Per 
Item #: SCP-5042
Threat Level: Red
Disruption Class: Keneq
Risk Class: Danger
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Due to the area SCP-5042 inhabits, containment is impossible. Samples of SCP-5042 are to be contained in 0.30m x 0.30m biohazard containers. Samples must be cryogenically frozen before experimentation and sent to Bio Sector-87-B. Should any mutations in the sample occur, the SCP-5042 sample must be incinerated as soon as possible.
The area SCP-5042 inhabits has been isolated by the US government and a perimeter of 50m has been set, codenamed as the Sipherus-Sectorus Border. Should any civilian cross the perimeter they are to be shot on sight.
Should any organism displaying traits consistent with SCP-5042 sighted near the Sipherus-Sectorus Border then the established protocol requires it be engaged at range with small arms until immobile then dispatched using incendiary or cryogenic weapons and munitions from as great a distance as possible. Any living thing coming in physical contact with an organism infected with SCP-5042 is considered expendable and is to be immediately terminated and incinerated or cryogenically frozen for study at Outpost-87 Delta. Any persons coming within three meters of SCP-5042-1 instances or SCP-5042-2 are to immediately withdraw from the area, be isolated from the rest of their team, and subjected to medical examination using only remote techniques to determine if infection has occurred and appropriate steps taken based on that determination.
SCP-5042-1 instances are to be incapacitated and placed in 5m x 5m biohazard containment cells. The walls of the containment cells are to be made of titanium steel. SCP-5042-1 instances are to be placed in temporary containment cells for cleaning of the main containment cells. Should any SCP-5042-1 instance escape containment, Protocol 5042-Sector is to be in effect.
Protocol 5042-Sector: If a SCP-5042-1 instance escapes, Outpost-87 Delta is to be on lockdown. MTF Zeta-99 (Contain The Madness) is to search Outpost-87 Delta for the rogue SCP-5042-1 instance to be terminated. Any personnel escaping the facility is to be terminated to prevent spread of SCP-5042.
Description: Initial reports of SCP-5042 came directly from the United States government through undisclosable channels with the SCP Foundation’s Site-87. These reports consisted primarily of disappearances of tourists and citizens in the Mojave Desert and were not considered until the local police, followed by the regional police, and finally a government dispatched agent all failed to report in within a 72 hour period. A small military contingent was dispatched to the area and quickly withdrew at which point MTF Zeta-1 (Contain The Madness) was contacted to investigate.
SCP-5042 appears to be a contagion of pure madness. Symptoms after the first 5 minutes consist of major headaches, dizziness, and erratic behavior within a 3 minute interval. After about 15 minutes, the victim (now designated as SCP-5042-1) will begin to dig holes in the ground with brute force. The reason for this is unknown at the moment. After digging about 5 (five) holes, SCP-5042-1 will remain standing with no sign of expression. When looked directly in the face, SCP-5042-1 will scream at a high pitch, then lunges and attacks the person who looked at it with a visible expression of insanity. Further testing shows that this effect does not occur when looking at photographs, videos, or artist depictions.
When attacking, SCP-5042-1’s heart rate is at of 5x the average rate of a regular human. SCP-5042-1’s attack pattern consists of pinning the subject and eating their way to the heart in about 30 seconds. The speed varies on the SCP-5042-1 instance. Some SCP-5042-1 instances seem to be capable of bending light around them to create an illusion of transparency.
The area SCP-5042-1 inhabits (designated SCP-5042-2) is a small town made up of sandstone, codenamed as Madopolis, created by infected SCP-5042-1 instances. Drones and rovers that have been sent to Madopolis have been destroyed.
