A deviation from state standards
Item #: SCP-XXXX
SCP-XXXX on Agent Lastname's desk before containent
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX may be stored in any location that:
- is equipped with a climate control system capable of maintaining air humidity and temperature appropriate for long-term storage of printed books.
- has a 50 m 100 m radius clear of critical electric infrastructure and electronic devices. Any storage device containing information pertaining to Foundation at Level 2 or higher, and implanted life support devices (pacemakers, etc.) are to be prioritised when establishing this radius.
Either of these requirements may be suspended in emergency, and containment of any situation with potentially destructive outcome takes priority. However, care must be taken to adress any possible witnesses of the object's effects, and commonsense practices of handling a book still apply.
Note to Dr. Falken: We appreciate the efforts to combat the habit of licking a fingertip before turning pages, but your recent use of a mallet in doing so is past the line. Please attend the Workplace H&S meeting next Tuesday. —Site-YY HR dept.
A visual warning (sign or poster) reminding not to take electronics into the active radius should be placed at its edge.
Due to the scarcity of non-electric masonry drills in the site's tool supply, we're facing problems mounting the sign at the new location. In the meantime, I've taken the liberty of using Dr. Blank's chair as an improptu signpost, due to his recent praise of switching to standing desks in the workspace. — Dr. Falken
The object is presently stored in Site-YY Low-Threat Item Storage the former janitoral supply closet of the Hallway 04 at Site-YY. For further information or to schedule testing, consult Dr. Falken.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a copy of the book "Handbook of Lighting Networks" (Raiceļskis L. Apgaismošanas tīklu rokasgrāmata. Rīga: izdevniecība "Liesma", 1969.). It was acquired by Agent Lastname on ████-██-██, who bought it out of curiosity while visiting the [REDACTED] thrift market in [REDACTED], Latvia. Its anomalous properties were first brought to Foundation attention when, on ████-██-██, Agent Lastname noticed that the power socket near the bookshelf, where SCP-XXXX was stored at the time, had been replaced with an unearthed equivalent. These properties are:
Along with the information found in a regular copy, it references several non-existant GOST standards and practices. For a (non-exhaustive) list of examples, see Addendum 5.
SCP-XXXX is also capable of minor reality bending. This manifests as significant compositional alterations to electronics within a certain radius (currently presumed below 100 m). Typical changes include (but are not limited to):
- Replacing LED or fluorescent lighting with incandescent lightbulbs.
- Freely alters values and composition of passive elements. Both positive (e. g. improved focus on a CRT monitor) and negative (e.g. uneven frequency response in audio equipment) changes have been observed.
- Converting solid-state circuitry to valve equivalents, and in several cases, mechanical analogues.
In rare cases, an opposite behaviour has been noted, respectively, "modernising" devices by replacing thermionic or mechanical devices with semiconductors.
These alterations can happen without any external stimuli, however, flickering and/or sub-80 Ra CRI lighting seemingly can provoke the object (see Addendum 2).
During the initial assessment, an active radius of 50 m was assumed, and the Low Threat Item Storage was deemed appropriate for containment. However, on ████-██-██, while on a lunch break in the Site-YY cafeteria, Dr. Falken noticed that his phone charger had, while unobserved, seemingly grown twice in size, and was emitting an audible whir whilst operating. This was the result of SCP-XXXX replacing the rectifier in the charger with a small motor-generator couple. This alteration took place approx. 78 m from where SCP-XXXX was stored at the time. In light of this, Dr. Falken volunteered to handle further research of SCP-XXXX due to his background in electronics and rough familiarity with the language. Following this incident, SCP-XXXX was relocated to the current location, and a provisional 100 m active radius was established.
As yet, all alterations preserve the intended function of the circuit/device, if sometimes proving frustrating, such as changing the display of a researchers' laptop into a CRT, effectively ruining the portability.
Falken?? How on Earth did you manage to leave a sticky note and write on the margin of a digital file??? —Dr. Blank
Dedication. Digital coffee stains are next. —Dr. Falken
Addenda:
Appointed researcher: Dr. Falken
Authorised to approve tests: Dr. Falken, Dr. Blank
Authorised to propose tests: Any personnel with at least Level 2 clearance
During testing, no devices of electric nature are permitted to reside within the active radius, except those specified within the protocol of respective experiment.
Edited on ████-██-██ by Dr. Falken: a sign informing of a test in progress must be placed outside of the active range - current estimates suggest the nearest hallway intersection being a viable spot.
The following form is to be used for protocols of these experiments:
Approved by:
Participating personnel:
Procedure:
Results:
Notes:
Given the inconclusive results of XXXX-C, I've decided to make the testing public to Foundation personnel. It'll still need my approval (or Blank's, if he hasn't been kicked out yet), but that should be a matter of minutes unless your proposal is outright ludicrous. Don't use anything of value to you and preferably stick to mundane items, but otherwise, knock yourself out. —Dr. Falken
Approved by: Dr. Blank
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank, Research Assistant J. Doe
Procedure: Long-distance camera set up outside the presumed active range, recording video. 3 identical LED bulbs (7 W, 470 lm, E27, SMPS) hung in improvised fixtures outside SCP-XXXX containment closet, powered from mains (230V~, 50 Hz). Setup left unobserved for 12 hours.
Results: While unobserved, all 3 turned into identical 40 W incandescent lightbulbs of similar light output bearing no manufacturer markings. Recorded video failed to capture the process - LEDs in one frame, incandesctents in the next.
Notes: Alright, we've got a reaction. Let's have a try at determining the specifics. —Dr. Blank
Approved by: Dr. Blank
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank, Research Assistant J. Doe
Procedure: Long-distance camera set up outside the presumed active range, recording video. Five (5) different LED bulbs hung in improvised fixtures outside SCP-XXXX containment closet and powered from mains. of those:
- One (1) identical to those used in the previous test
- One (1) 5 W, transformerless design with no smoothing capacitor
- Two (2) 5 W, 470 lm, SMPS-based bulbs of considerably higher quality, displaying no visible flicker and fair colour rendering.
- One (1) high-CRI bulb decommissioned from the Site-YY laboratory ZZ due to dry smoothing capacitor (produces visible flicker).
Setup left unobserved for 12 hours.
Results: While unobserved, bulbs 1 and 2 were replaced by halogen bulbs of unknown manufacture and comparable light output. Bulb #3 was not affected. Bulb #4 was initially presumed missing, however, recorded video shows a disgruntled Dr. Falken entering the testing area at about the 8 hour mark, retrieving the bulb and leaving. Later inspection confirms the bulb to be unaffected. Bulb #5 had been given a new, larger capacitor, which protruded from a newly formed hole in the casing. As previously, all alterations happened between frames.
Notes:
Very interesting. I'll have to run some more of these tests with a bit stricter rigor, controls and all. Could be that the reality-altering effect is provoked by flicker. —Dr. Blank.
So am I, Blank. Consider sourcing bulbs elsewhere - approaching my desk seems to cause rapid degradation of bone structure. No idea what mallets are the HR folk going on about, though. —Dr. Falken
[REDACTED FOR BREVITY] -> After multiple similar tests conducted by Dr. Blank, general conclusion seems to be that alterations are most likely to happen to any lighting device that exhibits visible flicker or CRI below 80. Notable exceptions - on multiple occasions an incandescent bulb that was connected with wires wrapped around the contacts was replaced with various other lighting implements in proper fixtures.
Approved by: Dr. Falken
Participating personnel: Dr. Falken
Procedure: Three (3) identical Marantz audio amplifiers were placed outside SCP-XXXX's containment closet, connected to grid, turned on. Inputs grounded to ensure no stray signals get picked up. Left unobserved for 6 hours.
Results: No change in one amplifier. Second amplifier received several thermionic valves, protruding from top of the enclosure. Upon inspection it was discovered that only filaments of these valves are connected - no signal passes through them, effectively rendering them decorative. LCD of the third amplifier replaced with a VFD.
Notes: Heh. Sense of humour? —Dr. Falken.
Approved by: Dr. Falken
Participating personnel: Dr. Falken, Dr. Blank
Procedure: Amplifier #2 from the previous test shown to Dr. Blank, who was not aware that a test is in progress. Sample audio played (FLAC).
Results: Dr. Blank perceived the quality of audio as superior to an unmodified amplifier of the same model.
Notes: Dr. Blank is an insufferable hipster seems to have seriously overestimated his competence in audio and electronics. —Dr. Falken.
Did you check it thoroughly? Maybe it, like, removed the oxygen from the copper in cables? Or gold-plated some contacts somewhere? —Dr. Blank
Approved by: Dr. Blank
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank, Dr. Falken
Procedure: Several improvised lighting fixtures with incandescent bulbs set outside SCP-XXXX containment closet, diode connected in series with every other bulb. Setup powered from a 12V lead-acid battery through an inverter modified by Dr. Falken to run at 25 Hz in order to produce visible flicker from aforementioned incandescent bulbs. Setup left unobserved and unpowered for 6 hours. Power turned on manually by Dr. Blank.
Results: While unobserved, the bulbs were changed into LEDs of unknown manufacture, with large (presumably smoothing) capacitors protruding from the casing. However, as Dr. Blank turned on the power, it became evident that these capacitors were installed backwards, as shown by their explosive venting.
Notes: I'm impressed. Is it somehow reading my thoughts or do we just happen to have similar taste in humour? Also, first time altering an unpowered circuit, interesting. —Dr. Falken.
—Dr. Blank could not be reached for comment.
Conclusions:
Alterations usually include rebuilding devices and circuits to follow older and more obscure practices, but preserve functionality. As to the nature of the book itself - an object that reflects the reality described within onto the reality around itself sounds like a project of an artistic nature. Consider AWCY? involvement? —Dr. Blank
Bit too subtle and in good taste for anartists, time frame dubious at best, total lack of any supporting or contradictory data…Hardly much ground to make a conclusion on. I'd suspect sentience on the part of the book, or maybe an entity operating through a book - sure, far-fetched, but we've contained weirder. —Dr. Falken
Further testing in this vector will by handled by Dr. Blank. Consider the "Approved by:" section auto-filled
Judging by the nature of alterations according to the previous tests, this thing could have some practical uses. Reviving those high-CRI LEDs or maybe replicating some rare tubes? —Dr. Blank
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank
Procedure: Several decommissioned LED bulbs (all due to dried smoothing caps) mounted in improvised fixtures outside of the containment closet, left unobserved and powered for 3 hours.
Results: Capacitors replaced with fresh ones, slightly larger in value and visually similar to those common in USSR during the 1980s (no manufacturer markings on case, formulation resembles 2010s Nichicon)
Notes: Success, but wouldn't an intern with a soldering iron have sufficed? —Dr. Falken
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank
Procedure: Several decommissioned 95+ Re CRI LED bulbs (all due to dim LEDs) were taken apart, and the LEDs were replaced with cheapest available LEDs (unknown CRI, observed to be poor). The bulbs were then mounted in improvised fixtures outside of the containment closet, left unobserved and powered for 3 hours.
Results: The low-quality LEDs were replaced with ones matching the originals.
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank
Procedure: A ██████ radio of the model ██-██ (vacuum tube based) which from factory contains several fairly rare tubes (which command high prices on the used market) was obtained. Said tubes were then removed and replaced with similar, more common models that only allowed the radio to operate at reduced capacity. The radio was then placed outside of XXXX's containment closet and left unobserved for 8 hours.
Results: No change.
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank
Procedure: The aforementioned radio was stripped of all tubes. Transistor-based replacements were designed by Dr. Falken and installed in the empty sockets. Radio was placed outside of XXXX's containment closet and left unobserved for 8 hours.
Results: No changes to the radio. However, Dr. Blank's mobile phone, which he had left within the testing area, had its battery replaced by a lead-acid counterpart, resulting in a massive increase in size and weight.
Notes: Think we had something in the conprocs about no electronics in the active zone, Blank. —Dr. Falken
Participating personnel: Dr. Blank
Procedure: Some of the tubes of proper model were installed back in the radio, to give SCP-XXXX an "example". Radio was again placed outside of SCP-XXXX's containment chamber and left unobserved for 8 hours.
Results: The tubes were replaced by transistor imitations similar to the ones designed by Dr. Falken.
Notes: // AAAAAARGH! // —Dr. Blank
The way it enjoys picking on you, it's just gotta be sentient. I mean, I'd do the same if that wouldn't mean risking my job, and I am sentient. Ergo, SCP-XXXX is sentient. —Dr. Falken
Evaluations:
Useful for reviving LEDs that have gone dim, I suppose, but too unpredictable for anything else. —Dr. Blank
All tests for sapience/sentience will be handled by Dr. Falken.
Participating personnel: Dr. Falken
Procedure: A message "Ei! Tur kāds ir?" was formed from solder traces on a piece of perfboard, which was then left unobserved for 1 hour inside SCP-XXXX's containment chamber.
Results: The material of the perfboard is changed from FR-4 to phenolic resin paper. The font is altered to look more aesthetically pleasing.
Notes: Simply asking seems to lead nowhere, but… Blank, 10 euros say I can tease an opinionated response from this thing. —Dr. Falken
You're on. —Dr. Blank
Participating personnel: Dr. Falken, Dr. Blank
Procedure: A simplistic 2-watt audio amplifier was built from discrete parts (largely those typical to 1980s Soviet consumer technology). A small speaker was connected, as well as a signal source - an MP3 player (unbranded, of Chinese origin) playing a recording of the USSR anthem on loop. Whole setup was powered from a battery and left unobserved for 2 hours inside SCP-XXXX's containment chamber.
Results: Surveillance recordings indicate that the USSR anthem stops playing at 1 h 32 min mark. Upon opening the closet doors, a markedly different recording started to play (later determined to be The Baltics are Waking Up) at a louder volume than would be possible by the original amplifier. Further examination revealed that a phototransistor had been added to detect the doors opening, and most of the components were replaced with ones of European or Asian manufacture. Also, several low-wattage resistors had been connected across the power rail to function as a crude smoke machine by burning slowly. The player remained unchanged.
Notes:
Nobody can stay silent about politics. Notice that despite being issued in late 1960s, the book referenced an event that happened in the 1980s, which might point to capability of acquiring new information, if not more. Also, nice to know that even a SCiP has more sound political views than some of my colleagues. —Dr. Falken
Participating personnel: Dr. Falken
Procedure: An ATTiny2313 microcontroller is set up to send out a string "Can you communicate? LOW is True." on the serial Tx (transmission( pin, and expect a single bit response on the Rx (reception) pin, interpreting LOW as true and HIGH as false. Left running on a battery next to SCP-XXXX for 2 hours.
Results: A 666 timer in astable configuration had been set up next to the ATTiny, and was toggling the pin back-and-forth between HIGH and LOW.
Notes: Okay. So not only no solid answer, but a whole new set of questions. I'll need a desk set up next to that closet, a Latvian-English technical dictionary, and all the literature we have on any standards or technologies phased out due to the demonics cover-up. —Dr. Falken
- 32 V DC local power grids for spot-lighting and small electric instruments.
- Wider presence of the 127 V/220 V three-phase AC systems than originally described, or ever used in our universe, also the existance of single-phase 127 V~ grids.
- Apparently standardised practice of using resistive loads (incandescent bulbs, heaters, etc.) in series within a higher-voltage grid (2x 127 V bulbs in series on a 220 V~ grid, etc.
- References to several non-existent mixes of solder.
- Minor typographical errors on pages 15, 69 and 113.
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