Kejani Hammerborn
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SCP-XXXX before maturity, growing on a strawberry

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Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be held inside a sealed 5 cm by 5 cm clear container. The container must be clear for observation, and the size must be maintained for restricting the growth of the spores. The container must be completely synthetic, and must be cleared of any organic matter, aside from SCP-XXX itself, any time that the container is opened. The container may be kept in a room of any size, and the walls must be lined with a titanium-lead alloy. The spores seem to be repelled by lead, and the titanium will help keep the structure strong and secure. Only personnel of level 3 or higher may enter the cell. Lower clearances may enter, but only if accompanied by a level 3. The structure must be kept in temperatures from 35℃ to 40℃, as temperatures well above 34℃ appear to greatly reduce growth rates. If any SCP-XXXX growths and/or infections should be reported, the area must be quarantined and subsequently burned. SCP-XXXX may only be used for the purpose of finding a cure, and attempted termination of any subjects.

The dimensional opening from which the mould originated must be contained inside a wall of titanium-lead alloy, with air filters being constantly run and replaced every 10 days. To enter the wall, personnel must have level 2 clearance or higher. The opening must also be monitored and studied, as we wish to know how it works and any changes or patterns that occur. Furthermore, any personnel who enter either containment zone are required to wear a class B or higher hazmat suit.

After the events of Exploration Log 2, the dimensional opening is to be kept behind a second wall of titanium-lead alloy with access for personnel of level 3 clearance or above only, as to prevent any SCP-XXXX-A or SCP-XXXX-B instances from breaking out and wreaking havoc.

Description: The mould starts as a white color, growing in length until maturity is reached. Upon reaching maturity, it's hyphae reach 3 cm in length, and it turns dark green with black splotches scattered randomly throughout. The hyphae will continue growing past maturity, ranging from 3 cm to 7 cm, with the small spores loosely attached on the end. It is this weak attachment that renders this harder to contain, as it greatly increases the air transmission rates. And, given that the microscopic spores can be easily carried for miles over the course of months by the wind, it is very hard to track, predict, and contain outbreaks. Furthermore, it takes a while for the infection to be noticed, and those who are infected are contagious without symptoms for quite some time. In temperatures below 34° C, it takes about 2 to 3 days to start showing symptoms. However, in temperatures of 35° C and above, it can range from 5 to 9 days of incubation. The mould can grow on anything that is not synthetic and is solid. For instance, it can grow on the wood of a house, but not its linoleum floor.

The process of infection and subsequent consumption begins with the microscopic spore landing on organic matter (dead or alive), and attaching themselves to areas like the skin. After a period of about 1 hour settling in, the spores will drill minuscule tendrils through the skin and into the circulatory system. These tendrils will release more spores into the bloodstream, to be carried off to vital organs and tissues. After another 3 hours of the spores settling in, the fungus will begin to spread. This concludes stage 1 of the infection. Early symptoms are very similar to common fungal infections, making it hard to detect if the infection is that of SCP-XXXX until the first stage of infection is complete. The second stage begins with the mould appearing on the outside and inside of the infected. It is not visible, but it causes itchiness in the afflicted areas. After around 12 hours, the mould will begin to amass enough new spores to become visible and start growing out the hyphae. This concludes stage 2. Stage 3 consists of vital organs being taken over and consumed by the mould, causing the subject to die. Over the course of another day, the body will be completely coated in the fungus. The body will then continue to decay and produce spores. As evidenced by the records in the exploration logs, we know that the infected do not just decay. All consumed deceased mammals must be incinerated immediately upon discovery, as to avoid any SCP-XXXX-A or SCP-XXXX-B instances from manifesting.

Head researcher Dr. William Barasch1 is currently working on a treatment involving heat and an ionized synthetic lead solution. Testing is proving to extend the lifetime of subjects for 15 years. The treatment can only be taken twice, however, given the strain it puts on the body. This is the treatment process: A person is exposed to temperatures of 48℃ for a period of 3 hours, with lukewarm water for hydration. Personnel in class A hazmat suits will then enter and inject a solution. The solution is made from synthesizing lead, ionizing it, and then dissolving in any synthetic, non-toxic liquid. The person then remains in the heating chamber for another hour before being released. After curing the lead poisoning, the subject will be as healthy as they had been before the infection. So far subjects have remained non-contagious for at least 10 years.

“I hope that if a complete cure is not discovered, that at the very least my treatment will substantially weaken the strains.” -Dr. Barasch

After reading the logbook, Dr. Barasch was given access to SCP-500 so he could start working on a synthetic antibody that might be able to directly target spores in the early stages of infection, killing them all. This process is theorized, if perfected, to be able to cure someone for life.

+Exploration Log 1
+Exploration Log 2
+Exploration Log 3
+Logbook of a Doctor
Footnotes