Author's note: 4786 is a placeholder number for the purposes of article demonstration. While it would be my preferred number if submission is approved, I will accept any assigned number.
Item #: SCP-4786
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-4786 must be contained in a lead (or otherwise lead-lined) box of 26 cm on each face (see Experiment Log 4786-004). Lid should be fastened securely, but a locking mechanism is not necessarily required at this time due to the unlikeliness of theft attempts. SCP-4786 may be removed from its box for testing upon approval from any Level 4 researcher except Dr. B█████ (see Addendum 002).
Description: SCP-4786 appears to be an otherwise-standard red kickball measuring 25.4 cm (10 inches) in diameter. Its only defining marking is a black hammer-and-sickle symbol (the typical symbol of the Soviet Union) measuring 7 cm across, focused upon the location of the inflation hole.
SCP-4786 is, as a result, very easily mistaken with an ordinary, non-anomalous kickball until its anomalous effect is triggered. This is done by imparting significant kinetic force (hypothesized to be no less than 0.005 J, see Experiment Log 4786-001) via direct impact onto the surface of SCP-4786. Any amount of force above this threshold will result in no damage or movement of SCP-4786. Immediately after impact, the source of the imparted kinetic force will be propelled in a direction opposite to what SCP-4786 would have moved, at the same velocity it would have moved, even if the amount of acceleration would have required significantly greater force application than the initial triggering impact.
Additionally, upon examination using devices to detect radiant emissions of anomalous energy sources, SCP-4786 was found to be radiating low trace levels of psionic energy in a consistent pattern. Upon activation of its anomalous effects while being observed with same devices, SCP-4786 was found to propagate its anomalous effect via a wave of psionic energy similar to a telekinetic push. For more examples, see Experiment Log 4786-003. It is presently being debated whether or not SCP-4786 possesses some form of consciousness, and its anomalous properties are some form of self-defense mechanism. Evidence is inconclusive on this matter.
SCP-4786 was discovered by Foundation agents on routine surveillance assignment in ██████, Russia, on 16/03/19██. Team heard of a report from a local Beginning-level school that several children had been injured after being mysteriously flung several meters by an unknown force during recreational time. Investigation led to monitoring of the next day's recreation, where SCP-4786 was directly observed demonstrating its anomalous property, flinging away any children who tried to kick it. After school was dismissed, Foundation agents infiltrated the school and replaced SCP-4786 with an ordinary kickball. Victims and witnesses of SCP-4786 were then interviewed before being given Class C Amnestics.
Addendum 001: Proposals have been considered to employ SCP-4786 as an emergency object-deflection system in the event of imminent asteroidal impact on Earth. Failing all other evasion or removal options, it has been proposed that SCP-4786 be placed into the object's path, so that its anomalous effect could be employed to redirect the incoming object. Proposal is scheduled to be discussed by the O5 Council.
Addendum 002: After repeated "practical jokes" involving this object, Dr. B█████ is no longer permitted access to SCP-4786 unless supervised by other Level 4 or higher researchers.
Date: 18/03/19██
Experiment Objective: To determine precise force required to trigger SCP-4786's anomalous effect.
Personnel Involved: Dr. B█████, one D-Class personnel.
Details: SCP-4786 taken out to an open field near Site-██, accompanied by Dr. B█████ and one D-Class personnel. Dr. B█████ instructed D-Class personnel to very gently nudge SCP-4786 with their foot. D-Class personnel complied, and was able to successfully move SCP-4786 with their foot a distance of 4 cm. Dr. B█████ then instructed D-Class personnel to firmly kick SCP-4786. D-Class personnel complied, but instead of SCP-4786 moving, D-Class personnel stumbled back a step and reported a mysterious shoving force against their person. Dr. B█████ then instructed D-Class personnel to kick SCP-4786 as hard as possible. D-Class personnel reluctantly complied, winding back and swinging their foot. As soon as their foot made contact with SCP-4786, D-Class personnel was flung backwards approximately 25 meters, with an aerial trajectory similar to a kicked ball. D-Class personnel landed hard and rolled several more meters, and suffered several minor fractures in their left arm and leg. Experiment concluded.
Notes: Dr. B█████ found the results of the experiment quite amusing. D-Class personnel transferred to Site-██ infirmary for treatment of injuries. SCP-4786 carefully picked up and placed in standard packaging for similar non-anomalous objects until containment procedures could be discovered.
Date: 19/03/19██
Experiment Objective: To determine what sources of kinetic force would trigger SCP-4786's anomalous effect.
Personnel Involved: Dr. B█████, a second D-Class personnel.
Details: SCP-4786 was transported into a 10 m x 10 m x 10 m chamber within Site-██, accompanied by Dr. B█████ and one D-Class personnel. SCP-4786 was placed on a pedestal, and Dr. B█████ instructed D-Class Personnel to punch it off the pedestal. D-Class personnel complied, and when their fist connected with SCP-4786, they were pushed back approximately 1 meter, falling to the ground in the process. Upon rising from the ground, D-Class personnel was instructed by Dr. B█████ to pick up SCP-4786, walk bck five paces, then turn and trow SCP-4786 at the pedestal. After registering a minor explicit complaint, D-Class personnel complied. SCP-4786 did not trigger its anomalous effect upon being thrown, and when it impacted the pedestal, the pedestal was knocked over and SCP-4786 bounced away, consistent with similar non-anomalous object interaction. For comparison, the pedestal was righted, and D-Class personnel was provided with one (1) standard 24.5 cm kickball to repeat the experiment. After throwing the kickball, the pedestal was knocked over almost identically to the impact from SCP-4786, and the kickball bounced away. D-Class personnel was then provided with one (1) clay brick measuring 225 mm x 112.5 mm x 75 mm. D-Class personnel was instructed by Dr. B█████ to place SCP-4786 on the ground and then drop the brick onto it. Upon impact, the brick was propelled approximately 2 meters into the air, causing D-Class personnel to quickly withdraw from the immediate area to avoid being struck. SCP-4786 did not move. D-Class personnel was then instructed to repeat the experiment with the non-anomalous kickball. Brick impacted, bounced approximately 0.2 meters, and fell to the ground, with the ball being moved several centimeters. D-Class is then instructed by Dr. B█████ to perform the experiment in reverse, placing the brick on the ground and then dropping SCP-4786 onto it. D-Class complied, and SCP-4786 bounced approximately 0.75 meters before dropping and bouncing again several times. D-Class was then instructed to drop the non-anomalous ball onto the brick. Upon compliance, the same result occurred. Experiment concluded.
Notes: Based on observations, SCP-4786's anomalous effect is only triggered when it is the object initially being impacted, and does not trigger its effect when first imparting kinetic force upon another object, even though by the laws of motion, the impacted object would necessarily be imparting kinetic force back onto SCP-4786.
Date: 20/03/19██
Experiment Objective: To determine an upper limit to SCP-4786's anomalous effect, as well as the precise mechanics of its propagation and the possibility of damage to the object.
Personnel Involved: Dr. B█████, one D-Class personnel (same as Experiment 4786-002).
Details: SCP-4786 was taken to Site-██'s firing range. A high-speed camera was set up near SCP-4786, alongside various detection devices for radiation and anomalous energies. As soon as detection devices were activated, psionic energy trace emissions were detected from SCP-4786 for the first time. D-Class personnel was provided with a Foundation-issue sidearm pistol and instructed by Dr. B█████ to fire one round at SCP-4786. D-class personnel complied, aiming slightly off-center in the hopes of avoiding the predicted bounce-back of the bullet. Upon impact of the bullet, detectors registered a massive psionic wave emission from SCP-4786 directed at the bullet. However, instead of the predicted redirection, the bullet simply stopped in midair and dropped to the floor. Dr. B█████, curious, then instructed D-Class personnel to switch to rubber bullets and repeat experiment. Upon projectile impact, another psionic wave emission was registered, directed at the projectile, which was redirected as consistent with previous experiments. High-speed camera footage indicated that the projectile was redirected at approximately 10 m/s, far lower than its impact trajectory but consistent with the speed a non-anomalous ball would likely have moved if impacted similarly. D-Class personnel was then provided with a shotgun loaded with standard 12-gauge shells and told to fire at SCP-4786. D-Class complied, and similar to the bullet, the slug stopped in midair upon impact and dropped to the floor, despite a similar, albeit weaker, psionic wave emission being registered. D-Class personnel was instructed to switch to bean bag rounds and repeat experiment. Upon impact, a psionic wave emission weaker than the last experiment was registered, and the bean bag was redirected at approximately 4 m/s. To test if the object was somehow weakening, D-Class personnel was provided with a high-powered sniper rifle loaded with rubber bullets and instructed by Dr. B█████ to fire. Rubber projectile was redirected at a velocity of approximately 15 m/s, corresponding to a much stronger psionic wave emission. D-Class was then instructed by Dr. B█████ to load normal lead rounds and told to fire. A slightly stronger psionic wave emission was recorded on impact, but consistently with other lead objects, the round stopped in midair and dropped to the floor.
Notes: Psionic emissions from SCP-4786 appeared to explain its anomalous property. Additionally, the lack of redirection of lead-based projectiles was noted, as was the corresponding weakness in psionic emissions based on mass and velocity of impact. Resulting hypothesis was that the psionic wave generated by SCP-4786 is precisely calibrated based both on the energy of the kinetic impact and the mass of the object to be moved. However, the test failed to measure a practical upper limit to possible psionic emissions, and Dr. B█████ hypothesizes that it may not have one.
Date: 25/03/19██
Experiment Objective: To follow up on the hypothesis and observations from Experiment 4786-003, testing the intensity of psionic wave emissions based on object mass and impact energy, as well as the apparent immunity of lead-based objects.
Personnel Involved: Dr. B█████, one D-Class personnel (same as previous two tests).
Details: SCP-4786 was transported to the same 10 m x 10 m x 10 m chamber as Experiment 4786-002. One wall has been padded for safety purposes. Anomalous energy detectors were set up. D-Class personnel was instructed by Dr. B█████ to nudge SCP-4786 as gently as possible. SCP-4786 rolls several centimeters, as observed in Experiment 4786-001, with no detectable change in psionic emissions. Dr. B█████ then instructed D-Class personnel to kick SCP-4786 with a moderate amount of force. Results again consistent with Experiment 4786-001, and a corresponding psionic wave emission directed at D-Class personnel was registered, significantly more intense than predicted based on mass of D-Class personnel's foot but consistent with projected output for mass of D-Class personnel's entire body. Dr. B█████ then instructed D-Class personnel to kick SCP-4786 as hard as possible. D-Class personnel complied, and was flung with significant force into the padded wall, sustaining only mild to moderate bruising from impact with the wall and floor. Psionic wave emission was, as predicted, significantly more intense. D-Class personnel then provided with a lead sphere measuring 10 centimeters in diameter and instructed by Dr. B█████ to throw it at SCP-4786. Consistent with previous experiments, the sphere stopped in midair upon impact and dropped to the floor, with a weak psionic wave emission registered. D-Class personnel was then provided with another lead sphere, this time measuring 15 centimeters in diameter, and instructed by Dr. B█████ to throw it at SCP-4786. As before, the sphere stopped in midair upon impact and dropped to the floor, and consistent with Dr. B█████'s hypothesis, the psionic wave emission was slightly more intense. Now testing an idea for containment, Dr. B█████ provided D-Class personnel with a lead box measuring 26 centimeters on each side, and instructed to place SCP-4786 inside it and close the lid. Once D-Class personnel had done so, they were provided with a pair of steel-toed boots, which they put on upon direction, and instructed to kick the box as hard as possible. Upon impact, the box shifted approximately 0.5 meters. A psionic wave emission from SCP-4786 was detected inside the box, consistent with previous similar force application, but the wave emission was unable to penetrate the box and did not affect D-Class personnel. Experiment concluded.
Notes: Containment procedures updated for SCP-4786 in accordance with demonstrated effects of lead container. Object classified as Safe and scheduled to be stored in Site-██'s Safe wing pending further testing.
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