pr0m37h3um's Focus Sandbox (TM)
rating: 0+x
Item#: XXXX
Level3
Containment Class:
esoteric
Secondary Class:
sakenai
Disruption Class:
keneq
Risk Class:
notice

titan.jpg

Development of new features within Titan's Ligeia Mare due to SCP-XXXX.

Special Containment Procedures: By Sakenai-class containment policy, public knowledge of SCP-XXXX is to be suppressed for as long as possible. If an astronomical or other scientific institution lacking sufficient clearance detects or images SCP-XXXX, all information is to be confiscated and prohibited from public release, and all individuals involved with the program which detected SCP-XXXX are to be amnesticized. In the inevitable eventuality that SCP-XXXX's existence and operations become public knowledge, the Veil should be considered breached and standard protocols for a Broken Masquerade scenario shall be put into effect immediately.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a structure currently located near Ligeia Mare on Titan. The origins of SCP-XXXX are unknown, though its architecture indicates potentially religious intent.

SCP-XXXX is capable of interstellar self-propulsion without compromising its contents. Both the method and cause of this phenomenon are currently unknown. Once it has settled on a planet or planetoid, SCP-XXXX begins to terraform it, gradually changing various characteristics of the body to one able to support life similar to that found on Earth, as well as causing it to rapidly develop simple yet diverse animal and plant life.

Based on current knowledge, it is believed that a Broken Masquerade scenario is inevitable should SCP-XXXX remain active (assuming that it will proceed to terraform other celestial bodies after Titan). Considering that Titan is not current visible in detail through civilian telescopes, this is not expected to be an immediate concern in the foreseeable future. It is projected that SCP-XXXX will first terraform the major moons of Saturn, followed by the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, before proceeding beyond the asteroid belt, at which point a Broken Masquerade will likely be unavoidable.

Discovery: SCP-XXXX was discovered by NASA following its entry into the solar system through the Kuiper Belt in late 2001. It was originally thought to be an abnormal but nonanomalous asteroid. However, upon closer examination, it was discovered to be more than a simple asteroid, and the Foundation was informed of its existence. In April of 2007, SCP-XXXX made landfall on Titan and began the terraforming process.

Addendum 1: In June of 2009, select members of Mobile Task Force Pi-32 ("Stargazers") were dispatched to the surface of Titan to study the effects of SCP-XXXX. The following conclusions can be extrapolated from the data recovered and observations made:

1. The temperature on Titan's surface is gradually increasing.
2. Over time, Titan's previously hypothesized underground water oceans are rising to the surface, while methane suffuses the resultant basins.
3. Some of the water that rises to the surface remains as a liquid, while some evaporates and/or separates into molecular hydrogen and oxygen.
4. The atmosphere on Titan has become marginally breathable for short periods of time.
5. Basic native life forms are beginning to develop extremely rapidly from the pre-existing organic compounds. This includes bacteria and other microscopic life, and it is theorized that insects and basic plants will begin to appear soon. Those life forms are largely hydrocarbon- and oxygen-based and feed off of the rich hydrocarbons in Titan's soil.

Four days following their arrival on Titan, MTF Pi-32 reached SCP-XXXX's location. SCP-XXXX appeared to be sealed, with no visible entrance. However, when Pi-32 entered within approximately 10 meters of the structure, a pair of previously unseen doors opened, allowing Pi-32 inside.

Pi-32 were instructed to enter SCP-XXXX and report on its contents. The atmospheric conditions within SCP-XXXX closely resemble that of Earth, remaining distinct from the atmosphere outside.

Within SCP-XXXX, Pi-32 discovered a number of miscellaneous objects, including what appeared to be weapons1, various articles of regalia and jewelry, and tablets composed of the same stone-like material as SCP-XXXX and bearing inscriptions in an unknown hieroglyphic script, which was also found inscribed on the two opposing long internal walls of SCP-XXXX.

Pi-32 also reported the presence of a sarcophagus-like structure at the center of the internal space with inscriptions in the same script as the walls and tablets. The presence of this structure was later confirmed in photographs. Pi-32 were instructed to attempt to pry the sarcophagus open but were unable to do so.

MTF-Pi-32 were instructed to remain on Titan until further notice.

Addendum 2: Following two years of investigation and study, Foundation paralinguists have managed to translate the text found on the inner walls of SCP-XXXX.

THE NIGHT IS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN
THE DAY IS BRIGHTEST BEFORE THE DARK
AN EMPTY THRONE FOR A KING WHO SLEEPS
THE EMPTY HOME OF A QUEEN WHO WEEPS


Efforts are currently underway to translate further texts.

Addendum 3: In January of 2013, a number of hollow mineral spikes and pillars emerged in the vicinity of Kraken Mare, an event believed to be caused by SCP-XXXX. According to reports from Pi-32, these structures did not appear to follow any known architectural styles and are believed to simply be random crystalline bodies. However, inscriptions were found on the inner walls of each structure, in a script similar to but distinct from the script found within SCP-XXXX. It is believed that one of the scripts may be an older or more traditional form of the same language.

Using information extrapolated from an initial analysis of the inscriptions within SCP-XXXX, it is believed that the inscriptions within the crystalline structures read as follows:

FOUR HEIRS, THE LAST OF THE FAMED
THREE DEAD, THE LAST TO BE CLAIMED
TWO KINGS, THE FINAL ONE SHAMED
ONE QUEEN, THE FINAL ONE NAMED

Addendum 4: In February of 2017, Foundation Area-61 was officially established within a small forest near Kraken Mare with the express purpose of studying alien environments, the effects of SCP-XXXX, and the structures appearing at various locations on Titan. Initially, 50 Foundation personnel members familiar with space travel, astrobiology, xenobiology, and paralinguistics were dispatched to Area-61.

Addendum 5: On December 23 of 2019, Area-61's hull breach alarms were triggered. Upon investigation, it was discovered that an inscription had appeared on the inner wall of a testing chamber within Area-61. The inscription was written in the same script as the texts found within SCP-XXXX, and read as follows:

THE PROPHECY PROCEEDS
THE INTERLOPERS ARRIVE
THE WORLD WILL RETURN
THE KINGDOM WILL RISE
THE IMPOSTORS FALL
THE RITUAL DIES
LONG HAVE WE WAITED
THE KING IS ALIVE