PJ Smylie

SCP Drafts

Item #: SCP-5356
Clearance Level 2: Restricted
Object Class: Euclid
Disruption Class: 1/Dark
Risk Class: 1/Notice¹

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Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5356 is to be kept in a Type-S Standard Humanoid Unit in the Low-Security Euclid-Containment wing at Site-17. Due to the nature of 5356’s anomalous abilities, 5356 is to have at least one eye mask, blindfold, or other practical method of restraining it’s vision within arms-reach at all times.

5356 cannot have more than fifteen (15) sentient humanoid entities within its field of vision at a time.

When SCP-5356 is authorized to leave its chamber, it’s escort team should have at least One (1) Personnel designated to assist it in the event the Object must come into contact with more than fifteen (15) sentient humanoids. 5356 is to apply it’s vision restrainer onto itself and be guided by the designated Personnel to any area within the entity threshold.

SCP-5356 is currently being trained in using a probing cane while walking so as not to require assistance. Upon completion of training, it will no longer require an Aid.

Object is currently being taught techniques to assist itself while under visual impairment in the case it must wear a vision restrainer over a long period of time.

Due to fluctuating levels of activity and Personnel density in various parts of the facility, when SCP-5356 is being transported from its containment unit to other areas of the Site, the Object is to keep its vision restrainer on at all times while en route between the two locations.

SCP-5356 is to keep it’s vision restrainer on at all times during Socialization Periods on the Standard Humanoid Day Schedule and other large gatherings.

Due to SCP-5356’s cooperation in Containment efforts, good behaviour, and pacificity towards Personnel, the Object has been granted Class-3 Privileges.

In accordance with Class-3 Privileges, SCP-5356 is allowed to request items and activities for recreational use. The following is a list of approved items:

• One standard handheld audio-player, containing music, songs, and audiobooks from the Pre-Approved Media List.

• One pair of wireless headphones.

• A rotating selection of History books, memoirs, and essays pertaining to the 20th Century (access to sanitized records on Parahistory are pending approval/denial).

• A rotating selection of books and records pertaining to Criminology and techniques used to develop one’s deductive logic.

• A rotating selection of instructional videos on various forms of dance choreography.

• Optional once-per-day 30-minute access to an electric typewriter under supervision. SCP-5356 is to use this time to type an entry in its diary. A copy of the entry is to be given to the Site-17 RAISA Office for Documentation. (See Addendum-5356-D)

5356 is allowed to occupy non-Restricted areas of the site in accordance with Class-3 Privileges. (limited outdoor privileges are pending approval/denial).

All Information on PoI-29135 following the year 1935 and/or that of their illicit activities is to be withheld from SCP-5356.

An Observation Post has been installed within Zone-SCP-5356, to monitor for any anomalous phenomena that manifest within or around the structure.

Due to security concerns, the precise location of Zone-5356 has been classified from general Staff, Only Personnel assigned to Zone-5356’s Security, Surveillance, and Technical Maintenance Teams (Clearance Level 2/Z-5356 or Higher) and those holding Level 4/5356 are to be made privy to this information.

As Zone-SCP-5356 is located within a large civilian population center, Containment efforts are to focus on maintaining the manifestation of minor Hume fluxuations and produced phenomena as well as dissuasion of civilians from entering the Zone. To this end, all “Private Property” and “No Trespassing” signs placed around the Zone’s perimeter have been embedded with Class-III Memetic Agents that compel all non-inoculated persons from crossing the property line.

All Unauthorized persons entering the property are to be detained by the Security Team and transferred to Site-28 for questioning.

Due to the events that took place during SCP-5356’s Recovery, multiple Anti-Anomaly Apparatuses have been installed within Zone-5356 to dampen or prevent anomalous manifestation, two major systems being a Scranton Reality Anchor Array and a Xyank-Anastakos Temporal Sink.

In the event of a minor systems failure, all on-site recording devices should be checked for any imagery and/or audio of Zone-5356 phenomena.

All information regarding the components of SCP-5356-B are to be classified Level 4/5356.

[+ Level 2/TOPAZ Required]

Due to the nature of SCP-5356’s anomalous abilities, All Personnel possessing Type Yellow abilities are prohibited from any form of psionic interaction with SCP-5356, and should be avoided by following the precautions set in Procedure 5356-Cerebrum (See Document-5356-Cerebrum).

All Type Yellow Personnel holding Level 2/5356 Clearence or higher are required to read and become familarized with Procedure 5356-Cerebrum.

Failure to follow these precautions could result in potential psionic-contact with 5356. All observed cases of Type Yellows attempting to psionically access the Object’s mind have resulted in failure and, under all recorded cases with a projecting Subject under observation, various forms of brain damage that range from temporary to complete neurological failure.

In all known cases, this appears to exclusively affect persons possessing psionic Type Yellow abilities.

As such, the Classification Committee has specially designated the Object’s Risk Class as 3/Warning to all psionic persons. All Type Yellows stationed at Site-17 are to have as little if any contact with the anomaly as possible to minimize the chance of accidental psionic exposure.

Description: SCP-5356 is a Necronovic² entity possessing the body and personality of Joseph Romano, a caucasion male of European descent and American origin.

Anatomical samples taken from the Object show it’s biological age to be consistent with that of a non-anomalous human male of twenty-seven (27) years.
Object is approximately 1.75 Meters tall and weighs 84 Kilograms. Notable descriptors include brown eyes, black hair, and a round face. 5356 currently shows no physical signs of post-mortem decomposition.

SCP-5356’s primary anomalous ability will manifest upon observation of at least one (1) sentient humanoid entity, Object will be able to sense and interpret the observed entity’s emotional state with precise accuracy. Testing has shown that certain factors can limit the precision of this ability, such as distance and level of visibility. The Object will be able to continue “reading” emotions until the stated entity leaves the Object’s field of vision. The neurological mechanism by which it is able to do this is not fully known, but medical examination has shown that the anomalous properties manifest within Object’s brain, specifically the limbic system and sensory cortex.

SCP-5356’s second anomalous attribute has appeared to have manifested only once, during 5356’s initial recovery, when Object’s corpse successfully converted from death into a state of living via Necronovis, reverting to its mortem form with complete return of brain and motor function (for a more detailed account of events see Recovery). Testing on 5356 was unable to reactivate the property. It is currently unknown if Object retains the ability to naturally age. Medical examinations have shown the Object’s senescence to be consistent with non-anomalous humans.

SCP-5356 possesses the memories and acquired knowledge that is believed to have been held by Joseph Romano, such as fluency in both the English and Italian languages, law-enforcement training in 1920s-era firearms, and deductive reasoning.

The exact nature of SCP-5356’s consciousness is being heavily debated amongst Researchers, with the notion that SCP-5356 is the actual original consciousness of Joseph Romano being disputed, several alternative theories have been put forth, three of which include:

• SCP-5356 is an Artificial Intelligence Construct designed to mimic the personality of Joseph Romano, 5356 is currently unaware of it’s true nature, and PoI-29135 is also unaware or in denial of this fact.

• SCP-5356 is some type of existential entity, possibly demonic in nature, currently impersonating Joseph Romano for it’s own motives, an off-shoot of this theory believes that the pretender-entity has dilusioned itself into thinking that it is the true Joseph Romano.

• SCP-5356 is merely an animated corpse, whilst it’s physiology had been reverted back to it’s mortum state via anomalous means, it does not in fact possess any sort of sapience, it instead possesses a strong Memetic-Infohazardous property that compels all nearby persons to perceive it as a sapient person, when in reality it is a semi-sentient cadaver.

While the theories stated above possess varying levels of substantiated evidence, they are still being respectfully pursued by multiple Researchers.

Zone-SCP-5356 is the property of a seven-story building located on [REDACTED] of [REDACTED], New York City, New York, USA.

The building’s dimensions are measured to be [REDACTED].

Descriptors of the building's exterior include [REDACTED].

To date, all recorded manifestations within Zone-5356’s building appear to be humanoid ectomorphic entities (colloquially referred to as “Apparitions”). These manifestations are known to only last between two (2) to twenty (20) seconds before dissipating. All recorded instances were unable to interact with physical objects and persons, appearing to be completely unaware of all additions and renovations of the surrounding area. These manifestations are believed to be visages of the former 1929 occupants of Zone-5356 and appear to show random moments in time of individuals within the building (It is believed that some scholars within the Anomalous Community refer to these events as “time-echos”).

SCP-5356-B refers to the anomalous process by which SCP-5356 was able to attain Necronovis. The process is believed to require multiple anomalous components, persons, mechanisms, and rituals to successfully complete.

The precise components of SCP-5356-B are currently under investigation.

It has been theorized that the components of SCP-5356-B are connected to locations and dates associated with Joseph Romano’s birth and death. As such, most of this information has been classified Level 4/5356 for the sake of information security.

[+ Level 2/TOPAZ Required]

SCP-5356’s “psionic” ability is entirely involuntary on the part of the Object, and has been observed to activate regardless of Object’s will, emotional state, and state of consciousness.

SCP-5356 is known to experience minor headaches when within the radius of psionic activity, but upon being subjected to a psionic incursion by Type Yellow individuals, the Object will begin to suffer extreme headaches to the point of conscious incapacitation. Object has stated that while under psionic incursion, it felt “like [it’s] skull was about to explode”. However, under all recorded psionic interactions, SCP-5356 never received any sort of physical injury to it’s brain or body as a result of these incursions.

Why SCP-5356’s mind causes extreme reactions within psionic Type Yellows’ neurobiology is being researched. It is currently theorized that when a Type Yellow projects themselves into the Object’s mind, it creates a “psionic feedback loop” that causes severe distress to the brain of the Subject, resulting in damage.

How SCP-5356 was able to attain these limited psionic abilities is unknown, it is hypothesized that Joseph Romano may have possessed a latent version of these abilities before his death, abilities that were sequentially hyper-developed during SCP-5356’s Necronovis, however, the Foundation has no way of verifying if this is the case.

Biography: Joseph Romano was born in August ██, 1902, to Nicoletta and Simone Romano, a married couple who immigrated to New York City from [REDACTED], Italy six years prior in 1896. By account of SCP-5356, Romano’s childhood was relatively uneventful, besides the semi-occasional incident of discrimination due to Romano’s parentage of Italian immigrants.

Romano grew up and lived in ███████████, Brooklyn during his lifetime. He was known to very occasionally travel outside of New York City, with only two instances where Romano traveled outside the State of New York entirely.

In 1922, at age 21, Romano joined the New York City Police Department as a cadet, before graduating to a full Officer position less then a year later. Romano worked as a patrolman for three years before being promoted to Detective in 1925 for contributions to a burglary investigation.

In 1928, Joseph Romano joined a small group of NYPD Detectives that had launched an unofficial and unsanctioned investigation into the various organized crime groups operating within New York City. This group of investigators rented out a large apartment to serve as a coordination center and safehouse.

However, in [REDACTED], 1929, Joseph Romano was shot and killed on the roof of the safehouse’s building (now classified Zone-SCP-5356). Coroner records state the cause-of-death as being a bullet puncture wound to the heart. However, Medical examination of SCP-5356 shows no signs of damage to the tissue or cardiac muscle.

Zone-SCP-5356 was originally built in 1885 to be used as tenement housing for the mass influx of immigrants that had arrived in New York at that time. It was later renovated over 1900-1910 and gradually repurposed into a standard apartment building.

One of the major renovations made to the building was the conversion of the top floor from regular apartment housing into a “Penthouse Suite” as a more expensive alternative to the smaller accommodations.

This Suite was rented out by the unofficial detective group in 1928 and used as a safehouse through the duration of the investigation.

Zone-SCP-5356 is the death place of Joseph Romano in 1929 and the manifestation point of SCP-5356 in 201█.

In 1935, the property was bought by the New York City Historical Architecture Preservation Society (NYHAPS), a then-newly chartered 501(c)(3) private foundation stated to be dedicated to the preservation of antique buildings in New York City for their historical value.

The Society had bought one other property within the metropolitan area that was converted into a small museum shortly after it was purchased, while the Zone-5356 property remained off-limits and mostly unrenovated, with most maintenance efforts dedicated to preserving the building as closely as possible to its state in 1929, especially to the Penthouse apartment. Photographs of Zone-5356’s interior were displayed within the museum of it’s sister location. The Society received its funding from multiple private and anonymous donations, it was known to issue grants to other charities and welfare programs with it’s excess funding. NYHAPS is believed to have been a Front organization created by PoI-29135.

Recovery: On [REDACTED], 201█, at approximately 11:00 PM EST, abnormal fluctuations in Hume levels and spikes in EVE emissions were detected by Observation Posts stationed around New York City. The fluctuations were detected as coming from within the radius of [REDACTED]. Following a more focused survey, the epicenter of the anomalous activity was found to be a building on [REDACTED] (now designated Zone-SCP-5356).

At the same time, abnormal Meteorological activity was detected above New York City. However, the anomaly in question was only able to produce a mundane rainstorm; as the rainstorm itself did not display any abnormal qualities or cuase any sort of anomalous effects, Disinformation efforts were focused on civilian weather services holding records of the rainstorm's anomalous causation (for more information, see relevant Project JACK FROST Documents).

Following confirmation that the location in question was the pin-point of the anomalous activity, two Foundation assets embedded within the local police precinct, Agents “Ardan” and “Kurtzberg”, were dispatched to act as First Response while a more specialized Containment Team was being organized.

[+ Open Expidition-5356-01 Audio Transcript]

[BEGIN LOG]

[Agents Ardan and Kurtzberg (Alpha Team) are recorded walking down [REDACTED] Street through their hidden body camera feeds, they are approximately two (2) blocks from the anomalous epicenter.]

Agent Ardan: “The building should be up here…you ready?”

Agent Kurtzberg: “Yea…uh, I am, but man, those numbers aren't something to blink at. Can you believe we’re being sent in to investigate something so far from Baseline? It’s almo-”

Ardan: “Don’t psych yourself out, Kurtzberg, won’t do you any favors when we figure out what the hell is going on in there. Just go over First Contact procedures in your head, save contemplating worse-case scenarios until we’re staring one down, alright?”

Kurtzberg: “Oh no, i'm not, i'm more excited than anyth-”

Ardan: “Don’t be that, either.”

Kurtzberg: “Yes, ma’am.”

[Five (5) seconds of silence pass, rain continues to drizzle down.]

Ardan: “Wish I brought an umbrella…”

Kurtzberg: “Didn’t Intel say the rain was somehow connected to the building?”

Ardan: “That's what i'm worried about…call it paranoia, but if this is an extension of the [anomaly] vector…well, I don’t want to think about what that could mean.”

Kurtzberg: “Are you saying this could be-”

Ardan: “I said don’t think about it, focus on the objective.”

Kurtzberg: “Right, sorry.”

[Ten (10) seconds pass, body cams show Agents arriving at the perimeter of the building’s property. The Agents face towards the building’s front entrance.]

Kurtzberg: “Yeesh, this place looks like a haunted house.”

Ardan: “Damn it, [NAME], remember the no-say rule.”

Kurtzberg: “Shit, right.”

Ardan: [sighs] “Let’s go.”

[Agents enter the property, approaching the building’s front doors, Agent Ardan steps up to the door.]

Ardan: [whispering] “Here we go.”

[Agent Ardan knocks loudly on the doors.]

Ardan: “NYPD, open up! We have a warrant to search the premise! If anyone is inside, make yourself known!”

[Agents wait in silence for seven (7) seconds before Agent Ardan knocks again, this process repeats three more times before Agent Ardan tests the door knob.]

Ardan: “Locked…” [Agent Ardan speaks into earpiece] “Command, this is Alpha Team, we have a Code Turtle-02, over.”

Command: “Alpha Team, forced entry is authorized, over.”

Ardan: “Good copy.” [Agents unholster their sidearms.] “On my word…”

[Agents execute forced entry procedures. Upon forcing the door open, video feed shows the building’s interior, from the vantage of the entrance, to be completely pitch-dark. All light originating from outside appears to be absorbed past the door frame, completely eliminating all visibility past the doors entrance. This is confirmed when Agent Ardan attempts to illuminate the interior with her flashlight, to no effect.]

Kurtzberg: “Whoah.”

Ardan: [speaking into earpiece.] “Command, are you seeing this?”

Command: “Affirmative, proceed into the building, over.”

Ardan: [hesitates for 2.5 seconds, before speaking into earpiece.] “Good copy.”

[Agents proceed to enter the building. Upon crossing the doorframe, the video feed from both body cameras are abruptly disabled. However, radio communications remain intact. Both Agents are heard screaming over radio before the audio abruptly cuts.]

Command: “Alpha Team, we have lost visuals, report.”

[Seven (7) seconds pass.]

Command: “Alpha Team, visuals are out, report your status.”

[Ten (10) seconds pass.]

Command: “Alpha Team-”

Ardan: [using emergency back-up radio] “Command, this is Alpha Actual, we are green, over.”

Command: “What is your sitrep, over.”

Ardan: “We seem to have…I guess fallen is the best way to describe it. Neither of us are injured, my earpiece is broken, and we are extremely disoriented. Be advised, the building’s interior topography appears to be Non-Euclidean, no sign of malicious spatial entities, but we have no visual on an exit. Extension degree is unknown, but from our vantage, spatial complexity is extremely severe, over.”

Command: “Are you able to continue your mission? Over.”

Ardan: “If the urgency of the situation require us to carry on and explore the area to the best of our ability, we are willing to do it, however, I do not believe this unit possesses the correct skillset to do so adequately, or the needed equipment to do so, I do not believe it is the best course of action, over."

Command: “Good Copy. Adjustments are being made to the Recovery Plan based on your assessment. Reinforcements are being sent, they will attempt to help you. Your standing orders are to wait for assistance. Good luck, over.”

Ardan: “Good Copy. Out.” [Stops speaking into the radio.]

Kurtzberg: “So, what does this mean for us?”

Ardan: [aggravated vocalization] “It means whoever…whatever is behind this got us stuck in a goddamn corn-maze³, that’s what!”

[END LOG]

Following Expedition 5356-01, MTFs Pi-1 (“City Slickers”) and Theta-90 (“Angel Grinders”) were mobilized to the epicenter location for Recovery Operations.

Under the guise of NYPD SWAT Units, MTFs Pi-1 and Theta-90 went about securing the Area of Operation. Civilians were evacuated from the surrounding area, and Perimeter Security was established. Embedded Assets, Memetic Agents, and Webcrawlers were deployed to keep publicity of the police activity from reaching National News circuits.

The offical Cover Story for why the epicenter building was being subjected to a police raid was under the pretense that it was suspected of being used as a safehouse by criminal elements.

Covert MTF Iota-10 (“Damn Feds”) Assets were activated to prevent the United States Federal government from fully mobilizing its own agents to the scene, this was done to prevent a jurisdictional dispute from forming, so as not allocate resources and attention away from Containing the anomaly, as well as to prevent US agents from creating any further liabilities or hazards due to improper handling.

Close-range Kant Counters and other measuring instruments were deployed with the Recovery Force to get precise readings on the Anomalous activity within the building. Readings found the primary Hume fluctuation Vector to be within the Building’s top floor, along with a number of Thaumatological workings and other anomalous activity.

Attempts to access the top floor via the building’s roof entrance and windows were unsuccessful as all possible breach points were found to have been sealed-off by a series of inter-linking Hermetic Wards. These Wards had completely insulated the top floor from external interference.

It was the discovery of these Wards that confirmed the anomaly was being perpetuated by artificial machinations of sentient entities and not of preternatural occurrences.

Local Anti-Occult resources were found to be insufficient in breaking the Wards. Two (2) Thaumatology Consultants, Drs. Steven Brenton and Miu Xeng, were brought in to advise on what the next best course of action should be.

The Consultants advised that the Recovery Force focus on navigating the building’s topography to get to the top floor. They hypothesized that, as the Wards’ endurance was most likely being powered by a Practitioner's Will and extreme focus, the Practitioner would be focusing on powering the Wards on the external breach points of the building, and most likely not the internal ones. They hypothesized that the Non-Euclidean topography was set-up to act as a guard for the “weak point” of the Working.

Given breaking into the building’s walls could risk it’s structural integrity along with the possibility of further destabilizing local reality, this was seen as the best choice.

Following this plan, Beta Team, made up of MTF Theta-90, along with elements of Pi-1 and a Thaumatology Attachment, entered the building, beginning Expedition 5356-02.

Due to universal failure of all of Beta Team’s video recording devices upon entering the building, the following report of events is based on the testimony of multiple Beta Team Agents.

Beta Team was able to navigate the building’s six floors Non-Euclidean topography within thirty (30) minutes. Beta Team was able to make contact with Alpha Team on the ground floor, but due to spatial distortion, was unable to recover the Agents at that time.

Beta Team Agents report seeing ectomorphic entities while navigating the building. None of the entities were reported to have attempted to engage or even acknowledge the Agents.

Upon reaching the “Penthouse” on the top floor at approximately 11:57 PM EST, the Consultants’ hypothesis was proven correct when the Hermetic Ward sealing the apartment’s entrance was found to be much weaker than the ones outside. This Ward was easily broken by a Ringo-Wellington Ward Fissure Device. Following this, Pi-1 elements took front position and prepared to forcefully enter the apartment.

During preparation, however, it should be noted that at exactly 12:00 AM EST (Midnight), a majority of the anomalous activity within the building abruptly dissipated, local Hume levels jumped back to only ████ below Baseline, all non-Backlash EVE emissions had ceased entirely, the building’s interior topography had become completely Euclidean, video recording devices entering the building would no longer malfunction, and all rain clouds within a 1.6 Kilometer (1 Mile) radius abruptly blew out of the area, giving a clear view of the stars in the night sky.⁴

When Pi-1 elements of Beta Team forced the apartment door open, they were met with suppressive fire from two (2) Armed Hostiles wielding automatic assault rifles possessing minor anomalous modifications. Hostiles were quickly dispatched by Armed elements of Beta Team.

Upon entering the apartment, multiple individuals were spotted fleeing from the main room to a section of the apartment that was not visible from the entrance’s vantage. These individuals appeared to be in civilian clothing and unarmed.

Upon being pursued by elements of Beta Team, it was found these individuals had been fleeing through an open Interspatial Waypoint. Once the last individual entered the Waypoint, it collapsed in on itself, preventing Beta Team from pursuing the individuals further.

Attempts by the Thaumatology Attachment to re-establish the Waypoint via workings were unsuccessful.

The apartment was found to contain multiple mundane and minor anomalous items, including [REDACTED].

However, the largest discovery was noticed immediately by Beta Team following the failed pursuit. In the center of the main room was an open casket laying on top of a table, an unconscious humanoid male resting within it. A pulse check found the humanoid to be alive. Following this discovery being reported in by Beta Team Leader, additional Containment Specialists were brought in to assist with Recovery.

Following the Euclidization of the building’s topography, Agents Ardan and Kurtzberg of Alpha Team were recovered from the site without incident.

Following Standard Procedure, the male humanoid was transferred to Site-28 for Processing and Questioning. Following the humanoid’s anomalous attributes being discovered, the humanoid and the building’s property was designated SCP-5356 and Zone-SCP-5356, respectively.

Following the incident, US Federal authorities attempted to impound Zone-SCP-5356’s land on grounds of racketeering; however, embedded MTF Psi-7 Agents were able to prevent this and transfer the property’s ownership over to a Foundation Front company.

A Field Team was dispatched to investigate the gravesite of Joseph Romano in [REDACTED] Cemetery, which was found to contain an empty casket of similar ratios to the one found within Zone-SCP-5356. It appears that the casket containing Romano’s corpse had been replaced with a decoy at some point before SCP-5356’s manifestation, it is estimated to have happened somewhere between a week and a day before the manifestation date.

Addendum-5356-A: Investigation Log

Following Recovery of the Object, an Investigation was launched into understanding the circumstances behind SCP-5356’s manifestation.

Due to the measured potency of Hume fluctuations within the building at time of Recovery, it is believed that a central component of the Necronovis ritual was a major reality-bend executed by a Type Green entity (PoI-29135). It is believed that the ritual cannot be fully replicated without the involvement of this component or some form of substitute. As such, Recovery and Containment of PoI-29135 was made the first priority of the investigation.

It was initially theorized that the group behind SCP-5356’s manifestation was a paranormal-aware religious cult, possibly with a theology that centers around death. However, all items found within the apartment did not hold any sort of known religious significance, and all Thaumatological items within the apartment were found to possess either non-theistic or atheistic traditions.

Another hole in this theory was presented upon identification of the Armed Hostiles.

The two Armed individuals were found to be that of Hans Künstler (PoI-29165) and Gregory Russo (PoI-30201), two members of GoI-3636 (“Penrose Triad Company''), a black-market mercenary group that specializes in Non-Euclidean operations. The group is known to have ties to many other criminal and paracriminal groups alike.

GoI-3636 is not known to take contracts from religious groups, with their known employment history mostly consisting of criminal, private sector, and military parties.

This had sprouted an alternative theory that the perpetrating group was paracriminal in nature, which would become the most substantiated theory by collected evidence.

This raises the question on why the perpetrating group would only hire two units for security and not something more akin to a Platoon-strength force to garrison Zone-SCP-5356 against incursive forces. As based on the precautions set up preceding the arrival of Foundation Recovery Teams, it can be inferred the group was expecting some form of interference.

It is believed that, based on their design, the fortifications were not made to prevent entry into the building via traditional modern anti-siege tactics, but rather delay access to the top-floor penthouse for as long as possible by non-aggressive means.

The significance of this is still under investigation.

Due to evidence of heavy involvement of Paracriminal elements within the creation of the anomaly, and the Foundation’s lack of intricate information on the Paracrime Sphere, the FBI’s Unusual Incidents Unit (UIU) was contacted and asked to assist in the investigation.

Given the nature of SCP-5356’s anomaly, it was theorized that the Hume fluctuation within Zone-SCP-5356 was some form of temporal dilation. This information was utilized to narrow the list of possible suspects possessing Type Green abilities by cross-referencing files on the US Government’s National Paracrime Information Center (NPIC)⁵ with Foundation RAISA internal documents. They were then able to identify a primary suspect, PoI-29135, who was documented as having abilities involving temporal dilation (for more information see relevant Documentation).

The suspect possessed a strong alibi, however, as they were believed to have been deceased for many years. Given the circumstances, this detail was not dissuasive to the investigation.

Given this was the best lead for the investigation, a joint Foundation-UIU tracking operation for PoI-29135 was organized, codenamed Operation WHITE RABBIT SEASON, and is currently investigating leads into their whereabouts.

[+ Level 5/5356 and/or Level 4/Ψ-8 Required]

[Placeholder Image goes here]
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Memetic Security Screening Complete.

Welcome, Director

Following confirmation that SCP-5356 was an actual Necronovic entity, Agent Raven, an operative of MTF Psi-8 (“The Silencers”) was embedded within Operation WHITE RABBIT SEASON undercover as a regular Field Agent.

Agent Raven was issued a separate set of special directives that they are to be executed independently of RABBIT SEASON’s mission, as such, a second, clandestine operation was chartered to facilitate their completion, codenamed Operation JADE MOUSE BALLAD.

The details of Operation JADE MOUSE BALLAD can be found below:

=OPERATION JADE MOUSE BALLAD=

Special Mission Directives

YOUR EYES ONLY

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Overwatch HQ

Task Force Command - Special Operations Directorate

Codeword Clearance: Level 4/DARKMOON/PSI-8/JADE MOUSE BALLAD
Task Force Unit: Psi-8
Operative: Agent [REDACTED] "Raven"

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By Orders of Overwatch:

0. You are to assist in the cover Operation to the best of your ability under the pretenses as a non-Task Force Field Agent, until such time when Target Zeitgeist's capture is under preparation, at which you are to execute the following Directives:

1. Once the Personnel of the cover Operation locate Target Zeitgeist, you will be given a list of possible Exfiltration points via the hidden communication device implanted on your body, upon completing the capture of Target Zeitgeist, you are to transport the Target ot the nearest Exfiltration point, and wait for assistance. You are to use any means at your disposal to prevent exfiltration of the Target from being interfered with by other parties.

2. When entering engagement with Target Zeitgeist, you are to activate the [REDACTED] implants within your body. Be aware that while this will certainly aid you during engagement, this technology is still very experimental, Remember: Do not overstress your implants unless absolutely necessary. This will be the first field deployment of these devices, and there is very little intel on the full anomalous capabilities of this Target, do not lose focus and keep your guard up until Zeitgeist is securely Contained. Be vigilant of any abnormalities in your technology.

3. Upon establishing initial Capture and Containment, you are to ping Overwatch via your hidden communications device. It is paramount that Target Zeitgeist be taken in under Foundation custody. The US Government cannot be trusted to hold Target Zeitgeist, as there is a strong possibility they may attempt to utilize Zeitgeist's anomalous abilities for their own means. Covert MTF Alpha-1 elements will be dispatched to assist in your exfiltration. Extra-legal extraction methods are authorized.

4. If Containment and/or Exfiltration of Target Zeitgeist is found to be implausible, you are to carry out Neutralization procedures. Zeitgeist cannot be allowed to continue as a threat to Normalcy.

5. If Neutralization, or completion of the other Directives, is found to be unattainable, you are to activate the Urgent Distress Signal on your communications device.

Destroy After Reading

Addendum 5653-B: Interview Log

Forward: The Following section contains excerpts from a series of interviews taken with SCP-5356 following its Recovery. Excerpts Below have been found to contain relavant information either to the investigation of PoI-29135 or the nature of the 5356 anomaly. (To view full interview transcripts, see Document-5356-Interviews)

[+ Open Interview 5356-01]

Interviewed: SCP-5356

Interviewer: Agent Victor Allen

Foreword: This Interview was taken at Site-28 following the Recovery and Screening of SCP-5356. As during this time it was unclear of the level of involvement with the individuals responsible for its manifestation, this interview was conducted to gather information on what SCP-5356 knew about the events leading up to and of its Recovery.

[BEGIN LOG]

[Agent Victor Allen enters the Interview Room, SCP-5356 stands up from its chair and extends its arm, offering a handshake to Agent Allen.]

SCP-5356: “Detective Joseph Romano, ████ Precinct, New York City Police. at your service, sir.”

[In Accordance with Section 3.3⁶ of First Contact Procedures, Agent Allen does not accept physical contact, SCP-5356 lowers its arm, dusting off its suit blazer with its hands.]

Agent Allen: “Agent Allen. Please, have a seat.”

SCP-5356: [Sits] “Thank you.”

[Silence for 15 seconds as Agent Allen checks his notes before speaking.]

Agent Allen: “Now then, lets begin with the questions. How are you feeling, Mr. Romano?”

SCP-5356: “To be honest sir, quite, uh, disorientated.”

Agent Allen: “Could you elaborate?”

SCP-5356: “Well, uh, I woke up wearing a suit I don’t recognize, in an Infirmary of a large building I ain’t- [SCP-5356 pauses] -I’ve never been in before, everyone around me was tight-lipped about giving any details. I don’t have much information on where I am and what's going on, and I’ve had this strange feeling ever since I woke up, and not to mention the headaches, and…oh jeez, do you know if Detective Carlin and Detective Kwolski are okay? I’ve got a feeling-”

Agent Allen: [interrupting] “I don’t wish to be rude, Mr. Romano, but I have a set of questions I need you to answer, and I want to keep this on track, so lets make a deal. If you answer them truthfully I’ll be sure to give you as much information as I'm allowed too, but you need to be aware the situation is still unfolding, do you understand?”

SCP-5356: “I do…my apologies, I didn’t mean to be excessive with my wording, It’s…just going through a lot of unfamiliar stuff in a short time is kinda making me antsy, you know?”

Agent Allen: “I can understand. But to start off with the questions, you mentioned you’ve been having strange feelings?”

SCP-5356: “Yea, uh…well, it’s, uh, it’s strange, really strange. I don’t know how to describe it…I-..I feel, like, uh, I guess more…connected to people, I-…heh, I know this must sound bizarre…”

Agent Allen: “No, please go on.”

SCP-5356: “I uh, guess, uh…I…I feel like I have a better grasp on other people's feelings, like I mean, I-I get that doesn't sound like a feeling, but..it’s like when I see someone, I can feel what their feeling in my chest, right? Like before, there was, uh, still some guesswork involved, never had certainty, but now it’s clear as day, you know?”

Agent Allen: “Interesting, have you ever experienced something like this before?”

SCP-5356: “No, it only started after I woke up…I, uh, am starting to wonder what kinda medicine you guys gave me, heh heh”

Agent Allen: “We didn’t inject you with anything, I was told you have a clean bill of health”

SCP-5356: “Hm, glad to know, guess I can scratch my doctor visit off the to-do list now, huh? Heh…uh, speaking of which, why was I unconscious?”

Agent Allen: “About that…can you tell me what you know about the building on [REDACTED]?”

SCP-5356: [Appears to look uncomfortable] “Ah, I was really hoping we wouldn’t get to that part…”

Agent Allen: [leans into the table] “Mr. Romano, I want to be clear, whatever information you have on your constituents and their activities, you need to tell us. Any sort of omission or deception will only make things worse for you, cooperating will make things easier for everyone involved, are we clear?”

SCP-5356: “Of course, I would never think to do otherwise, I swore an oath to protect and serve the people of New York…it’s just….[5356 breathes out] I wish we could’ve gotten some hard evidence before people caught wind…”

Agent Allen: “…What?”

SCP-5356: “Me and the other Detectives, we’ve…we’ve been looking into some local gangs…off the books. We think there’s something bigger going on then just street crime and booze-pedalling, not just like the Black Hand letters from a few years back, we think these guys are more influential than they’re letting on. We think, uh, it may even be over the PD’s administration, which is why we didn’t make it official. We were hoping to get some information by the time we got found out, but those guys are really good at covering their tracks and cutting leads; we haven’t made much progress. I know I was probably putting my career on the line when I joined up, but I couldn’t stand by while a criminal conspiracy was spreading its influence like a flu! I wouldn’t be able to call myself a…a public servant if I did.”

Agent Allen: [sits in silence for five seconds.] “So…you are part of a group of detectives investigating gang activity around the city…”

SCP-5356: “Yes sir.”

Agent Allen: “And your group was occupying the apartment building, correct?”

SCP-5356: “That is correct.”

Agent Allen: “Do you know what happened inside that building between 11:00 PM and 12:00 AM at night?”

SCP-5356: “Well, are we, uh, talking the day of, or the night before?”

Agent Allen: “Just tell me what you last remember.”

SCP-5356: “Ah, well, right. I was, uh, working on connecting some info I had collected from some leads. It was meager, to be honest, uh..it really wasn’t much, all of the people that had info we could use kept their jaws clenched, seemed to be nervous when I questioned them about it, ‘think the gangs must’ve gotten to ‘em first…I was only able to get a few scraps, a whole week and barely anything to show for it. I felt myself start to get frustrated, so I decided to take a smoke break, you know? So I head up to the roof and…my, uh, memory gets blurry…think I was thinking some things over, then there was a loud noise…I went unconscious…then I woke up here.”

Agent Allen: “Do you hold any recollection of any unfamiliar persons around that time?

SCP-5356: “Now that you mention it…I don’t know where it fits in the timeline, but…I have a still memory of this guy, didn’t get a good look at his face…he was wearing a brown suit, tie, and fedora, standard attire, average joe type, you know…” [Agent Allen begins writing down notes.] “and…[SCP-5356 begins rubbing its face.]…oh Dio⁷, he had a gun in his hand…they must’ve gotten in through the fire escape, knocked me out and…[SCP-5356 is silent for seven seconds.]…can you check with your superiors if there’s any update on my colleagues?"

Agent Allen: “I can assure you we are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of the situation, the best you can do to help us at this time is by answering our questions. To refocus-”

SCP-5356: “Im sorry, but could I ask a question?”

Agent Allen: “I would prefer-”

SCP-5356: “Am I the only one of my group that you have in custody?”

Agent Allen: “What makes you think that?”

SCP-5356: “Because you would’ve told me if there was.”

Agent Allen: [Silence for three seconds.] “…And why would I do that?”

SCP-5356: “It would’ve calmed me down and given me a motive to answer your questions as best as I can so I can so I could see my colleagues…I, uh, know what it’s like to be on your side of the table, sir.”

Agent Allen: [Silence for seven seconds.] “…Hm. I guess I should've expected this from a Detective.”

SCP-5356: “I apologize if I'm sounding rude, but I'm very concerned for my colleagues' well-being, and I think a straight answer is in order, if there is anything you can tell me, I’d like to know it.”

Agent Allen: “Unfortunately, Mr. Romano, I can’t disclose anything on the subject at this time, I am not at liberty to do so.”

SCP-5356: “Right…right…[Five seconds of silence.]…I uh, guess I should’ve asked this earlier, but, uh, who are you?”

Agent Allen: “Who am I?”

SCP-5356: “No, uh, I mean your group…your agency, uh..what’s the other term…”

Agent Allen: “Organization?”

SCP-5356: “Right! That…uh, yea, that.”

Agent Allen: “We are an organization entrusted by the United States government to investigate and contain abnormal occurrences, things that fall outside of what we would define as normal. Many of these occurrences are dangerous, and must be kept under confinement for the good of greater humanity. We do what we can to Secure, Contain, and Protect.”

SCP-5356: “So…you’re with the Justice Department, right? Like the BOI?”

Agent Allen: “The what?”

SCP-5356: “Uh…Bureau of Investigation, you know, the fellas that handle the interstate stuff? Does that ring any bells?”

Agent Allen: “You mean the FBI?”

SCP-5356: “Never heard that acronym be used before, is that some type of Federal…..oh! The “F” stands for Federal, heh, I get it now; but, uh, is the short-hand some kind of Government insider jargon?”

[Agent Allen enters a state of contemplation, sitting in silence for ten seconds.]

Agent Allen: “Mr. Romano…can you tell me what the date is?”

SCP-5356: “Well, uh, i'm not sure how accurate I am, since I’ve been out cold for some time, but, uh, last I checked, it was around [REDACTED].”

Agent Allen: “What year is it?”

SCP-5356: “I, uh…oh jeez, I haven’t been in a coma, have I?”

Agent Allen: “Just answer the question.”

SCP-5356: “It’s uh, 1929, isn’t it?”

[fifthteen seconds of silence.]

SCP-5356: “I’m uh, getting the feeling your mood had, uh, bit of a drastic shift…you alright?”

Agent Allen: “I’m fine…it’s just…that sentence just made things a lot more complicated…[Allen mutters under his breath.] god, I can already see the paperwork.”

[END LOG]

Closing Statement: Following this series of Interviews, it was concluded that SCP-5356 held no knowledge about the circumstances of its Necronovis, however, questions were reorientated to gather information that could be potentially useful to the investigation.

Due to the persistent headaches that seemed to be caused by observing humanoid entities, SCP-5356 was issued an eye-mask in an attempt to stop the migraines, this was proven effective.

Addendum 5653-C: Experimentation Log

The following Experiments were conducted to better understand the parameters of SCP-5356’s anomalous ability. (To view the full list of Experiment Logs, See Document-5356-Experiments.)

Experiment-5356-02

Subjects: SCP-5356, D-85260

Procedure: Prior to the beginning of the actual experiment, D-85260’s environmental conditions were manipulated to increase the level of serotonin and dopamine being produced by their brain, in other words, make them more happy.

Following this, D-85260 was instructed to hold a neutral expression while a photograph picture of their face was taken.

SCP-5356 and D-85260 were placed in separate rooms, both have nuro-reading instruments affixed to their heads to monitor for anomalous brain activity.

SCP-5356 was shown the still photograph of D-85260’s face, and was asked if it could read the emotions of D-85260.

Results: SCP-5356’s anomalous ability did not appear to activate. SCP-5356 could only speculate D-85260’s emotional state using mundane facial and body analysis techniques, with middling success. No anomalous brain activity was detected in either Subject.

Notes: It appears 5356’s ability does not extend to photos, it might be good to refocus our line of Experimentation. - Dr. Harvey

Experiment-5356-03

Subjects: SCP-5356, D-58625

Procedure: Very similar to Experiment-5356-02, except SCP-5356 would be viewing a live video feed of D-58625 through a television monitor. SCP-5356 is asked if it is able to read D-58625’s emotional state.

Results: SCP-5356 is able to understand D-58625’s emotional state with precise accuracy. Anomalous activity is detected in SCP-5356’s brain, but no abnormalities are detected within the brain of D-58625.

Notes: It appears that the Subject does not need to be within the same physical space of 5356 to activate the ability, but merely have an animated visage of the Subject present. It seems more testing has to be done. - Dr. Harvey

Experiment-5356-07

Subjects: SCP-5356, D-72250

Procedure: SCP-5356 and D-72250 are taken to a large flat open field near Site-17 measuring approximately 175 Meters in length, SCP-5356 is affixed with standard equipment, 5356 is instructed to observe D-72250 as they walk an increasing farther distance away from the Object.

Results: Ability had remained active until D-72250 had completely exited SCP-5356’s field of vision.

Notes: It appears the ability is extremely potent in creating an extrasensory connection over long distances as long as visual contact with the Subject is maintained, going to run a few more tests to see what exactly the parameters of this aspect are. - Dr. Harvey

Following this, multiple experiments involving distance and vision obscurity were conducted on SCP-5356 to determine the limits of its anomalous ability. Experiments concluded that any sentient humanoid within the Object’s field of vision, unless completely obscured, will activate the ability to some degree.

[+ Level 2/TOPAZ Required]

On [REDACTED], the Site-17 Esoteric Studies Department received approval from Overwatch to conduct experimentations involving SCP-5356 interacting with other psionic entities, the purpose of which was to learn how 5356’s phenomenon reacted to other psionic abilities, and possibly extract usable information from the Object on PoI-29135, the results of these experiments are listed below:

[REDACTED TO LEVEL 3/TOURMALINE]

Experiment-5356-25 (Incident 5356-02)

Forward: This line of testing was conducted to find the capacity of SCP-5356’s ability, all eight (8) previous experiments Follow the exact same Procedure except the quantity of Subjects holding one less D-Class then their successor experiment, each resulting in the activation of SCP-5356’s ability as well as an increasing level of physical discomfort in the Object.

While 5356 had vocalized its increasing pain and discomfort, the supervising Research Team elected to continue on with the line of experimentation despite the level of stress and mental exertion it put on the Object, this came to a head during Experiment-25 which acted as the catalyst for the ensuing incident.

Subjects: SCP-5356, D-0938, D-9030, D-5641…+ Continued

Procedure: SCP-5356 is hooked up to standard equipment, Nine Class-D Personnel are arranged to enter the testing chamber one at a time, gradually increasing the number of persons within the Object’s field of vision. Object is instructed to observe all Class-D Personnel as they enter its view.

Results: Object observes all Class-D Personnel as they enter and read all of their emotional states with accuracy, however, upon reaching five Subjects within its view, Object vocalizes that it was beginning to feel strong pains within it’s skull, as more personnel enter its vision, Object begins displaying symptoms of extreme pain, fear, and exhaustion. Upon the ninth and final D-Class entering its field of view, SCP-5356 abruptly enters a state of seizure.

Testing is terminated as Emergency Medical Personnel are dispatched to 5356’s location, D-Class are escorted out of the testing chamber by Security Personnel, and Research staff supervising the experiment attempt to coordinate these efforts as well as enact appropriate situational protocols.

Notes: N/A

[+ Open Ethics Committee Mandate ER5356]

=SCP Foundation=

Ethics Committee Mandate ER5356

---

Due to the recent incident that led to the hospitalization of SCP-5356, an Ethical Inquest was launched into investigating the conduct of the Research Team overseeing the Experiment.

The Inquest has come to the conclusion that, while the severe reaction of SCP-5356 could not be foreseen due to the anomalous nature of the Object’s brain, SCP-5356 was shown to have clearly expressed it’s discomfort and distress leading up to the seizure.

As such, all Researchers involved have received appropriate disciplinary action.

As it is a threat to SCP-5356’s physical well-being, all future experiment preposals involving “stress-testing” the capacity of the Object’s ability must receive joint authorization from the Site-17 Head Research Board (Site Director holding the power to veto any approval vote.) and the Ethics Committee.

Let's not make the same mistake twice, people.

- Ethics Liaison Hamilton

---

Secure. Contain. Protect.

Addendum 5653-D: Dairy Log

Addendum 5653-E: Incidents Log

Incident-5356-05

On [REDACTED], at approximately 2:30 PM local time, the speaker system within SCP-5356’s Containment Wing abruptly began playing a recording of We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn completely unprompted by any on-site Personnel. While Technical Staff were attempting to regain control of the speakers and having little success, other sentient SCPs possessing the ability to speak gradually began singing along to the lyrics. While this was initially thought to have been caused by a Memetic Agent, it was later found that every SCP that had participated in singing did so under their own volition.

Following this, the entire Containment Sector was placed under lockdown. Security and IT Personnel were mobilized to investigate the potential Security Breach.

The song was able to play in its entirety uninterrupted, and upon completion, the Technical Team was able to regain control of the speakers without issue.

Following this, all containment cells were searched in an attempt to find the source of the Breach. Upon searching SCP-5356’s cell, it was found to be in possession of an unauthorized manuscript, in a state of emotional distress. When questioned as to how it was able to precure the item, it stated that it had been “dropped through the food slot” on the cell’s door approximately 30 seconds after the music began playing.⁸

The manuscript is a letter that appears to have been handwritten by PoI-29135 in Italian, and is believed to have been intended to be received by SCP-5356.

A sigil was found to have been stenciled to the back of the manuscript. Upon examination by the Occult Studies department, it was found to be two sigils drawn on top of each other: the first was a sigil which had severed the quantum link between the manuscript and its writer, preventing Type Blues from using the Law of Contagion to trace the writer’s location.

The second was a sigil which would have caused the manuscript to dissolve into dust after being activated by a verbal trigger. This is believed to have been put in place to prevent the Foundation from gaining access to the manuscript. However, Anti-Occult technology embedded within the Containment Wing prevented the sigil from activating.

Below is a transcript of the letter translated to English:

[+ Open Transcript]

Footnotes

1. See Information Compartment L2/TOPAZ of Special Containment Procedures.

2. Necronovis: the process by which a deceased entity is returned to the state of living.

3. Colloquial term used by Field Personnel to describe an area of Non-Euclidean space that is, or appears to be, intentionally designed to be confusing to navigate.

4. This should not have been possible due to urban light pollution, however, photo records of the phenomenon show the positions of the constellations to be consistent to their positions in the sky at the time. For more information on the phenomenon’s Disinformation campaign, see all relevant Operation STAR BLAZER files.

5. A subset of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), all information regarding it and its contents is classified under the ABYSSAL Security Clearance, as such, it is often referred to colloquially as the “Abyss Catalog/Database/Registry'' by US Agents.

6. Section 3.3: Techniques to Prevent the Activation of Tactile Cognitohazards

7. English Translation: God

8. Analysis of Surveillance Footage of the Containment Unit’s adjacent hallway shows that all Personnel nearby wouldn’t have been able to get close enough to slide the manuscript through the door within the timeframe. Investigation ongoing.