Per 
ITEM #: SCP-4401
Object Class: Safe (current) / Keter (potential)
Standard Containment Procedure: The article SCP-4401, “the Measure” and the present iteration of its bearer, designated SCP-4401-X, “the Assayer of the Measure”, referred to as the Iteration, are to be housed in low security isolation, without any hard containment measures. Housing compound should be at least 1000km from the nearest human habitation if in open country to allow for approximately 3 days response-lead time in case of departure from custody. This distance may be reduced if the housing compound centers difficult terrain. If location is an abandoned structure, or within a restricted area, special note should be taken of possible trespassers intent on poaching, urban exploration, or fabrication of recreational substances, as all such tend to be sympathetic to SCP-4401-X. An ideal housing location would be landlocked or island with no possibility of pedestrian trespass.
Proximity to any potential SCP, or any storage or housing facility for SCPs, is highly undesirable.
The Iteration will periodically request to be released and transported to specific geographical locations to destroy sentient anomalous hazards. These requests are to be regarded as advance notice for suitable SCP capabilities to be fielded and capture the described hazards. Foundation OpsComs and SMEs must conclude the mission unslavageable before requests are granted. The Iteration should NOT be transported to the location specified even in the capacity of failsafe, as Iterations has been known to violate Foundation cordons and direct orders not to engage. Deployment or unauthorized interaction with such hazards by Iterations result in such neutralization as to render 85% of remaining samples of negligible qualitative value, with 98% likelihood of the original hazard beyond recovery or reproduction. OpsCom are advised to secure samples before deploying an Iteration.
Only two Class II and one Class III non-key Security Commanders are permitted and designated as direct liaisons with SCP-4401-X at any one time. The liaisons must have direct channals to the Site Director and 2 Investigative Quarantine Officers immediately superior.
Researchers must be Class II and above, to be subjected to Class 1 STM Amnesiac procedures after the course of their research. Researchers wishing to extend the length of their tenure with regards to SCP-4401 are to be informed that they may now interact with other researchers and SCP-4401-X only through regulated proxies; that upon the completion of this extended course they may be subjected to Class 2 LTM Amnesiac procedures; that they will be subject to the Tyflonos-Argus protocol upon ANY deviation from their stated course.
All physical needs permitted to SCP-4401-X may be met by cleared D personnel provided that the D personnel are blind or mute beyond physical and communicable range. No physical or electronic means of communication is permitted to SCP-4401-X. Any personnel who voluntarily and immediately reports unauthorised or unscheduled interaction with SCP-4401-X Iterations will be investigated and may subjected to Class 2 STM Amnesiac procedures. Failure to report in reasonable time, regardless of circumstances in which interaction occurred, such as emergency or accident, may result in personnel's subjection to Tyflonos-Argus protocol.
Tyflonos-Argus is as follows: the complete destruction of the body by incineration, followed by homogenous mixture with at least four times the amount of similarly incinerated remains of animals or persons not under Tyflonos-Argus. The mixture is to be released into open air or sea for dispersal. All personnal effects are to be similarly destroyed. All recent electronic and physical traces of the peronnel's private life are to be retrieved and destroyed, backdated up to 9 months 2 years. All uninvolved persons in recent contact with personnel subjected to Tyflonos-Argus are to be investigated and subjected to Class 3 LTM Amnesiac procedures if they evince knowledge and sympathy for past or current iterations of SCP-4401-X, or show behavioral changes typical of those under the influence of SCP-4401-X.
Every Iteration is to be ordered by an O5 authorized person to hand SCP-4401 over to a suitable candidate chosen by the Foundation every 10 months 180 days.
Item Description: SCP-4401 appears a broadhead arrow 55mm x 27mm x 9mm, composed of two materials: a silver alloy edge and base (note lack of socket for the arrow shaft), and a golden alloy ring fixed in the center hollow. The ring and edge are of a bevel such that they present zero deviation error in profile continuity. The total mass cannot be ascertained apart from independent SCP-4401-X input, being “precisely [Restricted to O5],” which translated into modern equidupois is roughly 1231.5~ grains. The cutting edge is convex ground at 27.1~°, by default extremely sharp, but may be volitively rendered blunt or sharp by SCP-4401-X. This effect appears instantaneous and may be equally quickly reversed. The cutting surface of SCP-4401 does not appear to decay through use, although the full extent of this tolerance is not explored because of the non-cooperation of every Iteration, citing frivolity.
A quantity of nominally solid homogenous brazen alloy proceeds from the golden ring, the form and size of which differs based on the optimal physique of SCP-4401-X. A knife or similar single-handed weapon will likely manifest for persons considered short and slender against the general population; a stouter build of similar height may result in the manifestation of a broadsword, axe, or similar. A pole-arm, cudgel, or club may manifest for persons proportionally taller than the generalpopulation. There is no known means of accurate (>85%) prediction of the shapes manifestated for future SCP-4401-X even by current Iteration or the Iteration candidate, even during the act of transferring possession of SCP-4401. The form of weapon generated by SCP-4401 will abruptly conform to a new Iteration possessing it within 250 hours of continuous possession. If passed from a new to a previous Iteration, conformity with the Iteration is established within 30 hours under observation; unobserved, the fastest recorded is 40 minutes.
The manifested form tends to be of some martial weapon of positive cultural or religious significance to SCP-4401-X, and SCP-4401 will manifest the same form for each particular Iteration, even if it is passed back and forth repeatedly. The volume and type of manifested weapon varies widely. Among the more unconventional, “Guan Dao”-type glaive, “kanabo” hexagonal studded club, “ankusar” elephant goad-hook, “kris” dagger, and Series III Fairbairn-Sykes “Coke-Bottle” dagger have all been recorded. No ranged or thrown weapon, such as throwing knife, javelin, chakram, bow, or firearm, or flexible weapon, such as a whip, meteor hammers, roped dart, jointed-staff; or weapon with a forward curving blade utilizing a hooking motion, such as a pick or “karambit”-type hand-sickle (note: there has been to date one instance of a “kukri” manifestation recorded, SCP-4401-██), has manifested on record, even when it may be culturally apposite, or when the Iteration has had interest or training in those weapons prior to taking possession of SCP-4401. Over time in possession of SCP-4401, SCP-4401-X's proficiency and the general appearance of the manifested weapon improve without any observable processes. The bladed portion of SCP-4401 may or may not be incorporated into the bladed portion, if any, of the manifested weapon. The placement of SCP-4401 is unpredictable but symmetrical to the general shape of the manifested weapon.
PARAMETERS OF OPERATIONS ACCORDING TO ITERATIONS OF SCP-4401-X
-The Measure is entrusted to the Foundation in order [Restricted to O5]
-The Iteration will remain a voluntary prisoner in SCP, responsive to all orders by Foundation representatives not in conflict with these laws.
-The Iteration will preserve human life where possible, as they are deemed [Restricted to O5]
-The Iteration will give factually true unequivocal representations
-The Iteration will destroy any sentience representing diametirical thematic opposition to [Restricted to O5].
-The Iteration will ensure that SCP-4401 is transferred to a suitable candidate before dying.
CAPABILITIES OBSERVED IN COMMON WITH EVERY ITERATION:
-Intuition of nature and location of imminent manifestation of anomalies often sentient and hostile that may potentially result in catastrophic loss of human life, and /or the revelation of information or realities that should prove extremely disruptive to social order.
-Intuition of extant or potential vulnerabilities in such hostiles that may be exploited by SCP-4401-X or the Foundation. These include various radiations, sound frequencies or sequences, phasal effects, dimensional assertions, antithetic elements and compounds, inscriptions or images in relief.
-SCP-4401 may produce such output as described previously to no known upper limit in the presence of the specific threat.
-SCP-4401-X, upon possession of SCP-4401, is rendered to a physical prime regardless of the person's prior condition. Obvious disabilities, diseases, effects of age, and other infirmities, disappear in the course of 3-100 hours.
-After 24-600 hours after arriving upon physical prime, while in the state of physical prime, SCP-4401-X may voluntarily impart its wellbeing to other persons, with the effect of that the person's injury or other debilitation appearing instead on SCP-4401-X. These disappear in the course of 3-161 hours each. In such cases where the Iteration may die from taking on multiple injuries in this way, it will refuse to continue unless SCP-4401 is suitably transferred to a new carrier.
-SCP-4401-X, while in possession of SCP-4401, is rendered largely immune to chemical, physical, and temporal alteration to the extent that the alteration causes harm or distress to SCP-4401-X. This immunity stops upon the transferal of SCP-4401 possession.
-A gradual but quickening gain of information without SCP-4401-X's purview, usually related to SCP-4401's next target, which may also pertain to SCP or GoI activities and actions.
-An increasing ability to speak and understand previously unknown human and other languages, with basic proficiency at earliest 138 hours of contact with the language's speaker or writer, and fluency at earliest 230 hours. This ability does not extend to the unknown languages transmitted through text or other media.
-An increasing clarity of expression in SCP-4401-X's preferred or default tongue, with reduction of verbal burrs, stammers, repetitions, habitual expletives, and similar, over time, while retaining much of SCP-4401-X's idiolectic and dialectic patterns before possession of SCP-4401.
KNOWN LIMITATIONS
-SCP-4401-X will obey orders to transfer possession of SCP-4401 to another candidate if the candidate is suitable, and if the order is genuinely authorised by O5. This remains true even if the Iteration is a former SCP personnel with knowledge that Tyflonos-Argus will be executed against them.
-SCP-4401-X will not and cannot be made to combat or neutralize certain dangerous entities within or without SCP control, even if they are observably inferior in capabilities than SCP-4401-X is known to be, or even if the Foundation has ascertained that they represent imminent catastrophic danger. Reasons cited are variations of “it is their hour,” “it is their kairos,” “this is fatal time” or “fateful time.” The O5 has determined in these cases to take such measures as will minimise its own unfavorable cross-theatre outcomes, second to orchestrating a scenario against the interests of opposing GoI.
-SCP-4401-X, in the course of existence, cannot or will not perform acts that are “[Restricted to O5]” These have been found to include: [Restricted to O5].
POINTS OF NOTE IN INTERACTION
-The Iteration will continuously attempt to communicate its knowledge and convictions to others around it. The ability to take on the infirmities and sicknesses of others to its own loss is a usual rallying point; no D personnel or personnel with security clearance below Class III should be allowed to receive such impartation of wellbeing except under controlled conditions, with Tyflonos-Argus to be enacted upon all recipients. If SCP-4401-X' proselysis is allowed to gain strength this represents an alternative power structure within SCP hierarchy, compromising operations at all levels. Refer to incident at Site-76 Camp Cantonment.
-SCP-4401 cannot be taken by force; willing surrender of the current Iteration to a suitable candidate is required. While no Iteration has yet been provoked by any attempts to seize SCP-4401, to the same extent it represents a wastage of man-hours and other Foundation resources, with risk of mishap when attempting to employ uncontrollable measures, duress and seizure of SCP-4401 by force is not recommended.
-Not all persons expressing desire for possession will be granted it even if the opportunity for transfer is presented. Refer to Ideal SCP-4401-X Iteration Candidate Profile.
-According to SCP-4401-7, all SCP-4401-X will attain the ability to pass through solid matter and instantaneously translate across distances at an estimated 23000 hours from possession of SCP-4401, rendering SCP Classification to Keter. This is to be prevented AT ALL COSTS.
-Every Iteration that has SCP-4401 in possession over 120 hours purports its mission to be [Restricted to O5]. As such there is no danger of SCP-4401-X leaving SCP custody with SCP-4401 so long as O5 Officers [Restricted to O5] remain alive, functional, without undue unfluence, and technically in office. Executive power of these O5 Officers over the rest of the Foundation has since been moot.
-SCP-4401-2 has intimated to a foundation plant, D-████████ that all SCP-4401-X Iterations will bodily return with all previous capabilities operative, possessing articles similar but superior to SCP-4401, and unsubject to the Foundation as previously. No date has been determined, nor has any other Iteration confirmed this possibility; Iterations are dismissive, evasive, or demurr to answer under this line of questioning. The Tyflonos-Argus protocol aims to prevent this by making impossible the recovery and reassembly of the body. The possibility of accelerated atomic decay, disposal through randomised dimensional rifts produced by SCP-████, and others, is under deliberation.
MOVEMENT LOG
MOVEMENT LOG
Site-06-3: SCP-4401-1 voluntarily entered into custody in possession of SCP-4401 on 8-Sep-2010
Site-45: SCP-4401-1 requested transfer to Rattnapura, Sri Lanka on 3-Feb-2011, citing imminent appearance of possible Keter-class anomaly(ies) "Soldiers of Mara" and endangerment of local civilian population. Refer transcript 3 (SCP-4401-1i). Request escalated by Security Duty Lead Son Ho Aung 3-Feb-2011; following report of MTF-Epsilon-6-8 (callsign FargoRaiders, disbanded, survivors subjected to Class 2 STM Amnesiac, reassigned) request was denied by Site Director Caiadne. Request granted 24-Mar-2011 by O5 Emergency Order ██ following remote convocate, vote of 4:1 for. SCP-4401 was surrendered by SCP-4401-1 to MTF-209 (callsign HoverWatch, dissolved, members later severally terminated per protocol Ixmucane) following termination order by OpsCom; upon surrender of SCP-4401, analomous properties conferred by SCP-4401 ceased, rendering SCP-4401-1 subject to lethal measures. SCP-4401 recieved by Agent Noel Gesser, designated SCP-4401-2. Administrative difficulties owing to unexpected loss of key personnel within Site 6 command directorate delayed original slated date, 16-Apr-2011, for transfer of custody of SCP-4401. SCP-4401 in possession of SCP-4401-2 arrived at Site-45 27-May-2011.
Site-91: Transport of SCP-4401-2 and SCP-4401 was subjected to interference en route to Site-███. Operatives were lead by confirmed GoI GOC “Ceste Volus” ██████ █████████ , with ops leak and containment exterior breach enabled by deep-embedded Agent (Class II) Djalani (compromised; investigation on-going.) Unbeknownst to the aggressors or Foundation personnel, possession of SCP-4401 was transferred to D-555133 just prior to the boarding operation of the “Ceste Volus' group. SCP-4401-2 was taken offboard by the aggressor, holding a brass fixture presented as SCP-4401. D-555133 escaped capture via concealment beneath the compressor work deck. SCP-4401 bonded to D-555133, designated SCP-4401-3.Transport redirected to Site-91 for Foundation Intelligence Extraction by Source Specialists, arrived on 12-Aug-2011.
Site-88: Custody of SCP-4401-3 in possession of SCP-4401 received on 15-Oct-2011. Tyflonos-Argus protocol for termination of past iterations of SCP-4401-X, and all personnel and persons deemed compromised by association with SCP-4401-X iterations, developed according to observed SCP-4401 properties and common SCP-4401-X tendencies, is enacted. Outcome acceptable. SCP-4401-9, previously Agent (Class IIIa, probative) Adrian Jeremy Kelkes (MTF Mu-4, alienated I/O actors), created on 25-Dec-2011.
Area-14: Following request for transfer to coordinates approximating Access ███ of Area-14, SCP-4401-9 was escorted to red zone by MTF-Nu-7-2 (Callsign Uru) on 28-Dec-2011. Sixteen total successive requests for transport to coordinates in the area were granted to SCP-4401-9; the anticipated event did not take place in any, although MTF-Beta-7-12 has confirmed trace scatological substances in the area from bioforms, likely aerial, created from the primary active xenogens in AMN-C227. Significant numbers of land-mobile bioforms with morphology characteristic of incipient exposure to AM-C227 leading to hyber-gestation found in impromptu barrow structures by echolocator teams, based on SCP-4401-9 leads, 31-Dec-2011. Main massing ground of bioforms similar to SCP-939 was found and eliminated with acceptable losses. SCP-4401-9's request to participate was kept in view and finally denied. The mobbing behaviour may be an attempt by SCP-939 to escape containment. Pending conclusion of mopup SCP-4401-9 retained at Area-14 as safeguard 20-Jan-2012.
Site 54: Request made by SCP-4401-9 to be transported to area under Mu-4 investigation 2-Feb-2012. Request approved; transported 6-Feb-2012. Arrival at cordoned bleaksite 10-Feb-2012; entry denied by Paratech representative Karan Outrand (other recent alias Surke Dirsan, linked to Qazandura Maat'ka group, particularly subcluster “████████,” both linked to GoI ███████ ████ ██████████), citing state claimant laws and judicial writ. Threatening legal and publicity complications delayed SCP action until appropriate MTF Gamma-5 specialisation could be fielded, during which the sentient invasive dimensional entrant now designated SCP-███ manifested votility. The manifestation was not known to the Foundation or the larger part of Paratech personnel at the time; SCP-4401-9 intuited the manifestation and broke cordon without adequate communication or any authorisation, breaching bleaksite for operation “Feathered Servant” ahead of attached SCP Mu-7 forces. Subsequent belligerant action by SCP-4401-9 limited Paratech employee casualties and nanite-infestation in area of Ops. Remote manipulatory automata under SCP-███ control were destroyed by SCP-4401-9 to the effect that no functional units or host-nodes retaining communicant links to SCP-███ are available for Foundation retrieval. Current instance of SCP-███ is a daughter-unit assembled around fragments of the original’s primary keynodes; controlled activation of volitive process is being investigated at the present time. Mobile telemetry assets identified SCP-4401-9 as the source of sonic and radiation output for the duration of interaction with the original instance of SCP-███. In view of risks represented in SCP-4401-9's autonomous breach of cordon and unsatisfactory responses to emergency orders of primary OpsCom for ops “Feathered Servant,” Tyflonos-Argus was put to vote by O5, resulting 3:2 for. Initial attempts at subjection of SCP-4401-9 were ineffective. Requests for SCP-4401-9 to surrender SCP-4401 to Senior Agent Seacam as the duty-fit field agent with the highest security clearence (Class III) on site, was rejected on the grounds that Agent Seacam was unsuitable due to [Restricted to O5]. Mr Arthur Lee Baxter (ref to SCP-4401 ideal candidate profile), a volunteer at the Reservation's wildfire ground patrol, was deemed by SCP-4401-9 more suitable. Possession of SCP-4401 was transferred successfully in spite of interference from Senior Agent Seacam and Agent Garrett. SCP-4401-10 taken into SCP custody at Site 54 by MTF Mu-4 persuant to the understanding of SCP-███, 9-Feb-2012.
Site-76: In accordance with Council Executive Order ███████ , SCP-4401-9 transported to Site-76 to develop joint-training schedule for Line Unit MTF inductees pending assignment to Tau-5, Omega-9, Epsilon-11, under Alpha-1 auspice oversight. Received by Site-76 18-Feb-2012. Investigation into ante-schedule activities in Camp Cantonment by SCP-4401-9 initiated 2-Nov-2013. Conclusion of investigation 24-Jan-2014; Tyflonos-Argus authorised. Tyflonos-Argus enforced on SCP-4401-9 and all compromised personnel 14-Mar-2014. Developed joint-training schedule revised to regulate contact with Foundation Personnel by SCP-4401-X Iterations. Joint-training schedule currently under review.
[Restricted to O5]: SCP-4401-10 requests transport to coordinates in the South Pacific raised 8-May-2012 to neutralize a massive spectral manifestation the “Hasts of Sheol,” prompting SCP involvement in the area. Request denied as of 22-May-2012 as situation was deemed under control and excessive unwarranted force undesirable; request granted 7-Jul-2012. Aeriel transport to MTF Mu-7 Special Naval Launch Platform EDZEBE, fielding CAT4 (Simian) Chassis “Courageous George” 8-Jul-2012. SCP-4401-10 refuses to engage as per the original request, instead communicating his intention at this time to let the anomaly manifest fully in order to secure unilateral compliance from the Foundation per requests to deploy. In consideration of initial findings by MTF Mu-13 and SCP-4401-10's descriptions of imminent manifestation, deployment of “Courageous George” was delayed pending ordnance and emergent environmental capability modifications. SCP-4410-10 input on effectiveness of Foundation assets against the imminent manifestation are kept in view. On recommendations by MTF Mu-13 advisory to OpsCom, conventional naval warfare capabilities are withdrawn and reassigned to aid-and-relief roles near affected coastal waters. Derelict “dummy” craft acquired repurposed to provide tactical screens prior to “Courageous George” entering optimal engagement range. MTF Gamma-5 divertion of air- and sea-routes by typhoon warning rendered ops area free of creditable witness. Manifestation predicted by SCP-4401-10 to occur on 15-Jul-2012, by Mu-13 on 16-Jul-2012 moderated based on SCP-4401-10 input, observed on 17-Jul-2012. Entity classed by MTF Eta-5 CAT7 (Colossal Aquiform) MTF Mu-13 CAT5 (Demogenic Animus) . “Dummy” craft screens and “Courageous George” deployed 18-Jul-2012 to cross the projected route of the entity towards New Zealand. MTF Eta-5 CAT3 land-mobile electrolaser (Quadruped) Chassis “Pogzilla” with MTF Epsilon-9 units held at Aoraki. Screening by “dummy” craft successful, allowing “Courageous George” to acquire combat anchorage and deploy opening barrage of main arms PEP DEWs into the entity's approximate center of mass. On observing lack of contact-effect and minimal dispersal of center mass, and evidence of provocation, “Courageous George” Jaeger Commander clears and fires Serried Hetz Thermobaric Fussillade, rendering the area roughly 1 km from the entity's center mass impenetrable from thermobaric incineration, with a safety distance of an additional 1 km for conventional forces with exposed personnel on deck. Only on the incapacitation of “Courageous George” and possible compromise of its crew does SCP-4401-10 voluntarily deploy from EDZEBE on an outboard motorcraft, with MTF Mu-13 specialized telemetric monitoring equipment and a remote explosive device to preempt tampering or any unreported deviation from course. Telemetric equipment fails while still in visual range 9 minutes after SCP-4401-10 deployment, distance estimated as under 2 km of entity's center of mass. Retrograde of former metastatic processes observed under 1 minute after loss of communication and telemetry with SCP-4401-10. “Courageous George” Jaeger recovered severally along the Mariana trench system. Surviving Jaeger crew have undergone a coalescent metamorphosis similar in observable material composition as the “Hasts of Sheol,” but of significant lack of complexity or collective intelligence above reactive; now collectively designated SCP-████. Custody of SCP-4401-10 granted to Site 54 on 25-Jul-2012 pending several independent transfer requests from various MTF and Site Directorates.
Site 14: SCP-4401-10's breach of containment and destruction of 102 SCPs in Site 54 custody between 18-Aug-2012 to 21-Aug-2012. Voluntary surrender of SCP-4401 to Pod 8 Security 2IC Christopher Devrin, designated SCP-4401-11, on 21-Aug-2012. SCP-4401-10 immediately subjected to Tyflonos-Argus from Site-54 SecCom. Both SCP-4401 and SCP-4401-11 were transported with relevant O4 approval under T7 guard to Site 14. SCP-4401-11 was debriefed under remand. New containment protocols Surdar and Yahaya are developed for future Iterations in light of recent behaviour, a previously unobserved state of excitement.
Site 15: Custody requisition by MTF White Rabbits granted 9-Aug-2014. [Restricted to O5] SCP-4401-12 and SCP-4401 transferred to Site 15 on 12-Aug-2014.
Site ███: SCP-4401-15 and SCP-4401 received 2-Dec-2014. Immediate uncontrollable incident resulted in destruction of long serving MTF Omega-0 assets. Surdar protocol enacted 3-Dec-2014.
Site 14: SCP-4401-16 and SCP-4401 received 4-Dec-2014.
Site 45: SCP-4401-27 and SCP-4401 received 10-Nov-2018 pending Ops ANKHARA.
[Restricted to O5]
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS
Date: 9-Sep-2010
Location: Site 6-3, S Wing, B3, #102
Officers Conducting: Dr Kecia Dylamos, Dr Immanuel Bozenghi, AIQ1 Alleinn Deitrholst (Offsite), RIQ Frederique Palmavano (Offsite)
Officers Attending: Site 6 SD Eumelene Caiadne, Site 6 SecCom Denis Hodge, Agent Katherine Mun Swee Ee (Class 2, Civilian Contact and Covert Retrieval), Agent Rowan Peambrook (Class III, Pursuit and Field Containment)
Dr Dylamos: This is Dr Dylamos, time is 1722 hours local atomic time, Site 6 Complex 3, S Wing isolated containment section, cell 102. Video feed online at optimal. Subject is of South Indian descent, 162 centimeters, 72 kilograms armed and clothed. Clothes as follows: shortsleeved undershirt, sari, turban. Armament as follows: golden kirpan-type dagger, curved, double edged, measuring 63 centimeters from base to point, 0.8 at the thickest. No sheath. Can you state your name and purpose please?
Subject: …
K: Can you speak into the mike, please.
S: I was born Savaraj Thakur Singh, June 4, 1988, in Kalkut, India. I am now an Assayer of the Measure, of the Armory of God.
K: Kalkut, meaning Calcutta, for the record.
S: Yes.
K: And your purpose?
S: I am here on behalf of the Armory, to serve and witness to you the will of my God. This weapon was entrusted to my hand by Hagan of Acre, as he has gone to God.
K: Who is your God.
S: Of the Names revealed to the spirits, my God is He of Shiloh, called Aten-Amen, [Restricted to O5]; of the Names revealed to the wise before the Time, Ataraxis, Theosoter, Kratiskyron; of the Names revealed to [Restricted to O5], Adva, [Restricted to O5].
K: Can you describe what happened when you were picked up at our perimeter (Site 6 civilian buffer zone 1).
S: I was standing with one hand on the fence. I was trying to get your attention in a peaceful manner. Less than ten minutes after I put my hand on the fence, two cars drove through the jungle on your side. One man (Agent McIain) fired a warning shot from a rifle. Another man (Agent Pembroke) told me to take my hand off the fence.
K: Did you see and understand the signage that the fence was electrified.
S: I did.
K: Was it electrified.
S: It was.
K: There is an official vehicle entry visible from the open road three kilometers from where you touched the fence. Is there any reason you did not approach that entry.
S: Your people are very professional. If a man came up to such an entry with an open weapon and refused to surrender it, what will they do?
K: Please answer the question.
S: I am answering; perhaps you are not listening. If I approached the gate and refused to cooperate, they will be forced to open fire. The impression you are presenting to the public will be quite spoiled. I wished to spare you that.
K: Considerate. What is the reason for your coming here.
S: To present you this treasure. It is a witness.
K: Witness to what. Or for what.
S: I did not come to teach.
K: Witness of what, please.
S: Of [Restricted to O5], and of the evil you do, and will do.
K: Evil. I suppose you know what evil is.
S: One of its names is Necessity. Ask the masters of this place if that is so. Require of them the full account of the seven Crimson Vestals. Will their guilt not silence you?
K: Crimson Vestals. I like that. Poetic.
S: You are not ignorant; on your own head be the fruit of it. But many others with you are ignorant in good faith. My God will have respect for their lives.
K: Do you mean to say you can stop the Crimson King.
S: What must happen, will. The whole Armory of God, were it all still in the world, cannot prevent that. Yet there are lesser woes that can be averted. These must increase before the end.
K: If you cannot stop the end, as you call it, what good is your coming here.
S: To buy you time.
K: Are you. Wasting it with platitudes seems an unusual way to go about that, do you think so.
RIQ Palmarvano: (Stop. Doctor, come out now. Security, seal the room.)
Date: 10-Sep-2010
Location: Site 6-3, S Wing, B3, #102
Officers Conducting: Dr Immanuel Bozenghi, AIQ1 Alleinn Deitrholst (Offsite), RIQ Frederique Palmarvano (Offsite), Agent Class II Katherine Mun Swee Ee (Civilian Contact and Inert Retrieval)
Officers Attending: Dr Kesia Dylamos, Site 6 SD Eumelene Caiadne, Site 6 SecCom Denis Hodge, Agent Class III Rowan Peambrook (Pursuit and Field Containment)
Agent Mun: Agent Katherine Mun, interviewing Subject 4401 dash 1. Room 102, Basement 3, S Wing, Site 6 dash 3. Time being 3:02AM. Monitoring all correct, recording correct. How are you feeling, Mr Singh?
S: Quite well. Thank you for asking, Katherine.
M: How do you know about us?
S: That is pointless to ask. If you do not already know, you shall always doubt. Why ask?
M: We seek to know. At least a doubtful thing can be tested. I think complete ignorance cannot be
better than half-doubt, don’t you?
S: Very well. I know of you from God. Do you believe me?
M: I hear you. How does your God know?
S: He knows from grief that has reached Heaven, from the blood crying out of the ground. Do you believe, Katherine?
M: I admit it’s our shortcoming that we cannot afford much belief beyond the light of facts. We are in a delicate position. Believe me we all want easy answers. We do not all have access to… God.
S: I do not believe that. Nor do I believe that you disbelieve it. But I will not waste your time with debate.
M: For the most part we catalogue knowledge. We are scientists seeking to preserve mankind. This is not evil. Even if you disagree with our methods, surely you can accept our motivations?
S: I accept that every man, the most lawless, the most godless, is right in his own eyes. You suppose you are scientists; very well, let us suppose you are scientists. Is science without con-science not merely idolatry of knowledge? Is not your organisation finally not just a cult of power? Do you expect approval for such things?
M: Let us agree to disagree. You've said previously, you are here to buy us time. Time for what?
S: For the world to remain a little while longer. For those cherishing life, to find it; and those seeking death, to discover it. For the just to see to their own house, and the unjust to make their peace to God. And for the full number of abominations to be completed, to arise and slay a third of Man.
M:… How will you buy us time?
S: With this Word in the Name [Restricted to O5], to cast down those evils that exceed their bounds; those that break forth before their appointed time; those that proceed unlawfully; those that enact the lawful perversely; those that seek to change the times and seasons; and those [Restricted to O5].
M: That’s quite… I'm sorry can you be more specific?
S: I will kill monsters and demons. Serpents and dragons. Ancient things that lie under the world, banisht by God, forgotten, but not gone. Some are surfaced; others wait to be found. As you cannot believe my word, my work will show I am from God.
M: I see.
S: If you have eyes, you will, for the monstrous and the demonic are the things you know. And then you may believe.
M: Are there any in this facility?
S: [Restricted to O5]
RIQ Palmarvano: (That's enough. Subject matter beyond Class III purview. End session and debrief.)
Date: 3-Feb-2011
Location: Site 6-3, S Wing, B3, #7
Officers Conducting: Site 6 SD Eumelene Caiadne, AIQ1 Alleinn Deitrholst
Officers Attending: Site 6 SecCom Denis Hodge, Sec Duty Lead (Class II) Son Ho Aung
SD Caiadne: This is Site 6 Director Caiadne. Date being the 3rd of February 2011, time being 2216 hours. 4401 dash 1, you have escalated an emergency request pending my action or escalation. Can you elaborate?
S: There is an old city, a ruin in Lanka, where was once the capitol of the asuraksha, whose fall began with the fall of Rawann. There is a festival even now, ushered in screams, wherein the wicked seek patronage of Rawann. They are calling to the dead king, but a dread one, a devil, will answer them tonight. They are six hundred and sixteen strong, counting men and boys, and four hundred and twelve strong, counting women and girls, that seek to wake Rawann; they will wake an older, the granduncle of Rawann, Maliwann, who will ask them the reason of their noise. They will say, Rawann was a follower of Chathan Shiv; because he died, the world has forgotten Shiv, holding him coeval or even beneath the Bodhi Sage Gautma. Maliwann will ask, what do they will, and they will say, they would return the world to Chathan Shiv by rendering it to his concuspicent emanation, in the name of their ancestor Rawann. Maliwan will ask them, what is the price of his help, and they will promise him Mount Meru. Then Maliwann will agree to their mischief, and cause them to cut off their right arms to Kali; she will tie her holy knot on the severed arms and cause the ones that gave them to be strangled by them, without blood. Then they will be weak and slumber eleven days; on the twelfth day they will be fed Mara's Goor, and wake as Marakuthi, possessed by Maradaiva. They will be stronger than giants, faster than darkness. They will wear the old swords of the raksha; they wear the war furniture of the azur, and burning smoke for raiment. There will be fire in their loins, and horns in their mouths, and each shall have three heads, six arms, four legs, yet one mind: to uproot the sacred Bohdi in Bodh Gaya. They will slay their path through Lanka, the strait, and all India must travail for it. And Kali's Daughter (SCP-029) will be only pleased. You must send me to Lanka now. The Soldiers of Mara must not wake their graves.
C: We have already alerted our mobile task force to investigate. If they find anything beyond their capabilities your proposal will be considered.
S: You do not understand. You are sending brave men to die, looking for death. Can they see spirits? If not, how can they fight demons?
C: You can tell us. Where they are. What they are. These “Soldiers of Mara.”
S: They are in the realm of the dead and the dreaming. They are in Mara himself. I have told you what they are: the Soldiers of Mara. Are you so hard of hearing? Or will your mind not hear?
C: I hear quite well, thank you. Do these Soldiers of Mara, when or if they appear, have any weaknesses? Are there any weapons we can use effectively against them?
S: They will have gone through the Kali Khat, and eaten Mara's goor, and will be as the dead. The memory of pain will be all your weapons can inflict on them. There are nine things they fear, none of which you possess. Foremost of the nine they are afraid of the primal light, the first thing in this universe to be named by God. The Measure can borrow a part of that light. Send me, and the thousand will not wake. Send me now, and Maliwann will have cause to envy his grand nephew.
C: You said Rawann was dead. Envy the dead?
S: Rawann only sleeps; Maliwann will truly die.
C: Can you demonstrate this “primal light?”
S: That is not wise.
C: Not immediately, of course. In a controlled environment. Maybe we can reproduce this light.
S: Were it lawful for me to render it to you, and were you to survive it, and were you able to reproduce this light, can you make it usable by your men in the next ten days? This is not wise. Send me, in God's name. For the sake of their lives, I beg you.
C: Ten days or not, we will have a new approach-axiom for future threats. If you were really for us this will not represent an obstacle.
S: It is not lawful for me to impart the knowledge of the primal light to you.
C: What about the men who will die because they do not have this primal light?
S: You can withdraw them, and they will escape death. You can send me ahead of them, and they will be protected within the will of God.
C: Or you can just demonstrate the primal light for us. Save lives.
S: I cannot disobey my God.
C: I fail to see the difference. The results remain the same.
S: You know they are not. Even were they, a good work should not be built on poor beginnings. I cannot show you the light, where you would take it not for a sign, but an occasion to steal it.
C: So far we have no reason to act upon any of your communications. If you can provide some immediate empirical evidence to the effect that some of your claims are substantiated, we might be inclined to reconsider our position.
S: Why do you tempt me in this way? Did I submit willingly, or did you capture me with your own strength? Will you now make me surrender the aspects of [Restricted to O5] to you, where I have said you do evil withal the things of God? You neither drink from the Fountain of Ixir (SCP-6) nor do you permit others to drink it and live. Even the rebuke of God in the matter does not move you; will any other sign persuade? And you do many things like this. No, you will not see the primal light for yourself, except that you appeal [Restricted to O5] that it be used on your behalf.
C: Let us leave the matter open for discussion. If you will have “respect for the lives of these men.” And the local civilian population.
S: Do you see fit to goad me with my own words? Do you constrain me to have respect for their lives, where you continually blind your eyes to mercy? Will you hold even God hostage to your lusts? Hypocrite! Their blood will be required out of your hand, you wicked, perverse woman. Because you claim to see and hear, you will share the fate you send these men to, though you hide in buried fortresses. And you (AIQ1 Deitrholst), do you think you will escape because you are a quiet abettor? Is my God a God only close to, and not distant? It is double for you, dead man, sold to evil [Restricted to O5].
C: We are both seeking to save lives, Mr Singh, although it quite seems to me that your God Shiloh regards human life secondary to his… mysterious purposes. Does your God consider civilian non-combatants the same way as the Soldiers of Mara?
S: Eumelene of No (Thebes, archaic), you will ou mei (Greek, double negative, emphatic, “never ever”) see the primal light. Because you will have no fear, but will tempt even the God to the face, here is judgment: if you remain alive a hundred days from this word, and if the ground receives your blood when you die, and if [Restricted to O5], regard me as one not sent of God, and let all men revile me for a liar.
C: To be called a liar is quite light on you, don't you think so.
S: You may think so, who think nothing of lies. I know it is for me to die in your hands, or those that come after you out of this spidered hive. If I should lie, I shall blaspheme my God to no gain. As for you, I tell you of God: the wise and seeing will come to enlighten you, and you will torture them to glimpse what has been forbidden you. Vassals of and Mighty Ones will be sent to vouchsafe your lives, and you will enslave them to your engines, or slay to gain their treasure. Even now you plot to kill me; what other evil will you not do in vain of good?
AIQ1 Deitrholst: (Multiple attempts at persuasion to aid private goals; primarily appeals to morality or divine authority; agitation at interviewer rectitude. Penchant for melodramatic expression, no attempt at de-escalation. Review before further interaction.)
C: Perhaps we can talk again when we are in a less… passionate frame of mind.
S: When we speak again, it shall be you that will be making “multiple attempts at persuasion.”
C: Extraction. Extraction, now.
Date: 27-Mar-2011
Location: Site-45 Administrative Block A, Conference Room #3-001
Officers Conducting: Site-45 SD Remi Gault, “Buck Hunt” OpsCom (Class III) Owen Oeven, Dr Siddiq Manoj, Dr Sunitya Bagivalingam, Dr Yann Garlan, Agent (Class III) Synthia Tartig (Source Intelligence, opslead), Agent (Class II) Iakano Satsuma (Source Intelligence, techdiv), RIQ Frederique Palmavano (Offsite)
Officers Attending: Site-45 Action Team Command (Class III) Hawton Cole, transport vessel “Wallestronff Nachtrein” ViCom Zerzan Istvan, Agent (Class IIIa, Probative, previously assigned Liaison for SCP-4401-1) Katherine Mun Swee Ee
OpsCom Oeven: This is First Lieutenant Oeven, 0830 hours, Site-45 Admin Block C, level 3 room 1…
SD Gault: (A)
O: (… say again.)
G: (This is Admin Block A)
O: Correction. Site 45 Admin Block A, level 3 room 1. Comms and record 5 for 5. Subject armed with double edged knife in masterhand right, FS model 3. Proceeding debrief for Ops “Buck Hunt.” State your name and ID.
N: I am Noel Gesser, an Assayer of the Measure, of the Armory of God.
O: State name and ID at the start of Ops “Buck Hunt”.
N: Field Intelligence Officer Class I, Agent Noel Gesser. Serial [REDACTED]. Recently assigned to MTF-209, callsign Hoverwatch, for Operation “Buck Hunt.”
O: What was your Ops tasking?
N: Primary tasking was to maintain proximate surveillance on SCP-4401-1, throughout its deployment against the activities of local anomalous hostiles, designated “Soldiers of Mara”.
O: Direct visual was lost shortly after 4401-1 contacted with the hostiles. Please relay what happened from the point of last comms received from OpsCom.
N: Operation Commander Oeven reported a sudden loss of video fidelity at roughly 2240 hours, 7th February. Before we could address it, we experienced total loss of all surveillance functions followed shortly by loss of all radio comms. Post-operation regroup showed that this loss was not due to EMP or short circuit, but an absence of electricity. Every battery we had was discharged, including the emergency generator's sparks unit.
O: How did they do it? Were they immediately close-contact range?
N: I think it was not a direct-action, but an ambient effect. The time of their reported materialisation was under 30 minutes from the loss of comms. They did not do it so much as they caused it.
O: Any reason you did not deploy SMAP (Slow-descent signal Munition: Atomised Phosphorous) or try Redwave (encrypted teletext communicator) comms.
N: We could not. At almost the same time as everything went off we all felt this overwhelming lethargy, like hypothermia. The final stages, when you stop feeling cold and start feelung very sleepy. We just couldn't keep awake. I might say there was also a drop in temperature and ambient sound, except I can't be sure.
O: How many of you were at the MOP(mobile observation post).
N: Three. [REDACTED]. There were also two two-man rover teams closer to the contact point, on rotation from MOP. They were on radio silence, so we couldn't tell their status. Presumed MIA at last sitrep to OpsCom Oeven.
O: What were your last orders.
N: Last orders from OpsCom Sir were received 2011hrs via Redwave. OpsCom's orders were to retrieve SCP-4401-1. The vehicle was not responsive, so we left [REDACTED] to man it while [REDACTED] and I went ahead to the subject's last known location. En route we received supercession change of orders from [REDACTED] via Redwave. We were to capitalize on any possible post-action and fraternal vulnerability of 4401-1 to subdue him, with the separate retrieval of 4401 priority. We were not successful.
O: How did you go about the retrieval. What were your measures.
N: We were both armed standard loadout per Ops Order: one Carbine type-4, four-plus-one magazines of 25 rounds each of 223 NATO, with M26 MASS attachment. M26 has one plus two magazines of 5 rounds each of 8 guage. Sidearm is DC 12, two plus one magazines of 7 rounds 50 AE. Two M15-a thunderflash, two M68 frag; one T2 tricorda trenchknife. [REDACTED] additionally had the M320, with 12 rounds 40mm HE in satchel bandolier. I took point, so I had the machete for brushclearing. We proceeded in SHROUD (Sound+Heat Refractive-Obscurant Umbrane Dermafit). Subject approached us from a clearing; I opened fire at under 100 meters.
O: Did you ID the target before contacting?
N: Yes. Facial confirmation, wearing partial SCP HiVer Flow (High Visibility Reflective Luminant) detainee uniform. If it had been one of the hostiles I would not have risked giving away our position.
O: Any specific reason why you initiated contact instead of attempt to subdue the subject, as per last orders?
N: It was a tactical decision. If subject's reported possible capabilities were operational we had no chance to subdue anyway; by firing first we shall have a figure 11 slow target at one hundred meters, and we retained the option to retrograde under concealment. If we halted him we give away our position and contact initiative.
O: Did you hit target.
N: Yes. I'm very sure. I opened fire in high-kneel unsupported, controlled fire, through the default-zero short scope. [REDACTED] followed my tracer with the M26. Subject did not go down. The bullets bounced off.
O: “The bullets bounced off.” … You saw the tracers bounce.
N: Yes Sir. Every fifth round per magazine was a tracer, per Ops Order.
O: So you fired and observed hit. Continue.
N: When subject did not go down I threw thunderflash and laid cover fire while [REDACTED] load and readied the M320. He fired three rounds away between fifty and thirty meters. Subject came out of the smoke with his hands up.
O: Unharmed?
N: No visible injuries. But naked.
O: This is not the time or place.
N: He was naked, Sir. We destroyed his clothes.
O: You mentioned you took the full Ops Order loadout. That's three times standard contact-rate. [RESTRICTED] additionally had an M320 with twelve rounds. Any reason you stopped at three rounds away?
N: Subject was getting too close to us after the third round, Sir. Safety distance.
O: You did not retrograde for a better position?
N: Subject's capabilities were observed functional; it was unlikely that we could maintain effective pressure. He was also hailing us through the smoke, identifying himself as friendly.
O: So you made another “tactical decision.”
N: Yes. We broke concealment and approached.
O: How did you gain possession of 4401.
N: I asked for it.
O: And he gave it to you. No questions asked.
N: He asked if I had been authorized by O5 to receive it on behalf of the Foundation. I said I had
orders from [REDACTED] to retrieve 4401. He requested that I be duly authorized to receive 4401 before he surrendered it. I made the request through Redwave to [REDACTED] directly and it was granted.
O: What happened after you received 4401.
N: [REDACTED] received a concurrent kill-order on 4401 dash 1 without my knowledge, also from [REDACTED]. He fired two shots DC from behind subject, torso, then two shots to the head.
O: Nitro Express is a hell'va round. If [RESTRICTED] was shooting from the back of the subject, and you were receiving 4401 from him, that puts you in the line of fire. What do you expect to happen if [RESTRICTED] missed, or the bullets went through him, or bounced?
N: I don't know. I couldn't think at the time.
C: Did [REDACTED] have any follow-up if it didn't work?
N: [REDACTED] was ready to pull on his M68s, try to drop the subject on top of them.
C: 68. That's the short fuse frag.
N: Two seconds, yes Sir.
O: Deployed in a clearing. Within ten feet. What was he thinking?
N: I don't think he was, Sir. Thinking.
O: Jesus H fuck.
N: [Restricted to O5]
G: (Oeven, excess sympathetic involvement. Conduct unsuitable. Disengage and standby. Dr Garlan, uptake.)
O: Doc.
G: Gesser. I am Dr Yann Garlan. Did anything happen to you personally and immediately, as a result of you receiving 4401? Any physiological or psychological effects observable.
N: Nothing I can see.
G: How long has it been since you took over 4401 from the previous… the detainee?
N: Mission start was the 5th; enemy contact by 4401 dash 1 on the night of the 7th . Transfer was either late on the 7th or early on the 8th. We had no working timekeeping.
G: Batteries drained, you mentioned. 7th of February to the 27th March. That's…
N: Fifty days, at least.
G: Mm. Do you observe any changes since you took over the Measure from SCP-4401 dash 1?
N: I'm less tired post-op than I usually am for scramble drills. I can see better, hear better; I keep noticing things. Little things.
G: Little things such as? Give me an example.
N: Like ViCom Istvan is behind the one-way glass. I can smell his hat.
ViCom Istvan: (You smell your mother's shit; your father was eating it before he sucked my dick.) [Note: utterence was in language foreign to Noel Gesser and not vocalized into internal comms.)
N: … … There's also part of the hotel soap he uses, when you opened the door to come in. I don't think it was meant to be fragrance. I think it's titanium dioxide. ViCom Istvan has throat cancer. And gonnorhea.
G: … Gonnorhea?
P: (Irrelevant. Pass over.)
G: Yes. Yes… Your general physical checkup prior to deployment for operation “Buck Hunt” showed that you have partial hearing loss in the left ear, field-acceptable astigmatism (below 300 degrees), a loose left shoulder rotator cuff, among other minor conditions. Do you mean to say you no longer have astigmatism?
N: I don't know. I don't know the test results. But I can definitely see without glasses.
G: I am standing about 3 meters from you now. Can you read the top line of this form on my clipboard please.
[SCP-4401-2 stands up and walks to the opposite end of the interview room; distance estimated 8 meters.]
N: [REDACTED]
RIQ Palmavano: (Dr Garlan, refrain from using restricted material for non-expert testing in future. Please adhere to your expertise and stated course of investigation as much as possible. I will not prompt you again.)
G: … Mentally, do you notice any difference? In yourself. Any super-science. Advance knowledge.
N: I don't know. I think so. I'm calmer, for some reason. I don't feel fear. I mean, I still fear for others, but not myself. As if what might happen to me is going to happen to someone else entirely.
G: Can you feel pain.
N: I think so.
G: You think so. Can we test this.
N: Do you need to? I can feel things. Surfaces, I mean. Weight and temperature.
G: According to you, Mr Singh, the detainee, was not harmed when he… contacted… the “Soldiers of Mara.” Later he was fired upon with rifles, shotgun, and grenade. We want to test if this property has been transferred.
N: I'm sorry but… I can't allow that. I can’t allow you to hurt me.
G: We are not going to hurt you.
RIQ Palmavano: (He said “can't allow.” Pursue.)
G: “Can't allow,” you said. Why can't you allow it?
N: I think I have to allow myself to be harmed to feel pain; if I allow myself to be harmed, you might try to kill me. I might die. Before the Measure is passed on, I mean.
G: You have to transfer 4401 to another person before you “allow” yourself to die?
N: I think so.
G: How do you know this.
N: I'm … I remember it. I remember what should be done, or cannot be done.
G: Is there a voice. Is something speaking to you.
N: No, no, it's just… I just remember. It’s deja vu. I keep feeling like things are supposed to happen, then they happen.
G: When did you first notice this feeling.
N:… the earliest was three days after receiving the Measure. 4401. It was very vague then. It keeps getting stronger. Sometimes I get… I see things, very specifically.
G: What do you see. Or have seen.
N: I cannot tell you. I'm not supposed to. It's… unlawful.
G: Mm. Can you give me the laws of what you should do, or should not do as “Assayer of the Measure, “so-called?
N: I cannot tell you.
G: Why. Or, why is it unlawful.
N: Because… …you will… do evil with it.
G: Just one. Tell me just one.
N: I… no. I can't.
P: (Oeven, fraternal leverage.)
O: Agent Gesser.
N: Sir.
O: You are ordered to answer the question.
N: I can't, Sir. Even if it was an order.
O: There is no court martial for insubordination regards mission. Don't make me do what's next.
N: I am obeying… higher orders.
G: Agent Gesser. Do you mean to say you cannot, or will not, tell us any of the rules governing the Measure?
N: I… should not.
G: So you can theoretically tell us. You are physically and mentally capable of doing so.
N: I… yes, I suppose. Physically and mentally. But there’s something else. It’s a kind of… dread.
G: Elaborate “dread.” What do you mean.
N: It’s… complex. Partly it is guilt, as if I am committing a … a crime. As if… everyone will know about it. Partly it is this… a revulsion. I mean, I can mentally and physically eat a human corpse, but then I can’t. Do you see? I don’t want to. I can’t want to.
G: You describe this dread as “revulsion.” Am I to understand that it is instinctive. Reflexive, involuntary.
N: No. No, not instinctive. It's like… like taboo. I’m … anticipating something. There's a consequence.
G: From God?
N: No. I mean, yes, not from God, but from God. Not by God. It's from… somewhere. It's Other. Breaking the law … consigns things to it. I can't really describe it.
G: So, a numinous dread?
N: Numinous.
G: The fear you would have of a ghost.
N: I know, I know what it means. I didn't before. But the moment you said it, I knew. Sorry. To answer the question, I'd say yes, it is a little numinous. I feel the same kind of fear, but… bigger.
G: Excess of numinous dread. What will happen?
N: I don’t know. Just… very bad.
P: (Cole, enact pathetic stressors.)
C: (Copy Beta Lima, request clarify Puma. Request clarify Puma.)
P: (Utilise all principals.)
C: (Head, Burma Case Righter. Kilo Oight Leo Niner. Fox Fox Echo Delta Tango.)
[Agent Mun, ViCom Istvan, OpsCom Oeven, [REDACTED] are brought under suppression by Action Team under ATC Cole.]
P: (Garlan. Proceed.)
[Pathetic stressor-directed negotiation enacted, ineffective towards desired outcome; similarity of underlying reasoning, partial syntax, extreme clesion of sustained emotional arousal, and [Restricted to O5] between 4401-1 and 4401-2 demonstrated. Truncated for brevity.]
Dr Siddiq: It is in everyone's best interest. All we want are answers.
N: All you want is evil. The death of the guiltless, the acquital of the wicked, both are alike abomination to God. Do you think that those already put to death more dispensible than yourself? Unless you repent, you bloody man, you will also die as they did, by the orders of the same one they obeyed. Are not the deaths of [REDACTED] (Refer Incident Report SCP-████-███-█) darkness enough for you? Will you keep adding to them, until you blot out every light in your father's house?
Agent Tartig: All this could have been prevented with your cooperation. If you tell us just three rules of the Measure, we will be better able to handle it.
N: There are too many to count and keep; knowing three is not the same as keeping three; not keeping one is the same as knowing none. The Measure is not for you to handle. It is ruin to you.
T: You greatly underestimate us. Sounds like an excuse to keep power to yourself.
N: It is not. Certainly not.
T: You know we cannot take your word for it. Why not just show us. Witness to us. Who knows, maybe we might… convert.
N: A vile accursed desires to handle an instrument of the Very God! An enslaver of souls covets the charter! Connives to deceive even God! Well enough! I will reveal what is desired! Here is one of the Statutes of the Assayer of the Measure: no lie shall pass their lips, no word short of God will they give! Now, Infamy, the truth for you: leprous! Leprous! Utterly leprous! A continual hissing and baring of teeth to all that look upon you! A horror to your own eyes! A hatred you will learn for your own life! And to this yoke, a lasting rebuke: you will wish to die, but your own, your “SCP,” will keep you from it, and it from you! [Ref SCP-████]
T: […]
ATC Cole: (Team 6! Team 6! Biohazard present! Breach and retrieve go! Team 2, move back from entry! Team 1, ready suppression! No live fire, FRAPP (Effervescent Rapid Adhesive Polykeloid Particulate) rounds only! Team 3, Team 4, level lockdown! Level lockdown go!)
SD Gault: (Containment teams standby.)
P: (Hold action! All groups hold action and clear all channals! You, up the audio. The audio, zote! Quickly!)
N: - [Restricted to O5]
P: (ATs, proceed with containment; ATC, take charge. Director, ready standard debrief. For all groups.)
Date: 14-Oct-2011
Location: Site-91 In-Process Containment Pod C (Humanoid), #11163
Officers Conducting: Site-91 SD Dr Bartholomew Hirschall, Dr Vesala Haszbeknitki, Dr Loy Riland Tarne-Locke, CTC Marten Avery O'Malley, Agent (Class III) Anthony Pines (Source Intelligence, human elements), RIQ Frederique Palmavano (Offsite)
Officers Attending: CTC Aswan Haqq Muhammad, Agent (Class II) Iakano Satsuma (Source Intelligence, techdiv), Agent (Class II) Mane Ermat (Source Intelligence, techdiv), Agent (Class II) Mauere Gruffe (Source Intelligence, human elements)
SCP Intelligence Special Capability Asset: Agents Pines and Gruffe, second cohort of “Beasts of Durden” project, developed from cross-pollination of research into SCP-████, SCP-████ , SCP-████, SCP-████. Unit works in pairs, one Active, one Reserve. Both are Iterations of SCP-████-X and possess high latent acquired sociopathy. For the duration of the operation, or an extended operation phase no longer than 19 days, Active is to be administered a key activator dose of SCP-████-██ and periodic booster doses of Euphorin, rendering extreme empathy and heightened positive endorphin response to the distress of others. Thereafter Active will undergo circardian-REM sync to that of Reserve, the handler, via SCP-████, rendering Active receptive and compliant to Reserve. Reserve also functions as safeguard against DERP (Dissociative Extroverted Regression Psychosis). This Asset may be deployed only by Class V in Role Appointment or O5 directly.
Agent Pines: Agent Anthony Pines, 1002 hours, 14th October, the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2011.
Agent Gruffe: (Ant. Slow.)
P: (All the world's a cage; I'm just here to work the levers.) Zoo 91, Cage C. Eartag says #11163. How're you doing sunshine.
D-555113: F-fine.
P: Fine. What's fine? How fine?
D:…
P: Say anything you want, squire. It's your show innit. The camera's there.
D: … I'm okay.
P: (Give him a hand, folks.) Got a name?
D: Nassam. Mohammad Rafiqul Nassamiram.
P: My condolences. Let's talk about you for a bit. Your file says you're in for… putting fireworks in your arse and going to a girly show. Previous to that you were a runner, part of the outfit that did that Knightsbridge one. 28 little coffins. Your lot was working your way up to Downing Street before Special Investigations surprised your guvna. They kicked his door in persuant to kicking his teeth out, just when he was distracted. Making something ambitious, says here. It wasn't armed, but just the detonator turned him to couscous. Then you went off on your own, trying to make good on his public promises. Make like he's not scooped up in a jam jar somewhere. Impress the other murdering bastards higher up the food chain. That about right?
D: … I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. I didn't know what I was doing. I did not understand myself. Please forgive me.
P: Oh, you're sorry. It's all water under the bridge then. We can go just go down to the pub for a pint and a bacon buttie and have a good laugh about it togevva. We'll be like bruvs. I mean, what's a little domestic terrorism now and again, between friends? Do you think we're friends, you rancid little oik? Do you even know where you are?
SD Dr Hirschall: (Is this his regular… mode of interaction with SCPs?)
G: (…Yes, Director. Not SCPs; 4401 leaves most of the personality intact. He's engaging that. Good-cop, bad-cop. It's under 8 hours since 4401 was transferred to this Iteration; there shouldn't be any capability yet.)
H: (For his sake I do hope so. I hope he isn't the good cop?)
G: (Mad-cop. He's doing his Scouse Louse bit. It's a routine. Intimidating the subject with relational and environmental dominance patterns. Maybe dent them a little. He's going to keep escalating pressure until there's breakthrough. I'm supposed to jump in carrying cocoa and bandaids and stop him just before he kills him. )
H: (Does this… work?)
G: (It should work. D-555113 was barely legally prosecutable at the time of his conviction; he doesn't have the inner resource to handle something like Pines. Since there was a gag order across the transport vessel we're hoping this Iteration doesn't know about 4401 or the other Iterations. We're playing for that.)
Dr Tarne-Locke: (I seem to have read there is a transmission of knowledge associated with … having… 4401. I'm not sure a gag order would stop such a transmission…)
M: (We've considered it. The transmission of knowledge takes some time, same as the capabilities. We're making do with what we got. Hoping for the best.)
P: Says here they pinched you for being underaged. Christ, that must have been embarassing. Pinched by a fat plod in some Brussels sexshop who's only recently been rummaging his own john thomas. Weren't the way you meant to go, eh?
D: …
P: So they pinched you in the girly bar, thought you weren't old enough to have pubes, asked to see your ID. Lucky for you your hand was on the trigger already, innit. You'd show 'em. You were there to kill all the infidels. Then you shouted the thing you shout and pressed the button. Just like you practiced. Am I on track so far? Say yes, like a good lad.
D: …You are right.
P: Jolly. Now on one hand, I really don't like selfish tossers like yourself, blowing up half the street so you can score a box of tarts in Heaven. You can get on the Tinder like everyone else, can't you, ye sad wee Nemo. What are you going to do with 72 tarts anyway? It weren't that long ago you were a stain running down your mother's trousers yourself. On the other hand, you were going to take a room full of sorry wankers with you. Maybe it cancels out. Who am I to judge, eh? But I bet you felt a right tit when you pressed the clicker and it just farted.
D: … Are you going to kill me.
P: You were going to kill you, son. I'm volunteering to help. Out of a sense of public spirit. Credit to the country, me. Allus looking out for me fellow man. So maybe you missed the first class flight on the martyr express, but there's time yet to put you in coach something sharpish. But I'm guessing you don't feel like dying right just now. Do you, Nassam.
D: No. I don't want to die.
P: So they caught you, you pleaded guilty, and they put you in Belmarsh. Called you a Class A, sent you in for twenty, give or take. Everyone there wanted a go at you. It was either your mug or your ring, eh Frodo? An uncommon show of patriotic fervor from those good, honest British tommies. That's how you lost two fingers. And then you volunteered for our Make A Wish Foundation. Signed on for a reduced sentence. Why though. I'd like to know. They told you the turnover rate before you signed the chitty right? Just under 70% per annual quarter. Shower room buggery doesn't have that kind of a statistic going.
D: They told me less than 35 percent of trustees…
P: That's recruiters for you. 35's a lowball, chum. 35's just on bodybaggers. The rest wind up in the nut house or carrying on with stumps. Thing is, the worst lifer in Belmarsh is… unimaginative. Oh he's enthusiastic about what he's going to do to you, but when you get right down to it he's predictable. It's always the same few things. You get… accustomed to it. But here now. Here's things beyond your imagination. Beyond anyone's imagination. I think you have some idea. The hijacking you just came in from, that's a pixie ride compared to some of the real horrors you'll find on D duty. Don't tell me they didn't tell you about that neither? At least in prison you get told when they're about to shaft you up the bum.
D: … I have AIDs now. From the… toilet. I thought I can be not in prison, for one or two years. Before I die.
P: Never any luck but bad, chum. Now you've got me. Look at me. … Oi. Look at me, bollarks. What's that you got in your hand.
D: A knife.
P: What kind of a knife.
D: Commando knife.
P: Is it sharp.
D: … yes.
P: Got a cover for it?
D: No. No cover.
P: Any reason you haven't stuck any one with it.
D: I… I can't. I don't want to. I don't know.
P: Bollarks, you want to. You can do it, can't you. Strapping kaffir-topping mujehid like yourself. Come on. How about you just try it on. See if you're hard enough. You're not scared of bombs are you Nassam? You can't be scared of a few wee bullets?
D: …
P: Tell you what. I'll make it easy on you. Give me the spike now. Hand it here. Or stick it in the table, stand up, and back off to the wall. Do it and I'll book you back to Belmarsh. In protective custody with the ponceboys and the kiddydiddlers.
D: …
P: I'll get you a discount. Twelve years off the top. You'll be a free man in five years. How 'bout that? One time offer, and I'm a generous man.
D: … I can't. You can't have this. You're… mad.
P: Suit yersel'. Offer's lapsed. Listen to this. “███ ██████████ ████, ███████, ██.” Address sound familiar to you? Come on, Quasimodo. “██████████ ████.” Any bells ringing?
[REDACTED]
T: (What is he doing Agent. This is needlessly provocative.)
G: (He's checking. Systematic increase of negative persuasive pressure. Verbal only. The last two Iterations didn't attack anyone even under extensive provocation. If this Iteration is feeling the, quote, “numinous dread,” perhaps he's constrained in the same ways we already know.)
T: (There's still the verbally inflicted soma. The cursing. Spontaneous effect. I'm sure you saw the video.)
G: (There's just the one case of cursing. And there's an escalation: agitation, name calling, ultimatum, then the curse. Ant, tone it and toe it. You're amping up too fast again.)
P: (I'll stop when he calls me an arsehole.) Alright arsehole, next question. What did the bloke with the knife say to you when he passed it.
D: He asked me if I loved God. I said yes.
P: Do you, then. You part of the halleluia fanclub, are you.
D: I don't know his god. But I am for Allah. There is no God but Allah.
P: You think so. Then why can't you try sticking me with that. It's what Allah would want, innit? Dirty, pig-eating crusader that I am. It's what you want, surely. Get shot sticking an infidel, die a martyr, express ticket, first class to paradise. 72 crumpets waiting at the pearly gates, all to yourself.
D: I… I can't.
P: Come on. Right here. There's a stab vest, at the thickest, and at least an inch of fat beneath. I have a gang of medics waiting outside, too. And I took a bet with some of the hoosgow lads. You wouldn't want me to be out a hundred quid now would you? Would you?
D: No, sir, no. Please, stop. I can't. There's… I can't.
P: Listen you useless goatfucking piss streak. Your mother was a pig and your father was a dog. You hold that spike up and draw blood, or I'm going punch what's left of your teeth out the back of your neck.
T: (Agent Pines.)
G: (Ant. Is it Tuesday.)
P: And then Arl gan bla yiur murtheren bassard brains oot.
G: (Ant! Is it Tuesday! Control, direct to speaker!) Is it Tuesday, Anthony Pines?
D: No. I will not kill you.
P: Thaa's a spurut.
[Agent Pines stands up to physically engage, at casual pace.]
G: (Control ready to open containment! Breach team-)
CTC O'Malley: (All CTC this is O'Malley. Bar last order. Breach team will standby. Director?)
H: (Breach team hold.)
[Agent Pines punches the Iteration, who is seated, with the right hand. Punch lands, Iteration flinches, but with no transfer of body momentum or visible damage apparent. Agent Pines disengages, cradling right hand, later found with minor fractures in fourth and fifth digits. Agent Pines draws one of two concealed pistols, set to semi-automatic fire. Drawing was done with the masterhand (right), passed to non-master hand. Drawn weapon had a magazine of 8 x .40 sintered soft point, intended for non-fatal incapacitation; second weapon was a high caliber revolver, modified with SCP-developed shortened vacuum barrel and underslung muzzle weight, containing 5 x .50 flat point high penetration tungsten rounds. Three rounds fired; complete disintegration of first round; incomplete disintegration of second and third rounds, resulting in fragmentation, with two pieces later removed from the right thigh of Agent Pines.]
Dr Haszbeknitki: (Cool.)
H: (Go them, Marten. Go now.)
O: (Breach team make entry! Speaker!) Speaker! 5133! Face the wall now! Do not move or you will be shot!
D: Do not shoot! Please do not shoot any more!
CTC Muhammad: 5133. Lie down with your hands behind your head. We are going to apply hood and restraints. Do not resist.
[Agent Pines is retrieved.]
G: (Ant. You there.)
P: (Alive and not kicking.)
G: (Is it Tuesday.)
P: (It's not Tuesday. It's Shrove.)
G: (So the comms are functional. Why didn't you respond.)
P: (Subject was reading me somehow. He was picking up my game. Had to wall you off. Sorry. Don't worry, I'm still pretty enough to kiss.)
G: (Keep me in the script next time. I was about to order them to tag you.)
P: (Trust me I'll be having some very stern words with myself later.)
T: (Agent Pines. This is Doctor Loy. Explain this… this.)
P: (I improvised. Went with the moment. It's the reason we got sent from Source, innit. Human element canvassing. I believe we're still acting within parameters. Hitting objectives and all.)
T: (And what was the object of that? In your considered opinion.)
P: (Realistic data points under an extremity of emotional and physical duress. As I'm sure you've noticed. And a command performance. Pure genius. I think I deserve an award, Doctor Loy. And a tea with two sugars. Ta.)
H: (Remarkable.)
RIQ P: (Gruffe, compile findings, report to me. Take over, Hirschall.)
Date: 15-Oct-2011
Location: Site-91 Facility 11 (Magnetic and Chemical Restraints)
Officers Conducting: Site-91 SD Dr Bartholomew Hirschall, Dr Vesala Haszbeknitki, Dr Loy Riland Tarne-Locke, CTC Marten Avery O'Malley, Agent (Class III) Anthony Pines (Source Intelligence, human elements), RIQ Frederique Palmavano (Offsite)
Officers Attending: CTC Aswan Haqq Muhammad, CTC Rashid Irfan, Agent (Class II) Iakano Satsuma (Source Intelligence, techdiv), Agent (Class II) Mane Ermat (Source Intelligence, techdiv), Agent (Class II) Mauere Gruffe (Source Intelligence, human elements)
Agent Pines: 91, 11; 161011, 0110. Pines. Feeling talkative yet?
D-555133: How is your hand?
P: Not thirsty are you? Sleepy?
D: A little thirsty.
P: What a coincidence. So am I. [Drinks half of a full glass bottle of water. Part of remainder is poured on the floor; bottle is thrown down, crunched under boot. Eye contact maintained.] I'm thirsty something curious fierce. I want to know things. Maybe you can help me with that, you're such a helpful boy. What's that in your hand.
D: I don't know. It is from God.
P: God. Original recipe Allah, do you mean? Eleven haqqs and shahids? Fitnah licking good?
D: [Restricted to O5]
P: Fancy that. That where this comes in then? We're going to kill our way to the Kingdom of Righteousness? I think I got a pamphlet about that once, I think. Not particularly convincing. Or absorbent.
D: This is not to kill men. But to show them. The one that bears the sword does not bear it for nothing. On the day of the judgment none will be able to say, it was not revealed to them, nothing was told to them, that the faith of the saints, faith without proof, was asked of sinners and misbelievers. On that day you will regret this day, and every day when leave of pardon had been freely offered, with every benefit of the All-Forgiving, and was rejected.
P: I'll be sure to keep my calendar open. Now the thing you're holding. It was a letteropener the last time. A “commando knife.” Now what is it.
D: It is going to be a sword. A shamshir.
P: Thought you didn't know what it is.
D: I do not know what it is. For me it will be a sword of the Aswar Sirdars. (Note: 555133 identifies as a Palestinian Arab; direct matrilineal Persian ancestry has been found four generations before him.) It has no scabbard; for that I must fight until I am killed. By you.
P: Does it need to be a sword. For you to use it.
D: But I do not use it. I am used. This is not the instrument; I am the instrument. What I do, or will do, has nothing to do with me.
P: So it has to be a sword for you to be used?
D: What it seems in my hand is what I am in God's.
P: In other news, your English's improving leaps and bounds. Accent's gone. Been watching the BBC have you. Or maybe you're a man of many parts, and one of them is a spy. You keeping things from me Nassam?
D: I am not a spy. English is not like that. I don't want to speak it like that, if I can.
P: Any other channels you get other than the BBC? Radio Paki? Wog Wog FM?
D: … … You are mad. For that, there is a mercy on you.
P: Oh I think not. Maybe I'm just lucky. Maybe God is too afraid to show mercy. Hey, here's one. How do I know it's God and not the devil telling you things?
D: Do not blaspheme.
P: It's a fair question. It's my mouth innit. I know you're not going to use the spike, so how're you gonna make me?
D: I cannot. You are mad. But I can return your mind. Only, when you are come to your senses, in sound mind, choose life and live.
[Footage shows SCP-4401-3 swing SCP-4401 through Agent Pines. Examination post-retrieval of Agent Pines reveals that the medium containing an instance of memetic complince element derived from SCP-████ in his possession has been destroyed. SCP-████ induced sociopathy, SCP-████ induced extreme empathy, SCP-████ enabled sado-schadenfreude, SCP-████ enforced circardian-REM compliance failsafes have are found to be dormant or nullified. No physical damage was found. Agent Pines was required to obtain SCP-4401 from the Iteration in this condition. He elected and maintained the position not to do so, requesting instead to re-undergo “Beasts of Durden” conditioning. Agent Pines was subjected to Tyflonos-Argus protocol upon conclusion of interview.]
Date: 11-Feb-2012
Location: Site 54, Enclosed Livefire Environment XE12
Officers Conducting: OS Agent (Class IV) Ales Shamas (MTF Lamda-5, weapons curacy), AOS Agent (Class III) Sin Yen Yen (MTF Omicron Rho, techtelosography), Agent (Class III) Maxei Kronen (Source Inteligence, human element), Agent (Class IIIa) Mane Ermat (Source Intelligence, techdiv), [REDACTED] (MTF Nu-7 Line Command, company commander), RIQ Frederique Palmavano (Onsite, removed)
Officers Attending: Agent (Class II) Sow You Tong (MTF Omicron Rho, tech-telosography), [REDACTED] (MTF Nu-7 Theatre Command, Staff), [REDACTED] (MTF Nu-7 Theatre Command, Staff), Agent (Class IIb) Laurence Seacam (MTF Mu-4, high hazard retrievals) and Agent (Class II) Clive Jonas Garrett (MTF Mu-4, high hazard retrievals).
Note: SCP-4401-10's particular speech dynamic (cadential volume variation emphases) is reflected here as an aid to acuity.
[R]: This is [REDACTED] (rank, name, serial, appointment). Rep site Area 54, 1601 hours by ops sync. State your name and appointment mister.
B: Sah. Mister Arthur Lee Baxter, [LOCATION] relay station B, volunteer firewatchman, Sah. Summer month wildfire, for the avoidance of, Sah.
[R]: State your business in the controlled area on the 8th February, 2012.
B: Sah, I was looking for two missing rover teams at their last reported radio location, Sah.
[R]: Do you know what happened to them?
B: No Sah. R4 (Rover Four) reported wanting to make a detour back because the pillion had been stung. They thought it was wasps, Sah.
[R]: Were these wasps?
B: Can't say, Sah. R4 said they looked like wasps, but smaller, size of ant drones. Coloration beetle green throughout, no bands. Suppose they called them wasps for the stinger Sah.
[R]: Were you the one that dispatched R2?
B: Nossah. That's Base did that, Sah. R2 was rerouted to me just to pack off the sting kit – fumigants and antihistamines. About an hour thirty after last radio from R4, R2 checked in to say they can see the R4 vehicle from their bit in the road. Said they wanted to try offtrail a little downhill to haiIsearch, just in case someone's fallen in or unconscious. I rogered them. That was our last radio, Sah.
[R]: Why did you leave the station?
B: Had to Sah. The radio was taking static more and more. An irregular problem; I can't find what was wrong. Can't far fix it. Base and Relay 1 kept sending; I could read them three five. But they couldn't receive me. I received received from Relay 1 last, about 1500. Couldn't get anyone after that. I went because I had no one else to send, Sah.
[R]: Did you think it might have been a dangerous animal they encountered? A bear? Or africanized bees? Or a landslide, something you're not equipped or trained to handle alone?
B: Fully aware, Sah. Fully. But the men, they have no one else, Sah. It was my duty to go.
[R]: Tell me what happened when you came into contact with our asset.
B: Sah?
[R]: Agent Kelkes. The man with the sword.
B: There were two of your men shouting him down, Sah. Guns out on him. Wanted him to surrender arms and come quietly. He saw me where he was, told me to come out. I did; your men told me to stay back. They really wanted to point me, but they didn't. They couldn't take the point off him. I said to him, where I was was fine. Asked him what he wanted; he said he wanted my religion. Normally no truck with that sort of thing, Sah; no business of any kind of busybody what foolishness one subscribes to in their spare time. So I said, I said I was an Englishman. That seemed to satisfy him. He asked me if I loved England. Pardon me saying so Sah, I was offering him a sod-off; when he asked me if I loved England it was this… forthright manner… sort of manful earnestness, caught me off guard. Didn't know what I was doing, Sah. I stood to attention. As if it was a parade, and he was my Hoffisah Commanding. I don't really think of England as my religion, Sah. But there then I felt England really was my religion. I said yes. He presented me the sword. I walked up took it near without thinking. It wasn't happening when I took it, Sah; even walking up to take it everything had already happened.
[R]: As if fated?
B: Ye… y… no. As if it was history. It had already happened, in the future; we were then just… seeing it happen. I can't say better Sah.
[R]: Describe the kind of sword he was holding.
B: It was gold or polished brass. Big. Tall as a man, almost. Looked like a claymore. There was… there was an odd thing about the blade. You know how some kitchen knives have an oily pattern about the blade? Fancy sort of… rainbow. Swirly.
[R]: Toledo steel?
B: Toledo, that's it. Like Toledo steel. Except the pattern was very regular. Like a long Celtic knot, but very fine, very angular. I had a feeling there were words all down it. Handle was about this long; three hands. Stood upright it might have reached his shoulder.
[R]: He gave you the sword. That sword you just described.
B: Yes Sah.
[R]: What's that in your hand.
B: A sword.
[R]: Describe it.
B: Gold. One handed, double edged blade, probably three-foot-half. Looks like a 1912 trooper saber.
[Note: Saber has a pistol grip and wirebound handle, similar to England 1912 pattern cavalry saber; half-basket guard is similar to 1822 "Gothic"-type infantry officer or trooper's saber, as opposed to the 1912 "honeysuckle"-type; blade most closely resembles US 1912 "Patton" saber, being double-edged, primarily a thrusting blade. Note the trumpet lilies on the guard, and monarchial monogram or crest cypher [RESTRICTED TO O5] framing the hilt-projection.]
[R]: Any special features to note?
B: Can't say Sah. It's the same claymore he gave me. Adrian gave me. I nodded off and woke up, this was in hand.
[R]: You said he transferred possession of his weapon to you because you said you loved England. Is working for or with the Foundation "loving England?"
B: Can't say for sure Sah. But taking the weapon is loving England. Serving here seems to be the follow up.
[R]: How is working with the Foundation the same as loving England? How do you derive that.
B: Beg pardon Sah, but I don't. Serving here now, with this, is what England needs. Be awful remiss if a man turns the back on't. Not to mention His Majesty.
[R]: The king you mean. King of England.
B: [RESTRICTED TO O5]
[R]: What was your training and vocation prior to being a volunteer firewatchman.
B: Sanitations, Sah. Plumber, ten, twelve-odd years. Before that, soldier. Twenty years past in service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
[R]: Where did you serve.
B: Sah. I was recruited winter of '69, trained to 2nd Battalion 1st Company, Coldstream Regiment. Under General Sir Walter Burns. Promoted Corporal in '71, posted to 1st of The Queen's Dragoon Guards in Cardiff, under Lieutenant General Sir Maurice Johnston. '83 I followed the Lebanon deployment as Company Colors Corporal. Promoted under deployment to the Staff, Squadron Quartermaster Corporal. Ended the deployment, came back and made Warrant on the mainland. '89 to '91 I was with A Squadron Royal Wilkshire Yeomen Cavalry in Dyfed. Under Sir David Courtenay Lewis.
[R]: You remained a corporal, then suddenly you were a warrant officer?
B: Beg pardon Sah, but English Horse does not have a sergeant rank in the informal. "Sergeant" means servant; we are none but to Her Majesty.
[R]: Very well. Moving on. Here is a signed order in hard copy by our, you might say, Joint Chiefs of Staff [O5]. You are to surrender the sword to a more qualified of our agents [Seacam] forthwith.
B: [Reads order] Can't do that, Sah. You'll have my service on general matters and full cooperation, Sah, but not specifics as that.
[R]: Reason being.
B: Man's unfit, Sah.
[R]: He has been appropriately vetted for security clearance; five years active in the field. Up-to-dated on mission and matter. Even if he is not fit, there may not be anyone fitter.
B: Beg differ, Sah. He's no love for anybody. A man like that needs no price to be bought. You'll do well to stop promoting him, is my opinion. If you present me a shortlist cohort I might be able to pick one more suitable to't.
[R]: Can you tell me the shortlist criteria.
B: Dunno Sah. I have to see 'em to tell 'em. No two ways to't. Perhaps a general draft, if you could see about. Civilians or service makes little difference.
[R]: You seem very willing to give up the sword.
B: Willing to obey general orders, Sah. Agree the sword is a thing of beauty, Sah. No denying it. But it's not mine, Sah. I know't. It's not right to be kept. It should be used well, and well used. In my opinion, Sah.
[R]: How do you derive your opinion.
B: Can't say Sah. Can't rightly say. Lying's wrong, truth is right; that's as small as I know to cut it. Why lying's wrong's not my means to look into.
[REMAINDER OF TRANSCRIPT RESTRICTED TO O5]
ALL OTHER TRANSCRIPTS WITHELD BY ORDER O5
For the selection of suitable candidates to replace a current Iteration of SCP-4401-X deemed unstable, or representing unwarranted risk, or approaching the known undesired capability development horizon of 23000 hours, or otherwise unsuitable to Foundation aims.
Current Iterations of SCP-4401-X tend to favor D personnel over Foundation Agents or personnel. It is observed that D personnel with extensive criminal records or multiple convictions are more readily chosen by a factor ranging between 3-5.5. This choosing may happen with or without Foundation knowledge or consent if no suitable Foundation representative is found. Moreover, even with restrictions on visual and verbal communictions, proximity with the Iteration within 12 meters may promnt an emphatic communiction that may result in an unscheduled transfer of SCP-4401. As such, all D personnel are to be monitored while in the same confines as the Iteration, and are to be briefed before hand that any deviation from instruction WILL result in a response in an excess of force.
Foundation Agents and officers of Class II security clearance, of any specialisation and deployment, and performance grading 3C and above may be considered.
Advanced Foundation training and holistic intelligence in the 73rd upper percentile in candidates has been corelated to a retardation in the rate at which personal outlook to life and attitudes towards the Foundation conform to those generally exhibited by other Iterations. The rate of gain of capabilities associated with SCP-4401 by such candidates has been observed to be lowered by around 20-50%
The age, sex, gender identity, metaphyscial outlook, are negligible factors.
Condition of physical and mental health is also negligible, as the Iteration is restored to a physical prime. This applies to congenital and acquired conditions. The effects of this restoration is observed to be similar to SCP IXIR, but of a markedly inferior and temporal nature. When an Iteration surrenders its possession of SCP-4401 the original physical conditions will begin to reassert at a rate equal or above the observable rate of restoration. The original mental condition will likewise re-assert, though not to their original severity or regularity of episode.
The oldest to date is SCP-4401-10, Arthur Lee Baxter, age 66 at the time of transfer. The lower limit for possible age of transfer is not known. Based on Iteration input, 9 years is thought to be the youngest generally possible, as it is considered typical that sufficient moral determination will have developed.
To date no transgendered transfer has occurred, owing to a lack thereof in D personnel rolls. This may be investigated at the appropriate opportunity. Add: chemically castrated D personnel remain viable for transfer of possession, with sexual function restored in the course of general restoration to physical prime.
In the case of SCP-4401-17, wherein the recipient suffered severe mental impairment due to a mishandling of SCP-████, the transfer of possession of SCP-4401 was not possible initially. According to SCP-4401-16, there was a lack of authorisation for the candidate to act as a representation of the Foundation because he did not know or accept his authorisation. The transfer of possession of SCP-4401 was deemed “unlawful” even though the authorisation was official. Second to this, there was no way for the candidate to accept SCP-4401 in his unconscious state. In other cases, an “intuitive” acceptence of SCP-4401 by an authorized candidate was sufficient for transfer of possession.
ARTHUR LEE BAXTER
The furthest extent of SCP-4401's restorative capabilities remain SCP-4401-10, aged 66 at the time of transfer of possession, with a number of preexisting conditions, including memory impairment from possible onset of early stages of dementia, undiagnosed stage 2 lymphatic cancer, prediabetes type 2, rheumatoid arthritis principally in the hands and knees, glaucoma, among others. SCP-4401-10 is the longest functioning Iteration to date (6 months at the time of cessation as Iteration) with the fastest capability actualization, as well as the Iteration that has successfully neutralized the most number and most dangerous anomalous hazards without uninvolved casualties or significant third party contribution.
PREDICTORS OF UNSUITABILITY
The most reliable predictors of unsuitability are High Narcissism, Low Transparency, as scored by standard Form II personality profiling tests. Self-awareness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism have been determined as nonfactors on par with age, sex, metaphysical outlook, and preference for cerebral or emotive approaches.
RETARDATION OF ACTUALIZATION
Where it is to the Foundation's interest to suppress the actualisation of each Iteration as “Assayer of the Measure”, the following have been observed to have some limited effect:
- Severe phychological, cognitive, and physiological disabilities. Where such qualities are not present in a candidate already deemed suitable by a current Iteration, they may be enforced through memetic trauma, prefrontal lobotomy, and quadraplegy procedures.
- Foundation personnel with minimal 8 years of service and 3C performance grading, or 2 years service and having undergone Advanced Strategic Agency training, or Advanced Investigative Methodologies III.
- Theological or ideological extremism of any persuasion. D personnel and detainees in custody of MTF Sigma-66 of this kind are to be preferred over Foundation personnel as candidates for Iteration.
As Ex-Iterations are always suitable for transfer of possession, and as the larger degree of debilitation they possessed before becoming Iterations, or debilitations gained after they have transferred SCP-4401 to the next Iteration, reassert themselves, it has been proposed to retain a roster of comatose, amnesiac, quadraplegic Ex-Iterations in order to be able to deploy a past Iteration of superior capability at will, while having a low-capability current Iteration to fulfill the parameters of “Law”. For this purpose Tyflonos-Argus has been temporarily commuted for Iterations that exhibit acceptable compliance to Foundation directives, to date: SCP-4401-█, ██, ██, ██, ██, ███. Surgical and memetic procedures to enforce this suite of conditions in future Ex-Iterations is under development.
Tracking and attempts at acquisition of articles similar to SCP-4401 or related to GoIs “Armory of God” and “Treasury of God” as well as GoIs known to be in current possession of the following GoI [Restricted to O5] is ongoing.