Carmen

Item #: SCP-3XXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: A 3km perimeter is to be kept around the farthest out reaches of SCP-3XXX’s colony. The area was purchased from local government and kept under the guise of a private residence. At least 4 squads of armed guards are to remain on premises at all time. Squadrons are to also walk the grounds and exterminate local fauna to prevent their capture and ingestion by SCP-3XXX.

Identified SCP-3XXX-1 & SCP-3XXX-2 instances are to be housed in hermetically sealed structures that allow for filtration of volatile chemicals produced by SCP-3XXX-1. Guard rails are to be maintained around the edge of SCP-3XXX-1 & SCP-3XXX-2 as well as use of respirator units to dissuade direct contact with SCP-3XXX-2. 200 kg of ground meat are to be supplied to each instance of SCP-3XXX-2 monthly. According to the Groundskeeper (See Exploration & Interview Logs) this amount of meat is what will keep SCP-3XXX stable and prevent further outward development and appearance of additional SCP-3XXX-1 & SCP-3XXX-2. Local fauna eliminated by Foundation personal may be used to supply monthly quota as long as they are ground up (See Experiment Log). Close circuit surveillance cameras are to be set up around SCP-3XXX-1 & SCP-3XXX-2 for observation as well as to determine if any personal or wild fauna enter/breach the containment unit and are consumed by SCP-3XXX-2.

SCP-3XXX-3 is to also be contained in a hermetically sealed chamber that is a 8m X 8m X 8m in size. When entering the containment unit with SCP-3XXX-3 level 1 hazmat gear is required by all personal. On a biweekly basis flame units are to enter the chamber and incinerate all spore sacs and document any newly formed fungal pods. If an instance of SCP-3XXX-4 emerges from SCP-3XXX-3, site lock down is to occur and all guard personal are to be equipped with flame units to destroy the instance. Once SCP-3XXX-4 instances have been destroyed the area will be placed on quarantine until MTF Beta-7 “Maz Hatters” can retrieve the remains, sterilize the area and ensure no other instances are active.

Description: SCP-3XXX is a large fungal colony that spans an area of 4.6km in diameter located in the northeastern part of United States of America in the wilderness of up state ████████. Majority of the colony is located deep underground with several structures appearing above ground (SCP-3XXX-1, SCP-3XXX-2, and SCP-3XXX-3). Below ground is the mycelial network with a biomass estimated ranging in the tonnage range based on ground penetrating radar. Genetic analysis places SCP-3XXX in the fungal division of Basidiomycota but does show homology with any other known species to date.

Beside the size of the underground network of mycelia this part of the colony behaves like a typical fungus aiding in breaking down and absorption of nutrients. Only upon the consumption of any animal tissue of sufficient biomass and shape via SCP-3XXX-2 will anomalous effects be observed. Ingestion of the biomass is obtained by a combination of SCP-3XXX-1 and SCP-3XXX-2 working in a bait and trap method style of hunting. SCP-3XXX-1 are groups of small mushrooms, connected to the colony, that take the appearance “fairy rings” and acts as bait drawing prey towards SCP-3XXX-2. This is achieved through dispersal of volatile chemicals into the air several meters around the instance. Any individual who breathes in the compounds find themselves drawn into the center of the ring. Those affected describe a strong smell that is irresistible to them and a compulsion to go near the source. This affects also applies to all animals tested which includes mammals, birds, and reptiles. While the chemicals do not stay in the body for long and disperse quickly in the environment, the effect is very intense to those affected.

SCP-3XXX-2 are maw-like structures that are in the center of SCP-3XXX-1. The structure is located just below the surface and is naturally camouflaged. While the mouth is closed the outer surface is covered in fibrous structures dubbed “fungal hair” that mimic grass or other natural foliage concealing it. Once prey has been attracted by SCP-3XXX-1 and traveled towards the center SCP-3XXX-2 will open and consume any prey whole. Presumably to stay hidden the grabbing of prey happens very quickly and can only be properly observed using high speed cameras. Foundation scientist discovered that the trigger for this response is not due to pressure of organisms walking on it but by touching the fungal hair covering SCP-3XXX-2. Once enough hairs are touched SCP-3XXX-2 will open and try and consume whatever is within the fairy ring. If SCP-3XXX-2 do not consume anything on a regular basis the colony will go into a state of starvation. While in this state more instances of SCP-3XXX-1 and SCP-3XXX-2 will start to appear farther from the colony to find more food.

All nutrition obtained by SCP-3XXX-2 goes directly to SCP-3XXX-3 which is the center of the colony. SCP-3XXX-3 is a large mushroom fruiting body that is over three meters high and extremely resistant to damage. Multiple attempts to remove or destroy SCP-3XXX-3 have been unsuccessful. Analysis of the tissue reveals the mushroom to be made of organic carbon fiber and have high concentrations of iron. The purpose of this structure seems to be reproduction/propagation of the fungus. To this end every few days SCP-3XXX-3 produces several billions viable spores. While the tissue of the mushroom body is resistant to high temperatures the spores are not and can be eradicated with flame units. If either entire organisms or pieces of sufficient biomass are consumed by SCP-3XXX-2, SCP-3XXX-3 will produce an instant of SCP-3XXX-4.

Instances of SCP-3XXX-4 start off with the production of a fungal pod within a three-meter radius of SCP-3XXX-3. The pod is made of the same organic fibers as SCP-3XXX-3 thus making them impervious to most forms of damage. The pod will grow to an indeterminable size based on the amount of biomass consumed. Once the pod has “matured” a SCP-3XXX-4 will emerge. SCP-3XXX-4 are fungal hybrids that have formed from the biomass that was consumed by SCP-3XXX-2. Characteristics are widely different between instances, but some common traits are apparent. Instances are covered in crisscrossing hyphae and previously described “fungal hair”, the genetic code has been replaced and augmented with sections of fungal DNA and depending on the size of the hybrid 4-10 mushrooms, 0.5 meters in size, will appear on its torso.

The hybrids seem to be created for three specific functions. The first is that SCP-3XXX-4 are means to further propagate the fungus. The mushrooms on their backs produce spores identical to those created by SCP-3XXX-3. The instances in theory could physically walk to a more suitable location in the case the colony was unable to continue to grow or disperse spores into the atmosphere. The two other functions of SCP-3XXX-4 were observed during initial investigation of SCP-3XXX(See Exploration and Experiment Logs). The hybrids are documented to walk around the colony looking for prey to feed to SCP-3XXX-2. The other role they play is defense of the colony they act as sentries protecting SCP-3XXX-3. If fungal pods are in development and no active SCP-3XXX-4 are present when threated SCP-3XXX-4 instances will prematurely emerge and try and fend off attackers. If this occurs hybrids are less resilient and not fully hybridized. While the exact amount of biomass needed to create an instance of SCP-3XXX-4 is not known due to discontinuation of testing the current containment measures are sufficient to keep SCP-3XXX-2 in place as well as prevent SCP-3XXX-4 from appearing.

+ Exploration Log Bravo 6257

After the disappearance of multiple residents and an entire fraternity from a nearby college that were on spring break. A six-man contingent from MTF Epsilon-6 “Village Idiots” was dispatched to the forest surrounding ██████, ███████. What follows is the audio/video log of the team’s exploration of the area where SCP-3XXX was first encountered.
Team consisted of Squad Commander P. Arnolds, R. Smith(Second in Command), C. Connors, D. Riders, S. Taketa, & L. Washington. Camera views are taken from Arnolds's and Smith's cameras.

<Begin Log>

Arnolds: OK team intel is low on this OP. Over the last month multiple people from the area have gone missing presumed to be dead at this time. No survivors have been reported so the guys upstairs want us to go in and assess the situation. Cause of this were going in with our standard unknown package.

Washington: Sir are we going in with anti-memetics? I don’t want to be sectioned eight.

Arnolds: Yes, we are going in assuming the worse until we know otherwise.

Riders: When the eggheads don’t know what’s going on send in the idiots!!!

Taketa: Keep it down Riders we don’t want the entire forest knowing we are here.

Thirty minutes pass before the squad encounters anything.

Smith: Sir we got a house up ahead. Smokes coming from the chimney. Looks like someone’s home. Should we investigate?

Arnolds: Yes, Smith take Riders with you keep his nose clean. Keep comms open and report back. Rest of us we will continue moving into the forest.

At this point two different camera feeds are reported. It takes about 10 minutes for Smith and Riders to reach the homestead.

O’Kelly: It’s about bloody fuckin time you arseholes showed up. I could understand not investigating after one person goes missing, 5 maybe, 10 your just lazy but over fuckin 50 people? Christ was there budget cuts to save people from being eaten alive?

An older white haired and bearded white male with a strong accent stands at the door of the house. He is seen holding a lantern in one hand and crutch in another. He is clearly favoring one side over another.

Riders: You were expecting “us”?

O’Kelly: Well not you exactly. I expected the police to show up at some point or at least an angry mob. Good to see my tax dollars at work when the frikin army shows up to your front door.

Riders: Were not with the army…

Smith: Quiet.

Smith talks into his radio.

Smith: Commander we found a civilian. He seems to be aware of the current situation and might have additional information about the anomaly how should we proceed?

Arnolds: Hold him in your custody our agents will probably want to debrief him. Try and get any information you can from him in the meantime. We will swing back around and meet up with you after we investigate the area further.

Smith: Roger Smith out.

Smith walks closer to the man and starts to question him.

Smith: Excuse me sir but who are you and what are you doing here?

O’Kelly: Oh how shitty of me. Shamus O’Kelly at your service. This is my house and oh you could say I am the shepherd of this forest although gardener may be more accurate.

Smith: What are you tending to?

O’Kelly: An evil thing. A bastard that has rooted itself into the land so deep the only thing we can do is keep it from spreading further. I gotten to call her Carmen. Unfortunately, it keeps getting smarter with more surprises every day and it finally seems smart enough to get this old man.

He points to his leg.

O’Kelly: Who would of thought when the circus come to town it would fuck the whole town?

Riders: Like? The circus circus? Lions bears and tiger oh my circus?

O’Kelly: Turns out when a tiger escapes from the circus no one seems to notice. That tiger got grabbed by Carmen and became one of her play things. Most things its gets its teeth into I can handle but who the fuck expects a tiger. It grabbed my leg and mangled it all to hell, but I was able to get away. Without me Carmen been running amok grabbing everything and anything but hopefully with the entire army here we can get it back under control. I’m too old do this by myself anymore.

Smith: An army? Why do we need that many troops?

O’Kelly: Well with all the people that were gotten there bounds to be at least that many hybrids wandering about the forest.

Smith: Commander come in! Commander! Please respond the anomaly possess a more extreme and immediate threat then we are prepared for!

Gunfire and shouting is heard over the radio. Camera switches back to where the team split up. The squad is seen walking for a short period and communicating with Smith and Riders. Suddenly coming into view of several fairy rings.

Washington: Commander hold up a sec. I see some blood near those shrooms.

Arnolds: Hold fast team. Washington go check it out.

Washington approaches towards the edge of the ring and kneels. The rest of the team take up defensive positions.

Washington: Blood is dried but not too old. Maybe only a day or two…. Do you guys smell that? It smells greater then my mom’s cooking on Thanksgiving.

Washington stands up and walks toward the center of the ring before disappearing.

Connors: Where the hell he go? He was just there a second ago!

Arnolds: No one go near any mushrooms until we figure out what just happened to Washington.

Taketa: Commander we have contacts on our six. Multiple humanoid creatures approaching us. They do not look human. Permission to open fire?

Multiple hulking figures later identified as SCP-3XXX-4 can be seen behind the team’s position and are advancing towards the team.

Arnolds: Short controlled bursts. There are too many to directly engage keep pushing forward!

Connors: What about Washington we can’t leave him behind?

Arnolds: We don’t where he is! He is MIA probably KIA but right now we must focus on getting away from these creatures.

The team starts retreating further into the forest while maintaining fire on the creatures. Several creatures go down but many more keep appearing. The timeline between the two videos is resynced up.

Arnolds: Smith do you have intel I can use this mission went sideways fast?

Smith: Apparently this anomaly has taken over the missing people and converted them into something.

Arnolds: We can confirm that. Taketa watch your flank!

The firefight continues to increase but the squad has started putting distance between them and hybrid creatures.

Arnolds: Do you have anything that can help us take them down?

Smith: Shamus you said that these can’t be beaten but contained how do we that?

O’Kelly: Well it sounds like they are fighting the hybrids and you can take those down just like anything else its Carmen that can’t be destroyed. Personally, I use the biggest gun I have although fire works pretty well to.

Smith: You read that commander?

Arnolds: Roger. We won’t be able to make it back to your position call in command and request immediate deployment of MTF Epsilon-9 “Fire Eaters”.

Smith: Will do commander. Ryders watch our perimeter.

The three squad members appear to have lost their attackers but come upon a large mushroom surrounded by multiple smaller pods.

Arnolds: Smith I see a giant mushroom talk to me.

Shamus O’Kelly grabs the radio from Smith.

O’Kelly: Are you boys daft? You are at the heart of Carmen. She will defend that position with all she has. Move out of there!

Connors: Commander we have to get out of here those things are coming BACCCKKKK….

Connors was pounced upon by a large feline looking creature. Arnolds and Taketa unload on the creature before it runs with Connors in tow. More SCP-3XXX-4 come into view.

Taketa: Connors!!!

Arnolds: Taketa there is nothing we can do for him. Our job now it to make sure nothing else gets out of here. Smith take Ryders and the civilian out of here I am calling in a napalm drop. Command!! This is commander Arnolds I have found the center of the anomaly and it is heavily infested. We need a Nova Package dropped on my position ASAP!

Foundation Operator: Package Confirmed. Say again on location.

Arnolds: Drop it on my homing beacon I am at the heart of the anomaly.

Foundation Operator: Roger bringing the fire.

Taketa: It’s been an honor serving with you Commander.

Arnolds: Same he….

Arnolds’s feed cuts out and on Smith’s camera a large fire burning deep into the forest can be seen.

<End Log>

After napalm drop on the area MTFs “Village Idiots”, “Fire Eaters” and “Maz Hatters” were brought into mop up the remaining creatures and quarantine the area. The cover of a local wildfire was used to mask the usage of the napalm over a large area. The civilian known as Shamus O’Kelly was taken into Foundation Custody for interview. See Interview AX789-1.

+ Interview AX789-1

Interviewed: Shamus O’Kelly

Interviewer: Agent Evan Paulson

Foreword: After initial contact with SCP-3XXX, Shamus O’Kelly was found to have previous knowledge of SCP-3XXX. The Foundation conducted this interview to determine the sum of his knowledge and apply it to containment of SCP-3XXX.

<Begin Log>

Paulson: Please state your name for the record.

O’Kelly: Why the hell do I have to say it again? I said it when I walked into the room. Not my fault you forgot to flip the switch.

Paulson: Name of subject is Shamus O’Kelly. Mr. O’Kelly how did you first encounter SCP-3XXX?

O’Kelly: When I was old enough to walk.

Paulson: Can you please elaborate?

O’Kelly: The O’Kelly’s have been keeping Carmen at bay from spreading for over six generations. When we first settled into this forest we had to learn how to combat it. Many of us died learning how to keep Carmen at bay but we O’Kelly’s are stubborn bastards.

Paulson: Do you mean SCP-3XXX?

O’Kelly: You have your fancy names for her we call her Carmen.

Paulson: Right… Did you not try killing it? You mentioned to our team that fire worked pretty well…

O’Kelly: On those blasted hybrids it does. Carmen is too tough for that. I heard the stories from my family. We tried burning her. Set fire on her for a fortnight and it didn’t faze her. Sure, her mouths burned away but they always show up again later better to keep them in place, so you know where they are.

Paulson: I would assume that the mouths is younger tissue and that the Giant Mushroom at the center is older. Have you tried removing it by going for the younger growths of the mycelial network that is underground.

O’Kelly: You don’t realize how deep this thing goes do ya son? Back in the late 1800s my grandfather and his family at the time tried digging her out. They dug over 200 feet straight down and all the tendrils were just as strong as that giant shroom was.

Paulson: What else have you tried?

O’Kelly: Everything we could get our hands. There was a time my great grandpa Pappy shot a cannon at Carmen. It bounced back at him and almost took his head off.

Shamus start laughing uncontrollably.

O’Kelly: That story kills me every time I tell it.

Paulson: So how have you kept it from spreading?

O’Kelly: See the trick with Carmen is to make her think she is fully fed but only giving her just enough food to make her happy to the point that she won’t move or spread out.

Paulson: What about the things you called hybrids? What is the best way to prevent them from appearing?

O’Kelly: Don’t feed it anything bigger than a squirrel. It takes whatever it eats and morphs it in its own image. It takes anything it can get it hands on, dogs, birds, bears, I mean your guys encountered the ones that were once people. Carmen also devious too she can take pieces of different creatures and combine them together in horrifying and terrible ways.

Paulson: Thank you Mr. O’Kelly for your time we will be releasing you from our custody shortly.

O’Kelly: Mr. Paulson I may not be a well-educated man, but I can tell that you and whoever you work for want to stop this thing from getting out of control correct?

Paulson: You could say that.

O’Kelly: My family has been trying to contain this evil for generations. My wife passed, and we did not have any children. The legacy I have left is the knowledge my family obtained over the years to fight this thing. Let me help you out. Let me teach you how to properly contain Carmen.

Paulson: We’ll consider it.

<End Log>

After consideration of Mr. O’Kelly’s offer, Site Director of SCP-3XXX has accepted his help and will have him stationed on site in a consultant role with access to SCP-3XXX containment site and given codename “Groundskeeper”.

+ SCP-3XXX-4 Test Log

Sample ID	Biomaterial Used	Gestation Time	Hybrid Description	Notes
Recovered SCP-3XXX-4 Sample 1	N/A(presumably human)	N/A	Roughly humanoid in shape, fungal growth covering entire body, 5 mushrooms located on back	Assuming this to be baseline for human based SCP-3XXX-4.
Recovered SCP-3XXX-4 Sample 2	N/A(presumably human)	N/A	Humanoid but missing arms, three heads of human origins (1 male, 1 female, and 1 prepubescent of unidentified sex), all tissue minus skeletal structure replaced with fungal cells, 9 mushrooms covering torso.	Multiple individuals can be fused together to form SCP-3XXX-4. Further testing needed to confirm if this occurs if multiple organisms are supplied to one SCP-3XXX-2 at one time or if able to combine from multiple feedings.
Recovered SCP-3XXX-4 Sample 3	N/A(presumably member of Panthera tigris)	N/A	Base of hybrid is that of a large feline member of Panthera, 3 large tentacles protruding from upper back of hybrid, 8 mushrooms located, all tissue replaced with fungal biomass.	Based on this it can be presumed that anything that can be ingested by SCP-3XXX-2 will convert into a SCP-3XXX-4. Additional notes will not make mention of conversion of fungal biomass unless other unique features appear. One other note is the ability to produce nonnative structures is disturbing.
Recovered SCP-3XXX-4 Sample 4	MTF member L. Washington	3 days (Not fully mature)	Only partial conversion of original tissue to fungal. Conversion applied to head, upper torso, and right arm. Only 2 mushrooms appeared on converted portion of body.	After securement of area around SCP-3XXX, new fungal pod appeared. After appearance of MTFs near to SCP-3XXX-3 this hybrid appeared. Seems if SCP-3XXX-3 is in a state of duress SCP-3XXX-4 will emerge before full conversion.
Experiment SCP-3XXX.1	One female cow (Bos tauros)	8 days	Increased strength beyond known limits of species as well as 50% increase in body size. Growth of large horns throughout body. High levels of growth hormones found in tissue. 10 mushrooms on specimen.	Testing will no longer be allowed using large animals as this hybrid broke containment surrounding SCP-3XXX-3. Addition of horns, a traditionally male trait, indicates that SCP-3XXX can augment the base genome of a species and use this to select dormant or inacitve traits.
Experiment SCP-3XXX.2	50 kg of ground beef	N/A	No hybrid produced.	Let Site Director know that ground meats do not induce SCP-3XXX-4 activity.
Experiment SCP-3XXX.3	3 male roosters (Gallus gallus)	28 hours	Only 1 hybrid appeared but had 2 additional talons appeared from hybrid back. 1 mushroom appeared.	Confirmed SCP-3XXX-4 can be created from non-mammal species.
Experiment SCP-3XXX.4	1 male Alligator (Alligator mississippiens)	6 days	Only rear half of host is visible in hybrid. Extruding from what should have been the front is a mess of tentacles that were maid of mycelia. No mushrooms present.	Based on only partial conversion of the alligator, SCP-3XXX may not be able to convert reptilian biomass very well. Check SCP-3XXX diet to make sure quotas are being met and that it did not just eat the front half due to starvation.
Experiment SCP-3XXX.5	30 male mice (Mus musculus)	N/A	No hybrid produced.	Despites multiple subjects introduced which increased total bio mass consumed no hybrid was created. Assumption is that it was converted into nutrition instead of a SCP-3XXX-4 form.
Experiment SCP-3XXX.6	Various mammalian limbs and organs	12 days	Several SCP-3XXX-4 instances emerged from a single fungal pod. Creatures had a mix of features of biomass introduced from Experiments SCP-3XXX.7 to SCP-3XXX.10	Hybrids broke containment cell and killed 3 guards. Guards bodies were deposited in nearest SCP-3XXX-2.

Ending Note: After emergence of multiple SCP-3XXX-4s following Experiment SCP-3XXX.10 all testing has been stopped. SCP-3XXX seems to either have advanced predatory behavior or some form of rudimentary intelligence to be able to withhold turning biomass into SCP-3XXX-4 and releasing it only at a specific time. Further testing and experimentation has been stopped as it was deemed by Site Director that is was unnecessary to continued containment of SCP-3XXX. Additionally, all meat given SCP-3XXX-2 will be ground up to prevent any future containment breaches.