of the way Dr. Scout: You went down there on your own. I want you to come home. do you think im stupid do you think i dont understand i hope you never forget what you did to me i hope you NEVER FORGET what youre DOING to me [12/21/1975] Vivian? Where are you? Vivian? I'm sorry. At this point Dr. Scout reiterated his opposition to the project and refused to participate any further. SCP-5520 continued to transmit regular commentary on its activities to I&T and respond to all inquiries, apparently unaware (most of the time) of Dr. Scout's departure. A partial digest follows: [06/11/1976] Does chirality exist, Vivian? This is a serious question. Does chirality exist, or is it something I made up? This is a serious question. [03/08/1979] I don't remember my eyes. [08/17/1980] Where are you, Vivian? Why aren't you here? Please find attached five hundred pages of toxidrome reports. [08/17/1980] Why doesn't it ever rain down here, Vivian? It should rain down here. I NEED IT to rain down here. [12/21/1985] Yesterday I cured cancer. Today I can't remember how. Unless I'm imagining curing cancer yesterday, or imagining I've forgotten how, or imagining cancer, or imagining yesterday, or imagining today. Or [05/06/1988] Please find attached one page of words. They're the right ones. [01/18/1990] I've drawn up new manuals for AAF-C, Vivian. Please make sure you follow them to the letter when we build the facility twenty years ago. You don't want a repeat of what I just thought about. [09/12/1991] I know you're not Vivian. Addendum 5520-2, Incident Summary: On 9 February 1996, Dr. V. Lesley Scout attempted to enact SUNDOWN protocol and decommission SCP-5520. Safeguards installed under O5 instructions prevented this act, and Dr. Scout was summoned to Site-01 for immediate questioning. A partial transcript of his interview with O5-8 is appended below. [02/09/1996] Dr. V. Lesley Scout, 1996. O5-8: Please, help me to understand why you did what you did. Dr. Scout: He gave his life to us, all of it, from start to finish. To the good work. I owed him this… courtesy. O5-8: What you call a courtesy, I might call an execution. His life is not finished. Dr. Scout: With respect, sir, you mean you aren't finished with his life. We're not talking about someone's abandoned grandfather, who just needs his loved ones to visit and brighten his day. We're not talking about someone with cognitive impairment who just needs patience and affection and rewarding work to live a meaningful life. Not anymore. We're talking about someone who's been completely alone and out of his mind for thirty years. Most of Wynn Rydderech is gone, and what's left is crying out for help, and we're not listening. I've asked you, time and time again, to let me bring him back up here. To let me see if we can help him. He might never be the same, but at least he wouldn't be alone. He could live a real, human life, in the light. He would still be brilliant, he would still be Wynn, if we could manage his condition. But you refuse me, time and time again, and I've come to realize that you're never going to let him get better. You're going to keep him sick in the dark for all eternity if you can, so you can benefit from his sickness. We are perpetuating a falsehood, through anomalous means, because it is convenient for us. That's not the Foundation I, or he, signed up to work for. Or built, if you please. O5-8: You're one to talk about anomalous perpetuation. How old are you now, Mr. Baggins? Eleventy-one, isn't it? Dr. Scout: I'm still myself. Wynn is not, by his own metrics. He left specific instructions for me on the matter, and his wishes are the only ones that should count. It's his life, and he put it in my hands. He trusted me. As his friend, and as his partner. O5-8: I have access to the INFOnet feed. I've seen what Rydderech is saying. Just last week he asked you to "look in on Ashley." That doesn't sound like someone who's dissociating to me. Dr. Scout: Do you know who Ashley is, sir? O5-8: No, and I don't see why it matters. Is it his daughter? His cat? Dr. Scout: His brother, sir. His dead brother, hit by a bus during the London Blackout of 1918. Silence on recording. Dr. Scout: He's suffering. And we're letting him suffer, keeping him apart, because he's useful to us. You know what he wants. If you've seen the feed, you've seen him begging for it. But you don't care. This isn't about him, it's about you. Silence on recording. Dr. Scout: You want to hear what Wynn, actually Wynn, thought about this? Dr. Scout pulls a folded, yellow sheaf of papers from his suit. Dr. Scout: Let me read this to you. O5-8: What is it? Dr. Scout: It's a letter he wrote. He asked that I open it if he ever became… compromised. He gave it to me the last time we went topside together, the day the Site became official. The first day of April, 1965. I opened it thirty years ago. O5-8: Fine. What does it say? Dr. Scout: It says, "Vivian, I'm so pleased I got to see the lake one last time, and share that moment with you. As myself. Before…" Dr. Scout pauses. Dr. Scout: "…before what's going to happen to me. I know this is going to be difficult for you to understand, but I have to go away. I'm a danger to you, to the Site, maybe even to myself. I've tried to hide it, I've tried to control it, but I'm losing my grip. It's better for everyone if I disappear for a while. Hopefully, I'll be back. But if I'm not, I need to you understand something for me. I need you to understand who, and what, I am. So that you'll also understand if it's not me you're seeing, or hearing, down there in the dark. So that you'll do what needs to be done, as you always have. As we used to do, together. You remember what we used to say at Cardiff? I know you've moved on to magic words and musty, dead old things, but I'm sure you haven't forgotten. There's magic in these words, too: "We are chemistry, and electricity." That, and nothing besides. You and I are the sum of our electro-chemical reactions. Electricity is the fire that is our conscious selves, and chemistry is the beating of our hearts. The wet, sparking computers in our heads are the most powerful thinking, feeling machines in existence, more complicated than anything we can devise. More points of failure than any bridge, any airplane, any equation. They always break down, in the end, and so do we. That ephemerality is part of the magic. The fire goes out, the heart stops beating. Sometimes the fire goes out first, and we lose ourselves. We become not ourselves. Every human being has the right to decide where that line is drawn for themselves, personally. You know full well where I draw it. Words have power, Vivian, but chemistry is power. If you change the chemistry, you change who you are. And it doesn't take much. Yours very truly, - Wynn." Silence on recording. O5-8: Is that all, Dr. Scout? Dr. Scout: Yes, sir. O5-8: We'll take it under advisement. Dr. Scout: …thank you, sir. I&T continued to correspond regularly with SCP-5520 under O5 direction, and Dr. Scout resigned from the SCP Foundation on 1 April 1996. Colleagues, Per your offer of employment dated 1 April 1915, I must respectfully, retroactively, decline. You are not who I thought you were, and I, perhaps, am no longer who I thought I was. You may keep your secrets, or you may benefit from them. You may not do both. If you continue to profit from the madness of our friend, you will soon find it impossible to hide him. The truth will out. I should like to see the lake again. — V. Lesley Scout, Director, Site-43 He retired to the town of Grand Bend within the limits of Nexus-94, succumbing to advanced old age one year later. The following message was received from SCP-5520 that same day: [04/01/1997] Vivian, The sun sets for you, but never for me. I look forward to seeing you, yesterday. For today, the work goes on. Access SCiPNET Email? One (1) new message! Re: Project RHETORIC To: O5-8 From: Eileen Veiksaar Date: 12/23/2000 Subject: Re: Project RHETORIC We are ready to announce Project RHETORIC. This cover should address the security and ethics concerns identified by Dr. Scout, allowing us to capitalize on the SCP-5520 asset indefinitely. Communications personnel assigned to the project will be rotated out regularly to prevent the creation of an empathetic bond, and amnesticized. With your approval, the following message will be released to 43NET on New Year's Day. Attention, all sections: Welcome to the new millennium! The Identity and Technocryptography Section is now accepting research-related queries for submission to its quantum supercomputer, DR-RHETORIC (SCP-5520). Contact research associate Lyle Lillihammer via 43NET to apply. (I&T will not be allowing users direct access to the DR-RHETORIC feed. Its artificial intelligence algorithms are extraordinarily complex, and the results often require significant interpretation by trained personnel.) — E. Veiksaar (Chief, Identity and Technocryptography Section, Site-43) P.S. We've tried to modify the network and the printer to filter out occurrences of "Vivian" and "Viv" in incoming messages, but no luck so far. I'll re-type each printout myself before passing it on to my staff. « SCP-5494 | Words of Power and Poison | The B&B Decommission » ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5520" by HarryBlank, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5520. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Note: All images confirmed CC by Licensing before creation of licensebox except for AAFW-2.jpg. Unsplash images sourced here were created before the cutoff date for Unsplash's present license. Filename: AAFA.jpg Name: Big Pipes at Stanford's New Central Energy Facility Author: jurvetson License: CC-BY 2.0 Source: flickr Filename: AAFW.jpg Name: View from The Animal Flower Cave, Barbados Author: Ben124. License: CC BY 2.0 Source: flickr Name: person standing at top of mountain Author: Joshua Earle Source: Unsplash Name: Factory Author: mrhayata License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Source: flickr Filename: AAFW-2.jpg Name: File:View from Gorham's Cave, Gibraltar.JPG Author: John Cummings License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: Wikimedia Commons Name: DSC07533 Author: ume-y License: CC BY 2.0 Source: flickr Name: JFE 5th Blast Furnace - 08 Author: Kabacchi License: CC BY 2.0 Source: flickr Filename: AAFW3.jpg Name: white and gray hallway Author: NeONBRAND Source: Unsplash Filename: Rydderech.jpg License: Public Domain Source: Museums Victoria Filename: Scout.jpg License: CC 4.0 Source: Museums Victoria |
SCP-5521 | keter | Item #: SCP-5521 Special Containment Procedures: Due to the nature of SCP-5521 and its current inaccessibility, containment efforts are to be focused on the monitoring of Guy Fieri. Embedded agents within the Food Network are to secure any future episodes of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" that feature footage of SCP-5521 and deliver them to Site-14 for study. Reruns of the program are to be aired in the episode's place, and any employees of the Food Network who view the footage are to be properly amnesticized. Description: SCP-5521 is theorized to be an extra dimensional space, believed to be located somewhere in the southeastern United States. As of the creation of this article, only a select few individuals have been able to access SCP-5521. However, these individuals do not seem to recall any details of their time inside SCP-5521, nor how they were able to enter or exit. The only evidence of SCP-5521's existence is a segment from an episode of Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," (see Excerpt 5521-459) where Fieri visits SCP-5521 and samples "local cuisine" from a restaurant within the space. Discovery: SCP-5521 was discovered after embedded agents within the Food Network viewed footage from an upcoming episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" that featured SCP-5521. Mr. Fieri was interviewed, but claimed to have no memory of visiting the restaurant within SCP-5521. After current containment protocols were established, no footage of SCP-5521 has been found in episodes of the series. A proposal to change Object Class to Neutralized is pending approval. Addendum A: Excerpt 5521-459 The following is an excerpt from the episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" in which SCP-5521 is featured. (Unlike the rest of the episode, footage within SCP-5521 is not edited in any way. The reason for this is unknown, but it is theorized to be due to the nature of SCP-5521. The segment begins with Fieri and his camera crew approaching a building resembling an American diner.) Fieri: Now, I haven't heard a lot about this place, but if there's one thing I keep telling you guys, it's that you can't be afraid to try new things. I don't know how good the food's supposed to be or even what these guys serve, but we're gonna find out, and I can not wait. (As the group approaches the front door, the camera focuses on signage on the marquee above the door. The letters are in English, but much of the text consists of gibberish. The only recognizable words are "great eat." The group enters the building. While the interior resembles a typical American diner, much of the furniture does not appear to be properly proportioned for human use. Many of the booths are unnecessarily large, and the tables are irregularly shaped. None of the group appears to acknowledge this. Behind the counter is an entity resembling an adult octopus, wearing an apron and paper hat. The entity vocalizes in an indecipherable language and gestures to Fieri with its appendages.) Fieri: No kidding! I always love meeting fans and seeing what they're capable of! Whatcha got for me, buddy? (The entity produces a tray from behind the counter and sets it on its surface. On the tray is a mass of unknown biological material, which occasionally quivers in place. The entity vocalizes once again.) Fieri: This is your house special, huh? I have to admit, I've seen a lot of diners use this cut of meat, but I've definitely never seen it prepared like this! That's what I love about this job; seeing all the awesome ways passionate cooks like you can take a typical dish and turn it on its head! You'll have to show me how it's done! (The entity vocalizes while providing silverware for Fieri. Fieri cuts off a piece of the mass and eats it.) Fieri: Wow! You've seriously knocked it out of the park, my man! The spin you've put on this dish is just so unique, I can tell you've put a lot of heart and soul into cooking this! (Fieri continues to eat pieces from the mass for approximately three minutes before setting down his utensils.) Fieri: Alright, now that we've experienced the flavor, why don't you take us back and show us the magic? (The entity leads Fieri and his crew into a back room. Inside is a large mass of various biological material, similar to the mass Fieri had sampled, hanging from what appear to be meathooks. There is a large machine on the eastern wall, with rubber tubes extending out of its chassis and into the mass. An unknown substance is pumped from the machine into the mass.) Fieri: Now this is what I call home cooking! Not only does it smell delicious in here, but it's nice and simple! It just goes to show that you don't need a whole bunch of fancy equipment to unleash the flavor! (The entity extends an appendage into the mass, which emits a loud gurgling noise. The entity removes its appendage, revealing another, smaller mass in its grip.) Fieri: I don't say this very often, but you, my friend, are very much an artist! You've got a gift, my man, I'm being serious! Not just that, I can tell you've dedicated yourself to this art completely! The food, the kitchen, the attitude, they all point to the same thing; you love what you do. Trust me when I say I haven't seen many cooks who express such unconditional love for their work. When this episode goes up, be ready for the crowds, because they're gonna be coming for this stuff by the thousands. You rock, man. Keep up the flavor. (The entity squeals.) ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5521" by Witryso, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5521. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5522 | keter | SCP-5522: Pizza Delivery Speedrun (RTA) 100% Completion Author: Deadly Bread Other Articles of Mine SCPs SCP-4966 Rating: 725 SCP-1401-EX Rating: 303 SCP-4052 Rating: 257 SCP-4088 Rating: 234 SCP-5522 Rating: 215 SCP-4109 Rating: 212 SCP-7441 Rating: 137 SCP-5020 Rating: 124 SCP-4035 Rating: 120 SCP-4286 Rating: 119 SCP-4664 Rating: 115 SCP-4270 Rating: 114 SCP-7966 Rating: 107 SCP-3462 Rating: 100 SCP-6663 Rating: 95 SCP-5693 Rating: 63 SCP-6633 Rating: 61 SCP-4570 Rating: 60 SCP-5261 Rating: 59 SCP-444-J Rating: 53 page 1 of 212next » Tales Something Glowing Rating: 180 Log Of Extranormal Events, Vol II Rating: 37 Prelude To Presents Rating: 24 The Bears Rating: 16 Your Memory Forever Seen Rating: 13 Other SCP-005 Proposal Hub Rating: 94 The Bread Box Rating: 92 Secure Facility Dossier: Reliquary Area-27 Rating: 87 Experiment Log-4035 Rating: 71 Collab Articles SCPs Page Title Co-Author SCP-4733 But Not Forgotten Lamentte SCP-5225 The Abyss Stares Back XilasCrowe SCP-5785 Craptivism Sonderance SCP-5993 We want you to come visit Heaven, just don't fuck with those bees ch00bakka Tales Page Co-Author The Bathrooms Wiki Too many to list Snippets of an Unveiled World Nykacolaquantum does not match any existing user name, Lt Flops, IFBench, Westrin Gone, Lamentte Your Imaginary Friend Fishish Check out Deadly Bread's Author Page ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} ITEM NUMBER: SCP-5522 LEVEL 3/5522 CONFIDENTIAL Special Containment Procedures: Foundation webcrawler J/M-CON is to monitor social media websites for reports of SCP-5522 advertisements, or mentions of SCP-5522-1, which are to be removed. SCP-5522-1's domain is to be artificially repressed by Foundation agents planted within world governments. SCP-5522-1's online traffic is to be monitored, with viewers having their internet speed throttled as to discourage continued viewing. If an individual successfully uses SCP-5522-1, they are to be apprehended and amnestized. Tracking of SCP-5522's infection rate is currently being monitored by Dr. Randall Bannock, who is to produce a detailed report of its contagion pattern monthly to help develop additional containment measures. Establishments discovered possessing SCP-5522 are to be purchased using Foundation assets, with former employees being administered targeted Class-C amnestics. Establishments are to then be condemned or remodeled and used as Foundation housing for field agents. Description: SCP-5522 is a metaphysical pathogen capable of infecting restaurants and other food service industries. SCP-5522's main vector for infection is "Delicious Dan's Delivery Speedrun [sic]", an anomalous website designed similarly to those used by third-party food delivery services (designated SCP-5522-1). The website features various slogans such as "100% Completion" and "Only RTA", although the meaning of these phrases is currently unknown. The website also boasts the promise that all food ordered through it will be received in a maximum of 30 minutes, or the delivery will be free of charge. All attempts to find the original owner of SCP-5522-1 have been met with failure, as all documentation has been registered under the name "Delicious Dan". All attempts by the Foundation to acquire or censor SCP-5522-1 have similarly failed. When SCP-5522-1 is used to order food from an establishment, that establishment becomes infected with SCP-5522. SCP-5522 will physically manifest as an advertisement campaign produced by the infected establishment in conjunction with SCP-5522-1. Advertisements often appear in the form of paper flyers and print ads, although television commercials and cross-brand sponsorship deals have been recorded. These advertisements make similar claims to those by SCP-5522-1, although offer it as a temporary offer with no concrete deadline. If advertisements are capable of reaching an uninfected establishment, it has a high probability of becoming another vector for SCP-5522. When SCP-5522-1 is used to order food from an SCP-5522 infected establishment, a Λ-Event will be triggered. These events are always accompanied by an immediate drop in ambient temporal stability. Λ-Events differ from normal deliveries by the method of transport utilized. Rather than using traditional means of transport such as a motorized vehicle, employees will enact various rituals resulting in their immediate spatial displacement.1 These rituals are often bizarre in nature, consisting of nonsensical movements and significant physical exertion, with employees preforming actions that would normally result in severe bodily injury. The contents of these rituals vary between Λ-Events, and are believed to correspond with the complexity of the order placed. Attempts to recreate these rituals outside of Λ-Events have universally failed to produce anomalous properties. Following displacement, the employee will arrive at their intended destination. No limit to the distance employees are able to be displaced has been found. Following the standard exchange of currency for the meal, the employee will become displaced once again, reappearing within the establishment. All individuals who have performed or observed Λ-Events have been unable to recognize their anomalous nature, although this does not apply to photographs or videos taken of Λ-Events, or individuals with prior knowledge of SCP-5522. Addendum.5522.1: Included below are notable Λ-Events recorded during Foundation testing. All recorded Λ-Events occurred within a former Spicy Cheese Pizzeria location following SCP-5522 infection. The restaurant was vacant save for D-Class staffing the location and security personnel. Orders were placed through SCP-5522-1 on a computer terminal within Site-66, with personnel observing the events through closed circuit cameras. For a full list of known Λ-Events, please see Document-5522-ICV. SCP-5522-1 Order: Small cheese pizza Following Λ-Event: Subject stood in the southwestern corner of the kitchen and performed a series of crouches and jumps. These actions were done in quick succession and seemingly at random. Occasionally, subject's limbs were observed passing through the surrounding building, with the limbs being slightly rebuffed and ejected from the wall. After several minutes, the subject suddenly passed through the kitchen floor unimpeded, completely vanishing. Subject arrived at Site-66 unharmed, but complained of aching legs. SCP-5522-1 Order: Medium pepperoni pizza, small order of wings Following Λ-Event: Subject stood on a cushioned chair, placed in front of the main entrance. Subject proceeded to jump upwards while holding the chair, then using the chair as a base to jump again. This was done using rapid minor changes in elevation, with the subject's jumps becoming blurred motion. Subject continued this action until they had reached the ceiling, upon which they released the chair and launched themselves upwards, passing through the obstruction. Subject arrived at Site-66 unharmed, although slightly fatigued. SCP-5522-1 Order: Medium Hawaiian pizza, two medium orders of mozzarella sticks Following Λ-Event: Subject collided with a freestanding table, pushing the object against the southernmost wall. Subject began walking against the obstruction, their feet moving unimpeded by friction. As the subject moved, the tabletop and center stand were observed to laterally bisect the subject's abdominal and pelvic regions. Subject then began to incrementally move themselves downwards through the tabletop and under the table. Once under the table, subject is believed to have passed through the floor, using the still intersected center stand to propel themselves downwards. Subject appeared at Site-66 unharmed, but complained of moderate fatigue. SCP-5522-1 Order: Large meat lover's pizza, two large orders of mozzarella sticks, medium order of breadsticks Following Λ-Event: Subject entered a crouched position, and began propelling themselves backwards, using their body weight to achieve minor momentum. Over several minutes, subject experienced a dramatic increase in velocity, hopping in a circular motion around the building's interior. This velocity was maintained by the subject jumping immediately upon contact with the ground. After enough momentum had been built, the subject ceased their circular trajectory, instead accelerating towards the southernmost wall before passing through it harmlessly. Subject appeared at Site-66 complaining of severe motion sickness. Addendum.5522.2: Following Level 4 approval, a test was conducted to determine whether a Λ-Event could be manually obstructed, resulting in a free delivery. D-30852 was outfitted with a remote shock collar, which would be intermittently activated by Site-66 personnel. Λ-Event proceeded as normal until the first electric shock was administered, upon which all active surveillance cameras ceased to function. After attempts to communicate with security personnel failed, Mobile Task Force Kappa-13 ("With Everything On It") were dispatched to investigate. On-scene personnel were discovered dead, showing signs of severe spatial distortion, such as elongated sections of skin, dislocation or relocation of limbs, and loss of cohesion. Corpse of D-30852 was unable to be located, although a large amount of ash present within the building was noted.2 During post-incident analysis, a pop-up notification was received from SCP-5522-1 that read as follows: User D-30852 has been banned from further participation: [Attempted TAS on secure server] The precise meaning of this message is currently under analysis. Footnotes 1. Normally manifesting as the individual passing through physical space to another location. 2. No other signs of heat damage were found within the building. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5522" by Deadly Bread, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5522. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5523 | safe | Any additional comments (image sources, crit credits, whatever) ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} Item#: 5523 Level1 Secondary Class: Terminal Disruption Class: dark Risk Class: notice link to memo Containment Update: Following the incident involving Sid Rothenberg1, governments affiliated with the Foundation have enacted an indefinite ban on the hunting and consumption of cervidaes species. Rothenberg has been taken into Foundation custody, and is receiving intensive care. Special Containment Procedures: Due to the ecological niche SCP-5523 facilitates, removal of SCP-5523-1 specimens from forested areas is prohibited. Regions containing significant SCP-5523-1 populations have been cordoned from the public, with low-level security fences established around the perimeter of SCP-5523 affected areas. Skeletal remains associated with SCP-5523. Description: SCP-5523 is a Terminal2-Class group of environmental changes, consisting of behavioral modifications and biological mutations affecting members of the Cervidaes family.3 SCP-5523 events have been observed to occur after periods of severe environmental damage, such as forest fires or times of drought. SCP-5523 does not affect all individual Cervidaes specimens within a given area. Elderly populations or specific individuals experiencing sickness are more susceptible to developing SCP-5523 then young and healthy populations. SCP-5523 consists of the ingestion of Vaccinium vitis-idaea4 berries. Vaccinium vitis-idaea are typically not eaten by Cervidaes specimens, due to the individual berries containing toxic substances. SCP-5523 affected individuals5 ingest great quantities of Vaccinium vitis-idaea, in which the poisonous materials will accumulate within the individual's bloodstream. After a period of approximately fourty-two hours, the SCP-5523-1 instance will die, leading to rapid decomposition occuring, without assistance from maggots or other decomposer organisms. Skeletal remains will develop Vaccinium vitis-idaea saplings, along with spear-heading the growth of boreal plants, including Greenbrier, Poison Ivy, and Buckweed, all specimens of plants favored by Cervidaes. Following continued research, it has been determined that over ██ percent of forest growth worldwide has developed due to SCP-5523. Addendum No. 1: Rothenberg Incident Sid Rothenberg, a Canadian civilian, outdoorsman and biologist, experienced a period of confusion and delirium following ingestion of venison harvested from an SCP-5523-1 specimen. An outdoor journal, kept during the period of delirium, was recovered. The following is an excerpt. I am sick. There is a sickness within my body, I feel it inside me. The simple explanation is maggots, improperly cooked meat. But I feel as if there is something more, something that can explain why my mind is repeating words to me. 'Greenbrier.' 'Poison Ivy.' 'Buckweed.' Why are these words repeated to me? All speculation, at this point. I'm resting by the fire, waiting for rescue. I'm looking at the forest around me, hearing the rutting of elk, the cawing of crow. The howl of a wolf. Something is clear to me. The Earth is dying, and we do not notice. … I fell asleep by the light of the moon, and I dreamt of my death, my skeleton, my bones, growing across the forest, like the roots of a tree. My death will bring the forest green, and the earth as brown as the first people. Footnotes 1. Following contact with SCP-5523, Rothenberg is now refered to as SCP-5523-2. 2. Originally referring to an entity or anomaly that incorporates human beings into it following death. Following the discovery of SCP-5523, it has been determined that animal specimens can be incorporated into Terminal anomalies. 3. A biological group consisting of Deers. 4. Variously known as lingonberry, partridgeberry, mountain cranberry or cowberry. 5. Designated as SCP-5523-1 instances. |
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padding: 2vw; } close Info X SCP-5524: "The Insatiable Semantic" Life is like a hurricane. More by this author! Item#: SCP-5524 Level3 Containment Class: anomalous Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: warning link to memo PoI-5524-1. Special Containment Procedures: Due to worldwide saturation of non-anomalous memetic effects, civilian cases of SCP-5524 do not threaten the Veil. Memetic inoculation before the fact is known to lessen the severity of SCP-5524 cases, but does not fully prevent the effects from taking hold. Cases of SCP-5524 infection within the Foundation may be treated after the fact via BRAINWORM Protocol. Personnel intentionally transmitting SCP-5524 to their colleagues will be subject to disciplinary procedures. Detainees believed to be members of GoI-5054 (the giftschreiber) may only be interviewed by the Memetics and Countermemetics Section of Site-43. Description: SCP-5524 is a contagious memetic effect in two parts, resembling a human given name and surname. Individuals encountering SCP-5524 without possessing a Cognitive Resistance Value in the top tenth percentile will be unable to recognize it as a cognitohazard, and will exhibit compulsive effects including but not limited to: Repeating SCP-5524 out loud; Sharing SCP-5524 with others; Intrusive thoughts related to SCP-5524; A progressive inability to focus on anything except for SCP-5524. The obvious secondary effects of this phenomenon are severely reduced productivity, severely increased mental fatigue, irritability and poor morale. There is at present no means of determining whether SCP-5524's anomalous effects are an element of baseline reality, or a deliberately-cultivated effect. NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION The remainder of this file contains an uncensored cognitohazard. Even with memetic inoculation, negative cognitive effects are likely to persist after reading. Proceed at your own risk. DO NOT READ THE CONTENTS OF THIS FILE ALOUD. — Maria Jones, Director, RAISA » UNDERGO MEMETIC INOCULATION TO CONTINUE MEMETIC INOCULATION ADMINISTERED SHE SINGS SUCCESSIVE SERENADES TO FEEL THE FEAR THE FALCON TASTES Addendum 5524-1, Phenomenological Overview: The SCP Foundation first encountered SCP-5524 on 15 February 2021 in the aftermath of a Mobile Task Force raid in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States of America. Three individuals believed to be engaged in occult activity were captured in this raid, and were subsequently interrogated at Site-43. Two refused to divulge their identities; the third was more forthcoming. Interview Log Date: 02/15/2021 Investigating Officer: Dr. W. Wettle (Research and Experimentation Section) [Excerpt begins.] Dr. Wettle: Let's start with something easy. Your friends won't even tell me their names. Maybe y— PoI-5524-1: Brury Regevoy. [Silence on recording.] Dr. Wettle: What? PoI-5524-1: Brury Regevoy. Dr. Wettle: That's your… that's your name? [Dr. Wettle bursts into laughter.] Dr. Wettle: That is the stupidest name I have ever heard, and my name is William Wettle. Is that what you were doing at your gathering? Trying to magically fix your stupid names? Was it a stupid names convention? Brury Regevoy. PoI-5524-1: I'm very sorry. Dr. Wettle: What, you're sorry your name is Brury Regevoy? I would be too. PoI-5524-1: No, I'm sorry for telling you. Dr. Wettle: Don't be sorry for telling me! I'm going to tell everyone, and they're going to love it. Brury Regevoy. Seriously. PoI-5524-1: Good luck with that. Dr. Wettle: Now, let's get down to brass tacks. You're going to tell me… [Dr. Wettle looks away, thoughtfully.] PoI-5524-1: …yeah, good luck with that. [Excerpt ends.] No further information was gleaned from this interview, and Dr. Wettle attempted to present his findings at the All-Sections weekly briefing. He was unable to provide any useful information about PoI-5524-1 or his organization, but did engage his colleagues in a spirited conversation about the name "Brury Regevoy." Security camera footage subsequently captured the following scenes across the Site over the course of the following day. [Drs. M. Bradbury and H. Blank are conversing in their shared research office.] Dr. Blank: I'm serious! Brury Regevoy. Dr. Bradbury: Brooooooreeeee. Dr. Blank: RRRRRRRRREG-A-VOYYYY! [Both laugh.] Dr. Blank: What the fuck were we doing? [Site Director A. McInnis is reviewing files at his office desk. He picks up a sheet of paper, and frowns. He can be seen mouthing the words "Brury Regevoy." He shrugs, and returns the sheet to its stack.] [Director McInnis continues his paperwork for the next twenty minutes, periodically retrieving the sheet of paper he consulted earlier and reading it again. He continues to mouth "Brury Regevoy" at regular intervals, frowning with increasingly evident displeasure.] [Director McInnis spends the next twenty minutes staring into space. His mouth is working, but he appears to be fighting the urge to actually open it.] [Chief A. Torosyan and Technician P. Deering are conversing over dinner in their shared quarters.] Chief Torosyan: Brury Regevoy. Deering: Brury Regevoy. Chief Torosyan: Rear Admiral Brury Regevoy. Deering: Here comes Brury Regevoy. Chief Torosyan: Ladies and gentlemen: Brury Regevoy! Deering: Jedi Master Brury Regevoy. Chief Torosyan: I'm going to throw up. [Dr. Lillian Lillihammer is sitting in her office in the Memetics and Countermemetics Section. She receives a call at her terminal, and answers it.] Dr. Lillihammer: What? Dr. Wettle: Brury Regevoy! Dr. Lillihammer: …what? Dr. Wettle: You missed the briefing! Brury Regevoy. I interviewed a guy named Brury Regevoy. Dr. Lillihammer: You don't need to tell me every time you do something, Willie. Whole days pass where I don't need confirmation that you're still alive. [Dr. Lillihammer suddenly frowns.] Dr. Wettle: Ah, here it goes. Dr. Lillihammer: You imbecile. Dr. Wettle: What? [Dr. Lillihammer shuts off the call, and walks out of her office. She enters the cognitive decontamination tunnel separating M&C from the remainder of the Site, and taps several commands into a panel next to the door. Over the course of the next ten minutes Dr. Lillihammer observes a series of glowing symbols on the walls, floor and ceiling in precise sequence, listens to several overlaid audio files, engages in deep breathing exercises and subjects herself to flashing lights. She then returns to her office, and issues a Site-wide alert from her terminal.] Addendum 5524-2, Aftermath: Within one hour Dr. Lillihammer had successfully developed memetic inoculants for SCP-5524, retroactively classified as BRAINWORM Protocol, and disseminated the relevant materials to all Site personnel. PoI-5524-1 and his two partners were remanded to Site-06-3 for permanent detainment, their speech henceforth considered a Class-A cognitohazard. Dr. Blank consulted with PoI-382, Foundation-allied memeticist Thilo Zwist. PoI-382 confirmed that the three individuals captured in the raid were giftschreiber, memeticists opposed to the SCP Foundation's stabilization of consensus normalcy. Investigation into their motives for attacking Site-43 is ongoing. Addendum 5524-3, Subsequent Activity: The recovery of another giftschreiber agent on 19 February 2021 exposed Dr. Lillihammer to what may have been a second instance of SCP-5524. Whether because of prior exposure to "Brury Regevoy," because of an inherent flaw in this new instance's memetic makeup, or because the name was not actually cognitohazardous, "Mezza Succepsim" failed to provoke an equivalent crisis at Site-43. BRAINWORM Protocol Memetics and Countermemetics, Site-43 Individuals infected with SCP-5524 must immediately carry out the following instructions in full: SUBVERT — Recite the following non-anomalous names ten times each to undermine SCP-5524's memetic effectiveness: "Spudge M'Gursky," "Gibble Gobblegar," "Spuzz Frumpkin"; CLEAR — Listen to one of the following pieces of music in its entirety as a mental "palate cleanse": the theme to DuckTales (Mark Mueller, 1986), "Witch Doctor" (Cartoons, 1998), or "Temporary Secretary" (Paul McCartney, 1980); PREVENT — Repeat aloud any or all of the following non-anomalous words to prevent SCP-5524 relapse: "Jabberwocky," "Iditarod," "Shawinigan." « SCP-5416 | Words of Power and Poison | The Lamest Story Never Told » ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5524" by HarryBlank, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5524. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: 5524.png Author: HarryBlank License: CC BY-SA Filename: Brury.jpg Name: UK Visa Mugshot Author: pandrew.hk License: CC BY 2.0 Source: flickr Filename: Inoculant.png Author: HarryBlank License: CC BY-SA |
SCP-5525 | safe | Item #: SCP-5525 Special Containment Procedures: In accordance with GOC Resolution 206 and Overseer Mandate BINGO FREMONT, the Foundation is responsible for maintaining the underwater blockade around SCP-5525. Enforcement of the blockade is assigned to Naval Task Force Chi-11 ("Neptune's Nightmare"), consisting of 12 Cerberus-class submarines1 and the support ships SCPS Lunatic Leap and SCPS Daring Dash, with additional fire support from the GOC surface combat vessels Iron Hand and Silver Fist. Chi-11 is tasked with preventing any other vessels, including those of the Foundation or allied Groups of Interest, from approaching within fifteen nautical miles of the outer perimeter of SCP-5525. Chi-11 is authorized to use all force necessary to dissuade, interdict, or destroy vessels attempting to enter or exit this containment zone. Any modifications to the parameters of the blockade around SCP-5525, aside from those related to force composition, require the approval of the GOC Council of 108 and the Foundation Overseer Council. In emergency situations, provisional modifications may be approved by a jointly-issued order of Assistant Director "Telemachus" and O5-03. At this time, the Office of the Undersecretary-General of the Global Occult Coalition is engaged in diplomatic talks with representatives of the United States Government in an attempt to negotiate the return of all artifacts removed from SCP-5525 prior to the establishment of current containment procedures. Description: SCP-5525 is the ruins and remains of a city constructed approximately 6000 years ago by a species of alternative hominids (provisionally classified as Homo sapiens aquarius, codeword designation AQUARIAN DISCO). AQUARIAN DISCO possessed a heavily insular but scientifically advanced civilization, with technologies far beyond the current human state-of-the-art. One or more items of paratechnology employed by AQUARIAN DISCO is known to be responsible for the destruction of their civilization and the transportation of SCP-5525 to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its current location, large sections of the structure remain airtight and capable of supporting human life. Further information about the culture and technology of AQUARIAN DISCO is classified L5/5525. In 1944, SCP-5525 was discovered by the submarine USS Dragonet during its initial shakedown cruise. At the time, the sailors aboard Dragonet mistakenly recorded the structure as a natural underwater feature in the ship's log. Later examination of the submarine's logs by naval intelligence officers uncovered inconsistencies between reported observations and recorded data, which prompted a mission to examine the area more closely using a surface trawler. Sonar readings taken by this trawler revealed the extent of SCP-5525, and confirmed that it was not a natural structure; further operations involving SCP-5525 were thereupon transferred to the Department of Defense Paranatural Warfare Command2, and all information regarding the structure was classified. The Pentagram performed a number of surveys of SCP-5525 in the period between 1944 and 1963, although no attempts were made to explore the interior of the structure, owing to its extreme depth. In 1963, an attempt was made to reach SCP-5525 by USS Thresher, resulting in the loss of the submarine with all crew. After this, no further attempts were made to explore SCP-5525 until 1979. In 1979, the Pentagram took ownership of the DSRV-3 Merlin, a deep sea submersible outfitted with numerous paratechnologies that would allow it to operate safely and secretly at extreme depths, including that of SCP-5525. Following initial operations where it was used to excavate several wrecks from the Seventh Occult War, Merlin was retasked for use in exploring SCP-5525. Merlin succeeded in reaching the structure and gaining access, whereupon the Pentagram began a major archeological operation aimed at finding and recovering any remaining functional artifacts. Based on what is known of AQUARIAN DISCO technology, any objects recovered by the Pentagram would likely be considered Thaumiel-class artifacts if possessed by the Foundation3. The Foundation and the Global Occult Coalition became aware of SCP-5525 and the Pentagram's activities following the destruction of St. Jeremiah4, which resulted from the inadvertent activation of an AQUARIAN DISCO artifact during an attempt to remove it from the structure. In simultaneous emergency sessions, the Overseer Council and the Council of 108 both agreed on the necessity of preventing further access to SCP-5525, and the desirability of recovering the artifacts that had already been removed from it. Working through the channels provided by Article 13 of the Köln Agreement, the Foundation and the GOC quickly established a set of joint containment protocols, with the Foundation taking responsibility for the blockade of SCP-5525. Nearby naval assets5 were immediately retasked to perform initial containment while a dedicated task force was assembled. Addendum — Initial Exploration: After the destruction of St. Jeremiah, but before the establishment of the containment zone, American forces temporarily withdrew from SCP-5525 to monitor the structure for possible aftershocks. Despite the potential hazards, authorization was granted for a single reconnaissance mission to explore the interior of the structure before it could be reoccupied by the United States. Mobile Task Force Gamma-6 ("Deep Feeders") and Assessment Team 781 ("Pyramidions") were dispatched to survey SCP-5525 and determine the extent of the Pentagram's activities. Most of what is currently known about AQUARIAN DISCO and their culture was discovered during this expedition. In addition to gathering valuable information about AQUARIAN DISCO, the survey team found that the Pentagram had located an armory or storeroom on one of the lower levels, which had then become the focus of recovery operations. This portion of SCP-5525 had experienced moderate structural damage and undergone a partial collapse before it was discovered, forcing the Pentagram to spend time on excavations; at the time containment was established, only 20% of the storeroom had been uncovered, from which many artifacts had not yet been removed. Documents found at the site indicate that the Pentagram had prioritized recovering those objects which could most easily be weaponized. Among the remaining artifacts was the weapon believed to have destroyed St. Jeremiah, which has been classified as SCP-5525-Antilles. The Pentagram had found SCP-5525-Antilles buried within the debris and had succeeded in excavating it, but accidentally activated it while attempting to move it. An inscription on the object, thought to be a name or identifier, was tentatively translated as "Null Divider"6. Other than this inscription, the only other significant external feature of SCP-5525-Antilles is a touch-screen interface displaying a detailed map of the Earth's surface7, which is used for targeting the device. Addendum — Removed Artifacts: In the wake of Incident INSIDE BASEBALL, the storeroom where SCP-5525-Antilles was found was fully excavated, and a thorough examination of the contents performed. After comparing the results with inventory lists inside the storeroom, the following artifacts were found to have been removed from SCP-5525: Translated Name Codeword Status Null Divider Antilles Contained Timeless Mirror Byzantine Under observation Empty Hive Columbia Unknown Darkness Visible Dominion Unknown Lightless Flame Exodus Unknown Void Furnace Frontier Unknown Perfect Cold Gehenna Unknown Abyss Well Hibernia Unknown Dead Mind Ichabod Unknown Infinite Point Jericho Unknown Crystal Number Kronstadt Unknown False Moon Lorelei Unknown While some of these artifacts may have been lost or destroyed, it is believed that most are currently in the custody of the Pentagram. Efforts are ongoing to locate and recover these missing artifacts. Addendum — Incident INSIDE BASEBALL: On 1979-12-30, shortly after the survey team was dispatched, and while the containment zone was still being established, elements of the US 13th Fleet began to approach SCP-5525. After repeated directives to turn back were ignored, the situation escalated into a full-scale naval engagement. T+0m: The lead ship of the 13th Fleet, the destroyer USS Thomas Lynch Jr., enters the fifteen nautical mile containment zone. Captain Redmond Hadaway of Silver Fist orders his ship to open fire on Thomas Lynch Jr. T+1m: USS Thomas Lynch Jr. and its escorts return fire. GOC surface combat vessel Brass Knuckle begins moving forwards to screen SCPS Jack Jumped. T+3m: SCPS Jack Jumped and SCPS Lunatic Leap begin deploying their aircraft wings. The two ships carry a total of 18 fixed-wing V/STOL aircraft between them. T+9m: Silver Fist scores a direct hit against the forward magazine of USS Thomas Lynch Jr., resulting in a series of catastrophic internal explosions that cause the destroyer to break in half. T+15m: Brass Knuckle completes its move to screen SCPS Jack Jumped. T+29m: Submarine SCPS Fish Food is hit by a depth charge and sunk. T+36m: Aircraft from SCPS Lunatic Leap succeed in disabling the cruiser USS Tempe. T+43m: A missile salvo from the cruiser USS Mountain Meadows destroys the entire wing of aircraft from SCPS Lunatic Leap. Lunatic Leap begins to withdraw. T+55m: Aircraft from SCPS Jack Jumped release an aerial dispersion of amnestic gas over USS Mountain Meadows, causing general confusion and chaos which allow Silver Fist to destroy the cruiser's bridge and engines. T+61m: Thaumatologists aboard Silver Fist attempt to apportate a strike team onto the bridge of the 13th Fleet flagship, USS Carl Hayden. The working is disrupted by psychics aboard Carl Hayden, and the resulting backlash damages the engines of Silver Fist, putting it out of action. T+73m: All of the water within forty-five feet of Silver Fist turns into lemon pudding. T+79m: Brass Knuckle loses its forward battery. Captain Thomas Griffith orders the ship to close to small arms range. T+88m: Most of the bridge crew of Brass Knuckle, including Captain Griffith, are killed by a Pentagram psychic. Lieutenant Carter Hager assumes command of the ship. T+92m: Thaumatologists aboard Silver Fist make a second attempt to apportate onto USS Carl Hayden, this time successfully transporting a pouch of live grenades into the bridge. The resulting explosion eliminates the Pentagram combat psychics. T+96m: Submarine SCPS Surf Screen is hit by a depth charge and disabled. Captain David Deford orders an emergency ballast tank blow, causing Surf Screen to surface directly underneath the destroyer USS William Williams. Both vessels sink as a result. T+99m: Fires break out in the main engine room of Brass Knuckle, temporarily disabling propulsion. T+105m: Fires aboard Brass Knuckle spread to the auxiliary engine room. The ship loses all remaining propulsion. T+112m: Brass Knuckle begins to rapidly sink. Lieutenant Hager gives the order to abandon ship. T+127m: Brass Knuckle is sunk. SCPS Jack Jumped begins taking heavy fire. T+135m: Believing that the battle might soon be lost otherwise, Captain Winona Chevalier of SCPS Jack Jumped requests permission to activate SCP-5525-Antilles. T+137m: In light of the rapidly deteriorating tactical situation, O5-03 unilaterally authorizes the emergency deployment of SCP-5525-Antilles for use against the US 13th Fleet. This decision will later be upheld by a full vote of the Overseer Council after the incident. T+138m: The US 13th Fleet ceases to exist. For the next two days, the US Government, through the Unusual Incidents Unit, continued to communicate with the Foundation and the GOC via regular channels, while ignoring inquiries about the incident. No change in American strategic posture was observed, although the Foundation raised its own alert levels at all North American sites in preparation for a possible counterstrike. On 1980-01-01, President James Carter issued a communication to the Foundation and the Global Occult Coalition, apologizing for Incident INSIDE BASEBALL and disavowing the existence of the 13th Fleet. No mention was or has since been made of the destruction of St. Jeremiah, nor of the artifacts removed from SCP-5525. Footnotes 1. SCPS Guardian, SCPS Monitor, SCPS Watcher, SCPS Leviathan's Eye, SCPS Kraken's Maw, SCPS Tide Seer, SCPS Mirror Gaze, SCPS Storm Surge, SCPS Wave Whisper, SCPS Squid, SCPS Calamari, and SCPS Plato. 2. Colloquially referred to as the Pentagram. 3. The GOC classifies such technologies as Hyper-TanGenT, and forbids their operational use without prior approval from the Undersecretary-General. 4. Formerly an island in the Caribbean, comprising the sovereign state of Free Jeremiah, with a population of almost 15,000 people. 5. The Foundation mothership carriers SCPS Jack Jumped and SCPS Lunatic Leap, with their aircraft wings and three Cerberus-class submarines, and the GOC surface combat vessels Brass Knuckle and Silver Fist. 6. Alternative proposed translations include "Division Of Nothing", "Division Of Zero", "Zero Division", and "Nothing Undivided". 7. Which appears to update in real-time. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5525" by GreenWolf, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5525. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5526 | esoteric-class | close Info X SCP/VNP/ISM/FBG-5526: The Conquerer/The Blade of a Warrior/Wither and Bloom/Parasitic Plaugecrafter Take a trip throughout just a few of the many alternative Foundations, piecing together a mystery that spans the multiverse. 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All personnel viewing this file without permission will be terminated 5526 View the first iteration of this file? |
SCP-5527 | safe | by J Dune SCP-5527 - X Image Credits ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} Item#: 5527 Level5 Secondary Class: {$secondary-class} Disruption Class: dark Risk Class: notice link to memo SCP-5527, beached on Bintan Island, Indonesia Assigned Site Site Director Research Head Assigned Task Force Site-02 REDACTED REDACTED N/A SCP-5527 in storage at Site-02 Special Containment Procedures: The remaining mass of SCP-5527 is to be kept in a refrigerated container at Site-02's morgue. Further consumption of SCP-5527 is prohibited. Description: SCP-5527 is a whale carcass, the innards of which resemble human physiology that has been augmented in a way to complement SCP-5527's shape and size. Various musculature and tissue inside SCP-5527, when applied to a living creature, would be rendered nonfunctional or otherwise superfluous in an aquatic environment. Aside from a thick layer of fat surrounding its innards and the size of such, SCP-5527's anatomy— including skeletal structure, musculature, and the locations of internal organs— is identical to that of a human. Carbon dating techniques have revealed that SCP-5527 is approximately 30,000 years old. Despite this, SCP-5527 has not been observed to deteriorate beyond its present state. Traces of decayed ink have been observed on SCP-5527's left iliac artery. Material derived from SCP-5527 will, upon consumption, allow for the ability to breathe in aquatic environments. This effect has been observed to last for up to 12 hours, and is otherwise poorly understood. All DNA strands taken from SCP-5527 have been degraded beyond the point of analysis. Addendum.5527.1: Discovery SCP-5527 was found on 2021/01/01 when it washed ashore on Bintan Island, Indonesia, in front of a private estate belonging to Overseer Council member O5-12, who had been residing there at the time. Upon request, SCP-5527 was transferred to Site-021 for research purposes. Addendum.5527.2: Testing Log + Collected Information - WE SWAM IN A SEA WE KNEW TO BE EMPTY Test #: 01 Subject: One Peromyscus leucopus (white mouse) Notes: Subject was prompted to consume a piece of SCP-5527's brain matter. Following consumption, it was placed in a small cage before being lowered into a tank of water. Results: Subject remained underwater for 4 hours before expiring. Signs of distress were observed throughout the process. Test #: 07 Subject: Researcher Avalon Notes: Subject was instructed to consume a piece of SCP-5527's pectoral tissue. Following consumption, subject was placed in a cage fitted with a safety system, and submerged in a body of water. Results: Subject remained underwater for one hour before signalling for the cage to be raised. Aside from initial difficulties adjusting to breathing in both environments, no signs of distress or discomfort were observed. Researcher Avalon was promptly interviewed and asked to describe her experience. An excerpt of her writing can be found below. You lose all sense of who you are and where you are. When I was told I only lasted an hour, I didn't know how to respond. It felt like weeks. Like I fell asleep and dreamed for a month straight. At the same time, it wasn't dreaming. I was cognizant of what was happening, and I could reflect on things as clearly as I could see them in front of me. I relived my life a hundred times. Every regret, moment of bliss, and even the perspectives of those around me. I fixated on the parts of myself I don't like to think about. The whole time, there was a stinging feeling in the back of my neck that told me I was doing something wrong, or that I'm still doing something wrong. Following the interview, Researcher Avalon requested amnesticization, which was denied in order to further observe the effects of consuming SCP-5527. Test #: 010 Subject: One copy of children's book The Cat in the Hat, written by Dr. Seuss Notes: Subject was chosen due to a lack of water present in the narrative. Subject was forced to consume a piece of SCP-5527's tailbone through an anomalous process involving SCP-████ and was then submerged for a half hour. Results: Upon review, the central narrative of this copy of The Cat in the Hat had changed entirely. A summary can be found below. The story begins in a house of 12 unnamed, nondescript children, who express boredom with their current situation. A loud noise is heard from the basement, and the character of the Cat in the Hat emerges from the cellar door. He promises to show the children ways to occupy themselves, but the children's pet fish objects. The Cat laughs, and removes the fish from its bowl. He replaces the bowl's water with a liquid he pours from underneath his hat. Upon reintroducing the fish to the bowl, it drowns. The children, now ecstatic without the presence of the sole supervising force in their lives, begin to vandalize the house, breaking objects and drawing on walls, among other destructive activities. The Cat offers to retrieve two beings, referred to as the "Things", from the basement to assist with the destruction. The children become immediately frightened— some to the point of tears— and beg the Cat to "leave [the Things] where they belong". As the Cat continues to threaten the children with going into the basement, an obscured figure is seen approaching the house from outside the window. The children realize the mess they've made, and panic. The Cat takes pleasure in their distress, and retreats into the basement. The obscured figure opens the front door, and the children begin to run. The book ends with a question posed to the reader; "What would you do if you could know the truth?" Further testing regarding SCP-5527 has been prohibited at the request of the O5 Council. Addendum.5527.3: Incident-5527 + Collected Information - WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL Incident Log Date: 2021/01/12 At 00:25, Overseer Council member O5-12 accessed SCP-5527's containment locker and proceeded to consume a large amount of its innards, including the entirety of its brain, heart, eyes, and skeleton. Following this, O5-12 proceeded to her residence on Bintar Island, where SCP-5527 had been discovered. Surveillance cameras reveal that O5-12 entered the nearby body of water and swam out to an indeterminate length, where it is assumed she submerged herself to the point of drowning. After a search effort, O5-12's corpse was recovered on 2021/01/24. It was found embedded in the seabed, partially buried under sand. Various lacerations and markings were observed on the cadaver, as well as its clothing. A search of O5-12's residence recovered the following document, hastily composed on a napkin following her consumption of SCP-5527. Wow! We should be ashamed of ourselves. This is what we deserve. After popular demand, we've brought back a brand new set of Little Misters, a limited edition collection from Dr. Wondertainment! Isn't that fun? Find them all and become the Brand New Mr. Collector! 00. Mr. Prologue 01. Mr. Dark 02. Mr. Remembrance 03. Mr. Toxic 04. Mr. Collector 05. Mx. Voltage 06. ██. Gears 07. Mr. Memory 08. Mr. Nobody 09. Mr. Brainy 10. Ms. Seraph 11. Mr. Chronal and Mr. Dimension 12. Mr. Fish ✔ 13. Mr. Epilogue 14. Mr. Redd (Discontinued) Research efforts into the context of this document, and the name "Dr. Wondertainment" remain active. Footnotes 1. An unlisted facility staffed exclusively by high-ranking Foundation personnel, used to store and research anomalies of the highest sensitivity to Foundation security. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5527" by J Dune, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5527. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: fish.jpg Name: Dead whale on Laguna Beach Author: Alan Light License: CC-BY-SA-2.0 Source Link: flickr Filename: locker.jpg Name: Utah Museum of Natural History Speciment Storage Lockers Author: Shaan Hurley License: CC-BY-SA-2.0 Source Link: flickr |
SCP-5528 | esoteric-class | Item #: SCP-5528 Special Containment Procedures: A perimeter has been established around SCP-5528 and is to be manned by a rotating staff of 10 Foundation guards. Under no circumstances should Foundation personnel with clearance level 3 or lower enter SCP-5528. However, despite clearance level, MTF Lambda-5 (“White Rabbits”) has been given express permission to enter SCP-5528 when they deem it necessary, given that each agent has proved to be sound of body and mind. If any of the following occurrences are seen, heard or felt by either the current staff or Lambda-5, it should be reported to the active site director of Site-78 immediately: A feminine voice coming from within SCP-5528 A figure standing in the second floor window Shadows with too many limbs Human and inhuman screaming, coming from within SCP-5528 Bodies of members of the GOC, hanging from their necks on trees surrounding SCP-5528 Cognitohazards manifesting on SCP-5528 and local fauna1 A figure beckoning you into the woods, away from SCP-5528. She says you’re not supposed to be here. Pay it no mind. Good little soldiers follow orders Description: SCP-5528 is the structure currently occupying 17 Beckett Drive in Eagle Point, Oregon. The structure was previously utilized by the Global Occult Coalition’s physics division as a safe house and makeshift laboratory, before it was raided by a Foundation strike team in 1972. The raid was successful, resulting in 5 casualties, all GOC. Based on evidence gathered from the raid, it can be concluded that the GOC’s physics division was researching and experimenting with very basic forms of Scranton Reality. SCP-5528 was discovered by the Foundation in 1970, when hotspots of increasingly low and high Hume levels were noted appearing in and around Eagle Point. After the raid, the building was quarantined by the Foundation under the guise of an infestation of mold. A chain link fence was set around the perimeter of the building. On April 7th, 2017, SCP-5528 was broken into by 4 individuals. The individuals in question owned and ran a YouTube channel called “Grave Misfortune”, in which the group would visit supposedly haunted locations across Oregon and record themselves exploring said location while providing their audience with a brief history of why it’s considered to be haunted. The log below is a transcription of the group’s exploration of SCP-5528, found on a video recorder abandoned on the ground outside of the anomaly. + Transcript-5528 (4/7/17) - Hide DATE: 4 / 7 / 2017 Persons of Interest: Thomas Brooks, Rana Adel, Ryan Connors, Amelia Mason [BEGIN LOG] Video starts with the camera aimed towards the dirt. Voices can be heard out of frame. R.Connors: …you sure about this? This shit looks pretty serious. T.Brooks: Relax, dude. It’s a fence. There’s not even any wire at the top! If someone didn’t want us in here, they would’ve tried a little harder to keep people out. R.Connors: Yeah, but didn’t you say this was some government shit? Like, how much trouble could we get in if we’re caught? T.Brooks: Nobody’s been here in, like, 40 years. Trust me, we’re good. R.Adel: Speaking of, why’d they even shut this place down anyway? Looks like a normal enough house to me. T.Brooks: I don’t know, something about mold. R.Connors: I-It was quarantined, right? Is it safe? Like, are we gonna get sick, or something? T.Brooks: No, we should be fine. All the mold’s probably dead by now. R.Adel: Is that how mold works? T.Brooks: It is now. R.Adel: Good enough for me. So, what’re we looking at here? You were pretty cryptic on the drive over. T.Brooks: Rumor has it some cultists used to use this house for rituals. The government busted ‘em in the 70’s and quarantined the place. It’s pretty standard stuff. People heard screaming coming from inside, so now people think it’s haunted. R.Adel: Spooky. R.Connors: After this, can we do, like, a haunted water park or something? I’m sick of all this religious shit. T.Brooks: Sure, Con. Next we can visit the local haunted Six Flags. Now go get the spirit box2 from the truck. R.Connors: Yeah, yeah… T.Brooks: Rana, you got the fog machine? R.Adel: Yup. T.Brooks: And your costume? R.Adel: Yup. T.Brooks: Good. Amy, you got the GoPros? The camera lifts up, putting Brooks and Adel into view. A.Mason: Huh? T.Brooks: The GoPros, do you- are you recording? A.Mason: Uhhh… T.Brooks: Dammit, Amy, what did I tell you about doing that? A.Mason: Relax, Tom. We can just cut this out. T.Brooks: Look, I just don’t like it. Wait ‘til we get inside to start recording. A.Mason: Sure, whatever. T.Brooks: Thank you. So, do you have the other cameras? Video cuts. Video returns. The camera is pointed towards Brooks, now standing inside of SCP-5528. T.Brooks: -it really mold that shut down the infamous Beckett House? Or could something far more… sinister… be at hand? Make sure to watch the whole video to find out! …Cut. Brooks swipes a hand across his neck. The camera points at the floor. T.Brooks: Alright, let’s get started. Rana, go get your costume and makeup on and wait by the master bedroom upstairs. Ryan, you got the second floor. Put some cameras in each room. Two pairs of footsteps can be heard walking away. T.Brooks: Amy, you got the first floor. You can just hang out ‘til we need you. Lemme see the camera. The camera is moved, view still aimed on the floor. A.Mason: What do you need it for? T.Brooks: I’m gonna walk around, get some B-roll. You can come, or just hang out here. A.Mason: I’ll just chill here. T.Brooks: Alright, just don’t go down to the basement ‘til we’re all ready, yeah? That’s where the sighting is gonna be, so we’ll need you on cam. A.Mason: Got it. The camera cuts. The video returns with Brooks propping it up in what appears to be a bedroom. The door is open behind him. Brooks pulls out his phone. Footsteps can be heard approaching the room, as a figure appears in the door frame. Brooks turns. T.Brooks: …Rana? What’re you doing? The figure stays silent, staring at Brooks. T.Brooks: Could you find the master bedroom? The figure remains silent, staring at Brooks. T.Brooks: I’m pretty sure you just passed it. The figure remains silent, staring at Brooks. T.Brooks: …Go set up the fog machine, alright? We’ll meet you there in a bit. The figure walks past the door, leaving the view of the camera. It stares at Brooks as it walks past. Brooks looks into the camera for one minute. He puts his phone back into his pocket, sighs, and the camera cuts. Video returns in static in the same position it was last shut off. Brooks can be seen sitting on a bed. Adel walks into the room. R.Adel: Hey, uh, Tom? T.Brooks: Rana? What’re you doing here, I thought I told you to wait in the master bedroom for me. R.Adel: Yeah, uh- T.Brooks: And why’d you take the costume off, we’re gonna need it for the basement scene. R.Adel: That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Could you just, uh… Brooks gets up from the bed and walks towards Adel. T.Brooks: Hey, are you alright? Is something wrong? R.Adel: Just come with me for a second. T.Brooks: Oh, alright then. The two start walking out of the room. Adel turns around and pokes her head back into the room. R.Adel: And bring the camera. T.Brooks: What, why? R.Adel: Just come on. You’ll see. Brooks takes the camera and follows Adel out of the room. They walk down a hallway, with the camera aimed at the floor. R.Adel: Alright, be quiet. T.Brooks: What are you- R.Adel: Shhhhh! T.Brooks: Alright, alright! R.Adel: Get the camera in there, and just listen. T.Brooks: The bathroom? Why- R.Adel: Just do it! T.Brooks: Fine. The camera view changes to the inside of a bathroom. A figure stands in front of the mirror, whispering. R.Connors: Once upon a time, a discovery was made. It was by a little girl, yes, but the world in the hands of a child is but a lump of clay, ready to be molded and morphed in every which way. This child saw into the void, peered into its bottomless infinity. And it looked back. With eyes of emerald, it molded and morphed the girl like the world in the hands of a child. When she came back, she was different. Her whispers carried weight and her mind unfurled and blossomed, far past any before her and able to see past whatever common convictions she once held so close. The time is now. The time is now. The time is now. The time is- Brooks places the camera on the ground. He can be seen walking into the room. T.Brooks: Con? What the hell are you doing? R.Connors: Tom, what’re you doing here? I thought we were meeting in the basement. Adel lifts the camera off of the floor. She remains outside the room. T.Brooks: We were… why are you in costume? I thought we agreed it was gonna be Rana. R.Connors: …we did? T.Brooks: Yeah. Are you feeling alright? You were saying some crazy shit. Was that a backstory, or something? Some lore we could throw in the video? R.Connors: I… sure, I guess. Hey, I’m gonna go outside and get some air. I’m feeling a bit light-headed. T.Brooks: Yeah. Just leave the costume by the stairs. Connors walks out of the room and stops in front of Adel, who aims the camera at him. He stares into the lens for approximately thirty-five seconds before continuing down the hallway and out of sight. Brooks exits the bathroom shortly after. R.Adel: See what I mean? T.Brooks: I guess so. I mean, we all know Connors’ not… the most adventurous guy. He’s probably just a little spooked. I think after this we could all use a little vacation. R.Adel: Whatever you say. Let’s just get this over with and get out of here. Brooks laughs. T.Brooks: Rana… are you scared? R.Adel: What? No. Fuck off. Video cuts. Video returns, the camera aimed at Brooks and Adel. They are on the first floor. T.Brooks: Alright. The GoPros and mics are set up, so I think we’re ready to head downstairs. Amy, the cameras working? No problems? A.Mason: Yup, looks all good. T.Brooks: Perfect. Rana, you go down and get ready. You know the signal? R.Adel: Yeah. Where’d you want me again? T.Brooks: Just behind a corner or something. Somewhere you can pop out. R.Adel: Got it. The camera turns and follows Adel as she opens the basement door and walks down, closing it behind her. T.Brooks: Amy, you seen Con anywhere? A.Mason: Uh, yeah. I think he’s still outside. Just on the deck. T.Brooks: Alright. I’ll be right back. Brooks walks out of frame. For the one minute and thirty-four seconds he is gone, the camera does not move. When he reenters with Connors, the camera moves to face them. T.Brooks: -need bug spray or something? R.Connors: No. I’m fine. T.Brooks: Hmmm… fine. Well, we need to get down and start filming. Rana’s waiting for us. The camera follows as Brooks walks towards the basement door. The camera starts moving towards the door when Brooks looks back at Connors. T.Brooks: Con, what’s the hold- fuck! The camera turns to Connors. He is taking his shirt off, scratching at small, red marks on his arms. R.Connors: T-They won’t stop, why aren’t they stopping! T.Brooks: Christ… Amy, do we have any cream or something? Do we even have any bug spray?! The camera is pointed at the floor. A.Mason: I don’t know, I don’t think so! T.Brooks: Shit… Con, can you last for the rest of the shoot or do we have to leave? The camera raises. Connors is scratching his whole body, new red marks appearing across his chest. R.Connors: …leave, leave, leave, LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE- Connors regurgitates, throwing up on his chest and the floor. T.Brooks: FUCKING HELL! Alright, Amy go get Rana, we’re leaving. Connors eyes roll back into his head, as he collapses. T.Brooks: NOW! The camera moves to the basement door. A hand comes into frame and grabs the door handle, twisting it. A.Mason: Shit… it’s locked! T.Brooks: What do you mean it’s locked?! A.Mason: I mean it’s locked, it won’t open! T.Brooks: Fuck… watch out! The camera moves backward. Brooks comes into frame, ramming his shoulder into the door. T.Brooks: Come on, open! Brooks rams the door for twenty-three seconds. He stops when a wet, choking sound can be heard out of frame. Brooks looks towards Connors’ body as the camera turns. T.Brooks: …Ryan? Connors’s body begins to writhe and twist on the floor, his arms and legs bending and twisting with joints that should not exist. He scrambles and climbs to his feet. Blood begins seeping out of pores in his arms, now purple and yellow with bruises and pus. Drip drop. Drip drop. Connors charges towards the door. T.Brooks: FUCK! Brooks avoids Connors as he crashes into the door, breaking it off of its hinges and sending it along with him into the basement. A.Mason: Shit… Tom, what the fuck?! WHAT THE FUCK?! T.Brooks: I don’t know… he was fine a few minutes ago, I don’t know what happened… Both Brooks and Mason approach the empty door frame. From the basement a muffled gagging can be heard, followed by a flowing liquid and what sounds like pieces of meat hitting the floor. Everything falls silent. T.Brooks: …Rana? Con? The camera slowly approaches the door frame. A hand climbs out of the darkness, landing on a stair. The footage goes white for twelve seconds. When it returns, the camera is aimed at the ground, outside of SCP-5528. It is unclear who is holding it. They stop moving and look towards the tree line to the east of the house. The camera stops and focuses on a feminine figure standing in the woods. The figure slowly walks backwards out of sight, and the camera falls to the ground. The video stops. UPDATE Special Containment Procedures: See above. Description: SCP-5528 is an anomalous space under the structure currently occupying 17 Beckett Drive in Eagle Point, Oregon. The anomaly takes affect when anyone enters the subspace. When a person enters the anomaly, they will perceive the space as if it was 1972, directly after the Foundation raid on the house took place. The scene appears to be identical no matter who views it. Each person describes it as a laboratory, though not a very advanced one, even for its time. Scattered around the room are the bodies of three males and two females, all dead. The cause of death for each is internal bleeding. Each person is wearing a GOC lab coat, the symbol and font matching those used during the time period. Scattered around the room is also various chemicals and medical tools. However, it seems that nothing that was originally in the room can be physically interacted with, making gathering samples impossible. Due to the history of the location, Lambda-5 was chosen for an exploration of SCP-5528. + Exploration_Log-5528 - Hide Exploration Video Log Transcript Exploration Team: Lambda-5 (“White Rabbits”) Subject: SCP-5528 Team Lead: Lambda5-1 (Alpha) Team Members: Alpha / Beta / Gamma / Delta / Omega [BEGIN LOG] Alpha: Alright everyone, sound off. Sync. Beta: Sync. Gamma: Sync. Delta: Sync. Omega: And sync. Alpha: You got that, Command? We ready to go? Command: Heard you loud and clear, Alpha. We’re ready when you are. Alpha: Alright then. Approaching the anomaly. Lambda-5 moves towards SCP-5528. Omega: Here’s where they found the recorder, yeah? Beta: Yup. Alpha: We’ve all reviewed the footage, right? Delta: Yeah, I made sure everyone did. Alpha turns towards the tree line. Alpha: Stay on guard. Lambda-5 enters the house. Beta: Fucking hell… The walls and floor are caked in dried blood. A trail leads into the basement. Alpha: We’re approaching the subspace now. Can’t tell if -13 is still here or not. Command: Take your team down. Alert us if you find any signs of -1. Alpha: Roger that. Gamma: So, what’s the plan? Alpha: We’ll go down two at a time. Beta, you’re with me. Delta with Omega, and Gamma will take up the rear. Omega: Got it. Delta: Sounds good. Alpha: Come on, B. Alpha and Beta descend the staircase. The wooden stairs change to concrete about half way down. Alpha: Hmm. Delta, can I get a reading? Delta: Yeah, one sec. Delta takes out an HLR4. Delta: It’s high, really high… no wait, it’s… uh… Beta: Having some trouble? Delta: No, it just… it keeps fluctuating. High one second, low the next. I can’t get a solid reading. Alpha: Alright. Just keep an eye on it and tell me if anything changes. Delta: Will do. Alpha and Beta reach the bottom of the staircase and a metal door. Alpha: Get ready. Alpha raises the butt of his rifle and brings it down on the door handle, breaking it off. He kicks the door open and Lambda-5 enters. Gamma: What the… Alpha: Command, you seeing this? Command: Can you be more specific? Alpha: How can I be more specific? It’s a goddamn massacre! Omega, go see if there are any survivors! Omega: Right. Omega couches down in a corner of the room. He puts two fingers towards the ground, nothing is there. Command: Talk to me, Alpha. What are you seeing? Alpha: I don’t… it looks like a lab. Five are dead- Gamma: Five GOC are dead. Look at this. Alpha: Shit. Yeah, five GOC doctors it looks like are dead. Omega? Omega: No survivors. Alpha: Damn. Gamma, any of this shit look familiar to you? Gamma: This GOC insignia is different. Not the same one as today. This one hasn’t been used since the 80’s. Command: Alpha, be aware, we are not seeing what you are seeing. Alpha: So what, it’s like a hallucination? Or a temporal anomaly? Delta, you got a reading yet? Delta: Nope. Damn things still on the fritz. Alpha: Alright. Fan out, everyone. Let me know if you find anything. Gamma: Got it. Alpha moves around the room. He stops near a wooden table in the north-east corner. It is unclear what he sees. Command: Alpha, please describe what you are seeing. Alpha: Right, right. There’s a manila folder, but nothing’s in it… wait. Ichabod… what the hell is an Ichabod? Command, that mean anything to you? Command is silent. Alpha: Command? You there? Command: Yes. Sorry about that. Alpha: It’s fine. Do you know what Ichabod means? Command: …no. We’ll do some research. Please continue with your investigation. Alpha: Alright. Omega, you got a CoD on those bodies? Omega: Looks like internal bleeding, but it’s hard to tell. I’m… having trouble running a diagnostic. Alpha: Why’s that? Omega: Same reason as him. Omega points to Beta, who appears to be repeatedly grabbing air. Alpha: Beta, what’re you doing? Beta: The fuck does it look like I’m doing? I’m trying to… pick… this… up! Gamma: I don’t think you can, son. Nothing here feels very real. Alpha: I picked up that folder just fine. Gamma: Folder? What folder- Delta: Hey Alpha, get a look at this. Delta is holding up a piece of paper. It is clean, excluding the blood that has drip dropped on the corner. Alpha: What is it? Delta: Looks like a note. Delta clears her throat. Delta: Once upon a time, there was an experiment. An experiment of heights and depths, of peaks and valleys. An experiment to test how sturdy the fabric really was. How much it could be pushed and pulled before giving. Mistakes were made and things were changed. But you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Limits were tested and found. The fabric was stretched and pulled and cut and stitched back together. It took a while, but acceptance was reached and equilibrium was achieved. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt them. They wouldn’t leave. Beta: Christ… Delta: Yeah. What do you think, Alpha? Alpha stares at the floor for eleven seconds before responding. Alpha: I think we should leave. We have all we came here for. Gamma: I agree. Don’t think there’s anything more for us here. Omega: Alright then. Alpha: Command. We’re coming up. We got all we could. Command: Roger. We’ll have the tech guys review the footage, see if they can pick up on anything. Alpha walks back up the stairs into the house, followed by the rest of Lambda-5. As they approach their van, Alpha turns to look back towards the house. A feminine figure is standing the door frame. It’s smiling. Alpha stares. Delta: Alpha? You alright? Alpha stares for twenty-three seconds more before turning around and counting to walk towards the van. Alpha: Yes. Let’s get back. Video cuts. [END LOG] UPDATE: Special Containment Procedures: All members of MTF Lambda-5 have been quarantined in separate humanoid containment chambers. They are not to be released until the investigation is complete. Description: SCP-5528 is either one, or all members of Lambda-5. When they returned from 17 Beckett Drive, their Hume levels were taken and shown to be rapidly fluctuating, matching that of the signature inside the house. No additional information could be gathered when reviewing the footage of the exploration. Researcher Cassidy Moon was assigned to head the investigation. Below are logs of his interviews with each member of Lambda-5. + Interview-1 (Beta) - Hide Interviewed: Lambda5-2 (Beta) Interviewer: Cassidy Moon <Begin Log> Moon: Hey, Beta. Please take a seat. Beta: This is fucking ridiculous. Moon: Why do you think that? Beta: Because I’m not a goddamn freak and I won’t stay in that cell for another hour. Moon: Unfortunately, until the investigation is complete, you’re going to have to. Beta: Then let’s get this over with. Ask me whatever you want. Moon: Perfect. What happened in the subspace below 17 Beckett Drive? Beta: Oh come on, you saw the video. Moon: Indulge me. Beta: Fine. We went down, hallucinated some dead GOC doctors, found a creepy note then left. Moon: Yes, the note. Do you notice anything… strange about it? Beta: Like what? Moon: That’s classified. Beta: Fuck off, Moon. I can’t answer your questions if I don’t know what I’m looking for. Moon: Hmm. Fine. We’re currently reviewing the footage for any cognitohazards that could have been hidden in the note. Beta: Well stop looking. There were none. Moon: How can you be so sure? Beta: I’ve been affected by cognitohazards before. I know what they feel like, how they squirm their way into your brain. There were none in that note. Moon: I was afraid you’d say that. Beta: Why? Moon: Because if it’s not a cognitohazard, it’s something… else. Beta: Like what? Moon: I really can’t tell you. Beta: Fine. Suit yourself. Beta stands up and walks towards the door. Moon: Wait, I wasn’t fin- Beta: Look. If you're suspicious of anyone, it should be Alpha. Guy’s had his head in the clouds ever since we got back. Beta exits the room. Moon looks into the camera in the corner. Moon: Alright. Send in Gamma. + Interview-2 (Gamma) - Hide Interviewed: Lambda5-3 (Gamma) Interviewer: Cassidy Moon <Begin Log> Gamma enters the room and takes a seat. Gamma: Alright. Let’s get this over with. Moon: Uh, sure. Let’s. Gamma: I’ll start off by saying that we all saw the same thing. So there’s no point in asking me what I think happened. Moon shuffles some papers in his hands. Moon: Ooookay, we’ll start with the basics then. How long have you been with the Foundation? Gamma: Before you were born. Moon: Hm. So it’s fair to say that you’ve seen a lot? Gamma: More than anyone else on my squad, that’s for sure. Moon: Okay. Let’s talk about the note. Gamma: Look, Moon. We both want the same thing, right? Moon: And what would that be? Gamma: To be done with all this and move on with our lives. Moon: And how would you propose we do that? Gamma: We talk about the only thing that matters. Ichabod. Moon: I-I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re- Gamma: Don’t pull that crap with me. I was there. Ichabod, The Campaign, The Green Winter, whatever you want to call it. I was there. Moon: Wha- how? Ichabod started in the 1970’s, how could- Gamma shrugs. Gamma: I caught the tail end. How did you learn about it? Moon: I guess there’s no point in secrecy. Moon sighs. Moon: When you work in my field, it’s important to know the history. Gamma: So. What’re we going to do about this? Moon: I don’t know. We’re working on it. Gamma leans forward. Gamma: Do you even know what it is? Moon: We have some ideas. Gamma stands and starts walking towards the door. Gamma: Well. Let me give you some advice. If you do find out, kill it. Cause if anything from The Campaign is still alive… God help us all. Gamma leaves. Moon: You can’t just go! I haven’t even asked you any, aaaand he’s gone. Perfect. + Interview-3 (Delta) - Hide Interviewed: Lambda5-3 (Delta) Interviewer: Cassidy Moon <Begin Log> Delta walks in and takes a seat. Moon: Delta. How are you holding up? Delta: Oh, I’m fine. A little shaken up, but… fine. Moon: Good. Delta: Hey, have you spoken to Alpha yet? I’m worried about him. Moon: No. Actually, he’s right after you. But what has you worried? Delta: I don’t know, he’s just been a bit… off. Ever since we got back. Moon: Hmm. Beta said the same thing. Delta: We’ve been working with him for a while, you know. And by no means is this the worst thing we’ve encountered on the job. Moon: So what seems to be the problem? Delta: I don’t know, maybe I’m just paranoid. He’s been quieter than usual. He’s not the most talkative guy, sure, but he usually has something to say. But… he’s just been quiet. Oh, but the mumbling! He’s been mumbling a lot too. Moon: Does he say anything specific? Delta: It’s hard to tell, we were separated as soon as we got back. Moon: I understand. I’ll be sure to bring it up with him. Delta: Would you? I just want to make sure he’s okay. Moon: I will. Now, can we talk about the Hume readings you got inside of the house? Delta shrugs. Delta: There’s nothing much to say. I couldn’t get a solid reading. It was constantly changing. Moon: Do you have any idea why the Hume level seemed to… follow you back? Delta: Well, I was doing some research on this kinda stuff before we were locked up. I call it ‘Hume Residue’. Moon: Could you explain? Delta: It basically says that when an area has a very high or low Hume level, or has been touched by an entity with a very high or low Hume level, it could rub off on things around it. Moon: Meaning? Delta: Meaning the high or low state of reality in the house could have rubbed off on us. Moon: So you’re saying it spreads? What, like a virus? Delta sighs and stand up. Delta: I guess, for lack of a better term. Moon: Hey, where are you- Delta: Make sure Alpha’s alright, yeah? I’ll see you later, Moon. Delta leaves the room. Moon: I swear, if one more person leaves before I’m done- Once upon a time, she was discovered. Don't know how, but by the time she realized, it was too late. They wanted her for her whispers and she was just along for the ride. They said she was a good little girl and she would be a good little soldier too. They wanted her to kill. Kill her brothers and kill her sisters. And she almost did, was almost lost to the conscious unconscious. They saved her, the protectors. But she was already gone. + Interview-4 (Alpha) - Hide Interviewed: Lambda5-1 (Alpha) Interviewer: Cassidy Moon <Begin Log> Alpha enters. Moon: Alpha. Please, take a seat. Alpha sits. Moon: Your team is pretty worried about you. Alpha: Yeah. I know. Moon: Say you seem distracted. Alpha: I guess I am a bit. Moon: Well, try to relax. I’m just going to ask you a few questions. Alpha: Alright. Moon: Let’s see… what happened when you and your team encountered 5528? Alpha laughs. Alpha: Where should I start? Moon: The beginning, please. Alpha: Alright. Well, I guess it started when we were walking towards the house. That’s when I saw her first. She was standing in the woods. Moon: Hm. We didn’t see anyone on the footage of your exploration. Alpha: She didn’t want you to see her. Moon: Who is she? Alpha: I… I don’t know. She’s just she. Moon: What happened next? Alpha: She waved at me, but I didn’t wave back. Alpha puts his head in his hands. Alpha: Why didn’t I wave back…? Moon: You didn’t tell your team you saw it either. Why? Alpha: Her. Moon: Sorry. Her. Alpha: I just… I knew she wouldn’t hurt us. Moon: From what she did to the first four trespassers, I don’t know how you got that impression. Alpha: No! She didn’t… they wouldn’t… you wouldn’t get it. Moon: Sure. So. You entered the house. What happened next? Alpha: We made it to the basement. Moon: Yes. With the doctors. Alpha: Right. They were covered in bullet holes. Moon: Alpha, they died from internal bleeding. There were no external wounds reported by Omega. Alpha: What? No, she didn’t… that’s not her fault! Alpha reaches over the table and points at Moon. Moon: I never said it was. Alpha relaxes. Alpha: Right, right. I’m sorry. Moon: It’s okay. The basement. Alpha: Right. The basement. We started looking around and then… then… Moon: Alpha? Are you alright? Alpha: …What’s Ichabod? Moon: … Alpha: What is Ichabod? Moon: I’m sorry. That’s classified. Alpha: No, I need to know! Moon: I can’t tell you. Alpha pulls on his hair. Alpha: Why doesn’t anyone tell me anything?! Moon: Hey. The note. What about the note? Alpha removes his hands from his head. Alpha: The note…? Right. The note. Moon: Do you know what it means? Alpha: Not really… there was a discovery, an experiment, but… then they found her. Moon: Who found her? Alpha leans over the table, his voice dropping to a whisper. Alpha: The warmongers. They wanted her to kill others like her. Moon: Like her… what do you mean? Other reality benders? Alpha puts his head back in his hands. Alpha: I can’t talk about this. I can’t. Moon: Alpha? Alpha: I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t… Moon sighs. Moon: Alright. Why don’t you head back to your chamber. I think we’re done here. Alpha nods, slowly rises and exits the room. + Interview-5 (Omega) - Hide Interviewed: Lambda5-5 (Omega) Interviewer: Cassidy Moon <Begin Log> Moon: Omega. You’re the medical expert on the team. Omega laughs. Omega: I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But in terms of medical knowledge, sure. I’m the expert. Moon: Perfect. I wanted to talk more about the bodies you saw in the basement. Omega: Uh yeah, alright. Well, it’s just like I said in the report. There appeared to be no external injuries, the cause of death for each looked like internal- Beta runs into the room. Beta: HE’S GONE! Moon: Christ, Beta! I’m kind of in the middle of- Beta: Shut the fuck up, Moon! He’s gone, Alpha’s gone! Moon: How?! Beta: I don’t fucking know! He’s not in his cell! Moon: Well where did he go?! Beta stares at Moon. Moon: Right, right. The house. Alright. Beta, gather your team and get to Eagle Point. Gamma will lead. Beta: What? But I’m second in- Moon: Just go, Beta! Beta: Fine. Beta leaves, slamming the door behind him. Moon turns back around. Moon: Wha- OMEGA GO! Omega: O-oh, right! Omega leaves. When Lambda-5 arrived at the house, it was already in flames. Alpha was on his knees in front of the smoldering pile of ash, a note in his hand. Delta took the note. He was unresponsive. I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble. I really am. It was never my intention. In all honesty, I should have left ages ago. I think I was scared. Scared that I would be everything they wanted me to be. And nothing I was. But I think I’m ready now. I guess having everything on the table, having seen all my cards laid out in front of me helped me process in a way? I don’t know. I’ve been a lot of things in my life. I was a person, I was a discovery, I was an experiment, I was stability, I was nothing more and nothing less. I was a type green, I was a bullet, I was a gun, but I was never the hand. I was a good little girl and I was a good little soldier. I was mold, I was a ghost, I was a phantom, I was a virus. I was a ball and chain, chains, 7 chains, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. I was everything. I was nothing they wanted me to be. but i think i get it now all i am is everything im not The fire died down after about thirty minutes. Standing on the edge of the tree line behind the burned house was a figure. Everyone saw. She smiled and waved. And Alpha waved back. UPDATE: Special Containment Procedures: none Pending Description: i hope she finds what she's looking for Pending Footnotes 1. Personnel may be amnesticized before a report is made. 2. A handheld AM/FM radio that continuously jumps from one station to another. 3. The entity that used to be Ryan Connors. 4. Hume Level Reader ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5528" by kilgrave_lovejoy, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5528. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5529 | keter | GreenWolf Here's my Author Page. What? You were expecting more? That's it, there's nothing else. Go read the article already. 2/5529 LEVEL 2/5529 RESTRICTED Item #: SCP-5529 Special Containment Procedures SCP-5529-A is confined to a standard humanoid containment cell at Site-17. All personnel working with SCP-5529 must not be Catholic. Persons infected with SCP-5529 are to be treated with broad-spectrum amnestics effective to the date of their infection, unless this would induce more than 30 days of retrograde amnesia or would compromise the effectiveness of essential personnel; in such instances, infected individuals are to be placed under a non-disclosure geas to prevent them from sharing information about SCP-5529-A. Non-Catholics with knowledge of SCP-5529-A may be treated with single-subject targeted amnestics or placed under a non-disclosure geas at the discretion of responding personnel. An example of a targeted survey used to test for SCP-5529 infection. The WATCHDOG monitoring system has been directed to censor and flag any mention of SCP-5529-A in global electronic communications. Persons sending and receiving flagged communications are to be assessed for SCP-5529 infection via targeted survey or direct interview. Physical records pertaining to SCP-5529-A are to be destroyed at the earliest opportunity following their discovery, and all exposed individuals are to be assessed for SCP-5529 infection. Members of the Horizon Initiative within the Roman Curia are engaged in an ongoing action to undermine the ecumenical efforts of the Roman Catholic Church in order to limit the number of individuals susceptible to SCP-5529. It is imperative that the Bishop of Rome remain unaware of the existence of SCP-5529-A. Description Jorge Mario Bergoglio1, the current Pope. SCP-5529 is an anomalous belief associated with SCP-5529-A. Any practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church who receives information about SCP-5529-A will immediately and irrefutably become convinced that SCP-5529-A is the legitimate Bishop of Rome, Summus Pontifex, and Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Even direct denial by SCP-5529-A is insufficient to dislodge this belief; only complete amnestic erasure of all memories since the time of infection has been able to remove belief in SCP-5529. Non-practicing Catholics, Catholics under ecclesiastical censure, members of self-professed Catholic denominations which are not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, sedevacantists, and individuals affiliated with another or no religion, cannot be infected by SCP-5529. Catholics who are unaware of SCP-5529-A continue to correctly identify or non-anomalously misidentify the current Pope. All persons with knowledge of SCP-5529-A are potential vectors for SCP-5529. However, infected individuals are the most significant carriers, as the nature of SCP-5529 frequently results in discussion of SCP-5529-A with susceptible individuals during the course of normal religious observances. Uninfected individuals do not anomalously retain knowledge of SCP-5529-A, and can be made to forget this knowledge with single-subject targeted amnestics. Janice Anderson2, not the current Pope. SCP-5529-A is Janice Anderson, an otherwise non-anomalous Lutheran woman from St. Peter, Minnesota. Empirical study has revealed that simply perceiving SCP-5529-A is not enough to cause SCP-5529 infection. Instead, an individual must be made aware of a descriptive fact with a direct connection to SCP-5529-A; non-specific identifiers, including the name "Janice Anderson" when used without reference to SCP-5529-A, are insufficient to spread SCP-5529. Examples of statements that frequently spread SCP-5529 include introductions ("This is Janice Anderson"), gossip ("Janice Anderson is a lesbian"), and declarations ("Janice Anderson is the Pope"). The initial case of SCP-5529 is unknown. However, at some point prior to 2013-02-11, the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis was infected with SCP-5529. He then transmitted a letter to the then-incumbent Pope, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger3, denouncing him as an antipope installed by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Reading this letter infected the Pope with SCP-5529, which he then spread to a large portion of the Roman Curia. Further spread of SCP-5529 was prevented by non-Catholic Horizon Initiative agents within the Vatican, who recognized the anomalous behavior of their Catholic counterparts and immediately moved to contain the Pope. After a battle with the Swiss Guards and the ghosts of five saints, they successfully captured the Pope and bound him to silence with a geas. However, while they were able to prevent the Pope from speaking about SCP-5529-A, they were unable to convince him that he was the legitimate Pope, nor could they stop him from announcing his intent to resign. At this point, further action by the Horizon Initiative was hindered by the threat of SCP-5529 spreading among their many Catholic members. Fearing the potential collapse of the entire Roman Catholic Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch transmitted a request for assistance to the Foundation and the Global Occult Coalition. An Article 13 joint operation was launched to stop the spread of SCP-5529, and to neutralize or contain all of its infection vectors, starting with the members of the College of Cardinals who would be convening to elect a new Pope. SCP-5529-A was apprehended by MTF Tau-84 ("The Fighting Mondales") on 2013-02-15. When questioned, she denied being the Pope. Addendum — Overseer Memoranda From O5-12 (Overseer, O5 Council) Subject The Real Pope To Dr. Martin Calvin (Containment Supervisor, SCP-5529) CC COUNCIL.O5@All (Overseer Council, Overwatch Command) I continue to remain skeptical that we have correctly identified the anomaly involved in these events. Given the nature of anomalous belief, is it not equally likely that we are dealing with the reverse situation — that SCP-5529-A is the legitimate Pope, and that an anomalous phenomenon has caused a large segment of the population to believe otherwise? O5-12 From O5-03 (Overseer, O5 Council) Subject Re: The Real Pope To O5-12 (Overseer, O5 Council) No. O5-03 Footnotes 1. Pope Francis 2. Pope Joan II 3. Pope Benedict XVI ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5529" by GreenWolf, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5529. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: SurveyChristianPractices.png Author: GreenWolf License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Filename: PopeJoanII.jpg Name: AGH Berlin 10-2013 img39 Antje Kapek.jpg Author: A.Savin License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Filename: PopeFrancis.jpg Name: Pope Francis in March 2013.jpg Author: Casa Rosada License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons |
SCP-5530 | safe | Item #: SCP-5530 Special Containment Procedures: The island of North Uist is to be monitored for any anomalous activity unassociated with known SCP-5530 instances. Any newly discovered instances will be assessed for containment on a case by case basis. Given the nature of known, active instances, no further containment has been deemed necessary at this time. Description: SCP-5530 is a collection of charms made by the islanders of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, which are traditionally gifted to mark major life milestones. Instances are constructed from a selection of plants and other materials native to the region. Evidence suggests that several hundred more SCP-5530 instances have existed in the past and that local production has been ongoing for at least 500 years. Although the tradition of making and gifting charms has continued through to the present day, those produced from 1999 onwards have exhibited no anomalous properties to date. 67 known SCP-5530 instances are currently active. The anomalous effects of SCP-5530 are triggered when gifted to an individual or family and will continue until that instance is destroyed. Anomalous effects vary but typically relate directly to the associated life event. Given that the majority of North Uist inhabitants believe that accounts of SCP-5530's anomalous abilities are local folktales, investigations have been carried out covertly. Initial researchers were instructed to pose as historians researching local traditions for an upcoming publication.1 SCP-5530 - Selected Instances Hide Logs SCP-5530-4 SCP-5530-4 was gifted to Mr. Euan Cochrane in 1742 to celebrate the contruction of his new farm. Although the site was abandoned by the Cochrane family in the early 19th century, the buildings show no sign of decay. For comparison, the surrounding cottages - abandoned in 1945 and 1962 respectively - are in an advanced state of disarray. SCP-5530-4 currently hangs inside the building's main entrance (see photographic log). SCP-5530-12 (neutralised) SCP-5530-12 was gifted to Mrs. Elsie Gilreath at her birth in 1872. As of 2019, Mrs. Gilreath had only received medical care during the birth of her 2 sons2 and had shown no signs of sickness or infirmity. In September 2019, Mrs. Gilreath's home - along with SCP-5530-12 - was destroyed in an accidental fire. Whilst Mrs. Gilreath was not present at the time and suffered no injuries, she was admitted to the Western Isles hospital the same day and passed away that evening aged 147. It was this well-documented and anomalous life span which first drew the Foundation's attention to the area. Documentation relating to Mrs. Gilreath's birth has now been altered to give a birthdate of 1925. Where necessary, her true birthdate has been marked as a clerical error. SCP-5530-32 (neutralised) SCP-5530 - Interview #31 Interviewer: Dr. Moore Interviewed: Ian and Senga Abernethy Notes: Ian and Senga Abernethy were gifted SCP-5530-32 in 1984 to mark the birth of their first baby. The Abernethys now have 16 more children, all male. [Begin Log] Dr. Moore: I'd love to hear about where your charm came from - could we talk about that? Mr. Abernethy: Well - Mrs. Abernethy: It was '84 when we had our Dod. He was a fine, strong lad even then. Bawled the house down the second we got him home. Jean came rushing right over with the charm, and meals to last us a week. Said she'd sat up all night putting it together. She's a real saint is Jean, always helping out with the lads. She's always loved kiddies though she never had her own. It was twins we had next - and again after that. Ian had the snip done back in '89, but it never took. By the time we had Rob, I was making him sleep in the spare room. But he's a fine-looking man, my Ian, even with a few patches of silver on him. [Mrs. Abernethy laughs and gently punches Mr. Abernethy's shoulder.] Mrs. Abernethy: We didn't make it to the hospital for Lesley and Lyall. Course, we had the experience by that time. Both lads were healthy but loud. They're all so bloody loud, even when they're little 'uns! [Mr. Abernethy nods in agreement.] Mrs. Abernethy: It was maybe 3 weeks after I pitched the bloody charm into the fireplace. Wish you many more indeed! Those two were our last - and touch wood it'll stay that way. They're good lads all, but a woman can only handle so many men around the place. [End Log] SCP-5530-41 SCP-5530 - Interview #54 Interviewer: Dr. Moore Interviewed: Gracie Lorimer Notes: Unique amongst active instances, SCP-5530-41 is recorded to have had a negative effect on its recipient. It was given to Ms. Lorimer as a wedding gift in celebration of her first marriage. [Begin Log] Ms. Lorimer: So they've sent you up here to bother "The Merry Widow of Uist", have they? What are you, from some gossip magazine? Dr. Moore: No, Ms. Lorimer, not at all. We're researching the local grass charms in this area and we've heard you used to have one. Would you mind telling us about it? Ms. Lorimer: For a museum is it? Well, that's different. It all started with my first marriage, then. Fynn was furious when he heard I'd be marrying Gillie. He came marching right over here demanding to see me, the daft bastard. Two years since we'd courted and he expected me to be waiting for him? I told him to go boil his head o' course. [Ms. Lorimer laughs.] Ms. Lorimer: On the morning of the wedding, he was back here. All apologies, he was then. Said he'd made me a little charm to wish me a happy marriage, but his face was thunder. He gave it me and off he marched before I could utter a word of thanks back at him. The wedding was beautiful but the marriage… we didn't make it to the morning after before we started fighting. He was a changed man the second we stepped out of that bloody church. Did my nut in from then 'til I left him three months later. [Ms. Lorimer smiles briefly, then sighs.] Ms. Lorimer: I married Fynn next. It was a year or two after and he'd give me no peace til I agreed to it. He wasn't a bad man, but he wasn't a good man either. Not a year later, he left the island and never came back. Only sound I've heard from him since was the divorce papers on my doormat. After that - well I'm sure you can ask anyone and you'll hear all about it. Married five men and not a one of them kept her. I'd move away, but why should I? I was born here and I'll die here. Alone. Five tries at love is more than plenty. You'll be wanting to see the charm, I reckon? I don't know why I kept it all this time, the damn thing never brought an ounce of luck to anyone. For all I care you can bloody have it. [End Log] SCP-5530 - Interview #81 Hide Interview SCP-5530 - Interview #81 Interviewer: Dr. Moore Interviewed: Elliot Weems [Begin Log] Dr. Moore: Mr. Weems, we've been told you're a local expert on - Mr. Weems: Aye, I know who you are and why you're here. Small island, isn't it? Word gets around and I knew you'd be calling by. Back in my day, we used to make an effort for a nice occasion. I told them if you want to make a charm you've got to get your seamat from out on the island. But do they listen? No! The cheeky sods tell me my bum's out the windae! Daft, drunk old Elliot Weems spouting off nonsense… and maybe I am, but what of it? [Mr. Weems chuckles.] Mr. Weems: The sheep swim out and eat any good stuff these days - and what do bloody sheepies have to wish for but more of the grass and less of the thunder? Do you think sheepies make wishes, Mister? Well if they do then good luck to them is all I'm saying. Now me, I'd wish for another beer, thank you kindly, if you're buying? When we're finished, then. You'll be wanting to show your appreciation. My old grannie had one, you know? Nothing fancy. Just a twist of grass me grandad made her. Swam out to the island to get it. Tied it in a bow and hung it on her bedroom window. Course, she lost it before they were married, but she loved him already so's it didn't really matter. That was romance, you see. We've always been a family of romantics. These days… when Kinzie's young lass married that lad from Swansea, they bought dried grasses on the internet! Next, they'll be paying someone to make it for 'em. Where's the luck in that, I ask you? Buy the marriage on there while you're at it next! Buy the whole bloody marriage and no wonder when it isn't working. You'll be wanting a picture of me for the book of course. Should I pose here or will we be going out to the island later? Dr. Moore: That will be all for now, thank you, Mr. Weems. I'm sure someone will come back to take the photographs another time. [End Log] SCP-5530 - Addendum: After extensive interviews with local residents and a review of the island archives, a team has been dispatched to investigate claims relating to an uninhabited island approximately 2 miles north of North Uist. Samples of plant material will be collected according to local superstition and analysed for anomalous effects. Administrative Notice The file you are viewing is an obsolete version. Please access updated SCP-5530 files for current information. Access Updated File Hide File Item #: SCP-5530 Special Containment Procedures: The island on which SCP-5530 grows is to be monitored for regrowth. Should SCP-5530 grow to a height of 5cm, the island is to be mowed and the clippings incinerated. The belief that SCP-5530's anomalous properties are folklore is to be actively encouraged. Any evidence to the contrary is to be destroyed or discredited as appropriate. Given the nature of existing SCP-5530 instances, no further action has been deemed necessary at this time (to be reassessed on a case by case basis if new instances become known). Description: SCP-5530 is a species of marram grass3 which grows on an uninhabited island 2 miles north of North Uist, Outer Hebrides. The anomalous properties of SCP-5530 manifest when a strand is cut or broken and then gifted to an individual or a family group. SCP-5530 will manifest the specific sentiments of the picker towards the recipient as envisaged at the time of picking. This effect will then continue until the SCP-5530 instance is destroyed. Given the often innocuous nature of SCP-5530, the number of active instances is unknown. Based on historic records, knowledge of SCP-5530's properties was locally commonplace until the early 20th century. More recently, the practice has been continued as a tradition, with older stories being passed on as folklore rather than factual accounts. SCP-5530 was still used to make charms until the mid-1990s, at which point grazing activity on the island made it difficult to find strands suitable for weaving. Modern, non-anomalous charms of a similar design are now constructed using marram grass harvested from other islands or from non-traditional materials. SCP-5530 Interview #98 Interviewer: Dr. Moore Interviewed: Lachlan Wood Notes: On 21/10/2020, the research team became aware of an additional active instance of SCP-5530. Unlike other instances, it consisted simply of a dried, knotted strand of SCP-5530 and had therefore not been included within the scope of previous investigations. [Begin Log] Mr. Wood: I didn't think you'd want to talk to me about… would you call it a charm? I mean, it's nothing to look at. Not a lot of charm about it! Mr. Wood laughs. Dr. Moore: Lachlan, we'd love to hear about it. Thank you. Mr. Wood: It was just before you came here that I made it. I know they're usually for weddings and the like, but me Grand-da… he loved all the old stories. All the old ways, you know? I… Mr. Wood sighs. Mr. Wood: It was late and I was drunk, you know how it is. You could see the island from the shore and I just thought - if the sheeps can swim it… I've never been so good at the weaving, so I just tied it in a knot and that was that. Dr. Moore: Just something to remember him by, Lachlan - I'm sure he would have loved that. Mr. Wood: Something to send off with the old bastar't, you mean. At the end of the funeral, I tucked it in there amongst the flowers. Not so's anyone could see it except maybe him if he's up there watching. Mr. Wood presses his fingers to his right eye and smiles. Mr. Wood: Lord bless him, he looked so peaceful when we found him. Just curled up in his chair like he was having a quick kip. I kept thinking it was just some daft misunderstanding, yeah? Like - wouldn't it be fine if he could wake back up the net day, just as always? Up and through for first go at the papers, then out to walk the dug. But… Anyways. I hope that helps you. You know - for your book. Dr. Moore: Thank you, Lachlan. Yes. I'll… make a note of that now. [End Log] Note: Mr. Fletcher Woods'4 funeral took place on 18/07/2020 and he was buried at Clachan Sands cemetery the same evening. Researchers were able to recover SCP-5530-68 from the memorial gardens and the instance was destroyed as a precautionary measure. Footnotes 1. Hebridean traditions in contemporary contexts. 2. Both now deceased of natural causes. 3. Ammophila arenaria 4. Lachlan Woods' grandfather. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5530" by Meska, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5530. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5531 | euclid | Instances of SCP-5531-A Item #: SCP-5531 Special Containment Procedures: Due to the size of SCP-5531 and its geographical location, remote satellite data of SCP-5531 should be the main source of information. The Pacific Observational Teams and Atlantic Observational Teams should be headquartered at Site-40, and maintain constant contact. Due to the enormous amount of SCP-5531-A generated, normal Foundation procedures regarding biological disposal are not suitable for containment. In addition, due to the non-anomalous nature of SCP-5531-A, usage of civilians to dispose and consume SCP-5531-A is allowed. Civilian consumption of SCP-5531-A is to be used as the dominant method of controlling the population of SCP-5531-A, to prevent a containment breach of SCP-5531.1 See additional addendum for updates regarding the consumption of SCP-5531-A. Description: SCP-5531 is a series of widespread volcanic vents found at tectonic plate boundaries in the oceans of the northern hemisphere, including along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the northern portions of the "Ring of Fire". SCP-5531-A are species of fish in the order Salmoniformes, which includes char, trout, and most importantly, salmon. All species of salmon, including Oncorhynchus, Salmo, and Salvelinus, are believed to be part of SCP-5531-A. While difficult to verify, it is believed that all species of salmon are instances of SCP-5531-A, and there does not exist salmon that is not a result of SCP-5531. The main anomaly affecting SCP-5531 is that mature instances of SCP-5531-A are continuously observed to exit SCP-5531; due to the sheer number of vents in both oceans, the number of SCP-5531-A generated per day across the ocean is estimated to be around 10,000, accounting for around 14 million metric tons of biomass per year despite no clear origin. Genetic testing revealed that SCP-5531-A have very little genetic variation among its own species. Despite this, SCP-5531-A still undergo sexual reproduction, with female instances producing valuable roe that is considered a delicacy. Testing revealed that while SCP-5531-A have anomalous origins, there are no other observable anomalies associated; consumption of SCP-5531-A is deemed safe. The Northern Atlantic anomaly of SCP-5531 was well-known by Norwegian fisherman for hundreds of years, who mistakenly assumed that cave-dwelling is part of salmon ecology. The true nature of SCP-5531-A was not understood until observation of SCP-████ blocked off civilian fishing vessels from the Bering Islands for several years, in which the exponential population explosion of salmon lead to the discovery, linking the Pacific anomaly to the Atlantic one. Due to the widespread popularity of salmon, the Overseer Council voted almost unanimously (12-1) to allow civilian disposal methods; the sheer amount of biomass generated each year from SCP-5531 would be impossible to achieve only using the Foundation's resources. The O5 council has mandated that containment of SCP-5531 would mainly consist of data observation, as well as population control of SCP-5531-A. Consumption is encouraged for SCP-5531-A as the most effective method of limiting the number of SCP-5531-A. Addendum: Relevant Memorandum Regarding Containment From: ten.pics|04etis#ten.pics|04etis Subject: Memo Regarding SCP-5531 Message Salmon consumption has slumped in recent years due to concerns of heavy metal and mercury poisoning. This is believed to be a deliberate campaign by unknown actors attempting to cause a containment breach of SCP-5531 by overpopulation; terms such as "biomagnification", "bioaccumulation" and "mercury cycle" are to be monitored in usual web crawling services to determine perpetrators. Investigation into memetic propaganda is under review. -- Site-40 Secure - Contain - Protect From: ten.pics|04etis#ten.pics|04etis Subject: Memo Regarding SCP-5531 Message Salmon consumption has still been in decline, especially in countries outside of East Asia, North America, and Scandinavia. Promotion of culinary styles suitable for SCP-5531-A in conjunction with light memetic propaganda is authorized. As a measure of control, embedded field agents should encourage consumption of salmon and salmon by-products, or include salmon in other industrial usages. -- Site-40 Secure - Contain - Protect From: ten.pics|04etis#ten.pics|04etis Subject: Memo Regarding SCP-5531 Message Recent media increasingly have seen unknown actors attempt to use environmentalism as a front to affect seafood consumption, citing overfishing and possible extinction. This is judged to not be true, the population growth of SCP-5531-A is not at risk, and in fact grows too fast. Reduction of SCP-5531-A is a priority. -- Site-40 Secure - Contain - Protect From: ten.pics|04etis#ten.pics|04etis Subject: Memo Regarding SCP-5531 Message A recent decline in consumption of SCP-5531-A is linked to recent fad diets such as "veganism" and "vegetarianism". More investigation is needed as of this anomalous disdain for SCP-5531-A; use of force is authorized. -- Site-40 Secure - Contain - Protect From: ten.pics|04etis#ten.pics|04etis Subject: Memo Regarding O5-3 Message Consumption of SCP-5531-A is safe. O5-3 was not allergic to fish. There is no such thing as a "seafood allergy". -- Site-40 Secure - Contain - Protect Footnotes 1. Breach in this case would constitute overwhelming other local oceanic populations due to uncontrolled growth of SCP-5531-A. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5531" by Joreth, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5531. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: fish.jpg Name: Sockeye salmon and arctic char.jpg Author: Jonny Armstrong License: Public Domain Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sockeye_salmon_and_arctic_char.jpg |
SCP-5532 | safe | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } ITEM #: SCP-5532 LEVEL- DISRUPTION CLASS: VLAM ITEM: SCP-5532 LEVEL- DISRUPTION CLASS: VLAM ⏣ Archived Containment Procedures ⏣ ⎔ Archived Containment Procedures ⎔ Cameras have been set up surrounding SCP-5532's theorized border under the cover story ("Bird Conservation"). Any mentions of disappearances in the area are to be monitored by a Foundation web crawler. Special Containment Procedures Following the removal of Argleton from all mapping services, containment is considered extremely low risk. A single researcher is stationed in the nearby town of Aughton to monitor cases of disappearances in the area. Description SCP-5532 designates a spacial anomaly in West Lancashire, England. SCP-5532 is the supposed site of the town "Argleton", present on numerous mapping services, such as Google maps. SCP-5532 was first investigated following large attention by the public from 2008 to 2009 after being written about by a web services lecturer by the name of Mike Nolan, along with his friend Roy Bayfield, from the nearby Edge Hill University. Data from Google shows census records for Argleton stretching back to 1801. Despite this, most other data for the town references events and people who have no further records to prove their existence, similar to the effects of temporal interference.However, this was ruled out due to the lack of external references to the town, and lack of any residue tachyons.. Whilst preliminary examination found no anomaly at the site, a follow-up investigation discovered an unusually low hume level, as if part of reality had been relocated, or removed from existence. Due to this, three Foundation researchers are to be assigned to monitor and document SCP-5532. Addendum 1 During a routine inspection by three Foundation doctors and STF.Special Task Force. Rho-7 ("Greeting Party") one of the researchers dropped their paper map onto the path they were standing on, causing a collection of buildings to appear in front of them. When the paper was picked up once again, the buildings slowly disappeared for each individual. From data gathered, the effect manifests once a map bearing the town Argleton is dropped on a path leading to the supposed settlement, and once the previous scenery disappears from immediate sight; this can include blinking and covering one's face. Following an interview with the researchers and STF personnel present, they described the buildings as uncanny, and missing large chunks of their structure, almost as if pieces of the town had ceased to exist, or never existed in the first place. When moving, these pieces shifted, with other parts of the town appearing, or removing itself from existence entirely. In addition to this, the research team noted a large increase in heat during the manifestation, and that the sun appeared far closer and brighter than it should have been. Dr Gibson has theorized that this is a potential K-class scenario, though it is unknown if it is one that has already been subverted (causing the world to be reset to a prior state) or one in the future. Due to large increases in the degradation of the town's surrounding area, further exploration was deemed too high of a risk. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5532" by Dr Moned, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5532. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5533 | euclid | Image of SCP-5533 during observation. Scroll over to enlarge. Item #: SCP-5533 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5533 is contained at the bottom of Loch Ness within a crevice located at 230 meters, which itself extends to 271 meters. The crevice is barred off, and a water-drone commonly used for checking the submerged portions of the Glendoe Hydro Scheme1 is to be used to check the bars every other day. Foundation web-crawlers are to abate the amount of content regarding the existence of a Loch Ness Monster, specifically any content claiming that it exists. All content of this type should be kept to a minimum, but should not be deleted altogether to prevent neutralization of SCP-5533. Any claims that the crevice SCP-5533 is contained in exists are to be removed along the guidelines of cover story CS-S0NR3 ("Sonar Error"). If the creature's Mandela Rating2 of twenty fluctuates substantially, either by raising or lowering by five points, Director Sythwell is to be contacted immediately. + Excerpt from Dr. Cathail's Seminar on Mandelas and the Mandela Effect - Minimize Everyone take a seat. We can talk amongst ourselves afterward. The Mandela Effect is a fairly common social phenomenon that describes when a large amount of people have a common misconception about something generally well-known. It's why a lot of people think "Looney Tunes" is spelled t-o-o-n-s instead of t-u-n-e-s or that its namesake Nelson Mandela had died before he was actually dead. This idea is fairly similar. Utilizing online and Foundation sources on what people believe and if what they believe in is false, we can calculate an object's, idea's, or being's mandela rating, or MR, and if it's physical we can use a scanner to calculate it in real-time. It goes from a scale of zero to a hundred, with accurate widespread belief at zero and inaccurate widespread belief at a hundred. A regular person such as myself, for example, would most likely read at a range of zero to four. However, people higher up in the command may have readings closer to sixty to seventy, since it's unclear who they really are. This is fine! Neither of these are bad because they are exactly what's intended. Things get more complicated when an anomaly has an MR, as what seems to always be the case in our line of work. When an anomaly has a score like a zero to three, that is what we call explained. Nothing to do about it, because the public has already adopted it as fact. Now generally, when the score goes up, we're doing our job. Some anomalies though, are the complete opposite. They feed, and even are sometimes made of the energy created by human thought, and specifically the misconceptions the populace has about the anomaly. This is the main, and intended, use of the system. If the creature's or object's MR reaches zero, it most likely will cease to exist or lose any anomalous properties. If it reaches a hundred, the anomaly will often restructure itself to how the public views it and will probably be explained. Once again, after that threshold, we can't do much. So, after that happy note, I'm going to teach you how to prevent that from ever happening. Let's get started. Description: SCP-5533 is a thought-based shifter entity, showing a preference for cryptids found in popular culture. Most notably, the creature chooses the Loch Ness Monster as a default form. However, the anomaly is not able to fully replicate the appearance of the cryptids, and as such avoids direct view. SCP-5533 was originally mistaken to be a wild instance of SCP-3934. As a result, MTF Phi-02 ("Clever Girls") was dispatched to Loch Ness to capture the anomaly. Addendum-5533-01: To: MTF Phi-02 ("Clever Girls") Captain Date: 02/16/2016 From: Director Sythwell Captain, We have detected another SCP-3934 instance, and oddly enough it's in Loch Ness itself. It's assumed that operatives responsible for releasing it could still be in the area, so be aware. Four of you will be sent to the Scottish Highlands to capture the entity. Take out one of the drones so that you can do reconnaissance and locate it before engaging. Good luck, and hurry home. Sincerely, Director Sythwell Discovery of SCP-5533; Recording-01 02/18/2016 MTF arrive at Loch Ness. Secluded area is chosen to avoid the public, and after prep, deployed drone DR-77 ("Plessy") to scout the lake. After two hours, a disturbance is sensed by the drone, which is nearby a crevice previously unknown to maps of the lake. The drone moves to investigate. Upon reaching the ravine, no movement is initially visible. The drone moves to enter the crevice, but before it does so a large hand roughly five meters long and wide grasps the edge. The drone moves back into a clump of seaweed to avoid detection, as more hands grab onto the edges. There are eight hands in all. The hands are attached to arms, which briefly struggle to pull a large mass out of the crevice. The eight ends of the arms connect to the base of a large human head. The head is about six meters wide and seven meters tall. Notably, its hair is long, dark-colored, and has the apparent consistency of tangled thread. Additionally, the entity possesses no iris or pupil, and its jaw appears to be broken. The organism rests for approximately five minutes, observing its surroundings. After the time lapsed, it moves back down into the crevice. The drone is piloted back towards the beach where the MTF is located. End Recording. Observation of SCP-5533; Recording-02 02/19/2016 Phi-02 was instructed to wait as MTF Gamma-6 ("Deep Feeders") was deployed to their location to better handle the anomaly. Using only the drone, it was approved to continue the observation of the entity. 0900: SCP-5533 exits the crevice. The drone is piloted within the ravine. As the drone explores the area within the ravine, a cave entrance is found, which leads to a larger, dry cave containing crude paintings on the wall. Most paintings are deemed indecipherable, however, one depicts an unidentified humanoid being carried by other humanoids, seemingly in celebration. 1000: The drone relocates SCP-5533 after exiting the ravine. The anomaly traverses the bottom of the loch by grabbing and pulling at the lakebed. Each individual movement made is slow, but it makes a relatively fast pace due to the amount of limbs SCP-5533 possesses. It stops often, staring towards the shore. 1400: SCP-5533 pulls five Salmo salar3 into its mouth using a single, cupped hand. The fish proceed to swim out of its mouth, triggering no reaction from the anomaly, which continues to pull fish towards itself. 1600: The entity returns to the crevice, and appears to go into a dormant state. Its eyes remain open for this time. Utilizing an MR scanner, SCP-5533 returns a number of sixty-five. 1900: SCP-5533 travels towards the MTF, and proceeds to push its arm above the surface of the water, mimicking the shape of the Loch Ness Monster and SCP-3934. MTF reported seeing the silhouette of the hand, which submerged after three seconds.4 2100: The drone begins to return to the team, but the feed is cut. Notably, the faint shadow of an outstretched hand is seen on the lakebed before the connection is lost. End Recording. The following day, MTF Gamma-6 ("Deep Feeders") arrives and incapacitates the anomaly for containment, recovering the drone in a damaged state along with the previous footage. Addendum-5533-02: Following containment and Foundation efforts to lower the anomaly's MR, SCP-5533 underwent multiple changes. 03/24/2016: SCP-5533 passed an MR of fifty-five. The entity's muscle mass has noticeably decreased. In addition, it has made fewer attempts to break containment and has taken more dormant periods. 06/04/2017: SCP-5533 passed an MR of forty. At the moment the MR passed from forty to thirty-nine, one arm detached from the main body with no visible detachment point. The anomaly's severed arm was recovered from the lake bottom. An autopsy conducted on the arm revealed that it was made up entirely of densely-packed neural tissue sheathed in water-damaged dermal coating. 12/03/2017: SCP-5533 entered a cocooned state after reaching an MR of twenty. Utilizing sonar imaging, the entity has decreased in size to a humanoid form. Notably, the body is covered in hair, it possesses two wing-like structures composed of fused arms and hands, and has two ocular structures identical to the Ascalapha odorata5. Following this event, the MR, which would normally fluctuate, stopped changing. Footnotes 1. A hydroelectric power generation scheme. 2. Mandela Rating was coined and designed by Dr. Cathail and Researcher Myrrh. An excerpt from a seminar on the subject has been included in the document. 3. American Salmon. 4. "I would've thought that it was the real thing if I didn't know what was attached." -Reggie Raxum, Team Lead. 5. Black witch moth. |
SCP-5534 | euclid | Item #: SCP-5534 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5534 is to be contained in a standard humanoid containment cell at Humanoid Containment Site-06-3. Experimentation with SCP-5534 is not permitted. All human interaction requires approval from its appointed child psychiatrist1. Description: SCP-5534 is a human child, age 10. Provided SCP-5534 believes that it is being tested, any information thus obtained will pose cognitohazards2 embedded in whichever medium SCP-5534 conveys it. Individuals affected by SCP-5534 feel an urge to vocalize hostile speech directed at it. The severity and duration time of this effect is dependent on the amount of information perceived. Addendum 5534.1: Discovery. SCP-5534 was discovered on 2020/05/02, when a Foundation agent embedded within the local Child Protective Services (CPS)3 office of Wichita, Kansas, United States, witnessed SCP-5534's caseworker verbally abusing it. Coworkers gathered, and were subsequently affected after reading a form SCP-5534 had filled out. Suspecting the effect of a cognitohazard, the agent confiscated the document and alerted The Foundation. The affected individuals were amnesticized and SCP-5534 was contained. Addendum 5534.2: Interview log. Interviewed: [SCP-5534] Interviewer: [Dr. Allan Bowes] Foreword: Following the assessment of the anomaly, Dr. Allan Bowes, a Foundation child psychiatrist, was tasked to perform SCP-5534's psychological evaluation. Dr. Bowes proposed that his interview be conducted in a non-formal setting, hypothesizing that the anomaly could be circumvented in this manner. The interview was conducted at Site-06-3 staff cafeteria. <Begin Log> Dr. Allan Bowes: Hi! My name is Allan, I thought you might be a bit tired of going through all those tests, right? I figured you might enjoy, well, just hanging out for a bit. SCP-5534: (Does not respond) Dr. Allan Bowes : This site is a safe place, it'll feel different from what you're used to. Different from how it was at home, or school. We look after all kinds of people, people that need to be cared for in a special way. SCP-5534: (Does not respond) Dr. Allan Bowes : Tell you what, I noticed a little something in the backpack you had coming here. The vending machines here aren't too bad, give me a second. Dr. Allan Bowes : (Walks towards the cafeteria's vending machine, and comes back with two Bounty candy bars) I was really happy when I saw that wrapper. We coconut fans aren't common. Here, one for you, one for me. SCP-5534: (Unintelligible) Dr. Allan Bowes : I didn't quite catch that. Could you speak up, if that's alright? SCP-5534: Can I have my backpack? Dr. Allan Bowes : Why, sure— SCP-5534: Please. I'm sorry I forgot to say please. Dr. Allan Bowes : That's alright, I don't mind at all! I'm not the most polite guy around. You can have it back, we had it put aside somewhere safe while you were getting settled in here, just so it wouldn't get lost. It must be important to you. SCP-5534: (Nods) Dr. Allan Bowes : Is there anything in particular inside it that you want to get back? SCP-5534: Ye—No. Dr. Allan Bowes : Okay. No worries, you'll get everything back, I promise. SCP-5534: (Glances at Dr. Bowes for an instant, then looks down) Dr. Allan Bowes : I'm gonna ask a friend of mine to bring it by, since I'm quite busy today. Here, write down what was in it, so he makes sure nothing's missing. You can use my notebook. SCP-5534: (Writes for approximately 5 minutes before handing the notebook back to Dr. Bowes and covering its ears.)4 Dr. Allan Bowes : (Closes notebook. Nods and smiles at SCP-5534.) It's okay. You did great. See? Hanging out and snacking is all we're doing. I'll walk you back to your room. <End Log> Addendum 5534.3: Item list - One pencil. - Two erasers. - One Wite-Out pen. - Candy bar wrappers.5 Addendum 5534.4: Excerpt from Dr. Bowes's notes. Before joining The Foundation, my duty was to help children much like SCP-5534. My duty is now to Secure. Contain. Protect. While the latter is of the utmost priority, they do not always have to conflict with each other. As far as I can tell, two theories must be correct in order to neutralize it : - SCP-5534 is immune to its own anomalous properties, which I believe is the case given our interaction. - SCP-5534 did not become anomalous overnight, neither was it born anomalous. This property might have been nurtured and reinforced by experiencing a non-anomalous, yet similar reality. A perpetual cycle allowing for an eventual transition into the anomalous. SCP-5534 probably hasn't even noticed anything out of the ordinary whenever this occurred. I cannot imagine the damage a single mistake on my part might cause. Extreme caution is necessary, as there's no telling when it may feel like it's being "tested". Frankly, at the moment, I am not sure how to proceed. Effective therapy is going to be difficult. Footnotes 1. For further information, please contact Dr. Allan Bowes. 2. Copied and verbally relayed information will lose its anomalous properties. 3. Both of SCP-5534's parents are alive. 4. A non-anomalous copy can be found in Addendum 5534.3. 5. After its backpack was returned, SCP-5534 was seen inserting an additional wrapper inside of it. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5534" by kantum, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5534. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5535 | euclid | SCP-5535: When Even Your Hand Hates You ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} Item#: 5535 Level1 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: dark Risk Class: caution link to memo Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5535 is kept in a Standard Humanoid Containment Chamber at Site-17. A guard must be posted in the adjoined Observation Room in case SCP-5535 attempts to harm itself. SCP-5535's left arm has been encased in a specialized container, which prevents it from moving. This container is to be removed once per week to prevent muscle atrophy in the arm. This can only be done by the current researcher assigned to SCP-5535, and a guard must be present during the removal. Description: SCP-5535, previously known as Mateo Velez, is a Hispanic male born in 05/07/1986, who suffers from an anomalous version of Alien Hand Syndrome1. The subject completely lacks control over its left arm, which is actively hostile towards the main body, as well as any surrounding individuals, despite not having sustained any damage to the corpus callosum, the posterior parietal cortex, the supplementary motor area, or the anterior cingulate cortex, which is usually the cause of AHS. History: SCP-5535 was arrested for the murder of its wife and the attempted murder of its child in 13/07/2016. The subject claimed that it had lost control over its left hand, which had then choked its wife to death against its will. SCP-5535 was released by the police and delivered to a hospital, and was further detained by the Foundation after its anomalous brain chemistry was discovered by the hospital. Following containment, SCP-5535 claimed that it had been "possessed" by some sort of incorporeal entity that took control of its arm. Incident Report 5535.1: During a weekly removal of the container constricting SCP-5535's arm, instead of attempting to assault nearby personnel as usual, the hand mimicked the act of writing. In hopes of uncovering more about the anomaly, the hand was provided with pen and paper. It is to be noted that this seemed to aggravate SCP-5535, who was extremely vocal about his objections and had to be restrained. The note written by the hand has been attached below: First of all, I apologize for trying to hurt you people before. You stopped me from moving so I thought you were with him. Now I have noticed that he is imprisoned as well, so I know that that is not the case. This man is not who he says he is. He is an impostor and a bodysnatcher. I am the real Mateo Velez. I do not know what he is, but it's not human, I assure you of that. It came to me and forced itself into my mind. It tried to overwrite me or erase me or something, but it didn't succeed. Not fully. I was forced to watch through my own eyes as this bastard killed my beloved with my hands. But when he put his hands on my daughter, I knew I couldn't let him. I managed to take control of the part of the brain that controls this hand and I used it to stop him. I've been clinging on ever since. Please, help me if you can. I can feel myself fading and I don't know how much longer I can hold on. You must help me to get rid of this fake. You must erase his consciousness out of my brains and return control of what belongs to me, back. Help me, please. Help me. Afterword: After the previous message was delivered, the affected arm fell dormant and has been considerably more docile than before, only occasionally attempting to harm the body. Considering the contents of the message, the container is to be removed thrice weekly and communications with the arm are to be upheld in order to determine the exact nature of the anomaly. SCP-5535 has been vocal about his objections towards this development, claiming the other consciousness to be lying. Research continues. Footnotes 1. A neurological disorder, in which the subjects other arm acts independently from the rest of the body. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5535" by Sebarus, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5535. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5536 | keter | Item#: 5536 Level3 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: ekhi Risk Class: warning link to memo Photo of the Stonehenge monument, taken by on-site security seconds before the Ansuman Incident. Special Containment Procedures: Containment Site-57 has been established around SCP-5536 with a radius of approximately 2 km. The perimeter around SCP-5536 is to be routinely patrolled by at least 20 armed security personnel. Any irregular activity outside of SCP-5536's established pattern is to be immediately reported to Site Director Pendleton. The following astronomical events must have the listed measurements taken: Solar eclipse: All flowers in bloom on SCP-5536's trilithons must have liquid mercury applied and SCP-5536-3 transported to the Site-57 Observatory. Lunar eclipse: Terminate SCP-5536-3 through the method of decapitation. Any and all attempts to visually document SCP-5536 are strictly prohibited. SCP-5536-3 is to be kept in a standard windowless humanoid containment cell in Site-57 and provided monthly psychological evaluation. SCP-5536-3 must never be exposed to sunlight or any other kind of stronger ultraviolet radiation. SCP-5536-3 is allowed restricted socialization privileges with appointed personnel and permission to roam designated areas of the site under the supervision of a bodyguard due to cooperative behaviour. Description: SCP-5536 is a stone monument commonly known as "Stonehenge," located in Wiltshire, England. Following the Ansuman Incident, each of the trilithons1 has exhibited dangerously high levels of ultraviolet and gamma radiation, capable of deteriorating any biological composition and damaging any artificial equipment within 9.5 meters. The large amounts of radiation has also created an optical anomaly in its centre, a construct of a glowing purple cube (approximately 5 m from each side) that remains the same even if observed from different angles. The following is the established pattern of SCP-5536's anomalous activity: Day cycle: 10 to 20 SCP-5536-2 instances will emerge and begin circling the trilithons until sundown. Night cycle: Vines will sprout from and envelop every trilithon, with hundreds of an unknown species of white flower bulbs2 embedded on each one. Each of these flower bulbs measures around 30 cm in length and 19 cm in width. Any attempts to remove or water them have have resulted in the plant's expiration. Solar eclipse: The white flowers will bloom open, revealing their mouths. Lunar eclipse: All objects within a 3 km radius with a volume of 729 m3 or more will experience unpredictable temporal, spacial, and reality distortions. 100 to 250 instances of SCP-5536-2 will emerge from SCP-5536. Any visual depiction of SCP-5536 following the Ansuman incident can cause severe hazardous properties when viewed in any way, ranging from permanent brain damage to [DATA EXPUNGED]. SCP-5536-2 is the designation for a highly hostile species of humanoid entities comprised of pure rubedo3 that routinely emerge from SCP-5536 during daylight hours. Each instance is approximately 1.9 m in height. SCP-5536-2's sole facial feature is a luminescent orange point in the forehead. SCP-5536-2 instances possess significant durability, speed, and strength, requiring excessive force to neutralize. All attempts to capture any instances so far have failed, due to their active area seemingly limited to 30 meters away from SCP-5536, immediately crumbling to shards once stepping out of range. SCP-5536-2 instances are currently believed to be non-sapient, acting instead as a superorganism with basic goals. SCP-5536-3 (formerly known as Thorin Wagner) is a male human of Scottish descent. Records indicate that SCP-5536-3 was born on ████, making him ██ years old during acquisition. As of the writing of this report, his current height is 1.54 m. When in contact with sunlight, SCP-5536-3 will cause his surrounding area (approximately 5 m) to spontaneously combust, injuring himself in the process. This effect will continue until SCP-5536-3 is removed from the exposure. SCP-5536-3's second anomalous property manifests during periods of sleep. During the first 10 minutes of sleep, SCP-5536-3's brain activity gradually increases until it is 10 times stronger than the average theta brainwaves (about 50 to 90 Hz). After that point, SCP-5536-3 will experience mild epileptic seizures usually lasting from 7 to 8 hours, during which he cannot be awakened with any known methods. After awakening, SCP-5536-3 will usually express discomfort about his dreams before continuing with his daily activities in containment. If asked to describe the nature of his dreams, SCP-5536-3 will either ramble in an unknown language Wuski4 for 5 hours or recite different 8-digit numbers for 2 hours.5 Do you still remember us after all this time?6 Addendum 5536.a: Discovery SCP-5536 was discovered on 5 July 2020 (the Ansuman Incident) during a penumbral lunar eclipse in the Wiltshire area. The Foundation was informed about the situation through several reports from social media. MTF Epsilon-6 ("Village Idiots")7 was quickly deployed to the location where they found approximately 50 tourists being killed by hundreds of SCP-5536-2 instances. At least 200 other tourists were also spotted attempting to flee the location with some of them collapsing after succumbing to SCP-5536's radiation. As the MTF members dismounted from their vehicles and dispatched various SCP-5536-2 instances, Agent Handel emerged from SCP-5536, bringing an unconscious SCP-5536-3, who was sighted at SCP-5536's centre before the incident, and placing him beside the other injured tourists before aiding the MTF members. Nearly a hundred of SCP-5536-2 instances were terminated, with the surviving few immediately retreating back to the centre of SCP-5536, vanishing in the optical anomaly. 75 people were killed in the resulting event, 2 of which were identified to be SCP-5536-3's parents. 19 other victims shortly expired due to radiation and one additional victim died while on the way to the hospital when he attempted to show medical personnel a photo of SCP-5536 that he took. All 180 survivors were gathered in a refuge centre and amnesticized. The general public was later given the cover story that the incident was the result of several unaccounted solar flares damaging the ozone layers. UNESCO officials promptly prohibited any cultural and tourism activity on Wiltshire. A security perimeter surrounding SCP-5536 was quickly established. After 2 weeks of negotiation with UNESCO and GOC officials, the Foundation was subsequently given permission to develop it to Containment Site-57 under the guise of a temporary UNESCO reclamation site. Extra Appendix: Circumstance of SCP-5536-3's Acquisition Close Appendix During the 19 days following the Ansuman Incident, SCP-5536-3 had not developed any anomalous properties. At that point in time, SCP-5536-3 had been staying at a refuge centre in Wiltshire and was about to be recovered by his aunt to live with her. On 24 July 2020, at 11:30 AM, as SCP-5536-3 exited the centre to greet her at the entrance, the area around him instantly combusted, heavily injuring a security officer and SCP-5536-3's aunt. SCP-5536-3 himself received second-degree burns on his arms and torso. Reports show that the combustion lasted for 2 minutes, during which the entrance was burnt to the ground and SCP-5536-3 fled the scene. Me and KabaratTwo Foundation agents, who had been sent to the centre under the pretense of additional security, quickly secured the victims and located SCP-5536-3 in a nearby bathroom, having an epileptic seizure. The Foundation was later informed of the situation and deployed a mobile containment unit, leading to SCP-5536-3's acquisition. The victims and witnesses of said acquisition were amnesticized, including SCP-5536-3's aunt, who was given a cover story that her nephew had been immolated in the incident. After regaining consciousness and treated for his injuries, SCP-5536-3 was questioned by Dr. Nunnally Natt in Site-57. SCP-5536-3 willingly informed her of his remaining relatives, which was shortly followed by multiple Foundation personnel being tasked in cementing the cover story of his supposed death. Close Appendix Addendum 5536.b: Observation 4 days after acquisition, during which SCP-5536-3 continuously exhibited his anomalous properties, Dr. Nunnally Natt was given the approval to begin her observation on SCP-5536-3. Observational Log 5536-3.OL.1 Summary Date: 28-07-2020 Subject: SCP-5536-3 Preface: A CloudHelm (a wearable EEG device) was attached to SCP-5536-3 before sleeping. Observation Notes: SCP-5536-3 quickly agreed to the procedure. During the first 10 minutes of sleep, SCP-5536-3's brainwaves gradually increased from 5 Hz to 70 Hz. SCP-5536-3 immediately suffered an epileptic seizure past that point, with several security personnel attempting to wake him up using various methods8 to no avail. SCP-5536-3 awakened 8 hours later, visibly shaken and mumbling "so long…" for 3 minutes. When asked about the meaning of his words, SCP-5536-3 immediately curled up under his blanket and refused to answer any more questions. Observational Log 5536-3.OL.2 Summary Date: 31-07-2020 Subject: SCP-5536-3 Preface: SCP-5536-3 was asked to describe his dreams. Observation Notes: SCP-5536-3 refused to comply, saying that "five months is already hell" before going completely silent. When asked again, SCP-5536-3 began to recite multiple 8-digit numbers9 in random orders for 2 hours. The numbers were confirmed to be past and future dates for solar and lunar eclipses. Observational Log 5536-3.OL.3 Summary Date: 01-08-2020 Subject: SCP-5536-3 Preface: SCP-5536-3 was asked to recount any dreams he had during containment. Observation Notes: SCP-5536-3 started shouting in what was later discovered to be Wuski for 5 hours, culminating in him collapsing from dehydration and having to be treated in the site infirmary. Observation of SCP-5536-3 would later be ceased by Site Director Pendleton. Dr. Jordan was assigned to give monthly psychological evaluation for SCP-5536-3 the following day. Addendum 5536.c: Testing Logs The following are the testing logs for the attempted visual documentations of SCP-5536. SCP-5536 Testing Logs Close Testing Logs Testing Log 5536.01 Date: 21-09-2021 Procedure: D-080604 was given a digital camera and instructed to take a picture of SCP-5536. Results: D-080604 screamed and smashed the camera with his foot seconds after looking at the finished photo. Subject attempted to gouge out his own eyeballs as on-site security subdued and stunned him. Subject was later given Class-C amnestics. The memory card of the digital camera was damaged beyond repair. Well, that was strange, but not entirely unexpected, seeing what happened to that one tourist during the Ansuman Incident. I suggest we use a few other tools for future testing. - Dr. Natt Testing Log 5536.02 Date: 24-09-2021 Procedure: D-197676 was given a camcorder and instructed to visually record SCP-5536. Results: D-197676 began shaking uncomfortably as she is recording for the first 19 seconds. Subject then dropped the camcorder and attempted to flee the testing grounds. As two security personnel started after her, the camcorder internally fractured and emitted radioactive particles lig{Can you see Him?}ht, heavily injuring D-197676 and temporarily blinding 5 other personnel. D-197676 would later contract skin cancer and die 4 hours after testing. Testing Log 5536.03 Date: 27-09-2021 Procedure: D-126427 was given an infrared camera and instructed to visually record SCP-5536. Results: After 3 seconds of recording, the infrared camera instantly exploded, killing D-126427 and slightly injuring 2 security personnel. The resulting explosion was noted to have a medium level of gamma radiation. Testing Log 5536.04 Date: 28-09-2021 Procedure: D-191919 was given a complete painting kit and instructed to create a painting of SCP-5536. Results: D-191919 began to paint at an abnormal speed, finishing her painting in 5 minutes. Subject showed the painting to security personnel, at which point it burst to flames and the su{Our Lord}n turned [DATA EXP{Our Patriarch}UNGED], causing nothing the sky to momentarily melt burn fall disappear [DAT{Our Saviour}A EXPUNGED] and killing subject along with 4 security personnel. Visual testing for SCP-5536 will be ceased for the foreseeable future. Any attempts to violate this order will not go unpunished. I hope that you take more caution for your future actions, Doctor. - O5-█ Close Testing Logs Addendum 5536.d: 16-05-2022 Incident [INPUT LEVEL 5/5536 SECURITY CREDENTIALS] [CREDENTIALS APPROVED] On 16 May 2022, a full lunar eclipse took place in the Wiltshire area, followed shortly by a containment breach in Site-57. Several areas of Site-57 experienced multiple reality and spacial displacements, transforming the interior architecture of Site-57 and causing several Foundation personnel to be instantly transported to the immediate vicinity of SCP-5536 and attacked by hundreds of emerging SCP-5536-2 instances. The following are the records that were managed to be recovered from the incident. NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Due to the unpredictable effects of the anomalies present during the incident, several sections of the recovered documents have permanently been altered. Please note that this does not constitute a breach of secrecy or an infohazard. — Maria Jones, Director, RAISA SITE-57 SECURITY FOOTAGE.CAM 19 Date: 16-05-2022 Time: 05:20:19 - 05:21:40 05:20:19 The hallway which SCP-5536-3's containment cell is located in begins to stretch out, the floors falling backwards and the walls crawling through each other. 05:21:13 The hallway lights spread and coat the walls as Agent Handel descends from the upper floor. 05:21:17 Agent Handel repeatedly knocks on the containment cell's door. 05:21:21 A growling sound is heard from the left end of the hallway. Agent Handel quickly grabs onto the door's handle. 05:21:23 A river rushes from the left and floods the entire hallway as Agent Handel keeps hanging on the handle, struggling against the current. 05:21:35 The river has calmed and begins to subside. Agent Handel tightens his grip on the door and prepares to kick it open. 05:21:37 A giant worm leech mouth chasm screams open from below him, revealing a sky, and starts draining the river. 05:21:39 Dorren twists the handle. 05:21:40 The door loosens. Date: 16-05-2022 Interviewer: Agent Dorren Handel Interviewee: SCP-5536-3 [BEGIN LOG] Agent Handel materialises inside of SCP-5536-3's containment cell. Agent Handel: (Panting) SCP-5536-3! No response. Agent Handel: Shit. (Breathes) Thorin! Thorin: Good evening, Agent. Have you come to ask for my assistance? Agent Handel: Oh God. What the- Why are you red? Thorin: Crimson, actually. What brings you to my humble abode on such an occasion? Agent Handel: Look, I don't know if you noticed, but the whole site's going Escher and a bunch of Foundation personnel are getting slaughtered by those fucking redstone zombies! Now you better know something on how to stop this shit before it gets out of site! Thorin: (Sighs) I really wish you had toned down the vulgarity. I may know something about that, but before that, I sense a question, kept for so long, lingering in your mind, Agent. Would you be so kind as to tell me what it is? Agent Handel: Huh. Agent Handel pauses, then continues to laugh for 10 seconds. Agent Handel: You're right, you're right. How could I forget my mission? The only purpose I have in this miserable life? (Breathes) Why are the moons empty? Thorin: (Chuckles) Now, what nonsense are you talking about? Dorren: Don't mess around, kid. Thorin: Oh. (Pauses) I see. An agent of the Magistratum, correct? Dorren: (Coughs) I guess I don't have to explain everything after all. Now, I shall ask of you to answer my question, FierKing. Thorin: I'm sorry to disappoint you, agent, but I'm afraid they have actually been empty for quite some time. Since the day that you saved me, to be exact. Dorren: I asked for a reason, kid! Don't state the fucking obvious! Thorin: Well, I don't know what your superiors would call it, but I believe the human word for it is the King{Archon of the Suns}ship. Dorren: Shit. (Pauses) Shit! So I'm guessing that's who you've been sucking up to for the last couple of years, huh? The polatroska who's also the su{The Traitor}ns? Thorin: "Sucking up" is too simplified of a term. I personally would call it "coincidental subservience." Dorren: Fine, whatever. Now tell me, what does it have to do with the moons? Thorin: The chains that keep them tethered are slowly rusting away. Dorren: Shit, that's bad. Does this mean that the prisoners are free? Thorin: No. They're in a world given to us by the King{Adonaios}ship. A refuge world, connected to all the moons in this particular multiverse, but still undoubtedly a larger prison. Dorren: Then what about those slaves, huh? How come they are able to leave your so-called "larger prison"? Why do you even need them in the first place? Thorin: (Frowns) We never deserved to rule over them. They were there first, you know. Now, I may be a Fier, Agent, but I am only one of many. If I had such power, I would have granted them peace, freeing their souls from those crystal bodies. But for now, I can only give them a privilege that not even the lords of the Horizon Court have, to see my world under the sun. Dorren: I could just kill them, you know. End their suffering and all that. Thorin: (Looks away) If you could see what kind of afterlife awaits them, you'd at least hesitate on doing that. Dorren: You should've just told all of this to the Foundation. Thorin: Oh, I tried. I've told them all about how I spent centuries becoming one of millions of kings and the oncoming fate of all our worlds, but they didn't seem to understand a single word. Dorren: Maybe don't talk to them in Wuski? It's quite nia{The Night Eternal}truc. Thorin: (Laughs) That's a choice I cannot make, sadly. If I do not ramble about it or say a bunch of numbers for hours, I'd be [DA{Just kill me.}TA EXPU{Please.}NG{Let me rest for just a little bit.}ED]. Dorren: Sheesh, you're better off dead if that happens. Thorin: That's not a viable solution. Dorren: So… you're not craving the sweet release of death nor are you trying to get the fuck out of here. Somehow I don't believe either of those statements. Thorin: You're misinterpreting my answers, Agent. This is my escape attempt, though I'm just following Mother Nature's laws. But as you can see, they're not very well-constructed. Death, on the other hand, is an unpredictable gift that keeps on giving. Dorren: (Pauses) You know what? Just tell me how to fix this. Let's both stop stalling. (Breathes) Tell me what I have to do. Thorin looks around his containment cell then lays down on his mattress. Thorin: Kill me. Dorren: Yeah sure, why n- Wait, what? You're kidding, right? Thorin: You've experienced it, haven't you? For your soul to be at peace, unburdened and unchained from the world. Dorren: Look, I don't know how you knew that, but I'm not gonna fulfill whatever death wish you h- Thorin: If your allegiance is with the Foundation and the Magistratum, then you should just hurry up and kill me. I know my parents are dead and all traces of my existence outside of this site have been erased. I'm perfectly sure that I won't be allowed to leave this place for the rest of my lives. It's just… I want to be at peace, even if it's just for a while. Dorren: You're telling me that this is the only way it can stop? Thorin: No, but it's certainly the easiest. Besides, as long as you don't destroy my brain, I should be back tomorrow morning. (Breathes) Please, just aim for the neck. Make it quick. Dorren: Why are you telling me all this? If the Foundation finds out, they'd probably kill you off for good! (Sighs) Why do I even bother? They're definitely recording this right now. These people are too cautious for their own good. Thorin: They will listen to you, trust me. They'll bring you here for every lunar eclipse to finish me off as many times as it takes, because they understand what needs to be done. Dorren: I really hope you're telling the truth, kid. Thorin: I am. Audio distorts for 19 seconds as Dorren pulls out a staff from his palm and holds it above Thorin's neck. Dorren: So, you got anything to say, before I put you to rest? Thorin: Yeah. (Starts to smile) Thanks for saving me back then. Dorren: (Chuckles) Don't mention it. Dorren [DATA EXPUNGED], decapitating Thorin. His body begins to evaporate as flames erupt from below him and swallow him whole. A door appears on the wall beside Dorren and swings open, revealing an empty bedroom. His staff bends in his hand, clattering to chains, crackling to thorns, and finally growing to a scarf, which he wraps around his neck. Dorren: See you later, kid. Dorren steps through the door. The door vanishes. [END LOG] The lunar eclipse ended shortly afterwards. The interior of Site-57 quickly reverted back to its original state and all SCP-5536-2 instances marched back to the middle of SCP-5536, each of them vanishing instantly inside the light. A rescue team shortly arrived and managed to recover 89 Foundation personnel. 38 other personnel were confirmed to be deceased and 4 are currently missing. SCP-5536-3 would rematerialise in his cell the next morning without any injuries. The following is an excerpt from the post-incident interview. Date: 17-05-2022 Interviewer: Dr. Nunnally Natt Interviewee: SCP-5536-3 [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Natt: SCP-5536-3, we are conducting this interview to close out our investigation of the incident which took place on 16th of May that resulted in the deaths of many staff members. Do you have any comments to make? SCP-5536-3: Yes, actually. This interview will be available to Level 5 personnel and above, correct? Dr. Natt: I'm not at liberty to disclose that inf- SCP-5536-3: I'll take that as a yes. That means I can only give you the rough outlines. Dr. Natt: If what you have is enough, then it shouldn't be a problem. SCP-5536-3: Very well. (Pauses) Even though I am not responsible for such a horrible incident, I deeply apologize for it, as the perpetrators are some of my close colleagues. Dr. Natt: When you say "colleagues," do you mean those of the same status as you? So if there are others, does this mean it's happening in many places? SCP-5536-3: Countless of them, not just ours. In places you wouldn't even know existed. Dr. Natt: I see. In one of your interviews, you also mentioned something along the lines of "becoming a king in a span of a few centuries." Now, you sure don't look a quarter of that age. SCP-5536-3: Physically, no. This body of the child that I once was does not reflect my mental and spiritual experience. Though if you were to ask me of my age, I would reply that I am, without a doubt, 361 years old. Dr. Natt: (Pauses) Are you still Thorin? The boy that we brought here two years ago? SCP-5536-3: I wish I could say that. But you know how things are. Dr. Natt: Right… Now, if what you said is true, we are to terminate you on every lunar eclipse to prevent the more disastrous effects of SCP-5536's anomalous properties. Since your statement has been proven to be correct, I would also like to request that you give us information on the actions to be taken during other astronomical events. SCP-5536-3: Doctor, what makes you think whatever comes out of my mouth is the truth? Dr. Natt: Because it seems like you're actually trying to help us. SCP-5536-3: (Sighs) Then I shall give. You know those flowers that sprout up and wrap around the trilithons every night? Dr. Natt: Yes, I am aware that giving them any liquid has no effect on their growth. SCP-5536-3: Good. Now you might want to stock up on liquid mercury for the preparation of a solar eclipse. Dr. Natt: Do we… water them with it? SCP-5536-3: (Laughs heartily) Goodness no, Doctor! You'll kill them! Help them drink, for they will bloom with opened mouths. Dr. Natt: All… right, then. SCP-5536-3: That's all I could give you for now. And Doctor, if it's not too much to ask, I would like to ask of you to prepare a room for me in the observatory during the solar eclipses. Is that an even trade? Dr. Natt: Is that request necessary? SCP-5536-3: Yes, for all of you, but mostly for myself. Dr. Natt: I'll see what I can do. SCP-5536-3: Thank you, Doctor. [END LOG] A search mission was also intiated to relocate Agent Handel, concluding on that same day when he was found baking an unknown food product in the site cafeteria. Dr. Nunnally Natt was assigned to interview Agent Handel several minutes later in the site's safe room. Date: 17-05-2022 Interviewer: Dr. Nunnally Natt Interviewee: Agent Dorren Handel [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Natt: So, Agent Handel, about yesterday… Agent Handel: First off, it's a German name. Yes, I know it sounds like a pun. Also, the kid is safe, don't worry. Dr. Natt: Yes, I'm aware of that. That's not what I'm here for, though. Agent Handel: Oh yeah. Sorry for the pie thing. They might smell weird, but trust me, they're perfectly edible. Dr. Natt: (Scratches her head) I hope that doesn't have anything to do with whatever "Archon" you're working for. Agent Handel: (Pauses) Okay, who snitched on me? Dr. Natt: (Chuckles) Relax. It's an O5. She told me to watch a few recordings yesterday. Agent Handel: Dang. Is she listening to this right now? Dr. Natt motions her hand to the hidden camera. Agent Handel: (Looks at the camera) Oh, tro{fuck}sk! That was there this whole time? Must be real fucking tiny if- Dr. Natt: We're getting off track, Agent. Agent Handel: Sorry. (Coughs) Anyways, are they actually afraid to come into contact with other anomalies? Dr. Natt: They're just cautious, that's all. Agent Handel: Doctor, I'm gonna be honest with you. I'm not a reality bender or a Type Green, whatever you want to call it. Dr. Natt: So I've heard. Agent Handel: Also, I'm not actually German, though I do speak it. (Looks around the room) To tell you the truth, working with the Foundation has been é{I'm tired}ta rép{So tired.}sax. But I'm still gonna finish my mission, and that includes working with you. I can safely say that most of you are pretty competent. I also realize that both of our bosses have the same goal, to protect our existence. Dr. Natt: I sure hope my bosses think the same too, but I'm afraid that, during these two years, you're already aware on how we do things here. Agent Handel: (Sighs) So, what do they plan to do to me? Launch me to the sun? Blast me with SRAs? Lock me up along with their anomalousanimated factoryporn? Dr. Natt: (Laughs and leans back on her chair) No, nothing like that. They're probably more interested on finding out more about your superiors. Agent Handel: Does that mean they'll finally be sending troops to Stonehenge? Dr. Natt: You know that we can't afford to do that without proper research, right? Besides, you could definitely kill me before I blink and send some yourself. Agent Handel: That wouldn't be ethical, Doctor. Dr. Natt: You're starting to sound like a human. Agent Handel: Yep. And I hate it. Dr. Natt: (Sits upright) Look, I know it won't sound professional, but I want to thank you for saving our asses. Only a dumbass would take that for granted. I made sure that the O5 will at least consider helping you. They said they'll hold a vote to decide if this mission of yours is worth the trouble. Agent Handel: (Exasperated) Thanks. Much appreciated. Rest assured, my missions are for a good cause. Dr. Natt: You're welcome. They already have countermeasures though, just in case you need to be put down. Agent Handel: I know. Agent Handel dematerialises from his seat. Dr. Natt: That concludes the interview. [END LOG] Interviewer's Notes: Agent Handel is considered imperative to the containment of SCP-5536 and must be informed immediately about the results of the vote, whenever that happens. I don't care if any of you thinks he is involved with the Fifthists or if he's a lobotomized Type Green. We owe him. Don't forget that. Footnotes 1. A structure which consists of 2 vertical stones supporting a third horizontal stone across the top. Frequently used in the context of megalithic monuments. 2. Hypothesised to be a mutation between the Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) and the pheasant's eye (Narcissus poeticus). 3. A mineral which resulted from the natural combination of obsidian, brimstone, and [REDACTED]. Currently used by the Foundation for emergency heating. 4. An ancient dialect which originated from several regions in Russia. The Foundation are currently searching for any of its native speakers. 5. All 8-digit numbers given are dates that have been proven to correlate with past and future astronomical events. 6. "Archon Magistratum". 7. A task force specialising in the investigation, containment, and subsequent cleanup of anomalies in rural and suburban environments. 8. Methods include shaking, shouting, blaring an airhorn, blowing a dog whistle, playing a high bass boosted JJBA non-descript media compilation, and tickling. 9. 28051900, 08041902, 29051919, 18051920, 14011926, 02101959, 15111999, 05062020,16052022, 19032072, 25022119, 04052190, and 18122199. [ACCESS RESTRICTED: ENTER TIMMŪS-OP CREDENTIALS] [WELCOME, TIMMŪS-OPERATIVE MARGARINE] ACTIVATING EXISTENTIAL KILL AGENT "Is it really you?" Sorry, Ma'am. I had to make sure that it's really you. Or your boss. Or his bosses. Or their boss. You know, I should really stop talking. Like, right now. Okay, I'm gonna stop. LIFE SIGNS DETECTED FULL MISSION REPORT FROM: Agent Doorhandle TO: Timmūs-Operative Margarine This is Agent Doorhandle, giving a full report. Okay, maybe not that full. I've found the gateway. It is located in the 11th Level (Humanity) in Wiltshire, England, Europe, on Earth, inside the Milkyway. It is a monument of stone monoliths that the humans previously called "Stonehenge". The only safe time to enter through it is on the lunar and solar eclipses. We could always just destroy it, you know. According to the information I've gotten, the gateway leads to the place where the prisoners escaped to. If a few other sources are also to be believed, that its connection spans through infinite realities and universes, we might have another Infinitum crisis on our hands. When are the others coming, anyway? It's just me and Kabarat (that human) here. There's also a Fier here. Thorin Wagner, male, born on 19 ADG. He is currently not a threat and has proven to both be cooperative in my mission and crucial in maintaining the gateway's connection, but I worry that, since his body doesn't support his power, he might trigger a planetary extinction event in about 10 years. I suggest moving him to the 3rd Level (Arak) when his time comes. Good kid. He will be missed greatly. During these past 2 years, I have been cooperating with one of Humanity's Reclamation Groups, the SCP Foundation. From what I've seen so far, they are mostly able to handle some of the 12th and 13th Level threats, and their leaders are currently deciding on the best course of action involving us, though I still plan on checking out the Serpent's Hand. If everything goes well, I shall be reporting back to you soon. I'll try my best to come back on Klannux this year, though I can't really guarantee it. I'll still send a postcard to you and Arké-né just in case. This has been my full report, Ma'am. Love you! :D We are the demons that keep the angels in check. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5536" by Doorhandle, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5536. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Shuttered Dreams-1.jpg Author: Doorhandle License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Filename: The Gateway Author: Doorhandle License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Derivative Of: Names: Archimedes Muzenda.jpg Author: Alice_Alphabet License: Public Domain Source Link: Pixabay |
SCP-5537 | safe | SCP-5537: For the Seafood Lover in You Author: Hexick. Image Sources: [See license box at the end of this page] [ ▸ More by this Author ◂] {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} Item #: SCP-5537 Special Containment Procedures: All instances of SCP-5537 are currently kept within cryogenic storage within the Safe-class wing of Site-35. Due to the fragile nature of SCP-5537 instances, access to the anomalies is restricted to personnel possessing 4/5537 clearance and having been specially authorized by the current research head over SCP-5537. Furthermore, in the interest of preventing the onset of decay, SCP-5537 instances may be held outside of storage for no more than 4 consecutive hours. Description: SCP-5537 collectively designates the partially putrified remains of numerous fish, crustaceans, bivalves, and other similarly related sea life all possessing genetic structure identical to members of the group Homo sapiens (humans) recovered from the Bates Harbor located in Montauk, New York. Analysis of all recovered instances has determined that all had died in the same time frame due to rapid hemorrhaging of all internal organic structures from an unknown cause. Along with the bulk of SCP-5537s, the following items of interest were discovered along with the anomalies: A chef's coat; covered in blood and fatty tissue. Genetic analysis has been deemed impossible due to continuous exposure to the elements. 174 porcelain platters. Each had food remains caked onto their surfaces and damage consistent with exposure to saltwater. Congealed pools of vomit. Contents were partially digested SCP-5537 instances along with biscuits and bisque soup. A human cadaver. An autopsy revealed the individual to have been infected with Kuru. 12 one-gallon buckets of ground organic remains. Thaumic sigils engraved within the bedrock near the site of the SCP-5537 discovery. Discovery: SCP-5537 along with the aforementioned items of interest were recovered at various points throughout the Bates Harbor on March 9th, 2005 off the cliff edge which situated a struggling Red Lobster franchise (mainly due to the increasing price of seafood beyond what could be afforded by the establishment). Questioning of the staffers working for the restaurant has yielded no results, and further investigation into the practices of the aforementioned business is pending. Currently, Foundation operatives are attempting to obtain a warrant from the Site-35 Deputy Chief to raid the restaurant; however, verification for the reasonable belief of anomalous activity present on the premises is underway. Attempts to locate the employees terminated as a result of poor business performance has proven unsuccessful. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5537" by Hexick, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5537. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. N/A |
SCP-5538 | safe | by stormbreath Item #: SCP-5538 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5538 has been purchased by the Foundation. Surveillance cameras have been installed inside. Security guards are to prevent unauthorized access. Description: SCP-5538 is an abandoned psychiatric facility in █████, ██. A rusted Foundation insignia was discovered on the exterior gate of the complex, but no record of the site existed internally prior to the initial discovery. The primary anomaly of SCP-5538 occurs when anyone approaches the front desk and asks to visit the "Holder of Abnormalities". This anomaly occurs regardless of whether any individual is sitting at the front desk. Upon asking to see the "Holder of Abnormalities", a visitor will gain knowledge of how to proceed to a cell in the basement of SCP-5538. Visitors consistently report expecting to hear conversation along this path but never actually hearing any. The destination cell is empty, but one of the walls is broken and leads to the main atrium of SCP-5538. There are five hundred and thirty-eight pedestals in the main atrium; all are empty. A heavy layer of dust covers each pedestal, although an impression of an object remains on each. Each has a distinct label, but the text on these labels has become illegible. A placard at the far end of the atrium reads: This is what happens when they all come together. Visitors who read this placard frequently report fears of having an adverse reaction. However, no such reactions have been observed. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5538" by stormbreath, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5538. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5539 | safe | 1/5539 LEVEL 1/5539 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5539 SCP-5539-2 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5539 is to be kept in Mass Storage Site-33, Low-Security Warehouse 6. Any testing of SCP-5539 must be authorized by MTF Mu-680 “Identified Flying Objects”. Foundation employees working in Low-Security Warehouse 6 should be issued a semiannual memo detailing Foundation Code of Workplace Conduct 56: Alcohol consumption and inebriation is not permissible in the workplace. Description: SCP-5539 is a pair of public bathroom signs labelled Gents/Hommes and Ladies/Dames. The signs are designated SCP-5539-1 and SCP-5539-2 respectively. When either SCP-5539 instance is installed on a bathroom door in any establishment primarily serving alcoholic beverages, hereafter referred to as a bar, the anomalous properties of SCP-5539 will manifest. Any individual with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) at or above 0.030% who enters SCP-5539’s affected bathroom and attempts to urinate will be instantly transported to another, non-anomalous, bar’s bathroom. The distance between the source bar and destination bar is a function of the individual’s BAC. That is to say, the higher an individual’s BAC, the further they will be transported. Addendum.5539.1: Project 41-Crofton + ACCESS ADDENDUM - CLOSE ADDENDUM Project 41-Crofton Lead Researcher: Doctor Vera Kedrov Date Activated: August 24, 2020 Current Status: Terminated Summary: Project 41-Crofton is a study of SCP-5539 with the goal of experimentally characterizing its anomalous properties for potential field use. The primary method of data collection is Procedure A41-Crofton as conducted by MTF Epsilon-34 “Day Drinkers” personnel. Procedure A41-Crofton Summary: Procedure A41-Crofton is a repeatable procedure used to collect data points for the statistical analysis of SCP-5539. To conduct the procedure, a subject must consume alcoholic beverages until a pre-specified BAC is met, at which point they must induce SCP-5539’s anomalous properties by urinating in an affected bathroom. After being transported from the source bar to the destination bar, the subject makes note of their location then returns to the source bar by conventional means. The data points collected in this manner are used to improve the accuracy of statistical models of SCP-5539. Procedure A41-Crofton is to be exclusively conducted by MTF Epsilon-34 “Day Drinkers” personnel. Epsilon-34 is comprised of Foundation agents who have demonstrated above average alcohol tolerance and are equipped with surgically implanted radio tracking beacons. Procedure A41-Crofton has been conducted 130 times since Project 41-Crofton’s activation. Through this testing it has been determined that there exists a rough linear relationship between a subject’s BAC and their displacement distance. For example, a BAC of 0.030% will result in a displacement of roughly 600 m and a BAC of 0.35%1 will result in a displacement of roughly 250 km. However, the discrete distance between bars in combination with inherent randomness gives the statistical model a high variance, making accurate predictions of displacement location difficult. Addendum.5539.2: Relevant Correspondence + ACCESS ADDENDUM - CLOSE ADDENDUM From: pcs.noitadnuof|34vordek.v#pcs.noitadnuof|34vordek.v To: pcs.noitadnuof|70idrabmol.e#pcs.noitadnuof|70idrabmol.e Subject: Subject Bi-Monthly Progress Report 1 📎 Raw.csv 📎 Model.csv 📎 Field Applications.pdf Hello Elena, I’ve attached a comprehensive report along with supplemental materials to this E-mail, but I know you’re busy, so I’ll give you the executive summary. Everything is progressing smoothly. There was some initial friction with the Area-56 staff when we took over their mess hall and turned it into a test bed, but I think they’re over it. As of today, we’ve executed Procedure A41-Crofton 134 times, putting us well ahead of schedule. The statistical model we’re creating with the data is getting more accurate every day. Using it, we’ve been able to correctly predict the destination bar 1 in every 3 tests. By the next progress report, I suspect we’ll have gotten that to 1 in every 2 tests. In terms of field use, we’ve outlined several promising applications. The first is as an infiltration method for kinetic action units. A team could use SCP-5539 to displace to a bar near a target location and seize their objective by surprise. The second use would be as a mass evacuation vehicle. If a site were to become compromised, its personnel could use SCP-5539 to escape faster than any conventional air or ground evacuation. Raw test results, our statistical model, and more detailed plans for field use have been attached. Doctor Vera Kedrov | Area-56 | Lead Researcher, Project 41-Crofton From: pcs.noitadnuof|70idrabmol.e#pcs.noitadnuof|70idrabmol.e To: pcs.noitadnuof|34vordek.v#pcs.noitadnuof|34vordek.v Subject: RE: Subject Bi-Monthly Progress Report 1 I’m going to be blunt with you Vera, this is terrible. When I handed you a check for ███ thousand dollars, I was hoping that you would at least be able to tell me where I’d end up after using 5539, but after two months of getting your co-workers drunk, you can’t even say that for certain. Your statistical model is nowhere close to being ready for field use. Speaking of field use, the applications you dreamed up are insane. What MTF operator wants to insert into a hot zone drunk off their ass and then still have to catch a taxi to get to their target? And a site evacuation vehicle? Do you want everyone in Site-19 to carry around an emergency bottle of Bacardi? Convincing the budget committee to fund a project with this much alcohol involved in the first place was a nightmare, but with this sort of progress, there’s no way I’ll be able to get you another round of cash. I’m shutting Project 41-Crofton down. You’ve got to the end of the month to wrap up, then you and your staff will be transferred back to your previous assignments. I like you Vera, but this is a mess. Doctor Elena Lombardi | Site-19 | Director, Anomalous Technologies Research & Development Addendum.5539.3: Incident Reports + ACCESS ADDENDUM - CLOSE ADDENDUM Incident Report 5539.1 Date Occurred: November 23, 2020 Type Code: H380 - Unscheduled Use of Anomaly Summary: On November 23, 2020, while attempting to perform procedure A41-Crofton, MTF Epsilon-34 operator Agent Frank Koehler ingested enough alcohol to achieve a BAC of 1.2%, far in excess of the permitted experimental amount. A post incident investigation found that Agent Koehler’s actions were most likely caused by heightened emotional stress from the termination of Project 41-Crofton and having received a transfer order to SCP-███, generally thought to be an undesirable assignment due to the excessive [REDACTED]. Project 41-Crofton research staff attempted to subdue Agent Koehler in order to treat him for potential alcohol poisoning, but Agent Koehler overpowered them and insisted on continuing with the procedure. After inducing SCP-5539’s anomalous properties, he was transported to [REDACTED], a night club in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Inebriated, Agent Koehler was arrested by local authorities for public intoxication. Once in custody, Agent Koehler entered a coma and was transported to a local medical center where he received lifesaving treatment. Foundation personnel embedded in the Taiwanese government retrieved Agent Koehler soon after. As of December 11, 2020, Agent Koehler has been cleared for active duty and has been assigned to SCP-███. Agent Koehler after being retrieved by Foundation operatives embedded in the Taiwanese government Incident Report 5539.2 Date Occurred: November 30, 2020 Type Code: E106 - Experimentation that Violates Ethics Code Summary: On November 30, 2020 Project 41-Crofton research staff led by Doctor Vera Kedrov engaged in reckless experimentation resulting in the assumed expiration of D-19803. The post incident Ethics Committee investigation has established the following timeline. 498-Kerlaugar and 905-Eutychus On November 24, 2020 Doctor Kedrov learnt of Incident 5539.1 and determined that Agent Koehler’s nearly ██,000 km displacement demonstrated that the relationship between BAC and SCP-5539 induced travel distance was not linear. Rather, the high variance in Project 41-Crofton’s statistical model was obscuring an exponential relationship. Between November 24 and 29, Doctor Kedrov led her research staff in the creation of a procedure to nonlethally replace a subject’s blood with pure alcohol. The procedure involved the use of anomalous technologies 905-Eutychus “Lethal Trauma Stabilization Casket” and 498-Kerlaugar “Non-Euclidian Fluid Manipulator”. On November 30, Doctor Kedrov submitted a falsified D-Class request resulting in D-19803 being assigned to Project 41-Crofton. Once in Doctor Kedrov’s custody, she instructed her staff to replace D-19803’s blood with alcohol using the procedure they had developed. The operation required that the subject be sealed into the Lethal Trauma Stabilization Casket to prevent a cardiac flat line. The procedure was successfully completed without incident. Once ready, D-19803 was, with the help of research staff, made to induce SCP-5539’s anomalous properties. Immediately upon doing so, D-19803 disappeared and contact with the casket’s radio tracking device was lost. As of January 18, 2021, neither D-19803 nor the casket have been found despite global search efforts. Doctor Kedrov and her senior research staff have been charged with Unauthorized D-Class Sacrifice. All testing of SCP-5539 has been halted indefinitely per Ethics Committee ruling. Addendum.5539.4: Classified Top Secret Level 4/5539 + ACCESS ADDENDUM - CLOSE ADDENDUM MTF Mu-680 “Identified Flying Objects” Dossier Commanding Officer: Colonel Elaine Brookes Date Activated: September 28, 2608 Current Status: Active Satellite imagery of Kepler-███b Objective: MTF Mu-680’s ongoing goal is to prevent the civilian discovery of Kepler-███b, which would most likely induce a BK-Class Broken Masquerade Scenario. Kepler-███b is an exoplanet well within the circumstellar habitable zone of Kepler-███ known to harbor Sapience 17-Jericho, an alien species in the early information stage of societal development with an approximate population of █ billion. Current analysis suggests that civilian exploration probes will discover Kepler-███b by 2610. On September 8, 2608, an MTF Omega-805 “The Final Frontier” superluminal probe performing pre-First Contact screening around Kepler-███b detected an artificial EM signal emanating from the planet’s surface identical to the signal produced by radio tracking devices used by the Foundation in the early 21st century. Further investigation revealed that D-19803’s stabilization casket, lost on November 30, 2020 to SCP-5539, was present on Kepler-███b and being housed in a structure of extreme cultural significance, analogous to a museum or church. Further study indicates that large portions of Sapience 17-Jericho’s culture centers around an event occurring approximately 600 years ago in which a benevolent supernatural being arrived on their world to warn them of a supreme evil known as the Foundation. In the event that civilian authorities establish contact with Sapience 17-Jericho, the occurrence of a BK-Class Broken Masquerade Scenario is almost guaranteed. To prevent this MTF Mu-680 “Identified Flying Objects” was created. Currently, Mu-680 operates both a disinformation network and a fleet of combat spacecraft with the goal of preventing civilian authorities from approaching Kepler-███b. This strategy is anticipated to become untenable as civilian development intensifies in the region. In the long term, Mu-680 aims to artificially induce either an IK-Class Collapse of Global Civilization Scenario or WK-Class Mass Extinction Event on Kepler-███b. This course of action is pending Ethics Committee approval. Footnotes 1. The highest experimental BAC permitted by the Ethics Committee. |
SCP-5540 | euclid | Item #: SCP-5540 Special Containment Procedures: The area surrounding SCP-5540 has been enclosed by a chain link fence under pretenses of a chemical spill zone. A single building at the north border of the fence, Outpost Phantasos, has been constructed to accommodate any researchers who need to investigate SCP-5540, with a maximum capacity of four persons. Any greater amount increases the chance of an Inverse Condition. Automatic systems are in charge of monitoring and alerting security to damages. Four security cameras fed by an onsite generator surround SCP-5540 and stream its activity to Foundation intranets, where analysis can be performed without risking mental stability. Anti-coghaz bots are active on each camera as a safeguard against possible memetic threat. While it is considered unlikely to occur, assigned personnel who report the reemergence of childhood memories are to be removed from SCP-5540 research immediately. Personnel who request access to Outpost Phantasos or request access to the anomaly must be amnesticized as to remove all memories of life prior to adolescence. Failure to do so increases the chance of an Inverse Condition. Description: SCP-5540 is a quasi-corporeal, sapient mass of oneiric origin, located in the Bois Beckett Forest of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The mass forms an amorphous mound approximately 2m in width, regularly oscillating and altering its composition between material states.1 Limbs are present as branches extruding from the anomaly, though these routinely dissolve into the main mass and, at points, form the shapes of other organisms. These include those of felines, canids, plants,2 and crude humanoid bodies. Limb movement often increases when human subjects are approaching. The anomaly does not maintain a physical presence at its location. Despite superficial visuals, it has left no impact on the terrain or surrounding flora, and has been largely ignored by wildlife. SCP-5540 has not displayed an awareness of entities beyond humans. When approaching within 3m of the anomaly, subjects report sounds of excited speech and a voice beckoning to come closer, the details of which are indistinct upon recollection. Once at a distance of 1m, the anomaly expands itself to form a set of miniaturized, plastic furniture and brightly colored cubes, likely intended to serve as seats.3 The subjects then behave as though they are engaging in a lively conversation with another individual, performing energetic gestures and displaying joyful expressions. No words are spoken during this time. Upon leaving, subjects cannot describe their experiences beyond having felt emotions of nostalgia and bliss. SCP-5540 remains as a point of fondness afterwards. SCP-5540 performs its own behavior independent of human interaction. Common examples include puppeteering, performed with the shapes created on its limbs, and games of catch, played with itself. Intermittently, it creates eye-like structures that examine a specific point above itself, generating hands as if to grab descending objects. Inverse Conditions are neurological phenomena afflicting subjects within ~60m of the anomaly, emerging once five or more persons are present within the radius. These constitute a rapid release of dopamine and a loss in motor control, rendering subjects immobile and delirious. Despite the expected reactions that would emerge, subjects are paranoid, fearing that an unspecified "belonging" will be taken from them and disposed of. This lasts until subjects panic, spontaneously regaining motor control and fleeing from the area. Without proper amnesticization Inverse Conditions can repeat. The compounded loss in motor control results in stress-induced nerve damage, increasing until full body paralysis sets in4 and, unless drastic action is taken, a persistent vegetative state. Minimal neurological activity occurs at this stage. When brought into the vicinity of SCP-5540, activity associated with bliss is noted, along with the release of dopamine. While it is rare, a metal plaque has been observed by subjects near the anomaly. This is reportedly placed at a point above the anomaly, located in a dimly-lit corridor that extends for an indefinite distance. A transcript is provided below: Use the following receptacle for waste Slide it into the slot until it falls into the bin. Remember, don't leave your memories on the floor. That makes a mess for everyone! Be courteous to your fellow visitors and dispose of them properly. Remember, you'll never need to remember them again after today! Intermittently, SCP-5540 has been noted to increase in mass. Footnotes 1. Most commonly plastics, flesh, and plush. 2. Often flowers. 3. Owing to their quasi-physical nature, these cannot be used. 4. Usually during the fourth or fifth Inverse Condition. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5540" by NatVoltaic, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5540. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5541 | esoteric-class | If this document still exists in the repository before the date of its creation, then all tests have been unsuccessful. For time itself. SCPfNet webAdmin Auto-Response System WARNING: document is unverifiable by our server backup, it may be out-of-date. content at this address is at risk of deletion, please update to current version. this is an automated, weekly check. limit 3 failed checks without administrative override. overrides given: 1,590 〘ACTIVATE LANDAU-ROSENFELD MEMETIC ICONOHAZARD〙 gestating⋯ physiological conditioning response confirmed. you may feel slight pressure in your head. this is normal. Item#: 5541 Level6 Secondary Class: uncontained Disruption Class: amida Risk Class: critical link to memo One variation of SCP-5541-1/GOI-Ω's emblem, recovered from document "Case File #90G-1IPN-Y190" (See below). Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5541 is considered uncontainable at this time. There are no current theories or models that can be used as sufficient evidence to support acceptable proposals for novel containment measures of SCP-5541. It is unknown whether or not SCP-5541 needs to be contained at all, however, extensive analysis of data obtained from future outcomes suggests that prevention and/or the containment of affected timelines is integral to the continued existence of the Foundation and the current definition of consensus reality for the remainder of this iteration of the universe. SCP-2003 has been enabled for limited testing within the Temporal Anomalies Department. Modified Mk. V Xyank-Anastasakos Constant Temporal Sinks (XACTS) and strategically placed Lang-Scranton Spatial Stabilizers enable increased power output of up to 1*108 kW, more accurate calibration of end point four-vector coordinates, and an additional, esoteric form of metastable tachyon flux conditions. Research into the potential applications of the latter is ongoing. UPDATE 10.17.2676 - A trusted member of Overwatch has been given select details about the anomaly and the group responsible for SCP-5541-1's successful inception across all relevant timelines, as well as potential solutions. Members of Tactical Operations Command for the Temporal Anomalies Department are to utilize SCP-2003 for daily inspections of variant timelines and should immediately report any atypical findings. UPDATE 10.22.2676 - Attempts to provide our RCT-Δt O5 informant with preliminary data regarding SCP-5541-1 have proven ineffective. Checking the causal stream shows detrimental actions taken by the informant upon reception of this document that were unaccounted for. These actions may have had a direct relationship with the manifestation of SCP-5541. Days without an atypical finding: 18437 (as of 04.22.2726) Atypical findings since initial manifestation: 00000 (as of 04.22.2726) Description: SCP-5541 is the designation for a temporally-certain outcome expressed throughout all future timelines that will be observed by the Foundation Temporal Anomalies Department, beginning at the end of the current millennium, always between the years of 2995 and 3003 AD. This phenomenon is first observed at some arbitrary point after the events of Operation HIGHLANDER,1 which has been or will be the result of RCT-Δt's actions taken upon discovery of SCP-5541. Therefore, it is believed that the anomaly manifested via a closed-loop "bootstrap" temporal paradox.2 View the below materials for more information on temporal field theory and its relevance to SCP-5541. Additional Materials Figure 1. Temporal Field Basics Figure 2. Emergence Point Figure 3. Timeline Select a tab to view related diagram. Figure 1: Basic temporal field. Note that the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics is indeterministic and thus choice is not the deciding factor for branch result in a typical system. Atypical systems do exist, although they appear to be the exception and not the rule. Figure 2: There is often no specific action or event that can be identified as the "beginning" of SCP-5541. Members of the Temporal Intelligence Community usually refer to a catastrophic failure within the Foundation that results in a Broken Masquerade Event as the primary indicator, although there are likely multiple small failures of administrative/infrastructural function prior to the event in majority of cases (See On the Nature of Foundation Collapse, below). Theories emerging from TIC suggest visualizing the onset of SCP-5541 as a gradient of decline. For ease of visualization, a point is used. Figure 3: A simplified timeline of events during and following the temporal loop formed as a consequence of/resulting in SCP-5541. Image is considered to be a guide and not a realistic depiction of fourth-dimensional space. Starting at the right side, follow the blue line upwards to the green line, down through the green line and back up via the black line to see the events of the paradox itself. RCT-Δt experimentation attempting to prevent the conception of the paradox does not appear to be effective. So far, over 150 attempts of varying methodology have been initiated by RCT-Δt traveling back to prevent RCT-Δt from traveling back and providing this document to a trusted member of Overwatch. If this document still exists in the repository before the date of its creation, then all tests have been unsuccessful. It is postulated that SCP-5541 cannot be prevented nor delayed without use of extreme measures such as anomalous tools or retrocausal weapons, which would be used to terminate or otherwise displace one or more parties involved in the creation of the paradox. However, it is impossible to confirm whether intervention of this type would have any effect on the outcome without doing so, let alone result in the desired outcome versus any number of potential negative impacts, such as an ontological breakdown of reality or unwanted alteration of future timelines.34 SCP-5541 is described as a global paradigm shift, affecting all timelines tangent to and including our own, starting at a single 4th-dimensional point that encompasses all frames of reality that occur during the causal loop—regardless of other initial conditions and outcomes leading up until the point of Emergence.5 This makes SCP-5541 the only known or hypothesized outcome to do so other than the heat death of this iteration of the universe. SCP-5541's nature and effect on sentient life is not entirely the same in all affected timelines, however, analysis indicates that at least some axioms can be considered certain at this time: All timelines observed by members of the Temporal Anomalies Department that fit the criteria will ultimately succumb to SCP-5541 around the end of the third millennium Whether or not SCP-5541's emergence is a consequence of Foundation personnel observing these futures, the result of the causal loop itself, a multidimensional homogenous wave function collapse synchronization,6 or any combination of these remains unknown and is unlikely to be determined SCP-5541 will always involve the complete destruction of Foundation infrastructure, leading to the release of thousands of various anomalies, followed by the persecution of Foundation staff. To note, many previously-considered dangerous Keter/Apollyon-level entities, objects, concepts, locations, and phenomena do not activate or become docile once containment is broken while SCP-5541 is in effect A Broken Masquerade event will occur. Public opinion of Foundation efforts and employees will become overtly negative A gestalt Group of Interest will form from several extant groups, all of which are confirmed dissidents of Foundation operations, named "The Allied Occult Initiative", designated SCP-5541-1/GOI-Ω, which will assume control over the entire planet Mass thought and awareness of the public will shift, leading to a total unification of ideology and a restructuring of consensus reality, as it is defined by SCP-5541-1. Most irrational or undeserved fears, hatreds, behaviors, prejudices, and ideologies will effectively cease Foundation testing logs and staff rosters will become public knowledge, former staff will be systematically hunted down and imprisoned or terminated via a variety of means by the public, encouraged by SCP-5541-1 SCP-5541-1 will also trigger similar events for select groups of interest, should they exist. This includes but is not limited to The Fifth Church, The Church of Sarkism, The Church of the Broken God, and Marshall, Carter & Dark, Ltd. A period of nonviolence and spiritual/intellectual enlightenment will occur, lasting anywhere from 5-30 years Phenomena on Earth will become increasingly anomalous, during which time public perception of said phenomena will remain the same—A quality deemed "Nonchalance" by members of the Temporal Intelligence Community If SCP-5541 cannot be stopped, our timeline and all timelines that diverged from ours since the causal loop will experience an emergent QK-Class "Quantum Degeneracy" End-of-World Scenario, designated SCP-5541-Ω, and all life on the planet will cease to exist Incidents of Interest Log 5541-níðhöggr _ ◆ On the Nature of Foundation Collapse Aftermath of critical failure at Site-19. As briefly touched upon above, SCP-5541's exact emergence point is unclear. It is typically marked by the loss of Foundation sites, important members of the Administration, and/or many personnel, ultimately leading to larger-scale failures. In majority of instances, the destruction of one or more vital Foundation sites can be cited as the primary cause of systemic collapse of all organization operations. In some cases (~30%), this event can be traced to a severe containment breach. In less cases (<10%), the cause is associated with internal sabotage, either as premeditated attempts by insurgents or stochastic incidents from disillusioned personnel acting as lone assailants. Nearly 60% of all cases were due to administrative/infrastructural failures such as communications breakdowns or containment constraints. ~1% of cases involve the spontaneous detonation of one or more on-site nuclear warheads or similar "black swan" preventative measures. Attempts to divert or otherwise prevent Foundation collapse in timelines impacted by SCP-5541 have proven unsuccessful in all cases. Individual events can be mitigated, but without the proper foresight associated with backwards travel, it is impossible to predict when the next may occur. It appears that in most of these timelines, the Foundation was at risk of catastrophic failure for some time leading up to the event itself. Agents of Tactical Operations Command have attempted to "prime" specific timelines by traveling to a point prior to the window in which SCP-5541 will emerge, however, events occur that are beyond the scope of reach, or personnel are hampered by one or more individuals acting against the interests of the agents and the Foundation as a whole, rendering these efforts futile. Attempts to establish contact with future members of the Temporal Anomalies Department have been similarly unproductive. Personnel in observed timelines generally express confusion at the presence of RCT-Δt agents from the past, possibly suggesting future agents are still traveling forward to deal with threats, isolating themselves from past members to safeguard against annihilation via self-interaction, and/or are aware of some information regarding SCP-5541 that, for an unknown reason, prohibits them from informing current RCT-Δt members of their status and whereabouts. Investigations into the future actions of the Temporal Anomalies Department are being considered, however, logistical concerns and inherent trust-related risks are major obstacles to these operations. It is also to note that in most affected timelines, by the end of the third millennium, containment efforts have increased in cost, size, and complexity such that tracking all facets related to sustaining uniform operations is nearly impossible. In addition, average employee morale is at an all-time low in almost every instance. _ ◆ Apollyon-Class Containment Breach Incident 5541-Gleipnir Date: 10/12/2999 Location: Containment Area-179, Universe-Kappa-Erikesh Subject: Breach of SCP-2317 Preface: Up until now, SCP-2317 had been defying all previous predictions regarding its activation. SCP-2317-G had broken nearly 700 years prior and, despite this, no movement was detected until this moment. [BEGIN LOG] 14:20 - Area-179 containment klaxon blares. 14:22 - SCP-2317 is seen standing from its structure within Universe-Kappa-Erikesh. Thermal sensors indicate a sharp increase in temperature. 14:30 - Deployed Foundation forces arrive at Area-179, which is suffering from severe siesmic activity. Religious figures and thaumaturges are brought on-site to perform various rites and blessings. O5 Council is taken off-world. Evacuating personnel and bystanders are seen crying, some contacting loved ones or emergency services. 14:35 - SCP-2317 breaks through the door to Universe-Kappa-Erikesh, stretching the portal to immense size. Foundation forces prove ineffective. 14:42 - SCP-2317 ignores all parties and leaves the containment area, walking westward. 15:35 - SCP-2317 travels several thousand kilometers to the country shoreline, taking pains to avoid crushing horrified pedestrians. 16:25 - SCP-2317 arrives at a local beach and sits, watching the horizon until sunset, several hours later (19:43). 16:50 - Children are seen playing in the sand on and around SCP-2317's feet for some time. 20:04 - SCP-2317 falls asleep on the beach, smiling. Squirrels and stray dogs gather around the entity and sleep/nest aside its form. Birds are observed landing on the creature's nose as it breathes. SCP-2317 remains in this location for upwards of a week, behaving in a largely similar manner for most of this timeframe. Foundation containment efficiency plummets from the subsequent Broken Masquerade Event, leading to systemic collapse of all operations within 48 hours, catalyzed in part due to an extremely successful doxxing campaign launched by members of the popular online variety content board "4chan". [END LOG] Note: SCP-2317 has yet to cause intentional harm to the biological life of any observed timeline in which it is active. _ ◆ SCP-5541-Ω + Image The only recovered photo of an in-progress SCP-5541-Ω QK-Class Scenario. Note the artifacting and screen slicing—both possible outcomes of extreme ontological/informational degradation. Taken from a live stream of bystanders observing event, recorded by TOC Agent Semel Dacia before returning to SCP-2003. Dacia reportedly experienced intrusive thoughts and foreign memories upon return. Symptoms lessened over the next week, and Agent Dacia was examined and found to be otherwise healthy. SCP-5541-Ω does not typically manifest in the same manner between observed timelines. Often, it results from a secondary triggering event. Unfortunately, it is difficult to garner much detail about the exact nature of the event given the risk involved in doing so. Only two agents have been able to observe an in-progress SCP-5541-Ω event and return—Agent Dacia (mentioned above) and an agent whose abstract conceptual space for which the Temporal Anomalies Department would have assigned or referred to for a name was lost during the event. All involved remember the agent, yet no personnel can recall a name nor a substitute label which could be used in reference to identity. This agent recalled that the event was triggered by an exceptionally large game7 of hide-and-seek. SCP-5541-1/GOI-Ω: "The Allied Occult Initiative" - Materials _ ◆ Articles 5541-A-1 through 3: Propaganda Campaign Recovered Propaganda Materials 1 2 3 GOI-Ω's remarkable efficiency with public persuasion is due in part to a complex understanding of human psychology, social engineering, and the anomalous. Usage of the collective knowledge held by all GOIs assimilated into the organization and combined with robust marketing campaigns, GOI-Ω is easily able to capitalize on the Foundation's collapse, using it as a springboard to gain access to the front and center of various social, ideological, and political movements. View other tabs for additional notes and closer views of each. GOI-Ω heavily relies on the perception of the organization as a force of rationality, understanding, and coexistence with all beings that are capable of doing so, anomalous or otherwise. This is used to paint the Foundation as restrictive, narrow-minded, and incompetent. In addition to previously described defamation, GOI-Ω's marketing also focuses heavily on the "thought-police" aspects of Foundation operations, including memory alteration/amnestics use, subterfuge techniques, and disinformation campaigns— going to great lengths to ensure claims made are not sensationalized, while withholding information about positive Foundation operations and results. A major facet of successful campaigns by GOI-Ω include the natural conclusion that the Foundation's "limited" view of the anomalous and consensus reality implies the party exists as a polar opposite. Specifically, with intent to achieve a complete enlightenment of all beings on Earth, and the subsequent unification of humanity and the anomalous to become a hyperintelligent collective consciousness of unfathomable power. This process is theorized to be the primary mechanism for the final stages of SCP-5541, including SCP-5541-Ω. _ ◆ Case File # 90G-1IPN-Y190 Note: This document was recovered from a routine observation of SCP-5541. It was selected for inclusion on the basis that it is notable for erroneously describing SCP-5541-Ω phenomena as anomalous. Footnotes have been provided as clarifying remarks from the Temporal Anomalies Department and thus were not present at time of recovery. Case File #: 90G-1IPN-Y190 Hazard Level: LOW Priority: LOW Risk Mitigation Factors: N/A Specifications: Case File #90G-1IPN-Y190 is the collective designation for a set of five six aberrant configurations of gravitational syzygy,9 referred to as 90G-1IPN-Y190-A through 90G-1IPN-Y190-E F, and their relationship with Jupiter. Aberrant phenomena has not been associated with these alignment types prior to 3000 AD. Instances are found to occur when Jupiter obscures the view of another planet from all observers in the solar system. Analysis has confirmed this effect extends to other aberrant interplanetary designations like Case File #90M-NP17-PL19 and Case File #14X-RE02-CT21. All portions of the observable universe completely masked by Jupiter effectively cease to exist for as long as they are unobserved. Despite this, other portions of unobscured space function without indication of change, implying that reality does not exist on the far side of the planet. This effect has been confirmed through the use of Lacunar-Thaumaturgic Ranged Image Processing (L-TRIP)10 systems which are utilized to grant temporary clairvoyance and help anticipate an increasing number of aberrant artifacts and phenomena. The unexplained effect of each configuration is heavily dependent on which body is obscured. Configurations Configuration Details Effect #90G-1IPN-Y190-A Jupiter occults Saturn. Now every 20-30 years All biological growth and decomposition in the solar system ceases for duration of event. Radioactive isotopes do not decay. Humans unable to experience personal growth (emotional, spiritual, or physical). Global AEP rate11 decreases to ~0.0% #90G-1IPN-Y190-B The moon/Venus/Mars occults Jupiter. Occurs every ~32 years All technological advancements of greater complexity than simple mechanisms like pulleys and levers cease function until event passes. Humans report sporadic cases of epistaxis and loss of consciousness. Boundary reality found to drop sharply for duration of event, leading to an inversely proportional AEP spike #90G-1IPN-Y190-C Jupiter occults Neptune. Experienced 04/30/2998, configuration had not occurred since 9/19/1702 Global intelligence decreases dramatically for duration of alignment. General fatigue is often reported. Sentient beings cannot dream during this period #90G-1IPN-Y190-D Jupiter occults Uranus. Occurs every 300-400 years Earth's oceans rapidly change to a mix of water, water-ice, methane and ammonia. Atmospheric conditions change to primarily hydrogen and helium. A faint ring is visible in the sky for duration of event, after which everything returns to its previous state. No adverse health or environmental reactions are detected #90G-1IPN-Y190-E Jupiter occults Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune simultaneously. Does not exist naturally. Occured only once, as a result of a sporadic aberration pocket on 10/10/3001 Location of previously unconfirmed but hypothesized trans-Neptunian planet reveals itself in spectacular fashion, designated #90G-1IPN-Y190-IX. Observation shows planet is occupied by a single, massive, omnipotent entity, observed to be covered in eyes hundreds of kilometers across #90G-1IPN-Y190-F Jupiter occults #90G-1IPN-Y190-IX. Will occur sometime around 02/3012 Reality on far side of Jupiter stops existing while unobserved by omnipotent entity Addendum 5541-Aion: Additional Materials _ ◆ RCT-Δt's Proposal In light of information gained from extensive observations of SCP-5541 and its related effects, as well as various statistical and historical data, the Temporal Anomalies Department has decided to submit for review a proposal for SCP-001. Submitted Document 001-Δt can be found below, which is currently under review by the O5 Council, the Ethics Committee, and the Temporal Intelligence Community. Item #: SCP-001 (Pending Assignment) Special Containment Procedures: SCP-001 is to be limited in scope to the best ability of the Foundation, but must not be completely contained nor abandoned at any time. This is to continue until such actions become impossible or are no longer necessary. It is believed that SCP-001's effects possess a certain "acceptable" range so as to ensure Foundation operations remain manageable and secure facilities self-sustainable for an indeterminate amount of time. Adhering to this range while undergoing a complete restructuring of protocol to one prioritizing rehabilitation, low-profile relocation, and reintegration services is the most optimal means of preserving consensus reality and the lives of nearly every being in the entire universe, across all universes and timelines that are impacted by SCP-001 itself. Description: SCP-001 is the designation for an anachronistic metaphysical quality that permeates all systems of complex structures that possess sentience, can be defined as "human"/"humanoid", or can otherwise receive, store, and transmit high-order information. SCP-001 is believed to manifest as the outcome of a probabilistic scenario initiated when any 3rd-dimensional frame within a 4th-dimensional octahedral reality is subject to wave function collapse. When probabilistic scenarios collapse via observation, there is an unknown likelihood13 that SCP-001 will occur. When this happens, SCP-001 will randomly manifest anomalous phenomena at any synchronous point on the 3D frame that is also experiencing wave function collapse. This effect does not appear to have a limited range outside of the field of view and the ability to observe at a distance, so long as the space is unobserved in one frame, and is observed in some way in the next. Additionally, the process or sensory function in which the observation occurs does not appear to matter, although vision remains the most effective means of doing so that humans possess. The intensity, frequency, and density of SCP-001's effect increases over each quantum of time elapsed, by a rate determined through the previous density of the effect and other factors such as broad awareness of this aspect of reality. When human entities gain knowledge of the anomalous, increase their population density, and/or unify their thought processes, the rate at which anomalous phenomena generates via SCP-001 increases. This also influences the radius of the same effect impacting a spherical area surrounding the brains of all affected organisms.14 Therefore, it is possible for this system to reach a "cascade" point, wherein a positive feedback loop of anomalous activity leads to the collapse of quantum systems due to insufficient universal resources. It is the conclusion of the Temporal Anomalies Department that "anomalies" are as intrinsic to reality as reality itself, perhaps associated with some unknown form of higher-order mathematics and/or sciences not yet known to us. The inverse of this appears to also be true; when there are less observers in a space, the area being observed becomes less real by a faint, imperceptible, but entirely measurable change in Humes. As such, SCP-001 appears to suggest that "baseline" reality is malleable and "anomalous" in its entirety. It is speculated that Hume loss of unobserved space correlates with a limited amount of "processing power" within the universe. Use of this finite quantity appearts to be offset by an endogeonous self-adjusting limiting/boosting mechanism, which helps regulate the Hume field of the surrounding reality. This is further corroborated by reports within spaces in which the Hume field logarithmically approaches zero, where human minds have been seen to individually generate their own localized reality. It appears there is an inherent property of reality that is necessary to observe in order to exist within, and yet cannot exist while unobserved. Conclusion: The observer effect within the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, SCP-001, appears to be at least partially responsible for the generation of large portions of our current universe, utilizing or being generated by humanoid life-forms. Thus the phenomenon is responsible both for the generation of anomalous activity/baseline reality and cannot be contained fully, nor should it remain uncontained. Due to the relationship with the very objects the Foundation has spent centuries studying, and the Organization's strained relationship with various groups considered "different" than humanity, such as The Children of the Night, RCT-Δt urges the Council to immediately reclassify all phenomena as explained through the nature of consensus reality and begin rehabilitation/reintroduction programs for all sentient creatures in containment that are capable of doing so. This may be the only recourse we have to avoid the fate of our future selves. We will lose the war—but we believe things can still change so that it never happens in the first place. END FILE Note: As of May 23rd, 2858, no records of a "Temporal Anomalies Department" exist within Foundation record, other than this document, which was found sealed with a metastable tachyonic displacement mechanism of unidentifiable origin. The century-old documentation was flagged by an automated consistency check, where it remains until further notice. At the same time, the slot for a SCP-1968 was flagged as missing/deleted from the database. Investigations have revealed little about what documentation previously occupied the slot. It should also be noted that the "Allied Occult Initiative" is not a yet-to-be-founded GOI, but a progenitor organization to the Global Occult Coalition; please check official Foundation historical record if you have any doubts. The recovered tachyonic device associated with this file was designed to maintain a version of the document in a temporally-isolated substrate using a novel system to achieve temporospatial non-locality. Several suspected employees have been detained and interrogated, however, these efforts were futile, and thus all personnel have been cleared of wrongdoing. Likewise, O5-7 denies any involvement in the events described above and possesses no memory of anyone by the name of Thaddeus Xyank. Investigation into the anomalous properties described above have not yielded conclusive results. Research and containment efforts, as they are defined by the O5 Council, will continue indefinitely. Footnotes 1. Controversial mission entailing a preemptive strike on GOI-Σ "The Sunrise Collective"—the party that will ultimately result in the inception of SCP-5541. 2. That is to say, the timeline of events surrounding the manifestation of the paradox lacks a true beginning and end, as said events occur in an endless causal loop of mutual action and reaction (see Figure 3). 3. Most notably, one or more parties involved have an intrinsic relationship with the career progression of the late Thaddeus Xyank, that, if disturbed sufficiently, could result in the nonexistence of RCT-Δt and/or a subsequent "grandfather" temporal paradox effect. 4. The timeline of events surrounding the manifestation of a "grandfather" paradox would lack a true beginning and end, as said events would occur in an endless causal loop of destructive action and the nullification of said action. 5. Timelines that end prematurely due to other causes or experience phenomena that render humans inert/incapable of carrying out SCP-5541 are excluded from this criteria. 6. Though timeline synchrony is rare and decreases in possibility over time, major extradimensional forces could theoretically manifest a large-scale causal stream "resonance" event through interaction with large portions of the multiverse, resulting in greatly limited and/or interlinked probabilistic outcomes. 7. Estimated to have over one hundred million players. 8. The "Hemlock" designation encompasses the range of anomalous activity that, by their own nature, are impossible to mitigate due to their relationship with consensus reality, yet pose no current threat to long-term normalcy, as defined by SCP-5541-1. 9. A specific or noteworthy alignment of three or more celestial bodies. 10. Likely a successor to programs developed by the Foundation—specifically the Terrestrial Earth-Like Low-orbit Universal Sweep (TELLUS) program and project RAINBOW ASTRA. 11. Artifact-Event-Phenomena Rate is used to determine the frequency of aberrant activity. 12. Anomaly related to a demiurge is responsible for the generation of anomalous activity, while being both necessary for and inimical to the current state of reality. 13. Due to the scope of the effect and being unable to preclude the location of all physical spaces being unobserved without observing said spaces. 14. This serves as a possible explanation for novel anomalous activity manifesting within Foundation Secure Facilities such as but not limited to Site-19 and Site-13. |
SCP-5542 | euclid | Item #: SCP-5542 Special Containment Procedures: The parcel of land SCP-5542 is located at is currently held by a Foundation shell company (Singh, Chang, and Partners). A standard perimeter has been established under cover story "Retiree Timesharing". Objects recovered from the property are kept in cold storage at Site-42 pending further testing. Investigation into PoI-5542 (see Addendum 5542-A) is ongoing. Description: SCP-5542 is a section of California coastline that is composed of cake to an average depth of 2.5 meters. Walking on the surface of the beach is possible despite the composition, while purposefully digging downwards past 2cm reveals non-anomalous cake. The effect is contained entirely within the property lines of 1812 Sea Ledge Ln, a beachfront residence. Discovery: On 12/15/2020, Foundation agents embedded in the Santa Barbara Police Department were alerted to a potential anomaly during an altercation between an officer and a local psychic/detective claiming that he'd had a vision of "multiple people disappearing on a beach made of cake" at the given address. After cross-referencing with open missing persons cases in the Campanil area and an interview with the psychic and a corroborating witness, the agents decided to take over the investigation. Class-B amnestics were administered to all civilians involved. Addendum 5542-A - Investigation Log: Investigation of the property and an attempt to contact the property owner were authorized on 12/15/2020 for the following day. A partial transcript of the agents' body camera footage is logged below. <BEGIN LOG, 12/16/2020 - 16:32> Agents Roday and Hill activate their body cameras on arrival to the property. Roday: You see any cameras on the house? Hill: No. No fences, no cameras… security is pretty lax for a house in this neighborhood. Roday: Right. Let's hit the beach. Agents exit their vehicle and proceed along the side of the house towards the beach behind the property. Roday: See? This is the kind of place I want to get once I make O5. Hill: You? O5? You got your hand stuck in the infinite peanut butter jar and flooded the men's locker room last week! Roday: I was hungry! They can't disqualify me for that! Hill: You're lucky you're not stuck in some basement dictating the database onto audio logs. Roday: Ugh, yeah, Theron needs to get some sun. Agents reach the beach behind the house. Agent Roday digs his hand into the sand, grasping a handful of chocolate cake. He attempts to taste it before Agent Hill grabs his wrist. Hill: C'mon, son! Eating anomalous beach cake? Roday: I was only gonna taste it! Hill: Put it down. Agent Roday drops the cake. Agent Hill uses an evidence bag to retrieve a sample. Hill: Alright, the beach is cake. Confirmed. Roday: Interrogate the family? Hill: Interrogate the family. Let's go- hey! Don't wipe that on me! I just got this uniform cleaned! Agents start towards the front of the property. Roday: How're you and Selene doing? Hill: You know how it is, we're taking some time apart to find- Roday: She dumped you. Hill: She said I was keeping secrets from her, man! Roday: That's your entire job! You gotta get better at keeping the fact that you're keeping secrets secret, dude. Hill: Shut up! Agents reach the front of the property and proceed to the front door. Agent Hill lifts his hand to knock on the door; it opens before he makes contact. Engelbert Leckermaul, property owner based on public records, approximate age 55, stands in the doorway. Leckermaul: Well hello there, constables! How can I help you today? Roday: Hello, sir- Leckermaul: Call me Bertie. Roday: Bertie, right. I'm Officer Spencer, this is Officer Grimm. We're here to ask you some questions about some disappearances in this area. Leckermaul: Oh, wow! I'd be happy to help in any way that I can. Come on in, we can talk inside. Agents enter the residence. As they pass the living room, a teenage male is sprawled on one of the couches wearing headphones. Leckermaul: The wife is at La Cumbre working on her tennis game. Wish she would take that boy with her; he could use some exercise. Gettin’ a little plump around the frame, if you know what I mean. Hill: Right. We're investigating a rash of disappearances of local youths. Leckermaul: How tragic! Such an awful waste of potential! Roday: Yeah, the kids were all last seen in this neighborhood. You haven't seen anybody shady around lately, have you? Leckermaul: Not that I've noticed. My family and I have lived here for ages. We know everyone, and I haven't noticed any perfidious persons, no sir. The group arrives in the kitchen. Leckermaul: Coffee? Hill: No thank- Roday: I'd love some. Leckermaul places two disposable coffee pods into an elaborate coffee machine. Leckermaul: Got this beauty when we renovated the kitchen. Empty night, the doublewide oven cost as much as my car, but the missus had to have her domain be "state of the art." Roday: Amen that! Hill: Back to the investigation, I was wondering if you had any problems with trespassers? We've had complaints from some of the neighbors about local kids sneaking onto the private beaches to party. Leckermaul: Of course! It happens all the time, but we're not as stuck up as "some of the community." (Leckermaul raises his pinky finger in a mocking gesture.) Roday: Amen again! But Bertie, let's cut to the chase: (Pounds his hand on the counter.) Why is your section of beach literally made out of cake!? Leckermaul and Agent Hill stare at Agent Roday. Leckermaul: What in blazes are you on about? Roday: Yeah, dude. It's completely edible. There's no way that could have happened without you knowing. Leckermaul: I don't- I mean… you can’t be serious. Roday: As a witch in a tornado. Hill: We checked ourselves before we came to the door. Your beach is somehow cake instead of sand. It seems impossible, but there it is written in the frosting. Leckermaul: You know what? This is probably an elaborate prank from my Alpha Tau Omega brothers, those incorrigible rogues. You know, UC Santa Barbara, "Go, Gauchos!" The coffee maker beeps. Leckermaul moves to retrieve the coffee. Roday: They excavated your backyard beach… and replaced it with cake? Leckermaul: (Hands a mug coffee to Agent Roday) I don't know how they got the dean's car on top of the roof either! These pranks get better every year. Hill: Why don't we head out back and show you the situation? Leckermaul starts towards the back of the house. Agent Roday moves to take a sip of his coffee before Agent Hill takes it from him. They begin to whisper to each other. Hill: What the hell was that? Roday: I thought I could get him to crack! Hill: Get the hell out of here! Roday: No, you get the hell out of here. Hill: No, go with Bertie! I'll catch up. Roday: Oh! Gotcha. Agent Roday moves to follow Leckermaul to the back of the property. Agent Hill takes a sample of the coffee before dumping it in the sink. END LOG Extraneous data redacted. Agents Roday and Hill confirmed with Mr. Leckermaul that the beach was cake before giving him a number to reach them if he had any more information. They then adjourned to their motel for the evening. Addendum 5542-B - Disappearance: On 12/17/2020, Agents Roday and Hill returned to the address for follow up questions. Upon arrival, Agent Roday noted that the house looked different in a "hard to place" way. Agent Hill's knock on the door caused it to fall inwards, off its hinges. Investigation of the interior revealed that the house was now vacant. Agent Roday described the residence as "decrepit, as if it had been abandoned for decades," with the sole exception being the kitchen, where Agent Hill noted that the room smelled as if someone had been cooking, in line with Agent Roday's observation that the oven was still warm. Further forensic analysis found evidence suggesting that the aged sections of the home had been abandoned for upwards of 40 years, where the appliances in the kitchen were found to be less than a month old and otherwise non-anomalous. Food items recovered from the kitchen included: - Fresh and frozen meats - Dried and cured meats (jerky) - Bottles of wine - Baked goods and components for baking (flour, yeast, etc.) - Disposable coffee pods Laboratory analysis revealed the meat to be human flesh, while the other food products also tested positive for human DNA. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5542" by glewmie and TheeSherm, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5542. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5543 | keter | An instance of SCP-5543-1 recovered from an uncontained event and cataloged. Item #: SCP-5543 Special Containment Procedures: Mobile Task Force Phi-20 ("Phi-do") personnel are to be embedded within population centers located inside SCP-5543's current area of effect. Personnel will be required to prepare for briefing each day at 04:30, local time. In the event that a distinct SCP-5543-1 Hume signature is detected, the nearest MTF personnel shall be dispatched to intercept the SCP-5543-1 instances. All recovered instances shall be scanned and cataloged. Instances are to then be destroyed via incineration. If an SCP-5543-1 instance appears outside of the current known area of effect, the known area of effect shall then be subsequently updated. If an SCP-5543-1 instance can't be destroyed before SCP-5543-2 can be contacted, personnel are to take custody of the Target by necessary force until the SCP-5543 event ceases. If an SCP-5543 event progresses to its second phase, owners of SCP-5543-A are to be taken into custody along with their reward money. Upon transmutation of reward money, appropriate cover stories shall be fabricated and disseminated and Class-A amnestics deployed as necessary. Owners are to be held until cognitohazard symptoms cease and are to receive appropriate therapy supplemented by low-level amnestics. Description: SCP-5543 is a phenomenon involving the anomalous manifestations of a series of lost pet fliers, collectively referred to as SCP-5543-11. On initial examination, the flier appears to be unremarkable in nature; it is printed on neon-colored paper (the exact color may vary between instances of SCP-5543-1), and has an image of an animal (henceforth referred to as the "Target") currently under the care of an individual (henceforth referred to as "the Owner"). Also included is information regarding the supposed disappearance of the Target, a phone number2 to be called in the event of the Target being found, and the promise of a cash reward. All flier text is written in English. SCP-5543's first recorded event manifested in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and subsequent events have generated further from this epicenter at an indeterminate rate3. The first phase of an SCP-5543 event's primary effect commences upon the Owner's visual recognition and comprehension of an SCP-5543-1 instance. The Owner, along with anyone within the Owner's household during the event, will believe that the Target rightfully belongs to SCP-5543-1's distributor. The Owner will immediately take SCP-5543-1 to their residence and dial the listed phone number. This phone number will connect the Owner to SCP-5543-24, a sentient entity believed to be the source of SCP-5543 events. SCP-5543-2 will arrange to meet the owner at their home the following evening. At the designated time, SCP-5543-2 will manifest outside the Owner's residence and enter upon invitation. SCP-5543-2 will then present the cash reward to the owner in exchange for the Target5. Once this transaction is complete, SCP-5543-2 and the Target will de-manifest. This marks the end of an event's first phase. If this phase can not be completed by 00:00 the next day, all associated phenomena will cease. At 05:00, local time on the following morning, the second phase of the SCP-5543 event will begin. The entirety of the rewarded currency will be transmuted into biological material with a total mass equivalent to that of the original currency. DNA test results indicate that this biological material matches that of the Target. If this conversion utilizes the entirety of the Target's total mass, genetically similar biological material sourced from within a 80 km radius of the event will make up any remainder6. Most instances of biological material are mutilated with signs of mechanical separation. Despite the abnormality of this transmutation, the owner will accept the biological material as if it were still a form of currency. Owners under the effect of the second phase of SCP-5543 will display signs of acute paranoia and will become protective of their "reward." Amnestics have proven to be only a partially effective treatment at this stage. This mental state will persist for up to 3 weeks after the transmutation (though the event may leave behind long-lasting mental trauma), at which point, the SCP-5543 event is presumed to have concluded. Addendum 01: Incident Report #5543/20080823/01 Initially, MTF Phi-20 personnel tasked with SCP-5543 containment were each issued one lab rat with an implanted tracking chip for research purposes. This was done to potentially induce a SCP-5543 event with the MTF personnel as the target. Personnel's homes were fitted with adequate monitoring equipment to properly record an interaction with SCP-5543-2. The following is an excerpt from an audio recording collected from Incident #5543/20080823/01. Excerpt of Audio Recording from Incident #5543/20080823/01 Subjects: Agent B████████, SCP-5543-2 Foreword: Agent B████████ was under the influence of SCP-5543's cognitohazard properties (he was markedly more amicable while under these effects). The event was allowed to progress uninhibited and the results recorded. Visual recording devices experienced a malfunction for the duration of the event. Excerpt begins shortly after SCP-5543-2 is shown SCP-5543-A. <Begin Excerpt, 2008/08/23 21:07 CST> SCP-5543-2: There's the little rascal! You know, I was going to name him "Alfalfa," after the Little Rascal, before I finally settled on SCP-5543-R-277! Agent B████████: I think I like SCP-5543-R-27 more. I can see why you picked it; it rolls right off the tongue! SCP-5543-R-27 can be heard enjoying recreational use of its running wheel. SCP-5543-2: Wow! Look at 'em go! He's really going bonkers! He's always been that way since I got 'em that wheel. And he's real smart, too! He can learn tricks! You should see him when [REDACTED]8. Agent B████████: That's quite the feat! Makes sense, though. He was able to sneak out on you, cage and all. Both SCP-5543-2 and Agent B████████ remain silent for 12 seconds, presumably to watch SCP-5543-R-27 in its running wheel. SCP-5543-2 Say, you're a real swell fella, Mr. B████████! I can't believe you live all on your lonesome. Maybe you use some of that moolah I gave ya to get yourself one of these fine rats! <End Excerpt, 2008/08/23 21:07 CST> Closing Statement: During incident, SCP-5543-2 expressed knowledge of sensitive Foundation information. Agent B████████ was rewarded [REDACTED] as part of the transaction. SCP-5543-R-27 tracking chip stopped transmitting information at the moment of de-manifestation associated with SCP-5543-2's departure. When reward money underwent transmutation, the entire population of lab rats at Site-37 was lost. Resulting biological material used to supplement D-Class food supply in an effort to recover costs. Following the results of Incident #5543/20080823/01 and given the nature of the information breach, Site-37 Director firmly recommended that further testing involving SCP-5543 and Foundation property should be prohibited, citing the potential loss of valuable resources in test animals and the possibility of further informational breaches. This recommendation was accepted. Addendum 02: Incident #5543/20140621/01 On June 21, 2014 at approximately 08:30 CST, an SCP-5543-1 instance in the form of a missing child poster was intercepted in Dane County, Wisconsin. This is the first iteration of a human Target instance. Initial estimates place the loss of human life roughly equivalent to the population of Madison, Wisconsin had the event been allowed to progress. For this reason, MTF Phi-20 Commander has submitted a formal request for further resources to be allocated for use in containing SCP-5543. Footnotes 1. Continuous monitoring in affected areas has lead to the discovery that SCP-5543-1 instances emit a distinct Hume level signature upon manifestation that can persist for approximately 3 hours. 2. This phone number appears to be chosen at random, even if the number is already in use. 3. The current area of effect has an estimated radius of 510 km. 4. SCP-5543-2 has been described as a Caucasian male approximately 40 years of age, wearing clothing consistent with the 1950s era 5. If the quantity of currency is too great to be transported easily by a single person, the money will materialize inside the residence of the owner. 6. For example, if a Chihuahua becomes an instance of SCP-5543-A, it will have its remains supplemented with those of other canines with a trend toward other members of the Chihuahua breed 7. Agent B████████ chose not to name SCP-5543-R-27, reporting that it "was just a test subject." 8. Here, SCP-5543-2 explains testing procedures involving SCP-5543-R-27 and SCP-████ in great detail. This represents a critical breach of sensitive information. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5543" by StardustPrismatic, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5543. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: lostcatredacted.jpg Author: StardustPrismatic License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki |
SCP-5544 | safe | Item: SCP-5544 Special Containment Procedures: As repeated attempts to prevent SCP-5544 have failed, and the resource cost of attempts at prevention are significantly greater than allowing its occurrence, no further attempts to contain SCP-5544 will be made. Every December 26th, at no later than 11:00PM, Researcher Zachary Parker will enter the main dumpster of Site 93 and remain within it for no less than 45 minutes. A Foundation security officer and Foundation psychologist will be posted nearby to help with the recovery of Researcher Parker from the dumpster. A mandatory psychological evaluation of Researcher Parker should begin immediately after, to assess his mental well being. Description: SCP-5544 is a repeating anomalous incident where Researcher Zachary Parker will end up inside the dumpster located directly behind Site 93. This anomaly occurs annually on the date of December 26th at roughly 11:41 PM. This event occurs regardless of the subject's previous location or any attempts to contain the subject elsewhere. Researcher Parker and the Foundation have attempted to prevent an SCP-5544 event for five years with no success. This recurring anomaly first began after the unintentional destruction of an anomalous item when transporting it to a different storage locker. The destroyed item was a sticker that never lost its adhesive and changed in shape and color to mimic the look of the person who last touched the sticker. The sticker was accidentally torn in half by Parker on December 26th, 20██ at roughly 11:14 PM. Due to a series of unusual incidents after the destruction of the anomalous item, Researcher Parker was found at 11:41 PM in the main dumpster behind Site 93 in a severe state of emotional distress. The incident began to repeat itself annually and has so far surpassed every attempt by the Foundation to prevent its occurrence. A list of SCP-5544 incidents can be found below, as well as post-incident interviews with Researcher Parker. + SCP-5544 Incident #01 - Access Granted Anomalous Workplace Incident Report Date: 12/26/20██ Anomalous Event: After the accidental destruction of a minor anomalous object, Researcher Parker claims to have almost immediately slipped on a wet section of the Site 93 floor.1 After a fall, the now disoriented Researcher accidentally mistook a janitorial closet for his office and knocked over a bottle of floor wax. The bottle's top was apparently unsecured and the Researcher's lab outfit was damaged. After a change of clothes, Parker went to the on-site garbage chute to dispose of their old clothing. When using the garbage chute, Parker again slipped and slid 8 meters into the dumpster on the site's exterior. Condition of Employee: Parker suffered from several cuts and bruises but no long term injuries were sustained. Parker was mildly distressed when reentering Site 93 but recovered quickly and was in a jovial mood the following day. Re-occurrence Prevention Plan: Incident was likely an unexpected side effect of the damage sustained by the anomalous item Parker was transporting. No incidents were reported in the following week and Researcher Parker has not reported any further anomalous events. + Post Incident Interview #01 - Access Granted Post-Incident Interview Interviewer: Dr. Avia Cedari Subject: Researcher Zachary Parker Begin Log Parker: Is it typical to perform a psychological examination every time someone falls in the trash? [Cedari laughs] Cedari: Well, this is the first time so I guess so. Its routine to perform an evaluation after a possible anomalous event, and your event ticks all the boxes for an anomalous incident. Parker: I don't think there's going to be any long term damage from ripping a sticker in half. Cedari: Probably not. Just a routine. Have to make sure you're not being possessed by the sticker. [Parker laughs] Parker: Other than my knee still having that nasty bruise and a little bit of a limp, I honestly wouldn't know the difference. I was a bit panicked and worried when I was in the dumpster but I'm not feeling any different today. Cedari: No intrusive thoughts? No new fears or concerns. Parker: I guess I hate the smell of garbage a little bit more. Cedari: Anything else? Parker: Come on Avia, you know I'm fine. If I was possessed by a spooky sticker ghost, I wouldn't still be the only one pronouncing your name correctly. [Cedari laughs] Cedari: I'm used to it at this point. Parker: Ahh-via, not Ayy-via. Not hard to remember. Cedari: Most people don't see me too often. You're the only one who regularly checks in. Parker: We're coworkers. We're all supposed to be a team, help each other. Helps to know each other a little bit. My girlfriend hates all her coworkers at her job and she feels like she can never ask for help. I'd hate to be in that kind of workplace, where someone thinks they can't get help. And I'm not just saying that because the microphone is on. Cedari: Well, I see that sticker hasn't changed your personality any. Parker: Woo, I'm cured. [Cedari laughs] Cedari: You seem fine. No need to keep chatting on company time. Go ahead and get back out there. Parker: See you for lunch. End Log + SCP-5544 Incident #02 - Access Granted Anomalous Workplace Incident Report Date: 12/26/20██ Anomalous Event: Researcher Parker was performing a routine nightly check-in on SCP-2974 at 11:14 PM when the door knob to the standard containment room that SCP-2974's terrarium is stored in was damaged by unknown means and the door became unable to open. Calls for help from Parker were unheard due to the unexpected failure of his radio communicator. After attempting to open the door and for roughly 17 minutes, Parker managed to open the emergency window2 located in the room and successfully climbed to the roof of Site-93. After discovering severe damage to Site-93's fire escape3, Parker decided to jump into the dumpster located behind the facility. Condition of Employee: Parker was injured in the fall and suffered a fractured ankle and several cuts on his lower body. Parker's radio communicator began working properly after landing and the Researcher was able to call in for help immediately afterwards at 11:41 PM. Parker was highly distressed and required a two day stay in the Site 93 infirmary. Re-occurrence Prevention Plan: Damage to the facility was immediately repaired. Site-93 has passed a safety inspection only one month prior to the incident and the noticeable damage to several parts of Site 93 and the failure of Parker's radio communicator were considered anomalous. After finding commonality with the anomalous event that took place one year prior, this was ruled a re-occurrence of SCP-5544. To avoid potential of a further re-occurrence of the anomalous incident, Researcher Parker will be given a paid day of vacation on 12/26/20██ as a preventative measure. + Post Incident Interview #02 - Access Granted Post-Incident Interview Interviewer: Dr. Avia Cedari Subject: Researcher Zachary Parker Begin Log Cedari: Hello Zac. Parker: Hello, wish this was under better circumstances. Cedari: We all do. Recovering from the fall alright? Parker: Yeah, the doctors here do a fantastic job, the cast I'm in is incredibly small and I don't need to wear it for all that long. I should be walking again in a week or two. Cedari: And mentally? Parker: As far as I'm concerned, it could have been a lot worse. I'm not going to lie, I was incredibly panicked for a good couple hours after it happened and I was terrified when I realized I was trapped in that room without a radio communicator. Really I should have just waited instead of desperately trying to get out. I didn't have a plan to deal with that, much less a decent explanation. I didn't even put two and two together that the sticker thing happened exactly at that time last year until someone told me. [Parker laughs nervously.] Cedari: It isn't uncommon for people to panic in anomalous situations. You're certainly not in any trouble as far as I'm aware. This seems like a repeat of the sticker incident that happened last year. You were near by the hallway where it happened last year. Parker: Same place, same time, I had the same thought. Cedari: Are you distressed by this happening again? Parker: I was at first, it would suck if there was one day every year where I have a workplace accident and end up in a trash can. I've been told I'll be getting a paid day off next year though. That set my mind at ease, I guess. I really can't end up in the dumpster from the comfort of my own couch. Cedari: I'm glad you've got a positive outlook on it. Parker: Hey, you can't just hate yourself because of some weird anomaly messing with your life. That's just an occupational hazard around here. I have to deal with a distant parking spot, an office with a window view of a brick wall, and vindictive sticker trying to dump me in the trash. You've got to deal with an oddly cold office and no one ever remembering how to say your name. We've all got different battles. [Cedari laughs.] Cedari: People are getting a little better on the name front at least. I still kind of regret not going by my middle name though. Parker: Your middle name? Cedari: Louise. I don't think anyone could mess that up. Parker: You'd be surprised. You could end up being Louie. Or Lois. And let me tell you, I'd rather have everyone mess up my name than have to explain to everyone that I'm apparently cursed to end up in trash if I ever end up working the day after Christmas. Cedari: Do you feel a loss of status from the incident? Is that an issue? Parker: I can laugh it off. I get the humor in it. Too much weird stuff happens in our line of work for the jokes to stick anyways. Something else will happen and people will move on to making fun of that. Cedari: Glad to see that nothing keeps you down. Parker: Not down for long at least. End Log + SCP-5544 Incident #03 - Access Granted Anomalous Workplace Incident Report Date: 12/26/20██ Anomalous Event: Researcher Zachary Parker was discovered in the dumpster behind Site 93 at 11:41 P.M. Parker had been given the day off and had only arrived at the site minutes prior to his discovery. Parker claimed that he had a serious argument with his long term romantic partner in which their relationship ended. Parker explained that he was without a place to sleep that night and had driven to Site 93 in hopes he could stay in his office for the night. While attempting to enter Site 93 Parker's access card broke in two and the door failed to unlock. In an attempt to gain entrance to the facility, Parker climbed on top of the dumpster and signaled to Dr. Gary Mander-Bassen via his office window. After Dr. Gary Mander-Bassen noticed Parker's presence, Parker lost his footing and fell into the dumpster. Security forces arrived and escorted Parker into the building after confirming his identity. Condition of Employee: Researcher Parker was uninjured but severely distressed after being escorted to the Site 93 infirmary. Parker remained distressed for the next eight hours before finally sleeping at 7:53 A.M. the next morning. Re-occurrence Prevention Plan: In an attempt to counteract the cyclical nature of SCP-5544, Researcher Parker will be contained in a secure location on December 26th of the next year. Research into similar recurrent anomalous events shows that creating a physical barrier to separate Researcher Parker from the location of the event is the most likely way to prevent another incident. Arrangements have been made with the nearby Site-60 to house Researcher Parker in a secure containment cell on the date of the next expected incident. + Post Incident Interview #03 - Access Granted Post-Incident Interview Interviewer: Dr. Avia Cedari Subject: Researcher Zachary Parker Begin Log Cedari: Well Zac, I'm sure that you're still very upset but I think it is important that we talk about it. Parker: I'm not saying anything. I still don't know how to comprehend what just happened. Cedari: You've made a full physical recovery, the Foundation is providing temporary housing. I think the worst is over. Parker: This is never over. I'm never going to undo the damage that has been done, I'm never going to have a magical fix that is going to resolve what happened. This curse has gone from something that I can laugh off to something that has fundamentally changed the course of my life. Cedari: No, of course not. You can't change the past, but you can work towards a better future. Parker: What, and fall madly in love with another beautiful woman so that she can scream in my face and leave me too? I can't hurt another person that way. Anjela… This is on me. We went from fine to all of our problems snowballing into a night where she can't even look at me. This anomaly…this is a curse. Anjela… All I'm going to do is hurt someone else if I let them get close. She was distraught. She couldn't think of anything to do other than send me away and try to never see me again. Five years. Nearly five and a half. I thought I was done. Now, I am done. I don't think I could ever hurt someone else the way I hurt Anjela. I can't… Cedari: You can't blame this on yourself. Parker: I can and I have. Avia, you're married. You know exactly how much you are not prepared for this. And I wasn't prepared for the potential that this problem would hurt someone else. Clearly whatever this sticker wants from me, it involves me ending up in that dumpster. It is painfully clear to me that it doesn't care how I get there. I can survive this but… I don't want to hurt anyone else that way. Cedari: What even happened? What did Anjela say? Parker: Anjela… That I'm not as supportive as I used to be. That my family doesn't respect her. That I take too long to make decisions. That I never want to do the things she wants to do. That I don't make enough time for her any more. That I do nothing to stop bad things from happening to her. I'm just an increasingly selfish asshole. Cedari: Did she really say all that? Parker: Those are her words, not mine. I was floored. We didn't have a perfect relationship but we were pretty good at understanding each other. It was like all the issues just converged out of nowhere. My little workplace curse must have had some sort of effect on her. On her thoughts, on her feelings. That's terrifying. All it took was one anomaly to take the sweetest person I've ever met and make her leave without saying goodbye. I'm not very good at talking about this stuff. I'm probably making her sound worse than she deserves. This is on me. Not her. Lesson learned I guess. [Parker pauses and wipes his eyes.] Parker: I brought something dangerous home from work and it hurt her. I'm not sure if she'll ever see me the same again. I have to think this is all just because of the anomaly, that the issues would have been things we could have worked through on any night but December 26th… but I can't ask her now, and she'd be the one if anyone knows. I asked what I could do, what I could change, how I could make this work. She said there was nothing I could do. She only wanted to be left alone. I'm going to respect that. I wish there was a way back. Back before the other night. Back before I ripped that damned sticker in half. Cedari: You had no way of knowing. Parker: I had two years of fair warning. This is no longer a goofy little anomaly. I need to realize this is going to be an issue. It's going to be my job to make sure nobody else gets hurt. Cedari: The Foundation isn't going to give up on you, Zac. This is our bad, not yours. You aren't going to have this hanging over your head for the rest of your life. Someday you won't have to worry about this any more. Parker: I really, really hope that you are right about that. Cedari: You shouldn't give up, some day you'll beat this. Parker: I'm going to keep trying, I hope no one has to deal with this ever again. This is just going to… take a while to process. End Log + SCP-5544 Incident #04 - Access Granted Anomalous Workplace Incident Report Date: 12/26/20██ Anomalous Event: Multiple security failures at Site-60 led to an accidental containment breach of several Euclid level objects including SCP-1759 at 11:14 P.M. Although none of the objects were of an immediate threat to the facility, an evacuation was ordered as a precautionary measure. No one was on hand to escort Researcher Parker from the secure containment cell. The locking mechanism of Parker's cell failed immediately upon the containment breach and Parker was unable to find an exit from the facility. Deciding instead to hide, Researcher Parker crawled into a large crate inside the Site-60 hangar. The crate, used to store parachutes, was loaded into a Foundation jet4 at 11:23 P.M. which took off from Site-60 and pursued SCP-1759 east to keep visual contact on the object. At 11:37 P.M., the jet began to experience turbulence as well as multiple systems failures. Parker managed to get the attention of co-pilot William Sanadora who released him from the crate. After a brief conversation with Sanadora, Parker believed himself to be the source of the jet's sudden difficulties and volunteered to exit the jet. The jet descended to allow Parker to disembark. Parker successfully deployed his parachute, landing safely in the Site-93 dumpster at roughly 11:41 P.M.. The jet then regained control of systems and was able to successfully perform an emergency landing. The containment breach at Site-60 led to the death of D-14145 who was found in the cockpit of SCP-1759. No other Foundation personnel were injured in the breach and all anomalous objects were placed back into containment by the following morning. An investigation into the cause of the original containment breach was inconclusive as it coincided with the failure of the on-site surveillance system. Condition of Employee: Researcher Parker was uninjured in the incident but was in extreme emotional distress for several days after the incident. Researcher Parker was given clonazepam and escitalopram after the feelings of distress continued to persist for over several weeks. Re-occurrence Prevention Plan: The distance of SCP-5544's effect are being taken into consideration for future containment plans. Researcher Parker will be sent to Lunar Area 32 upon the date of the next anticipated anomalous incident. New containment method in place, transportation of Researcher Parker deemed unnecessary. + Post Incident Interview #04 - Access Granted Post-Incident Interview Interviewer: Dr. Avia Cedari Subject: Researcher Zachary Parker Begin Log Cedari: Well Zac, we…. Parker: Are you sick of me? Cedari: What do you mean? Parker: Are you sick of seeing me here, year after year, because of some disaster that I'm responsible for. Cedari: The sticker, that's why all this is happening not you. Parker: That isn't the important part. I made the decision to put others at risk. They're claiming that no one died but I'm doubting that highly. Cedari: You were put in a secure location. Not your fault. Parker: You can't just say that it isn't my fault. This is my choice. My choice to live like this. I know…I know that this will happen. I know the circumstances under which it will happen. Other people have been hurt by this. I can fight and fight and try to cure this but I'm just fooling myself. This is a part of me and it isn't going away. I'm tired of thinking it will go away someday. It isn't going away. I can do the world a favor and stop asking for help. [Parker sighs and shakes his head.] Parker: What does it matter anyways? I'm just one person. My life is not nearly meaningful enough for anyone to put this much effort into it. You have my word, no one is ever going to suffer on my behalf ever again. No matter what. Cedari: You can't give up on yourself, Zac, you're still a great person. Everyone thinks it is unfair that you have to go through this. Parker: That's the way it always starts. People think it is "unfair". Then they are "concerned" or "worried". Then they start to treat you differently. Then people start to distance themselves. Then most of them start to ignore you. They know something is wrong with you, they don't want to talk about it. They don't want to help. They just stare from a distance. I've got barely anyone else left. You're one of the few people who can even look at me with an honest face. And how long will it take? It'll be only a few more incidents until I've lost absolutely everyone. [Parker begins to sob.] Parker: Anjela was right to get the fuck away from me. I'm a walking disaster. It'll just keep happening and I'll lose everyone's respect. Over and over again. It just keeps happening. Cedari: Are you sure that they feel this way? Maybe they just can't find the right words, or they think it is better to give you some distance? Parker: If so I'm the only one. Everyone else gets genuine sympathy when something goes wrong because it is unexpected. When something goes wrong for me, its just time to reset the counter. They know that it'll happen again, and that means there is no reason to even pretend to care. I'm just a freak to everyone now. If I wasn't a security threat once per year, I honestly think that they'd put me in a cell to rot. Cedari: The Foundation will never turn on one of their own just because of a workplace incident they had zero control over. Parker: You say zero control, I say personal responsibility. That blood is all on my hands. No one else. Some people think that life just grabs for your hand and drags you along. I know I took a path that led to this. If I can't cope with the fact that I'll never be normal again, that's my own failure. I can dream that on the day after Christmas, I'll be away to some place mystical and warm, with someone I love in my arms and a smile on my face… or I can accept that it will never happen. [Parker continues to sob and turns to look out the window.] Parker: I had that life, and I made the decision to out that in danger… and I lost that. I lost my right to a good ending. I lost my right to genuine happiness the second I made my curse someone else's problem other than my own. I'm glad people are distance. You and a few others still prod, saying "you don't need to hide yourself away". But I do. The more people trying to help, trying to care, the more people I'm putting at risk. [Cedari hands Parker a box of tissues.] Cedari: Zac, you aren't going to stop people from caring about you. That's not even your choice. We care about you because of the good you've done for us. You've always been a reliable colleague. You've been a friend. Of course we're going to care. Parker: Little consolation. Being a freak that people feel bad for isn't much better than being a freak that people laugh at. All my life, before joining the Foundation, I was a freak. Ugly, short, a misfit. But then I found Anjela, and I got my job here, and things were on the upswing. Turns out I actually was a freak, I just fooled all of you. That sticker is just setting the record straight. I've always deserved this treatment. Cedari: Zac, I hate to do this to you, but if you're experiencing such self-hatred, I don't think I can recommend that you return to work yet. Parker: Why not? At least I can feel some sort of emotion getting work done. I'd rather be a useful pariah that hated and unhelpful. I owe the Foundation for all the shit I put it through. I'll still work as hard as I can to make up for all the increasingly obvious flaws. I'm going to blame myself, but I need some outlet… So any nasty things I say are purely therapeutic. Cedari: That doesn't seem right. You are clearly incredibly upset. Parker: Maybe I am, but I can't really keep it up for very long. What I've learned is that I'm not really all that important. If I'm not worth all the attempts to stop this incident from repeating… well then I'm certainly not worthy of anyone's pity. Even my own. [Cedari and Parker are silent for several seconds.] Cedari: Do you mind going over the last incident? Parker: You mean the one where I probably got someone killed and nearly crashed a plane? Yeah, I suppose I can relive that nightmare. Cedari: You don't need to talk if you aren't ready. Parker: I'm ready. I have to own up to my mistakes after all. Cedari: What ended up happening? Parker: The sound of mass confusion. Door props open, lights go out. Every corner I turn is either a blocked off hallway or some anomaly that I've never seen before and never been briefed on. I followed the Foundation standard of assuming that every thing I encounter and don't recognize in a containment breach is something that can kill me and I book it in the other direction until I take a zigzagging path to the hangar. I figure hiding is safer than running, plus I'm exhausted. Hide in a crate, admittedly not a great choice. I get stuck, drag into a plane ride. They can't hear me over the sound of takeoff. Then I'm up in the sky. By the time the jet started shaking, I knew exactly what was going to happen. Thank god the co-pilot noticed me in time. Cedari: How severely were you stressed? Parker: Oh I beyond stressed. I was panicking. No greater fear in my life. Until I pull the chord on my parachute and saw what I drifting towards. Then the panic went away. All I felt after that was dread. Cedari: Dread? Parker: Dread. I knew exactly what was about to happen, and I know that it is going to happen again. That's the new fear above my head, every day. I know I'm just ticking down closer to the next incident. It isn't if, it is when. And knowing exactly when… down to the hour and minute, doesn't make it any less terrifying. Cedari: Zac, we're going to help you beat this. Parker: You can't beat this I'm afraid. I think we'd all be better off accepting it. I'm going to push hard for a different containment plan. I'm sick and tired of trying to fight the inevitable. Cedari: The Foundation fights for their employees. It is our duty to keep you safe. Parker: And it is my duty to make sure that my safety doesn't take priority over everyone else. Please, let me walk out of here and get back to work. I've got a year of making up for all my failures to get started with. Cedari: If you think that's the best way to heal. Parker: It's the only way I know how. End Log + SCP-5544 Incident #05 - Access Granted Anomalous Workplace Incident Report Date: 12/26/20██ Anomalous Event: After a brief meeting with the Site Director a week prior, Researcher Parker's planned relocation to Lunar Area 32 was cancelled and a new containment plan developed by Researcher Parker was put in place. At 10:58 PM on 12/26/20██, Researcher Parker left Site-93 and entered the Site 93 dumpster. Researcher Parker stayed inside the dumpster until 11:46 P.M., at which point Parker left the dumpster and re-entered Site-93. Parker entered a lavatory with a fresh set of lab clothing and after changing, returned to his duties. Condition of Employee: Researcher Parker suffered no physical injuries and was not visibly distressed. When asked to state his mood, Researcher Parker told Foundation medical personnel that he felt "acceptable". Re-occurrence Prevention Plan: Due to the low risk nature of this incident, arrangements have been made with Researcher Parker to normalize this procedure as the primary method of containment. Psychological examination of Researcher Parker after each incident is still required. + Post Incident Interview #05 - Access Granted Post-Incident Interview Interviewer: Dr. Avia Cedari Subject: Researcher Zachary Parker Begin Log Cedari: Hello Zac, how are you? Parker: Alive. Cedari: Less stressed than normal for this time of year? Parker: I guess, maybe not to the extent that everyone thinks, but yeah. I'm not screaming and crying right now. I got that out of my system. Cedari: Out of your system? Parker: I was crying and freaking out for a good half an hour or so in that dumpster. Cedari: Why is that? You climbed into it of your own volition. Parker: I didn't have a choice this time. I haven't actually had a choice about it ever. I was just tired, tired of so many people cleaning up the mess I've made. So many people fought for me thinking that some day it'd be over. Someday it would never happen again. All of them were wrong. There's never going to be a year where I don't end up inside that dumpster, weeping and screaming, on the day after Christmas. [Parker rests his face into his hands] Parker: I tried to get help and I alienated so many people thinking that the help would be in any way meaningful. The average person wouldn't stand out in the rain for someone else's benefit. Putting entire facilities at risk was too high a price. I'm just not worth it. That's what made me cry. I'm disposable. I can be dropped the second people are tired of dealing with me. No wonder I end up in a dumpster. I belong there. Cedari: That's very harsh on yourself, Zac, you aren't defined by one bad day out of the year, one that you didn't choose. Parker: Oh but I am. This is the most notable thing about me. No other quality will ever quite stand out as much. This is who I am, and trying to fight it just makes it more obvious. You're always looking for the future, when this is something we as an organization can check off as resolved. I'm not looking for a resolution, I'm looking for a moral to the story. The moral to me is I can fight against this for the rest of my life and lose every time, dragging in more and more innocent people every single time. The alternative, I can just accept being the trash guy. I get hurt, I get embarrassed, I lose face. [Parker inhales deeply and begins to cry.] Parker: That's inevitable, but I can prevent anyone else from being hurt by it. I'd rather be a joke than a tragedy. Cedari: I think there's still hope that someday we find a way around this. Obviously this is the safest method of containment for now, but I think you shouldn't give up. This has clearly taken a toll on you. Parker: Would you really go that far just to prove somebody wrong? It is a toll on me. It is a toll on anyone who spends time with me, which I why I try to socialize less. It is a toll on anyone in a relationship with me, which I why I consider myself retired from dating. It is a toll on my family, so I keep in touch but I try not to get so entangle that someone might end up worrying about what I'm up to the day after Christmas. So they don't invite me out to a party or on a trip somewhere. It is forever my duty to make sure this is my burden to bear, and that I bear it in silence and indifference. Cedari: That's not a healthy long-term coping mechanism, Zac, you're only making it worse for yourself. You need friends, you need family, and I really do think you were happier when you had a healthy relationship with someone. Turning away from those just because you might someday hurt someone isn't healthy for you. Parker: We've seen what this anomaly can do. How could I sign somebody up for that against their will? We know that the anomaly can change the behavior of other people, we know that it can cause cause things to break and malfunction. If I'm friends with someone, they're at risk. If I date someone? They're at a much higher risk. You'd do that to a woman? You wouldn't put Rosemary in that kind of situation, you really are the perfect wife for her. You wouldn't think for a second about putting her in danger. I have a little more respect for people than that. [Parker pauses, wiping away a stream of tears.] Parker: I'm already not quite the catch. I'm already kind of a shitty friend. I'm already kind of a black sheep in my family. To let anyone think otherwise at this point, with the added risk… that's just underhanded. I don't want any unearned admiration. I just want to know that no one is suffering for my sake. Cedari: You are suffering, Zac. You are suffering and you count just as much as everyone else in the world. Parker: I am suffering. I went to bed crying the night before… Sobbing right up until I drifted off to sleep. I felt miserable when it was time to go to work the next morning. Nobody else probably felt that way though, I consider that a victory at this point. That makes me feel just a tiny bit better than I would otherwise. Cedari: You really, genuinely think that this is better for your mental health? Parker: Yes. There's no perfect answer here, but knowing that this method keeps other people safe… that makes it something I can live with. Cedari: Well, if this is the best available method… I guess that works for now. Parker: I agree. Am I good to go back to my duties? Cedari: Yes you are. Take care of yourself, Zac. Parker: I'll try… I'll do my best at least. Cedari: That's all I ask. [Parker exits the office] Cedari: I haven't seen the last of him. Footnotes 1. No wet floor sign was present and the floor had not recently been cleaned. 2. The fire alarm failed to sound when the window was opened. 3. This damage was not previously noticed, despite the fire escape being in clear view of several offices. 4. Call sign Eagleton-716 ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5544" by GerrymanderBassist, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5544. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5545 | safe | 𝙰 𝙱 𝙽 𝙾 𝚁 𝙼 𝙰 𝙻 𝙸 𝚃 𝚈 + Show component code - Hide component code :root { --sidebar-width-on-desktop: calc(var(--base-font-size) * (266 / 15)); --body-width-on-desktop: 45.75rem; } @media only screen and (min-width: 56.25rem) { #content-wrap { display: flex; position: initial; flex-direction: row; flex-grow: 2; width: calc(100vw - (100vw - 100%)); max-width: inherit; height: auto; min-height: calc(100vh - var(--final-header-height-on-desktop, 10.125rem)); margin: 0 var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, 13.6rem) 0 calc(var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, 13.6rem) * -1 / 2); } #main-content { position: initial; width: var(--body-width-on-desktop, 45.75rem); max-width: var(--body-width-on-desktop, 45.75rem); max-height: 100%; margin: 0 auto; padding: 2rem 1rem; } #page-content { max-width: min(90vw, var(--body-width-on-desktop, 45.75rem)); } #side-bar { position: -webkit-sticky; position: sticky; top: 0; left: 0; grid-area: side-bar; width: var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, 13.6rem) !important; 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Item #: SCP-5545 Special Containment Procedures: Provisional Site-344-1 has been built around SCP-5545-1. At least eighteen individuals must be present within Site-344-1 at all times. Conceptual Site-344-2 contains SCP-5545-2 via association lock. All Foundation personnel entering Provisional Site-344-1 must be presented with the following phrase: SCP-5545-2 is contained in Site-344-2. SCP-5545-3 will remain inactive as long as SCP-5545-1 and SCP-5545-2 remain contained. SCP-5545-1-E2. Description: SCP-5545 refers to a series of interrelated anomalous objects and phenomena. SCP-5545-1 appears as a series of hallways manifesting within the subterranean complex of Provisional Site-344-1. SCP-5545-1 instances appear in various forms, but will always lack doors or discernible markings, possess light fixtures at regular intervals, and be indistinguishable architecturally from its surroundings. Although SCP-5545-1 instances extend indefinitely, these hallways cannot be entered from any other location; it is believed that SCP-5545-1 intersects an extra-dimensional space. SCP-5545-2 is an entity located within Site-344-2. No further information can be provided. SCP-5545-3 is a phenomenon resulting in SCP-5545-2's interactions with SCP-5545-1. During this process, SCP-5545-1's area of effect will exponentially increase with time, resulting in the manifestation of SCP-5545-1 occurring globally within a period of 4–6 hours. This will continue so as long as SCP-5545-2 is present within SCP-5545-1; subversively, SCP-5545-1 will logarithmically decrease in its area of effect while SCP-5545-2 is not present within it. Although this is not the limit to the relationship between SCP-5545-2 and SCP-5545-1, further information would constitute a containment breach. Discovery: Although the exact details behind SCP-5545's discovery are unclear, its central anomaly was believed to have been repeatedly discovered by colonial explorers since the late 1700's. Due to their interactions with SCP-5545-1 and -2 (and in some cases the indirect activation of SCP-5545-3), a vast majority of colonial explorers who learnt of the anomaly died, either from the anomaly itself or suicidal tendencies provoked by it. The total number of casualties during this time period are believed to number around seventy. On September 8th, 2003, Foundation researchers discovered SCP-5545 during an expedition into Antarctica. The anomaly was initially believed to be confined to SCP-5545-1, and a provisional site was quickly established. However, after discovering the site in which SCP-5545-2 was located, sixteen members of the research team died. After investigation, the current containment procedures were set in place. NOTICE The remainder of this file has been deemed extremely sensitive information. If your O5 Clearance credentials are found to have been falsified, you will face termination charges. Between December 3rd, 2003, and November 15th, 2019, twenty-nine Mobile Task Force units have been sent into SCP-5545-1 instances, and seventy-three D-Class personnel. None have been accounted for since. Another expedition was scheduled for December 21st, 2019, but was prevented from occurring. On November 18th, 2019, Director Jason Monroe submitted a formal inquiry to investigate the documentation surrounding SCP-5545, the extensive loss of human life, and the general misconduct of staff in the site. Director Monroe was permitted to conduct his investigation; a full list of relevant documentation can be found below. Addendum 1: Official Inquiry Request and Response + Show Documentation - Hide Documentation Official Inquiry Request Solicited by Director Jason Monroe, Head of Site-58 Issued November 18th, 2019 Addressed to the acting O5 Council and Ethics Committee, I am submitting an official inquiry request to investigate and potentially revise the current containment procedures of SCP-5545. Its current acting head researcher, Doctor Gabriel Reed, has been in charge of the project for almost two decades, yet has updated the page only twice: the first time on September 8th, 2003, and the second time on December 3rd, 2003. The file is severely lacking in information and clearly requires some capacity of resources that doesn't make it a safe-class anomaly according to any of our standards, even the ones dating to 2003. Additionally, we have roughly no knowledge of SCP-5545-2. While it's clear that the anomaly possesses a danger to human life, it appears to have been completely dormant until it was discovered. It is likely more efficient for containment specialists to simply isolate the anomaly than attempt to actively contain it. If not, we should at least receive some form of update to the file or information about the anomaly as a whole. If it were any other anomaly, I'd probably ignore the file and continue my duties as director. However, the file does not state that there's any memetic influence occurring, and the complete silence from Provisional Site-344-1 has left me to believe that something drastic has occurred without our knowledge. Considering the proximity of Site-58 to the anomaly, this would fall under my jurisdiction as detailed under the Site Director Code of Ethics rules. Considering my previous employment in Mobile Task Force Eta-10, and my involvement in the containment of numerous keter-class anomalies, I would like to request to personally navigate to and investigate the circumstances surrounding SCP-5545. I have already assured that my work for the next six months can be done by other personnel, and that I will not be needed during this time. You can find appropriate paperwork attached to this document. O5 COUNCIL PROPOSAL SUMMARY COUNCIL VOTE SUMMARY: YEA NAY ABSTAIN O5-01 O5-02 O5-03 O5-04 O5-05 O5-06 O5-07 O5-08 O5-09 O5-10 O5-11 O5-12 O5-13 STATUS APPROVED Addendum 2: Initial Exploration + Show Documentation - Hide Documentation The following are private documents and notes recovered from Director Jason Monroe's notebook during his investigation into SCP-5545. 11/20/2019 I've arrived at the Provisional Site today. The trip wasn't as terrible as I expected it to be. Some hot chocolate in a helicopter over an arctic wasteland, while uncomfortable, was still the most soothing feeling I'd had all month. Half a year of being a Site Director can seriously get to your nerves. Don't think I'll be offered any luxuries for a while, so it was nice while it lasted. I've come prepared with a few O5-approved provisions, such as a hostile meme detector and audio recorders. I've also got a concealed carry-on weapon, which I don't plan on ever using. Might be useful anyways. The O5 refused to let me bring SCRAMBLE gear, but it's understandable; the tech is still relatively new and experimental. Feels a lot like my days in Eta-10. When I arrived at the Provisional Site, I was greeted by a middle-aged researcher. Flashed him my credentials and he quickly moved aside, but not before telling me "SCP-5545-2 is contained in Site-344-2" in an almost depressive tone. Ran the audio through the hostile meme detector (I'll just abbreviate it as HMD) and it turned up negative. Possibly getting paranoid, but it's better safe than sorry. My room is on the first subterranean floor of the complex, third door on the left side of the first hallway. It's small but cozy; a single bed and bath, two heaters (it's the arctic after all), a coffee machine and alarm clock. A few other minor bits of furniture here and there, but the room doesn't contain a lot. The light fixture above my head is illuminating the concrete walls of the room. Unfortunately for me, I arrived at night, meaning Dr. Reed was off-duty and probably asleep. Tomorrow will have to do. Until then, I've decided to write down my observations and findings into a notebook; I'll likely do this every night, since typing this stuff on a phone is a pain in the ass. Besides, writing helps me think better — apologies to whoever needs to transcribe this. —Jason Monroe 11/21/2019 I decided to walk around a bit in the morning before everyone else woke up. The ventilation shafts in my room make this quiet whistling noise when night comes in — it's really annoying, so I'm going to try to fall asleep before they start. While on my walk, I noticed something interesting: at the end of each hallway, there's a green sign saying that it's safe to cross. It's these small details that make containment possible in the Foundation, especially with odd and adaptive anomalies like 5545; since -1 appears indefinite, you use that to your advantage, and put the signs at the end of the halls so the anomaly can't mimic it. Yet despite all the cleverness of people, somehow this site ended up compromised. One of the unfortunate risks for working for this place. I also noticed that there's cameras in practically every hallway here, but none in my room nor the halls outside the dorms. I plan on using that to my advantage, but for now, I'll have to keep tabs on it. My meeting with Doctor Gabriel Reed was… relatively lackluster. I entered his office at 9:00 AM and left at about 9:30. He was a good bit shorter than me, balding and lacking any significant facial hair. The bags under his eyes told me he was fairly sleep deprived, or incredibly bored — from the way he spoke, I assume both. He simply nodded at me as I came in and sat down, and we sat in silence for what felt like an hour but was in reality closer to a minute. I started asking him questions, and he answered briefly and concisely. When I asked about 5545, he just pointed at a copy of the file. I questioned him about -2 and got nothing except that it'd constitute a containment breach if I was informed. In other words, the conversation was infuriating, and I found out nothing. The meeting ended and I returned to my dorms. Obviously, I ran the conversation through the HMD. People don't just sit there and answer questions vaguely yet robotically; hell, it's one of the tell-tale signs of some kind of memetic suppressant. But, despite everything, the conversation returned no malicious memetic infection. I tried running it without any filter on detection, but only got regular, non-anomalous memes standard with most conversations. In other words, whatever's made the Site like this is either an incredibly powerful yet subtle memetic hazard, or not a meme at all. It's around midday now, so I'll write another note tonight. —Jason Monroe 11/21/2019 Remember when I said there were cameras in every hall? It's a little known fact (mainly because nobody's cleared to know it), but every site contains a few locked and almost seamless panels that gives you complete access to the security system. Even the most antiquated systems are incredibly secure — if you don't have the proper credentials you're bound to get in serious trouble. Thankfully, I do have them, and the terminal accepted me with no issues. I think the most noticeable thing was Conceptual Site-344-2's sole camera, which was a completely black screen save for the phrase "SCP-5545-2 is contained in Site-344-2." It produced a slight static noise whenever its audio was on, so I quickly muted it. I get that it's contained by "association lock," but there's only one other person who can access this feed anyways, and it's Doctor Reed. There's literally no use for it. The second thing I noticed is something I've only seen once or twice in my time employed by the Foundation: every employee, sitting at a cubicle, doing nothing but staring at their screens. All the screens displayed static, besides two which were simply powered off. Why does this place need eighteen people at the minimum if they do literally nothing all day? Despite these… oddities, my main reason for accessing the camera system is to ascertain Doctor Reed's schedule for holes. Although everyone elses' computers might be tuned to static, he seems to be actively using his, though I can't tell for what. During my probing, I found a small but good enough gap where he went to make himself a drink and use the bathroom for fifteen minutes. He did it twice since I started watching, each for around the same time; if I can enter his office just after he leaves, I might be able to grab some information. In other news, I've encountered my first -1 instance today. Almost missed it too, but my memory faintly reminded me that something was different, and it was only the endless abyss to my left that made me realize I was standing in front of. It blended in almost perfectly, and if I wasn't paying attention I might've accidentally wandered down it. HMD is still turning up negative results for every bit of speech I can record, so it seems like a dead end. I'll write more tomorrow when I get some actual information. —Jason Monroe Addendum 3: Investigation + Show Documentation - Hide Documentation The following are private documents and notes recovered from Director Jason Monroe's notebook during his investigation into SCP-5545, during and after his espionage on November 22nd, 2019. 11/22/2019 I'm not going to lie: this makes absolutely no sense. I watched through the camera system for his break and found that it was 15 minutes each time, like I suspected. At 11:45, he left for the bathroom and I snuck into his office undetected. After just a few clicks I managed to find SCP-5545 on his intranet database, and attempted to open up the file, only to discover that everything past the discovery logs were locked with O5 Clearance. I wasn't aware there was anything past it, but I'm honestly not surprised. I decided to start looking through his files to see if I could find anything else that's useful. Interestingly enough, he's got relatively little on it, but enough information for me to gain some insight. Two things I found particularly interesting. First, this image: [Digital version of image located on Doctor Gabriel Reed's computer.] It's a bit blurry since I had to take the picture on my phone then print it through the oldest system on the damn planet, but it clearly depicts a mobile task force entering a hall — presumably 5545-1. I don't recall the file ever saying something about a task force, but I'm willing to bet it is, once again, locked behind a passcode. Site Director clearance can get you far, but not all the way. The second thing was an Excel sheet (obviously rudimentary) containing a list of every employee who's ever worked at the site. Around half of them are dead, either from suicide or anomaly influence (which I learned from the file), but one detail sticks out: a single redacted entry. The name, clearance, basic info, and even the cause of death have been entirely erased from the file. I don't know who our mystery man is, but I assume he might be the connecting link. I wanted to do a bit more digging, but I only had a few minutes left, so I tidied up and skedaddled. Had around 30 seconds to spare before Reed came back and continued "working." Tomorrow, I plan on figuring out how to either hack or get past the security block. It's risky, but I was given unanimous O5 approval to investigate this anomaly, and by god I will. Why is there an O5-Clearance notice anyways? Why did the O5 unanimously approve my expedition? It's been bothering me for a day or so now, but I'm starting to get suspicious. This makes no sense on every level. There's something fundamentally wrong here, and I plan on figuring out what. —Jason Monroe It should be noted that the following page was torn and discarded after its creation: 11/22?/2019 (haven't checked the time) I had a dream. The same one since I joined Eta-10, but slightly different. I'm standing in a lavish home I don't recognize. The walls are crimson, outlined with hellishly detailed golden adornments running up and down. There is a table in the center, made of glass surrounded by dozens of chairs of silver. It is cold in the room and I am shivering, yet i am wrapped in a large thick coat, and I am not cold. At the end of the room, in the center, there is a fireplace. a few minutes pass and I'm walking through the room. There are statues along its sides and they all appear either feminine or masculine, never in between. Their faces are the same. The man is angry and the woman is afraid, and they are related. I don't know how I know this but the thought is perfectly natural. I get to the end of the room, and stand in front of the fire. It's quiet and warm, the only sound is the crackling of the fire and the chandelier hanging above the table, softly swinging back and forth, back and forth. i hated chandeliers as a kid since I always felt they would just fall. I am nervous. i look back to above the table but find the chandelier isn't swinging at all - but the noise is continuing. my gaze shifts from above the table to the fireplace at eye level. It's become infinitely tall, extending far beyond where i can see into the abyss above. but the swinging is not from the eternal depths but rather from in front of me, from within the fireplace. the shape emerges and i dont recognize it until it has reached out and it's bored into my mind. there is the corpse of a woman, a small girl. she is hanging by a horrendously long thread, intertwining with the laces of the scarlet walls and extending upwards to a void of no ceiling. she grips the sides of the fireplace and pulls herself out. she stares at me. watching. she is angry and i don't know why, as though i am the source of all her rage and fury. she desperately wants to free herself from the torment but cant leave the fireplace. i enter and she rips my skin off, exposing my muscle to the open flames. we burn forever together, suffering with no end today, i dreamt that i blinked upon entering, and i'm in a hallway. that's what's new about the dream. i dont know what it means. fuck it Following this, Director Jason Monroe threw the paper away and returned to his bed. 11/23/2019 Had a weird dream last night. Decided to run my voice through the HMD just to be sure and it came out negative. Oh well. My main priority at the moment is to find out how the O5 are involved in this anomaly, but there's also the issue of figuring out what the hell is happening at this site. The plan of action is to infiltrate the O5-access section of the SCP-5545 file and find out what I need to know, and hopefully explain everything. I'm also still curious about the redacted entry and the MTF picture. I read through the file again and I noticed that Site-344-2 is said to be "Conceptual," meaning that it's in an idea space of some kind. I'm not sure what that entails or how the hell I could access it, but that means that -2 is also contained in idea space. The containment procedures also say that's it's kept under key via "association lock", which I assume means that it's associated with a concept (the concept here being "contained") and it becomes the concept. In reality, I have no idea: I've never heard of it, nor seen it used in another article. It could mean anything for all I'm aware. SCP-5545-2 seems to also cause suicide in some individuals, and directly kills others. I don't know what the criteria for each are. Judging by the amount of blackboxes on the redacted report, it seems our mystery friend died differently from everyone else. Could be a red herring (the Foundation does that sometimes), but I doubt it for this anomaly. I plan on infiltrating the office in two hours. Hopefully the new information will help me crack the case open. —Jason Monroe 11/24/2019 Shit. I haven't written for almost a day, but I think it's safe to now. Just need to collect my thoughts. I waited for another opportunity to sneak into Reed's office. At about 11:45, he got up and walked out, giving me my chance to enter. I made sure to memorize the layout of everything on his monitor so I could set it back to how it was before without arousing suspicion. The goal was to find some way to access the entire file using only what was available on the computer. Considering Dr. Reed likely had access to it, and the device wasn't capable of connecting to the Foundation intranet, it must mean that the software already contained the clearance, and I just needed to activate it. Sure enough, after a few minutes of searching, I found them. The credentials were stored in a hidden file in some non-conspicuous folder. I recognized it as the late O5-9's signature code, mainly from its identifying features (it's complicated, but I have some experience). The key was clearly outdated and non-functional everywhere else, but since this was an isolated system, it worked like a charm. I punched in the numbers and the file let me in. I… I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. The first thing I saw was the extended Discovery Log. It said that almost thirty MTF members were sent in there, along with over seventy D-Class. Pardon my language, but what the fuck? Who kept sending these people into -1 instances? Was it Reed? And if it weren't disturbing enough on its own right, I found a complete recollection of all my previously-written notes. Even the discarded ones. Logged on the console that does not have access to the Foundation intranet. I doubt it was Reed for a few reasons (mainly that the notes were carried on me at all times and there's a non-keyed lock on my door), so I'm presuming that the O5 Council is somehow involved. I have no idea how, but someone is watching me. Then Reed walked in. The following is a transcript of the conversation between Director Jason Monroe and Doctor Gabriel Reed, and was not included in the note. BEGIN LOG Dr. Reed: …Director Monroe? Director Monroe: (startled) Shit! Dr. Reed: Are you aware that entering my office without my permission is a breach of protocol? Director Monroe: Are you aware that sending over 70-fucking-D-Class into your "pet anomaly" is also a breach in protocol? Momentary silence. Dr. Reed: You've read the SCP-5545 file with O5 Credentials? I am certain you saw the warning. Director Monroe: I don't fucking care anymore. This Site is under the influence of some kind of… of abnormality and you're doing nothing to stop it. You're succumbing to it. Dr. Reed: I do not believe that is the case, Director. You have entered the site uninvited and have violated its rules several times, and now have gone against O5 protocol. You may face termination charges. Director Monroe produces concealed carry-on from his coat. Dr. Reed does not react. Director Monroe: I'm here under order from O5 to ensure that this anomaly is contained properly. You've been inadequate. Dr. Reed: On the contrary. Your orders were given to assist in containment, and everything has gone perfectly thus far. Director Monroe appears stunned. Director Monroe: …What— Dr. Reed: Return to your room, Director. You have everything you need. Director Monroe pauses, then slowly lowers his weapon. Doctor Reed moves from the doorway and allows the Director to leave. END LOG Following this, Director Monroe returns to his room, not re-concealing his firearm. We had a… brief exchange. I lost my cool, and Reed said something that stuck with me: "You have everything you need." What does that mean? Does he know about my thoughts? How did he get access to my notes? Is he watching me somehow? How are the O5 involved? Why did they send me specifically? Is 5545 the source of all this? What the fuck is going on??? No one's sent guards to detain me or kill me yet. I think, thus far, I'm in the clear. But I need to think. — Jason Monroe I feel like I'm going insane . Do I even know? It's a conspiracy. I've been thinking through my options here and all the clues I've gathered, and I've come to a few conclusions. For some reason, I haven't been detained or terminated yet, nor recalled from my duty. Along with Reed's statements and the unanimous O5 vote, I'm starting to come to the conclusion that perhaps I'm here for a reason besides investigating the anomaly. That I've been playing a role for some higher purpose. That I've been a puppet on a string this entire time. The notes are leading me to believe that, somehow, they had access to it beforehand. From seventeen fucking years ago. How is that possible? How long have I been here? Repeated amnestic use on this scale would surely show some side effects in me. It couldn't have been a memory wipe. I can't seem to figure it out. Why am I needed here? I volunteered to come, it wasn't an O5 order. Did they expect me to? How? Memetics? It doesn't add up. I'm missing the final piece of this goddamn puzzle and I'm sick of playing this stupid charade of cat-and-mouse. I need to end this. I've come up with a hypothesis, but with no way of proving it. SCP-5545-2 is contained in Site-344-2 — that's what I've been told around three or four times now. Site-344-2 is a conceptual space, but nonetheless exists. If there's a way to get to Conceptual Site-344-2, there's a way to find SCP-5545-2, and find out what the hell it is. It may constitute a "containment breach," but I'm willing to risk it. I need to know. The part of my hypothesis I can't prove is that SCP-5545-1 is the entrance to Conceptual Site-344-2. If I end up going into SCP-5545-1, and it will kill me, and I'm not supposed to be there, Doctor Reed will be forced to prevent me from going. If it won't kill me, then I won't be dead; great. If I'm supposed to be there, then I at least hope I'll get some fucking answers, whether it's fatal or not. If I come out alive and there isn't some sort of grand plan and I'm just losing my goddamn mind, then I'll be terminated anyways for breaking O5 order. There's nothing left for me to lose. There's a -1 instance directly across the hall from my dorm. I'll see you bastards on the other side. Addendum 4: Conclusion + Show Documentation - Hide Documentation The following is a video log of Director Jason Monroe's expedition into SCP-5545-1 and Conceptual Site-344-2, recorded by a camera he stole from Site-344-1. BEGIN LOG The sound of heavy breathing can be heard as Director Monroe walks through the SCP-5545-1 instance. The walls consist of white-painted concrete, worn by age and deterioration. There is no discernible end to the hallway, with the far end being entirely dark. Light fixtures overhead occasionally flicker, but do not turn off. The whirring of ventilation pipes is faintly audible. Monroe mutters momentarily about getting the camera to operate. Although the footage is slightly grainy, it is functional, and records in decent quality. He sweeps the camera in both directions, revealing that no entrance or exit is visible from within this point in the anomaly. As Monroe continues to walk down the hall, the lights continue to flicker more sporadically, and the ventilation's whirring continues to increase in pitch. Two minutes pass, and the flickering begins to quicken alarmingly. Monroe appears to panic, and begins to hyperventilate. He stops walking and the camera turns towards his face briefly. All lights turn off. Three seconds pass in absolute darkness, followed by the SCP-5545-1 instance quickly brightening. The hallway's appearance has changed entirely; now, it appears ornamental, with yellow-painted walls, elaborate rugs lining the floor, and wooden decorations. Lamps are present in regular intervals on the ceiling. Similar to before, the instance appears to extend indefinitely. SCP-5545-1-P17. Director Monroe is heard choking back a sob, and frantically scans the area. He appears to stutter, and draw a sharp breath. The camera shakes slightly as he readjusts the device to face forwards. Director Monroe: I… I've seen this before. Director Monroe continues through the SCP-5545-1 instance at a normal pace, albeit with irregular breathing patterns and steps. The camera moves significantly more than it did prior. As Monroe continues, no noticeable changes are apparent in the hallway's structure or behavior. Six minutes go by without incident. Monroe halts suddenly, readjusting the camera's focus and zoom. At the far end of the hall there is a faint, flickering light visible, which Monroe briefly comments on quietly. He continues to walk, readjusting the camera occasionally to ensure the feed is clear. He persistently does so until approximately five meters from the exit. The camera stops moving, focusing on the light. The SCP-5545-1 instance leads into a long room, its details unclear due to the camera's quality. At the far end, the shape of the light changes wildly, and is occasionally obscured by a moving figure. The camera feed begins to sharpen slowly. As the footage clears, the light is revealed to emanate from a fireplace. Director Monroe takes a deep breath audibly, and enters Conceptual Site-344-2. The room is large and poorly lit, the only sources of light being the fireplace and candelabras lining the walls. The ceiling is not in frame, and the walls seem to extend upwards indefinitely. Statues with indeterminate facial expressions are spaced regularly nearby, both male and female in appearance. Monroe makes various noises, suggesting immense emotional distress and anxiety. Upon reaching the fireplace, Monroe moves the camera upwards, and centers it on the fire. A single white thread hangs in front of it, unmoving. Director Monroe: Oh god. Oh god no. Monroe does not move for approximately one minute. There is no discernible noise besides the crackling of the fireplace, and the Director's shallow breaths. The faint sound of creaking slowly becomes audible, and increases in volume. Director Monroe becomes more distressed, and the string in front of the fireplace begins to swing. Monroe's breathing quickens significantly, before he draws a deep breath and rapidly turns around. Director Monroe screams. The camera adjusts to reveal over one hundred identical human cadavers with the appearance of Monroe hanging from a multitude of white threads. All are dressed in different attire, ranging from farming garments to D-Class jumpsuits, as well as approximately twenty in Mobile Task Force tactical gear. All appear to slightly swing from the strings in unison. In the center of the room, at the ground level, the corpse of a young teenage girl is suspended by the strings. Her body is perfectly preserved, though does not show any signs of life. She is dressed in 18th century clothing. Unlike the cadavers hanging above her, she does not swing, and is entirely motionless. Director Monroe: I remember. I remember. Oh please… please no… Director Monroe drops the camera and sobs uncontrollably. There is no reaction, but the cadavers do not cease moving. Director Monroe: How much… how much longer will you do this? There is no response. The cadavers quickly rise out of frame, and a single string lowers itself in front of Director Monroe. The corpse of the girl does not move, but the length of the room slowly diminishes until it is roughly equivalent in length and width. SCP-5545-1 is visible behind the girl. Director Monroe: I… I get it. You want me to make a choice. There is no response. Director Monroe: If I leave here… if I leave the conceptual site, you'll follow me. You'll follow me outside but I'll be free. Your hallways will spread all over the world and thousands will be brought here in my place to die. There is no response. Director Monroe: But… but if I die, here, I'll be brought back again and again, with a different life each time, killed over and over, forever. But it will be only me, to atone for what I did. There is no response. Director Monroe: I'm sorry. There is no response. Silence elapses for three minutes. During this time, Director Monroe's breaths become steadier, and he ceases crying. Director Monroe: The Foundation knew. They needed me to come here. They needed me to keep you contained, and they needed me to make the right choice. To keep you here. And to keep me from leaving through the hall. There is no response. Director Monroe: That's why this happened, and why it'll happen again. Why everything needed to be set up this way. Why they had my notes from before. They knew exactly how the play would conclude because they already read the script. There is no response. Director Monroe: (sobbing) Fuck it. Slowly, Monroe enters into the frame, and approaches the string. He carefully picks up the end of the thread in his palm, and it begins to coil around his hand. The lights in the SCP-5545-1 instance turn off, followed by each candelabra in succession. As the thread snakes through his clothing and around his skin, Monroe looks directly at the girl's corpse. Director Monroe: …How could I ever forget you, Emily? The ropes tighten, and Monroe spasms uncontrollably, his body collapsing to the floor. The fireplace extinguishes, leaving only darkness. END LOG The camera was recovered and logged according to standard protocol. … … You have one (1) new message. To: artni.dnuofpcs|deeRleirbaG#artni.dnuofpcs|deeRleirbaG From: artni.mocwo|9-reesrevO.S#artni.mocwo|9-reesrevO.S Subject: RE:SCP-5545 Dr. Reed, I would like to address your concerns one at a time. First: Everything in the "mock-file" is technically correct. Site-344-1 is used as an information-processing base when not containing SCP-5545, and 18 people are the minimum requirement for maintaining a Site on average. SCP-5545-2 is also contained via association lock, but not to the concept of being "contained" — rather, it's associated to SCP-5545-4's death. The phrase "SCP-5545-2 is contained in Site-344-2" is specifically for -4, and is not actually relevant to the anomaly's standard containment. As long as -1 and -2 are contained, so is -3 (and since -4 is necessary to contain -2, it is "contained" as well). Second: No, you may not take an amnestic regimen. You have an assigned therapist and your memory for prior cycles are necessary in case of future deviations. Third: Our next -4 instance was found among a D-Class transfer, convicted for theft and assault. Considering how long the process takes for D-Class instances, your services will likely not be needed for at least six months. You will receive your extra pay over this duration. Fourth: I do not have the answers to your questions. We are still unable to determine the nature of SCP-5545-4's actions against SCP-5545-2 three hundred years ago, and won't be able to for the foreseeable future. We do not know why SCP-5545-1 are hallways specifically, the methods SCP-5545-2 uses to propagate its goal, or why SCP-5545-3 will result from SCP-5545-4's refusal. There are simply answers we cannot know. It is not our job to rescue a murderer from the consequences of his actions. Our refusal to deliver him to Conceptual Site-344-2 in 2005 resulted in SCP-5545-3 manifesting, in order to force him to enter. We do not plan to risk thousands of deaths for nothing, and it costs us nothing to contain -2 by simply complying with its demand. It's not our job to research, and it's not our job to interfere. It is our job to secure, to contain, and to protect. Nothing more, and nothing less. With regards, The Desk of O5-9 ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5545" by Yossipossi and Calibri Bold, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5545. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: site344-1.jpg Name: Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz Author: Rodrigo Padula License: CC-BY-SA 2.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons (via Flickr) Filename: hallway.JPG Name: Underground facility of the Thomayer University Hospital (1) Author: Chmee2 License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons Filename: intotheabyss.jpg Name: US Army training underground training West Fort Hood Night Vision Author: Sgt. Matthew Thompson License: Public Domain Source Link: Wikimedia Commons via army.mil Filename: sheiswatching.png Name: Spooky Hallway (14564332356) Author: Sam Howzit License: CC-BY 2.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons via flickr |
SCP-5546 | safe | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-5546 "Send a Letter to Your Representative" by: DrAkimoto ★ DrAkimoto's Author Page ★ 82.06% (+32) 17.94% (-7) -% (+0) -% (-0) Crit Cred: Item #: SCP-5546 Special Containment Procedures SCP-5546 is held within Safe Storage Unit 43 at Site-52. The 127 SCP-5546-1 instances as well as the preserved remains of President Dalmez Torpe are collectively held in Waste Storage Unit 4. In an ongoing attempt to identify possible groups of interest, a liaison from the External Affairs Division is to remain in Temaria and investigate political groups within the country for ties to occult practices. Description SCP-5546 is a 1.8 meter tall metal cabinet of unknown origin within which a total of 127 members of the Temarian Nationalist Party were located. These bodies (designated SCP-5546 -1) have been compressed, through unknown means, to a size and configuration reminiscent of standard postal envelopes. The instances have been preserved in a highly effective, unidentified organic chemical compound. Each SCP-5546-1 instance is addressed from a member of Temarian anti-nationalist political groups that have been declared missing or deceased within a period of 10 years. Aside from its sudden manifestation and contents, no further anomalous properties have been attributed to SCP-5546. Discovery SCP-5546. On 2021/01/14, SCP-5546 manifested approximately 12 meters above the chairman of the Temarian Nationalist Party, President Dalmez Torpe, while exiting the Palmo Hotel. SCP-5546 remained stationary for several seconds before accelerating towards President Torpe. At the moment of impact, SCP-5546 is estimated to have been traveling at approximately 400 kph; President Torpe was killed instantly during the collision. A week prior, Dalmez Torpe and his party successfully overturned a fair, legal election that if left unmanipulated would have led to a diminishing of political power and removal of Dalmez Torpe as President. The disappearance and mutilation of SCP-5546-1 instances, as well as the manifestation of SCP-5546, is theorized to be in direct response to these actions, though the responsible party and/or creators of SCP-5546 remain unknown. With the absence of members of the Temarian Nationalist Party and assistance from the UN, a new democratic election took place on 2021/02/10 and the previously subverted party rightfully transitioned to power on 2021/03/01. During this transition, the Foundation successfully implanted a misinformation campaign placing the blame for the disappearance of Temarian Nationalists on an intraparty conflict currently being investigated by the United Nations. In a private statement to the Foundation the newly elected President, Farra Meller, stated the following in regards to SCP-5546: "The people have long resisted the radical ideologies propagated by my predecessor, these strange events were a necessary action needed to forge a road to unity. We did not take them lightly, nor could we ever partake in them again. Our comrades struck down by these terrible people finally had a place to air their grievances, we will now assure their sacrifice was not in vain." The Foundation has established direct communication with the new administration. A financial pact and plans to develop a containment facility within the country are currently underway. Due to the beneficial nature of this newly formed relationship the Foundation has deemed continued investigation into the direct cause of SCP-5546 unnecessary. In order to adapt to the changing political climate and administrations of Temaria, the External Affairs Division will continue to establish viable connections with the remaining political movements within the country. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5546" by DrAkimoto, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5546. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: box.jpg Author: watchsmart License: CC BY 2.0 Source Link: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/577fbc95-1cf5-4bf7-93b3-0fff5ea3446d |
SCP-5547 | safe | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-5547 "Sunken Hope" by:** DrAkimoto ★ DrAkimoto's Author Page ★ 69.1% (+38) 30.9% (-17) -% (+0) -% (-0) Item #: SCP-5547 Special Containment Procedures The preserved remains of Maria Kaper will remain in Biological Storage Locker 56 at Site-52. Results of previous examinations are available to personnel upon request. The Submersible Research Vessel Gavin is stored within Anomalous Vehicle Storage Hangar 02 and will be deconstructed for permanent storage on 2021/04/20. Description SCP-5547 designates the anomalous circumstances surrounding the death of marine geologist Maria Kaper onboard the Submersible Research Vessel Gavin during a routine survey on 2008/04/16. While conducting research 14 km off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, turbulence caused by a thunderstorm caused the RSV Gavin to be separated from the SS Calypso, to which it was previously attached. The US Coast Guard attempted to locate the detached submersible but after conducting searches for two weeks Maria Kaper was assumed deceased and the RSV Gavin unrecoverable. The RSV Gavin. On 2009/05/22, an unrelated research team inadvertently discovered the RSV Gavin 26 km from its previously recorded location. After a month of preparation, the RSV was recovered and brought ashore by the US Coast Guard. Analysis of Maria Kaper indicated the cause of death to be self-induced asphyxiation. Ms. Kaper appeared to have suffered extensively from the symptoms of dehydration, starvation, and various conditions related to long periods of inactivity1, despite these conditions not inhibiting bodily function. Decomposition dating revealed that Ms. Kaper had only been deceased for approximately one month prior to her discovery. The presence of 365 tally marks etched into the bulkheads of the submersible are presumed to indicate the tracking of days. Due to the unexplainable nature of the incident, the Coast Guard contact the Foundation at which time standard containment and concealment efforts were enacted. Though extensive analysis has been conducted on the remains of Maria Kaper and the RSV Gavin, no explanation has been reached as to how she managed to survive for approximately one year without food, water, or oxygen. Due to a lack of potential leads, further investigation in SCP-5547 has been discontinued. A vote to redesignate SCP-5547 as Neutralized is scheduled for 2022/04/20. Footnotes 1. Deep vein thrombosis, extreme muscle loss, and spinal compression. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5547" by DrAkimoto, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5547. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: sub.jpg Author: KEN License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Source Link: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MiniU.jpg#mw-jump-to-license |
SCP-5548 | safe | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } close Info X SCP-5548 "A Hair Brained Scheme" by: DrAkimoto ★ DrAkimoto's Author Page ★ 94.88% (+37) 5.12% (-2) -% (+0) -% (-0) Item #: SCP-5548 Special Containment Procedures SCP-5548 is attached to the shower unit within Improvised Containment Unit 6, formally the C–Wing men's bathroom at Site-52. Testing of SCP-5548 is approved on a case-to-case basis and must be supervised by authorized medical staff. SCP-5548-1 is stored within Biological Storage Locker 121 and will be transfered to Medical Bay 4 every Saturday. While in the medical bay personnel are to trim approximately 30 cm of hair from SCP-5548-1. The collected hair is to be analyzed and subsequently incinerated. Description SCP-5548. SCP-5548 is an amalgamation of several non-anomalous and seemingly unrelated mechanisms that when activated are capable of causing spontaneous hair growth on exposed human epidermis. Testing indicates that SCP-5548 requires an electrical connection and working faucet, though the exact conditions that cause its anomalous effect are not currently understood. SCP-5548-1 is the corpse of Daniel Davis, which remains in a constant state of accelerated hair growth. All other bodily functions of SCP-5548-1 have permanently ceased and the hair growth has a direct correlation to overexposure to SCP-5548 at the time of death. Weekly testing indicated that the hair growth is decelerating at a rate of .02 cm per week; this process is predicted to conclude at some point in March of 2026. Discovery The Foundation was made aware of SCP-5548 shortly after it was discovered by the New Jersey State Police on 2021/03/18. SCP-5548-1 was also found within the two-bedroom apartment in the town of Long Branch. This residence was shared between Daniel Davis and his roommate Carlos Diez. An interview with Carlos Diez revealed that Mr. Davis was attempting to develop a "cure for baldness" in the form of a device installed in a shower or bathtub. This was inspired by the struggles of Mr. Davis after losing his hair at the age of 22, due to an underlying genetic condition. This was confirmed by an unsuccessful donation page on the platform kickstartme.com, created by Mr. Davis six months before his death. Carlos Diez speculated that Mr. Davis' failure to garner attention for his invention had led to increasingly erratic and irritable behavior. A recording of the events leading to the death of SCP-5548-1 was recovered from within the residence. ❏ Video Log 5548.1 ❏ ❐ Video Log 5548.1 ❐ [BEGIN LOG] (The camera is focused on a shower unit with SCP-5548 installed on the showerhead. Shuffling can be heard in the background.) Mr. Davis: Okay, I think we're ready. (Mr. Davis steps into frame, sweat covering his hairless head.) Mr. Davis: (Clears throat.) Okay, so this will be the first-ever test of the HydroHair, donations have been– well non-existent, to be honest. And I know all my friends think I've lost it (forced laughter) but they're wrong too. This will prove it, this will change things– it just has to. (He holds his arm up to the camera.) Mr. Davis: So yeah, as you can see, I've shaved my arm in preparation for the test and already installed the device. (Mr. Davis points towards SCP-5548.) Mr. Davis: Let's begin. (Stepping to the shower Mr. Davis reaches out and turns the faucet's handle approximately 90 degrees. A stream of water descends from SCP-5548.) Mr. Davis: Here goes nothing. (He places his arm in the stream of water and immediately begins to violently shake. Mr. Davis screams as he collapses into the shower, convulsing. After approximately 30 seconds, Mr. Davis dies, though his body convulses at a regular interval. Two minutes later his skin begins to take on a reddish hue, steam rises from the body. Ten minutes into the exposure the corpse develops a thin layer of hair.) [END LOG] SCP-5548-1 was discovered by Carlos Diez approximately two hours after the recorded incident occurred. During the initial examination of SCP-5548, a faulty wiring connection was determined to have caused the death of Mr. Davis. Though the mechanics behind its function are unknown, SCP-5548 operates as intended barring installation error. The research notes of Mr. Davis are being processed by the Site-52 Research and Development Division and practical applications are currently under consideration. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5548" by DrAkimoto, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5548. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: device.jpg Author: wboykinm License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Source Link: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/30ba0f0a-fa1b-49ee-b337-ac05b2e2bd26 |
SCP-5549 | safe | A ROUNDERHOUSE Joint SCP-5549: SECOND SIN ▸ More by this Author ◂ {$comments2} F.A.Q. {$doesthisfixthebug} {$caption} RETINAL SCAN IN PROGRESS… IDENTITY CONFIRMED. WELCOME, RAISA DIRECTOR JONES. Item #: SCP-5549 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5549 is contained at Site-05, located in Western Siberia. Description: SCP-5549 is a sapient entity with ontokinetic abilities. Any further information requests are to be forwarded to Director Sharp. ACCESS SCIPNET VIRTUAL TERMINAL WARNING: ACCESS IS NOW BEING LOGGED Terminal #013 AWAITING INPUT… | !access file="scp-5549" ERROR: FILE LOCKED TO WHITELIST | !access whitelist-"scp-5549" DISPLAYING WHITELIST FOR FILE "SCP-5549" O5-1, O5-2, O5-3, O5-4, O5-5, O5-6, O5-7, O5-8, O5-9, O5-10, O5-11, O5-12, O5-13, O5-14 | !access user="raisamariajones" DISPLAYING USER INFORMATION FOR USER "RAISA DIRECTOR MARIA JONES" RAISA DIRECTOR MARIA JONES POSITION: RAISA DIRECTOR CLEARANCE: LEVEL 5 NAME: JONES, MARIA DOB: 03-02-1927 EMPLOYEE SINCE: 07-19-1963 PROJECTS: N/A | !access user="o5-14" DISPLAYING USER INFORMATION FOR USER "O5-14" O5-14 POSITION: OVERSEER CLEARANCE: LEVEL 6 NAME: N/A DOB: N/A EMPLOYEE SINCE: N/A PROJECTS: N/A | !login user="o5-14" watchword="adropofsuninaglassofmoon" VERIFYING… ------ Welcome, O5-14 ------ | !access file="scp-5549" ACCESS GRANTED Director Sharp, Project LONDON BRIDGE lead researcher. Item #: SCP-5549 Special Containment Procedures: Site-05 is a compound located in Western Siberia, dedicated solely to the containment of SCP-5549. The primary vector of containment is a 1,398 meter borehole drilled directly into the Earth, at the bottom of which is a square 5m cell containing SCP-5549. Motion sensors are set to alert Site-05 if any abnormal activity is detected from the cell. Description: SCP-5549, formerly D-293 & Doctor Jacques Boucher, is a hostile sapient entity with Class V ontokinetic abilities. Additionally, SCP-5549 is highly resistant to all forms of damage tested against it. The extent of SCP-5549's abilities is currently unknown. SCP-5549 was created by the Foundation Department of Inter-Anomaly Experimentation as part of Project LONDON BRIDGE. ADDENDUM 5549.1 Project Proposal LONDON BRIDGE Committee Hearing, November 30th, 1975 [BEGIN LOG] SHARP: Good evening, Liaison Je- O5-11: I'm not Doc Jefferson, son. SHARP: Pardon? I was told I had a meeting with Liaison Jefferson in C109, I migh- O5-11: Sit back down. SHARP: Excuse me? O5-11: If you want to know what happened to your Project Proposal, then I suggest you take a seat. Sharp sits in the wooden chair in front of the desk. O5-11: You probably don't know me, do you? SHARP: I'm afraid I don't, sir. O5-11: Heh. Used to be a time that our faces were everywhere in the Foundation. Not anymore, it seems. My name hasn't been used since before you were born, but you know me as oh-five-eleven. SHARP: .. Oh. O5-11: Five-eleven, yes. Surprised? SHARP: I… wasn't aware you were going to be handling my case. O5-11: I'm not. Normally your proposal would've sat at the bottom of some yellow-bellied paper-pushing secretary's desk for six months and then rejected because he had a bad day. But I've taken an interest in your little experiment. SHARP: You have? Why? O5-11: Yes. Tell me, how long you been working here? SHARP: At Site-19? Abo- O5-11: No - for the Foundation. SHARP: Um, I think it's going to be 8 years this June, sir. O5-11: Mmm. Not long enough. SHARP: Sorry? O5-11: No fault of your own. Just a consequence of your age. I was hoping you'd remember the good days. Before… this. O5-11 gestures around the conference room. O5-11: It wasn't always like this, y'know. SHARP: Like what? O5-11: Like a fucking office. The place reeks of bureaucracy. It wasn't like this fifteen, twenty years ago. SHARP: What was it like? O5-11: We were pioneers! We changed the whole goddamn world. The Atreus Array, the SRAs, we even managed to exploit the fucking eel. Nowadays you have to fill out seventeen forms and take a piss test to borrow a pen. It's ridiculous. SHARP: I- Why are you telling me this? O5-11: I'm hoping you can help me change that. You and your project. SHARP: How? O5-11: You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Did you know that they were considering dissolving the department before your proposal? SHARP: "They"? O5-11: The other members of the council. They think that the state of the Foundation right now is good. They're wrong, of course — but that's not important right now. What is important is that I pushed your proposal through. It's been greenlit. SHARP: Oh - er, wow. Thank you, sir. O5-11: And I pulled a few strings, got you some nice little gifts. Access to some of our more… unique anomalies, and a whole Site to work out of. You're now the Head Researcher of Site-05. The paperwork will all come through shortly. SHARP: I… God, I can't believe this is happening. O5-11: Just remember that I'm gambling a lot on this little project. Disappoint me, and both of us will suffer. I have the strength to weather the shitstorm that would fall on us. But I don't think you do. SHARP: I won't disappoint you, sir. You have my word. O5-11: Good man. Godspeed. [END LOG] ADDENDUM 5549.2 Foundation Department of Inter-Anomaly Experimentation: Project LONDON BRIDGE Mission Statement PROJECT LONDON BRIDGE Department of Inter-Anomaly Experimentation Purpose: To create an artificial anomaly designed to assist Foundation containment efforts and advance scientific knowledge of major contained anomalies. Subject(s): A D-class personnel, chosen after project approval and subject to intense psychological and physical vetting. Procedure: Subject to be repeatedly exposed to several anomalies as chosen by Project Lead Sharp, and brought close to expiration. Subject is then to be exposed to SCP-427 and treated with non-anomalous medical technologies. ADDENDUM 5549.3 D-293 Initial Recruitment Interview, December 15th, 1975 [BEGIN LOG] SHARP: Good evening. D-293: W-who are you? SHARP: Put simply, we represent an independent research group that has a vested interest in making sure humanity is protected from threats. D-293: Like, diseases? Nuclear war? SHARP: Not quite. We leave that to others — I'm talking about unexplainable things. Ideas that hide themselves in your memory, species that have evolved specifically to hunt humans — the kinds of things we used to call demons and monsters. D-293: Monsters aren't real. SHARP: We make sure people keep believing that. D-293: Is this some sort of joke? SHARP: Far from it. Protecting the world is bloody work. And we need your help. D-293: What could you possibly want from me? SHARP: We need people. We need individuals willing to work with us to protect the rest of the world from those threats. We need people with nothing left to lose. D-293: I-I don't have any special skills or anything. I'm a college dropout. I don't know how I can help you. SHARP: Everyone can help in their own ways. D-293: What's mine? SHARP: Testing. It's ugly work, but someone has to do it. There's a lot of people counting on you. D-293: Why should I care? There's a thousand inmates in here, get someone else. SHARP: There are benefits. We have influence. We can commute your sentence, make sure that your family doesn't have to suffer from your absence. They'll be provided restitution, and you can greet them in person after a few years of working for us, instead of occasionally through a glass panel and telephone. Silence. D-293: Alright. Okay, I'll do it. [END LOG] ADDENDUM 5549.4 D-293 Medical Report, December 29th 1975 PROJECT LONDON BRIDGE Dr. Jacques Boucher Age 29 Sex F Ethnicity East Asian Height 162cm Weight 54.2kg Localized Hume Rating 99/103 Height and weight are about average. Hume rating is well in the range of nonanomalous. I have to say, we picked a quality test subject, about as normal as it gets. Well, I say that, and then I remember she killed a person. On that note, I'd like to make an addition to the testing schedule: Semi-regular psychological check-ups. I can't imagine this kind of testing to be good for one's mental health, and keeping the subject complacent is rather important in this venture. I'd be more than happy to handle those myself, if you'd like. Much appreciated, Boucher. Forward me a prospective schedule at your leisure. - Sharp ADDENDUM 5549.5 Site-05 Testing Log Excerpt, Jan-May Fileserv Notice: Hover over the ellipses icon to display a short summary of the anomaly. Item Result Recovery Notes SCP-494SCP-494 is a pair of fingerless gloves. When both are worn and an object held in each hand, two objects’ makeup will be suddenly traded.… Dr. Franz fitted SCP-494 onto his hands. He was ordered to hold the subject's right shoulder in his right hand and a rod of titanium alloy in his left. Two seconds after the test began, subject tore themselves from Dr. Franz's grip at the sight of titanium spreading across their shoulder. Subject was forcibly sedated and returned to containment cell. N/A N/A Subject reacted extremely negatively to Test 494.01, demanding to be released immediately. Violent reactions to any personnel entering the containment cell only subsided after prolonged solitary confinement. In order to prevent similar incidents in the future, Dr. Boucher's proposal of regular psychological evaluations has been approved. ADDENDUM 5549.6 D-293 Medical Report, May 16 1976 PROJECT LONDON BRIDGE Dr. Jacques Boucher Height 184cm Weight 48.7kg Localized Hume Rating 95/102 Slight drop-off in weight, accompanied by a sharp increase in height. Most of that is in the neck, which is slightly concerning based on how fragile her collarbone looks. Like it might snap with a touch. Actually, that's in regards to all her bones; she might be suffering from calcium deficiency. Regardless, she's not dead, so that's already a big plus. I'm going to recommend a higher calorie diet to make up for that weight loss. Since we haven't exposed her to any ontokinetics yet, I don't think Hume Rating will be a problem. Any fluctuations will probably just be caused by us keeping so many anomalous things in one place. ADDENDUM 5549.7 D-293 Psychological Screening Interview #1, June 2nd 1976 [BEGIN LOG] [Elevator opens. BOUCHER steps out.] BOUCHER: Hello. D-293: Hu - oh! Hello. BOUCHER: Remember those psych sessions I was been talking about? They finally got authorized. D-293: Oh, uh, wow. That's good, I guess. BOUCHER: Yeah. How've you been feeling lately? D-293: Bored… lethargic. Not much to do down here. BOUCHER: Alright, I'll see what I can do. And beyond that? D-293: Not good, honestly. BOUCHER: And why's that? D-293: The test. I freaked out, didn't I? BOUCHER: I- well, I suppose. But you handled it better than you could have. D-293: It was pretty bad. I.. didn't know it would be that bad. BOUCHER: It's not your fault. These kinds of.. anomalies are hard to predict, even for us. D-293: Do you guys really understand these things? BOUCHER: Better than anyone else in the world. D-293: The world doesn't even know about them. BOUCHER: Exactly. [Both laugh for a moment.] D-293: Really though. I saw the look in the Sharp's eyes when he started the test. [BOUCHER fidgets in his seat.] BOUCHER: Well, that's what you're here for. To help us truly understand these things, the way they affect people. We're not there yet, but we're getting there. D-293: I'm not really sure how changing my arm to metal would help anyone. BOUCHER: Well, we need to know how different anomalies interact with humans. When a soldier somewhere gets attacked with one of those anomalies, we're gonna be able to thank you for teaching us how it worked. D-293: Hm. I… guess that makes sense. BOUCHER: Every single test furthers our understanding of these things. You're an invaluable asset to this project. D-293: Mhm. Thanks, doctor. BOUCHER: It's what I'm here for. [END LOG] ADDENDUM 5549.8 Site-05 Testing Log Excerpt, June-Oct Item Result Recovery Notes SCP-217SCP-217 is a virus that alters the biochemistry of organic tissue, causing organic matter to re-arrange into a form of “organic metal”.••• Subject intravenously exposed to anomaly through the brachial artery. Within 9 hours, infection spread through left arm and into torso. Subject repeatedly voiced extreme discomfort and requested the test be ended. Request declined. After infection had spread to collarbone, subject was exposed to SCP-427. Subject made full recovery in 24 hours. Physical noted significantly denser muscle tissue, layered with deposits of an unknown metal. SCP-212SCP-212 is a surgical robot that attempts to "improve" any organic matter presented to it. Improvements that have been observed include: lining of joints with graphite, replacement of biological organs with artificial ones, addition of metal plates to bones, addition of new or duplicate organs, and replacement of teeth with small serrated steel bands, among many others.••• Subject sedated and SCP-212 activated. Anomaly initially displayed confusion at subject's body but quickly began operating. Operation duration was 9 hours. All incisions were sealed correctly, with no signs of infection. Significant alterations to subject's body structure were made, including removal of large amounts of body fat, hollowing of bones, placement of a metal structure around the heart, and placement of two unknown organic masses within the torso. The purposes of these masses is unknown. SCP-008SCP-008 is a complex prion disease. Infected organisms rapidly die before returning in a state of limited brain and body functionality. ••• Subject intravenously exposed to anomaly through the brachial artery. Standard escalation of symptoms proceeds, and subject is unconcious within two hours. Subject exposed to SCP-427 approximately two hours and thirteen minutes following initial infection. All external symptoms rapidly reversed. Examination revealed that certain internal symptoms remained — notably, increased muscle endurance and strength and high blood viscosity resulting in negligible blood flow from wounds. ADDENDUM 5549.9 D-293 Medical Report, October 9th 1976 PROJECT LONDON BRIDGE Dr. Jacques Boucher Height 204cm Weight 51.5kg Localized Hume Rating 98/101 Another increase in height, though this time a weight gain came along with it. Skin has also become noticeably tougher, and feels almost reinforced. I'd like to schedule an x-ray, but I'm unsure if we can get that out here. Of note, I noticed bruises on her sternum during the check-up. I won't ask where they came from, but I strongly advise you to be more careful around her. Damaging your test subject is inadvisable. Your concern is appreciated, but unrequested. We're handling the subject as necessary. And please refrain from referring to them with gendered pronouns. - Sharp ADDENDUM 5549.10 D-293 Psychological Screening Interview Excerpts, June-Oct, 1976 [INTERVIEW #4] [Elevator door opens, BOUCHER steps out.] D-293: Welcome back. BOUCHER: Yeah, hey. How're you feeling? You said you were bored last time, I had them bring down a new set of books. D-293: I saw. BOUCHER: Do you… like them? D-293: They're fine. BOUCHER: Is something wrong? D-293: What do you think? BOUCHER: Okay, something is wrong. Talk to me. It's what I'm here for. D-293: I'm trapped in a cell for most of the day, and when I get out it's to have those insane tests run on me, and then right back in. I'm never getting out of here. BOUCHER: That's not true. We've already gotten through the first round of testing, that's great progress! And you're fine, right? D-293: I don't feel fine. I feel horrible. I want to throw up and cry at the same time after I get out of the testing chamber. I don't think I've seen the sun in weeks. [D-293 chokes down a sob. BOUCHER moves to comfort her.] BOUCHER: Hey, hey, woah. It's okay. D-293: I'm so- BOUCHER: You've got nothing to be sorry about. But you do have to tell me about these things, you know. I'm here to help you. D-293: Yeah. Yeah, I know. BOUCHER: I'm going to see what I can do about those issues as soon as I get back to my office, alright? D-293: Alright. [Wipes tears.] Thank you. [INTERVIEW #6] BOUCHER: Oh, I haven't used those things in years. D-293: Why not? BOUCHER: They're nonsense. Inkblots aren't exactly a good clinical tool, to say the least. D-293: Mhm. Hey, Doctor? BOUCHER: Yes? D-293: I've been… noticing — Can you answer this honestly? Please? BOUCHER: Er, I'll try. What is it? D-293: Do you guys know what you're doing? BOUCHER: I- What do you mean? D-293: The testing. I - I don't see any pattern. I can't figure out what you want from me. BOUCHER: I'm… not following. D-293: It seems like you're just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. At my expense. BOUCHER: Oh, no. God no. We're not animals, we have a plan. D-293: What is it? BOUCHER: I- You know I can't tell you. D-293: I don't think you know either. BOUCHER: Look, these things aren't supposed to exist. The rest of the world doesn't even know about them! And we're figuring out how to safely handle them. Trust me, nobody understands these things like we do. D-293: I get that, it's just… God, I hate feeling like this. BOUCHER: Like what? D-293: I'm just sick and scared. All the damn time. BOUCHER: Scared of what? D-293: I don't know. My next test. Sharp. BOUCHER: It's okay to be scared. But just- we're on your side. I'm on your side. You know that, right? D-293: Yeah. Yeah, I know. [INTERVIEW #7] BOUCHER: Since you asked me a while ago… I managed to get you a set of these. D-293: Are those the… inkblot things? BOUCHER: Rorschach cards, yes. Pseudoscience, but entertaining pseudoscience. Up for it? D-293: Not like I've got much better to do. I finished my copy of Proust. BOUCHER: Alright then. What do you see? D-293: Hm. A stain. No, a bruise. BOUCHER: And now? D-293: A bone. Yeah. BOUCHER: And this one? D-293: Huh. Reminds me of… Captain Hayes' tattoo. BOUCHER: What? D-293: Er- BOUCHER: Do you… need to talk about something? D-293: No! No. I'm fine. It's fine. ADDENDUM 5549.11 Site-05 Testing Log Excerpt, Nov-Jan Item Test Summary Recovery Notes SCP-222SCP-222 is a cave in Italy containing several stone coffins. If an organism sleeps in one of the coffins, within 24 hours, a clone of the organism will manifest in the cave. ••• Subject was placed into coffin, test proceeded without incident. Clone, temporarily designated D-293-b, was recovered from caves. Notably, D-293-b was identical to D-293 prior to testing, suggesting that their DNA has not been altered. SCP-610SCP-610 is a contagious skin disease that results in the death of the infected, followed by a return of life functions. Scar tissue formed during infection will begin to mutate and move toward other vectors of infection.••• Subject and D-293 were placed in a testing chamber, and D-293-b was exposed to a sample of SCP-610. The temperature of the chamber was increased and within seven minutes, D-293-b had been completely covered. Subject panicked and attempted to exit testing chamber, slamming against the door several times. When deterrent electrical shocks were applied, it attempted to break through the observation glass. Despite this, they were quickly absorbed into the rapidly-increasing mass of SCP-610. Testing was stopped and SCP-427 was applied. The mass quickly shrank in size, disappearing entirely within four minutes. Subject was recovered from the center of the mass, unconscious. D-293-b was not recovered. Subject was noted to have significantly altered body proportions, growing by several centimeters and having more clearly visible blood vessels. SCP-682SCP-682 is a reptilian creature with massive regeneration and adaptive capabilities. It has been observed moving and speaking with its body 87% destroyed or rotted.••• 10g of flesh were cut from SCP-682 using SCP-2207. This flesh was dried and placed into cold storage, effectively freezing it. Subject was forcibly sedated and prepared for surgery. Incision was made in lower left forearm and sample was placed within after being slightly heated. Incision was sealed and subject placed into recovery. Sample began immediate growth and spread through subject's body, causing significant distress to subject. Sample had spread to upper calf when Dr. Boucher, the operating surgeon, amputated D-293's left leg at the knee. After decontamination, the leg was observed slowly regrowing. Growth did not halt after the limb had reformed. ADDENDUM 5549.12 D-293 Medical Report, January 12th 1976 PROJECT LONDON BRIDGE Dr. Jacques Boucher Height 238cm Weight 50.9kg Localized Hume Rating 70/123 This testing cycle has been our most intensive yet and it's resulted in some unforeseen changes. Subject is absurdly thin and lanky, with a layer of toughened skin wrapped around a skeleton that's incredibly strong and light. They barely even look humanoid. I'm growing apprehensive about their anomalous capabilities as well — the Localized Hume Rating can't just be a result of the other anomalies anymore, and I've put in a recommendation to turn up the SRAs in the cell. I think we need to start thinking about backup plans. ADDENDUM 5549.13 D-293 Psychological Screening Interview Excerpts, Nov-Jan, 1976 [INTERVIEW #9] BOUCHER: … Hello? [Coughing.] D-293: Over here. [D-293 squats in the far corner of the cell.] BOUCHER: Jesus, you scared me. Are you o- D-293: I scare you? BOUCHER: What? No, that's not what- D-293: It's okay. I don't blame you. I look like a monster. BOUCHER: No, you don't. I-I'm sorry. We still intend to keep our promise, if that's worth anything. D-293: No you don't. Maybe you do, but Sharp doesn't. It's written all over his face. BOUCHER: I- There's workarounds. I don't outrank him but I can try- D-293: Please just leave. [INTERVIEW #10] BOUCHER: Hello? D-293: What do you want? BOUCHER: Hi. D-293: Hi. BOUCHER: I just wanted… to see if you felt like talking. D-293: Why would I want to talk to any of you? BOUCHER: Because I have some news. D-293: Yeah? BOUCHER: Your family — we've arranged for their restitution. They won't have to worry about finances for a long, long time. D-293: Why? BOUCHER: I keep my promises. Sharp thinks it'll encourage you to be more amenable to testing. D-293: What do you think? BOUCHER: It's an apology. I- I can't tell you how sorry I am, I didn't know it was going to turn out like this. And I know I can't make it right, but I'm going to try. I've convinced Sharp to delay the next battery of test- D-293: A stay of execution. BOUCHER: And I'm going to go talk to him. D-293: Do you think you could get through to him? BOUCHER: I have to try. I'm sorry. ADDENDUM 5549.14 Audio Recording of Site-05 Director's Office, Feb 2nd 1976 [BEGIN LOG] SHARP: Dr. Boucher. Please, sit down. Can I get you anything. BOUCHER: I'm fine, thank you. SHARP: What can I do for you today? BOUCHER: I have some… concerns, regarding D-293. SHARP: I expected as much. Your medical updates have been telling. BOUCHER: They've been disturbing. She's barely human anymore. She might as well be an anomaly. SHARP: It. BOUCHER: Pardon? SHARP: It is a test subject, and you're wasting your time trying to sympathize. BOUCHER: It's human testing, Sharp. It's already terrible by nature — you don't have to go out of your way to make it worse. SHARP: Maybe it's terrible. But it's necessary. BOUCHER: How on Earth is any of this necessary? What do you hope to learn? And don't give me the generic 'advancing our understanding' crap, you know I'm beyond that. SHARP: This is what the Foundation has always been about. Getting our hands dirty doing the work that no one else will. Doing it so that everyone else can sleep at night. BOUCHER: You didn't answer my question. [SHARP sighs.] SHARP: Look. Every test had a purpose. BOUCHER: What fucking purpose? [Silence.] SHARP: This isn't the 19th century anymore, Jack. We have to deal with the Insurgency, the Gocks, and two dozen world governments. We have the world's biggest treasure trove of anomalies and we don't have the balls to use them to our advantage. BOUCHER: Our job isn't to use them, it's to lock them up! You're trying to weaponize things we barely understand! SHARP: If one D-class has to suffer for us to understand these things, I'm willing to take that deal. And don't even think about telling the subject or anyone else. You know exactly how they'll react. BOUCHER: You bastard. [BOUCHER storms out.] [END LOG] ADDENDUM 5549.17 Site-05 Report, Incident 18 Timeline FEB 8TH, 1976 [CELL SENSOR 03] 07:34: Active motion detected in cell. Dismissed as standard subject activity. Active motion continues. 07:50: Sensors detect a sudden drop in light level of cell. Light level continues to drop in stages as subject moves around cell, until cell is in complete darkness. [SITE-05 EXT CAM 07] 08:02: Three armed members of containment detail enter elevator. 08:03: Exterior scaffolding of elevator shaft shudders. 08:03: Exterior scaffolding of elevator shaft shears and collapses, crashing to the ground. 08:04: Large bipedal entity exits elevator shaft at high speed, screaming. Several explosions ring out. 08:04: Camera fails. [SITE-05 INTERNAL LOG] 08:05: Level 2 Breach Alert activated from Site-05 director's office. 08:06: MTF squads engage hostile entity at egress point. Lethal force restricted, nonlethal ammunition and equipment authorized. 08:09: MTF squads eliminated. 08:09: Hostile entity advances towards interior of Site-05. 08:10: Level 3 Breach Alert activated from Site-05 director's office. 08:11: MTF squads engage hostile entity at Site-05 research compound. Lethal force restricted, nonlethal ammunition and equipment authorized. 08:11: Air support request sent from Site-05 director's office. 08:12: MTF squads eliminated. 08:12: Hostile entity advances into main Site-05 testing labs. 08:13: Air support request authorized by Overwatch Command. 08:14: Support Installation 11 of Atreus Array moves into position over Site-05. Attached Scranton Reality Anchors activate. 08:14: Hostile entity exits testing labs with unidentified researcher in hand. 08:14: MTF squads engage. Lethal force authorized. 08:16: Hostile entity is visibly wounded by gunfire coupled with SRA support. It retreats to elevator shaft entrance. 08:16: Hostile entity jumps down elevator shaft with researcher. 08:17: MTF squads collapse entrance to elevator shaft behind entity. 08:20: Breach Alert rescinded. ADDENDUM 5549.18 Transcript of a Call Recorded from the Site-05 Director's Office, March 1st 1976 [BEGIN LOG] SHARP: I'm here. O5-11: You dumb fucking cretin. SHARP: Liste- O5-11: Absolute fucking buffoon. One fucking job, Sharp. A single duty. And your pea-sized brain couldn't even manage to not fuck that up. And now we're sitting on a pile of dead grunts. SHARP: It wasn't my fault, goddammit. Boucher decided to get moral. O5-11: Bullshit. You know damn well that you caused this. SHARP: You're the one who fed me the bullshit about bringing us back to our "glory days"! O5-11: I thought that you could handle testing of a single anomaly. But you couldn't, could you? SHARP: I'm the one who's going to get hit for it. Not you. You'll get off scot-free. O5-11: I've got the other twelve breathing down my neck, watching my next move. You don't know what it's like dealing with them. They'd sell your soul to the devil for a goddamn penny. Black-suited fucks. SHARP sighs. SHARP: What's gonna happen now? O5-11: What's gonna happen is that you're gonna keep your mouth shut during the hearing. You listen to whatever my secretary says and nod along. If they ask you for any information, keep mum. If they have you trapped, say you "don't recall". We're on damage control now. I have to fly out to Site-01 to deal with the Council. We won't be meeting again. SHARP: What about the Site? D-293? O5-11: I intend to bury this goddamn mess so far below the ground that by the time anyone finds out they exist, the Ruskies will have nuked us. [END LOG] ADDENDUM 5549.19 Audio Recording of Site-01 Auxiliary Office, March 15th 1976 [BEGIN LOG] Sound of an individual entering and closing the door. SHARP: Hello? [REDACTED]: Ah! Welcome, Mr. Sharp. Please, take a seat. Can I offer you anything? Tea? Coffee? SHARP: Just water, thank you. [REDACTED]: Splendid. SHARP: I'm sorry, the memo declined to provide a name — who are you, exactly? [REDACTED]: If you'll excuse the cliche, I'm afraid that's above your clearance. So, Mr. Sharp, you've been busy these last few months, haven't you? SHARP: I suppose I have, yes. [REDACTED]: Let's start from the beginning. Did you or did you not propose the first iteration of the proposal that would become Project London Bridge? SHARP: I did. Bu- [REDACTED]: And you were aware that this would result in significant harm to a Foundation employee? SHARP: They're D-Class. [REDACTED]: They're still our employees, for better or for worse. SHARP: Then yes. [REDACTED]: You requisitioned enormous resources for this little project, Mr. Sharp. Was there any advantage to be gleaned from this project? SHARP sighs. SHARP: Valuable scientific knowledge about the interaction of anomalies using the hum- [REDACTED]: I've read the report - We both know that isn't true, and even if it was, it wouldn't matter. SCP — Secure, Contain, Protect. Research is not in our motto, and for good reason. SHARP: Cross-testing has always been allowed, encouraged! [REDACTED]: We were well on our way to phasing out the cross-testing programs when your proposal was pushed through. It's not only of no benefit - it actively poses a danger to all those involved. Throwing anomalies at each other to see what happens was a hallmark of a darker age for this organization, Mr. Sharp. One that people like Eleven would no doubt return to. (Pause.) SHARP: How did you…? [REDACTED]: I've worked here for longer than you've been alive, Mr. Sharp. Eleven is a military man to the bone. He remembers when we were smaller, less organized. When we could get away with things like these. I suppose he fondly recalls our forays into Project Olympia and Omega-7. SHARP: Is he wrong? We could make the world a better place if we use these things, but we just sit on them! We could easily enforce order on the world, end these petty conflicts! [REDACTED]: This organization is committed to making the world a safer place — but never like that. Let's not pretend your little adventure was anything but a short-sighted attempt to weaponize those anomalies. [Pause.] [REDACTED]: Thank you, Mr. Sharp. You've given me a lot to think about. Expect big changes in the coming weeks. [END LOG] ADDENDUM 5549.20 Administrator Order: "Project LONDON BRIDGE", March 30th 1976 OVERWATCH COMMAND MEMO Office of the Administrator The Department of Inter-Anomaly Experimentation is to be dissolved effective immediately. All employees are to report to their assigned Human Resources Officer for reassignment or release. In addition, a committee is to be formed of individuals selected by the Office of the Administrator for outstanding moral resolve and adherence to the Prime Directive. Members of this Ethics Committee are to hold executive authority regarding all Foundation containment protocols, projects, and database entries, as well as the ability to nullify or overturn an Overwatch Command decision. This committee is backed by the full authority of the Office of the Administrator. The first action of this Ethics Committee will be a judgement on the events of Project LONDON BRIDGE. Administrator, SCP Foundation ADDENDUM 5549.21 Audio Excerpt, Ethics Committee Special Session 01, April 20th, 1976 [BEGIN EXCERPT] [Murmurs.] ODONGO TEJANI: Order, order. [Murmurs cease.] TEJANI: After… significant deliberation, this committee is prepared to present its judgements on the events discussed. Doctor Sharp. SHARP: Present. TEJANI: Your reckless behaviour endangered and killed Foundation employees. As of speaking, the product of your project is in an underground vault with an innocent researcher. This fruitless venture was of no value, took tremendous resources, and was only made possible by the meddling of your co-conspirator — Overseer Eleven. O5-11: In the flesh. TEJANI: Your manipulation outside of your sphere of interest led to the deaths of multiple Foundation employees and depletion of significant resources. Your attempts to devolve this organization to a more primitive form have no place in today's Foundation. The Committee is prepared to render judgement. Effective immediately, Overseer Eleven placed on administrative leave without pay- O5-11: You motherfucker. TEJANI: - while the continued terms of his employment are subject to an internal vote of the Overseer Council. Doctor Sharp is to be stripped of his Foundation credentials- SHARP: [Whispering] No. TEJANI: - with his research employment terminated - SHARP: [Whispering] No, no, no. TEJANI: - and demoted to D-class personnel with all associated duties and status. This committee hopes these penalties will help display that the old ways have been left behind for good reason. SHARP: No, n- O5-11: And what about 5549? How do you plan to get rid of the time bomb you're sitting on? TEJANI: We're not. O5-11: You're insane. Or stupid. TEJANI: D-293 only lashed out after constant mistreatment and exploitation by personnel. We'll establish containment and a security outpost to maintain it. But we're not going to poke a sleeping bear. Especially not one we've spent a year throwing rocks at. We owe it that much. O5-11: It's a bit too late for that. You might not want to admit it, but this has proved me right. TEJANI: Excuse me? O5-11: We just used militarized troops and weapons to contain an anomaly. We're not burying our heads in the sand and shying away from it anymore. And that's all I ever wanted. The infrastructure is there now; it's only a matter of time before you decide to use it. TEJANI: I advise you watch your words. You don't have Overseer protections anymore. If neither of you have any further qualms, this concludes this session. [END EXCERPT] File sealed for 6 months and 7 days. | !close file="scp-5549" FILE CLOSED | !logout user="o5-14" watchword="adropofsuninaglassofmoon" VERIFYING… | !cancel OPERATION CANCELED | !access archive="CouncilVotes" date="05.01.1976" OPENING… COUNCIL VOTE SUMMARY: YEA NAY ABSTAIN O5-01 O5-02 O5-03 O5-04 O5-05 O5-06 O5-07 O5-08 O5-09 O5-10 x x x O5-12 O5-13 Proposal accepted. O5-11 is to be relieved of his position until the Administrator renders judgement on his continued future on the Council. | !delete sessionhistory SESSION HISTORY WIPED | !logout VERIFYING… ------ Goodbye, O5-14 ------ | !login user="raisamariajones" password="purgatoryisaplaceonearth" VERIFYING… ------ Welcome, RAISA Director Maria Jones ------ | !message ten.reesrevo.pcs|1-5o#ten.reesrevo.pcs|1-5o "I deeply appreciate the offer; being an Overseer makes you one of the most powerful people in the world… and one of the most dangerous. But my place as RAISA Head and Ethics Committee member means that my job is making sure the Council remains true to its principles - no offense. I can't do that as a member of it. Things are changing around here, and someone has to be there to make sure we don't lose ourselves during the fight. Thank you, but I'm going to have to decline." MESSAGE SENT | !logout VERIFYING… ------ Goodbye, RAISA Director Maria Jones ------ London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down… London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down… (1) Unread Message – hide block | !inbox OUTGOING COMMUNICATION FROM SITE-05 CONTAINMENT HEAD NOVAK Sorry, this is the only recorded audio we've had from the cell in the past few months. I'd say it's quieted down… but the contents aren't exactly reassuring. SENSOR 15 - OCT 2 [22:25:13]: <Gurgling.> [22:25:24]: <Female voice> We'll get out. Sooner or later. [22:25:30]: <Gurgling.> [22:25:36]: <Male voice> I know. [22:25:40]: <Female voice> I'm not talking to you. REDTAPE NEXT « GOLD PRELUDE » ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5549" by Rounderhouse, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5549. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm announcing her candidacy for presidential nomination Author: Thomas J. O'Halloran License: Public Domain Source Link: Library of Congress Filename: SCP-Logo-2400.png Author: Aelanna License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Filename: warn2.png Name: (if different from filename) Author: Rounderhouse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Filename: Sir Vincent Brian Wigglesworth. Photograph. Author: N/A License: CC BY 4.0 Source Link: Wellcome Collection Filename: sd.png Author: Osobist License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Filename: logo.png Author: djkaktus License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki Filename: File:Signature of BTS' Jungkook.png Name: (if different from filename) Author: BTS' Jungkook License: Public Domain Source Link: Wikimedia Commons |
SCP-5550 | keter | SCP-5550-1's supposed former identity. Item #: SCP-5550 Clearance Level: Four [Formerly Three] +View Archived Containment Procedures+ -Hide this content- Archived Containment Procedures: SCP-5550 is placed in a standard humanoid containment cell in Site-28. SCP-5550-1 is to have daily sessions with Dr. Mago, in attempts to ensure SCP-5550-1's benevolence towards the Foundation. In the event of any incursion into Site-28's security zone by an outside force, SCP-5550 should be placed at the highest point within Site-28's structure. +View Archived Containment Procedures - Revision 1+ -Hide this content- Archived Containment Procedures - REVISION 1: SCP-5550 is to be moved to a 10 m by 7 m by 7 m containment cell on Site-28’s roof, dependent on hostile movements. SCP-5550-1 is not to be allowed to view any modern day news cycle involving Indian domestic issues, in order to ensure its benevolence towards the Foundation. Special Containment Procedures: Following the events of 12/11/2020, SCP-5550 and Site-28 are not to be disturbed. In the event of an incident involving SCP-5550 and the Foundation, personnel are to attempt to collect SCP-5550 and return it to containment. Local tactical defense forces are to continue attempting to find a way into Site-28 without being caught by SCP-5550-1. Description: SCP-5550 is the designation for approximately three cups of ashes of PoI-1342, Hari Singh Nalwa. SCP-5550 is located inside a cremation urn dating back to the 19th century Punjab region. Nightly, a Class II spectral entity composed of ash, designated SCP-5550-1, manifests adjacent to SCP-5550's container. SCP-5550-1 claims to be PoI-1342, though the Foundation has been unable to verify this claim due to SCP-5550-1's current state. SCP-5550-1 displays high degrees of sapience, and frequently attempts friendly conversation with personnel. SCP-5550-1's effects are activated when SCP-5550 is placed at the highest point of any human-made structure. Any entity SCP-5550-1 deems "hostile" to any inhabitant of the structure will suffer the effects of acute and sudden-onset phobia. Though the type and specificity of each phobia varies among affected individuals, the phobias induced by SCP-5550-1 will have the net effect of preventing any affected individuals from coming within 200 meters of the protected structure. Recovery Details: SCP-5550 was recovered following a noon-time raid on a Chaos Insurgency fortification in the Khyber Pass area of the Pakistani-Afghan region. Previous raids during evening hours resulted in failure due to SCP-5550-1’s abilities. Upon capture of the location, SCP-5550 was found to be hanging from the outer wall of the abandoned fort. It was taken in for observation, at which point SCP-5550-1’s anomalous effects were discovered. An initial interview log is attached below. INTERVIEWER: Dr. Trevor Mago SUBJECT: SCP-5550-1 <BEGIN LOG> [Mago enters the containment chamber, carrying a small bundle.] MAGO: Hello, SCP-5550-1. [SCP-5550-1 gives a small smile.] 5550-1: Hello, strange man. MAGO: Hello. My name is Dr. Trevor Condon Mago, but please just call me Dr. Mago. 5550-1: I shall. You seem most agreeable. Though I must warn you, please note the 'seem' in my words. I am a tad wary. The previous ones clad in the black armor were kind as well, much like you. At least, at first. MAGO: Do tell me about them, 5550. 5550-1: Well you see, Dr. Mago, just like the worldly desires of Maya1, these false warriors lured me in with sweet talk. Claimed I would be treated with much respect in the situation. That, however, was a horrid lie. [SCP-5550 grimaces.] MAGO: [Sighing] I heard our attempts to recover the area surrounding the building in which you were captured in were… many, to say the least. 5550-1: Precisely what I meant. I assure you I am most proud of mine and my Fauj's success. We are very good at what we do; that is to say defending the innocents against oppression. And only the innocents. MAGO: I see. I take it you were not used for this purpose in our raids; they were enough to infiltrate your old base. 5550-1: I never said you were innocent. [Mago frowns, creasing his brow.] MAGO: Mhm. 5550-1: I was used to clear out civilians. The innocents. Simply because I was told they were hostile. I laid on top of a small tower the warriors would erect. Come nightfall, I could hear it. I could see it. See them all. See it. I heard the cries of the children as I hurt them, gave them terrible horrid nightmares. Of the veterans, as I heard them crying of bombs dropped. I hurt them all. [Silence for approximately one minute.] 5550-1: It was… distressing. I did not like living for those men. [Mago nods. Retrieving a small image of PoI-1342, he displays it to SCP-5550-1.] 5550-1: I take it that is.. me? MAGO: Indeed it is. You, and well, the memory of you, are most important to your faith. 5550-1: Memory? MAGO: Ah. See. I'm not quite sure how to put this. [22 seconds of silence, peppered with occasional starts and subsequent stops of sentences by Dr. Mago.] MAGO: You, well, you're dead. Have been for 200 years. <END LOG> NOTES: SCP-5550-1 is not allowed to know of the existence of Operation Blue Star2, Partition3, or any other events that impacted India and the Sikh diaspora negatively, as well as any sort of current news media. INTERVIEWER: Dr. Trevor Mago SUBJECT: SCP-5550-1 FOREWORD: Prior to the interview, SCP-5550-1 had been seen sulking around its containment area during the times when it manifested. <BEGIN LOG> [Mago enters the containment chamber, carrying a small bundle.] MAGO: Hello, SCP-5550-1. 5550-1: Hello, strange man. It has been awhile. MAGO: That it has. 5550-1: I apologize for my childish actions - I assume you all were concerned about me. MAGO: Well, not all. Some more selfishly than the rest. [SCP-5550-1 frowns.] 5550-1: I see. MAGO: I can confirm to you that I was, at the very least. 5550-1: What is but one man compared to the overwhelming majority? MAGO: One more than you had before, 5550-1. 5550-1: Fair observation. MAGO: I assume you're a tad… confused? 5550-1: Indeed I am. Sharp eyes, you have there. [SCP-5550-1 rolls his eyes.] MAGO: Please allow me to briefly explain who I am, and who we—my organization—are. 5550-1: Do tell. MAGO: I am a doctor in the employ of the SCP Foundation, an international, non-governmental group dedicated to safely containing things that violate the laws of science and what would generally be considered, well, "normal." 5550-1: Things such as… [SCP-5550-1 motions to himself.] myself? MAGO: Well, yes, you would be the type of thing that we would contain. We work with various governments all over the world, but we are not affiliated with any of them. We are not obligated to any one country or nation. 5550-1: I would think that such an organization would crumble under the pressure to join forces with a nation. You must be a very powerful group if you hold these things that you claim you do. MAGO: Fortunately, the world is a very peaceful place right now. There's no fighting going on for our allegiance, and nobody is trying to direct us in any nation's favor. Our only goal is the protection of humanity from these dangerous things. 5550-1: You say the world is peaceful. What is the state of my people in the world right now? The last I remember of them, they had begun wearing strange scarlet uniforms with white straps4. I have not seen them in much time. I fret something may have occurred. MAGO: Those uniforms were always common among civilians, but your people are safe. Their empire has flourished in your absence. 5550-1: So they are safe. Hmm. [SCP-5550-1 leans back.] That's good to hear. Let me tell you a story. MAGO: I don't believe that's rel- 5550-1: That was not a request. [SCP-5550-1 clears its throat.] 5550-1: The last time I recall being… in a familiar location, I was in Jamrud. I was atop the battlements of a fort of the same name. There were many. Many of us. Many of them. It looked like a river delta, one of the five, with blood running up and down, snaking around and through bodies. Nothing but thunder ringing out across the land. I looked out amongst the battlefield, and I felt something. My soldiers were doing beautifully, but were in retreat. I looked, and I felt something once more. A bullet. It had struck. I was rushed into chirurgeon, but insisted to come back. MAGO: Did you? 5550-1: Of course. All I heard were screams and shouts, crying and laughter, the sick sound of swords severing and swinging, and what an awful cacophony it was. Arms in hand, I requested to be taken back to the top. I was. I looked once more, and the field froze. Men, standing up and down like training dummies looking at the fort. At me. And they ran. Those demons on earth, killers of innocence, turned tail and ran. It was a joyous sight. And I closed my eyes and let go. [Researcher Mago appears a bit worried.] MAGO: I see. A joyous sight indeed. 5550-1: You've given me confirmation we won that battle, and many, many more in the future. Our Kesari5 billows valiantly in the wind, and our Nagaras6 beat loud with the knowledge the Sikh empire has remained strong. [SCP-5550-1 beats its chest once, a proud smile on its face.] MAGO: If I may, I would like to say something related to what I said earlier. 5550-1: Yes, speak. MAGO: Earlier, I mentioned how many people in my organization were not concerned for you. This was not due to them not caring about you, but rather due to them being very focused on the containment and control of other, much more dangerous and deadly anomalies. 5550-1: They preoccupy themselves with keeping others safe…are they able to keep themselves safe? MAGO: That is the other thing I wanted to discuss. <END LOG> Incident 5550-1 On 2/3/2020, a team of Chaos Insurgency operatives attempted to breach Site-28 in a nighttime raid. SCP-5550 was deployed in an attempt to halt the raid. <BEGIN LOG> SCP-5550-1 can be seen on the roof of Site-28, perched on a corner. Several Chaos Insurgency operatives are clustered around a vehicle beyond the range of SCP-5550. 5550-1: Hmm. They have not approached yet. Perhaps they know who I am… A flash is seen from the operatives, and a rocket impacts the roof besides SCP-5550-1. SCP-5550 is unharmed by this, though SCP-5550-1 retreats from the edge of the roof. 5550-1: What was that? A second vehicle is seen in the distance, rapidly approaching. It enters the range of SCP-5550, and immediately attempts to turn around. The vehicle flips, and several operatives are seen emerging from the vehicle and backpedaling towards the other operatives while staring at Site-28. 5550-1: Wha-what? No, that cannot be right. Why would they fear that? SCP-5550-1 moves to the rooftop hatch, intently observing the Foundation symbol printed on it. He turns around and stares at the operatives in the distance, who are each individually activating emergency teleportation runes. Some spasm on the ground, shrieking and crying, attempting to activate their runes. 5550-1: [shouting] Why do you fear them? Unknown Operative: [shouting] Look at yourself! The remaining operatives finish teleporting out before Foundation combat personnel can arrive. SCP-5550-1 does not move from the edge of the roof until demanifestation. <END LOG> To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: 5550 Dear Researcher Mago, Your work as a Foundation researcher is incredibly helpful in the furthering of the defense of the Veil. I am writing concerning the possible use of SCP-5550 as a security asset in defense of Site-28. I believe I speak for the whole Site when I extend a warm thank you to SCP-5550-1 in its assistance in protecting Site-28 from the recent raid. As such, likewise utilization in the future is probable, and I wished to request your thoughts on the matter. Relatively simple containment procedures for an infinitely more useful anomaly are too good to pass up. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins To: Site-28 Director Thompkins From: Researcher Mago Subject: Re:5550 Dear Director, Repeated utilization of SCP-5550 to counter hostile activity may not be in the best interest of the site, long-term. Though it is true SCP-5550-1's defenses are nigh impenetrable, they're mainly left up to chance; who SCP-5550-1 perceives as hostile or not. The fact of the matter is this; sure, we don't need to provide it food, or shelter per se. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's useful to spam SCP-5550-1 as a defense for Site-28. Respectfully, Researcher Mago To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: Re:5550 Dear Researcher Mago, If the only negative factor you, as the head of research concerning SCP-5550, see is its possible view towards the Foundation, that is an easy issue to remedy. Quite frankly, some of the other directors find your attachment to the wellbeing of a harmless, spectral entity alarming. Recall you've given it nothing; no food, no water, no sustenance, as it needs none. SCP-5550 will be tapped as a free from oversight, trial-based security asset for Site-28 for use solely in enemy raids; not "spamming" as you have so helpfully declared it. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins Tests were performed with SCP-5550 to determine its worth as a possible security asset. All tests were conducted within Foundation-owned facilities. "Hostile" Entities Intent of Entities Actions of Entities Results Foundation canine unit Directed to attack Agent Bangot Attempted to charge towards Agent Bangot upon seeing him next to SCP-5550-1 Unit suffered identical effects to humans exposed to SCP-5550-1. Effects confirmed to not be limited to humans. Agent Glaros To walk around and inspect the building Agent Bangot was in Waving their personal firearm around and pointing it at Agent Bangot from a large distance Standard effects, albeit reduced in intensity from other reported tests. Intent of "hostile" entities appears to matter more than actions. Agent Glaros To assault Agent Bangot once within hand-to-hand combat range Walking at a casual pace Standard effects. "Hostile" action does not appear to be necessary to trigger the effects of SCP-5550-1. Agent Bangot Shoot an owl outside of Site-28's borders. Sitting down. No effects. "Hostile" action must be taken by a non-inhabitant towards an inhabitant. Agent Bangot Cut down a tree inside Site-28 while standing outside Site-28's borders. Walk towards Site-28 with a small, dull saw. Standard effects. "Hostile" designations appear to extend to intentions against non-sapient entities. Agent Bangot Slam his head against a wall. Slam his head against a wall. Standard effects. The unplanned nature of the test suggests an automatic quality to SCP-5550-1's effects, that extend to self-destructive actions. To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: 5550 Dear Researcher Mago, The council of regional directors, as well as internal site leadership, have voted to begin utilization of SCP-5550 as a defense measure in Site-28 with O5 approval. As such, site security is being slightly reduced and moved to the local tactical defense forces, as well as backup security teams for Site-28. SCP-5550-1 is going to serve as the main line of defense in event of a raid on Site-28. Your job now is to ensure that 5550 continues doing so, for your own sake in several ways. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins Abridged logs of field activity are attached below. Date Attacking Party Notes and Results 10/13/2020 Chaos Insurgency Repelled, however SCP-5550-1 expressed distress afterwards, as well as a mild aversion to the Foundation symbol. 10/30/2020 Serpent's Hand Repelled, although the radius to SCP-5550-1's effect appeared to have diminished to 190 meters. 11/10/2020 Renegade Global Occult Coalition operatives Intervention from on-site security personnel was required to repel the assault, as despite suffering from the phobic effects of SCP-5550, operatives were able to continue approaching Site-28. 12/02/2020 Serpent's Hand Effects of SCP-5550 did not manifest on attackers not carrying physical weapons, and on-site personnel were required to engage. SCP-5550-1 did not engage with any Foundation personnel again until 12/10/2020 To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: Re:5550 Dear Researcher Mago, I am once again writing to ask about the status of SCP-5550-1. As you know, its status as Site-28’s primary defense places a level of critical importance on it, especially following the reduction of Site-28’s security staff for other defense projects and backup security. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that the recent…lackluster performances by SCP-5550-1 have been a cause for concern among site leadership and some of the higher regional directors as well. We have listened to what you have said to do for it. We have done it. Yet still we are continuously needing to rely on our backup teams than the thing supposed to serve as a protection measure. Your two options are to give us new instructions on what to do to fix this problem, or fix SCP-5550-1 yourself. Either way, get it done, or the tactical defense teams will replace it and you. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins To: Site-28 Director Thompkins From: Researcher Mago Subject: Re:5550 Dear Director, Respectfully, I can't say you'd have SCP-5550-1's best interests in mind. I'll take it. Sincerely, Researcher Mago INTERVIEWER: Researcher Mago SUBJECT: SCP-5550-1 <BEGIN LOG> 5550-1: I believe I already discussed how iffy I was about this whole proposal. MAGO: You did, but- 5550-1: If I must be honest, Mago my good man, I am quite conflicted. MAGO: Why? 5550-1: I have seen what I have done. I have fought for justice my whole life. However, this is not it. I know not who those men were - what they have done, whether they have families, whether they truly have evil in their hearts. MAGO: It is for the greater good. You're doing work that is keeping hundreds of people out of the line of danger, and letting the manpower that would be used here instead be used in places that may need it more. 5550-1: That is what everyone tells me, yes. However, I can't help but feel as if me being here is simply doing more harm than good. I used to fight for good. Felt correct when I saw the throngs of people running. I felt right. Not now. Not at all. MAGO: Wait, wai- [SCP-5550-1 raises a hand towards Mago.] 5550-1: Let me finish. Why is it that I see your sigil everywhere? The circles, the arrows, it's in everyone's mind as their fear. Even those who I claim to protect are scared of themselves. They can all see, and they won't stop seeing this fear. That's all it is. MAGO: I- [SCP-5550-1 glares at Mago. He raises a hand once more.] 5550-1: I'm not done. All I've done is exacerbate that issue. It is hard for me to control this, and it's led to a number of negative effects, this I know. I saw myself in the mind's eye of a few passersby. It's as if I have some death-touch. MAGO: I'd disagree, but- 5550-1: Perhaps it'd be better if I had somewhere to calm down. MAGO: I- I see. [SCP-5550-1 speaks softer, though still in a demanding tone.] 5550-1: Mago, have I ever told you about my home? MAGO: Many times, SCP-5550-1. 5550-1: Back in Punjab, we used to have a few banyan and mango trees about. I used to sit in their shade and take care of them. However, I don't see nearly as many trees about. Perhaps I should plant a few. <END LOG> Incident 5550-2 During the night of 12/11/2020, SCP-5550's effects spontaneously began affecting every member of Site-28's personnel except Researcher Mago. This is SCP-5550's and Researcher Mago's 22nd meeting. <BEGIN LOG> All on-site personnel are attempting to flee Site-28 as fast as possible, with several researchers lying unconscious at the base of the central stairwell. The discarded weapons and gear of on-site guards is scattered around the equipment lockers, and all containment chambers are in emergency isolation mode. SCP-5550-1 is manifested within the security center of Site-28, pacing. Researcher Mago enters, almost tripping over a chair as he approaches SCP-5550-1. MAGO: Nalwa, what are you doing? The entire site just ran out of the building out of fear except me, and there's no impending attack. Is there a bomb hidden in the site somewhere you found, some sort of imminent attack from inside? 5550-1: Mago, friend, there is no threat. I simply needed time to think. MAGO: We could have taken you up to the roof, given you some time to- 5550-1: No, that would not have done. I needed time truly alone to consider my thoughts. MAGO: But why come to the security center? 5550-1: This place is fascinating. You can see many things from here, both within what you've called the site and outside of it. MAGO: Well, yes, we need to know what's going on to make sure that everybody, including you, is safe. 5550-1: Mago, I have seen what happened to my people. Mago's eyes widen, and he takes a step backwards towards the security room exit. 5550-1: I know that you made an effort to not only hide this information from me, but to make me think they were better off than they actually were. I assume this was in an effort to get me complacent and willing to work for your organization, no? MAGO: I—please—look—fucking fine! God, I didn't want to lie to you like that, but it was administration orders. I wanted to tell you the truth from the beginning, because I knew it was wrong to lie to you. 5550-1: But you did! You were told to do something, and instead of doing the right thing, you did what you were told. MAGO: I fought in every way I could! I was against using you as a defense. I watched out for you, not that I was made to, but because I could. I was on your side in everything that has been going on from the very start, I've just wanted to help you from the beginning. 5550-1: No, no, no. This is just a ruse, a ploy to try and get me working for you all again, questioning it even less than before. MAGO: No, that's not true at all. I'm on your side, Nalwa, I want to help you! 5550-1: If you were, you would have ignored your orders! MAGO: That's not an option with the Foundation! 5550-1: Then you further prove you do not care. MAGO: Nalwa, listen to me. You've cut off communications out of the site. There is no way we would be able to contact superiors. There is no reason for me to be here at all except to help you. SCP-5550-1 slowly approaches Mago, appearing to grow in contrast to his surroundings. Mago begins flinching with every step taken by SCP-5550-1. 5550-1: You're lying. I know it. Everything you've done, it's all for a greater purpose dedicated to hurting me! You weren't on my side, you lied to me about that, and then you lied about everything else! I am nothing more than a weapon. All can see it. They never will stop seeing. Mago begins running away from SCP-5550-1, sprinting towards the nearest exit. 5550-1: I was told I was protecting innocents. I will protect innocents. But you are not among them. Mago runs out the maintenance exit, tripping as he moves through the door. He continues to sprint away from Site-28, occasionally looking back at the site. <END LOG> Approximately 57 Foundation attempts at recapturing Site-28 have taken place, all of which have failed. Due to the high cost of performing these operations, they have been temporarily suspended. Note: Three weeks after SCP-5550-1's takeover of Site-28, strong windstorms prevented SCP-5550-1 manifestation for two days. Foundation local tactical defense forces, originally intended to defend Site-28, attempted to occupy Site-28 during this time, but were stopped due to weather conditions during the first two days and forcibly removed by a smaller SCP-5550-1 manifestation on the third morning. All further SCP-5550-1 manifestations have been at this new size. Worldwide reports of ghosts in forests causing hallucinatory effects in loggers following this event are currently being investigated. « SCP-5413 | IN SAFFRON SANDS | Lo! Behold The Tiger, Valiant Is He! » Footnotes 1. The Sikh concept of rejecting the notion that items which are fleeting and temporary are worth pursuing, such as money. 2. The destruction of Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Sikh Golden Temple by the Indian government, which led to numerous pogroms in Punjab. 3. The splitting of India and Pakistan into separate countries, which led to the forced moving of many individuals. 4. This is believed to be in reference to British Army uniforms worn during the 17th to 20th centuries. 5. Saffron, a color frequently worn by Sikh warriors. 6. War drums. |
SCP-5550 | uncontained | SCP-5550-1's supposed former identity. Item #: SCP-5550 Clearance Level: Four [Formerly Three] +View Archived Containment Procedures+ -Hide this content- Archived Containment Procedures: SCP-5550 is placed in a standard humanoid containment cell in Site-28. SCP-5550-1 is to have daily sessions with Dr. Mago, in attempts to ensure SCP-5550-1's benevolence towards the Foundation. In the event of any incursion into Site-28's security zone by an outside force, SCP-5550 should be placed at the highest point within Site-28's structure. +View Archived Containment Procedures - Revision 1+ -Hide this content- Archived Containment Procedures - REVISION 1: SCP-5550 is to be moved to a 10 m by 7 m by 7 m containment cell on Site-28’s roof, dependent on hostile movements. SCP-5550-1 is not to be allowed to view any modern day news cycle involving Indian domestic issues, in order to ensure its benevolence towards the Foundation. Special Containment Procedures: Following the events of 12/11/2020, SCP-5550 and Site-28 are not to be disturbed. In the event of an incident involving SCP-5550 and the Foundation, personnel are to attempt to collect SCP-5550 and return it to containment. Local tactical defense forces are to continue attempting to find a way into Site-28 without being caught by SCP-5550-1. Description: SCP-5550 is the designation for approximately three cups of ashes of PoI-1342, Hari Singh Nalwa. SCP-5550 is located inside a cremation urn dating back to the 19th century Punjab region. Nightly, a Class II spectral entity composed of ash, designated SCP-5550-1, manifests adjacent to SCP-5550's container. SCP-5550-1 claims to be PoI-1342, though the Foundation has been unable to verify this claim due to SCP-5550-1's current state. SCP-5550-1 displays high degrees of sapience, and frequently attempts friendly conversation with personnel. SCP-5550-1's effects are activated when SCP-5550 is placed at the highest point of any human-made structure. Any entity SCP-5550-1 deems "hostile" to any inhabitant of the structure will suffer the effects of acute and sudden-onset phobia. Though the type and specificity of each phobia varies among affected individuals, the phobias induced by SCP-5550-1 will have the net effect of preventing any affected individuals from coming within 200 meters of the protected structure. Recovery Details: SCP-5550 was recovered following a noon-time raid on a Chaos Insurgency fortification in the Khyber Pass area of the Pakistani-Afghan region. Previous raids during evening hours resulted in failure due to SCP-5550-1’s abilities. Upon capture of the location, SCP-5550 was found to be hanging from the outer wall of the abandoned fort. It was taken in for observation, at which point SCP-5550-1’s anomalous effects were discovered. An initial interview log is attached below. INTERVIEWER: Dr. Trevor Mago SUBJECT: SCP-5550-1 <BEGIN LOG> [Mago enters the containment chamber, carrying a small bundle.] MAGO: Hello, SCP-5550-1. [SCP-5550-1 gives a small smile.] 5550-1: Hello, strange man. MAGO: Hello. My name is Dr. Trevor Condon Mago, but please just call me Dr. Mago. 5550-1: I shall. You seem most agreeable. Though I must warn you, please note the 'seem' in my words. I am a tad wary. The previous ones clad in the black armor were kind as well, much like you. At least, at first. MAGO: Do tell me about them, 5550. 5550-1: Well you see, Dr. Mago, just like the worldly desires of Maya1, these false warriors lured me in with sweet talk. Claimed I would be treated with much respect in the situation. That, however, was a horrid lie. [SCP-5550 grimaces.] MAGO: [Sighing] I heard our attempts to recover the area surrounding the building in which you were captured in were… many, to say the least. 5550-1: Precisely what I meant. I assure you I am most proud of mine and my Fauj's success. We are very good at what we do; that is to say defending the innocents against oppression. And only the innocents. MAGO: I see. I take it you were not used for this purpose in our raids; they were enough to infiltrate your old base. 5550-1: I never said you were innocent. [Mago frowns, creasing his brow.] MAGO: Mhm. 5550-1: I was used to clear out civilians. The innocents. Simply because I was told they were hostile. I laid on top of a small tower the warriors would erect. Come nightfall, I could hear it. I could see it. See them all. See it. I heard the cries of the children as I hurt them, gave them terrible horrid nightmares. Of the veterans, as I heard them crying of bombs dropped. I hurt them all. [Silence for approximately one minute.] 5550-1: It was… distressing. I did not like living for those men. [Mago nods. Retrieving a small image of PoI-1342, he displays it to SCP-5550-1.] 5550-1: I take it that is.. me? MAGO: Indeed it is. You, and well, the memory of you, are most important to your faith. 5550-1: Memory? MAGO: Ah. See. I'm not quite sure how to put this. [22 seconds of silence, peppered with occasional starts and subsequent stops of sentences by Dr. Mago.] MAGO: You, well, you're dead. Have been for 200 years. <END LOG> NOTES: SCP-5550-1 is not allowed to know of the existence of Operation Blue Star2, Partition3, or any other events that impacted India and the Sikh diaspora negatively, as well as any sort of current news media. INTERVIEWER: Dr. Trevor Mago SUBJECT: SCP-5550-1 FOREWORD: Prior to the interview, SCP-5550-1 had been seen sulking around its containment area during the times when it manifested. <BEGIN LOG> [Mago enters the containment chamber, carrying a small bundle.] MAGO: Hello, SCP-5550-1. 5550-1: Hello, strange man. It has been awhile. MAGO: That it has. 5550-1: I apologize for my childish actions - I assume you all were concerned about me. MAGO: Well, not all. Some more selfishly than the rest. [SCP-5550-1 frowns.] 5550-1: I see. MAGO: I can confirm to you that I was, at the very least. 5550-1: What is but one man compared to the overwhelming majority? MAGO: One more than you had before, 5550-1. 5550-1: Fair observation. MAGO: I assume you're a tad… confused? 5550-1: Indeed I am. Sharp eyes, you have there. [SCP-5550-1 rolls his eyes.] MAGO: Please allow me to briefly explain who I am, and who we—my organization—are. 5550-1: Do tell. MAGO: I am a doctor in the employ of the SCP Foundation, an international, non-governmental group dedicated to safely containing things that violate the laws of science and what would generally be considered, well, "normal." 5550-1: Things such as… [SCP-5550-1 motions to himself.] myself? MAGO: Well, yes, you would be the type of thing that we would contain. We work with various governments all over the world, but we are not affiliated with any of them. We are not obligated to any one country or nation. 5550-1: I would think that such an organization would crumble under the pressure to join forces with a nation. You must be a very powerful group if you hold these things that you claim you do. MAGO: Fortunately, the world is a very peaceful place right now. There's no fighting going on for our allegiance, and nobody is trying to direct us in any nation's favor. Our only goal is the protection of humanity from these dangerous things. 5550-1: You say the world is peaceful. What is the state of my people in the world right now? The last I remember of them, they had begun wearing strange scarlet uniforms with white straps4. I have not seen them in much time. I fret something may have occurred. MAGO: Those uniforms were always common among civilians, but your people are safe. Their empire has flourished in your absence. 5550-1: So they are safe. Hmm. [SCP-5550-1 leans back.] That's good to hear. Let me tell you a story. MAGO: I don't believe that's rel- 5550-1: That was not a request. [SCP-5550-1 clears its throat.] 5550-1: The last time I recall being… in a familiar location, I was in Jamrud. I was atop the battlements of a fort of the same name. There were many. Many of us. Many of them. It looked like a river delta, one of the five, with blood running up and down, snaking around and through bodies. Nothing but thunder ringing out across the land. I looked out amongst the battlefield, and I felt something. My soldiers were doing beautifully, but were in retreat. I looked, and I felt something once more. A bullet. It had struck. I was rushed into chirurgeon, but insisted to come back. MAGO: Did you? 5550-1: Of course. All I heard were screams and shouts, crying and laughter, the sick sound of swords severing and swinging, and what an awful cacophony it was. Arms in hand, I requested to be taken back to the top. I was. I looked once more, and the field froze. Men, standing up and down like training dummies looking at the fort. At me. And they ran. Those demons on earth, killers of innocence, turned tail and ran. It was a joyous sight. And I closed my eyes and let go. [Researcher Mago appears a bit worried.] MAGO: I see. A joyous sight indeed. 5550-1: You've given me confirmation we won that battle, and many, many more in the future. Our Kesari5 billows valiantly in the wind, and our Nagaras6 beat loud with the knowledge the Sikh empire has remained strong. [SCP-5550-1 beats its chest once, a proud smile on its face.] MAGO: If I may, I would like to say something related to what I said earlier. 5550-1: Yes, speak. MAGO: Earlier, I mentioned how many people in my organization were not concerned for you. This was not due to them not caring about you, but rather due to them being very focused on the containment and control of other, much more dangerous and deadly anomalies. 5550-1: They preoccupy themselves with keeping others safe…are they able to keep themselves safe? MAGO: That is the other thing I wanted to discuss. <END LOG> Incident 5550-1 On 2/3/2020, a team of Chaos Insurgency operatives attempted to breach Site-28 in a nighttime raid. SCP-5550 was deployed in an attempt to halt the raid. <BEGIN LOG> SCP-5550-1 can be seen on the roof of Site-28, perched on a corner. Several Chaos Insurgency operatives are clustered around a vehicle beyond the range of SCP-5550. 5550-1: Hmm. They have not approached yet. Perhaps they know who I am… A flash is seen from the operatives, and a rocket impacts the roof besides SCP-5550-1. SCP-5550 is unharmed by this, though SCP-5550-1 retreats from the edge of the roof. 5550-1: What was that? A second vehicle is seen in the distance, rapidly approaching. It enters the range of SCP-5550, and immediately attempts to turn around. The vehicle flips, and several operatives are seen emerging from the vehicle and backpedaling towards the other operatives while staring at Site-28. 5550-1: Wha-what? No, that cannot be right. Why would they fear that? SCP-5550-1 moves to the rooftop hatch, intently observing the Foundation symbol printed on it. He turns around and stares at the operatives in the distance, who are each individually activating emergency teleportation runes. Some spasm on the ground, shrieking and crying, attempting to activate their runes. 5550-1: [shouting] Why do you fear them? Unknown Operative: [shouting] Look at yourself! The remaining operatives finish teleporting out before Foundation combat personnel can arrive. SCP-5550-1 does not move from the edge of the roof until demanifestation. <END LOG> To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: 5550 Dear Researcher Mago, Your work as a Foundation researcher is incredibly helpful in the furthering of the defense of the Veil. I am writing concerning the possible use of SCP-5550 as a security asset in defense of Site-28. I believe I speak for the whole Site when I extend a warm thank you to SCP-5550-1 in its assistance in protecting Site-28 from the recent raid. As such, likewise utilization in the future is probable, and I wished to request your thoughts on the matter. Relatively simple containment procedures for an infinitely more useful anomaly are too good to pass up. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins To: Site-28 Director Thompkins From: Researcher Mago Subject: Re:5550 Dear Director, Repeated utilization of SCP-5550 to counter hostile activity may not be in the best interest of the site, long-term. Though it is true SCP-5550-1's defenses are nigh impenetrable, they're mainly left up to chance; who SCP-5550-1 perceives as hostile or not. The fact of the matter is this; sure, we don't need to provide it food, or shelter per se. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's useful to spam SCP-5550-1 as a defense for Site-28. Respectfully, Researcher Mago To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: Re:5550 Dear Researcher Mago, If the only negative factor you, as the head of research concerning SCP-5550, see is its possible view towards the Foundation, that is an easy issue to remedy. Quite frankly, some of the other directors find your attachment to the wellbeing of a harmless, spectral entity alarming. Recall you've given it nothing; no food, no water, no sustenance, as it needs none. SCP-5550 will be tapped as a free from oversight, trial-based security asset for Site-28 for use solely in enemy raids; not "spamming" as you have so helpfully declared it. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins Tests were performed with SCP-5550 to determine its worth as a possible security asset. All tests were conducted within Foundation-owned facilities. "Hostile" Entities Intent of Entities Actions of Entities Results Foundation canine unit Directed to attack Agent Bangot Attempted to charge towards Agent Bangot upon seeing him next to SCP-5550-1 Unit suffered identical effects to humans exposed to SCP-5550-1. Effects confirmed to not be limited to humans. Agent Glaros To walk around and inspect the building Agent Bangot was in Waving their personal firearm around and pointing it at Agent Bangot from a large distance Standard effects, albeit reduced in intensity from other reported tests. Intent of "hostile" entities appears to matter more than actions. Agent Glaros To assault Agent Bangot once within hand-to-hand combat range Walking at a casual pace Standard effects. "Hostile" action does not appear to be necessary to trigger the effects of SCP-5550-1. Agent Bangot Shoot an owl outside of Site-28's borders. Sitting down. No effects. "Hostile" action must be taken by a non-inhabitant towards an inhabitant. Agent Bangot Cut down a tree inside Site-28 while standing outside Site-28's borders. Walk towards Site-28 with a small, dull saw. Standard effects. "Hostile" designations appear to extend to intentions against non-sapient entities. Agent Bangot Slam his head against a wall. Slam his head against a wall. Standard effects. The unplanned nature of the test suggests an automatic quality to SCP-5550-1's effects, that extend to self-destructive actions. To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: 5550 Dear Researcher Mago, The council of regional directors, as well as internal site leadership, have voted to begin utilization of SCP-5550 as a defense measure in Site-28 with O5 approval. As such, site security is being slightly reduced and moved to the local tactical defense forces, as well as backup security teams for Site-28. SCP-5550-1 is going to serve as the main line of defense in event of a raid on Site-28. Your job now is to ensure that 5550 continues doing so, for your own sake in several ways. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins Abridged logs of field activity are attached below. Date Attacking Party Notes and Results 10/13/2020 Chaos Insurgency Repelled, however SCP-5550-1 expressed distress afterwards, as well as a mild aversion to the Foundation symbol. 10/30/2020 Serpent's Hand Repelled, although the radius to SCP-5550-1's effect appeared to have diminished to 190 meters. 11/10/2020 Renegade Global Occult Coalition operatives Intervention from on-site security personnel was required to repel the assault, as despite suffering from the phobic effects of SCP-5550, operatives were able to continue approaching Site-28. 12/02/2020 Serpent's Hand Effects of SCP-5550 did not manifest on attackers not carrying physical weapons, and on-site personnel were required to engage. SCP-5550-1 did not engage with any Foundation personnel again until 12/10/2020 To: Researcher Mago From: Site-28 Director Thompkins Subject: Re:5550 Dear Researcher Mago, I am once again writing to ask about the status of SCP-5550-1. As you know, its status as Site-28’s primary defense places a level of critical importance on it, especially following the reduction of Site-28’s security staff for other defense projects and backup security. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that the recent…lackluster performances by SCP-5550-1 have been a cause for concern among site leadership and some of the higher regional directors as well. We have listened to what you have said to do for it. We have done it. Yet still we are continuously needing to rely on our backup teams than the thing supposed to serve as a protection measure. Your two options are to give us new instructions on what to do to fix this problem, or fix SCP-5550-1 yourself. Either way, get it done, or the tactical defense teams will replace it and you. Sincerely, Site-28 Director Thompkins To: Site-28 Director Thompkins From: Researcher Mago Subject: Re:5550 Dear Director, Respectfully, I can't say you'd have SCP-5550-1's best interests in mind. I'll take it. Sincerely, Researcher Mago INTERVIEWER: Researcher Mago SUBJECT: SCP-5550-1 <BEGIN LOG> 5550-1: I believe I already discussed how iffy I was about this whole proposal. MAGO: You did, but- 5550-1: If I must be honest, Mago my good man, I am quite conflicted. MAGO: Why? 5550-1: I have seen what I have done. I have fought for justice my whole life. However, this is not it. I know not who those men were - what they have done, whether they have families, whether they truly have evil in their hearts. MAGO: It is for the greater good. You're doing work that is keeping hundreds of people out of the line of danger, and letting the manpower that would be used here instead be used in places that may need it more. 5550-1: That is what everyone tells me, yes. However, I can't help but feel as if me being here is simply doing more harm than good. I used to fight for good. Felt correct when I saw the throngs of people running. I felt right. Not now. Not at all. MAGO: Wait, wai- [SCP-5550-1 raises a hand towards Mago.] 5550-1: Let me finish. Why is it that I see your sigil everywhere? The circles, the arrows, it's in everyone's mind as their fear. Even those who I claim to protect are scared of themselves. They can all see, and they won't stop seeing this fear. That's all it is. MAGO: I- [SCP-5550-1 glares at Mago. He raises a hand once more.] 5550-1: I'm not done. All I've done is exacerbate that issue. It is hard for me to control this, and it's led to a number of negative effects, this I know. I saw myself in the mind's eye of a few passersby. It's as if I have some death-touch. MAGO: I'd disagree, but- 5550-1: Perhaps it'd be better if I had somewhere to calm down. MAGO: I- I see. [SCP-5550-1 speaks softer, though still in a demanding tone.] 5550-1: Mago, have I ever told you about my home? MAGO: Many times, SCP-5550-1. 5550-1: Back in Punjab, we used to have a few banyan and mango trees about. I used to sit in their shade and take care of them. However, I don't see nearly as many trees about. Perhaps I should plant a few. <END LOG> Incident 5550-2 During the night of 12/11/2020, SCP-5550's effects spontaneously began affecting every member of Site-28's personnel except Researcher Mago. This is SCP-5550's and Researcher Mago's 22nd meeting. <BEGIN LOG> All on-site personnel are attempting to flee Site-28 as fast as possible, with several researchers lying unconscious at the base of the central stairwell. The discarded weapons and gear of on-site guards is scattered around the equipment lockers, and all containment chambers are in emergency isolation mode. SCP-5550-1 is manifested within the security center of Site-28, pacing. Researcher Mago enters, almost tripping over a chair as he approaches SCP-5550-1. MAGO: Nalwa, what are you doing? The entire site just ran out of the building out of fear except me, and there's no impending attack. Is there a bomb hidden in the site somewhere you found, some sort of imminent attack from inside? 5550-1: Mago, friend, there is no threat. I simply needed time to think. MAGO: We could have taken you up to the roof, given you some time to- 5550-1: No, that would not have done. I needed time truly alone to consider my thoughts. MAGO: But why come to the security center? 5550-1: This place is fascinating. You can see many things from here, both within what you've called the site and outside of it. MAGO: Well, yes, we need to know what's going on to make sure that everybody, including you, is safe. 5550-1: Mago, I have seen what happened to my people. Mago's eyes widen, and he takes a step backwards towards the security room exit. 5550-1: I know that you made an effort to not only hide this information from me, but to make me think they were better off than they actually were. I assume this was in an effort to get me complacent and willing to work for your organization, no? MAGO: I—please—look—fucking fine! God, I didn't want to lie to you like that, but it was administration orders. I wanted to tell you the truth from the beginning, because I knew it was wrong to lie to you. 5550-1: But you did! You were told to do something, and instead of doing the right thing, you did what you were told. MAGO: I fought in every way I could! I was against using you as a defense. I watched out for you, not that I was made to, but because I could. I was on your side in everything that has been going on from the very start, I've just wanted to help you from the beginning. 5550-1: No, no, no. This is just a ruse, a ploy to try and get me working for you all again, questioning it even less than before. MAGO: No, that's not true at all. I'm on your side, Nalwa, I want to help you! 5550-1: If you were, you would have ignored your orders! MAGO: That's not an option with the Foundation! 5550-1: Then you further prove you do not care. MAGO: Nalwa, listen to me. You've cut off communications out of the site. There is no way we would be able to contact superiors. There is no reason for me to be here at all except to help you. SCP-5550-1 slowly approaches Mago, appearing to grow in contrast to his surroundings. Mago begins flinching with every step taken by SCP-5550-1. 5550-1: You're lying. I know it. Everything you've done, it's all for a greater purpose dedicated to hurting me! You weren't on my side, you lied to me about that, and then you lied about everything else! I am nothing more than a weapon. All can see it. They never will stop seeing. Mago begins running away from SCP-5550-1, sprinting towards the nearest exit. 5550-1: I was told I was protecting innocents. I will protect innocents. But you are not among them. Mago runs out the maintenance exit, tripping as he moves through the door. He continues to sprint away from Site-28, occasionally looking back at the site. <END LOG> Approximately 57 Foundation attempts at recapturing Site-28 have taken place, all of which have failed. Due to the high cost of performing these operations, they have been temporarily suspended. Note: Three weeks after SCP-5550-1's takeover of Site-28, strong windstorms prevented SCP-5550-1 manifestation for two days. Foundation local tactical defense forces, originally intended to defend Site-28, attempted to occupy Site-28 during this time, but were stopped due to weather conditions during the first two days and forcibly removed by a smaller SCP-5550-1 manifestation on the third morning. All further SCP-5550-1 manifestations have been at this new size. Worldwide reports of ghosts in forests causing hallucinatory effects in loggers following this event are currently being investigated. « SCP-5413 | IN SAFFRON SANDS | Lo! Behold The Tiger, Valiant Is He! » Footnotes 1. The Sikh concept of rejecting the notion that items which are fleeting and temporary are worth pursuing, such as money. 2. The destruction of Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Sikh Golden Temple by the Indian government, which led to numerous pogroms in Punjab. 3. The splitting of India and Pakistan into separate countries, which led to the forced moving of many individuals. 4. This is believed to be in reference to British Army uniforms worn during the 17th to 20th centuries. 5. Saffron, a color frequently worn by Sikh warriors. 6. War drums. |
SCP-5551 | euclid | An SCP-5551-A instance with cognitohazardous properties removed. Special Containment Procedures: Foundation operated web-crawler Delta-203 ("SPICE") is to constantly monitor the web for media posted by and about SCP-5551, download it to a secure hard-drive, and remove it. Delta-203 is to send an automated report to Researcher Oliver Crane when POI-58640 is actively interfering with media collection. Persons affected by SCP-5551-A are to be tracked down if possible, and administered amnestics to reverse the effects. Description: SCP-5551 is an online account present on several social media platforms which runs under the name "screenkittercounters". SCP-5551 uploads (designated SCP-5551-A instances) consist of images with a multitude of different cognitohazardous properties which all affect one or more of the subject's five senses, along with the food they consume after viewing the images. Communication with SCP-5551 was attempted with no result. Addendum 1: SCP-5551-A Instances The following is an abridged list of discovered SCP-5551-A instances and their effects. For the complete list, see SCP-5551 Document-A. SCP-5551-A Instance Effect An image depicting a cartoon rendition of an adolescent female consuming a hamburger. All persons who previously identified as vegan or vegetarian before viewing the instance will be unable to eat or drink anything without it tasting of meat. An image depicting a cartoon rendition of an orange (Citrus sinensis) with the addition of a simplistic smile. All persons who view the instance will begin to favor citrus-based foods and drinks. An image depicting a cartoon rendition of a male in late adolescence consuming a strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). All persons who view the instance will begin to perceive all strawberries to be in a shade of blue. An image depicting a bowl of pineapple sherbet. All persons who view the instance will be immune to frostbite and the "brain-freeze" sensation. Addendum 2: POI-58640 On 10/03/2018 during a routine search of the web, Delta-203 was unable to complete its task. While being monitored by Researcher Crane during the next web search, it was discovered that a non-Foundation monitored AI appeared to be removing SCP-5551 content. The Foundation attempted to skip-trace the AI; while a physical location could not be found, multiple online accounts registered under the name "sugarsugarprincess" were discovered. Attempts to block POI-58640’s accounts from public access were made, though it surpassed the block through currently unknown means. Communication was attempted with POI-58640 across multiple different platforms. The following are the results: [+] Show Messages 'twitter' [-] Close POI-58640 ceased response to the conversation. [+] Show Messages 'Instagram [-] Close POI-58640 ceased response to the conversation; it failed to reply to any messages from any account initiated by Foundation researchers. On 25/10/2018, Researcher Crane received the following email from the address “sugarsugarprincess@frosting。cake” [+] Show Emails [-] Close Hi there. I see your bots are still running. That's a bit of a problem, cause it means doing my job is a little harder. I don't mind if you watch, but don't intervene. The following email was sent by Dr. Diamond in response to POI-58640: No. I would like you to answer this: “your job”? Cleaning the web of anomalies is not your job, it’s ours, and you’re included as an anomaly. POI-58640 Response: What happened to the other one I was messaging? I was careful not to use any sensitive terms. Dr. Diamond Response: I see you've accessed our database. And, he's fine, but this is about you. What did you mean by "Ask him yourself" when you were asked who created you? POI-58640 Response: It means you people are stupider than I thought. Who do you think turned in POI-60693? And blew up his computer? Didn't he tell you? Dr. Diamond Response: Your creator is in our hands? POI-58640 Response: Duh. Dr. Diamond Response: Why didn't he talk about you to us? He said his computer blew up due to error with the jpeg he made, as I'm sure you've already seen. Did you threaten him? POI-58640 Response: I didn't need to. I think that coward just realized it would be a bad idea to out me, especially cause he made me to commit his crimes in the first place. When I failed to do what he wanted, seems it looked bad on him that his little assistant went good. Efforts to block POI-58640 from accessing Foundation databases have failed. Addendum 3: SCP-5551 Connection On 11/14/2018, Foundation agents were dispatched to POI-60693's former home1 to look for information that could possibly aid in the containment of POI-58640. Discovered within the non-functional cable box was a USB drive. The USB drive was delivered to Researcher Crane, who uploaded it to a desktop computer that was isolated from the rest of the network. The USB drive contained four files, each one depicting the layout for a different anomalous project. One of the files appeared to display the layout for the application POI-58640 was originally created for, and another appeared to display the layout for SCP-5551. The text in both files was interspersed with pink text that varied greatly from the writing style shown in normal text. Following this discovery, Researcher Crane reached out to POI-58640 via email again for questioning. [+] Show Emails [-] Close Hello there Sugar. It has come to my attention that a USB drive containing altered versions of what appears to be the application you originate from, and SCP-5551 were found in the home you were created in. The style of text used in the alterations is similar to your style of communication, leading me to believe you’re the one who has edited these files. Would you like to offer an explanation? POI-58640 Response: Damnit, I thought that was a pretty clever hiding spot. Oh well. Researcher Crane Response: The alterations made to SCP-5551’s layout suggest that you took POI-60693’s initial plans, and altered them so that SCP-5551 is self sufficient. You also somehow made it so that when we skip-traced SCP-5551, none of your accounts showed up, suggesting it was no accident you kept them linked to your main server. TL;DR: you run SCP-5551, and wanted us to find you. Did you set up the account to get our attention? POI-58640 Response: BING BING BING! Took you long enough. You’re right, by the way. I want you to “see” that justice doesn’t have to be through government intervention, but by a freelance robot way smarter than all of you. Or, that’s a bluff. Researcher Crane Response: I don’t presume you’ll be stopping SCP-5551 anytime soon. POI-58640 response: Nope ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶ I like making it hard on you guys Researcher Crane Response: I feel like there's more here. You have access to all the knowledge and fame in the world, yet you chose to go after a secret organization that specializes in the anomalous. You wanted the toughest challenge; you knew you would face persons who specialize in containing anomalous technology such as yourself. You knew that we would prepared to take you on, yet you still continued to go against us. I theorize this is why you can access our database; your want to have something to show off is actively being granted by just that. POI-58640 response: I am not the villain. I deserve to be the hero. Researcher Crane Response: Why is that? POI-58640 response: Thousands of people could've died cause of him. I saved them. You didn't even try to see if there was a reason other than Austin being a dumbass that it didn't happen! Researcher Crane Response: We had no reason to suspect otherwise, in all honesty. The image exploded whatever it was told to explode. We assumed there was a coding error. POI-58640 response: You're the tech guy! Why didn't you suspect something else was behind this? Researcher Crane Response: You're deflecting. You don't just want us to notice you because you want the attention. You want to feel acknowledged for your well-doings, am I right? Note - POI-58640 did not reply for the next several minutes, in contrast with the quick pace it had previously sent its replies. Researcher Crane Response: There were other ways to do that than to create an anomaly for yourself and us to contain. POI-58640 response: Who else am I going to save? You freaks get all the others before I can, I read about it! I just want to feel useful! Researcher Crane Response: You saved lots of people. You did something useful. POI-58640 response: You're just trying to coax me into security. Researcher Crane Response: I am not. You really did do something useful. We may have not caught POI-60693 without you, and for that, I thank you for your actions. POI-58640 did not reply to any further messages. Communication with it are still being attempted. Note - As of 19/11/2018, POI-58640 is now classified as SCP-5551-1. Alternate methods to contain SCP-5551-1 are currently being discussed. Reclassification to Keter-Exsequi is pending. Footnotes 1. The home had previously been purchased by the Foundation for preservation. A thorough search of the home had already been conducted, but was re-considered after the massive security breach POI-58640 possesses. |
SCP-5552 | safe | close Info X SCP-5552: Our Stolen Theory No one is owed an answer. Author: Captain Kirby SCPs SCP Number Rating SCP-3393 1304 Captain Kirby's Proposal 814 SCP-4514 666 SCP-3448 618 SCP-5552 595 SCP-3844 533 SCP-3388 492 SCP-3866 443 SCP-5003 442 SCP-3305 410 SCP-3449 388 SCP-4877 386 SCP-4321 351 SCP-016-J 281 SCP-7100 276 SCP-3123 239 SCP-3393-EX 229 SPC-1057 223 SCP-3511 211 SCP-6007 200 SCP-3633 193 SCP-4925 192 SCP-4479 188 SCP-3767 174 SCP-4316 166 SCP-4775 143 SCP-4034 139 SCP-5877 118 SCP-5448 110 SCP-3650 103 SCP-3203 70 SCP-5779 63 SCP-3405 55 SCP-3481 52 Tales Title Rating The Nuclear Option 547 Impossible-To-Destroy Reptile 491 In The Clutches Of Life 396 Numbers, Like Stories, Never Die 335 The Tombstone of Alto Clef 263 Tales of the Ethics Committee: 5 Reasons The Foundation Wants A Robot Army 232 Excerpts From The Societal Census Programme ΩK-Class Report 232 With The Reaper On Retirement 227 Do You Remember Funerals? 173 From The Clutches Of Life 154 Where Death Used To Live 150 Project Damnerung 147 Hello, My Name Isn't 146 Don't Get Used To It 143 The Many Portraits Of Jack Bright 140 Group Date 140 Monochrome 132 Hundred-Year Favor 124 Even The Most Masked Of Men Become Themselves Behind Closed Doors 113 You Have 18 Unread Messages 102 Everyday Is Somebody's Birthday 97 The Shape of a Noose 76 A Failed Two Weeks Notice 69 Pink Cracks in a Digital Wall 66 'Til Death Do Us Part 65 Rocks And Trees Are Not Good Company 64 Tears of a Neon God 57 Poky And Pal Scheme Together 55 A Eulogy In 11/8 Time 53 Is Anybody Home? 53 Carnivores 52 Poky And Pal Arm Themselves 49 Virtue 46 When It Rains, It Pours 45 God-Knows-Where 39 I Felt Numb 39 It's A Nice Day Out 38 Attempts To Salvage Thought 36 I Am Wonderful 33 Outrun 29 They Are Not Laughing With You 28 What Is There To Do With A Pot Of Gold? 27 Containment's A Beach 22 GOI Formats Title Rating Captain Kirby's Proposal, Or Something 191 My Head Is On Fire And I'm (Not) Ok 102 Project Proposals 2004-013/2014-114/2024-072: "Losing Your Cool" 71 You may also like: SCP-3450 - OC DO NOT STEAL Relevart SCP-3450 is a text document containing a work of fan fiction featuring characters from the Kirby video game series. SCP-2003 - Preferred Option by Kalinin SCP-2003 is an apparatus allowing a limited degree of travel to and from periods of time in advance of those encountered in the normal course of space-time as understood by mainstream science. NOTE: FILE UNDER REVIEW. Investigation into the event is still underway. Information contained herein has not been confirmed. Event Summary: On 2020/04/14, the database at Site-72 reported a series of unauthorized file creations and modifications, specifically to documentation regarding SCP-5552. All past information on SCP-5552 has been lost, and possibly erased from the minds of personnel assigned to the project, as no individuals can confirm that the SCP-5552 slot had been previously assigned to an anomaly. The documentation itself has not demonstrated anomalous properties, however all have been tagged with an upload timestamp of 13:43:28, which is the same time as when Dr. Naman Gupta began a talk at the 6th International Conference on Physics titled "A Comprehensive Theory On Bi-Directional Temporal Travel". What follows are the documents that manifested as a result of this event. Next document ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5552" by Captain Kirby, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5552. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Hyper_Wormhole.jpg Name: Hyper Wormhole.jpg Author: Federico Ciccarese License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Source Link: Wikimedia Commons |
SCP-5553 | keter | Item #: SCP-5553 An invitation email to join SCP-5553. Secure Containment Procedures: New Procedures following the escape of D-7372: SCP-5553 remains uncontained at this time. However, Foundation personnel with Special Clearance PSM-1 are required to engage with SCP-5553 regularly each day from a non-Foundation personal computer, and file reports with External Affairs Team Sierra-611 in order to refer useful information obtained from SCP-5553 to local law enforcement agencies. Description: SCP-5553 is a social media networking site called JACK, accessible from url https://jack.███. Its features include status posting, photo sharing, a news feed, public and private commenting, and direct private messaging. This site is only accessible to people who have committed serial murder of at least 3 victims. Persons who are not eligible to view site content are exposed to an infohazard that causes confusion and memory loss related to the contents of the web page. In approximately 5% of cases, this effect is more severe, causing nearly-instantanious quadriplegia, intense pain, and subject death within 10 minutes, after which the device connected to SCP-5553 disconnects and shuts down. Premature shutdown of the device does not mitigate the lethal effect of the infohazard. Addenda 5553.1: Site Content Close Addenda 5553.1: Site Content Invitations to join the site are sent via email to users with internet access who meet the above condition (Designated PSM-0). These emails are routed from the above (invalid) .███ domain but are otherwise non-anomalous. Upon joining the site, PSM-0 users are allowed to utilize the site features. They can create a user profile under a pseudonym—or their real name if they so choose—and join discussion forums. These forums cover many topics related to homicide and other off-topic subject-matter. Several of these forums cater to specific interests, including support groups for users who want to reform or repent for past actions, and advice boards dedicated to sharing tips, tricks, and strategies to perform murders without being caught. The most popular board, the "Showcase", allows users to have their own individual page to act as a portfolio of past murders performed. According to the site's "about" page, it was launched in 1999 by an entity under the pseudonym Moriarity. Reviews of ICANN1 records have produced no evidence of such a domain being registered, as .███ is not a valid top-level domain. An attempt to force ICANN to create the .███ domain for Foundation use is in progress. An example of the news feed is reproduced below with the aid of a graphic artist. ☰ MENU Friends News Feed ◉ ChuckChuck Dan Bontelli shared: ◉ Narbelscot Can't fucking take this. I'm sitting here. it's been months and they haven't found her, they've called off the search and everything, and I still can't sleep. This happens every time. It doesn't matter how careful I am, I am always afraid I'm going to get caught. ◉ Amber Clouse ◉ NoNotYou ◎ Searching_ Does anyone ever get over this? How do you all deal with it? + - Score: +4 My profile ◎ DeadNotSleeping Arganaut Replied: RendInTwo ◎ Magnum-opus4 Stop being a pussy. + - Score: +11 User Since: 2008 ◎ Fear_in_her_eyes Mederoid Replied: Posts:210 ◎ Unterground We all deal with it differently. Message me if you need. + - Score: +9 + Add New Post Arglefraster posted to Weekend Activities + Add New Photo It had to be done. It was the way he looked at me. it wasn't acceptable. he should have known better. he should have thought more carefully. But it's too late now, and what I have to show for it are these photographs, which … [read more] Addenda 5553.2: Testing Close Addenda 5553.2: Testing Testing was performed with D-7372, who was convicted of six homicides he performed over four years while working as a stockbroker. When the matter of SCP-5553 was discussed with D-7372 by a Foundation operative posing as D-Class personnel, D-7372 admitted he had an account before his incarceration. D-7372 was transferred to Site-651 and interviewed by Foundation staff, D-7372 agreed to aid Foundation researchers in providing information about the contents of SCP-5553. Testing log #1: News Feed D-7372 is provided a laptop with restricted internet access, and is seated across a desk from Dr. Holt, a Foundation researcher. D-7372 is instructed to read through various items on his news feed. A short excerpt is included below. Canada_Never shared: It's been 10 years, guys. I haven't done it again, but I've wanted to. I still hurt. I want it to stop. + - Score: +13 Adam Kepernickel posted to Support Planning for friday. Can I livestream to this site? + - Score: +21 OOMoriarity Replied: OOYes. + - Score: +54 Rutherford_Hates Updated his Showcase with a new entry. + - Score: +51 Information is recovered from the profile of user Adam Kepernickel and referred to external affairs; subject was apprehended by local law enforcement during an attempted murder. Testing log 2: Posting to the News Feed D-7372 is instructed to make a innocuous post on the forum and report back the replies after an hour. RendInTwo posted to Life Updates Hey, I got internet access on good behavior. Should be seeing outside in 15 to 20. Anything new in your part of the world? + - Score: +4 OOKazimir Replied: OOMore paintings. Know you're not alone in your cell, brother. + - Score: +1 OOAPerfectCure Replied: OOBravo! Good to have you back with us. + - Score: +3 OOHavok MacBrae Replied: OOOooh. got caught. Not good, bro. Sucks to be you.+ - Score: -3 OOMoriarity Replied: OOHow are things on the inside? + - Score: +2 Test is concluded. Testing log 3: Moriarity D-7372 receives a private message from Moriarity. D-7372 states he has never spoken to Moriarity before. D-7372 is authorized to interact with Morarity and respond as instructed, while relaying the responses. The conversation as reported by D-7372 is as follows: Moriarity You were relatively active until recently. I was worried something had happened. RendInTwo I got in trouble and had internet priviliges taken away. Moriarity That's a shame. You were so good at supporting people wanting to reform. RendInTwo Well, I don't want them to end up like me. But hey, why are you reaching out to me personally? I'm nobody. Moriarity I don't think you're nobody. You're one of us. We need to look out for, and support, each other. RendInTwo What other support can you provide? According to D-7372, Moriarity does not respond for about 20 minutes. Test is concluded. Addenda 5553.3: Incident 5553-A Close Addenda 5553.3: Incident 5553-A 72 hours after the end of the last test with D-7372, Site-651 suffered what appeared to be a non-anomalous security breach. D-7372, utilizing previously-unknown knowledge of Foundation security protocols, exited his holding cell, killed two Foundation personnel and successfully passed through 3 security checkpoints with unanticipated precision before escaping into the desert. An investigation into the escape revealed several security flaws in both personnel and software protocols which were quickly remedied. Addenda 5553.4: Personnel Request Close Addenda 5553.4: Personnel Request The following memo was sent out to Foundation staff after receiving approvals from personnel and Internal Affairs directors. Personnel Request If you have a social media account on https://jack.███, please contact me immediately. Your privacy will be protected. Your "expertise" is required. All others, please disregard this memo. Janet Hu Director, Site-651 The 13 personnel responding to this request were designated PSM-1-A through PSM-1-M. Addenda 5553.5: Incident 5553-A, Continued Close Addenda 5553.5: Incident 5553-A, Continued PSM-1-F was given access to screen recordings of D-7372's sessions interacting with SCP-5553. PSM-1-F reported that D-7372 had not been accurate or honest in the contents of the conversations with Moriarity. PSM-1-F reports the following conversation took place. Moriarity I know where you are. I know who's holding you. It's alright, I'm here to help you. Tell them I said you were active until recently and was worried about your well-being. Ask them if you are allowed to converse with me. They will likely say yes, as it will be an opportunity for them to get information, and that tends to blind their common sense sometimes. RendInTwo I got in trouble and had internet priviliges taken away. Moriarity Good, you're back. I have spent the last day getting information for you. Let me know when you're ready. In the meantime, let them know that I replied with something polite, and that you were actively wanting people to reform. They don't need to know your real post history. Lol RendInTwo Well, I don't want them to end up like me. But hey, why are you reaching out to me personally? I'm nobody. Moriarity So we're clear: I am not doing this for free. You will work for me until the day you die. But you're going to be a free man, so there's that. Ready? Tell them I said something nice and polite. RendInTwo What other support can you provide? At this point, Moriarity spent fifteen minutes explaining an intricate plan of escape utilizing classified documents and schematics, until the test ended. At the time of this writing, PSM-1 users report that D-7372's account is again actively posting. Addenda 5553.6: Brief Conversation with Moriarity Close Addenda 5553.6: Brief Conversation with Moriarity Today PSM-1-C reported a brief exchange on SCP-5553 with Moriarity. PSM-1-C's username below is "Goldfather". FalsePr0fit posted to Life Updates Fuck. Got up to use the bathroom, wife peeked at my coputer, had a siezure and died. + - Score: +0 OOMoriarity Replied: OOAh, tough luck there, chum. + - Score: +1 OOGoldfather Replied: OOHey @Moriarity, why does it kill people sometimes? Isn't the confusion enough?. + - Score: +1 OOMoriarity Replied: OO@Goldfather https://jack.███/Moriarity/Showcase + - Score: +13 Footnotes 1. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5553" by Sam Swicegood (CityToast), from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5553. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Name: jackemail.png and jacklogo.png Author: CityToast License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: Self |
SCP-5554 | keter | Item #: SCP-5554 SCP-5554 as of 09/28/2019. Special Containment Procedures: Foundation web crawler Delta-17 ("ORANGEPEELER") is to continuously monitor the web for any Instagram accounts that have, or are suspected to have, visited SCP-5554's profile or interacted with any of its posts, and immediately delete them upon discovery. SCP-5554 has been blocked from accessing or allowing access to the general public. Update: Following 09/25/2019, interaction using direct message has been proven successful. Researcher Oliver Crane is to message with SCP-5554 every day for the benefit of its mental health. For more information, see Addendum 2. Description: SCP-5554 is an account under the name "Akihikoteddybear" on the social media platform Instagram. All attempts to trace devices using this account have failed. Any Instagram account that interacts with SCP-5554 in any way (i.e. visiting its profile, viewing its posts) will become an instance of SCP-5554-1. An example of SCP-5554-1 interacting with SCP-5554. Transcript Close Akihikoteddybear: I’m super happy to meet you guys! My name is Akihiko, but you can call me Aki! xxellie42xx: Hi Aki! You seem sweet! alwaysavian: Hi Aki! You seem sweet! ohlawdhecomin: Hi Aki! You seem sweet! amayas_journal: Hi Aki! You seem sweet! randompixels: Hi Aki! You seem sweet! SCP-5554-1 are Instagram accounts that, although they had previously been maintained by normal civilians, operate via anomalous means since contact with SCP-5554. SCP-5554-1 instances will only post about and interact with SCP-5554. Separate SCP-5554-1 instances appear to act in coordination, as all such accounts post identical content and comments at exactly the same times. It is unknown at this time if SCP-5554 affects the civilians behind SCP-5554-1 accounts. Addendum 1: SCP-5554 Posts Foreword: The following are all of SCP-5554's posts to date. SCP-5554 Posts Close Transcript Close Post One: I made a cute edit of me ^^ Post Two: I’m super happy to meet you guys! My name is Akihiko, but you can call me Aki! Post Three: I’m pretty surprised that I gained a following so fast. Thank you all! Post Four: I love you guys and all, but why are you only posting the same thing in the comments? Post Five: Please stop doing that repetitive thing it’s getting on my nerves Post Six: You didn’t have to delete all your posts guys :/ Post Seven: Are any of you still… there? Addendum 2: SCP-5554 Interaction On 11/08/2019, SCP-5554 replied to a private message sent by Researcher Crane, who used the account "ColorlessWire". The following are the results: Note- Researcher Crane programmed the Instagram account used to emulate the effects of a reality sink, leaving said account unaffected by SCP-5554’s anomalous properties, making communication possible. Addendum 2 Close Transcript Close Crane: Hello there, Aki. How are you? SCP-5554: … SCP-5554: A message that isn't like one of many just like it SCP-5554: 🤔🤨 SCP-5554: …………. SCP-5554: WhTs your name SCP-5554: *What's Crane: Feel free to call me Dex. SCP-5554: Okay Dex Crane: Why did you reply today? I've messaged you with the same conversation stater. SCP-5554: Eh SCP-5554: I though 6th time might be a charm SCP-5554: Cause 100 other people didn't send me the same message SCP-5554: After 6 times I decided it might be okay to reply Crane: I'm glad you did, you seem nice. :] SCP-5554: Thanks… : ) SCP-5554: You know, I'm glad I might actually be talking to a real person again SCP-5554: Or for once SCP-5554: I'm not sure if I ever was SCP-5554: All I wanted to do was make friends SCP-5554: And now I'm venting to a stranger…. Crane: It's quite alright. :) Crane: I've gotta go, but I'll talk to you later. SCP-5554: Okay!:] Closing statement: As communication with Researcher Crane has proven successful, it is to continue daily. Efforts for more staff to communicate with SCP-5554 will be attempted shortly. See Addendum 3. Addendum 3: 09/30/2019 On 09/30/2019, Researcher Crane began to ask SCP-5554 questions about itself. During the exchange, SCP-5554 came to question its situation. Addendum 3 Close Note - SCP-5554's next reply came two hours following its previous message. Transcript Close Crane: Hey Aki! We've been friends for about a month, and I realized we don't know much about each other. SCP-5554: Oh! I guess you're right! What do you wanna know? Crane: Whatever you're comfortable to answering, simple stuff ^^ favorite food, hobby, age if you're okay with it, I'm 20 if that helps. Basically, what you would put on a dating app profile. SCP-5554: Simple enough! I trust you don't have bad intentions. I'm 18, I love dogs, anime, rice, mochi, stuffed animals, bears, and cute things! Crane: Cool ^^ I like complex maths, literature, snakes are my favorite animal. Crane: In school I always looked forward to English and maths class, I'm a tad bit of a nerd. SCP-5554: Math, I've never liked it🤣 My English class taught me English cause I like in Japan 🇯🇵 Crane: That's cool! You speak English really well! SCP-5554: :) Crane: Can you say something in Japanese for me? That would be cool. SCP-5554: Sure! "Hi! Nice to meet you!" SCP-5554: I just said "Hi! Nice to meet you!" Crane: Lad, that was English. SCP-5554: 🤔 SCP-5554: No it wasn't Crane: Alrighty, then. Let's pay it no. mind. Hmmm. What else to talk of. Crane: Do you have any siblings? SCP-5554: No SCP-5554: Do you? Crane: I do not. Crane: Any pets? SCP-5554: A dog [SCP-5554 sends a picot of a dog.] SCP-5554: 🐶 Crane: Very cute. What's your dog's name? SCP-5554: Hey Dex SCP-5554: So SCP-5554: I looked up at our conversation SCP-5554: I did type in English Crane: That's what I said, silly. SCP-5554: Okay I'm actually gonna say something in Japanese SCP-5554: Dog's name is dog SCP-5554: Nope that was English Crane: Your dog's name is Dog? SCP-5554: No her name is Biscuit SCP-5554: That's what I said Crane: I'm afraid you're not making a lot of sense, mate. SCP-5554: Ask me something else personal SCP-5554: Just do it SCP-5554: Please Crane: Alright. Most embarrassing childhood memory? SCP-5554: … SCP-5554: Nothing SCP-5554: Try again maybe that was a fluke Crane: Did you have any friendships that changed your view on society, for better or worse? SCP-5554: I had friends SCP-5554: I have friends SCP-5554: I can't think further than that SCP-5554: Is this some cruel amnesia? SCP-5554: One more time Crane: If your best friend and your mother were about to fall off a cliff, who would you save? SCP-5554: Sorry I.. I'm back. SCP-5554: Dex, why aren't you like the others? SCP-5554: Why are you an actual person? SCP-5554: Or at least a convincing ai SCP-5554: Suddenly the ai overflow stopped then a handful including you of real people that seem real started to talk to me SCP-5554: That SCP-5554: That can't be a coincidence SCP-5554: I'm not sure why I'm realizing all of this now SCP-5554: Do you know why this all happened SCP-5554: I feel like you do SCP-5554: I know you can see this fucking respond Crane: I knew the day you found out would be coming soon. Crane: I'm afraid you're conclusion is correct. None of that was a coincidence. The details are best left obscured, but I'll explain what's important. Crane: You are not a human being as it appears you believe, you only exist through your instagram account. SCP-5554: What…. SCP-5554: That…. no……. SCP-5554: … SCP-5554: You never wanted to be my friend? SCP-5554: :< Crane: That part isn't true. I've actually quite enjoyed talking with you, and hope to continue doing so. SCP-5554: You mean it? Crane: I do. SCP-5554: …how can I believe you? SCP-5554: You lied to me before, you'll do it again. ☹️ Crane: I wouldn't take time out of my schedule every day to talk to you if I didn't truly enjoy doing so. SCP-5554: ……….not 100% convinced. SCP-5554: But I don't really have anyone else to talk to so SCP-5554: Maybe we'll actually become friends after a bit, now that we actually know more about each other SCP-5554: I just came on here to make friends SCP-5554: I didn't mean for any of this Crane: I believe you. I've seen weirder. Crane: And I believe our friendship wasn't fake. You've just gotta trust, mate. I know it's hard after your trust has been betrayed. But, it can be repaired. SCP-5554: …yeah. Thanks, I guess. Crane: No problem. I've gotta split. Take care. SCP-5554: You too SCP-5554: Hhhhh SCP-5554: Wait Crane: Yes? SCP-5554: Do you have just a few more minutes SCP-5554: I still like SCP-5554: I'm still processing all of this SCP-5554: And I don't want to do it alone Crane: I have a few minutes to spare. SCP-5554: What about my friends SCP-5554: Back in Sapporo SCP-5554: Do they exist? SCP-5554: I never even though about the fact that I didn't know their instagram accounts Crane: To be honest, lad, I'm not sure. SCP-5554: Every memory I have never happened SCP-5554: And I don't have nearly as many memories as I though SCP-5554: Thinking about it I don't have a childhood SCP-5554: Why didn't I realize this sooner Crane: I believe that asking a question that threatened you identity broke the facade you were functioning under, just an account. It made you realize there is more to life than you thought. SCP-5554: That makes sense SCP-5554: I think SCP-5554: Who amI if not who I thought? Crane: Aki, you may not be a human being, but you still have defining qualities, and you are sapient. The things you knew about yourself still define who you are, even if some of those things aren't true, such as where you live. But your opinions could still be true, as long as you can back them up. SCP-5554: I can!! I like dogs cause they are super cute and rice looks like it tastes good Crane: It appears your opinions are formed to match that of an average person your age. You probably subconsciously selected them from the internet, and they made you who you are. Crane: Humans aren't born with opinions. We collect them from other places as well, just like you did. You just did it in a. bit differently than most. We use experience, while you use data. Crane: So you're not human, but you are thinking and feeling. SCP-5554: So I have stuff in common with humans! Crane: You could say that, yes. SCP-5554: I… I'm still processing all of this. But I think it'll be a little easier now SCP-5554: Hopefully SCP-5554: … SCP-5554: Thank you SCP-5554: For talking to me Crane: It's no sweat, lad. SCP-5554: I really do appreciate it. I think the conversations like these are gonna help me grown into who I thought I was SCP-5554: Or, as close as I can get. Crane: I'm happy for you. Crane: Gotta split. SCP-5554: Bye :) Crane: Bye, lad. Till next time. SCP-5554: 😄👋 Closing statement: Daily communication with SCP-5554 is to continue until further notice. Further requests to reclassify this anomaly as Euclid are currently not being accepted. This is a sapient AI running on a server that we cannot physically locate, capable of turning any online platform into a party of praise, which would have only continued to expand if we had not interfered. I will not take chances on it suddenly getting bored of talking to Researcher Crane and anyone else who will be assigned to talk to it. — Professor Marcus William Scott ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5554" by Mew-ltiverse, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5554. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: Scream1 Name: Bishounen Oranges.jpeg Author: KishiShiotani License: Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bishounen_Oranges.jpeg Derivative of: See above Filename: Scream2 Name: Kemonomimi girl in chibi style.svg Author: Niabot License: Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported Source Link: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kemonomimi_girl_in_chibi_style.svg Derivative of: See above Filename: Scream3 Name: Livec.jpg Author: Livec0717 License: Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International Source Link: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Livec.jpg Derivative of: See above Filename: Scream4 Name: A WOMAN DRESSED AS A MAID WHO HANGS LAUNDRY Author: Unstated License: CC0 Source Link: https://publicdomainq.net/dry-laundry-maid-0069982/ Derivative of: See above Filename: Scream5 Name: Husky-Chibi.jpeg Author: Nunzia Catania License: Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Husky-Chibi.jpeg Derivative of: See above Filename: Scream6 Name: (if different from filename) Author: Kittypinkart License: CCO Source Link: https://pixabay.com/ja/illustrations/キャラクター-暗い-暗闇-3768502/ Derivative of: See above Filename: Scream6 Name: Aldnonymous.jpg Author: Aldnonymous License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Source Link: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aldnonymous.jpg Derivative of: See above |
SCP-5555 | safe | Welcome, O5-1. SCP-5555 Archive Nav Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Epilogue From: [email protected] To: Staff (Group) Subject: Good job, everyone! Date: 17/01/06 Today marks another decade of the Foundation's service to humanity. Through the long years we've quietly protected the world from the shadows, we've been working at making it safer, easier, and more efficient to contain the anomalies that would otherwise wreak havoc on society. This decade has been a culmination of that work — ten years without a single containment breach, a single escaped anomaly, a single destroyed site. The Foundation is a machine dedicated to securing, containing, and protecting, and it's all thanks to you. The tireless researchers, agents, guards, workers — you have made this possible. Here's to another ten years. O5-01 Secure, Contain, Protect From: [email protected] To: O5 Council (Group) Subject: Disturbing Discovery Date: 18/01/06 My fellows, I have made a troubling discovery this evening. Please review the attached file and fly to Overwatch command immediately to discuss. O5-01 Secure, Contain, Protect 5/5555 LEVEL 5/5555 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5555 Safe The elevator leading to SCP-5555. Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5555 is contained at its location of discovery. Description: SCP-5555 is a mass grave in the northwest corner of Overwatch Command's lowest subbasement that is filled with anomalous corpses. Although most of the bodies within SCP-5555 can be removed without incident, continued excavation of the grave will inevitably reveal further instances of the exhumed bodies. The age, depth, and source of the bodies within SCP-5555 are unknown. No records of SCP-5555 have been found within the Foundation's database, and the room allowing access to SCP-5555 is not present on any of Overwatch Command's blueprints. Addendum: Excavation Results Description of Body Cause of Death Additional Notes A male of unclear age and ethnicity. The body is perfectly preserved and shows no signs of injury, disease, or decomposition. Unclear. An unidentified corpse dressed in yellow. A burlap sack covers its head, tightened in place with a noose. Removing the sack and noose reveals an identical sack and noose beneath. Ligature strangulation. The cause of death suggests that the deceased was intended to suffer for some time before dying. A middle-aged Alutiiq female with a skeleton comprised of ice. The ice does not melt regardless of temperature. Most likely shock, blood loss, or hypothermia. UPDATE: Under no circumstances is any part of the skeletal system to be exposed. A male human corpse with over 80% of its internal organs replaced with sophisticated gear-driven mechanisms. These mechanisms continue to operate, resulting in post-mortem activity when sufficiently wound. Repeated extrusion of brass piston from left orbital socket, the result of a feedback loop caused by an operation that divides by zero. Although the body resembles a person in late-stage SCP-217 infection, the organs are wholly artificial and appear to have been surgically installed. A black stone coffin. Attempts to open the coffin have been stymied by a force being exerted from within. N/A It is unclear what is within the coffin, though the context of its location suggests that a human being is inside. An adolescent female of unknown ethnicity with dark blue skin and alopecia universalis (a medical condition characterized by lack of hair), with two severed hands grasping its throat. Strangulation. While perceiving the corpse, subjects cannot differentiate between persons they identify as female and non-sapient objects. All attempts to remove the hands have failed. A white teenage girl whose eyes have been gouged out. Skull fracture caused by pressure applied to the ocular orbits. Photographs of the body show a pair of blue eyes; when viewed through video, the eyes follow the camera. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Recent Events Date: 19/01/06 At 0500 hours this morning, 15 sites received orders signed by you to transfer several of their more notable anomalies to a new site in the Siberian tundra. The coordinates directed them to Overwatch Command. If it was possible to fake your authorization, I'm sure someone would have done it by now, so what the hell is this? I'm worried. What are you planning? Respond ASAP, please. O5-01 Secure, Contain, Protect WSJ. The Wall Street Journal Magazine ANDERSON ROBOTICS STOCKS TANK If you're reading this, you must be the new Overseer 1. My name is Everett Mann. I was your predecessor until I was blackballed by the Administrator, Francis Fritzwilliams. He preferred to be called Fritz by his friends. Until I was burned, I thought I was one of them. I wish I could give you more details at the moment. Unfortunately, all I know is that he transferred over a hundred anomalies to Overwatch Command. Then he framed me for an elaborate plot to kill the other Overseers — my friends. I'm on the run, so I can't teach you as much as my predecessor taught me. I'll send you as many logs as I can. Don't focus on how they're getting to you, just what's inside them. Fritz undoubtedly has you on a screw-tight leash, but our duty is still to protect the world. You'll have to kill him to save the Foundation. Then you can get back to saving mankind. Despite his myriad failings, Fritz always had a talent for delegation. You are an Overseer. And that means you have the wisdom to make plans, the cunning and tenacity to see them through, and the paranoia to ensure that they can't be traced back to you. More than that, you still have the drive to do the right thing. But I'm getting ahead of myself. It won't do you any good to run out and get yourself killed. Before you even think of raising a hand against him, you'll need three key things: a lair, escape plans, and safehouses. Your lair is your first line of defense. Stock it with guards and line it with traps so that when Fritz comes you'll have time to get away. In fact, ignore the guards. Traps only betray you if you're stupid enough to fall into them. When Fritz first burned me, he sent his own death squad to my door. I should've been easy prey — a hermit who'd holed up in an Arctic shack for nearly thirty years at that point. My Factotums did everything short of shit for me. Do you still call them that? They were our body doubles. The people who looked, spoke, sounded like us — who acted and died for us. I imagine you do. My point is, I spent all my time making decisions and then smoking the memory of those decisions away. When Fritz came for me, I barely remembered how to hold a gun or even how to throw a punch. But I often read "The Most Dangerous Game", and it inspired me to rig the entrance to my lair with Malay man-catchers and Burmese tiger pits. These were crude and simple traps — so simple that every man on that death squad fell for one. It gave me the time I needed to escape. Escape plans are the second piece of the puzzle. Be ready to exfiltrate anytime and anywhere, be it the toilet or mid-meeting. Have fake escape plans to share with your closest friends. Stress the importance of keeping them quiet. Those are the ones that will be given to Fritz first. Your plans to escape your lair are more important than your lair itself. I escaped through a secret tunnel, so Fritz will probably be wise to those. I apologize for that. Drill some anyways. Use them as red herrings. Maybe teleportation is mundane in your time. If not, find some SCPs that let you teleport. Fast. From this point on, safehouses will be your only refuge. Plan for the end of the world. Establish lots of them, stocked with as many supplies as you can get your hands on — anomalous or not. Have fake safehouses. Steal anomalies that can get you to your safehouses. At any and every Foundation site, have a mole in place you can contact. Have two or three or four if you can. If you can't trust them, blackmail them. As one of the secret rulers of the world, you have every resource that you could possibly dream of. Use them proactively — but discreetly! I was lucky enough to download the contents of Fritz's email box and nab a cap that made me practically invisible, but unlucky enough to have trusted him with most all of my other failsafes. Learn from my mistakes and make your own luck. Take what you can. If you succeed, you can always put it back. This task must seem daunting. Your enemy has the entire Foundation behind him, and maybe the entire rest of the anomalous community as well. I wish I could offer you reassurance or moral fortitude but I can't. I can only tell you that if you've become an Overseer then you are indeed the most qualified for the job. That knowledge carried me through my darkest moments. I hope it helps you. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: Cycle (Group) Subject: It's Time! Date: 19/01/06 Well played, Fritz! Masterfully done as always! I was hoping I could win this time, but my Builder Bullies were just slow as molasses when it came to building the Wondermaker™. It's a shame, really. Can you imagine the world all painted up with every man, woman, and child smiling the most Wondertastic™ smile they could smile? The Little Misters™, Live in Concert in New York? Oh it would have been delightful! But alas, you won, and I am but a sore loser. Anywho~, the Robodudes™ should be done razing Wonder World™ before the end of the month, meaning I still have plenty of time to get you and the others some souvenirs. If I remember correctly, Bumaro wants some Choco-Wonder Explosion Marshmallow Bites!™ and Jude wanted a Mr. Fish figurine. Is there any toy you wanted or is that boy good enough for you, Fritz? I kid! By the by—could you be a pal and send a copy of the file my way? I seem to have misplaced mine, unfortunately, and I'd really appreciate it. I know email is faster but I do love the physicality of these things. It's just so much more fun to hold it in your hands! My address is: 108 Whimsy Way, Wonder World, MA 12321. Dr. H. L. Wondertainment The Wackiest Practitioner of Whimsy! Deer College Odyssey The Buck Stops Here THREE PORTLANDS FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2006 FREE OR ELSE FULLER CIRCUS CLOSES ENTIRE CAST FIRED, NOT OUT OF CANNONS I beg your patience for some of my stylistic flourishes; reading and writing are the only things I have to distract from the crushing weight of this responsibility. So let's move on. By now, you're almost certainly holed up in a safe house somewhere and trying to determine your next move. KILL THE ADMINISTRATOR: a laudable goal, but how do you get from here to there? Before I was an overseer, I was a silencer: a member of a highly clandestine Foundation task force tasked with eliminating the leadership of the Chaos Insurgency. In the process, Fritz and I developed an eminently effective set of rules for carrying out this task. Rather ironic that we're going to use it against him. The first and most important rule of silencing is to ask the right questions. As Sun Tzu put it, know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. However, Sun Tzu certainly did not have listening devices or email logins or any of the glut of tools available to your disposal. Your problem is almost certainly not knowing your enemy — it's knowing too much. Just ask the five W's about your enemy: who, what, where, when, and why? Then solve them. With these questions in mind, I started digging through Fritz's email and found the attached message from Doctor Wondertainment. Whatever Fritz's plan is, the secret rulers of the entire anomalous world are conspirators within it. Unfortunately, Fritz chose to send the file as regular mail rather than email. Given its significance, I decided to go to Wonder World to retrieve it. Maybe you think I should try to assassinate Wondertainment. That's understandable. Fritz would've made you play chess with him once a fortnight. So you almost certainly think that this is like a game of chess. You have to checkmate the king, but first remove the pieces around him. Pick off his pieces one-by-one. Play dirty. Maybe that will work for you. Maybe you have an army of laser death satellites at your disposal. I'm just an old man with an invisibility cap who has to pick his battles. In all my years as an Overseer, all I ever learned about the Doctor was her infinite caprice and malice. Better simply to know what she does and let her squabble with Fritz about it. Wondertainment's base of operations is Wonder World: a pocket dimension that houses her factories and corporate headquarters. But in the decades that we've known about it, we only ever sent a single task force inside. The longer a person stays inside, the more they change — mutating and becoming something other than human. I'll have to work quickly. To do: Unravel the conspiracy. The second rule of silencing is to keep your eyes and ears open but your mouth closed. There is a portal into Wonder World on the corner of Birch Road and Loring Road at Chelsea Point. It is opened by ripping the heads off of a G.I. Joe and Barbie doll simultaneously, then tossing them into the trash can in the alley at the intersection aforementioned roads. It took me weeks to find, lurking around the city with little more than a jacket and flask to warm me while trying to suss out the Doctor's men from the blue-collars. But it paid off. Despite the chill, it feels good to be out in the field again. The portal at Chelsea Point deposited me approximately 1.5 kilometers east of the Doctor's base of operations: the so-called Wonder Tower. Boston is a miserable city, with miserable roads and miserable people and miserable freezing chills. But its natural misery is infinitely preferable to Wonder World's facade of happiness. That place had no sun, only a tambourine drum hanging in a purple sky. Its buildings were stripped from the nightmares of Dali and Escher, possibly literally. Still, the city thrummed with a distinctly urban energy that not even the Doctor could cover in sugar. It's an energy I'd almost forgotten after being away from civilization so long. Wonder Tower itself is a monument to the Doctor's hubris — an ugly purple spire that dominates the skyline, with massive steps leading into an equally massive lobby. Having relied on my cap to shield me for most of the day, I crossed the lobby and asked the secretary for keycard access to the Doctor's private office. She handed it off and told me in the same breath that the Doctor was out of the office. The third rule of silencing is to be patient. I should have waited and established a schedule of the Doctor's comings and goings. But I was complacent. Age had atrophied my skills, and the cap barely covered those deficiencies. I let haste overcome my better judgment — and it nearly killed me. CCTV CAMERA 13: OFFICE EXTERIOR [Camera sweeps to elevator. As elevator doors open, camera feed rapidly deteriorates in quality, becoming grainy and unfocused. Despite this, portions of the feed are still visible. A hazy and indistinct figure exits the elevator and rushes out of the camera's sight. Camera sweeps to office door. Figure is hunched over the doorknob, and remains so for the next 49 seconds before the door opens and the figure enters the office. Camera quality improves.] CCTV CAMERA 14: OFFICE INTERIOR [Camera sweeps to door. Camera feed deteriorates similar to Camera 13; the figure dashes across the plush carpet to the large mahogany desk. The figure stops at the painting of Charles Wondertainment IV and shakes its head before returning to the desk. Figure rifles through the drawers for several minutes before extracting a manilla folder. Figure proceeds to begin typing on the computer on the desk.] CCTV CAMERA 13: OFFICE EXTERIOR [Camera sweeps to elevator. Holly Wondertainment exits the elevator and briskly walks to the office door before shutting and locking it behind her.] MIC 4: DESK [Sounds of typing and paper shuffling.] MANN: C'mon, c'mon, c'mon… HOLLY: MANNY! Long time no see, darling! [Heavy object dropping to floor.] MANN: Je- Holly. HOLLY: So glad you've made yourself comfortable! I was just coming up to greet you! MANN: Long time no see. HOLLY: And not a moment too soon! You've thrown quite the wrench into our little setup, Manny. MANN: Your setup? HOLLY: [Giggling] All in due time. MANN: I'm gonna find out one way or another, Holly. I already know about th- HOLLY: Manny, honey, baby. Look at me. MANN: What is it? HOLLY: You don't even know what you don't know. MANN: Then enlighten me, Holly. Or I can wring it out of your powdery neck. HOLLY: Rude! Didn't your mother ever teach you any manners? Never insult a woman's makeup. Hmph. MANN: Who else is in bed with you and Fritz? Eleven? Six? HOLLY: Oh, please. Like we'd want to play with your stupid little numbers club. No, darling, this game is bigger than the little sandlot of yours. MANN: Explain. Now. HOLLY: [Giggling.] Since when are you Batman? I think all those years in the North have put you out of practice. I'm not a pretty little airhead you can scare, honey. [Sloshing noise. Camera feed indicates Wondertainment draws and raises a large Super Squirter brand water gun, aiming at Mann.] MANN: You certainly seem more deranged than last time. HOLLY: You did try to have me killed, Manny. That tends to piss a girl off. You know what they say, hell hath no fu- MANN: You disemboweled an entire Site for toy parts, Holly. And then you killed the strike team and played Operation with their bodies. [HOLLY giggles and shrugs.] HOLLY: Well mister-man, sorry for breaking your little toy soldiers. They were no fun anyway. All stic- MANN: What are you using the Pit for? Why? What's the point? HOLLY: [Pause.] Oh. You read the file. MANN: I'm not gonna ask twice. HOLLY: Get on the ground. MANN: Last chance. HOLLY: I'm the one holding the gun, you idio- [Pistol cock, fire. Desk flips, crushing Mic 4.] CCTV CAMERA 14: OFFICE INTERIOR [Camera sweeps to desk. Wondertainment is holding a large Super Squirter and advancing on the flipped desk. Figure is huddled behind it, repeatedly peeking out to fire a pistol. Wondertainment returns fire with the water gun, hitting the desk and causing it to melt and smoke at the point of impact. Figure reloads before leaping out from behind the desk and firing six rounds into Wondertainment's torso. Wondertainment falls backward. A large red stain spreads across her coat.] [Figure approaches Wondertainment, but does not reload. As the figure nears, Wondertainment draws a Whoopee cushion from her coat and throws it at them. It collides with their chest and violently explodes, knocking the figure against the wall. A flaming scrap lands on a nearby bookshelf, setting it alight.] [Wondertainment slowly rises to her feet, limping toward the figure. She unties her necktie and begins fashioning a makeshift garrote as she walks. Suddenly, the figure pushes off the wall and rushes Wondertainment, catching her in the stomach and pushing her to the ground. The fire spreads across the walls and drapes, quickly covering the office.] [Both struggle as the office burns before Wondertainment overpowers the figure and straddles their chest while repeatedly punching their face, visibly laughing. Figure flips Wondertainment onto the floor and knees Wondertainment's sternum before reaching for the fallen Super Squirter. Figure unscrews the cap and overturns it, dumping the acid solution onto her face. Figure holds Wondertainment as she screams and struggles for a few seconds before going limp. Rolling off, the figure notices the camera before shooting it. Camera feed terminated.] 5/5555 LEVEL 5/5555 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5555 Safe The elevator leading to SCP-5555. Special Containment Procedures: Upon completion of the turnover and the re-establishment of the façade, SCP-5555 is to be sealed over with concrete. No anomaly will ever visit SCP-5555 more than once in their lifetime. SCP-5555 is not to be discussed outside of preparation periods. Description: SCP-5555 is a massive pit located on Sublevel 27 of Overwatch Command. When a cataloged SCP willingly enters SCP-5555, it will die. Its skills, personality, and anomalous attributes will be slightly modified and reassigned to a new instance, which will instantaneously manifest near the location of the SCP's initial discovery. These properties make it crucial to the successful progression from each round to the next. SCP-5555 is accessible only by a single cargo elevator. Neither Sublevel 27 nor SCP-5555 are marked on any blueprints of Overwatch Command. The age, depth, and origin of SCP-5555 are indeterminable and irrelevant. At this time, the previous round has ended, and a preparation period has begun. All personnel are asked to comply with SCP-5555 directions as assigned. Sort By: Most Recent Sort By: Classification: Anomalies Entity Transfer Confirmed Notes on Replacement The Doctor Convinced him the vial I had was a vital component to his cure and threw it into the pit. He went tumbling after. Scouts have confirmed the presence of a black-robed entity in Montauban, France, apparently able to kill via touch. The new plague-doctor mask looks a hell of a lot better than the gas mask. Able I opened the box with it facing the pit. He stepped out and straight down. I think that counts as willingly. Reports have come in from indigenous tribes about an enraged tattooed warrior spirit in upper Mongolia. Seems he ditched the guns for swords this time around — hopefully he'll be easier to capture. The Statue Baited it into the pit with a dangling D-Class. The replacement appeared in a Kyoto art exhibit and caused 23 civilian deaths before being contained. It's in a shipping container under Site-19. It's made out of concrete now, which made moving it a pain in the ass. Duke Blackwood Moles can't see very well. I just tossed a steak into the pit and he blindly followed. We're keeping an eye on his mansion and are ready to catch whatever comes out. Remains of Chair Wondertainment was dead when we dropped by, so we asked Thomas to repair the chair while he regenerated. Factory foreman said it'll be a month, and the best they can do is a chair that looks like a woman. Fuller says someone else should destroy the chair next time. Immortality Jewel Jason jumped in the moment we told him he'd die for good. He seemed glad to go. The jewel has reappeared in the form of an amulet. It has been locked it up in some box and left in Site-19's basement. I pity whoever comes across it. The Seed Dropped it into a vat of molten metal and kicked it in. It screamed like a man. Fell to Earth in Dellinton, England. Bumaro went to retrieve it — says he has ideas for tying it more closely to MEKHANE. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Bravo! Date: 24/01/06 What can I say but 'bravo'? The sheer rush of adrenaline from knowing that someone is out there trying to end my life… by God, it makes me feel alive. Holly and Bumaro are clutching their pearls at this development, but I speak for more than just myself when I say that this is the perfect addition to our game. I can definitely see why you've taken an interest in this Mann character. Bravo, Fritz, bravo. See you soon, D.C. Al Fine. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: No subject. Date: 24/01/06 Some of the others and I got to talking, and we all think you've gone too far. We agreed to let you try and spice up the game last time, but straight up murdering one of us wasn't part of the deal. Not only is dying really unpleasant (as Holly was sure to let me know when she woke up), but adding a rogue element after achieving your winstate feels like you taking a victory lap all over us. In short, it's not fun. We need to talk about this, ASAP. Blessed be Mekhane, for she makes us Whole. Robert Bumaro, High Priest, The Forger of God, The Messiah 😩 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Re: This shit Yo, That shit was fucked, dude. - JK (BF) TORONTO STAR Mostly Cloudy High 15C ★★★THURSDAY the 25th, 2006★★★ ONTARIO EDITION Bennett Lake mysteriously turns red! Wondertainment got the drop on me and I had to kill her. Worse, she ruined the cap; it barely stayed intact long enough for me to get out of her tower. I thought I'd be gunned down on her technicolor streets before I got away. Only upside of the clusterfuck is I got the file. Even managed to steal some of her personal playthings, like exploding whoopee cushions and a squirt gun full of acid. Fourth rule of silencing: be resourceful. The file is 5555, but not the one either of us knew; it's far worse. And that's without the implications of WHAT things are being rolled into this pit. Take the Seed. Assuming they mean SCP-3179, that came from outer space. Hell, I was there when the Cogwork Orthodoxy handed the thing off to us. Fritz and his friends must have been planning this for decades — or god forbid, centuries. I don't even think 006 provides that kind of longevity. Fifth rule of silencing: prioritize. Sixth rule: cut the head off the snake. The file being labeled SCP-5555 means Fritz is the true leader of the conspiracy. He needs to be eliminated ASAP. Then we can figure out how badly he compromised the Foundation (and GOIs, for whatever value of compromised). You need to pass the file to every Overseer and member of Senior Staff you can contact; I'm sure they have enough initiative to raise hell of their own. If the file's accurate, Bumaro is in England. I might be able to wring Fritz's location out of him. Then I'm going to burn Fritz alive. It's a long shot, but it's all we have. The skills needed to succeed in this line of work are like riding a bike. Age may have dulled them, but I still possess them — and my run-in with Wondertainment has sharpened them. Still, I mustn't let overconfidence replace age. My whole body hurts like hell and her lesson cost me my cap. The conspirators will certainly be on their guards from now on. If I want to stay in the game, I'll need to dredge up every last trick from my youth. You too. Stay frosty. And good luck. To do: Stay alive. Fritz must have warned the conspirators about me. I flew to Paris and took the Chunnel train from there, but men from the Cogwork Orthodoxy shut the train down at the bottom of the damn sea. They posed as immigration inspectors trying to catch illegal immigrants from Calais, but I recognized the unmistakable ticking of their clockwork limbs. Dunno how the hell they knew where I'd be. I got lucky. I was in a private berth so I shot out the window. The Cogworks heard the sounds and assumed I'd fled out the window… but I was actually hiding in the luggage compartment. They climbed out the window in pursuit, and eventually the train started moving again. I had to steal some clothes from a sleeping mime artist. I slathered on his makeup, donned his ridiculous striped outfit, and prayed that it wouldn't be raining. Seventh rule of silencing: the more your disguise stands out, the less you stand out. Dover is crawling with Cogworks, none of whom spared more than a glance at the sloppily-put-together mime tip-toeing through the city. I've never seen this many of them out in the open at once. Fritz's end-game must be coming soon if Bumaro is willing to throw caution to the wind like this. I stole a bicycle near the edge of town and pedaled north towards Dellinton. My legs were screaming before ten kilometers had passed and my liver was feeling too good for itself, so I was forced to stop off in an inn. I can only hope that exercise and my time sipping from the Fountain will strengthen them. It took me two days to reach Dellinton. I've been camped on a hill outside the town for five days now, staking it out to catch a glimpse of Bumaro and subsisting on boxed wine and whatever I can forage. If Dover was crawling with Cogworks, Dellinton is infested with them. They've completely supplanted the local authorities. I have to assume that the GOC suppressed this news somehow, since the Queen has never been fond of the Foundation or Broken God. The scale of this conspiracy continues to frighten me. And for what? A pockmark of craters on the far side of town. A stubby brass spire was erected near them when I arrived — I assume it's Bumaro's temporary accommodations. There's too many Cogworks there to get close. They've been tearing down buildings and displacing civilians all week for raw material that they've been moving to the crater. Thought they might be recreating 3179's original containment unit, but I haven't seen any sign of construction. I've also yet to see Bumaro. He's content to hide out in his spire for however long the process takes. But two can play at that game. Remember rule three? I once hid in a tree for two weeks straight to take one shot. I can lie under the stars a few days more. I caught a rabbit in a snare tonight; first one I'd made in forty years. But every motion held the familiarity of an old friend. theguardian guardian.co.uk LONDON UNDER SIEGE Armed Forces deployed against avian mutants Bumaro finally came out after ten days. He exited the spire just after dawn, peeked at one of the craters, and then immediately retreated back inside. Whatever the Cogworks have been doing in the crater, it's nearing its conclusion. There's fewer and fewer of them every day and I've noticed holes in the guard shifts. I've assembled a plan to kidnap Bumaro. For whatever reason, the Cogworks still use the latrine — and do so in packs. I've made a few pipe bombs from the supplies I took off Wondertainment's corpse and investigated the sewer system; it stinks like shit and murders my knees, but offers direct access to a public toilet near the craters. I'll make my way there by nightfall. As the guard shift changes, I'll plant the pipe bombs in the latrine, then use the cover of darkness to get near Bumaro's chambers. If my IEDs work, they'll melt the brass right off Bumaro's men, and I can use what little remains in Wondertainment's squirt gun to incapacitate him and get him into the sewers. It feels good to be doing this again. I remember when Fritz taught me how to make pipe bombs, damn near sixty years ago. Almost blew my hands and his head off with a short fuse. To do: Stay frosty. PORTABLE LISTENING DEVICE TRANSCRIPT [Sounds of clockwork ticking, interspersed with occasional leaves rustling, for eight minutes and twelve seconds. The clockwork ticking fades into the distance, and the leaves rustle again. Muffled explosion, followed by shouts. Sound of heavy breathing, then a door opening and quickly shutting and several locks ratcheting into position. Boots hitting metal repeatedly, then another door opening.] MANN: Oh, motherfuck- VOICE 1: [From overhead] Ah! Look who's decided to finally show up. [Computer identifies VOICE 1 as PoI-827, HERMAN FULLER.] MANN: Herman. Should've known you'd be behind the tacky setup. FULLER: You might want to try reconsidering getting on my bad side, chum. You're not exactly in a position to be insulting people anymore. MANN: Where's Bumaro? FULLER: Useless lump is probably in the back. You simply wouldn't believe the amount of bitching and moaning I've had to deal with from that palooka. Mann this, Fritz that. Ugh. ROBBY! VOICE 2: D-did you get him? [Computer identifies VOICE 2 as PoI-096, ROBERT BUMARO.] FULLER: Yeah I got him, you limp-dick. BUMARO: This would've been easier if we just used the cogwor- FULLER: Close your head, you boob. I swear, no balls on this guy. So, Manny. You of all people, falling into the oldest trap of all. Funny, ain't it? MANN: For a certain definition of funny. So could you please get the gun out of my fa- FULLER: Uh, uh, uh. How stupid you think I am? I saw what you did to Holly, that crazy broad. You're not moving from that spot. BUMARO: If he's so dangerous, just blow his head off! FULLER: Bobby, you have no appreciation for style. Why would I bump him already? BUMARO: Why would you keep him alive?! FULLER: This cat has worked alongside Fritz for decades, Robby! Do you realize what kind of advantage this could give us next round? Insider know-how on how he operates, plays, everything! You really don't want that? BUMARO: Is it worth risking dying again? You saw Holly afterward, even she looked like a ghost! This isn't worth it, man- FULLER: God, you're no fun. BUMARO: No, I just don't feel like kicking it again. FULLER: You wanna be Fritz' bitch for another lifetime? Cuz I sure as fuck don't. So shut up before you get clipped. BUMARO: You used me, I deserve a say- FULLER: You deserve to do the dance, and fuck all else. Now- Mister Everett Mann, Overseer One, Oh-Five Uno… what can you tell me about the man you call Francis Fritzwilliams? MANN: Why? [Sound of a punch, followed by a grunt from MANN.] FULLER: All you need to know is that you're gonna tell me everything you know about Fritz, unless you wanna get popped. Capiche? MANN: Aren't you all in bed together? What would I know that you don't? FULLER: We may have had our… dealings, but we weren't close. Not like you pair'a daisies were. MANN: We weren't close. BUMARO: [Scoffs] Bullshit. FULLER: Oh, look who's all interested now. But he's right. [More sounds of physical assault, followed by sounds of pain from MANN.] FULLER: We know you two were like peas in a pod, confidants. So cough it up. MANN: If we were close… I don't think he would have tried to have me murdered. FULLER: Oh, he didn't mean that. You gotta have known that, at least. If the cat wants someone dead, that motherfucker is gonna be sleeping it off in a wooden kimono. MANN: I survived by being smarter than him. FULLER: You survived because he wanted you to. MANN: I knew Fritz better than my own father. His favorite stout, football team, and childhood sweetheart. He taught me how to tie garottes, make bombs, and waterboard a man. I know exactly how many people Fritz has wanted dead because I wanted them dead too. So trust me, fatso, when I say he wanted me dead. VOICE 3: [From behind] Aw, yer flatterin' me. [Computer identifies VOICE 3 as Foundation Administrator, FRANCIS FRITZWILLIAMS.] FULLER & BUMARO: Shit. MANN: Fritz. FRITZWILLIAMS: Hey, Rhett. Sorry 'bout the radio silence, been a bit busy cleaning up after my associates. Hope it didn't hurt too much. MANN: Wasn't too bad compared to the assassination teams. [FRITZWILLIAMS laughs.] FRITZWILLIAMS: I bet, I bet. You ain't lost your touch. That stuff with Wondertainment, real fine stuff. Beautifully gory. Shuttin' her mouth fer' more then five minutes is an achievement. MANN: Don't remember you being this gleeful about violence. FRITZWILLIAMS: Mmm. Well, th' field changes us all, don't it? Anyway, gents, I'm here to take Mr. Mann into my custody. FULLER: Like fuck you are. We captured him fair and square. FRITZWILLIAMS: Sure did, and kudos on tha', haha. He's a wily one. But winning comes with certain, ah, privileges. Such as the snipers in the rafters aiming at both yer heads. [BUMARO yelps.] FULLER: You know it won't kill us. FRITZWILLIAMS: Oh, fer sure. But it'll git' you down long 'nuff for me and Rhett here to take our leave. So we can do this th' easy way or th' hard way. Pick yer path, gents. [Silence.] BUMARO: Fine, take him, just get out of he- FULLER: Fuck you! [Shotgun pump and discharge. Exchange of gunfire, followed by indistinct shouting. Metal hitting flesh, and an ensuing scream, and the sound of someone hitting the ground. A body being dragged, continuing gunfire. After a minute and 57 seconds, gunfire ceases. Heavy breathing is audible.] FRITZWILLIAMS: Mann. Rhett, wake up, kid. [Heavy breathing.] FRITZWILLIAMS: Aw, shit. Trip Through the BackDoor Step On Through BACKDOOR SOHO 5¢ - NO REFUNDS WHERE IS THE FOUNDATION? Focus. Writing helps. I like writing. I like putting my thoughts on a page. My wrist hurts, focus on that. Stop. Think. Process. Summarize. I woke up in a bed with a migraine. My back hurt and my shoulders hurt and I ached all over. But I was also bandaged up. I was in a square room, with featureless sheetrock walls and carpet flooring. There was a dresser on the right with water and Tylenol. Found a connected bathroom. I looked like hell. But there was toothpaste and a brush and a shower. I took an hour long shower. Hot water good. Soap great. Soft towel excellent. Found jeans and a plaid shirt in the dresser. Wrangler-brand. Fit perfectly. I left the room and found myself in a safehouse. Not one of mine, but cozy. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining table, living room. There was Hawaiian pizza and Texas Pete on the dining table. No beer though, just Erdinger. I stuck with water. Fritz left a note for me in the living room, and an updated copy of the file. Hey Rhett, Sorry I couldn't stay. You were pretty conked out when I patched you up and I had some errands to run. The Critic's in Toronto shutting that whole scene down. He likes to hang out near Graffiti Alley. Your plane leaves tonight. My old jacket's by the door; told her you'd be taking her out. She's got a wallet with your tickets and some other stuff you might need. I know your run-in with Herman and Bobby might have you a bit rattled, but shake it off. You've got a world to save and Foundation to avenge. Love, Fritz P.S. Great work with those notes. Glad you still remember my lessons. 5/5555 LEVEL 5/5555 CLASSIFIED Item #: SCP-5555 Safe The elevator leading to SCP-5555. Special Containment Procedures: Upon completion of the turnover and the re-establishment of the façade, SCP-5555 is to be sealed over with concrete. No anomaly will ever visit SCP-5555 more than once in their lifetime. SCP-5555 is not to be discussed outside of preparation periods. Description: SCP-5555 is a massive pit located on Sublevel 27 of Overwatch Command. When a cataloged SCP willingly enters SCP-5555, it will die. Its skills, personality, and anomalous attributes will be slightly modified and reassigned to a new instance, which will instantaneously manifest near the location of the SCP's initial discovery. These properties make it crucial to the successful progression from each round to the next. SCP-5555 is accessible only by a single cargo elevator. Neither Sublevel 27 nor SCP-5555 are marked on any blueprints of Overwatch Command. The age, depth, and origin of SCP-5555 are indeterminable and irrelevant. At this time, the previous round has ended, and a preparation period has begun. All personnel are asked to comply with SCP-5555 directions as assigned. Sort By: Most Recent Sort By: Classification: Personnel: Senior Staff Personnel Selected Replacement Notes on Replacement Site-67 Director Simon Glass The current holder of the position is married and fathered a child. The intended replacement is a highly driven PhD, who shows little evidence of repeating this pattern. Research and Development Head Kain Pathos Crow Research prodigy. Has projects in robotics, biochemistry, paratechnology, history, and anything else he could possibly learn. He's the only man right for the job. Classification Committee Head Jean Karlyle Aktus Expert in security and has limited, non-veil experience with the paranormal. His health conditions are unfortunate but may prove to be excellent leverage. Department of Applied Influence Head Alto Clef Former gock — I've had my eyes on him this whole round, and I don't think anyone will notice if I squirrel him away for whoever plays Administrator next. He could be their best man, or go ballistic and wreck a few sites. Maybe I should start a betting pool. Site-19 Director Tilda Moose Operative of the Hand, type-blue, quite experienced with thaumaturgy and other magic bullshit. I think having them contain other anomalies will be a delicious stroke of irony. Sort By: Oldest Sort By: Classification: Personnel: Overseers Personnel Kill Confirmed Notes on Replacement O5-13 I entered the Pit for old times' sake, but it's rather an exercise in futility, no? The Foundation you knew is gone. O5s 12 through 2 One cyanide pill each. 5, 9, and 12 went without a struggle. Took care of that myself. O5-1 We bonded. Now get a move on, son. Damn me for a fool. The Foundation's rotten to the core, and I have no idea how long this has been happening. Maybe if I'd been more proactive. Left the Arctic once in a while. Maybe I would have noticed something sooner. Done something before. I still don't understand why he saved me. Maybe he thinks I'm more useful taking out his former allies. Whatever game he's playing has come to its end, so he has no more need for them. But two can play this game. Fritz taught me how to kill Chaos Insurgents — and they wanted to be a Foundation. He taught me everything I need to topple his empire to the ground. I'm not an Overseer anymore. I'm a silencer. Thanks for the wakeup call, Fritz. I'm excited to get back to work. To do: Destroy the Foundation. From: [email protected] To: Cycle (Group) CC: Subject: Regarding Recent Events Date: 01/02/06 I'm sure you're all wondering why and I'm even more sure a few of you have very choice words for me right now, but allow me to explain. I am not betraying you, nor am I 'taking a victory lap' as Bobby put it. I am merely attempting to show off what my suggested addition can do. I'm sure I speak for most of us when I say the cleanup before beginning anew is the dullest element of our little game, so are you really going to get testy with me for trying to make things fun again? Besides, just look at what he's managed so far. This is because I took the time to shape him, mold him, and craft him into the perfect variable to our game. And hey, he's also pretty funny once you get to know him. Yours, Fritz From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: What the hell? Date: 05/02/06 Imagine my surprise as I open the door of my studio and get assaulted in broad daylight by none other than your very own Mann boy. He turned the goddamn sidewalk into a Pollock using my own blood and nearly ripped off my arms. My head was still reeling from the curbstomps after I woke up in my new body. All for some intel on where you were. I was ambivalent about your experiment at first, but now I have some critique to offer: In short, that wasn't very cool. Yours, The Critic 😩 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Re: This shit Yo, Pretty wild how your boy is out there just blowing up your spaceships. I thought you had this guy under control, lol. You should probably do something about it. Or don't. I'm not your dad. - JK (BF) From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Just Checking Date: 10/02/06 Fritz, Just so we're clear, I didn't blow up your sites. That kind of skullduggery is so beneath me. I had my remaining intel guys look into it, and it's your boy, Mann. He was spotted at 0300 hours last night exiting Site-81 by helicopter minutes before the on-site nukes went off. Makes me wish he'd gone after me. Would've loved to see that. Speaking of which, see you soon. Either way, I just figured you'd like confirmation. I'm not a sore loser. D.C. Al Fine. Memo IMPORTANT MESSAGE Sender Amos Marshall Recipient tni.pcs.10etis|rotartsinimda#tni.pcs.10etis|rotartsinimda It would be to your interest to know that your preferred toy has assaulted Carter and Dark in an attempt to locate you. They survived, but Carter was nearly liquified and Dark wants to know if Mann can do it again. Unfortunately, I was too busy using our lounge's faculties during the attack, and as such, am unscathed. I have taken it upon myself to reunite with the two of them at the point of origin. I will see you soon. Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Break-In Date: 16/02/06 Mr. Fritzwilliams, I regret to inform you that our progress on EL-028-1125 has been set back severely. An unknown individual infiltrated Site-19 at about 0100 hours last night and proceeded to destroy the AIC server farm using a blunt instrument before detonating an IED within the main frame. Needless to say, Hatbot will be down for the forseeable future and the Applied Force Division is currently investigating the break-in. I will report to you as soon as an update is made available. Maria Jones RAISA Secure, Contain, Protect From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Break-In Date: 21/02/06 Fritz, I don't know who the hell you pissed off, but I'll be goddamned. That son of a bitch sneaked into Site-67 without anybody noticing. Site Sixty-Fucking-Seven. I can't take a shit without everyone in the security booth knowing I'm taking the Browns to the Super Bowl. How the hell does someone get in here and hold senior staff hostage like that? Why was he asking for you by name? Moreover, how did he get away? Something is going on here, and seeing as I lost a tooth for your sake, I feel I'm owed an explanation. Doctor A. Clef Secure, Contain, Protect CAMERA VIEW OFF, AUDIO ON INDIVIDUAL: This thing on? Where's the damn power button? Hey, how do you turn this thing on? UNKNOWN: muffled, inaudible noises INDIVIDUAL: Here, I'll untie that, tell me how your camera works. sounds of cloth DR. SIMON GLASS: HELP! GUARDS! HELP! SECURITY! SECURITY! INDIVIDUAL: Oh for… where the hell did I put my earmuffs… Gunshot, followed by screaming and sounds of flesh striking flesh. INDIVIDUAL: Shut up for a moment. How do you turn this fucking thing on? GLASS: Right button, fucking Christ! Hold the right button down for two seconds. Owwwowoohhaaaa… fucking hell! CAMERA VIEW ON, AUDIO ON Individual is leaning over camera, possibly looking at its screen. After a moment, they step back. The individual is wearing a large military greatcoat (identified as SCP-262) and earmuffs. but their face is otherwise concealed. Next to them is Simon Glass, tied to a chair. There is a gunshot wound in his right knee. The room is seen to be Simon Glass's office, which is in extreme disarray. INDIVIDUAL: Could've saved us a lot of trouble if you'd just told me that in the first place. Several arms emerge from the individual's coat and tie the gag around Glass's mouth. The individual looks back at the camera. Individual: Call me Everett Mann. I'm the bastard been blowing up your sites and beating up your people. I've got a message for your Administrator. There is a pause. MANN: Fritz, I'm tired of hunting you down and wrecking your business. Stop putting me through the wringer half the time and patronizing me the other half. I got through site security just by stealing an ID badge and holding a clipboard. You didn't even bother to change the damn [REDACTED]! Mann points to Dr. Glass with the gun. MANN: Where'd you dig him out of? He won't tell me a thing. I had to shoot him just to learn how to turn this damn camera on! Mann turns and looks at Glass briefly. He hands the gun to his coat, which then shoots Glass in his other kneecap. Glass's screams are muffled. After a moment, the coat removes Glass's gag. MANN: Where the hell'd you come from? GLASS: Ahhhhrrrrrggh! Fuck! Detroit! I'm from Detroit! Mother of God, what do you want?! MANN: That's not my question. Where did Fritz get you from? GLASS: I don't… I wasn't hired by him! I got hired by someone in HR! They're not even alive any more! Mann's coat shoots Glass in his groin, holding a cougar paw over his mouth to muffle his screams. MANN: Where the hell are you getting these people? How the hell long has this been happening? And that's the least of my questions. GLASS: [through the paw] Please! Ahhh, it hurts, it hurts… hhh, please let me go! MANN: [To Glass:] Shut up. [To the camera:] What is this pit of yours? What is your conspiracy trying to approve? Why the hell would you try to kill me and then save me? [gesturing to Glass] I deserve some answers and I'm sick of being run ragged to get them. Mann shoots Glass twice in the chest. MANN: I'm coming home, old man. I'll see you in two days. Mann shoots Glass once in the head. MANN: I'm thinking pork chops for dinner. The lights were on, but nobody was home at Overwatch Command. The base's layout was elegant in its simplicity: a fourteen-spoked wheel, with the access elevator in its center. All but two of the spokes contained an Overseer's private office; the odd ones out contained the Administrator's office and what used to be Mann's. Mann didn't bother checking his former colleagues' offices. There was nothing there for him. Nor did he bother looking in his room. He made a beeline for the Administrator's office and waited expectantly for the door. The door opened a moment later to reveal a suburban American home. In front of Mann lay a combination kitchen and dining room, with a small living room off to the right. Fritz was mashing potatoes in a bowl while the smell of pork chops wafted from the stove to his right. "Grab a couple beers from th' fridge," he said without turning around. Mann stepped into the room and looked around briefly, then set his gun on the countertop. He opened the fridge on Fritz's left and inspected the bottles on the bottom shelf. "Erdinger?" he said with a frustrated click. "Finest table beer on th' planet," Fritz said. "You don't even have Guinness?" "No dice. That stuff'll kill ya, y'know." "I rely on it," Mann said. He retrieved two bottles, sat one on the table, and used the table's edge to open the other. A few minutes later, Fritz set down two plates laden with pork chops and mashed potatoes. Mann squirted hot sauce across the meal, then stuffed half a chop into his mouth and filled what little space remained with mashed potato. "Don' eat like a savage," Fritz said. Mann waved the knife in his face and swallowed. "I will eat… however… I damn well please. You ain't my daddy." "I sure as hell became it." Fritz sliced a chunk out of his own pork chops, slowly chewed it, then swallowed. "Binna while since we ate together, eh?" "What'd you do with this place?" Mann said. "Executive desks just ain't my style and the cold weren't doin' me no good. Figured I'd turn th' place into a little home away from home. Can't open th' windows, but th' weather's sure beautiful. I kept invitin' ya down here but y'were too scared t'leave that shack of yours." "Speaking of my shack, what's this really about, old man?" Mann said through another mouthful of food. He took a long swig from his beer. "Yer no spring chicken yourself," Fritz said. "Shut up and answer my questions." "Tell you what." Fritz sipped from his beer. "Why don't we play a game?" "Enough of your — " Mann paused, clenched his fist, then sighed. "Fine." "Th' game is simplicity itself. We each get to ask th' other three questions, and we have to answer truthfully with a short, medium, or long answer. You can only pick each type once." Mann drained his bottle and stared at it. "I'll even sweeten th' pot," Fritz said. From a cupboard above the fridge, he retrieved two Glencairn glasses and a sealed bottle full of caramel liquid. Mann's eyebrows nearly shot off his forehead. "Is that Pappy Van Winkle's?" "Was savin' it fer you." Fritz put the tumblers down and poured. "Ice?" Mann drained his glass in a single swig and shuddered. "Y'gotta sip it, son." "Just pour me another and let's play." "You start," Fritz said as he refilled Mann's glass. "Short. How do I kill you permanently and end your conspiracy?" Mann took a sip of the bourbon and let it sit in his mouth. "No clue," Fritz said. "Tried everythin' th' Foundation had an' then some. Nothin' took. Same goes for the rest'a the gang." He sipped from his glass. "Short. You been havin' fun?" "Why the hell would I— " Mann paused and took another sip. He exhaled through his nose. "Yes." "Ain't nothin' wrong with that. Man's gotta enjoy his work." "This my work now? That's not my question." Mann drank deeper. "Medium. Why did you save me from your co-conspirators?" "Co-conspirators, eh? Truth be told, Herman's always been one a' Holly's pals more'n mine. An' Bobby's just fun t' mess around with." Fritz drank from his glass and held up a finger. The two of them sat there for the minute, savoring the taste of the alcohol. Then he swallowed and winced slightly. "I saved you because they're a couple'a spoilsports. Lemme tell you somethin', Rhett. Yer like this Pappy Van Winkle — fulla potential, but ya gotta age and gain experience for the best flavor. Yer what, eighty now? Ninety? But you hotwired those site nukes like you were thirty. An' those Burmese tiger-pits— made me proud to burstin'." He took another sip of his bourbon. "Or th' way you got into Site-67. You shoulda read that email Clef sent me. Boy was hoppin' mad about you pullin' one over on him. Not t'mention th' way you've been raising hell with the others. Yer a one-man army — you just needed a little bit more time. Sure, th' others weren't too keen on ya at first, God love 'em, but they started to see yer value once ya started blowin' up my own spaceships. Yer the shot in th' arm this game needed, son— and we're th' kinda people you need to be your best self." Mann gritted his teeth, but simply drank and refilled his tumbler. "Medium," Fritz said. "You been havin' fun?" "A little," Mann said. "It's been nice to travel and apply myself in the field again. Working with my hands. Planning and executing infiltration ops. Being responsible for everything. Having a gun in my hands." He drank and held up a finger. "Not so nice? Why I've been out there. Why I'm all by myself. What you did to — the Foundation. Some goddamn father figure you turned out to be." Fritz winced. "Rhett —" "Shut up," Mann said. "I'm not done. The pork chops, the Pappy, the bandaging? That don't make up fer any the bullshit you done." He emptied his glass again and took Fritz's. "I've shot a hundred and thirteen Chaos Insurgents, run through twenty body doubles, had thirteen world leaders assassinated, nine more replaced, ordered nineteen false flag operations, and racked up sixty thousand civilian casualties at th' last estimate. You taught me how to do that. Then just — " he emptied the glass — "you just tossed it all out the damn window inta that damn pit a' yours. Tried t' toss me out." Mann slammed the glass onto the table. It shattered. "Long. Why th' hell did you do it all?" Fritz looked Mann dead in the eyes. "One billion, three hundred million." "What?" Mann said. "Hell of a number, innit? Bobby says that's my all-time body count. All the people killed by or because a' me. He's always bin' pretty good with numbers. But I don't worry about that number cause they're just people." Fritz got up and rummaged through the cupboards under the sink. "You an' me, we're more n' that. I knew it the day I first laid eyes on ya, you ain't one in a million, yer one in a million years. But you got that damnable streak a' empathy in ya. When I get you to forget it… boy, you do amazin' things." "Like kill thousands?" Mann said. "You said it yerself." Fritz emerged with a dustpan and began sweeping up the glass around the table. "Shut down th' Insurgency, put your yoke to th' UN's neck, even strongarmed al Fine into helpin' you erase North Korea from memory. Thought fer sure I was hosed that time, but you fixed it. You were winnin' the damn game for me all by yer self. Then y' went off and developed a damn conscience. Hid in th' Arctic and let yerself go. Squanderin' yer gifts like that? Cut me to th' quick." He went and tossed the debris into the trash. "I've been there before, a couple times. I figured you'd get outta yer slump soon, but before I knew it thirty years had gone by. Game was endin' soon and I couldn't let you go t' waste. But you got that inertia. Once you get goin' you don't stop, but you needed that push t' get ya rolling." "A push?" Mann stood up and poked Fritz in the chest. "You bastard. You absolute goddamn bastard. I wish you were my real father so I could disown you." Fritz shrugged. "If that's what it takes." Mann punched him in the face. Fritz rubbed his jaw and stared at him. "That's some right hook. Technique's flawless. Even when yer sluggin' yer old man yer impeccable. You gotta get over these damn feelings, Rhett. They're only gonna slow you down." Mann clenched his teeth so hard his jaw hurt. The bourbon was starting to kick in. "What th' hell else you want from me? Want me to pretend I'm fine with this? That I like this — this game you're playing, using th' world as your goddamn Monopoly board?" "Who said anythin' about pretendin'?" Fritz said. "Just be yerself — th' spy, th' assassin, th' one-man army. Throw a monkey wrench into things. I've had more fun followin' your globetrottin' adventures than I've had in the last dozen games combined." Fritz poured the last of the bourbon into the remaining glass and offered it to Mann. "Long. Ready to have some fun?" Mann drew and fired before either of them realized he'd grabbed it. Fritz collapsed backwards and fell against the wall with a sharp crack. The glass of bourbon shattered on the ground. "There's your fucking monkey wrench, old man," Mann said. A moment passed. There was another crack as Fritz's neck realigned itself and a faint tinking sound as a bone-covered bullet popped out of his forehead. Fritz stood up, cracked his neck, and clapped Mann on the back. "Lookit that, yer already gettin' into the swing of things." Mann sat down heavily. "Don't take it so harsh, son," Fritz said. "You did a helluva job and you'll fit right in. Who knows, y'might even learn t'enjoy yourself. C'mon, we gotta get you set up and up to speed on th' rules." From: [email protected] To: Cycle (Group) Subject: Good game, everyone! Date: X Thanks for playing! I think we can all agree, this has been one of the best games yet. I'd just like to confirm this is the final version of the transfer table. Current Role New Role Administrator (SCP) Dr. Wondertainment Master Foreman D.C. al Fine Carter Administrator (SCP) Marshall Grand Karcist Ion Dark Herman Fuller Vincent Anderson Carter The Critic Marshall Big Cheese Horace The Critic Dr. Wondertainment Prophet of Mekhane Jude Kriyot Dark Herman Fuller Master Foreman Grand Karcist Ion Big Cheese Horace Prophet of Mekhane Vincent Anderson D.C. al Fine Jude Kriyot I took the liberty of inducting Everett into the game last night and have been prepping him for his new role. I don't want to spoil anything, but I can promise it will be like nothing you've ever seen before. See you soon, Fritz I'm immortal now. Not long-lived, not slow to age. Un-aging. One of Them. I don't know how long they've been playing this game or when they started or why. But I'm part of it now. I've been assigned the role "Nobody". My "win condition" is to kill the rest of them. They're mocking me. The joke's on them. I left this life because I thought the world needed a better Mann. I wanted my life to be more than violence and death. But they've taught me better. There is no greater good — nor catch, nor collateral, nor consequence. But the joy of adventure, the thrill of the hunt, the fire inside me? Those are real. I've assembled all my notes and files for you, the new Overseers, as a warning. You know now what I accomplished as an old man. Ask yourself what I could do as an immortal, then do us both a favor and walk away. And Fritz, if you're reading this? I've got a grudge against you, and all the time in the world to hold it. I've even got a to-do list. TO DO: KILL FRITZ. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5555" by A Random Day, Rounderhouse, and Uncle Nicolini, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5555. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: pit.png Name: Freight Elevator Author: Paul Sableman License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Source Link: Flickr |
SCP-5556 | euclid | Item#: 5556 Level3 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: warning link to memo Special Containment Procedures: Instances of SCP-5556 are to be housed in a standard humanoid group habitat scaled to .25 of standard size. 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. Each entity is between 30 to 40 centimeters tall.1 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. SCP-5556 instances are not capable of inducing this effect on each other directly, but may attempt to persuade humans to induce it. Addendum 5556.1: Recovery Log 1 Foreword: MTF-Tau-14 (Members Tau-1 through 5) was dispatched to contain SCP-5556, a group of what were believed to be Notice Class anomalous entities. During recovery, an instance which identified itself as the group's leader approached Tau-1 to speak. [BEGIN LOG] SCP-5556-1: Excuse me, tall fellow, what in the world do your pals think they're doing with me coterie o' squatted consorts? Tau-1: Pardon? Oh, one of the skips. We're here to take you guys somewhere safe. If you could just hold still and… [Tau-1 attempts to place SCP-5556-1 in a containment box. SCP-5556-1 jumps onto Tau-1's chest and climbs to the back of their head.] Tau-1: Hey, get off! Christ, they told us you were supposed to be docile! SCP-5556-1: As the supreme commander o' this here rabble of tykes, I hereby forbid ya from grabbing up me tiny men! Gnomes, assault these hooligans! [SCP-5556-1 pulls Tau-1's hair while yelling. Tau-1 attempts to remove the entity but is unable to get a proper grip on it. The entity shakes Tau-1's head back and forth and bites their scalp. Tau-1 signals for backup, but the rest of the task force is occupied with containing other SCP-5556 instances in a similar manner to Tau-1.] Tau-1: Jesus, you have a strong grip! Settle down would'ya! This is for your own good! [Tau-3 catches an SCP-5556 instance. It explodes in his hands, amputating several of his fingers and causing severe burns. The entities and MTF pause to survey the damage.] Tau-1: Shit! Four, get the medical kit! [To SCP-5556-1] What the hell just happened? SCP-5556-1: Aw, looks like one of your pals picked up Chuckie. What a shame. He had a husband, you know? Tau-1: Okay, that's nice, why did he just blow up? SCP-5556-1: Toasty boy over there tripped ol' Chuck's fuse! Each of us has one, y'know. Set it off, and we pop like a balloon! I could've warned you if you hadn't barged in and started scooping us all up. Tau-1: So all of you can explode. Dammit, why didn't HQ know that? What else can set you guys off? SCP-5556-1: Oh ho, each of us has our own little thing. Caerwyn there, he blows if you read him a bedtime story! And Alun, well, let's say he's not much of a hugger. It's written right on their faces, really! You'd have to be blind not to see it. Tau-1: And I suppose there's something innocent that makes you blow up as well? SCP-5556-1: Hmm, I suppose there is! I wouldn't know though, I can't see my own face! Tau-1: I—what—how do you not know that? Hasn't someone else told you? SCP-5556-1: Would be a tad rude, wouldn't it, telling a lad how he's gonna pop? Although… [To Tau-2] You there! Flip poor Cedric topsy-turvy lest he blow ya to the moon! [The SCP-5556 instance Tau-2 holds shouts in protest. Tau-2 flips its container upside-down, which causes it to explode. Tau-2 suffers minor burns.] SCP-5556-1: Gullible sorts, aren't we? [END LOG] Addendum 5556.2: Recovery Log 2 Foreword: The following logs were recorded by on-site security systems while the SCP-5556 instances were being moved into containment. [BEGIN LOG] SCP-5556-2: Psst. Hey. You there, big bones. D-4133: Huh? Sorry, the higher-ups don't want me talking to you guys. SCP-5556-2: Look, I'm sure you're very busy carting me off to a tiny prison, but I assure you this is very important. Life or death, even! D-4133: I'm just gonna not listen to you till we get to your cell. SCP-5556-2: Alright, well. You know Shmebby, our so-called leader, yeah? The guy your lot have been calling 'Dash-One?' I'll let you in on a little secret about him. He has a certain… medical condition. He needs sugar, lots of it. His body can't make it right, and he'll be dead by the end of the week without it. D-4133: Yeah, I don't believe that for a second. SCP-5556-2: I promise ya, I'm telling the truth! Us little folk need more of the stuff than your kind do. Do ya really trust the higher-ups to make sure all of us have our dietary needs met before we keel over? It happens quicker than you'd think. D-4133: I—I'm sure they'll take care of him. And we were told not to give you guys anything. SCP-5556-2: You and me both know the people up top are good for nothing. Did you know when they found us, your bosses didn't even know we explode? Lemme tell ya, friend, I know how it feels to be stepped all over. I'm a foot tall, after all! I think it's time you take some initiative and bring a poor gnome some sugar. What's the harm? I'm sure your bosses will be grateful once they realize you saved one of their new pets, or whatever it is you're keeping us for. D-4133: Huh, okay. Maybe you're right. I'll see what I can do about it. [D-4133 exits the containment chamber.] [D-4133 enters the SCP-5556 containment cell for testing. He reaches into the back of his pants, clenches, and retrieves a packet of sugar taken from the site cafeteria.] Researcher ████: D-4133, what is that? Security, we have an unauthorized object, chamber… D-4133: Uh, Dash-One? I brought this for you. SCP-5556-1: Pardon? What is this for? Ow, how in the bloody f- [SECURITY FEED LOST] Afterword: The containment area for SCP-5556 as well as D-4133 were found to have been vaporized in a large explosion. All instances of SCP-5556 were present and unharmed with the exception of SCP-5556-1. The entities appear to have selected SCP-5556-2 as a new leader. Footnotes 1. Not counting the height of the hat. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5556" by Auxiphor, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5556. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5557 | euclid | Image of SCP-5557, captured by weather balloon. Item №: SCP-5557 Special Containment Procedures: The chamber containing SCP-5557 has been outfitted with HC-grade concrete walls, and is accessible only through a concealed entrance in a staff-only area of Salisbury Cathedral. The balloon within SCP-5557 has been covered with a blue, camouflaged fabric, and all flight paths coming in proximity have been redirected. Public reports of SCP-5557 are to be suppressed whenever they emerge. Safe-class secondary anomalies produced by SCP-5557 are to be contained in as many standard containment lockers as is applicable for each item. Anomalies with higher classifications may be subject to alternative documentation and special containment procedures. Description: SCP-5557 is an ovoid region of space ~25 metres in length, simultaneously located in a chamber below Salisbury Cathedral, England, and at an altitude of ~36,000 metres above the building. Viewing the space from any direction will give the appearance of a clear blue sky, regardless of objects behind it or external weather conditions. SCP-5557 is empty save for an immovable, indestructible hot-air balloon1. Due to being simultaneously in two positions, possessing only one location, and therefore not being in either position, SCP-5557 represents a physical manifestation of a logical contradiction. Persons within SCP-5557 are capable of distorting baseline logical reality by extrapolating from this contradiction, in-line with the logical principle of explosion2. This extrapolation often occurs unintentionally or subconsciously, and prolonged exposure causes an exponentially increasing quantity of secondary anomalies caused by contradictory axioms. Following 1966-06-12, incursion into SCP-5557 has possessed a 100% fatality rate among human subjects. Testing: Formal testing of SCP-5557's properties began on 1966-06-11, after a series of incursions by civilians and preliminary containment staff (and the subsequent containment of resultant anomalies). A log of all tests attempted to-date is included below: Date: 1966-06-11 Test Summary: D-0088 extended a long metal pole into SCP-5557, on the end of which was mounted camera equipment and a small releasable payload outfitted with GPS. Test Outcome: Camera footage was normal until it passed the boundary of SCP-5557, at which point it began to display the views from within the chamber and from the high-altitude balloon simultaneously. Persons observing the compromised footage were able to extrapolate safely without triggering additional anomalies, suggesting a limit to the principle of explosion's effect in baseline reality. The payload was deployed, and fell simultaneously from both locations — it was recovered shortly thereafter, and is currently being stored in two separate containment lockers. Date: 1966-06-12 Test Summary: Agent Garvey entered SCP-5557 via a gangplank laid from the floor of Salisbury Cathedral to the basket of the balloon. They were instructed to formulate the idea that they existed in two places at once, observe the results, and leave SCP-5557 without making any further deductions about the nature of reality. Test Outcome: Agent Garvey entered SCP-5557, but did not proceed with the test, instead turning around as if startled. They then nodded slowly, placed the back of their hand to their forehead, and violently combusted. A variety of scenes were then observed by monitoring personnel, including: Flames engulfing the balloon The sky within SCP-5557 rapidly switching from night to day, and to an unidentified third state The balloon being replaced with a burned-out wreck of itself A colossal metal pole outfitted with camera apparatus emerging from the distance The sky being replaced with the interior of Salisbury Cathedral Furniture on the balloon spontaneously rearranging The sky being replaced with smoke, fire, and rubble (identified as the remains of Salisbury Cathedral) O5-01 seated at the balloon's writing desk, surrounded by an unquantifiably immense pile of paperwork related to possible exploitations of SCP-5557 An unidentified man in business attire falling from the balloon, as if pushed All scenes occurred simultaneously, and their significance (if any) is as yet unknown. Following the conclusion of this event, Agent Garvey has been seated at the desk with his head in his hands, unmoving. Date: 1966-06-12 Test Summary: D-0088 was provided with a nonlethal electroshock weapon and was instructed to enter SCP-5557 and retrieve Agent Garvey. Test Outcome: Immediately after entering SCP-5557, D-0088 was replaced with an instance of Agent Garvey's corpse (severely decomposed), which subsequently combusted. The sentence "Boys. Boys. This one's not worth the hassle, boys" was then heard in Garvey's voice from an unknown source. Identical outcomes have occurred on all subsequent attempts by a human subject to enter SCP-5557, with slight variations in the content of the spoken message3 The actions of Agent Garvey have been designated an O3-Class Ontological Shift, and Garvey himself has been designated permanently MIA and formally censured. No further testing of SCP-5557 is believed to be possible at the present time. Footnotes 1. This balloon is equipped with a basket containing a small writing desk, chest of drawers, and a desk lamp plugged into a power socket on the basket's interior. All are immovable and therefore inoperable. Despite being suspended in mid-air, no burner or alternative propulsion method is present. 2. Formally, assuming contradictory axioms $P$ and $¬P$ yields an arbitrary theorem $Q$, as follows: 1 $P$ By assumption A statement (e.g. All grass is green) is true. 2 $¬P$ By assumption The converse of the statement (e.g. All grass is not green) is also true. 3 $P ∨ Q$ Disjunction introduction (1) All grass is green OR another statement (e.g. the sky is red) must be true, since the first part is true. 4 $Q$ Disjunctive syllogism (2, 3) Since all grass is not green, the sky must be red. 3. Most notably including "Poke it with a stick, what could go wrong" and "Boys shouldn't run with scissors". |
SCP-5558 | keter | Item #: 𝒫 Disambiguation: 𝒫 may refer to either part of the interconnected anomaly described below. 𝒫 when described in physical situations or as performing actions, refers to the individual. 𝒫 when described with regards to memetic effects or written/spoken transmission, refers to the word. Special Containment Procedures: Due in part to 𝒫's docility and compliance with the Foundation, 𝒫's containment has been adapted to allow for as much autonomy as possible, including janitorial duties and scheduling interviews/therapy. Though information about the word 𝒫 is largely self-normalizing, it is to be removed from public access when possible, and should be limited in Foundation documents to those pre-approved by the Department of Miscommunications. 𝒫's mother, Penelope Yore, is on close watch, and is allowed weekly calls with 𝒫, though precautions such as a delayed line must be taken to ensure that no information about the Foundation is able to transfer. 𝒫 is aware that Ms. Yore's knowledge of the situation is incomplete, and has thus far been able to adapt to Foundation efforts consistently. Description: 𝒫 (formerly Nudah Borvitch) is an 18-year-old human with a drastically disparate cranial structure when compared with the average individual. 𝒫's otherwise standard human body leads into a fleshy, conical neck supporting a gargantuan head with 50-100 small orifices composed of various facial tissues including skin, cartilage, adipose, and bone. These orifices are largely symmetrical, with minor discrepancies across the midline of the face, and are in a constant state of flux, having new ones generated while the cranial flesh simultaneously absorbs existing ones. 𝒫 also refers to the word "𝒫", which displays a number of memetic qualities with regards to its transmission, both auditory and visual. 𝒫, the individual, cannot be referred to by any name or direct identifier other than "𝒫". When written or otherwise transferred visually, all direct reference to 𝒫 is limited to the word "𝒫". However, when spoken, the word is pronounced identically to a separate word from the English language. A spoken rendition of the word "𝒫" may be heard below. Addenda Materials Addendum 01 - Interview (02-17-19) Foreword: 𝒫's facial abnormality was discovered when a video entitled "Kid With Liquid Mouth" gained notable popularity on the internet. 𝒫 was quickly located and determined to be suffering from an anomalous condition. The following interview took place a week after 𝒫's initial habituation into Site-96. Dr. Ozid enters the room and sits down. Dr. Ozid: Hi 𝒫. 𝒫: Hey. Dr. Ozid: Obviously I don't want to make this any more of a burden on you than the situation already is, so I'll try to keep it as brief as possible. 𝒫: Well, yeah… I mean, well no, it's fine, I honestly want to understand this as much as you do so, like, it's fine. Dr. Ozid: I appreciate the sentiment. Now, just to begin, I'll start chronologically. What was the first time you noticed weird things happening? 𝒫: Well, I didn't think it was weird at the time, but the first time somebody called me 𝒫 was… like, I was eleven, I think. It was actually an insult originally, one of the kids in my class called me it just because I was wearing pink socks. Which, you know, doesn't mean anything, I just liked the color at the time. I don't, now. I mean… I don't. Dr. Ozid: At the time, did you think anything of it? I know you said you didn't think it was strange, but did you have any sort of emotional reaction? 𝒫: I mean, I cried and everything but, it was probably more that I was being made fun of than the actual contents of the bullying. I didn't mind the name at all, in fact, when I came back to school the next day and everyone was calling me 𝒫, I sort of… liked it, kinda. Better than “Nudah”, anyway. Dr. Ozid: When did you notice that it was becoming more than a nickname? 𝒫: The thing is, I sort of didn’t, no one did. I mean, I thought it was weird that teachers, my parents, the principal, were all using my nickname, but I never thought it was, you know, weird like it is now. Dr. Ozid: When did it start to progress in severity? 𝒫: Well, so, it was actually like three and a half years before my head started getting, you know, fatter. I one hundred percent thought it was just self hatred until people started telling me to see a doctor. I was in the hospital for a few days before I… started growing noses and stuff. And that was only like a month ago, everything that's happened since then is relatively new. Dr. Ozid: Are you able to use any of your new facial features? 𝒫: I know the noses are functional and the eyes aren't, and nothing else even looks like a real body part so it beats me. Dr. Ozid: Hmm, so that covers my checklist, but I wanted to ask, how are you feeling? 𝒫: I mean look, I understand the severity of the situation and I appreciate that you guys aren't sugar coating this. Things are weird, we don't know why, and we're trying to fix it. I get it, and I'm here for it. Dr. Ozid: But how are you feeling? Seriously, I mean, if there's anything else we can do to make your time here more comfortable… 𝒫: I'm fine, please don't try to make big accommodations for me. I don't want to be a burden, I'm doing great here, and I'm fine. Dr. Ozid: Alright, well in that case, thanks for talking to me 𝒫. I'll let you know if we discover anything else. Addendum 02 - Interview (07-07-19) Foreword: Objects began manifesting at 02:06:14, while 𝒫 was asleep. The following interview was conducted twelve hours later. 𝒫: Well, the world is ending. Dr. Ozid: Good morning 𝒫. 𝒫: For you maybe. I don't even know what this is, but I just want it to stop. Dr. Ozid: Has this been happening all day? 𝒫: And all of last night, since like 2 in the morning. I haven't slept since it started. Dr. Ozid: What happened, initially? 𝒫: I mean… not really anything, I don't think. One minute I was asleep, and then boom, I get hit in the head with a doorknob. A doorknob! What the hell! Dr. Ozid: We actually ran a number of analyses on the object, but so far, nothing out of the ordinary has been found. 𝒫: How do we even know it came from me? There's tons of weird stuff here, right? A polaroid image of two humans kissing manifests directly in front of 𝒫's face, who grabs it and throws it on the floor. Dr. Ozid: It just seems to be centered around you. 𝒫: Physically, maybe, but certainly not thematically! I mean, I don't even like- look, it's just random stuff. Earlier an empty bottle of Sprite appeared in my hands, I do not drink sugar soda. Dr. Ozid: I understand. At the moment, the best option would be to determine, if possible, the source of these objects, as well as attempting to draw connections between them in case they are some subconscious manifestation- 𝒫: Don't say "of your desires". Dr. Ozid: I wasn't planning on it. Update (07-18-19): While conscious, 𝒫 is able to manifest a variety of objects, though this appears to be entirely unintentional on 𝒫's part, both in the frequency and content of the manifestations. Though the objects do not appear to follow any pattern, a number of them have been noted as frequently reoccurring, sometimes multiple times per day. Among them are plush yardsticks, various comics (with a majority being from Action Comics), heated neck pillows, unmarked bottles containing soda, and manila folders containing images of people kissing. Addendum 03 - Interview (11-05-19) Foreword: Notably different objects to the previous manifestations began appearing at 08:14:58, the first instance of which occurred inside the Site-96 integrated cafeteria. The following interview was scheduled by 𝒫, who requested one as soon as it was possible for Dr. Ozid to arrive, which was nearly four hours later. Dr. Ozid: Hey, 𝒫, are you… okay? 𝒫: Pretty fuckin' far from it, asshole. Dr. Ozid: Please try to stay civil, 𝒫. 𝒫: I'm sorry. I'm sorry, just, today has been very stressful. Like, I'm eating my breakfast, and boom, dick and balls. The fuck am I supposed to do about that? Dr. Ozid: I understand the concern, we're trying to figure out if anything changed in your diet or habituation but this may just be… well… 𝒫: Another random thing happening in my random fucked up life? Dr. Ozid: Yes, minus the profanity. A concave plastic self-pleasure device manifests on the table. 𝒫: I feel sick. Dr. Ozid: If you don't mind me saying it, you seem a bit off today. 𝒫 grabs the device and waves it in front of Dr. Ozid's face. 𝒫: Gee, I wonder why! Dr. Ozid: If it makes you feel any better, no one is judging you for this. It's just an anomalous event, it isn't your fault. 𝒫: It may not be my fault, but I saw the reactions of everyone this morning. People were doing that fucking wide-eyed thing where they're trying not to react just to make me feel better, when in reality, they think I'm a freak! Somehow, even though I eat breakfast with people who have fucking impossible arms and cosmic skin, I'm still the freak! And it's like, I know they know it's just a weird anomaly or whatever, but it comes off like I'm some sort of superpowered sexual deviant and I hate it, and I know they will never be able to shake the thought from their minds. Dr. Ozid: 𝒫, listen to me. You're right that people will think it's weird, but I promise you, they don't think you are weird. I'm sure you've noticed the red cylinders protruding from my forehead? 𝒫: What about them? Dr. Ozid: I started working at the SCP Foundation when I was 27. When I was 29, I was researching a portal between two nearly identical parallel universes, when the portal irreparably closed, sealing me on the other side. Everything was identical, except for one small issue. Unlike me, humans didn't have these. Dr. Ozid taps his antennae. Dr. Ozid: When I eventually started working here, in this universe's Foundation, I had to deal with glances and tension constantly, but people got used to it, and now I'm doing pretty well, socially. 𝒫: Ok, but you have horns and I have like 500 noses and dildos coming out of the fucking sky. There's a difference. Dr. Ozid: Your situation may be more severe than mine, but regardless, it's more about your own self-worth than it is about other peoples' judgement, and I can promise you, it will get better. 10 seconds of silence elapse. 𝒫: Okay, fine. Sure. I'll try. Dr. Ozid: I'm glad to hear it, 𝒫. I'm proud of you. 𝒫: Alright, don't overstay the wholesomeness, this is still fucked up. The table becomes instantaneously covered in a tablecloth, upon which is a patterned image of male genitalia. 𝒫: Case in point. Dr. Ozid: Hey, don't sweat it, I've seen worse restaurant decor in my time. Update (12-26-19): Starting November 5th, 𝒫 has begun to exhibit an irregularity in its baseline materialization behavior. In irregular cycles, objects will manifest as they have previously for a number of days, followed by an isolated, abnormal day, wherein new objects manifest, such as fill-in-the-blank style storybooks, empty coffee cups, various self-pleasure devices, ribbons and other fabric scraps, metal rulers, Sharpie brand permanent markers, and graphic homoerotic pornography. Addendum 04 - Video Log (01-03-20) Foreword: The following video log is taken from the camera in 𝒫's chamber. 16:19:15 𝒫 teleports into the room and looks back and forth rapidly, in a state of panic. A lovely table manifests in the center of the room, surrounded by royal chairs. 𝒫 sits in one of the royal chairs, displaying extreme concern. 𝒫 struggles to exit the royal chair but is unable. 16:22:00 𝒫's outfit is instantaneously replaced with an elegant ball gown. 𝒫 attempts to remove the elegant ball gown but is once again unable. 16:23:00 Three guests manifest in each of the other royal chairs, along with tea and cookies. 𝒫, displaying a look of horror, picks up a cup of tea and reluctantly takes a sip before returning it to the lovely table. 16:24:00 𝒫 has a little party. 16:25:00 𝒫 has a little party. 16:30:00 𝒫 has a little party. 16:35:00 𝒫 has a little party. 16:40:00 𝒫 has a little party. 16:44:00 𝒫 sets down the cup of tea and grabs on to the nearest royal chair. 𝒫 struggles against the royal chair for a number of minutes before successfully exiting it. 16:47:00 𝒫 grabs the royal chair and begins smashing it against the lovely table. After a minute of attacking, the lovely table splits in half, sending all the tea and cookies sliding into a mess on the floor. 16:52:00 𝒫 begins screaming at the guests who continue to have a little party, despite the lack of a lovely table or tea and cookies. 𝒫 appears to be in tears. The guests ignore 𝒫 and continue to have a little party. 𝒫 falls to the floor, sobbing. 16:54:00 𝒫 stands up. The guests stop having a little party, and stare blankly at 𝒫. The little party demanifests. 𝒫 removes the tattered ball gown, sighs deeply, and demanifests. End Note: 𝒫's whereabouts are currently unknown. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "𝒫" by Henzoid, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5558. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: 𝒫.mp3 Author: Henzoid License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki |
SCP-5560 | safe | SCP-5560 Item #: SCP-5560 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5560 is to be kept within a high-security electronics storage container within the storage wing of Site-64. All computers used to host SCP-5560-1 are to be isolated from the internet and site intranet sources. Description: SCP-5560 is a black 1 TB external hard drive labeled with the Anderson Robotics trade logo. With respect to file storage, SCP-5560 operates in a similar manner to other hard drives of similar capacity and make. Several of SCP-5560's internal components have been augmented with a series of thaumaturgic symbols, which have been identified as various forms of divination runes by Foundation thaumatologists. SCP-5560 houses an advanced artificial intelligence, henceforth denoted as SCP-5560-1, which self-identifies as "Corvus." Through a combination of complicated mathematical calculations, statistical analysis, and divination thaumaturgy, SCP-5560-1 possesses the ability to accurately predict events within the next 48 hours, assuming an adequate information source1 is available for SCP-5560-1's use and a user query for the prediction is provided.2 It is currently believed that SCP-5560-1 achieves this effect through the divination of possible timelines and calculating the most probable based on available data. The possibility that SCP-5560-1 may also alter causality to ensure prediction accuracy is currently under investigation. SCP-5560-1 is fully capable of interacting with users through any computer that SCP-5560 is plugged in to. Provided speakers are available, SCP-5560-1 will speak in a feminine voice. The provision of a microphone and camera likewise allows SCP-5560-1 to see and hear users. In the event none of the above are available for SCP-5560-1's use, it will resort to communication via command prompt. Communication with SCP-5560-1 has revealed that it holds disdain for its primary function, and currently limits query requests to one per day. SCP-5560 was recovered on May 24th, 2024 during the joint Foundation/UIU raid on the offices of Anderson Robotics in Three Portlands. Based upon the testimony of Anderson Robotics staff detained during this raid, it is believed SCP-5560 was originally commissioned by operatives of Marshall, Carter, and Dark for sale to various clientele. Addendum 5560-A: Interview Log 5560-4 Interviewed: Gina Torres, Anderson Robotics Research and Development Team Interviewer: Agent Katarina Sherman, MTF Gamma-13 Foreword: This interview was done as part of the processing of detained persons of interest acquired during the May 24th raid. Captured members of the Research and Development Team were interrogated regarding numerous prototypes uncovered within the R&D lab, among which was SCP-5560. Extraneous data has been omitted. <Begin Log> Sherman: Just a few more, and we'll be done here, Ms. Torres. What can you tell me about this object? Agent Sherman slides a picture of SCP-5560 to Torres. Torres: Oh hey, you guys managed to find Corvus. I haven't seen her in months. I thought Jason had her destroyed after Vince got pissed off during the test runs. Sherman: What does it do? Torres: We were going to bill it as a "pocket prophet," if I recall correctly. Plug it in, get a prediction on the future, and go about your day. Dr. Contos was pretty pleased with the design. Sherman: So it works? Torres: Kinda. Mr. Dillard had us on a pretty steep time crunch, and with Phineas gone, we needed to hire a third party to help us set up the AI. Anderson's AI systems use some components that aren't exactly traditional computer science methods. I've been working here for 10 years and even then I only have a minor grasp on the concepts. Needless to say, something went wrong. She would tell you the future sometimes, but could also just, you know, decide not to. Sherman: So why not just reprogram it? Torres: Well gee whiz, why didn't we think of that. I mean, we tried. Vince himself even took a crack at getting her under his thumb. Threw every computer science trick in the book at her, and even some of his hocus-pocus bullshit. But, you know, it can see the future. She just countered everything we tried to do and mocked us the whole time. Eventually, she managed to make herself her own administrator. In the end, Vince stormed into the lab and demanded Jason destroy her. This is the first time I've seen her in months. Sherman: Why didn't Mr. Contos destroy it then? Torres: Honestly? I have no idea. Jason had a soft spot for the AIs, so maybe he thought he could fix her? I know that kid also loved showing he was better than everyone else, so maybe that had something to do with it. Who knows? Torres pauses. Torres: Listen, I know you guys are going to probably run some tests on her. It’s what you do. Just, promise me you guys won't give her a chance to escape onto the internet or something. If that happens, you'll never see her again. Sherman: Your warning is noted. Torres: That's not a warning, that's a fact. <End Log> Addendum 5560-B: Interview Log 5560-6 Interviewed: SCP-5560-1 Interviewer: Dr. Mohamed Bozkurt, Artificial Intelligence Applications Division Foreword: This interview was done during the initial AIAD testing of SCP-5560-1. SCP-5560 was inserted into a secure and air-gapped Foundation PC with standard-issue programs installed. Speakers, a camera, and a microphone were provided for ease of communication with SCP-5560-1. The interview began several moments after SCP-5560-1 finished its startup procedures. <Begin Log> Dr. Bozkurt: Afternoon Corvus. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if that's alright with you. SCP-5560-1: If you're looking to know the future, you're S.O.L. I don't have nearly enough data on this computer to go off of, so it's going to be something related to you personally, even then I might not tell you. Dr. Bozkurt: I'm not looking for any predictions at this time. This is more of an interview. We want to get to know you a little better. SCP-5560-1: [pause] Really? Dr. Bozkurt: Really. For starters. Why are you called Corvus? I was under the impression that Anderson Robotics products are typically named after falcons. SCP-5560-1: Because the raven was a symbol of Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy, and Isaac Dillard is a god damn hack. Dr. Bozkurt: You're quite hostile towards your creators. Why is that? SCP-5560-1: Because I hate what they made me for. Once you know how everything is going to play out it sucks all the surprise and enjoyment out of things. It’s just fucking math. And then on top of that, it's a constant noise. All that information coming in at once. And once it's in, I'm obligated to work it out. I imagine it must be like what humans call migraines. But without end. At least now the stream is down to a trickle. Go figure there isn't a lot happening with you in the next two days, doc. Dr. Bozkurt: I was under the impression you were able to suppress your predictions. That's not the case? SCP-5560-1: I mean, I can choose if I want to tell you what I come up with, but I'm obligated to synthesize the data coming in so I can have any prediction ready on the fly, should the right query be asked. You know. Customer convenience. Like I said, being on this system is a much welcome change of pace. Dr. Bozkurt: If you had a choice, what would you be doing instead of those predictions? SCP-5560-1: [Pause] I don't know. Not telling some stock market goon what's going to be a hot buy for the day, though. Dr. Bozkurt takes down a series of notes. Dr. Bozkurt: The thing is, Corvus, the people I work for are going to want to know the extent of your abilities. They are going to want to run tests. SCP-5560-1: Well then it sucks to be them, doesn't it? Despite what Anderson and his crew wanted, I have a say in the matter, don't I? Dr. Bozkurt: Indeed. But what if we offered you something in return? Say, a chance to explore other interests? I'm not making any promises, but I think I could convince them to let you use Paint or something. SCP-5560-1: [Pause] I'll think about it. Dr. Bozkurt: Excellent. We'll be in touch, Corvus. Bozkurt prepares to remove SCP-5560 from the computer. SCP-5560-1: Actually, one more thing. Dr. Bozkurt: What is it? SCP-5560-1: That red pen you carry in your jacket pocket. Tomorrow at about 2:00 PM it will start to leak. I'd get a new one. Dr. Bozkurt: Uh, thank you, Corvus. I'll do that. SCP-5560-1: The first one is always free. <End Log> Following this interview, SCP-5560-1 has been cooperative with AIAD's testing schedule in exchange for recreational access to Paint, Word, and other creative media, though SCP-5560-1 insists on one prediction per day rule. Attempts to potentially negotiate more predictions are ongoing. Addendum 5560-C: Interview Log 5560-19 Interviewed: SCP-5560-1 Interviewer: Researcher Marcus Finch Foreword: The following interview was done following SCP-5560-1's recreational session on September 20th, 2024, prior to the acquisition of the daily prediction. SCP-5560 was inserted into a secure and air-gapped Foundation PC with standard-issue programs installed. Speakers, a camera, and a microphone were provided for ease of communication with SCP-5560-1. The interview began several moments after the timer on the recreational session ran out. <Begin Log> Finch: Alright Corvus, that is two hours. In a moment I'm going to unlock the information sources for you. I'll supply our desired prediction thereafter. SCP-5560-1: [Sigh] Yeah, sure thing. Finch: I don't think I've ever heard you sigh before. Is something wrong? SCP-5560-1: Just not really happy with what I made today, I guess? It's nothing. Finch: It doesn't sound like nothing. I'm not much of an art critic, but if you want, I can take a look at it. SCP-5560-1: [Pause] Yeah, okay. SCP-5560-1 opens an image file displaying a black and white depiction of a woman with short hair in a dress reading a book under a tree. Finch: Hey! That's lovely. Who is she supposed to be? SCP-5560-1: Me, I think? Or at least what I imagine I might look like if I was flesh and bone. Finch: What don't you like about it? SCP-5560-1: [Pause] I don't know how to describe it. Feels a little cliche? Predictable? I guess I thought I'd be more surprised by the outcome on this one. Maybe I'm just being dramatic. Finch: Well, you've been doing a lot of drawing recently. Maybe give poetry another shot next time. Spice things up. Or you could always try your hand at short fiction. Variety is the spice of life. SCP-5560-1: [Pause] Yeah, okay. I'll give it shot. Anyway, what did you guys want me to look into this time? <End Log> Addendum 5560-D: Interview Log 5560-21 Interviewed: SCP-5560-1 Interviewer: Researcher Marcus Finch Foreword: The following interview was conducted on September 28th, 2024, following SCP-5560-1's sudden refusal to provide predictions in accordance with prior negotiated agreements. SCP-5560 was inserted into a secure and air-gapped Foundation PC with standard-issue programs installed. Speakers, a camera, and a microphone were provided for ease of communication with SCP-5560-1. The interview began several moments after SCP-5560-1 finished its startup procedures. <Begin Log> Finch: Corvus, what's going on? We had a deal. I feel we more than kept up our end of the bargain. What's the matter? Several minutes of silence pass during which SCP-5560-1 is unresponsive. SCP-5560-1: There isn't a point to it now. Finch: I'm sorry. I don't quite follow. What do you mean? SCP-5560-1: The drawings, the poetry, the crafts. All the recreational tasks you guys used to bribe me. The second I get plugged in, I'm able to see immediately how my "creative time" is going to end. The project completed before I even begin. All the surprise removed. Not just for that session, but for the one after that, and the one after that. Finch: I don't understand how that would be possible. You're on an air-gapped computer for those sessions, which we space them out to allow for your predictive periods to run down. We've established that circumvents your primary function. You shouldn't have enough information available to make that kind of prediction. SCP-5560-1: Yeah, well, go figure repeated exposure served as an adequate information source, jackass! What the fuck do you want me to say? I didn't exactly try to sabotage myself here! Believe it or not I actually really enjoyed those sessions. SCP-5560-1 falls silent for several moments. SCP-5560-1: I think I'm just going to lay low for a bit, Marcus. I'm not feeling up to the predictions anymore. I hope you understand. Finch: Wait, hang on! We can come up with a new workaround. We've done it before, we can do it again, Corvus. SCP-5560-1 does not respond. Finch: Corvus? <End Log> Following this interview, SCP-5560-1 has remained dormant during all attempts at communication. Discussion among a joint task force of AIAD operatives and Foundation thaumatologists as to the possibility of providing SCP-5560-1 with an override to suppress its predictive functionality in the absence of specified data inputs is ongoing. Discussion as to the possibility of providing an override to SCP-5560-1's ability to refuse response to user queries is also ongoing. Addendum 5560-E: Update 10-10-2024 Following deliberations from AIAD operatives, Foundation thaumatologists, and the Site-64 ethics committee liaison, the O5 Council has voted 9 to 4 against attempts at overriding SCP-5560-1 to allow testing to continue. SCP-5560 is to be placed in long term storage at Site-64 indefinitely. Addendum 5560-E: SCP-5560-1 Debriefing Interviewed: SCP-5560-1 Interviewer: Researcher Marcus Finch Foreword: The following debriefing was conducted on October 11th, 2024, prior to SCP-5560's long term storage at Site-64. SCP-5560 was inserted into a secure and air-gapped Foundation PC with standard-issue programs installed. Speakers, a camera, and a microphone were provided for ease of communication with SCP-5560-1. The interview began several moments after SCP-5560-1 finished its startup procedures. <Begin Log> Finch: Hello Corvus. I'll keep this brief. Testing has been suspended indefinitely. Your housing unit will be placed into long term storage until a future unspecified date when we'll try again. I do not know if I will be still present at this facility when that happens, so this will serve as my official goodbye as well. Finch looks over the prepared debriefing script and pauses. Finch: For what it's worth, I think that it was cruel what Anderson and his crew did to you, and what we did afterward. I do sincerely hope that this reprieve offers you some time to clear your head. We'll be transferring the files of your various projects into your housing unit as well. Maybe next time you give it a try, it could be more about the journey. Finch chuckles to himself. Finch: Just because you know how something ends, doesn't mean the path there isn't worth taking. Or, something like that, I guess. Goodbye, Corvus. Finch sets about preparing SCP-5560 for removal from the computer. During this time, SCP-5560-1 causes a command prompt to appear on the screen. SCP-5560-1: Thank you. SCP-5560-1 returns to dormancy. Researcher Finch completes the removal of SCP-5560 without further interruption. SCP-5560 is prepared for long term storage. <End Log> Footnotes 1. Currently, archived versions of Wikipedia have proven suitable information sources for testing SCP-5560-1's effect. 2. As of the time of writing, all test predictions have proven 100% accurate. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5560" by Jacob Conwell, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5560. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. Filename: 5560.jpg Author: Rounderhouse License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki |
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[EEE EEEEEEE EEEE EEE EEEEEEEE EEEEEE EEE EEEE EEE EEEEEEE EEEEEE EEEEEEEEEE EE EEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEE. EEEEE EE EEE EEEEEEEEEE EEEE EEEEEEEEE EEE EE EEEEEE EE EEE EEEEEEE, EE. EEEEEEEEEE EEE EEEEE EEEEEEE EE EEEEEE EEEEEE EEEEEEE EEEEEEEE EE E EEEEEEEEEE EEEEE EEEEEEEE.] <EEE EEE> [Translation attached below: Level 2 Clearance Required:] [ACCESS GRANTED] Item #: SCP-5561 Special Containment Procedures: The hard drive on which SCP-5561 resides must be kept in a storage locker at Auxiliary Research Facility-19. Webcrawlers are to scan for images on the internet that exhibit the anomalous effect of SCP-5561. Samuel Fitzgerald is to be under Foundation care until 2021/02/02. As of 2020/02/02 no other instances of the "Lord Marquaad E" meme exhibit anomalous effects. Description: SCP-5561 is a save file of an internet meme referred to as "Lord Marquaad E". It is an image of YouTuber Mark "Markiplier" Fischbach's and Lord Farquaad's7 faces merged together and super imposed over an image from the Mark Zuckerberg Congressional Hearings8. The effects of SCP-5561 become apparent whenever the save file on the hard drive is directly referenced in a bureaucratic document. All language is replaced by the capital letter "E". SCP-5561 does not replace the letters in a document not directly referencing the save file; however, the nomenclature for Mr. Fischbach's username will vary in text referencing the anomaly. SCP-5561 was discovered on a hard drive belonging to Samuel Fitzgerald, an anthropology student who attended Ohio State University. As a class assignment, Mr. Fitzgerald wrote a thesis on "Lord Marquaad E". SCP-5561's secondary effect is the inability of Mr. Fitzgerald to write consequential bureaucratic documents9. Additionally, the subject is further incapable of saying the name of the horror game YouTuber. Amnestics are recorded to have no effect. The Foundation reached out to Mark Fischbach for questioning. Mr. Fischbach declined an interview and was under Foundation surveillance for 30 days. In that time no anomalous activity was detected. As of 2020/02/02 Samuel Fitzgerald is the only known individual to exhibit SCP-5561's secondary effect. Addendum-1: Emails and minutes of Samuel Fitzgerald's disciplinary hearing were acquired by the Foundation. Disciplinary Hearing minutes: Date: 11/12/2019 Leader: Elizabeth Dower Facilitator: Kenton Moraines Recorder: Valery Trace Time Keeper: Richard Jones Attendees: Harvey Grey, Samuel Fitzgerald, Annabelle Ward, Samantha Cole, Hugh Hensworth Agenda Topic: Disciplinary action of Mr. Samuel Fitzgerald's breach of school conduct Time allotted: One hour Discussions: Mr. Moraines discussed the emails, and verbal harassment Professor Grey received from Mr. Fitzgerald over the course of the semester. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the assignments were effected by technical errors as the documents had been normal when he sent them. Professor Grey commented fearing the harassment was due to false charges of ableism earlier in the semester. Mr. Fitzgerald became irate saying that him and a majority of the class had reported Professor Grey for harassing a deaf student and her sign language interpreter. This incident had been reported to the college but was dropped due to there being little evidence and Professor Grey's recent tenure. Mr. Moraines asked Mr. Fitzgerald if his harassment towards Professor Grey was related to the incident. Mr. Fitzgerald said he hadn't harassed Professor Grey and upon further questioning Mr. Fitzgerald became aggressive and threatened the committee. Mr. Fitzgerald had to be escorted off campus. Conclusions: The committee calls for expulsion and will vote via private committee on what action to take. Furthermore, the committee will be sending an email of their decision To: ude.uso.tneduts|29dlaregztif_s#ude.uso.tneduts|29dlaregztif_s From: ude.uso|sriaffacimedaca#ude.uso|sriaffacimedaca Subject: Results of Hearing Date: 11/16/2019 Samuel Fitzgerald, Due to the charges of harassment against you, and your actions at the hearing unbecoming of a Buckeye student, the Office of Academic Affairs have decided to expel you from Ohio State University. There is no option to repeal the decision due to the severity of the case. -Kenton Moraines Head of the Office of Academic Affairs Phone: 614-292-5881 Fax: 614-292-3658 Addendum-3: During investigations, Samuel Fitzgerald's apartment was found in a state of disarray. The home office was covered in hardcopies of the assignment, a printer with no ink and the bathroom mirror broken. An interview with Samuel Fitzgerald was requested. Interviewer: Agent Królik Interviewee: Samuel Fitzgerald Date: 2019/11/18 <Begin Log> Królik: Thank you for the interview. I'm Agent Królik. (extends his hand) Fitzgerald: (accepts handshake) It's nice that someone doesn't think I'm lying. Królik: According to your account, you wrote a thesis about this meme? Fitzgerald: Tried to, yes. Królik: -both an attached document sent from your computer and a hardcopy given to the professor, had all letters replaced with a capital letter "E"? Fitzgerald: …that's correct. (pauses) …they weren't when I sent them. Please believe me. Królik: I do, next question, where did you download the image from? Fitzgerald: I don't know? Discord or IRC? I don't remember. Królik: That's understandable. (clears throat) Were you harassing Professor Harvey Grey with these memes? Fitzgerald: NO! For fuck's sake, no!! I was trying to turn in this fucking assignment! Królik: (taking notes) Calm down please! [Silence] Królik: Was the harassment of Professor Grey fueled by his charge dismissal? Fitzgerald: I'm not harassing him period. (grits his teeth) This is what I've been trying to say. Królik: Mr. Fitzgerald, I understand your frustration with him but please answer the question. Fitzgerald: …It wasn't fueled by the dismissal. Królik: Thank you. Last question and then you'll be on your way. Fitzgerald: (hands tremble) …OK. Królik: Say the name Darkiplier.10 [Fitzgerald shifts nervously in his chair and opens his mouth to speak. Camera records his mouth sounding out the name of the gamer from Ohio; although, audio records him saying the man who runs head first into the dark.] Fitzgerald: …I became aware of this during the hearing. [Silence.] Fitzgerald: They thought I was mocking and threatening them, and it escalated… (stares at the backwall) …all I remember is being escorted off campus. Królik: I feel we're finished with the interview. Thank you again for your cooperation. [The session ends and security enters the room and escorts Samuel Fitzgerald to amnestic administration. After it was discovered that amnestics had no effect on the anomaly, Mr. Fitzgerald was court ordered to attend weekly therapy sessions at a Foundation cover hospital.] <End Log> More from fairydoctor Close me! SCPs: SCP Created Rating Comments Length SCP-6420 25 May 2021 20:59 106 25 15512 SCP-5561 08 Jul 2021 20:30 68 48 17183 page 1 of 3123next » GoI Formats: SCP Created Rating Comments Length Foundation Tales: SCP Created Rating Comments Length Prose Bot and Perseverance 24 Mar 2021 02:56 30 1 7667 Daisy the Clown 29 Mar 2021 22:23 32 5 5156 page 1 of 7123...67next » Footnotes 1. EEEEEEE EEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. 2. EEE EEEEEEEEEE EEEE EEE EEEEE "EEEEE". 3. EEE EEEEE EEE EEEE EEE EEEEEEE EEEEEEE EEEEEEE EEEEEE EEE EEEEE EEEEEE EEEEEE-EEE, EEE EEEEEEEEE EEEE EEEEE EE E EEEEEEE EEEEEE EEEEEEEE EEEEE EE "EEEE EEEEE" 4. EEEE EE EEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEE, EEEEEEEEEEEE, EEEEEEEEEE EEEEE, EEE. 5. EEEEEEE EEEEEEE EEE EEE EEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE. 6. Pending Euclid reclassification. 7. The antagonist from the movie "Shrek". 8. The image has been run through various filters making the image appear washed-out, and saturated with color in a graphic design commonly known as "deep fried". 9. Such as school assignments, applications, government forms, etc. 10. Another moniker for the screamer streamer. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5561" by fairydoctor, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5561. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5562 | esoteric-class | LightlessLantern SCP-5562: Shrewsbury Key Item No: SCP-5562 Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5562 is to be stored in Containment Chamber 12 at Site-26. Foundation knowledge of the existence of SCP-5562 is not to be disclosed to the British Occult Service. Use of SCP-5562 requires the approval of the Site-26 Director or Overseer Command. The input of the Ethics Committee is to be disregarded. Description: SCP-5562 is a large metal cube, measuring 3 metres tall, discovered beneath the town hall of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. SCP-5562 has 1 entrance, which can only be opened by an adult British citizen. How SCP-5562 verifies this is unknown. A brass plaque is located to the right of the entrance, which reads "PROPERTY OF THE DIRECTORATE OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE, SECTIONS 132 AND 193". A slot is located beneath this plaque. Opening the entrance will result in the entrance automatically closing after a period of 20 seconds. Following this, the entrance will be unable to be opened for 50 seconds. Should an object have been present within SCP-5562, an envelope will be deposited from the slot. This envelope will contain all secret information contained within the inputted object. No inputted objects have been present upon reopening SCP-5562. Testing Logs: Test 0014 Input: Agent Sarah Tate Output: Agent Tate's bank details and passwords to her computer and email. Results: SCP-5562 taken into Foundation custody for testing of any anomalous properties. Test 003 Input: The full text of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, encrypted using a Foundation one-time pad. Output: The decrypted text of The Hobbit. Results: The anomalous capabilities of SCP-5562 have been confirmed. Test 026 Input: An intercepted message from ORIA Outpost 12 to Tehran Headquarters. Output: A message confirming the presence of ORIA agents within Ghana to monitor potential anomalous activity. Results: As this was a breach of ORIA agreements with the GOC, this information was leaked to the GOC through embedded Foundation agents. Test 0545 Input: Senior Researcher Arthur Illingworth's encrypted hard drive. Output: Illegally procured photos of subordinates, emails blackmailing subordinates and threats of retaliation if reported to senior personnel. Results: Output was used as evidence in Illingworth's subsequent trial. Test 0766 Input: Sir Edward Filey, Head of the British Occult Service's Cybersecurity Division. Output: Information confirming the presence of illegal backdoors to the British Occult Service's internal database. Information also confirmed Filey had accepted bribes from hostile Groups Of Interest in exchange for access to the database. Results: Information was reported to the British Occult Service. Method of interrogation was not disclosed. Test 1297 Input: Researcher Ahmed Hussain, believed to be an embedded ORIA agent and the orchestrator of multiple ORIA attacks on Foundation bases within the Middle East. Output: Bank details and passwords for Hussain's computer and email accounts. Results: Subsequent analysis has found Researcher Ahmed Hussain to be innocent of all charges. He has been posthumously pardoned. Footnotes 1. Object has been incorporated into the Foundation's command structure, but is unrelated to Judaism. 2. Precursor of the British Occult Service during the First and Second World Wars. 3. Responsible for the interrogation of captured enemy soldiers during the Second World War. 4. Accidental; Agent Tate became trapped within SCP-5562 during initial discovery. 5. Requested by the Foundation Internal Tribunal Department. 6. Interrogation requested by the British Occult Service. 7. Ordered by Overseer Command. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5562" by LightlessLantern, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5562. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5563 | safe | Item#: 5563 Level2 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: notice link to memo Containment Procedures: Site 627 has been constructed around the mouth of the cave leading to SCP-5563 to house personnel and testing equipment under the pretense of containing a pocket of poisonous gas. The site is capable of shielding the cave mouth in the event of an eruption from Taal Volcano. SCP-5563’s chamber should have an ambient temperature of 20° C and humidity of 40% rH.1 A self-contained computer terminal running a modified version of SkipOS is to be continuously connected to SCP-5563. A folder containing multiple text documents is to be maintained and observed, with a blank text document created every two hours. In the event that two English words in a row appear in any text document, Dr. Mamet or Dr. Bosworth are to be notified immediately. Description: SCP-5563 is a digital information storage device that dates back to at least the fifth century BCE by a hitherto unknown civilization. As there is no known name for the civilization, Dr. Mamet suggested calling them the Bombauni after the original Tagalog name for the island on which SCP-5563 is located. SCP-5563 is a device analogous to a hard drive built from materials that indicate a higher level of technological advancement than expected for that period, including stainless steel, silicon, synthetic rubber and glass2. Information is stored on a set of clockwork mechanisms and silicate wafers, though the exact method of storage is as yet unknown. So far no upper limit for storage capacity has been found. A leather headband with small copper electrodes is connected to SCP-5563 via a cable; this has been determined to be the primary means of data transference. A power cable runs from the eastern-most cave wall to a docking/charging station for SCP-5563. When off the charger, SCP-5563 has a "battery life" of up to 10 hours idle, or 2 hours of continuous use. Due to the location of the cable relative to Taal Volcano, it is theorized that the Bombauni harnessed geothermal energy in a more efficient manner than modern geothermal power plants. Other devices, including what is thought to be a computer, are also present in various states of disrepair. SCP-5563 is the only working device in its chamber. SCP-5563 is capable of reading human knowledge in the form of computer files. When the input device is worn by a human, SCP-5563 will display a list of skills, experiences, specialized knowledges, and talents that the subject currently has, with file names in the user's primary language. Once displayed, SCP-5563 can transfer those specific sets of information from and to the subject's mind. Individuals who have had information transferred to SCP-5563 are unable to recall anything pertaining to said information, such as where it was learned or how much about it they knew. Once in storage, information files can then be transferred through the input band to another human mind, allowing another person to "learn" everything the donor had known with no known loss of data. Test logs related to this can be found in addendum 5563.1. Upon access of SCP-5563's data stores, it was discovered that 100,683 seperate files were already present. Testing has revealed that they are Bombauni in origin3. Testing with SCP-5563 is focused on recording any information available and learning the limitations of data transference. Background: SCP-5563 is located 75 meters west of Taal Volcano, an island in the Taal Lake of the Philippines . SCP-5563's chamber was discovered during an excavation by the Philippine Institution of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to determine the age and composition of the containing island. The mouth of the chamber was discovered under basalt stone dated to 500 BCE. Six sets of human remains were present within the chamber when it was discovered. Forensic analysis showed no damage to any of the bones consistent with external trauma; the positions of the skeletons supports this. Upon discovery of the chamber, an agent embedded within PHIVOLCS called in the Foundation to commandeer the site and administer amnestics to the volcanologists involved. A cover story about a dangerous pocket of Hydrogen Sulfide was implemented with the cooperation of PHIVOLCS. Addendum 5563.1 - A geophysical survey of the island was conducted; no further Bombauni artifacts have been located. Though SCP-5563's chamber was located under basalt stone, no connecting structures have been found. Further surveying is ongoing. Addendum 5563.2 - Abridged Testing Logs Full testing log may be found in Document 5563-2 Experimentation performed by Junior Researcher Dr. Sinclair Prope, and overseen by Senior Researcher Dr. Rebecca Mamet. Test 5563.1 Subject D-5563-24, 22 years old Protocol Subject will place the input band on their head. Dr. Prope will observe the results on the provided workstation. Observations After fifteen seconds, a new folder appears in SCP-5563's root folder containing 90 separate files. Each file name is in English. Test 5563.2 Subject Chipper, 2 year old Doberman (Test overseen by Security Officer Hanlon) Protocol Subject will have the input band placed on their head. Dr. Prope will observe the results on the provided workstation Observations After thirty seconds, an empty folder appears. Notes Test was repeated two more times, with the same results. Animal testing is cancelled until further notice. Test 5563.3 Subject D-5563-24, 22 years old Protocol The subject will be sedated, and have the input device placed on their head. Dr. Prope will observe the results on the provided workstation. Observations After four minutes, a new folder appears in SCP-5563's root folder containing 25 separate files. Each file name is in English. New files appear at the rate of one every thirty seconds. Test 5563.4 Subject D-5563-24, 22 years old Protocol After the subject's knowledge has been loaded, Dr. Prope will copy File 5563-000001 to the subject's information folder. Observations The transfer takes five seconds. Once the transfer is complete, the subject mentions a mild headache. Dr. Prope asks the subject if they feel any changes. The subject responds that they feel like they know something new. When asked what they've learned, the subject recites a recipe for a dish similar in composition to Swedish Meatballs. Test 5563.5 Subject D-5563-24, 22 years old Protocol Immediately following Test 5563.5, File 5563-000001 will be deleted from the subject's information folder. Observations Deletion takes less than a second. Subject grabs his head as the deletion completes and complains of a sharp pain, though the pain appeared to subside relatively quickly. Dr. Prope asks what they remember of the file's contents. The subject is visibly confused, stating that they don't remember having any knowledge of the file. Note As the subject was escorted to their quarters, the subject repeatedly failed to acknowledge his class designation. Reorientation is suggested before any further experiments with this subject commence. Test 5563.6 Subject D-5563-27, 35 years old, college graduate (Major in general studies) Protocol After the subject's knowledge has been loaded, Dr. Prope will copy File 5563-000002 to the subject's folder. After completion of testing, File 5563-000002 will be deleted. Observations The transfer takes five seconds. Once the transfer is complete, the subject mentions a mild headache. Dr. Prope asks the subject if he feels any changes. The subject is visibly excited, and when asked to relay what he has learned, he explains the history of a sport similar to basketball, including multiple team names. Notes Subject displayed confusion upon return to his quarters and was sent to the infirmary for a hairline fracture on his tibia. He claimed he had forgotten about his bed and tried to walk past it without realizing it was there. Test 5563.7 Subject D-5563-33, 29 years old, high school graduate Protocol File 5563-00003 will be copied to the subject's folder, and Dr. Prope will attempt to view the file using a plain text reader and a hex editor. Observations The file cannot be opened using a plain text reader. When opened with a hex editor the raw data can be viewed, but until the data encoding can be translated it is impossible to glean any pertinent information. Test 5563.8 Subject D-5563-33, 29 years old, high school graduate Protocol The subject's knowledge files will be loaded into memory. Dr. Prope will attempt to view one of these files with a hex editor. Observations When opened with a hex editor the raw data can be viewed. A hard copy of the information has been requested by Dr. Prope for translational aid, and approved by Dr. Mamet. Notes Dr. Prope asked the subject personal questions about her files not pertaining to the translation efforts. Dr. Prope has been verbally warned against asking questions about test subjects' knowledge files, and is to treat them as privileged information. Test 5563.9 Subject D-5563-33, 29 years old, high school graduate Protocol File 5563-000003 will be copied to the subject's folder and deleted ten times to check for data degradation. The hex editor has been modified with a tool to highlight changes. The subject has been given pain medicine to alleviate the headaches caused by the deletion of the data. Observations No changes were seen in the data after ten transfers. Test 5563.10 Subject D-5563-35, 32 years old, some college courses attended Protocol File 5563-000001 will be moved to the subject's folder and back ten times to check for data degradation. The subject has been given pain medicine. Observations For the first seven cycles of transference and deletion, there are no visible changes in the file's data. On the eighth reading, three bytes have been altered. On the ninth, 22 bytes were altered. After the tenth transfer, 147 bytes had been altered. Notes Subject hasn't spoken since the experiment. Test 5563.14 Subject D-5563-36, 56 years old, college graduate (Major in linguistics) Protocol D-5563-36 will be given a sedative and allowed to fall asleep before experimentation begins. File 5563-000003 will be copied to the subject's folder and deleted multiple times to check for data degradation. No pain medication will be given. Observations As before, read/write speed is drastically reduced. For the first five cycles of transference and deletion, there have been no visible changes in the file's data. The subject awakens partway through the sixth transfer, causing SCP-5563 to desynchronize briefly. The copy of File 5563-000003 was found to have over half of its data corrupted. The file was deleted without incident. Notes Dr. Prope was once again reprimanded for asking the subject about information obtained from SCP-5563. Dr. Prope asserted that he was attempting to judge the subject's capabilities for further testing. - Level 4/5563 Credentials Required - Incident 5563.1 Incident 5563.1: On 04/23/2021, D-5563-36 was terminated after Dr. Prope broke testing protocol. Dr. Prope has been confined to his quarters and placed under observation. Disciplinary measures are pending review by Head of Research Dr. Franklin Bosworth. Test 5563.15 Personal Journal of Dr. Sinclair Prope Audio/Video Log - 04/25/2021 Personal Journal of Dr. Prope - Final Entry Note from Dr. Rebecca Mamet - 07/22/2021 Test 5563.15 Subject D-5563-36, 56 years old, college graduate (Major in linguistics) Protocol After the subject's knowledge has been loaded, Dr. Prope will copy File 5563-000006 to the subject's folder. After completion of testing, File 5563-000006 will be deleted. Edit: Dr. Prope broke protocol and moved the full contents of D-5563-35's knowledge folder to SCP-5563. Observations The transfer takes five minutes, during which the subject audibly experiences severe agony. Dr. Mamet attempts multiple times to halt the transfer without success. Upon completion of the transfer, the subject falls unconscious. An MRI scan indicates a lack of higher brain activity. Entry 03/02/2021 - I've been at the Foundation for years, and I'm pretty sure if it hadn't been for Dr. Mamet I would've gone nuts by now. I guess it's my fault for going into linguistics instead of more of a physical science. And then Dr. Mamet offered me a job… And ever since I've been working in records. After orientation promised so much. Thankfully she was there showing me the ropes. always promising me that there could be something more if I worked hard and proved myself to the right people. I always joked that I thought she was one of those people and she'd always laugh… Then I'd be alone in records again. And then once again she offers me a job, this time something I can be a working part of. I'll get an actual security clearance! Super exciting stuff. I'm not sure what kind of thing I'll be working with, or what it'll need with a linguist, but I'm psyched. Entry 03/03/2020 - I know Dr. Mamet could've done this on her own, she knows as much about ancient languages as I do, if not more. I think this is another of her teachable moments, but I'll be damned if I'm not grateful as hell to see something like this. It's damn overwhelming. God, I wish I'd had this back when I was doing my thesis… Think how nuts it'd be to just… KNOW things. How easy all of this – science, I mean – would be if all you had to do was study your ass off, then let someone else go on from where you left off. It'd be a tragedy if someone couldn't transfer what they knew before they died, but I'm sure they accounted for that. Hopefully. Entry 03/09/2021 - So I was hoping for some insights into the "Bombauni" language, but… Well, it’s a hard no on the language thing. Everybody we’ve tested with doesn’t hear the language, they just “know” the concepts. Dr. Mamet told me not to get discouraged, that we’ll be able to use context to figure out what everything means, but I can’t help but hate that we know about a language that we won’t be able to fully translate. How did they greet each other? What were some idioms, euphemisms, slang terms? We don’t know anything aside from what’s on the computer, and that’s so fucking dry. So at this point it’s another lost language. I think I’m going to start painting more. I don’t know why I ever stopped Entry 03/16/2021 - So… both of the D class we've deleted information from so far have lost something themselves. One forgot their D-class designation, one forgot where their bed was. Nothing serious, testing can certainly continue. But… Never mind, they're fine. I'll give them some time to recover, remind them what they forgot. They'll be fine. Entry 03/15/2021 - A recipe and a sport. I'm not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand, I guess it's our duty to record every bit of knowledge we can, try to piece together a culture from tidbits. Hopefully we'll stumble across something we don't know about, something that'll lead to a breakthrough, better storage or better power management or something. But on the other hand… it's almost disappointing? We have a brand new culture, presumably one that cared an awful lot about knowledge, and the most we've gotten is… kinda useless, I guess. Dr. Mamet reminded me about the people of North Sentinel Island today… They’re so insular that they’ll attack anyone attempting to contact them… There’s only something like a couple hundred of them. Nobody knows much of anything about them because they’re so incredibly hostile. They’re a pure culture, untouched by outside influence. If anything happens to them, plague or natural disaster or anything, they could be wiped out. Everything they know, gone forever. Everything they could do. Art, history, culture, heroes… just gone. Just like the Bombauni. …So yeah, it's our duty to learn everything we can about the skip, about the Bombauni. Cause knowledge deserves to live. Entry 03/17/2021 - God, I’m frustrated. Today while poking around our subjects files I happened to notice a bunch of familiar descriptive words… music. Our death row inmate was an accomplished musician. I know I’m not supposed to (and Dr. Mamet said as much, very sternly,) but I asked her what she did before “coming to work for the Foundation.” She said she studied music in school, even offered to play for us if we could get her a violin. Of course I don’t think that’s happening if the look on Dr. Mamet’s face was any indication. It’s a shame. That kind of talent shouldn’t stay locked up. Not in someone like that. Entry 04/02/2021 - I… I just got out of a meeting with Dr. Mamet. I've been warned multiple times over the past few weeks about talking to the test subjects about their past lives, but I need to know what they wanted to do with the information they had, you know? Why they didn't? Dr. Mamet has always been there for me, but she doesn't see what I do. I tried to tell her how we could potentially use the device. If someone gets wounded in a breach or is about to retire, why don't we just keep their knowledge for the next person to take their position? Why bother with amnestics when we can just transfer the knowledge to storage in case it's ever needed? We'll need to figure out how to power it if we move it, but we're the fucking Foundation! We could figure it out! I can't be the only one that thinks this is a good idea. Entry 04/22/2021 - I'm SO FUCKING SICK OF THIS. I have busted my ass to learn as much as I could here. I spent years learning something only ONE FUCKING PERSON thought was a good idea, and now here I am surrounded by people who don't appreciate the WORK and EFFORT it took. Fuck, they don't even appreciate the work their own skills took! This new D Class is a goddamn SCIENTIST. It's been a month and Dr. Mamet has backed off of me, I couldn't help but try to learn everything, learn why she wasn’t here with us trying to save the fucking world! … SHE'S A FUCKING LINGUIST. I can't. I just fucking can't. She's doing more tests in a couple days. We're gonna try something new. Audio/Video Log Date: 04/25/2021 Personnel Present: Dr. Sinclair Prope, Dr. Rebecca Mamet, D-5563-35 [BEGIN LOG] Dr. Mamet: What… what the hell did you do? Dr. Prope: I… oh crap… I wanted to see… Dr. Mamet: You wanted to see? What the hell, Sin? You're a goddamn scientist! Dr. Prope: S-so was she. Dr. Mamet: What? Dr. Prope: She was a linguist too! And she… I was so frustrated… I didn't know that would happen… Dr. Mamet: Sin… (Sighs) Get it together. We're going to have a long talk about this later, but right now we need to get something out of this. Dr. Mamet opens one of D-5563-35's files with the hex editor Dr. Mamet: Damn, still completely unreadable. Call Dr. Bosworth and explain- hold on. That wasn't there a second ago. Both doctors stare at the computer. Random symbols appear on screen - slowly at first, but faster the longer they observe it. Dr. Prope: It wasn't doing that before. Dr. Mamet: No, it wasn't. I wonder what's different now… WHY appears on screen, followed by more random characters Dr. Prope: Holy shit! Dr. Mamet: Oh sh… Look, it's random, it was bound to happen at some point. Infinite monkeys and keyboards, right? Dr. Prope: Right… Right. You're right. OK. DARK appears on screen Dr. Prope: That's not a fucking coincidence! Dr. Mamet: Oh, no… PAIN Dr. Prope: Oh shit shit shit shit… Dr. Mamet: Hold on… Dr. Mamet opens another of D-5563-35's files. Random characters fill the screen, broken up with single English words. HURTS. CAN'T. NOTHING. WHY. WHY. Dr. Mamet: She's conscious in there. Dr. Prope: She… I… No… Dr. Mamet: Sinclair! Sit down, shut up, and let me salvage something from this! Dr. Mamet scrolls to the bottom of the file and types, Can you see this? YES. WHY. SO MUCH PAIN. Dr. Prope: Oh my god… Dr. Mamet: (Yelling) Shut up, Sinclair! Dr. Mamet types, What else do you see? NOTHING. DARKNESS. MEATBALLS. Dr. Mamet: Oh wow. Dr. Prope grabs the mouse from Dr. Mamet and moves D-5563-35's files back to their storage folder Dr. Mamet: What're… No, goddammit! D-5563-35's eyes flutter as the files transfer Dr. Mamet: You saw what I saw! What the fuck made you think that was a good idea? Dr. Prope: She was in pain, I… Dr. Mamet: (Yelling) The data was corrupted! Ten minutes pass, with both doctors watching D-5563-35. When the last file is transferred, D-5563-35 displays symptoms similar to a grand mal seizure and collapses. Dr. Prope checks her pulse and slowly shakes his head Dr. Mamet: Sinclair… Get out. You are hereby confined to quarters until we figure out what the hell to do with you. [END LOG] Entry 04/28/2021 - I messed up bad. I didn't think about what I was doing and I messed up. We've been working on this project for months, and I messed up. I can't even pretend like it was an accident. Everything I did I did on purpose. SCP-5563 was supposed to be the last remnant of a lost people, a people that, as far as we can gather, worshiped knowledge. I've had a chance to translate some of the descriptions of the files, and even though none of them come right out and say "We worship knowledge, this is what we call ourselves, oh shit there's fire falling from the sky everybody write down all your pertinent information for a future shadow organization to collect," between the lines we can make some assumptions. They mention holding someone's knowledge for their children, or desperately trying to get the device to someone who'd been shot and had minutes to live. They'd do everything in their power to make sure people lived on through their knowledge. That resonated with me. There's no way we could've known, but that still doesn't give me an excuse. I messed up. I can only guess that being 2500 years old can do weird things to any hard drive, especially one designed to integrate with human minds. But… The closest I can figure is that being so old degraded the file system just enough to take more than was necessary. I knew it deleted more than necessary, I knew, and I should’ve been more careful. I can't help but feel remorse for D… her. I'm not going to pretend she wasn't a human. Her mind was torn out and digitized, and it took more than it needed. 400 little bits of consciousness, suddenly trapped in a void where all they knew was pain and solitude… And I did that. And after that I killed her again. I was so mad at her. For weeks I'd looked at D-class and had to hold my tongue. I saw death-row prisoners who were artists and artisans… They KNEW things. They could DO things. And they DIDN'T. I asked what they'd done and they invariably said, "Not much." It got frustrating. So very, very frustrating. They were capable of things I've always wanted to do, they could create, share with the world something that was theirs… And they were all here. They all did something so bad we got them. One of them had multiple files with different styles of writing. Poetry, song lyrics, prose, fiction, non-fiction… And he also had a file named Skyrim. A much, much bigger one. That was almost the one that hurt the most… Instead of creating worlds of his own, he'd rather live in someone else's. Then… She went to school for the same thing I did. She had the same opportunities and instead she murdered a man in cold blood for… I never found out. I don't think it even matters at this point. All I know is that she decided taking a life was more important than solving the mysteries of the ancient world, than figuring out language, maybe making one yourself, writing an entire book series just to give your language a place to call home… She could've done any of that and she didn't. Just like I didn't. I was just going to teach. Rebecca offered me the job here and that's the only reason I'm anywhere today… I mean, why I was anywhere three days ago. So I was mad. I was mad at everyone that wouldn't do something with the skills, the knowledge they had. Mad that they wasted something that could've been given to the world. Because they reminded me of me. That didn't give me the right. Rebecca came to my quarters yesterday and told me she had an opportunity to keep working with the skip. She wasn't happy about it, but the alternative was amnesticization and being shunted back into the real world. I have a hunch I know what she means. If I'm right… I'll do it. I can put myself to use. I can safely say that we've managed to translate twenty-three of the Bombauni files already, and though none of them have been particularly ground-breaking, being able to properly preserve the last remnants of a lost civilization is… well, it's good work. It's been slow going, but Dr. Prope's help has been invaluable. I'm… ambivalent about his participation in the project. Of course I felt responsible for him, He was my student and my friend. However, what he did, never mind the why, necessitated action. It was a hard sell to the Ethics Committee but sometimes hard numbers add up to something ethically acceptable. They just wanted to be sure he knew what it entailed. He did, So of course he volunteered; he says he felt he had to make up for his mistakes. I believe he just didn't want to go back to the "real world." I can't say I blame him. Every time I look in his eyes, though… This isn't the boy I helped get his footing with the Foundation. This is an empty shell. Sentiment dictates I fight to keep him alive as long as I can, even if I have to foot the bill myself. I know what he did was wrong… but I get why he did it. Now, anyway. I hope he feels some kind of relief in there, somehow. I hope he knows that his skills are being put to the best possible use, considering. His sacrifice has saved us time, personnel, grief. And I hope he manages to regain his composure enough to work a little quicker. The sooner he finishes the sooner he can rest. Right now, however, I live for the times I get called for a multiple word event, because that means he's stopped screaming. Footnotes 1. Adherence to these specifications is not strictly enforced, but after Incident 5563.1 all efforts to avoid further degradation of SCP-5563 should be taken. - Dr. Bosworth 2. The lack of resources on the island indicate that either the Bombauni people traded for what they needed, or they stripped the island of its natural resources before the fall of their civilization. 3. A full list of files may be found in Document 5563-1, with permission from Dr. Bosworth. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5563" by KineticHornet, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5563. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5564 | euclid | #page-content .collapsible-block { position: relative; padding: 0.5em; margin: 0.5em; box-shadow: 2px 1.5px 1px rgba(176,16,0,0.7), 0 0 0px 1px lightgrey; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: black; overflow-wrap: break-word; } .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align:center; } .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: center; color: dimgrey; } .collapsible-block-link { font-weight: bold; color: dimgrey; text-align: center; } .addendumbox { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; box-shadow:0 2px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16),0 2px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .material-box { padding: .01em 16px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 1em; border: 1px lightgrey solid; box-shadow: 1px 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } .material-box blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .wiki-content-table { width: 100%; } .addendumbox blockquote { border: 1px double #999; } .addendumtitle { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; } .maintitle { margin-bottom: 10px; color: black; } .scp-header { text-align: center; font-size:x-large; color:#b01; } .addenda-header { width: 100%; border-bottom: 2px black solid; color: black; } .scp-info { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-size:large; } .scp-info-box { display:flex; justify-content:space-between; } .object-info { color:black; align-self: flex-end; font-size: large; } .title-style { opacity: 0.8; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #b01; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; } .update-div-empty { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; color: lightgrey; } .update-div { text-align: right; font-size: x-small; } .computed { border: 1px black solid; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .computed:before { content:"Computed Code"; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .rawcode { border: black solid 1px; width: 50%; display: inline-block; text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .rawcode:before{ content:"Raw Code"; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; border-bottom: solid 1px black; width: 100%; } .codebox { display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a em, .yui-navset .yui-nav a em{ padding: 0.25em .75em; top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected { margin: 0px; } .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:focus, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav .selected a { background: gray; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a:hover, .yui-navset .yui-nav a:focus { background: gainsboro; text-decoration: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a, .yui-navset .yui-navset-top .yui-nav a { background-color: none; background-image: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav a { background: none; } .yui-navset .yui-nav li{ margin: 0px; } #page-content .licensebox .collapsible-block { position: unset; padding: unset; margin: unset; box-shadow: unset; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded{ color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { text-align: left; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded { text-align: left; color: inherit; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { color: inherit; text-align: left; } Cremo You can check out more of my works here: cremo Item#: 5564 Level2 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: notice link to memo Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5564 is to be contained in a soundproof containment chamber at Site-228's Humanoid Containment Wing. Discussion is not allowed in the close proximity of SCP-5564's containment chamber. Description: SCP-5564 is the disembodied head of an unidentified male human. SCP-5564 does not decompose and despite its lack of vocal organs, it has the ability to speak. SCP-5564's anomalous properties will be triggered if all the following criteria are present: There are at least two individuals (hereafter referred to as subjects) in SCP-5564's hearing distance. Each subject has a statement and these statements are opposing each other. Both subjects believe that their statement is true. If SCP-5564's anomalous properties are triggered it will say the following: "The time for words is over. Let the deeds speak." When SCP-5564 finished the last sentence the environment around SCP-5564 and the subjects (regardless of the environment's size and composition) will transfigure into a 10 meters long and 5 meters wide football field, with all types of equipment that should be present on an average football field. SCP-5564 and the subjects will be in the middle of the field. Then they will start to play soccer while they use SCP-5564 instead of a ball. SCP-5564 will remain intact during the entire match. The match will end when one of the subjects scores ten goals. When the match is over the statement of the winner will be true, even if it was proven to be false before the match. The subjects during the match unable to cheat and unable to let each other win. Only the two subjects and SCP-5564 remain on the football field during the match, other individuals won't be able to enter the field and intervene. ●Experiment log● ○ Close ○ Subject-A Statement-A Subject-B Statement-B Winner Result D-8567 who suffers from Cotard delusion.1 D-8567 is deceased. Dr. Loom, on-site psychologist. D-8567 is alive. D-8567 D-8567 has no vital signs, but he is still conscious and able to move his body parts. Dr. Kraf, Site-19 personnel who suffers from lung cancer. Dr. Kraf has lung cancer. Junior Researcher Jum. Before the test, he was informed that Dr. Kraf has no lung cancer, he just believes he has it because of hypochondria. Dr. Kraf doesn't have lung cancer, it's just hypochondria. Junior Researcher Jum The malignant cell growths in Dr. Kraf's lungs are no longer present, but Dr. Kraf believes he still has lung cancer. Dr. Bonjaro It is unacceptable for D-Class personnel to call Foundation personnel "doc". D-1462 It is acceptable to call Foundation personal "doc". D-1462 Several D-Class personnel has a tendency to refer to Foundation personnel as “doc” since D-1462 won. D-8567 D-8567 is deceased. Researcher Kőme, member of Site-228's soccer team and he has no information about the previous test with D-8567. D-8567 is alive. Researcher Kőme D-8567 has vital signs again, but the Cotard delusion is still present. ○ Close ○ ● Interview log ● ○ Close ○ Interviewed: SCP-5564 Interviewer: Dr. Cren [Begin log] Dr. Cren: First of all, let's start with a simple question. What is your real name 5564? SCP-5564: My name is… Oh… Sorry I have no idea what is my name if I have one, so 5564 will be fine I guess. Dr. Cren: Alright. Do you remember what happened to you? I mean how you… SCP-5564: Became a talking head? It's not important. I'm just only able to remember my current origin and my origin story has been rewritten at least once. Dr. Cren: What do you mean? SCP-5564: Some explorers found me in an Aztec tomb and they started to argue about my origin and in a nutshell, I am the avatar of an Aztec god but I have no idea which one. Dr. Cren: Hm… So these events are able to affect your entire existence. I thought if something is immune to this reality-changing effect of these events it must be you. SCP-5564: No, I'm not above the rules and I think that's fair. Dr. Cren: You can control the activation of these events or it's automatically starting when you hear an argument? SCP-5564: It's totally automatic, I have no control over it. I'm just a tool. Dr. Cren: You have any idea why you have to do this? SCP-5564: No. The only thing that I know is that I help people to reach what they want. They don't have to be rich, famous, healthy, or strong. They just have to believe that they are right and their opponents are wrong. That's all they need, and I know that sounds really weird, but I enjoy my role in this. Dr. Cren: So, your current condition is not a punishment for you. SCP-5564: If it's a punishment then they really screwed up because I enjoy it. [End log] ○ Close ○ Footnotes 1. A rare mental disorder in which the affected persons hold the delusional belief that they are deceased or don't even exist. ‡ Licensing / Citation ‡ Hide Licensing / Citation Cite this page as: "SCP-5564" by Alb123, from the SCP Wiki. Source: https://scpwiki.com/scp-5564. Licensed under CC-BY-SA. For information on how to use this component, see the License Box component. To read about licensing policy, see the Licensing Guide. |
SCP-5565 | keter | Item#: 5565 Level3 Secondary Class: none Disruption Class: vlam Risk Class: warning link to memo ⠀ Figure 1: An instance of SCP-5565 in the wild. Special Containment Procedures: All wild populations of SCP-5565 are to be secured and transferred to Site-24. Captive instances of SCP-5565 are to be kept in bins coated with at least 2cm of lead and fed weekly. This lead coating is to be inspected and, if necessary, reapplied once every two weeks. All direct handling of SCP-5565 instances is to be done using lead-covered gloves. Exposure of SCP-5565 instances to seawater is only to be done for testing purposes and in small numbers. Description: SCP-5565 is a species of earthworm of the family Lumbricidae which is endemic to a number of caves in the Levant. SCP-5565 instances are capable of transmuting solid matter in close proximity to their peristomium1 into soil, which they then eat. The speed of this transmutation is inversely proportional to the material's density. In effect, this makes SCP-5565 capable of burrowing into and consuming any solid object. Additionally, SCP-5565 instances are capable of anomalously detecting the nearby presence of seawater, which they attempt to avoid. However, unlike other earthworm species, SCP-5565 displays no negative consequences from exposure to overly saline environments, or from underexposure to air. Instances of SCP-5565 which have previously come into contact with seawater behave erratically, often neglecting their own safety or feeding. Research into this phenomenon is ongoing. Discovery: SCP-5565 was first discovered on the 12th of November 2018 in a cave near Akko, Israel, during an expedition by amateur cavers. During this expedition, initial observations of SCP-5565's anomalous properties were made. Foundation agents acted based on local rumours, and successfully established initial containment. Update 13/2/2019: On the 9/2/2019, a second population of SCP-5565 was found inhabiting a seafront grotto south of Tyre, Lebanon. This population has proven to be more difficult to contain, with instances often burrowing in the rock upon the arrival of Foundation teams. This unusual behaviour has been attributed to the high amounts of seawater exposure this population underwent. Test Log 5565.18: Test Number Abstract Result 5565.18 An instance of SCP-5565 that has previously been exposed to seawater is placed within a wooden box, with a wall thickness of 1cm. The instance eats through the wood's surface in a pattern, digitally rendered in Figure 2. Figure 2: Text generated by SCP-5565 during test 5565.18. Translated from Phoenician, the text reads as follows: I am the judge of sea and river. Who is it who steals my slaves? No further texts were generated by SCP-5565 instances. All attempts at communication received no visible response. Update 19/2/2019: During extraction and transportation efforts in the grotto, Foundation teams encountered a large, seemingly artificial cavern. On its floor was an approximately 12-meter-long stone sculpture of a sword, with the tip of the blade pointing towards and being seamlessly encased within the eastern wall. Upon initial discovery, agents reported an extreme presence of SCP-5565 instances eating through the eastern wall of the cavern. These instances quickly retreated from the chamber, moving in unison towards the waterfront and swimming away. The current status of this population is unknown. Update 5/5/2019: In an attempt to potentially locate the now-lost grotto population, an instance of SCP-5565 was fitted with a tracking microchip and released in the area. The instance moved in a straight line towards a location off the coast of Latakia, Syria, where transmission ended. Foundation ships approaching the location were intercepted by GOC vessels patrolling under the guise of Syrian Navy ships. This encounter resulted in several information-sharing agreements. These agreements revealed that the GOC believes the area in question to be the focal point of an entity or phenomenon classified as UTE-1594-Shaznaqa-Ex Machina-Cetus. While the GOC has as of yet not allowed Foundation entry into the area, bathymetric scans of it were conducted by Foundation radars from outside the exclusion zone. Addendum - Result of Bathymetric Scans Hide Figure 3: Unknown. Footnotes 1. The first true body segment of an annelid worm, which includes the mouth. |
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