One More Time With Feeling

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is contained at Site 76 in a secure sound-proof locker. Embedded sensors monitor any change in sound emanating from SCP-XXXX. Any access to SCP-XXXX must be approved by Dr. Katrel.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a 40 cm x 20 cm by 4 cm curved rectangular metallic bar which is constructed of a damage resistant bronze colored material. The device is vaguely mask-like with eye and nose holes. Polished wooden handles constructed from an ancient and extinct species of Spanish fir extend from each end. A constant 26Hz hum emanates from SCP-XXXX.

Users of SCP-XXXX will suddenly display spontaneous mastery of skills, fluency in different languages not previously known to the individual, or knowledge of events before they occur. All known users of SCP-XXXX have died violently, either by accident, suicide, or homicide within one week of using SCP-XXXX.

+ Recovery Log and Findings

Addendum - Related Anomalous Occurrence Identified
January 12, 199█
Paulo João Silva, a 47 year old male in Sao Paulo, Brazil was known to be illiterate, however over the course of 48 hours he filled sixteen notebooks with original poetry. Silva died of a self inflicted gunshot wound shortly after presenting his notebooks to Professor Sinclair of the literature department of The University of Sao Paulo, stating “this is my life’s work and I am now finished”. The works were published and experienced immediate international popularity.

A possible connection to SCP-XXXX was established when a posthumous blood sample from Silva was acquired by the Foundation which contained DNA markers identical to those described in the findings in the Recovery Log. Additionally the day Silva began writing his poems, audio sensors monitoring SCP-XXXX detected that the constant 26hz hum emanating from SCP-XXXX ceased for about one hour. Despite the unlikeliness that Silva could have interacted with SCP-XXXX he has been designated SCP-XXXX-2 on the authority of Dr. Katrel.

After SCP-XXXX-2 was identified, investigations have been reopened into other similar, previously believed to be unrelated anomalous occurrences. Four other likely SCP-XXXX-# instances have been identified.

Addendum - Additional Related Anomalous Occurrences Identified
SCP-XXXX-3: March 194█. Female. Age 39. Housewife. Japan.
Gained access to a radio at ██████ military base and, displaying knowledge of confidential naval passcodes, was able to get word to Admiral Yamamoto about an impending attack on the Japanese battleship IJN Washi on which her son was stationed. The advance warning gave the navy enough time to mount a successful defense, preventing the destruction of the ship. SCP-XXXX-3 was killed by security personnel when attempting to flee the military base.

SCP-XXXX-4: July 196█. Male. Age 41. Gardener. Iraq.
Assassinated six high-ranking government officials over the course of 21 hours. Showed extensive knowledge of relevant building schematics, security personnel movement and response procedures. SCP-XXXX-4 died due to injuries sustained after falling off a balcony while attempting to gain access to another government official’s residence.

SCP-XXXX-5: September 198█. Female. Age 63. School teacher. Northwestern United States.
Won the jackpot in six different state lotteries over a two day period. SCP-XXXX-5 died due to injuries sustained after being hit by a bus the next day.

SCP-XXXX-6: February 198█. Male. Age 26. Waiter. New York City, United states.
After the lead actor and the understudies playing the role of Jean Valjean in the Broadway musical Les Misérables suffered injuries from multiple separate accidents prior to that night’s performance, SCP-XXXX-6 was able to convince the show’s director to allow him to perform in their stead. Reviews of SCP-XXXX-6’s performance was described as “Breathtaking” and that “We have seen the birth of Broadway’s new star, and it is bright.” SCP-XXXX-6 died from injuries sustained from a mugging that night.

Experiment SCP-XXXX-Test-A

+ SCP-XXXX-Test-A Log and Findings Analysis

- Close

SCP-XXXX-Test-A - February 18, 20██
Dr. Genevieve Katrel overseeing.
Goal: Determine the extent and type of knowledge that can be acquired, if any adverse psycho-somatic effects could be mitigated, and if the death of SCP-XXXX-# instances can be averted.
Subject: Subject D-83468, a 24 year old female, is placed in the room with SCP-XXXX on a metal table in the center. Subject is monitored via CCTV and Dr. Katrel maintains verbal contact via intercom.

D-83468: Alright, what are we doing here? Let’s get this over with ‘cause I have places to be.

Dr. Katrel: Please describe anything you see, hear, or feel.

D-83468: Well, I see a metal mask or something on this table here. It’s making a noise.

Dr. Katrel: Can you describe the noise?

D-83468: I don’t know. It’s a hum. Kind of calming. Am I supposed to try this thing out or what?

Dr. Katrel: Yes, go ahead.

D-83468 approaches the table and picks up SCP-XXXX by the handles on either side.

D-83468: So I just hold this up to my face and flip this switch here? Like a ViewMaster?

Dr. Katrel: Do what you think is best.

D-83468 holds the device to her face and flips the switch with her thumb. The hum emitted from SCP-XXXX raises in pitch from 26Hz to 21,630Hz over 4.6 seconds. SCP-XXXX flashes with a bright light. D-83468 returns the device to the table. The hum is no longer detectable from SCP-XXXX.

Dr. Katrel: How do you feel?

Review of the CCTV footage shows that D-83468 mouths Dr. Katrel’s words with a mocking expression as Dr. Katrel says them. Dr. Katrel does not appear to notice.

D-83468: Fine, you know. Good.

Dr. Katrel: Do you feel any different than before you used the device?

D-83468: Nope. Please let me out. I need to use the restroom.

Dr. Katrel continues with more probing questions without receiving any noteworthy responses.

Dr. Katrel: OK, we are opening the door. Please come out.

The door is opened by a guard. D-83468 walks to the door, extends a middle finger to the CCTV camera, then grabs the guard’s firearm from its holster and shoots him in the leg. D-83468 then runs down the hallway and makes a series of turns without hesitation while navigating the facility.

Dr. Katrel (off mic): O’Neil, get this floor locked down!

Junior Researcher O'Neil triggers the alarm and radios for security assistance.

Pneumatic door locks are engaged on all exit doors in the testing wing.

D-83468 kicks open the door to the test monitoring room in which Dr. Katrel and O’Neil are located.

D-83468: Get over here, O’Neil.

O’Neil puts his hands up and D-83468 grabs him by the shoulder and pushes him out of the room while walking behind him with the gun pointed at the back of his head. She leads him to the exit door to the stairwell where a guard is stationed with his gun drawn.

D-83468 (to guard): Put your gun on the ground and kick it towards me. Then lie face down.

D-83468 cocks the gun she is holding at O’Neil’s head.

D-83468: How many times do I need to tell you?

The guard complies, sliding the gun towards D-83468 and lies prone with hands flat on the floor.

D-83468 picks up the gun.

D-83468 (to O’Neil): Alright, use your keycard.

O’Neil: I’ll use the keycard, but this floor is on lockdown. The door won’t unlock without a biometrics scan and the passcode, and I don’t know the passcode.

D-83468: Just use the damn keycard!

O’Neil scans his keycard. The scanner beeps.

D-83468 takes the keycard.

D-83468: Alright, now scan your fingerprint.

O’Neil: I told you, this is pointless without the passcode and I don’t know it.

D-83468: Last chance Eugene before I cut your finger off and scan it myself.

O’Neil scans his thumb. The scanner beeps.

D-83468 hits O’Neil in the back of the head and he crumples to the floor.

D-83468: I know the passcode, you know-it-all piece of shit. Next time I swear I’ll shoot him.

D-83468 enters a passcode. The keypad beeps and the door unlocks.

D-83468 enters the stairwell of B-23. D-83468 descends the stairs to B-29. D-83468 uses O’Neil’s keycard to unlock the door. She enters and runs to containment room 29847 and gains entrance using the same keycard. Inside she picks up SCP-████ and opens a ██████ through which she exits the facility.

D-83468 was located and terminated 3.5 hours after escaping. SCP-████ was returned to containment.

SCP-XXXX began to hum again one hour after use, suggesting that it has a recharge time.

Autopsy and tests of D-83468's body revealed a change in D-83468’s mitochondrial DNA to match haplogroup X as well as elevated levels of monoamine alkaloids.

Dr. Katrel note: We must increase security and rethink our lockdown procedures.

Experiment SCP-XXXX-Test-B

+ SCP-XXXX-Test-B Log and Findings Analysis

- Close

SCP-XXXX-Test-B - April 21, 20██
Dr. Genevieve Katrel overseeing.
Goal: Determine the extent and type of knowledge that can be acquired, if any adverse psycho-somatic effects could be mitigated, and if the death of SCP-XXXX-# instances can be averted.
Note: A security officer has been assigned to the test monitoring room with additional security personnel stationed outside the testing room.

Subject D-40133, a 36 year old male, is prepared to enter the room with SCP-XXXX on a metal table in the center. Subject is monitored via CCTV and Dr. Katrel maintains verbal contact via intercom.

D-40133: I didn’t do it, you know. I keep telling people even though I know it’s too late.

Dr. Katrel: Didn’t do what?

D-40133: The reason I’m here. I didn’t do it. They never followed up on my alibis. I wasn’t anywhere near her when… when it happened. I’m a good person. I don’t want to go to hell, you know?

Dr. Katrel: I understand.

D-40133: It looks like you’re doing important work here though. I’m glad I can help. I hope I can prove that I’m not a bad guy. Maybe I can even prove I’m innocent.

Dr. Katrel: Please enter the room.

D-40133 takes a breath, slowly exhales, and enters the room.

D-40133: This doesn’t look so bad.

Dr. Katrel: That’s correct. Everything will be fine.

D-40133 gestures toward SCP-XXXX.

D-40133: Is my task to try this on?

Dr. Katrel: First, please describe what you’re experiencing.

D-40133: Well, I’m a little nervous.

D-40133 laughs quietly

D-40133: Whatever this thing is, it’s making me feel better though. It’s making a nice sound.

Dr. Katrel: Do you want to try using it?

D-40133: That sounds great actually. Focusing on something, you know, it calms your nerves.

Dr. Katrel: Please go ahead.

D-40133 picks up SCP-XXXX.

D-40133: I think I see what I’m supposed to do here. Just hold it up to my face, yes?

Dr. Katrel: Yes.

D-40133 holds SCP-XXXX up to his face.

D-40133: Let me try this.

D-40133 flips the switch. The hum emitted from SCP-XXXX raises in pitch from 26Hz to 21,630Hz over 4.6 seconds. SCP-XXXX flashes with a bright light. The hum is no longer detectable in SCP-XXXX.

D-40133 begins sobbing and throws SCP-XXXX on the table.

D-40133: I wake up. I wake up. I wake up. I wake up.

Dr. Katrel: Can you describe what happened?

D-40133 continues to repeat “I wake up”.

Dr. Katrel: D-40133, you are awake. Please describe what happened.

D-40133 continues sobbing and remains unresponsive.

Dr. Katrel (off mic): O’Neil, what’s this guy’s name?

Junior Researcher O'Neil (off mic): His records say ‘Brian’.

Dr. Katrel: Brian, how are you feeling?

D-40133 looks up at the CCTV.

D-40133: I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Doctor.

Dr. Katrel: It’s alright.

D-40133: I didn’t kill her. I didn’t kill her. I never could have done something like that. I’m a good person. I always have been. But I’m not. I’ve killed. And killed. I killed you. I killed you. I’m so sorry I killed you.

Dr. Katrel: It’s OK. You didn’t kill me. I’m fine.

D-40133 sniffs.

D-40133: Yeah. Yeah. You’re right. If you’re alive, then even if I killed you, I didn’t. So I’m still a good person. I didn’t kill anyone. I’m still a good person, right?

Dr. Katrel: I don’t believe people are either good or bad. But you don’t seem to be bad.

D-40133: Thank you (pause), Genevieve.

D-40133 walks around the metal table. He violently smashes his head against the corner. Before the guard can enter the room and stop him, D-40133 collapses to the floor. Medical personnel attempt resuscitation but are unsuccessful.

Posthumous blood test revealed a change in D-40133’s mitochondrial DNA to match haplogroup X and elevated levels of monoamine alkaloids.

Dr. Katrel note: D-40133 should not have had the opportunity to see or hear my first name, yet knew it. The subject from SCP-XXXX-Test-A also somehow knew O'Neil's first name. It's not a very exciting example of what knowledge can be gained from SCP-XXXX but apparently you can learn people's first names.

Junior Researcher O'Neil shared with me that he is very happy with the results of the tests so far and is excited to start the next one, but I am disappointed we lost two test subjects. I brought O’Neil onto this team due to his high intelligence but his psych exam could be cleaner especially when it comes to empathy. I have to agree with him that we must continue testing though. If SCP-XXXX is a way to gain knowledge, and we can learn how to harness it correctly, it could be extraordinarily useful to us.

Addendum - Additional Related Anomalous Occurrence Identified
February 9, 20██
Another spontaneous instance of SCP-XXXX-# is believed to have appeared in an individual in Toronto, Canada. Subject killed multiple individuals before being neutralized by local law enforcement. A posthumous blood sample shows the expected abnormalities associated with SCP-XXXX-# instances. Blood samples have also been acquired from his mother and other relatives as well which also tested positive for the haplogroup X marker but normal levels of monoamine alkaloids. This suggests the haplogroup X marker did not spontaneously appear in SCP-XXXX-9 like it did in the test subjects and instead was a trait that was genetically inherited by SCP-XXXX-9.

Dr. Katrel note: We may need to start tracking individuals with haplogroup X markers as it seems there is a possibility that any of them could become an SCP-XXXX-# instance.

Addendum - Dr. Katrel Note
July 5, 20██
During our bi-yearly cross site retreat, I happened to speak with researchers from Site 17 who are investigating SCP-████ which involves the study of temporal distortions. They have developed a device, Model 442Δ, that can detect large scale temporal anomalies by comparing our worldline to a baseline parallel, mostly anomaly-free, worldline. It can detect if time has moved at a different rate than we would consider normal and can tell us how far off sync we are from standard Newtonian time.

According to their records, when we performed experiement SCP-XXXX-Test-A, their device detected our timeline fell behind standard Newtonian time with a reading of negative three years, seven months, and two days. They chalked this up to a glitch and recalibrated the machine. A similar occurrence was detected during experiment SCP-XXXX-Test-B, showing a Newtonian temporal differential of negative four and a half months. During the occurrence of SCP-XXXX-9 they detected a Newtonian temporal differential of negative two years, three months. 442Δ Newtonian temporal differential measurements should be included in future tests.

Experiment SCP-XXXX-Test-C

+ SCP-XXXX-Test-C Log and Findings Analysis

- Close

SCP-XXXX-Test-C - December 9, 20██
Dr. Genevieve Katrel overseeing.
Goal: Determine the extent and type of knowledge that can be acquired, if any adverse psycho-somatic effects could be mitigated, and if the death of SCP-XXXX-# instances can be averted. Measure Newtonian temporal differential throughout test for desynchronization.

Note: Items have been removed from the testing room that can be used for self harm. Additional security officers have been stationed outside the testing door and a command officer has been stationed inside the test monitoring room to more efficiently direct security response. Additionally a two person medical team has been assigned to the test monitoring room to quickly engage if necessary.

Subject D-91184, a 33 year old female, is placed in an empty room with padded walls and SCP-XXXX suspended from the ceiling on a retractable line. Subject is monitored via CCTV and Dr. Katrel maintains verbal contact via intercom.

442Δ Newtonian temporal differential shows sync at +- zero days, zero hours, zero seconds.
D-91184 is encouraged to use SCP-XXXX which she does willingly. The hum emitted from both SCP-XXXX raises in pitch from 26Hz to 21,630Hz over 4.6 seconds. SCP-XXXX flashes with a bright light. SCP-XXXX is immediately retracted into the ceiling.

D-91184 falls to her knees and grabs her neck while coughing and taking gasping breaths.

Junior Researcher O'Neil (yells off mic): No!

442Δ Newtonian temporal differential shows desynchronization at negative one year, two months, thirteen days, nine hours.

Dr. Katrel: What the hell?

D-91184 seems to catch her breath.

D-91184: I’m back in the testing room (pause), Dr. Katrel?

Dr. Katrel: Yes? I am here.

D-91184: Thank God! He’s still here! I can feel him there.

Dr. Katrel: Who?

D-91184: Turn off the speakers in the monitoring room! Turn them off so only you can hear me. Please!

O’Neil (off mic): Don’t do it, Doctor. We all need to be aware of what’s happening here.

Dr. Katrel (off mic): O’Neil, you can listen to the tapes later. Sergeant, I’ll let you know if anything happens.

Sergeant Cummings (off mic): Understood.

Dr. Katrel switches off the speaker monitors so the intercom can only be heard through her headset.

Dr. Katrel: OK, done. What do you need to tell me?

D-91184: Your name is Genevieve Katrel. Your husband’s name was David.

Dr. Katrel: Great, you know our first names. And how did you get that information?

D-91184: You told me! Listen, you need to hit the alarm to trigger the lockdown so O’Neil can’t get out of the room. And then you need to kill him. You need to shoot him in the head. It’s the only way to stop him.

Dr. Katrel: Why should I do something like that?

D-91184: He’s going to kill us all! He nearly got into SCP-2935. You had to almost kill me to get us back here.

Sergeant Cummings (off mic): O’Neil, where are you going?

Dr. Katrel (off mic): O’Neil, don’t go anywhere. Your job is to stay in this room right now.

O’Neil (off mic): Oh be quiet. Like there’s anything you could do. I’ve lost count of the different ways I’ve destroyed you.

Dr. Katrel (off mic): Sergeant, restrain him please.

Dr. Katrel: He does seem off. Explain.

D-91184: I thought… Didn’t I tell you? Or was that before? He used the device an hour after I did. Every time I sleep, or every time he sleeps, we go back. It’s like that movie Groundhog Day. You said it must be something about time getting “pinned” to the moment we used the device. Our consciousness drags time forward, but when we’re unconscious, time snaps back to the moment we used the device. We keep looping but we’re the only ones who remember the loops. O’Neil lost it. He thinks he’s some sort of god of death. Unfortunately he’s incredibly smart. He picks up more every loop. Every piece of knowledge he uses like a weapon. He thinks he’s in a war between himself and the rest of the human race, and he won’t stop until we’re all dead.

O’Neil (off mic): Let go of me! I’ll make sure your next death is so painful even you’ll remember it!

Dr. Katrel: Have you told me this before?

D-91184: Yes, but never this early. O’Neil always gives me some sort of super-stimulant so I can’t sleep and loop us back here and then keeps me alive as part of his plan. I don’t know why exactly. When he loops us back I’m already back in my cell and he is in the device’s storage room where he can get to the other SCPs that he has learned to use. He always gets to me before I can warn you. But in the last loop you came to me and I told you. So we could get back here to finally stop him, you strangled me to make me pass out. Thank you.

Sergeant Cummings (off mic): Can one of you medical people sedate this guy?

D-91184: No! Don’t let them sedate him or we’ll loop back to me being in my cell! You have to shoot him in the head. Please! You told me, you told me to tell you something. Something about a light. God, what was it?

Dr. Katrel (off mic): Let’s get him to the lab. We’re going to run a couple tests and we’ll go from there.

D-91184: You told me to tell you something about lanterns. Lanterns on the misty lake¹!’

Dr. Katrel (off mic to security official): Wait.

Dr. Katrel pauses.

Dr. Katrel: OK.

Sergeant Cummings (off mic): What are you?…

A gunshot is heard.

Dr. Katrel note: After my husband died, I found a handwritten note from him with the poem D-91184 mentioned in my jewelry box. I never told anyone about it.

A posthumous blood test of O’Neil showed the abnormalities expected of one who used SCP-XXXX. D-91184 has been debriefed and willingly terminated.

Testing suspended by order of O5 Council

+ 05 Council Note

Spontaneous SCP-XXXX-# Instance Manifestation and Containment

+ Spontaneous SCP-XXXX-# Instance Manifestation and Containment Documentation

- Close

Spontaneous SCP-XXXX-# Instance Manifestation and Containment
We have determined that at some point around 5,000 BCE an individual located near what is now the Strait of Gibraltar used SCP-XXXX and procreated, then died, which allowed the haplogroup X DNA marker to be passed on to the general population. There is a non-zero chance that a high energy particle can interact with the cerebral cortex of an individual of haplogroup X, triggering an occurrence as if SCP-XXXX was used. On a positive note these individuals have so far all apparently died via traumatic head injuries which has allowed time to continue forward to the present day. We theorize that as an SCP-XXXX-# instance loops, they partake in more dangerous activities that raise their chance of a violent death.

It is not currently possible for us to prevent an SCP-XXXX occurrence in the general population. Gene editing of individuals belonging to haplogroup X has not been successful. Blocking high energy particles would involve building a lead shield around the earth which has been deemed impractical. Genocide and mass sterilization of haplogroup X individuals has also been considered and rejected. Our only choice is to be reactive and to monitor our worldline’s 442Δ Newtonian temporal differential sync. If desynchronization is detected, we will monitor the news and social media for examples of an individual displaying abilities or mannerisms consistent with an SCP-XXXX-# instance. We can cross reference the individual with the extensive list of haplogroup X individuals we track. We estimate we know the location of 95% of all individuals in haplogroup X thanks to the popularity of commercially available ancestral DNA tests.

The team designated to apprehend the SCP-XXXX-# instance will be assembled at random by a TQ18 quantum computer² from a pool of appropriate Foundation candidates. At least five different plans will be developed by the team of which one will be selected at random by a TQ18 for execution.

When the subject is apprehended, they will immediately be given a stimulant so they cannot sleep. They will be returned to the Foundation for questioning and testing to confirm they are indeed an SCP-XXXX-# instance. In the end they will be terminated out of necessity as there is currently no way to reverse a SCP-XXXX-# instance. This must be done by instantly destroying the brain. Detonation has proven successful.

If the 442Δ Newtonian temporal differential shows a desynchronization greater than two or more years, the Foundation has failed at apprehending the individual by conventional means. At this point, a voluntary Foundation operative, who has passed all psych exams up through level 5 and has passed Foundation Loyalty Test C will be authorized to use SCP-XXXX. Placing one of our own in the loop will give us two advantages:

1. Knowledge persisting through loops to improve our ability to apprehend the target.

2. Greater ability to determine the location of the target since simultaneous SCP-XXXX-# instances have shown they can sense the general location of other SCP-XXXX-# instances.

The Foundation operative will be terminated at the end of the successful apprehension of the target. The Foundation operative must be made aware of, and agree to, their eventual termination before they are permitted to use SCP-XXXX.

SCP Sandbox III

Sandbox III: Revenge of the Sandbox