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WARNING: Sensitive Information Ahead
In accordance with the Mercurial Protocol, this document has been declassified. You have been asked to wield the content of this document with discretion. This file previously required both O5 and HMCL approval to view.
Site-III's entrance to SCP-001 and GoI-001 "Disciples of Eschatos"
Item #: SCP-001
Object Class: Exodus
Special Containment Procedures: Full-scale containment of SCP-001 has been deemed impossible. Foundation efforts are instead focussed on the Mercurial Protocol as a viable substitute for containment. Five Sites, collectively designated Site-001, have been established near Kâhtaçay, Turkey to aid the progress of the Mercurial Protocol, each with specific, delegated roles in an attempt to complete the Mercurial Protocol before the enevitable activation of SCP-001.
Site-V is a large industrial complex and airbase containing a construction site 30,000 m2 in area. This area will be used to generate a functional model of the vehicle designed by Site-IV with an expected payload of 2.86 x1011 kg. This project is projected to be completed by March 18th, 2024. This date is currently outside of the upper bound of the predicted SCP-001 activation period. If SCP-001 activates before the completion of this project, the Overseer Council must convene to give a final ruling on Elenkhos's Proposal.
Site-IV is a Research and Development facility with Level 5 Classification Exemption. All personnel of Level-4 Clearance or greater are permitted unrestricted access to SCP objects within reason. This site is tasked with designing a viable space-faring vessel for the purposes of the Mercurial Protocol. Significant research and engineering feats must be accomplished including resolving unsolved problems in Aeronautics, Efficient Fusion1, Superconductive Materials, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, and Machine Learning. Maintenence of the veil and SCP Containment are deemed a lower priority than developing this vehicle.
Site-III was a small-scale preliminary outpost at a previously unexplored cave that has since become the de facto point-of-contact location to GoI-001, SCP-001-A, and SCP-001 proper. Site-III is additionally tasked with providing food and accommodations for Members of GoI-001. Interviews with each member of GoI-001 and SCP-001-A are to be performed on a weekly basis, and all relevant data provided to Site-IV.
Site-II is a newly-developed Public Information department with the purpose of sanitising, declassifying and releasing Foundation documentation into public media. All the details are to be presented in a manner digestible to the average citizen — the threat and scale of SCP-001 is to be accurately reported as much as possible without inciting panic. If necessary, the use of Memetic Pacification Agents and Ennui-5 are permitted. Site-II also is the Foundation's Talent Aquisition site, which is to recruit volunteer engineers, scientists, and mathematicians indiscriminately.
Site-I is the Oversight facility for all of Site-001. All 13 members of the O5 Council are to remain on-site at all times and will act in full administrative capacity without Ethics Committee veto until such a time as either the Mercurial Protocol has been completed or a final ruling on Elenkhos's Proposal has been decided.
A still frame captured from E6-1's camera during 001-Initial Exploration.
Description: SCP-001 is a colossal mass of undifferentiated and dividing cells residing below the Earth's Asthenosphere, partially submerged within the magma chamber of Karaca Dağ. Based on the depth, mass, and location of SCP-001, it is suspected that it originally came into contact with earth approximately 4.5 billion years ago, in the same event believed to be responsible for the creation of the moon.
SCP-001 is highly resistant to destructive effects due to the sheer size and gross structure of the anomaly. While a certain number of external cells will necrose as a result of the damage, penetration into the deeper tissue has proven to be impossible — any lasting effects on the surface are regenerated before any real progress is made. Analysis of the cell lines show SCP-001 is converting the geothermal energy of its location into metabolic energy.
Increased growth of SCP-001 has been linked with increased seismic activity detected worldwide. The frequency and intensity of these seismic events have been increasing exponentially since 2014. Given the intensity of these seismic events, it is likely SCP-001 will be ejected through the Earth's crust within two years. Additionally, these calculations indicate that due to its size, should the mass of SCP-001 be forced through the Earth's crust, the resulting debris and volcanic ash would result in an opaque dust cloud, inevitably resulting in a GH-Class "Dead Greenhouse" Scenario as a result of trophic collapse.
The associated Group of Interest, GoI-001 "Disciples of Eschatos", was formed from agents of Neo-Sarkic and Serpent's Hand members who have come into extended contact with SCP-001-A during the attempted recovery of stolen materials. Members of GoI-001 rarely leave the vicinity of SCP-001-A, and in absence of stimuli are observed to revert to a lowered metabolic state while adopting a still, seated position. Animal and human corpses have also been found within the GoI's base of operations, with carbon dating ranging the date of these corpses from approximately 575,000,000 BC to present.
SCP-001-A is a human male who claims to have a direct connection with SCP-001 itself. Further research is ongoing.
Addendum 001.A: Initial Contact Exploration Log by MTF Epsilon-6 "Village Idiots"
[Begin Log]
[Footage begins at the exterior of the cave entrance, showing a stone large stone wall giving way to a cave mouth set with stairs engraved in the rock. E6-1, E6-2, and E6-3 stand before the cave. The camera is attached to the helmet of E6-1.]
E6-1: We're moving out. Weapons hot, people. Intel isn't clear on what's here, but it's dealt with more than one Sarkic killsquad.
[The group mobilises and secures the perimeter around the cave mouth. E6-3 approaches the cave wall to inspect the glyphs engraved into it.]
E6-3: Not any Sarkic rune I've ever seen. It's old, whatever it is. Greek? Phrygian, maybe? Gotta get a sample to linguistics to confirm. You guys go on, I'll catch up.
[E6-1 and E6-2 begin descending into the cave, with darkness quickly broken only by the shafts of light projected from helmet-mounted flashlights. Despite the cave's remote location, footstep patterns in the dust indicate relatively recent use.]
[Descent continues for twenty-seven minutes before the narrow passage widens into a large space with decorative religious artefacts; many candlesticks are also present, but none are lit. Most of the cave remains in darkness, but several figures are revealed seated on the cave floor near the cave opening as the group emerges. The seated figures do not move, nor respond to the light.]
E6-2: [Whispering] Are they… dead?
[E6-1 motions for cover and moves forward to approach the nearest seated figure. Their legs are crossed and their head is bowed forward. They appear extremely malnourished, but after a few moments of observation, their chest can be seen to rise and fall with extremely slow breaths.]
[There is a brief sound of movement from a distant portion of the cave.]
E6-2: [Shouting] Hey, who's there? Don't come any closer!
[Camera feed quickly turns towards E6-2, then follows their line of sight to the edge of the portion of the cave illuminated by task force headlamps. An unidentified figure wearing robes embroidered with the sign of the Serpent's Hand is standing at the edge of the light.]
Unidentified: Do not harm them. They don't have whatever it is you're after. Please, leave them be.
E6-1: That doesn't answer the question. Identify yourself. [E6-1 rises and holds out his hand for weapons to be lowered.]
Unidentified: I am… Matthias, I think. Yes, that sounds about right.
[Subject begins to wander along the cave wall, coming to sit near one of the unmoving figures.]
Matthias: Forgive me, my vision has become attuned to the cave. The light is blinding.
E6-1: [Gesturing towards nearby seated figures] What are they doing?
Matthias: Waiting. Conserving their strength.
E6-1: Is that what they're doing? Conserving energy? I don't understand… how long have they been here?
Matthias: Most were here when I arrived. Probably much longer than that. I think… it is time for me to join them. Go see Elenkhos, in the antechamber below… tell him… I am not yet ready…
[Subject lapses into silence, with breathing rate drastically slowing to match the other seated figures.]
E6-2: The briefing said the Black Lodge sent their first recovery group a little over a year ago, right? [E6-2 gestures towards a remote portion of the cave where a group of four withered and emaciated figures wearing dark robes commonly used by members of the Hunter's Black Lodge are seated.] So what are they doing here like this after all this time?
E6-1: I'll head in deeper to see if we can find this "Elenkhos" and figure that out. You post up here and see how many of the recovery targets you can identify.
[Further access restricted to Addendum 001.D]
Addendum 001.B: Recovered Materials
Calcidius's translation of Timaeus.
Note: The following document was translated from the Original Greek to Latin by Calcidius. While no records of the original or Cicero's translation remain, a single copy of Calcidius's partial translation has been recovered. It should be noted that some of the meaning may have been lost in translation.
The manuscript was found in the possession of the GoI-001 "Disciples of Eschatos" with the following addition which is not found in the original text:
Timaeus: And now it is as it ever has been, from fire to all things, and all things to fire.
Socrates: This has been discussed prior, Timaeus. And what of life, if it does not trouble you, nor our other partners? If Critias and Hermocrates approve, I wish to recount the union of the classical elements into man, sculpted by the hands of the gods.
Critias: By the eagerness in the eyes of Herocrates, I see that we are all in agreement.
Timaeus: As you wish. Mere moments from the eternal fire of the cosmos to form the archai we enjoy today, there were fire and rock alone. The Earth was barren; not water nor air nor salt. As it follows, from chaos to order. From beyond the celestial spheres as we know them, a perfect mind with the form of titanic flesh fell into the primordial flames of Earth.
The flesh, ever starving, gorged hungrily on her primordial fire. Therefore we see flesh cleave to fire as a babe to its mother. Thus it becomes obvious there is no mystery to the rise of man upon the world. The living vessel — as all do — acquired a spirit and naturally, heart, life, and psyche followed.
Thus the flesh is the progenitor of man, and fire is the progenitor of that. The flesh shall feast on the primordial fire at the centre of our world until the day the Earth runs cold. Like discarded scraps, we shall be tossed aside as it maneuvers towards its true goal.
Socrates: And what of the flesh's true motivation? Shall it abandon us, despite giving us the flesh with which we enjoy our world? Shall it abandon us, despite giving us the lives we cherish? What purpose could be so great a father would destroy their own flesh and blood?
Timaeus: You misunderstand, Socrates. We are the illegitimate children of the flesh; can we assume even that it does love us? It desires only fire, and though the fires of the world are vast, the progenitor's hunger grows vaster. In starvation, will not even a loving mother abandon her child when there is food enough for neither?
There is a fire older and greater than this world's. For how long will the Earth's flames entice it before it abandons its progeny and seeks the fires of the Sun?
Critias: And how is it you have come to know all of this?
Timaeus: In the contemplation of the sensible, I came into contact with this most sharp of minds. This man, if one could call him such, knew much of the natural world. Though brief, my contact with Elenkhos, who imparted this ancient knowledge onto me, showed me the primordial flesh at the centre of our world.
I had never felt such fear.
SCP-001
Addendum 001.C: SCP-001-A Initial Interview
[Begin Log]
[E6-1 continues deeper into the cavern beyond additional seated figures. Five further minutes of video feed are spent descending the engraved stone staircase. A figure becomes visible around a corner of the cave, basked in red light and overlooking a deep crevasse, and does not turn around as E6-1 enters.]
E6-1: Are you Elenkhos?
[The subject raises its arm towards the crevasse in a slow, almost ritualistic fashion before dropping it back quickly, exhausted. E6-1 approaches the figure to gain a better look — the figure is extremely old and frail, little more than a corpse.]
[The light inside the cavern darkens, briefly. A tendril of red, magma-looking substance approaches the cliff ledge from below and splits off an approximately 10cm3 droplet before the figure. As it cools, vasculature begins to form on the surface and limbs begin to protrude. Slowly, yet desperately, the figure swallows the squirming flesh.]
Unidentified:2 I am.
E6-1: What was that?
SCP-001-A: Ancient flesh. Your forefathers called her Eschatos. A different way of looking at things, I suppose.
[E6-1 approaches the magma chamber, looking into the sea of red below]
E6-1: I don't understand… where'd it come from?
SCP-001-A: From where… who can say? She is not from terra, that much is clear. This cave is where life started, birthed from the flesh before you. From the very beginning, life decided that it was better off away from mother's loving embrace.
E6-1: And that's why you're here?
SCP-001-A: I have remained in this cave for many lifetimes. My purpose is clear: guide those who wish to feel their mother's touch once more.
E6-1: [Gesturing to a nearby seated figure] Is that what you're doing to them? Guiding them?
SCP-001-A: Yes. And no. The ones you see before you are the non-committal, undecided ones. As for those who are, well… [Gestures with both arms towards the chasm.]
SCP-001-A: [Gently chuckling] Perhaps you could call it a leap of faith.
E6-1: That's barbaric.
SCP-001-A: Please don't misunderstand. It is their choice to join the flesh. And they do not die — like myself, the flesh will allow you to continue on. She does not consume flesh, only fire. The flesh we willingly sacrifice — the flesh that makes up our vessel — joins her whole.
E6-1: That's not living. You'd become this… this mindless thing in a cavern.
SCP-001-A: Yes, my child. And what, exactly, would happen if you were to die? You'd become this mindless thing in the ground. At least, by joining the flesh, your life joins hers. Is it not more logical to live on forever, in an immortal God?
[Silence]
SCP-001-A: I would ask you to sit and contemplate for a while. But I'll think you'll find it very enticing — only one man has ever walked into this cave and left the way he came.
Addendum 001.D: Partial Translation of Symbols at Site-III. Further translation efforts are ongoing.
COGNITOHAZARDOUS GLYPHS/PHRASES REMOVED HERE LIES THE ESCHATOS[sic], BORN FROM THE AETHER. IT CANNOT BE SLAIN BY SWORD NOR BOW NOR MEN. IT WILL FEED IN ANCIENT SLUMBER FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS UNTIL THE [FINAL/JUDGEMENT] DAY WHERE IT WILL CRACK THE EARTH IN TWO.
DO NOT ENTER IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE, THE [VAGRANT/HERMIT] WITHIN WILL COERCE IT FROM YOU. HE DOES NOT PURSUE [THE FORMS/TRUTH], INSTEAD HE IS BLINDED IN THE PURSUIT OF HOLLOW SELF-INDULGENCE. YOUR FOREFATHERS ASCENDED OUT OF THE DARKNESS TO CATCH AN EMBER OF FIRE — IT DOES NOT DO TO DISGRACE THEM.
REJECT HIM AND HIS TEACHINGS
