Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Keter - Explained
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is located at its original point of discovery, in the region of western Sahara desert, approximately 100km south of Boujdour, covering an area of 2500 km2.
No efficient way to contain the entire SCP-XXXX is known. Procedure SCP-XXXX-Tabart must be executed immediately.
SCP-XXXX is to be contained inside a 30-liter sealed stainless steel vessel, designated 'vessel A'. The alloy composing the vessel must not be based on carbon and the wall thickness must be no less than 3cm. Electrical steel is the material of choice. The atmosphere inside vessel A must be chemically inert. Argon or any other noble gas may be used for this purpose.
Vessel A must be entirely submerged in 10M concentrated sodium hydroxide solution. The water purposed for preparing the solution must undergo at least three (3) freezing and boiling cycles beforehand to eliminate the presence of air bubbles. The solution containing vessel A must be enclosed inside a 1cm thick airtight carbon-free stainless steel vessel, designated 'vessel B'. Sealing vessel B is only allowed while its opening is submerged under the lye, so that no air is introduced in the solution.
The room containing vessel B must be filled with a noble gas. Personnel entering the room may use oxygen tanks for respiration. No less than four (4) 1500-lumen UV-C spotlights are to be illuminating vessel B and the entire room from all sides. Spare spotlights must be installed in case service is needed. Personnel should be equipped with UV protection goggles. Personnel accessing vessel A must be dressed in full graphene - coated hazmat suits, which must be incinerated after the operation. Tools used to open vessel A and operate on SCP-XXXX must be heated to 600oC for 15 minutes after the operation. An induction heating element and an argon-based plasma gasification chamber must be installed with direct access from the room for these purposes. The gasification chamber must be accessible via an airlock which may only open after the gasification is complete and the atmosphere inside the chamber is fully replaced with argon.
SCP-XXXX's mass must be measured daily. In the event that SCP-XXXX's mass becomes less than 400g, an appropriate mass of organic matter must be inserted inside vessel A so that the missing mass is replenished. In the event that SCP-XXXX's mass becomes more than 600g, the excess mass must be incinerated. In the event that vessel A becomes deformed, security protocols must be revised and the vessel replaced. Operations on SCP-XXXX may only take place when procedure SCP-XXXX-Summerly is not in effect.
It is imperative that the room containing SCP-XXXX resides in a Foundation site that does not contain any anomalous entities that could merge in any way with SCP-XXXX. In the event of containment breach, execute procedure SCP-XXXX-Tabart. Researchers should keep in mind that the difficulty of SCP-XXXX is not only containing its threat, but also protecting the contained sample, as it is not indestructible.
The global mass of SCP-XXXX is to be monitored daily and estimated using statistic models. In the event that the estimated global mass exceeds 4000 metric tons, execute procedure SCP-XXXX-Summerly; regardless of estimated global mass, procedure SCP-XXXX-Summerly is to be executed on a monthly basis.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a Genetically Modified Organism of the species Quercus virginiana, also known as Southern Live Oak. It bears leaves of malformed shape, the area of which may span from several square meters to up to six acres. Its trunk seems to have formed through inconsistent tumor-like growths, which engulf most of the leaves as they develop, incorporating them into the trunk. Branches are not discernible due to the irregular shape, so they are considered part of the trunk. The mass of the organism seems to increase at an unpredictable rate.
The organism was developed by a collaboration between the [REDACTED] of Agriculture and the [REDACTED]. The latter supplied the [REDACTED], located at the point of origin, as an establishment for experimentation and testing, designated Site-SCP-XXXX-A. Activity logs were transmitted to the [REDACTED] base, 52 km southeast of the point of origin, designated Site-SCP-XXXX-B.
Logs recovered from Site-SCP-XXXX-B follow.
In today's report, we announce the results of a chain of experiments targeting the creation of a tree gene able to survive and reproduce in the harsh environment of the desert. As we know, since the desert lacks the presence of fauna, and the water of thunderstorms is rapidly lost […] the flora has no proper source of nitrogen-rich compounds, and as such is unable to form proteins necessary for structure and function.
The purpose of the last experiment was to insert genes of the nitrogen-binding bacteria Azotobacter tropicalis into the genome of a series of oak trees, with the hope that […] they would be able to bind free nitrogen from the air.
[…]
As the results show, specimen 12-201 is able to increase in size while having its roots submerged into deionized water, without the aid of […] fertilizers. The trees were allowed to grow while supplied solely with nitrogen and carbon dioxide from the air, deionized water, and sunlight.
The next experiment will focus on securing a water source for the tree.
As efforts to allow the species to filter seawater via reverse osmosis have produced unsatisfactory results, the research was now focused on collecting moisture from the air, the levels of which elevate during the night in the area.
Integration of genes from the Bryophyta species Aulacomnium palustre into the genome has produced promising results. The coarser texture of the leaves offers […] reduction of the relative humidity of the surrounding air, while the plant shows no signs of dehydration. As an example, specimen 24-100 was placed in a closed container overnight alongside a wet sponge. […] the next morning the sponge was dry, resulting in speculations whether properly engineered plant life could be used as energy - efficient dehumidifiers and dessicators, while integrated inside residential buildings' construction materials.
[…]
A side effect of the Aluacomnium gene is the appearance of spores on the surface of the leaves, similar to the ones produced by the moss. This could serve as an alternative way of reproduction, aiding to the spread of the species over the desert, however we deduced […] that the extreme environmental conditions quickly neutralize the spores before they are able to mature.
Work to fortify the structure of the spores by choosing different moss genes was discussed, however it was noted that the production of a new series of specimens is a lengthy process due to the slow rate of growth of the oak. As higher research speeds are generally desired, next experiments will focus on improving the production and reproduction rate of the trees.
Tasks completed today included analysis and comparison of 12 species of maple as candidates for fast - growing bases. […]
A different experiment being run by [REDACTED] lab is focused on the current oak base, aiming to improve the growth rate of the specimen without compromising the existing advances that have been achieved regarding nitrogen binding and moisture absorption. The key idea of the experiment is to increase the frequency of cell replication events in the organism, by increasing the count of stem cells per body mass. […] As a test, three cultures of cells were prepared using the CRISPR-Cas9 method, where […] the gene commanding the process of mitosis was cleaved so that the only cell types produced are stem cells.
The question this test is called to answer is whether a higher stem cell concentration in an organism translates to faster growth. Of course, we expect the result to be different in shape from its ancestor, possibly resulting in a non-functional plant. However, if theory stands correct, the size of the samples should be significantly greater than their counterparts from the control set. Sample size measurements will take place the next working day to verify the results.
This is Cpl. Neil Abbot, communications, reporting.
Communications for the scheduled progress report from [REDACTED] could not be established.
Imagery shows irregular plant life emerging from the location where the establishment should be. Assuming accident resulting in damage to communications device.
Awaiting instructions.
[REDACTED] has not contacted us for the last two days.
Spotted plant life has increased in size.
Scout team has been assembled to investigate.
Awaiting instructions.
Plant instance has developed into dense forest.
Command assumes failed experiment.
We request that you provide us with instructions.
Commands to incinerate target failed due to the compact nature of the trunk.
Flames extinguished quickly after charring the bark.
Awaiting instructions.
Target is estimated to be 400m in peak height, 1200m in radius.
Target is not guaranteed to stop advancing.
We require your assistance. Please respond.
[REDACTED], evacuate scout teams and take shelter. [REDACTED] will launch nuclear strike at the target tomorrow at 0900.
Personal log of Cpl. Neil Abbot, communications.
This is a nightmare.
We are currently located inside the underground bunker of [REDACTED], without command or means of communication. We were transferred here to take cover from the nuclear strike, however we don't think it is survivable to exit the base.
The reinforcements had launched the nukes successfully at their designated time, and the result was promising. The tremors were felt at our location. The whole target area was leveled, and the pits created had reduced the elevation significantly. We weren't expecting anything to survive, and we were instructed to remain in the bunker until the radiation subsides, while a scout team would investigate.
It seems that the heat and radiation of the nukes served as an artificial selection mechanism for the spores of the tree, allowing only the most heat-resistant of them to survive. Some of the last blasts spread them far away, and they sprouted. The scout team reported forests growing all over the desert, not tightly packed ones like before, but expanding more aggressively.
During their return one reported having difficulty to breathe, and another spotted roots coming out of the vehicle's trunk. Later their radio stopped working, and they haven't returned. We are suspecting that spores can be inhaled by accident.
Some days ago a forest was spotted very close to our location, and there was absolute panic. We sent a distress signal, but response from home was slow as always. The command and the higher-ups did not wait and tried to leave with one of the vehicles. We haven't received a word from them since then. The others say that they abandoned us, and are planning to do the same.
Some of us staying in the upper part of the base have already reported trouble breathing, skin pain and hardness, and roots growing on bare metal. I can't say it loudly, but I firmly believe that the command has been killed from the spores, and that anyone who exits the bunker will meet the same fate.
If the others desire to leave, I won't stop them, in case they are right. My own plan is to hide as soon as possible in the deepest end of the bunker and supply myself as needed to survive as long as I can.
What is happening is much worse than we can handle. Only help from the outside can save us. And my point is that the longer we survive, the more time the outside will have to study this disaster and understand how to fight it.
I certainly hope there is a way to fight it.
Logs continued in Logs-XXXX-Abbot-██
Recovery: The existence of SCP-XXXX was made known to Foundation agents [REDACTED], who were assigned to monitor the actions of the related federal agency. Collected data were correlated with an increasing number of patient cases worldwide reportedly hospitalized for developing a form of acute bark skin syndrome.
Recovery of contained SCP-XXXX sample is pending.
Mann: See, this is why I only eat organic. Too many GMOs these days.
Ltf.: I can't believe my eyes. The Foundation has been containing anomalous SCPs since forever, and now the world is going to end by a non-anomalous cancer tree, created by a bunch of clueless [EXPLETIVE].
Mann: Well, we could fight it with something anomalous then. After all, if you think about the way it reproduces, all of them are practically one and the same entity.
Ltf.: And what are we going to do, show it a memetic kill agent? Trees can't think!
Mann: No, but if you go ahead to SCP-294 and ask for a "virus to combat SCP-XXXX" I'm pretty sure it will spit out something.
Ltf.: Oh.
Usage of anomalous entities for the containment of SCP-XXXX approved. Await instructions. - O5-█
A team of (3) agents, dressed in full graphene - coated hazmat suits with oxygen tanks and wearing UV-protection goggles, are to enter a heavyweight crawler and approach the infested zone. The crawler shall be equipped with (10) 25W UV-C LED spotlights, covering the entire volume around it (8 spotlights) and inside it (2 spotlights facing opposite directions), and an airlock shall be modded at its entrance. The crawler should move at maximum torque and low speed to reduce chances of SCP-XXXX particles jamming the machine.
Upon entering the infested zone, the crawler is to stop at the first SCP-XXXX sample found. One agent (designated 'Agent A') will exit the crawler via the airlock, carrying an airtight stainless steel vessel, an oxyacetylene torch and an argon canister. Using the oxyacetylene torch, agent A is to cut a small sample of SCP-XXXX leaf and place it in the vessel using a pair of tweezers that shall be discarded on the spot. The vessel is then to be flushed with argon and sealed.
Upon returning to the crawler, a larger stainless steel vessel containing 10M concentrated sodium hydroxide solution shall accept the smaller vessel inside it and will be sealed as well. The smaller vessel will be placed in the solution by agent A, who must not touch the walls of the larger vessel during the procedure. After the solution covers the small vessel, the larger vessel shall be sealed by a different agent after the airlock is shut.
The vessel is to be placed at the middle of the crawler's room and focused on by the UV spotlights. The room is to be flushed with Argon, and the agents may depend on their own oxygen tanks for (30) minutes, in which time the crawler shall move away from the infested zone. After that period oxygen may be released inside the crawler.
The sample shall be placed in its designated containment chamber and initially monitored every hour for changes. Adaptations to current containment procedures will depend on its early behavior. The hazmat suits used shall be incinerated, and the crawler and any equipment used heated to 600oC for at least (2) hours before approaching foundation grounds.
Afterwards, execute procedure SCP-XXXX-Summerly.
Per 
