Kn16h7

Item#: XXXX

Level3

Containment Class:

euclid

Secondary Class:

none

Disruption Class:

ekhi

Risk Class:

critical

link to memo

Special Containment Procedures:

A 25km exclusion zone has been established around SCP-XXXX.¹ Explosive charges placed near the entrance of SCP-XXXX are to be checked bi-monthly for signs of damage. In the event of a containment breach the charges are to be detonated following approval from Site Director Dr. Malyster or Commander (or Acting Commander) of MTF Delta-2.² No digital files are to be stored within the exclusion zone; All digital storage for research regarding SCP-XXXX is to be handled by Storage Site-43. No personnel are permitted to remain within the cavern for more than four hours per day or within the Exclusion Zone for more than three days per week.

Description:

SCP-XXXX is a large, anomoulous cavern in █████ ████, Vietnam and the expansive collection of buildings within. The buildings on the outskirts of the city are made of flat surfaces with hard angles forming cubic shaped structures, but the architecture gradually shifts design further in as the walls become curved and begin to twist and distort in different angles. The center of the city is the greatest extreme consisting of buildings which appear to defy gravity as their twisted shapes float above the ground.

Humanoid entities inhabit SCP-XXXX though they have never been seen leaving the structures that contain them and have no discernible food source. The entities appear human with the exception of crystal masses growing from their limbs and in some cases covering entire portions of their bodies. Most of these entities emit an unintelligible sound which is hypothesized to be an attempt at speech, although some have been found to speak English. The entities show no signs of hostility until provoked. Immobile crystalline figures can also be seen throughout the streets and on top of the structures. Initial hypothesis is that the living inhabitants are partially crystallized instances of SCP-XXXX-2 and that the immobile figures are fully crystallized instances, though further testing is required to determine if that is the case.

A liquid substance of undetermined composition, designated SCP-XXXX-1, perpetually forms in the air near the ceiling of the cave and falls to the ground in a process that resembles rain. The substance has a viscosity of 3.78(mPa s) and is black in color. Crystalline structures begin to grow from most objects that make contact with the substance and nearly everything in the cave is coated in these crystalline structures. Initial tests with SCP-XXXX-1 show that the crystalline reaction does not occur when in contact with various heavy metallic elements such as gold, silver, and titanium. The substance dissolves upon contact with any of these metals as well as upon contact with the crystals already present in the cavern. Like the liquid that produces them, the chemical makeup of the crystalline structures is as of yet undetermined. The crystals are an opaque, dark grey color.

Living organisms directly exposed to SPC-XXXX-1 for longer than 30 milliseconds become instances of SCP-XXXX-2. Instances of SCP-XXXX-2 are physically incapable of leaving the anomalous cavern, perceiving a wall in place of the exit. If an attempt is made by one of these entities to cross the threshold despite the perceived obstruction, their body will physically react as if the obstruction is real. Continued exposure to SCP-XXXX-1 leads to deterioration of the mind and eventually solidification of the crystalline structure throughout the being's body. The more of the entity's body that is exposed to the substance, the faster the crystallization occurs.

The passage of time in and around SCP-XXXX is altered, with a greater effect seen inside the cavern and a gradually diminishing effect seen radiating outward in all directions. This alteration of reality causes various effects to electrical and biological systems of which the most noteable are data corruption, slowed aging, and difficulty or inability to form and maintain new memories. Inside the cavern these effects are so potent that living creatures cease to age by measurable standards and do not seem to need to eat, drink, or sleep.

Hume readings throughout the exclusion zone become noticeably lower than baseline as Kant counters approach SCP-XXXX, with levels dropping from baseline 1 at the border of Area-42 to a range of .55 H~.32 H within the exclusion zone and again dropping to a range of .17 H~.01 H within the cavern. It is speculated that there is a correlation between the extremely low Hume levels and the temporal, data corrupting effects found in and around SCP-XXXX.

Excursion Procedures

+ v.1

Entrance site used for testing is to have five additional Security Officers posted for the duration, and all other entrances are to have two additional Security Officers posted. Subject is to be a D-Class equipped with the following:

• 1 head or shoulder mounted camera

• 1 rucksack containing 3 days worth of water and non-perishable food

• 1 chest mounted light source

• 1 hands free communications device

• 1 silver-coated cloak

• 1 harness connected to a tension pulley system allowing for 750m of movement³

Upon entry, subject is to be issued a standard survival knife. Subject is to be instructed only to use this knife for utility and self defense purposes, and the subject is to immediately place the survival knife on the ground and place their hands behind their head upon exit of the anomaly.
Following Excursion 1, D-Class subjects sent into the anomaly are not to be given weapons of any kind. No exceptions.

+ v.2

(To be used for Excursion 4 and all future Excursions.)

All entrances to the site are to have five additional Security Officers posted for the duration of the test. Team is to consist of MTF Delta-2 Foxtrot 1, five D-Class personnel, and the Senior Researcher currently assigned to Area-42.

Foxtrot-1 operatives are to be equipped with the following:

• 1 head or shoulder mounted light source

• 1 hands free communications device

• 1 cloak layered with titanium scales

• 1 5.56x45 fully automatic rifle loaded with a 40 round magazine

• 4 Spare 40 round magazines

All accompanying D-Class are to be equipped with the following:

• 1 chest mounted light source

• 1 hands free communications device

• 1 cloak layered with titanium scales

Senior Researcher is to be equipped with the following:

• 1 head or shoulder mounted camera

• 1 chest mounted light source

• 1 hands free communications device

• 3 cloaks layered with titanium scales

• 1 5.56x45 fully automatic rifle loaded with a 40 round magazine

• 3 Spare 40 round magazines

• 1 harness connected to a 'Portable Winch & Pulley System', allowing for 500m of movement from the device

• 1 'Portable Winch & Pulley System', connected by 5 Km of loose cable to a power source outside of SCP-XXXX.

Excursion Documentation

+ Excursion_1.txt

Audio Transcript
Subject: D-514476
Gender: Male
Age: 34

Dr. Fynn: "Subject was issued equipment and initial instructions upon arrival and was then led to the designated entrance. Harness is now equipped and power is supplied to the subject's electrical equipment. Video feed is active. Audio feed is active. Light Source is active. Tether strength checks are successful. Test is now authorized to begin."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Subject, proceed into the anomaly."

D-514476: "Damn it, I don't like this."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "You will like the alternative even less. Proceed into the anomaly."

D-514476: "Fine. There, happy now?"

Dr. Fynn: "Initial tests have proven successful, cloak is holding up against SCP-XXXX-1 with no apparent harm to the subject. Proceeding with Phase 2."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Guards, you are authorized to issue the knife. Subject, proceed towards the city at a steady pace."

Dr. Fynn: "Upon entry of the anomaly the internal clock of subjects camera has frozen at the current time, despite no obvious malfunction. Video feed is otherwise deemed functional and the test will continue."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Proceed to the first structure on your right and carefully examine the interior.

D-514476: "It's got people inside? What the hell?"

Dr. Fynn: "Humanoid figures within the structures have been confirmed. It appears the humanoids are in the process of being effected by SCP-XXXX-1; Humanoids vaguely resemble normal human beings, but are heavily crystallized. Interior of the structure is otherwise filled with non-euclidean objects with undetermined functions."

Unknown: (Unintelligible)

D-514476: "Oh shit, they saw me!"

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Calm down, we don't know if they are hostile yet."

D-514476: "Fuck that, easy for you to be calm from the safety of your office. I'm fucking out of here!"

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "You have not yet been authorized to return, turn around and continue the-"

D-514476: "Son of a bitch! Oh god, no. My arm! What is happening to my arm!"

Dr. Fynn: "Subject has fallen and torn the sleeve of his cloak. SCP-XXXX-1 has begun to effect the subject, as a crystalline structure is growing from his arm. We will need to find a more durable alternative to the current design of the cloak."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Guards, prepare to contain the subject within the anomaly."

D-514476: "What the hell did you just do? Where the hell is the exit?"

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Can you elaborate what you mean? What is wrong with the exit?"

D-514476: "It's a fucking wall! Are you not seeing this?"

Dr. Fynn: "Subject has approached the exit and is now seemingly striking the air that makes up the threshold of the exit. This does not appear to be faked, subject is seemingly incapable of physically leaving the anomaly and there is an audible reaction from the impacts of his fists against the perceived 'wall'. Initial hypothesis is that this is a side effect of exposure to SCP-XXXX-1. Subject is deemed irretrievable and the current test is now concluded. What a shame."

+ Excursion_2.txt

Audio Transcript
Subject: D-625399
Gender: Female
Age: 22

Dr. Fynn: "Subject was issued equipment and initial instructions upon arrival and was then led to the designated entrance. Harness is now equipped and power is supplied to the subject's electrical equipment. Video feed is active. Audio feed is active. Light Source is active. Tether strength checks are successful. Subject has been issued 1 extra silver coated cloak. Test is now authorized to begin."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Subject, proceed into the Anomaly and exit again immediately after."

D-625399: "O-okay.."

Dr. Fynn: "Subject shows no signs of difficulty in exiting the anomaly. Initial hypothesis seems to hold up to testing."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Good, now reenter the anomaly and proceed towards the city."

D-625399: "Are you sure that's a good idea? How well have you tested this thing?"

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Your cloak can handle the rain so long as you don't damage it, proceed cautiously and you will be fine."

Dr. Fynn: "No trace of D-514476 can be seen in the outskirts of the city. Subject is not informed of previous test or the possibility of encountering D-514476. As the subject approaches the city, the sound of metal striking metal can be heard."

D-625399: "Do you hear that banging noise?"

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "The sound is coming through your audio feed clearly. Proceed with caution in the direction of the sound."

D-625399: "I-I think I see somebody! Can there really be people living here?"

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "I need you to get a closer look without being seen."

Dr. Fynn: "The entity can be seen working at an anvil, striking a piece of metal with a hammer. It seems the natives were once, and are possibly still, intelligent despite exposure within the anomaly. Though it is worth noting this entity appears to have minimal crystallization compared to the others and more closely resembles a human being."

Unknown: "Don't just stand out there lurking in the rain, we've nothing left to steal so either leave us be or come inside!"

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Damn it, you let it see you! We may as well make the most of this. You are authorized to make contact with the entity, proceed into the building as requested."

D-625399: "He-hello?"

Unknown: "Greetings, young lady. What brings you to this corner of Hell?"

Dr. Fynn: "The entity appears coherent and is engaging the subject in conversation. Noted as prime candidate for attempted extraction but for now lets see if we can get anything out of it."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Ask the entity if it knows the source of the rains."

D-625399: "Information. I was sent here to figure out whats going on."

Unknown: "Information, eh? Now that I've had a closer look at you, I can definitely see you are not from around here."

D-625399: "Do you know what's happening here or where the rain is coming from?"

Unknown: "No one knows for sure, I can't even remember when it first started."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "Ask about the other humanoids in the city."

D-625399: "Do you know anything about the others in this city, other survivors?"

Unknown: "Many of the others have lost their minds. They retain some of what once made them who they were, but much of it is gone now."

Dr. Fynn (Comms): "I'd like to get more information out of the entity but I'd prefer if we could get it contained first. Try and convince the entity to follow you out of the city."

D-625399: "Would you like to get out of this place? Out of the rain? I have a spare cloak and I can show you the way I came in."

Unknown: "Is that what protects you from the rain? This strange metal garment?"

D-625399: "Mhmm. I'm not sure why it works, but it works."

Unknown: "What about my things? I can't just leave everything behind."

D-625399: "We can come back with more people to gather your belongings, but we should get you out of here first. It doesn't seem like the rain will stop any time soon."

Unknown: "Fair enough. I never liked this city much anyway, lead the way."

Dr. Fynn: "As the subject escorts the entity out of the city, it is worth noting that the entity shows no sign of malnutrition, further evidence of the time altering effects."

Unknown: "Is this some kind of joke? There's nothing here but a wall."

D-625399: "What are you talking about? This is the tunnel I came through."

Unknown: "What the hell? She vanished!"

Dr. Fynn: "It seems the subject was still capable of leaving without issue even after a prolonged venture into the anomaly. The entity that was brought along is exhibiting similar troubles with passing through the threshold to what occurred with subject D-514476. Entity claims a wall to be blocking the exit visually, and is physically incapable of passing through the threshold. Initial hypothesis confirmed, any entity partially exposed to SCP-XXXX-1 is physically prevented from exiting SPC-XXXX. From here on, these entities will be referred to as instances of SCP-XXXX-2. The entity has run away from the entrance and is heading back into the city, it seems we won't be getting anymore information out of it, at least not today. This test is concluded."

+ Excursion_3.txt

Researcher's Notes

There are no audio or video logs of the third Excursion, not even a transcription. This was the first test where we chose to use a wireless system to attempt a long range excursion, and the feed seemed to be working at first, if a bit distorted. This distortion quickly worsened as the subject got farther and farther from the entrance, until the feed was lost entirely. The recordings we had already gotten by that time were also completely corrupted. The subject has not been seen or heard from in 3 weeks.

As if that wasn't bad enough already, we lost the audio and video files from the first two Excursions to corruption as well. I managed to catch the transcriptions before they became unintelligible and sent them to an offsite computer where the corruption seems to have stopped. I'll have an assistant recreate the transcriptions later on. The next Excursion footage will need to be sent offsite as well, as it seems the time altering effects present at the site might be the cause considering their effect on digital systems.

I've already come up with a way to attempt a wired excursion deeper into the city, but I worry about sending in so many D-Class personnel alone. I've decided I will accompany the fourth Excursion to ensure we get the data we need, and I'll be speaking with the Director about forming a Mobile Task Force for this and future Excursions. I feel we are so close to understanding the nature of XXXX, if only we could find the source…

+ Excursion_4.txt

Audio & Video Transcript
Subject A: D-774596
Gender: Male
Age: 33

Subject B: D-774597
Gender: Female
Age: 33

Subject C: D-811143
Gender: Male
Age: 21

Subject D: D-837754
Gender: Male
Age: 22

Subject E: D-900241
Gender: Male
Age: 24

[Video Start]

[A view of the city from Entrance 3 is displayed. There is a dim light coming from the ceiling, from a bio-luminescent fungus covering the majority of it, which illuminates the crystals covering the city.]

Subject A: "We look stupid in these robes, this whole project is stupid. I mean, do these scales even have a purpose?"

Subject B: "You look stupid, Dave."

Subject A: "Fuck you, Diana."

Dr. Fynn: "Silence! Both of you!"

[The camera swings around to show the four men and one woman that were standing around the Portable Winch & Pulley System, a huge machine with the tension pulley system on top connected to the Dr. as well as a huge claw mechanism underneath designed to dig into the ground to secure itself to that location. Behind them are five MTF operatives prepping their weapons.]

Dr. Fynn: "The scales make it harder for you to damage the cloak and expose yourself to XXXX-1. With the old, plain cloaks all it took was one scratch from a fall to be exposed. And exposure means never leaving this place."

Dr. Malyster (Comms): "Harness is now equipped and power is supplied to the team's electrical equipment. Video feed is active. Audio feed is active. Light Sources are active. Tether strength checks are successful. Test is now authorized to begin. Dr. Fynn, you now have operational command of Foxtrot 1. I hope you know what you are doing."

Dr. Fynn: "Alright, you five handle the Device. Foxtrot 1-1, you take point. Lets get moving."

Foxtrot 1-1: "Formation five! Move!"

[The D-Class begin pushing the device as three of the MTF operatives run ahead of the group in a wide spearhead formation. The camera pans away from the device and over the landscape within the cavern. A series of dropoffs and tunnels leading deeper underground surround the city, and crystallized stalagmites dot the platforms and pathways between the tunnels and dropoffs. The majority of the land at the center of the cavern is a flat platform that holds the massive city. The sound of the rain pouring down is constant.]

Foxtrot 1-3: "You see that? There must be dozens of them in that building alone."

[The camera glances over a building and several humanoids can be seen looking at the group through the windows.]

Foxtrot 1-2: "Thank god they are not hostile."

Dr. Fynn: "It's almost disturbing how they stare at us."

Subject D: "That's rich coming from an egg head, Doc."

Foxtrot 1-1: "Just because these things are not hostile doesn't mean we won't find something in this place that is hostile, stay alert."

Dr. Fynn: "As we continue onward the buildings found are larger and larger, while the architecture becomes more and more extreme. It's a wonder some of these structures are even standing. I can hear faint sounds in the background as well. Metal striking metal coming from our left and to our right are sounds that seem to bear a musical quality. The instrument that could produce such sounds is unknown to me but the melody formed by the notes is clearly of intelligent design."

[The camera pans past an alleyway and a hooded figure can be seen darting from behind one building to behind another. Dr. Fynn does not react to this.]

Dr. Fynn: "This must be it, the reality bender causing all this must be at the top of this structure. Get the device inside this building and then step away."

[The camera quickly adjusts to the brighter lighting inside. The room is bare except for a circular staircase at the center leading up and torches that line the walls. The five D-Class push the machine through the massive door and then promptly back away as the Dr. approaches. He presses several buttons and the machine begins to emit a whirring sound. The sound grows with intensity until the claws suddenly slam into the ground with extreme force and dig their way deep into it.]

Dr. Fynn: "Emplacement Successful, I now have 500m of movement. Lets just hope this thing isn't any taller than that. You five are to remain here with the device. 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, you are to hold this location and ensure the D-Class do not try anything. 1-4, 1-5, you're with me. 1-4, you take point."

[The two MTF operatives rush up the stairs and the camera follows along behind. The staircase goes on for quite some time, and little of note is seen along the way besides the remarkable amount of material missing from the walls of the tower in some places. As the view finally opens up into a room, the camera swings back to a view of the tether which has become taut, then the camera turns back and begins to pan from left to right. The room is abnormally large and filled with structures that seem to fold in on themselves repeatedly.]

Foxtrot 1-4: "Contact dead ahead."

Unknown: (Unintelligible)

[The camera shifts to a view of a large crystal mass. The crystals steadily move up and down faintly, and a golden cylindrical object dangles from one of the crystals protruding from the mass near the top. Both MTF operatives have their weapons trained on the mass.]

Dr. Fynn: "Could this really be what's behind all this?"

[A childish laughter begins sounding in the distance, and the MTF operatives both turn their attention towards the source. A loud screech is then heard coming from the crystalline mass and less than a second later both operatives are completely crystallized. The camera slowly pans in the direction of the laughter, and two human children can be seen playing in the distance before they disappear back into the strange structures within the room.]

Unknown: (Unintelligible)

Dr. Malyster (Comms): "Fynn, back away slowly and leave the structure immediately. Cut the video feed and return to Entrance 3, the test is hereby concluded.

[Video End]

Footnotes

1. The exclusion zone has been designated "Provisional Dim. Research Area-42"

2. Mobile Task Force Delta-2 "The Ageless" is a permanently established investigative and protective unit consisting of two squads of five operatives each, and led by Senior Researcher/MTF Delta-2 Commander Dr. ██████ Fynn. Delta-2 has been given specialized training for operating in the conditions present within SCP-XXXX.

3. The tether must be made from a titanium exterior and contain a wire within linking the subject's electrical equipment to a power source outside of SCP-XXXX.