Per 
Threat ID:
PTE-4377-Parzival-Caliburn "Non-Autocthonic Armoured Fighting Vehicle"
Authorized Response Level
Currently 1 (Minimal Threat); may be escalated at any time to 5 (Immediate Threat)
Description
PTE-4377 is an autonomous mechanical construct similar in its general shape to Gen+0 Main Battle Tanks but substantially larger (approximate dimensions 14.5x5.5x3.7 metres, length not including barrel overhang of main gun) and appropriately more powerful. Its design incorporates several +2Gen and GenAlt armaments, materials and other technology similar to those employed by KTE-4376 and instances of KTE-4379, and it bears the same organisational emblem consisting of three white crescents.
PTE-4377 manifests at irregular intervals, exclusively in rural locations, always in proximity to Known Threat Entities which themselves are able and willing to create a considerable physical threat to human life, which it proceeds to engage in combat using its extensive arsenal of weaponry and devices. When the opposing Threat Entity is neutralized PTE-4377 will disappear. A correlation has been noted between the amount of damage PTE-4377 sustains during any given engagement and the time elapsed before the next manifestation; the elapsed time is also noted to be significantly longer if any of PTE-4377's triple crescent insignias are damaged.
PHYSICS recordsPTE-4377 observed armaments
Note that substantial amounts of the following information are based on speculation derived from indirect evidence gathered as part of PHYSICS division's ongoing observations of PTE-4377 manifestations. First-hand technical analysis by appropriately qualified PTOLEMY division staff will likely continue to remain impossible for the forseeable future.
| Observed armaments and devices deployed by PTE-4377 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description of device | Notes on first observed use of device | |
| +2Gen Plasma lance (primary turret) | ||
| Underlying engineering principles likely similar to Gen+2 particle projector weapons, but substantially refined in comparison to the best autocthonic prototypes. Fires dense packets of high energy particles (exact composition current unknown) at variable but generally extremely high velocity. The projectile is shaped and spun to achieve a drilling effect when penetrating armour before losing coherency inside the target with predictably devastating results. | First observed in action during earliest recorded manifestation on ██/██/19██ between PTE-4377 and LTE-6030-Ragweed-Hogweed. LTE-6030 initially proved resistant to this weapon but suffered fatal internal damage from repeated bombardment after its external plating was eventually penetrated. | |
| GenAlt esoteric penetrating weapons (primary + secondary turrets) | ||
| Generates a small-bore penetration wound in the target without firing a corporeal projectile, identical to assassination weapon utilised by KTE-4378. PTE-4377's variant is much shorter ranged and has reduced ability to penetrate armor materials, reduced ability to bypass solid barriers between weapon and target, but much greater apparent rate of fire. | First observed during earliest recorded manifestation, proving ineffectual against LTE-6030. Consistently but not universally used as initial means of attack before progressing to heavier weapons. | |
| Automatic mortars | ||
| Battery of four independently targeting mortars mounted at the rear of the vehicle. Capable of firing both dumb and guided projectiles carrying a variety of munitions at a maximum observed sustained ROF of approximately 180 shots/minute when all four weapons are firing continually and successively. Quicker three-round bursts have been observed with a longer cycling time in between volleys compared to individual shots. | First observed in action against LTE-6030. High explosive and shaped charge missiles failed to significantly injure LTE-6030. During engagement with LTE-2007-Black, defensive shells spreading a fast-degrading aerosol of unknown composition reduced the efficacy of the enemy's energy projection attacks. hull. Other munitions were not used during this or other early manifestations. | |
Rules of engagement
Liquidation of PTE-4377 has been deemed unnecessary at this time as High Command has acknowledged its substantial (albeit irregular and unsolicited) contributions to the Third and Fourth Missions through its interdiction of dangerous Threat Entities that would otherwise have required substantial Coalition resources to liquidate, its consistent non-hostility to Coalition personnel, civilians and members of other normalcy-oriented paranormal groups, and its consistent pattern of manifestation exclusively in isolated areas, dramatically reducing the Second and Third Mission threat it poses compared to almost all other documented paranormal entities of comparable destructive capacity.
However the fact remains that it is operating in the service of an organisation of blatant extranormal background, one which has a consistently poor record of communication with the Coalition and furthermore is seemingly responsible for the creation of several other active Known Threat Entities with far less regard for the Second and Third Missions. Though its goals align with ours it not be safely considered an ally. Should PTE-4377 respond to a KTE which is already being engaged by Coalition personnel, no communication is to be attempted without appropriate authorization. Should it engage a KTE before Coalition forces arrive they should remain in the vicinity in case it fails to neutralise its target, but not actively engage.
Should information emerge which convincingly suggests that the organisation associated with Threat Entities bearing the triple crescent symbol possesses an ulterior motive incompatible with the Fivefold Mission, or should a future shift in the circumstances of PTE-4377 manifestations entail significantly increased Second or Third Mission concerns, liquidation will be attempted immediately upon the next manifestation.
Notes on factors complicating a potential PTE-4377 liquidation Any attempted liquidation of PTE-4377 must take into account the unfortunate fact that unlike the majority of Threat Entities, this opponent is designed specifically for the same high-intensity combat as our own heavy equipment. The Coalition rarely encounters a hostile organisation deploying hardware approaching PTE-4377's capabilities; while a variety of weapons are available which might be effective in damaging or destroying it the experience in engaging this kind of target simply does not exist for all but a handful of personnel.
This difficulty is substantial enough on its own, but is further exacerbated by the fact that PTE-4377 only manifests alongside other Threat Entities which would themselves require considerable investment of Coalition resources to liquidate; both have to be engaged simultaneously, and it cannot be assumed that PTE-4377 would be so gracious as to divide its attention between our attacking forces and its initial target. Furthermore we cannot be sure if it would retreat immediately or continue to engage if the original target were to be destroyed first.
Repeated failed attempts to destroy or disable KTE-4376, and the liquidation of several KTE-4379 instances, cannot be interpreted as reflective of apathy toward our efforts on the part of the Three Crescent organisation. This vehicle likely represents a considerably greater investment on the part of its manufacturers than the much less capable and more numerous KTE-4379. Its destruction may well incite retaliation and continued hostilities from an organisation apparently far beyond our offensive reach, whose limits remain largely unknown and whose observed military capabilities include, among other things, the teleportation of armoured fighting vehicles vastly superior to our own to any location on earth.
Ideas not yet drafted:
- Bank of England as a minor GoI. Several anomalies linked to both the institution and the actual building are collectively designated as an SCP.
- Tale about PTE-4377 doing its thing, the SCP mythos needs more tank action. Bolo-esque first person narration perhaps?
- Jim Henson from SCP-4922 has his puppets and additional commandeered resources mount an unauthorized attack on the Foundation site housing SCP-1435.
