Good O Rusty

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be kept in a sealed refrigerated containment unit using Class-4 biohazardous procedures. The unit’s humidity levels must not exceed 40%. Interior of the unit must be composed of acid-resistant steel. All personnel who enter SCP-XXXX’s containment chamber are required to wear biohazard suits. Decontamination and quarantine facilities have to be maintained and used when entering and exiting containment unit. An on-location incineration unit must be present for the periodic removal and destruction of any organic residue, equipment, and if necessary, any infected personnel.
Entry to containment unit is restricted to Class D Personnel only. The unit must be cleaned and sanitized every 4 months of all residue left by SCP-XXXX-1 but not within 2 meters of SCP-XXXX itself or any active instances of SCP-XXXX-1. Before cleaning can occur, entity must be provided with 2 kilos of ground raw meat within 2 hours before entry. This is to be placed in the containment unit in an area adjacent to SCP-XXXX. Doing this ensures it remains complacent during cleaning, reducing the risk of infection through aggressive action. Additionally, any residue smears that possibly resemble symbols or markings must be documented for research. Personnel must not attempt physical contact or come in close proximity to the entity or SCP-XXXX-1. If they feel the urge to do so, they immediately report if such an urge occurs. Cleaning and feeding crew must submit to quarantine and observation for at least 10 hours after exiting containment unit. Any personnel showing signs of infection (see Addendum XXXX-01) must be treated as Class 4 Biohazards. They are to be quarantined and promptly treated using an anti-parasitic compound. If an infection is not neutralized, then termination and then incineration is required.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a large ovoidal lifeform that is 3.2 m long and 1.8 m wide. Its surface has the same pigmentation and texture as caucasian human skin. The skin is covered in a fine brownish gray fur resembling the fur of a young rodent. The entity appears to have no skeletal structure and seems to be filled with a highly viscous fluid. At the entity’s “anterior” is a large toothless lamprey-like aperture approximately 47 cm in diameter. The entity’s underside has four oval patches of skin devoid of fur which slightly protrude from the body and are in position to suggest they are or were limbs. Apart from this, the entity’s exterior is featureless and uniform. Attempts to take blood and tissue samples of SCP-XXXX itself have been unsuccessful as the entity’s skin though flexible is impervious to injury. Samples of fur have been successfully taken and undergone genetic analysis. Results are detailed in Research Summary XXXX-01.

The entity’s aperture constantly excretes a brownish gray to orange mucus that contains thousands of 2.5 cm to 5.5 cm length worms. These lifeforms do not have a mouth, anus, or digestive system and have eel-like “fins” that spiral down the length of their body. These lifeforms are hereby referred to as SCP-XXXX-1. The fluid excreted along with SCP-XXXX-1 (designated SCP-XXXX-2) is composed primarily of partially digested cells, red blood cells, necrotic toxins, and low levels of hydrochloric acid. Some samples of SCP-XXXX-2 have, however, yielded anomalous variants of amino acids, proteins, and enzymes previously unknown to science. Further study of these chemicals has been halted for the foreseeable future¹.

SCP-XXXX seems to be completely immobile and can only excrete SCP-XXXX-1 and SCP-XXXX-2 as a body function. SCP-XXXX-1, however, will rapidly make their way, via collective action, towards any sources of nourishment or threat as well as any significant sources of vibration when active. Higher temperature and humidity levels allow SCP-XXXX and SCP-XXXX-1 a much greater level of aggressive activity. If any living entity comes in contact with SCP-XXXX-1, they will rapidly bore into their tissue and live as a parasitoid. They will not immediately reproduce but will direct the movements of their host so that they are brought to SCP-XXXX. What these infected individuals do at this point varies. These small lifeforms are well coordinated, having a hive-like mentality and exhibit moderate levels of intelligence. Observations of SCP-XXXX-1 have shown them to have a mutualistic relationship with SCP-XXXX, exchanging nutrients and a variety of compounds. Additionally, SCP-XXXX has shown that it can be moved by SCP-XXXX-1 collectively by positioning themselves beneath SCP-XXXX and scooting it around. Because of these behaviors, it is believed by researchers that SCP-XXXX is the source of SCP-XXXX-1’s apparent intelligence².

Addendum XXXX-01

Symptom Progression from SCP-XXXX-1 infection is as follows based on Dr. ██████’s and Dr. ████████████'s observations³.

Stage 1:
Infection occurs when SCP-XXXX-1 bores into the host’s skin and makes its way toward the nearest large nerve. SCP-XXXX-1’s movements beneath the skin leave thin lines of visibly reddened tissue⁴, a clear sign of initial infection. Lifeform will then follow the nerve traveling towards the brain stem. The host is initially keenly aware of the movement of SCP-XXXX-1. It's movements apparently cause significant discomfort but no pain.

Stage 2:
SCP-XXXX-1 will, after reaching brain stem, start to produce electrical signals as well as specific hormones intended to cause a mind-altering effect. Host becomes overwhelmed with a sense of urgency and will become delusional as well as suffer from hallucinations. These delusions and hallucinations revolve around a need to feed and care for their "mother" as well as some level of reverence and fear of SCP-XXXX. At first, the host will be somewhat aware of this change in their mental state and the irrational desire to return and “embrace” SCP-XXXX giving them some limited level of resistance to these urges. However, the mind-altering effects of the infection process make them increasingly aggressive, focusing more and more on their delusions and ultimately become unaware or apathetic to these changes. If the host successfully returns to SCP-XXXX they express relief and even pleasure at being reunited with SCP-XXXX. They will then submit themselves either for ingestion or more instructions. These instructions in all observations revolve around caring for, cleaning, massaging, and protecting SCP-XXXX.

Stage 3:
If host does not come in contact with SCP-XXXX within 2 days after infection, SCP-XXXX-1 will begin to rapidly reproduce and cause drastic changes to the internal physiology of their host. The cause for this is currently unknown. Host becomes extremely violent and their mental state quickly deteriorates. The spleen, liver, and stomach become enlarged and inflamed. Many of the lymph nodes in the head, neck, and torso become inflamed as well and there is a sudden increase of acids and enzymes in the stomach and small intestine, respectively. It is at this stage that the host will become extremely contagious with several specimens of SCP-XXXX-1 visibly protruding out of the host’s skin and orifices similar in appearance to needle-like thorns.

Stage 4:
Over the next several hours SCP-XXXX-1 overwhelms the host with their great numbers. The host will begin to become swollen and slightly bloated in appearance. Their hair, nails, and teeth will quickly die and fall out. Some of their appendages such as their nose, ears, and fingers atrophy, leading to necrosis. Despite these drastic changes to both the mind and physiology, the host it will desperately continue to attempt to return to SCP-XXXX and express ever more irrational fear of reprisal from it's "mother".

Stage 5:
At this point two outcomes have been observed to occur:
(1) The host will die and be broken down to a gelatinous mass of necrotic tissue and fluids containing thousands of dying instances of SCP-XXXX-1. 96% of all infected during testing had this outcome.
(2) The host will somehow produce an additional small version of SCP-XXXX. Despite several attempts to observe this process, the research team have been unable to determine how this occurs. The host's body will no longer deteriorate and they no longer seek to return to SCP-XXXX but will instead care for and fiercely protect the new "infant" SCP-XXXX entity. They often are observed holding and cuddling the new entity the same way human mothers do with their infants. Somehow the primary SCP-XXXX is able to detect this new entity and it will try to seek out and destroy it via any controlled infected hosts it may have. Only 4% of all infected during testing had this outcome.

Due to the high risk of containment breach from SCP-XXXX's aggressive reaction to infected hosts producing an infant offspring in Stage 5, all instances of the infant SCP-XXXX entities and the hosts caring for them were terminated and testing infection of Class D personnel has been permanently halted. Fortunately, the infant SCP-XXXX entities were able to be terminated via a simple gunshot and in one instance lethal injection.

Research Summary XXXX-01

For purposes of this article all notable research findings have been summarized below.

Fur samples on three different areas of SCP-XXXX were taken and studied. The genetic analysis yielded [Redacted]. Genetic analysis of SCP-XXXX-1 and SCP-XXXX-2 showed similar results. In addition to this, no genetic signatures of previously unknown species were found. Instead, the genetic analysis revealed that SCP-XXXX (fur only), SCP-XXXX-1, and SCP-XXXX-2 were all similarly composed of a seemingly random mixture of primarily human but also vulture, rodent, mole, a variety of flies, canines, and various large herbivorous mammals (primarily bovine). Apart from human, positive identification down to specific species has not been possible due to the extremely fragmented nature of the genetic material taken. Contamination from bacterial DNA in samples has also made identification difficult. Results are viewed as largely inconclusive by research personnel due to the inability to retrieve genuine genetic samples of SCP-XXXX itself.

Anomalous amino acids, proteins, and enzymes have appeared in only 8 out of 25 samples taken from SCP-XXXX-2. Further study revealed that these specific compounds are somehow part of the means of chemically breaking down SCP-XXXX-1’s host’s tissue. The exact process is not fully understood but involves SCP-XXXX-1 hijacking their host’s natural metabolism to both produce more SCP-XXXX-1 and “digest” the host’s own body. However, it seems most instances of SCP-XXXX-1 became deficient in these unique compounds facilitating the need to return to SCP-XXXX and deposit host’s broken-down tissues for ingestion allowing production of more of these unique amino acids, proteins, and enzymes.

Incident Report XXXX-01

On ██/██/██, a Class D personnel was unknowingly infected by SCP-XXXX-1 after samples of SCP-XXXX-2 were taken for analysis. Dr. ██████ had submitted requests to study SCP-XXXX-2 shortly after SCP-XXXX’s arrival and containment. These requests were granted promptly thereafter. It is estimated that four individuals of SCP-XXXX-1 proceeded to infect D-XXX-1 via an improperly sealed hazmat suit seam on his wrist while he was retrieving samples. From later testing all other infected individuals expressed extreme distress and discomfort when initially infected. Why D-XXX-1 did not show these same reactions is unknown. Dr. ██████ was supervising D-XXX-1 via CCTV and noted that D-XXX-1 seemed to be highly curious about SCP-XXXX as he took the samples. D-XXX-1 had to be repeatedly reminded of his duties and told not to touch SCP-XXXX.

At this point in time, the proper procedure of quarantining and observing those who exit SCP-XXXX’s unit for at least 10 hours was not yet in place. As a result, D-XXX-1 was allowed to return to his cell after performing his duties. Approximately 2 hours later, D-XXX-1 began to yell and scream about needing to see his mother, banging loudly on his cell door as he did so. He escaped his cell after security were called to calm him down and frantically proceeded towards the entrance of SCP-XXXX’s containment unit but was quickly detained by security. D-XXX-1 was nearly incoherent and highly agitated, exhibiting signs of extreme anxiety. His accent appeared to have changed though the security officers could not place its origin. He repeatedly expressed fear of punishment from his mother. During questioning, security noticed several reddish marks and lines on D-XXX-1’s right hand and arm. Level 4 biohazard procedures immediately went into effect once the officers realized he had been infected. D-XXX-1 was sedated and quarantined.

Seeing a unique opportunity for research, Dr. ██████ began observing D-XXX-1 under highly controlled conditions to study what effects and symptoms SCP-XXXX-1 would produce. However, after what Dr. ██████ would describe as Stage 4 of the infection, his research was stopped by Level 3 personnel. D-XXX-1 and any material shed by D-XXX-1 were carefully collected and incinerated under Protocol ████. All security and Dr. ██████ himself were quickly placed under strict quarantine. Fortunately, there was no other instance of infection. Dr. ██████ was later reprimanded and demoted to Level 1 Security Clearance due to his negligence and mishandling of D-XXX-1’s duties as well as conducting research without proper authorization and failing to ensure there was no risk of containment breach. The special containment procedures for SCP-XXXX were amended to facilitate stricter containment and quarantine guidelines. Further testing was later authorized and was conducted by Dr. ████████████.

Incident Report XXXX-02

On ██/██/██, three Class D Personnel entered SCP-XXXX’s containment unit to perform the scheduled sanitizing of the walls and ceiling of SCP-XXXX’s unit. D-XXX-2 motioned to the CCTV camera toward what appeared to be several markings on the walls resembling symbols composed of smeared SCP-XXXX-2 residue. The supervising staff then instructed D-XXX-2 to retrieve a camera from the lockers located in the decontamination chamber and photograph the markings. When D-XXX-2 performed this task, SCP-XXXX-1 appeared to react in a non-aggressive manner to D-XXX-2’s movements. D-XXX-2 became aware of SCP-XXXX-1’s movements and immediately called for a postponement of cleaning duties. Based on its movements, researchers believe SCP-XXXX would have been hostile had it not been fed 2 hours prior. Regardless, all Class D Personnel in the unit were ordered to stop and exit unit then perform the required decontamination and quarantine procedures.

Upon review of surveillance, SCP-XXXX-1 was observed forming a tentacle-like mass composed of a much larger collection of SCP-XXXX-1 than had been observed in all previous SCP-XXXX-1 activities. This appendage then moved and smeared SCP-XXXX-2 residue onto the walls in the aforementioned markings. Afterward, it retracted and resumed it's non-aggressive dormant state. These actions occurred only 36 minutes before the scheduled cleaning when the markings were observed and documented.

Cleaning of the unit was continued on the next scheduled time without incident. Analysis of markings could not determine any correlation to known languages. The special containment procedures were amended with instructions to document any further appearance of markings. As of ██/██/██, no other occurrences of markings have been observed.

Footnotes

1. See Research Summary XXXX-01.

2. See Incident Report XXXX-02 for a strong indication of intelligent behavior.

3. See Incident Report XXXX-01 for the circumstance of Dr. ██████’s observations.

4. Closer examination revealed to be a form of Hematoma.